Encore Magazine articles from September 2006

Encore Magazine archives from September 2006

The other kind of runaways: we're the first to congratulate local talents when they do well on the world's stage, but how can we convince them to stay put and keep working here?(Editorial)
September 1, 2006... THE DREADED 'BRAIN DRAIN' IS AN ETERNAL problem for an industry like this, in which limited production levels force the leading lights to head overseas to make it big and earn serious money. This was apparent at the recent Australian...

Vacant Fox Studios shuffles execs: could Nancy Romano spark a Fox Studios reniassaisance? Tracey Prisk reports.(PEOPLE)
September 1, 2006... IN AN EXECUTIVE RE-SHUFFLE, NANCY Romano has replaced Michael Harvey as chief executive at Fox Studios Australia. Romano has been working at Fox for some five years, most recently as commercial and operations manager. Harvey will move...

'Jasper Morello' to become a feature.(Australia Film Commission approves 3D Films plans to develop film version of its animated movie)(The Fourth Voyage - Jasper Morello and the Ebenezer of Gothia)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... 3D Films has received an Australian Film Commission right of fellowship to develop a feature film version of its animated adventure series The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello. The feature project, titled The Fourth...

'To Catch a Killer' shooting at Fox.(Fox Studios Australia begins production of a television movie)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... TO CATCH A KILLER HAS COMMENCED SHOOTING AT SYDNEY'S FOX STUDIOS. The telemovie explores the traumatic real-life ordeal that British backpacker Joanne Lees faced following the murder of her boyfriend Peter Falconio in 2001. The film...

Seed lands new premises / Foxtel deal.(DEVELOPMENT)
September 1, 2006... Production company Seed, formed by partners Hugh Jackman, Deborra Lee Furness and John Palermo, has embarked upon a first-look deal partnership with Foxtel, following the company's launch of its Australian base at Fox Studios. The deal...

Production of Australian and co-production animated features and TV drama 1990/91 to 2004/05.(Close Up: HEADLINES)
September 1, 2006... PRODUCTION OF AUSTRALIAN AND CO-PRODUCTION ANIMATED FEATURES AND TV DRAMA 1990/91 TO 2004/05 ANIMATED FEATURES 1990s 2000/01 TO 2004/05 No. produced 3 1 Total duration: 4...

On 'fire' Thomson scoops pool at AWGIE awards: answered by fire/Unfolding Florence writer dominates at this year's Australian Writers Guild Awards, collecting a haul of three AWGIE. David Hull reports.(AWARDS)
September 1, 2006... SCREENWRITER KATHERINE THOMSON picked up three honours, including the major award, at this year's Australian Writers Guild Awards (AWGIES), which were held in Sydney on August 25. The major award went to Thomson and co-writer Barbara...

Wagner lured for SPAA conference: 2929 entertainment's Todd Wagner will talk release windows at the 2006 SPAA Conference.(CONFERENCE)
September 1, 2006... FOUNDER AND CEO OF 2929 ENTERTAINMENT TODD WAGNER WILL HEAD to Australia as a keynote speaker at the 2006 Screen Producers' Association of Australia (SPAA) Conference, to be held on the Gold Coast in November. Wagner has been involved in a...

Turbulent times for SFF as Grierson quits: resignations and another box office deficit for the SFF are in stark contrast to MIFF's record year.(FESTIVAL)
September 1, 2006... TONY GRIERSON HAS QUIT AS CHIEF executive of the Sydney Film Festival (SFF); a move that came hot on the heels of the departure of Lynden Barber, who was just two years into his tenure as creative director. Grierson's reign lasted a mere...

'Dark Island' all set for old shoot.(Phil Avalon to direct a horror movie)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Phil Avalon will produce and direct Dark Island, a new low-budget horror feature from first-time scriptwriter Peter Dai Evans. The project, pitched at the teen market, will shoot on the Gold Coast. Dai Evans' script is based on "tribal...

Australian projects head for Toronto.(FESTIVAL)
September 1, 2006... EIGHT AUSSIE FILMS ARE SCREENING IN THE PROGRAM OF THE 31 ST TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM Festival, which runs from September 7 to 16. The films selected to screen at the festival are: The Book of Revelation (director Ana Kokkinos, producer...

Lazarus rises to AFC development role: producer mark Lazarus is about to begin a new role at the Australian Film Commission. Steve Misiura gets the lowdown.(Mark Lazarus)
September 1, 2006... PRODUCER MARK LAZARUS HAS LEFT his role at Filmgraphics Entertainment to join the Australian Film Commission (AFC) as a project manager. For the last three years Lazarus ran the entertainment division of Filmgraphics, where he developed...

