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CAMEL WHISPERER WINS PITCH 'N' PUNT
Congratulations
to Kamahl Druesne for winning the Screenwork’s Pitch’n’Punt competition
for his project CAMEL WHISPERER. Judges Roger Monk, Susan McKinnon and
Valerie Hardy were out for half an hour deliberating before announcing
the winner. Kamahl went on to pitch his project at the SPAA Fringe
Pitch competition held in Brisbane a fortnight ago. He had this to say
of the experience:
'I felt fortunate
to have the opportunity to practise pitching to industry professionals
at the Pitch n' Punt and then to have the professional one-on-one
advice of Valerie Hardy. Although I did not win at SPAA Fringe, I felt
I did a great job pitching and found the best part of the pitching comp
was the mingling afterwards with producers who found my story to be
fascinating. I made some interesting contacts and look forward to
following them up as I am still looking for someone with documentary
producing experience to help me get this story on the screen. '
LOCATION CD LAUNCHED
A CD promoting the region’s locations has been produced by Screenworks
and was distributed to 700 delegates at the recent Screen Producers
Association of Australia’s conference. Featuring over 500 images and 30
virtual tours, the CD is divided into council region, or alternatively
image type such as beaches, architecture and more. Twenty of the CDs
were recently provided to a Chinese trade delegation and 100 have been
given to the Film and Television Office Locations Liaison Unit.
Congratulations to Dallas Nock, with the support of Zubin Henner for
producing this epic piece of work!
SPAA CONFERENCES
A small but enthusiastic group of around 12 Northern Rivers
practitioners attended this year's SPAA conferences. Deb McBride
represented Screenworks at both Fringe and SPAA and reported back that
the sessions at Fringe were relaxed, informative and inspiring and that
(big!) SPAA gave a great insight into industry thinking for the year
ahead. What was obvious throughout both conferences is that
practitioners need to start thinking differently about their projects
if they want to stay above the gloom and doom prophecies of the general
thinking. The world of ever changing technologies makes it easier for
practitioners to look at creative ways of getting screen product to
audiences, maximising the life of projects via the web, developing
online revenue raising ideas, and self distributing. The great
incentive of thinking outside the square now is that producers are well
placed to keep more of the profit for themselves and watch less of it
go to the middle players.
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SHORT FILMS WITHOUT THE SHORT CUTS
10am to 12.30pm, Friday 20 August - FREE
Presented by local producer Lois Randall, this seminar is a 'must do'
for all filmmakers and producers of short films. Making short films
does not mean taking short cuts. This seminar will cover all the basic
requirements that need to be in place when making short films. You need
never not know any more. Lois Randall has been producer and mentor for
many short films including AND JUSTICE FOR ONE, THE NEW BOOTS, THE LONG
WET and AIR. She has also production managed major large format films.
Lois has run the Australian Screen Directors Association as well as
being involved in the early days of community television and managing
Sydney’s resource organisation, Metro Screen. She knows where to take
short cuts and where not to. She will generously share her experience
at this free seminar. Rsvp 6680 9220 or email info@screenworks.com.au
CREATING TV WITH THE MARKET IN MIND
Postponed
AFC SCREENING WITH PROJECT OFFICER JACKIE MCKIMMIE
6pm, 27 August - FREE
Screening of a number of recently funded AFC shorts and general
discussions about changes to the guidelines and issues related to
attracting funding from the AFC.
CLINIC WITH AFC PROJECT OFFICER JACKIE MCKIMMIE
11am to 5pm, 27 August - FREE
One on one appointments to discuss your projects. Please phone 66809220 for appointments.
APPLYING MUSIC TO IMAGE
10am to 12.30pm, Friday 10 September - FREE
Seminar presented by local composer Yantra de Vilder. Run in
association with Australian Screen Composer’s Guild and the Northern
Rivers Conservatorium. The seminar is aimed at composers and musicians
with an understanding of music theory, composition techniques and the
use of technology who are interested in pursuing a career in multimedia
music production. She will cover how to deal effectively with scoping a
project for budget and contracting purposes, preparing a work plan for
the production of music, composing and arranging music to suit a brief,
using MIDI technology to produce draft of finished music and how to
implement the recording of music and incorporate into the finished
production. Yantra writes music for film, radio, theatre, dance and
multimedia events. Her skills encompass conducting, performance,
composing and musical direction.
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MARK LEWIS JOINS FFC
The Film Finance Corporation of Australia (FFC) has announced the
appointment of local Mullumbimby documentary filmmaker Mark Lewis as a
consultant on its pilot Documentary Filmmaker Innovation Fund.