Game over: Foxtel calls quits on AFL channel; Foxtel is blaming the federal government's anti-siphoning laws for its decision to close down its dedicated Aussie rules football channel from the end of this month.(SPORT)
September 1, 2006... FOXTEL WILL CLOSE ITS DEDICATED Australian rules channel, Fox Footy at the end of the current season, in a move that has intensified the anti-siphoning debate. Citing the positions taken by the Seven and Ten networks, and the delays and...

Beresford to direct Vietnam war pic.(Bruce Beresford)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... AUSTRALIAN DIRECTOR BRUCE BERESFORD HAS signed up to write and direct a big-budget Australian film based on the Vietnam war's battle of Long Tan in wake of a warm response from the Australian public to the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long...

The 'Sky' is the limit for Queensland feature: New Holland Pictures has teamed up with Dutch partners IdtV to work on an Australian remake of the award-winning Dutch feature, De Poolse Bruid. Steve Misiura reports.(PRODUCTION)(The Unfinished Sky)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... SHOOTING IS ABOUT TO COMMENCE IN QUEENSLAND ON THE FEATURE The Unfinished Sky, produced by Brisbane-based New Holland Pictures. Based on the screenplay by Kees van der Hulst for Dutch feature film De Poolse Bruid, The Unfinished Sky will star...

Producers/writers seeking 'pre-nup' contracts: the Screen Producer's Association of Australia recently held a seminar on contract copyright issues between writers and producers. Steve Misiura reports.(RIGHTS)
September 1, 2006... THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WRITER and the producer is as complex as it is varied. Like any relationship good communication is the most vital element, respect a pre-requisite. It takes work and an interminable focus to keep working for the...

Ikin to leave the FFC: evaluation manager decides to head back to producing.(Bridget Ikin, Film Finance Corp.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... BRIDGET IKIN WILL BE LEAVING HER position of evaluation manager at the Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC) at the conclusion of her two-year contract. Ikin's role at the FFC, along with that of fellow evaluation manger Tait Brady, was...

SPR picks up local thriller 'Gabriel'.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Sony Pictures Releasing (SPR) has acquired worldwide rights to local gothic action thriller, Gabriel, from writer Matt Todd, co-writer/director Shane Abbess and producers Anna Cridland and Kristy Vernon. The film stars Andy Whitfield, Samantha...

New cinema for film & Sound Archive.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... The Australian Film Commission (AFC) has announced that Arc, a state-of-the-art 250-seat cinema, will be built in the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) headquarters in Canberra. Set to open early 2007, Arc will feature sophisticated...

Film vic approves script funding.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Film Victoria has approved $260,000 of script development for 13 drama productions. TV projects given support include: Angry Messiah Pictures' Mr Lucky, an eight x 30-minute comedy for SBS (writers Robert Galinsky and Alexander Gutman); and...

Showtime commissions drama from Simpson.(Showtime Entertainment Inc. contracted Lone Hand to produce a new television program 'Satisfaction')(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Showtime has commissioned a 10 x one-hour drama series from Roger Simpson's production company, Lone Hand--the writer/producer's first project since disbanding Simpson Le Mesurier. The series carries the working title Satisfaction and revolves...

Cordes trades Nick for ABC Enterprises.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... The ABC's commercial arm ABC Enterprises has appointed Katie Cordes as manager of Product and Content Development In her new role, Cordes will be involved in the development and production of consumer products and content. Cordes has a strong...

Aftrs' LAMP calls for cross-media projects.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... The Laboratory of Advanced Media Production (LAMP) is calling for cross-media projects from creative teams in the Australian media industry for its fifth live-in-lab, which will be taking place in Freycinet, Tasmania, from October 29 to...

Mooney to head up Seven Queensland.(Neil Mooney promoted)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Seven Queensland, Seven Queensland which owns and operates Seven's regional television stations from Maroochydore to Cairns, has appointed Neil Mooney to the role of general manager. Previously executive producer of Seven's nightly public...

Sims and Spencer join filmmaking comp.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Actor, producer and director Jeremy Sims and filmmaker/film critic Megan Spencer have signed on as panellists for the filmmaking competition television series, Project Greenlight Sims and Spencer will join Paul McDermott, besides a different...

Miners lock out doco secures vital funds.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... The Mine Workers Trust have confirmed the contribution of the remaining funds needed to complete a Great Depression-era documentary based on one of the most significant events for industrial reform in Australia. Lockout will focus on the...

Chook raffles and conspiracy: these words sum up the 2006 Australian International Movie Convention, where exhibitors considered the impact of D-Cinema and distributors celebrated local content.(AIMC: EVENT COVERAGE)
September 1, 2006... DIGITAL CINEMA IN ALL ITS FORMS WAS THE KEY TALKING POINT at the 2006 Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC), the local distribution and exhibition sector's annual conference and product showcase (which was held on Queensland's Gold...

A first time for everything: support schemes that favour first-time directors do little to build an industry, warns Australian Screen Directors association executive director Richard Harris.(Dialogue: DIRECTING)
September 1, 2006... DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR AND DGC PRESIDENT Allan King, lamenting the churn of young Canadian directors to Hollywood, observed that when you can't afford to fund a film industry you end up funding a film school. King was not seeking to...

Australia's finest delve into the depths: this month Bob Ellis turns his attentions to a batch of recent local films that delve into the murky depths and to the Swaziland-set directorial debut of actor Richard E Grant.(Rough Cut: REVIEW)
September 1, 2006... THIS MONTH BOB ELLIS REVIEWS: THE BOOK OF REVELATION (DIRECTOR ANA KOKKINOS, PRODUCER AL CLARK), CANDY (DIRECTOR NEIL ARMFIELD, PRODUCERS MARGARET FINK AND EMILE SHERMAN), JINDABYNE (DIRECTOR RAY LAWRENCE, PRODUCER CATHERINE JARMAN), AND...

Industry review begs the question: now what? Screen Producers Association of Australia executive director Geoff Brown considers the possible outcomes of the federal government review of industry financing schemes.(Above The Line: GOVERNMENT REVIEW)
September 1, 2006... THE INDUSTRY HAS RESPONDED TO THE Government review of federal agencies, structures and private investment mechanisms, and it is pleasing to report that despite, or in spite of, the ridiculous timeframe we were given to respond, the industry...

Report proves Australia losing its edge: where Australia was once competitive in the race for runaways, savvy rivals have narrowed the gap and Australia risks pricing itself out of the market. Tracey Montgomery reports.(LA Insider: RUNAWAYS)
September 1, 2006... THE LOCATIONS FOR LARGE-BUDGET STUDIO FEATURE films have long been known to go where they make creative and, just as importantly, economic sense. This was once limited to a select number of locations outside the United States and--most...

Market showcase to benefit indie producers: next month's MIPCOM television market offers a few surprise packages for independent producers. European correspondent Julian Newby reports.(Euro Insider: MIPCOM)
September 1, 2006... AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS ATTENDING the annual MIPCOM content market in Cannes will have the opportunity to meet with colleagues from the UK as the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) has organised the first-ever UK...

'Gargoyle' points way to animated feature project: Adelaide-based Anifex films has its sights on a feature project following the success of its latest short work, Gargoyle. David Hull reports.(Script: STOP MOTION)
September 1, 2006... SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ANIMATION STUDIO ANIFEX Films is developing a feature-length stop motion project on the strength of a successful slate of self-funded short films. The most recent Anifex project, Gargoyle, has scored a nomination in the...

Flanagan engaged for Luhrmann 'epic'.(Richard Flanagan works with Baz Luhrmann on a movie script)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Author Richard Flanagan is collaborating with Baz Luhrmann on the final draft of the latter's forthcoming feature project. The duo have been in northern Australia putting the final touches to the script whilst the production team prepares for...

Prospero, ScreenWest line up 'Eco House'.(Prospero Productions teams up with ScreeWest to make documentary series for SBS Independent)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... SBS Independent has ordered a new six-part documentary series from Western Australia-based Prospero Productions. A collaboration with ScreenWest, Eco House will test whether two families can make a difference to the state of the environment....

Freshwater hatches new partnership.(Hatchling Productions and Freshwater Pictures teams up to produce documentary and drama movies)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Northern NSW-based Hatchling Productions and Queensland's Freshwater Pictures have teamed up to produce a slate of documentary and drama productions, including the feature White Knuckles. Roger Monk penned the White Knuckles script, which is...

'Storm Warning' bridges production/post divide: Digital Pictures colourist Justin Heitman sought to bring production and post closer together on local HD-shot feature Storm Warning. David Hull reports.(color correction, movie production)
September 1, 2006... MAINTAINING THE DESIRED COLOURS IN AN IMAGE when going from HD to film can prove challenging, especially when shooting in variable lighting conditions. With this in mind, the producers of Jamie Blanks-directed horror film Storm Warning called...

'Fools Gold' preps for QLD shoot.(Andy Tennant shoots his upcoming film in Queensland)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Pre-production on Andy Tennant-directed US production Fools Gold is underway at Queensland's Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast, ahead of a location shoot on Lizard Island. Tennant's previous credits include Hitch, Sweet Home Alabama and...