BASC becomes BOFF
The BASC film festival, established in 2001, has had a makeover and
returns to Bangalow as BOFF – The Bangalow Outdoor Film Festival.
Artistic director Pete Castaldi says: 'Whilst everybody loved BASC, we
wanted to create an event which families and a broader range of the
community could enjoy. We think the idea of people bringing their
picnic hampers along and enjoying the excitement of an outdoor film
festival marries the creativity of the region with our beautiful
environment'.
The festival will
screen over nine days from Friday 1 October through to Saturday 9
October 2004 and will be staged under starlight at the Bangalow
Showground.
The program
includes the hit of the recent Sydney Film Festival, THE SENTIMENTAL
BLOKE, which will be presented with the live musical accompaniment of a
score created especially for the film and performed by its composer Jen
Anderson and her trio. SOMERSAULT, by Australian director Cate
Shortland, joins the Australian premieres of Jean Jarques Annaud’s film
TWO BROTHERS starring Australia’s Guy Pearce, and the masterpiece HERO
from China’s acclaimed director Zhang Yimou .
INDIGO PRO ANNOUNCES FIRST TWO FEATURE PROJECTS
The regionally based film production company, InDigo Pro, has announced
the selection of its first two digital feature projects. The decision
follows an extensive search for screenplays that are already in a
highly developed form and that comply with InDigo Pro’s production
specifications. Both features will be executive produced by the
principals of InDigo Pro, Matthew Flanagan and Geoff Burton.
THE BIG PELICAN,
will be directed by John Dobson from his own screenplay, and produced
by Jenny Day and Matthew Flanagan. Set in the fictional tourist mecca
of Pelican Beach, THE BIG PELICAN interweaves three stories about
travellers: a young German backpacker Klaus, an English backpacker
Christina, and a Japanese honeymooner Yoshiko. Separately, they all
meet up with the film’s central character Brad, a likeable but
enigmatic rogue, who engages them with his disarming openness and
cleverly-disguised freeloading spirit.
MILO, adapted for
the screen from his own play by Ned Manning, will be directed by Geoff
Burton and produced by Matthew Flanagan. Milo is a school teacher
seeking a sea change. He is attempting to make his newly acquired farm
self supporting and ecologically sustainable but Milo’s impractical
nature, combined with his willingness to be distracted, especially by
dope and other sins, creates a series of domestic disasters. He is
supported by his long suffering partner, Di, a high-powered public
servant who works Monday to Friday in Canberra, but would rather be on
the farm tending poddy calves and a child of her own. When an old
childhood friend, Toby, and his wife Peg, stay overnight on their way
to the city, in an attempt to stave off the forced sale of their
western NSW marginal sheep property, the four friends are forced to
come to terms with some confronting emotional truths in a very “Who’s
Afraid of Virginia Woolf” fashion. MILO is a comedy with a biting edge.
Both THE BIG
PELICAN and MILO will be filmed and post-produced within the Northern
Rivers district and wherever possible local cast and crew will be
encouraged to work on the films. No production schedule has been set as
yet, but it is planned to produce the two films back-to-back as soon as
funding and distribution are in place.
SHORT BYTES
The annual Short Bytes Video Festival was held recently in Murwillumbah
with a great community turnout. Support for first time film makers from
the recent Digital Video Production courses held by TAFE Outreach and
Access Divisions was well received by participants. Viewers were
treated to 18 original films ranging in content from parent/child role
reversals, cryonics and the 'object obsessions' of a beloved local
canine from Suffolk Park. Octogenarians were also well represented with
two Digital Storytelling features - an 86 year old World Masters
swimming champion from Tweed and a local Uki identity who has left his
mark around the town.
KYOGLE CTC INITIATIVE
Six young unemployed people will be trained in video and audio
production in a work-for-dole program called Project IT run through the
CTC@Kyogle. The completed multimedia products will be used as
promotional material for community organisations. Contact Linda on
66321833 for more information.
FEDERAL FILM FESTIVAL
Federal held a successful festival of Australian films over the weekend
of 13-14 August, which tops off their regular screening events. To
contact Federal Film Society for a program call 66849313.
LET'S FACE IT LAUNCHED
The web site to
accompany the award-winning documentary, THE MAN WHO STOLE MY MOTHER'S
FACE, was launched nationally last week at www.hatchling.com.au/face.