SS gets 'dangerous' for Sydney tale.(Foxtel to launch television drama produced by Southern Star)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Foxtel has greenlit Dangerous, a new local drama series for pay TV to be produced by Southern Star. Set against the backdrops of western suburbs street crime and the affluence of Sydney's eastern suburbs, the eight-part, one-hour series...

Pre-school series 'Rock It' set for ten.(Galaxy Pop produces a television series for Network Ten Proprietary Ltd.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Production is underway on Rock It!, a new 26 x 30-minute preschool series to be produced by Galaxy Pop for the Ten Network. Rock It!, follows the adventures of a group of friends--a three-piece pop combo--who find a derelict rocket ship in an...

RSP scores work on 'Diamond' and 'Mimzy'.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Rising Sun Pictures has scored visual effects gigs on two new Hollywood projects: Warner Bros thriller Blood Diamond and New Line family film Mimzy. Blood Diamond is a thriller set against the 1990s civil war in Sierra Leone and is directed by...

Autodesk introduces Lustre 2007.(IN BRIEF)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Autodesk has launched the new version of its Lustre digital colour grading system. Lustre 2007 offers real-time colour correction through the use of high-bandwidth Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). It also features tools to enable collaboration...

Avid to expand Intel Mac offerings.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Avid has announced plans to expand its range of video and audio tools for Intel-based Mac systems, including the new Mac Pro workstation. Avid will ship new versions of Avid Xpress Pro and Media Composer systems for all Intel-based Macs by...

Fairlight posts Amsterdam sale.(Amsterdam Postoffice installs new digital audio equipment)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... The Postoffice in Amsterdam recently installed a Dream Constellation-XT as the primary technology in its new digital audio post department. The facility's new addition, supplied by its Sydney-based manufacturer Fairlight, is located within the...

Local acts share the spotlight in '48 Shades': the soundtrack of Daniel Lapaine's directorial debut 48 Shades features an eclectic mix of work by local artists. Fiona Williams reports.(Sync: MUSIC LICENSING)
September 1, 2006... DIRECTOR DANIEL LAPAINE'S 48 SHADES IS A quintessentially 'Brisbane film.' The sunny city looms large in the story of a watershed year in the life of 16-year old Dan (Richard Wilson), who becomes embroiled in a teen/twenty-something love...

Sony acquires us rights to 'Jindabyne'.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the North American rights to Ray Lawrence's Jindabyne. Produced by Catherine Jarman for April Films, and starring Laura Linney, Gabriel Byrne, Deborra-lee Furness and John Howard, Jindabyne tells the story of...

Palace to put on 'Razzle Dazzle'.(movie distribution agreement, Razzle Dazzle - A Journey into Dance)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Palace Films has acquired the Darren Ashton-directed Razzle Dazzle--A Journey into Dance for Australia and New Zealand distribution. A mockumentary on the world of competitive dance, the film follows Mr Jonathon's Dance Academy and his...

Tsilimidos secures deal for 'Em 4 Jay'.(Alkinos Tsilimidos signs contract with Clock End Films )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Australian filmmaker Alkinos Tsilimidos has signed a distribution partnership with Clock End Films for his feature Em 4 Jay. Clock End is run by Nigel Odell, who last year released Australian comedy Josh Jarman through Instinct Entertainment....

Murphy to tour oz to promote 'Barley'.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Irish actor Cillian Murphy will visit Australia this month to promote Dendy Films' release of the latest project from Ken Loach, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, the film which took this year's Palme D'Or in Cannes. Dendy will release the film...

E-cinema goes mainstream with Dendy '49 Up' release: Atlab and Dendy have teamed up for the release of the latest 7 up film, distributing the film via an alternative digital delivery method. Steve Misiura reports.(Screen: E-CINEMA)
September 1, 2006... RANKED IN A RECENT POLL AS ONE OF THE greatest documentary series of all time, Michael Apted's landmark 7 Up franchise, has broken new ground by becoming Australia's most widespread digital cinema release. The latest chapter released in August,...

Engineers ramp up the campaign to boost skills: the local branch of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers is spearheading a drive to update work practices. Tracey Prisk reports.(Payroll: BROADCAST TRAINING)
September 1, 2006... THE LACK OF TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT programs for engineering and technical professionals has reached crisis point in this country. There are no industry-acknowledged formal training programs in place, no ways to recognise and rank...

Woodman lands Awg executive role.( )(Jacqueline Woodman joins Australian Writers' Guild )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Jacqueline Woodman has commenced her role as the Australian Writers' Guild's new executive director following Megan Elliott's move to take up a position at the new media think tank XIMediaILab. Woodman was previously the director of the Whitlam...