It was produced, directed and written by Cathy Henkel and Jeff Canin
from Hatchling Productions (based in Clunes) and Kerry Sunderland at
Evolve Media (based in Ocean Shores). Zubin Henner worked with the team
as web developer.
Following its
win, for 'Best Documentary', at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York,
THE MAN WHO STOLE MY MOTHER'S FACE earned a standing ovation at the
Brisbane International Film Festival on Sunday 8 August and also just
played at the Melbourne International Film Festival to packed houses.
The documentary will be broadcast TONIGHT on the ABC at 9.30pm (Wednesday 18 August). The broadcast will be followed by an online forum at www.abc.net.au/tv/mothersface/.
The other good
news is that director Cathy Henkel has also just been nominated for an
AFI Award for Best Achievement in Direction in a Documentary.
While the site
has been online as a 'work in progress' since the film's Canadian
broadcast earlier this year, the long-awaited mini-docs have now been
published. The mini-docs include reactions from Laura’s son, Michael,
on seeing the completed film; the reaction from Laura’s neighbour
Cecily; an update on Laura a year after the completion of the film; the
latest information on Laura's case and an update on Glory's battles to
get the twins' attacker jailed.
Other new content includes:
- a web diary that
tracks the filmmaker's journey from 1989 (when she arrived in South
Africa after the attack on her mother) to today
- e-cards that you can send to your friends, family and colleagues to let them know about the site
- a revised and updated photo gallery
- updated links to support services.
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26 August - Reelife Short Film Fest 2004
Reelife is a national competition and is calling for films of ten minutes or
less in any genre made by people under the age of 25 on issues they care
about. For more information or to download an entry form visit http://www.vibewire.net/reelife
27 August - Byron Film Club’s 3 Minute Messiah
Gurus, spruikers, self helpers, messiahs - false or otherwise the Byron
Film Club is hosting a mini film contest. Three minutes is the limit to
express you message. It may be spiritual, political, capitalist,
sexual, fascist or holistic bumper stickers. You can do an Anthony
Robbins, Che Guevarra, Osho, Carnegie, George Bush, Ibn Arabi or anyone
else you like or something entirely new. Finalists will be screened in
the BFC's August screening. Your judges will be the audience. Leave
offerings at the Screenwork’s office. Screening likely to be 13
September at the Pighouse Flicks – date tbc.
27 August - Enterprise Tasman
Designed and run by Jonathan Olsberg of OLSBERG | SPI, the UK’s leading
specialist management consultancy for the film, television and
interactive media industries, Enterprise Tasman is a visionary program
for producers in film, television and interactive media. The program
provides producers with practical guidance on developing and
maintaining sustainable businesses, negating the too frequent
‘hand-to-mouth’ existence they experience between productions.
Guidelines and the Application Form are available online at http://www.film.vic.gov.au/programs/Program_Pages/IDI_Special.shtml
30 August - Eyescream Halloween Short Film Festival
Can You Make a Scary Movie? We invite Australian filmmakers to
thrill, shock and entertain audiences with their scary short films. 8 minute time limit.
Screening will occur Friday 29 October, at the Chauvel Cinemas in
Sydney, followed by finalist screenings in Melbourne, Brisbane and
Hobart. Email us at eyescream@escendi.com.au for any questions http://www.eyescream.info/
31 August - Insite AWG/AFF Unproduced Screenplay Competition
The Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) and the Adelaide Film Festival (AFF)
announce the second AWG / AFF Unproduced Screenplay Competition. The
selected screenplay will receive a rehearsed public reading during the
Adelaide Film Festival (February 18 - March 5 2005) directed by
Australian director Craig Monahan (THE INTERVIEW).
Download an entry form from http://www.awg.com.au/artman/publish/index.shtml
or call (02) 9281 1154.
24 September - Flickerfest Call For Entries 2005
Flickerfest presents: the 14th International Short Film Festival 7-15
January 2005. The Flickerfest international competition is open to any
production available for screening on 35mm or 16mm. All films must be
under 30 minutes and must have been completed within 2 years of the
closing date. Visit http://www.flickerfest.com.au/. Ph +61 2 9365 6877 Fax +61 2 9365 6899
8 October - Composing for Screen Competition
The Northern Rivers Conservatorium calling for entries from all those
talented composers and musicians out there to enter. Contestants will
be asked to choose 10 minutes of footage from the film supplied and
compose 10 minutes of music as a soundtrack. The music chosen to
accompany the film may be a mixture of composition and composed songs.