Browning swaps NSW FTO for FFC.(Sally Browning leaves New South Wales Film and Television Office and joins Australia's Film Finance Corp.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC). has appointed New South Wales Film and Television Office (FTO) head of development and investment Sally Browning to the position of investment manager. Browning will take up her new role in the middle...

Wooldridge shifts to Fox distributors.(IN BRIEF)
September 1, 2006... Twentieth Century Fox Film Distributors Australia has appointed Marc Wooldridge to the position of marketing director. He moves over from Fox's Home Entertainment division, where he has worked for the past 15 years. Wooldridge's tenure at Fox...

Animation.(new and planned animated television programs)(junk food advertising regulations in United Kingdom)(Cover story)
September 1, 2006... CHILDREN'S DRAMA: A QUESTION OF TIMING AS ANIMATION PRODUCERS VIE FOR KIDS DRAMA SLOTS ON THE BIG THREE TV NETWORKS, THE WORLDWIDE CRACKDOWN ON JUNK FOOD ADVERTISING THREATENS INDUSTRY VIABILITY. DAVID HULL REPORTS. THE PRECARIOUS...

Listings.(Production Report)
September 1, 2006... EVERY MONTH ENCORE's production report includes all known features and television drama and factual programs that have a network presale. Projects in the planning stage appear once only and the listing ends when a project goes into...

Kate Ilbery.(Interview)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Job Title: Researcher/Associate Segment Producer for It's Academic First Break: Presenting and producing for a WAAPA production in Perth called 'Roughcut' But my first break over east was being P/A for It's Academic Industry Mentor/s:...

'Encore' toasts new look.(People)
September 1, 2006... [WHAT] Party to celebrate relaunch of Encore [WHEN] August 10 [WHERE] Ruby Rabbit, Darlinghurst, Sydney PHOTOS: ADRIANA OWENS AND ROB MORRISON

'Life at One' screening (below).(People)
September 1, 2006... [WHAT] Screening of landmark documentary series Life at One. [WHEN] August 4 [WHERE] Roxy Theatre, Film Australia (Sydney) PHOTOS: KYM DRUITT

Film Victoria Simpson Le Mesurier lunch.(People)
September 1, 2006... [WHAT] A lunch to toast Roger Simpson and Roger Le Mesurier. [WHEN] August 4 [WHERE] Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne PHOTOS: SAM D'AGOSTINO

Wedding day washout fuels fires for new formats: industry insider Harvey Shore keeps his eyes peeled and his ears close to the ground to report the latest whisperings in the cruel, capricious world of television.(dSP Beyond's Denis Spencer's management of programming)(Network Ten Proprietary Ltd. discontinues Yasmin)(CTC Productions's series Backyard Blitz's ratings)(Industry overview)
September 1, 2006... YASMIN'S DIVORCE FROM TEN FOR NEGATIVE nuptial ratings was a loss for the network but a huge gain for its reputation as a risk-taker. Ten is the only commercial network regularly taking a punt with risky new formats from local producers these...

Swedish porn news shocker.(Out takes)
September 1, 2006... Sweden's public broadcaster, SVT, faced ridicule for mistakenly showing a porn movie in the background of a news broadcast. Viewers of the midnight update were treated to explicit scenes from X-rated Czech movie Sex Tails on a television...

There's got to be a 'full house' joke in here somewhere ...(Out takes)
September 1, 2006... The Freehand Group is on the lookout for an audience for its comedy game show, Joker Poker. The Ten comedy features comedians playing cards for a prize pool to benefit charity. If you're interested in being in the audience for filming between...

Another reason to hate the tax man.(United Stats Internal Revenue Service asks celebrities to report gifts and goodies on their tax returns)(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... In the US, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has cracked down on goodie bags given to celebrities for presenting at awards. Swag, as its commonly called, has reached outrageous proporations, with this year's Oscar presenters going home with an...

And on a related topic ...(Australian Taxation Office, no baggage fines for delegates of Australian International Movie Convention )(Brief article)
September 1, 2006... Should the Australian Tax Office get any ideas--and no doubt they will--Australian International Movie Convention delegates needn't be too worried. There's been a sharp decline in freebies handed out at the distribution/exhibition industry's...

The production diary of Matty le Marr: nightdreamings of a new tomorrow ...(film maker's thoughts)
September 1, 2006... 2.30am. I'm beginning to think I'm like a bit of a night owel... but I think that's okay cos it's like, after dark when all the bestest ideas come. I'm sure someone genius said that. It's good that I'm thinking, having ideas, developing, I'm...