All music must be original. The winner will receive prize money of
$1,500. Entry Forms available from Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts
Centre in Lismore on 66212266 or email nrcac@bigpond.net.au
10 December - Over The Fence Comedy Festival
Call-for-Entries for the 9th Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival (OTF)
is now open. OTF, at its heart is celebration of senses of humour 'that
which is driven by, or, ultimately concludes with a sense of humour’.
Download entry form & guidelines from http://www.overthefence.com.au/
or contact 08) 9337 6049 or 0409 678 679 or mail@overthefence.com.au
22 December - Wild Spaces
Call for entries for festival of ecological and social justice media. Check out http://www.wildspaces.foe.org.au/
16 August - WOW International Film Festival
The World of Women (WOW) International Film Festival is currently
calling for entries for Drama and Documentary films of less than 50
minutes duration. Now in its thirteenth year, WOW is a showcase for
films made by women. Entries are welcomed from any genre and this year
WOW welcomes Australian indigenous and European works. Application
forms are available at http://www.wift.org/wow
Sony Tropfest 2005
The signature item for Sony Tropfest 2005 is ‘Umbrella’. Filmmakers are
required to include the signature item in their film to show that it
has been made specifically for Tropfest. Films must be no longer than
seven minutes and Sony Tropfest must be the film’s first public
screening. Entry forms will be available online from October and
guidelines are available on http://www.tropfest.com/
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Labor and the FTA
Members of the AustSralian Writers Guild, including prominent
screenwriters Jan Sardi, Judi McCrossin and Geoffrey Atherden raised
their voices in protest against the inclusion of culture in the Free
Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Networks find local drama a turn-off
Television channels slashed spending on Australian drama by half in the
three years to 2003, raising doubts about the future of local content
rules under the free trade agreement with America.
Top British producer to head drama at ABC
The man behind the television series 'Hamish Macbeth' and the company
that made 'Inspector Morse' has been appointed head of drama at the
ABC. Scottish producer Scott Meek, the joint head of Deep Indigo
Productions in London, will take up his position in Sydney in October.
Independent producers recognised with SPAA awards
SPAA announced its Independent Producer awards at its opening session
in 2004. The big winner was Chris Brown of Pictures in Paradise. Brown
has produced numerous projects, including Under the Radar and is
currently working on a co-production called The Proposition. Trish Lake
received the Feature Film Producer award for her production Getting’
Square and Larry Zetlin, whose work The Bilby Bros took the Documentary
Producer award.
SPAA pitch winner
Whilst a Northern River practitioner did not win this year’s pitch at
SPAA, it could have been a Northern River’s story - Liz Courtney of
Guiding Light Productions took out the pitching competition prize on
August 8, with her documentary proposal, Psychic Spies: Declassified,
about remote viewing.
Imax film delivers largest Australian box office for docos in 2003-04
Imax film 'Titanic 3D - Ghosts of the Abyss' was the highest grossing
documentary at the Australian box office in 2003-04 according to
statistics released by FilmSource.
Aussie films fail to draw crowd
New figures reveal just how much Australian films have struggled in the
past five years. On data supplied by the Australian Film Commission,
almost two-thirds of local releases have taken less than a paltry $1
million in cinemas.
Enterprise Tasman: Business Strategies for the Independent Producer
Following the success of last year's inaugural Enterprise Australia
program, applications are now invited for Enterprise Tasman, which will
be held near Sydney from 7-11 November. See the AFC or FTO websites for
information.
Tribeca Film Festival documentary winner for Popcorn Taxi Q & A
Popcorn Taxi presented a screening of award winning Australian
documentary film The Man Who Stole my Mother's Face, on August 11,
followed by a discussion with local filmmaker, Cathy Henkel.
Third Australian X Media Lab to take place in Melbourne
The third X|Media|Lab will take place on October 21 - 25 in Melbourne
as one of the Flagship events of the Melbourne On Screen Festival.
Australian Screen Directors Association Conference
Michael Apted is confirmed as keynote speaker for the ASDA Conference
'Capturing Performance’ in Sydney from September 3-5. Director of the
classic documentary series Seven-Up and feature films GORKY PARK, NELL,
and COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER, Michael Apted will give Australian
filmmakers a rare insight into the art and craft of eliciting powerful
performances from both performers and documentary subjects. For more
information or to register your interest contact Alex Prior on 03 9696
5085 or email alex@paxinos.com.au
Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund
The Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund (AFFIF) provides equity
investment in Australian screen production of $500,000 per year for two
years. The first slate of projects funded through the AFFIF is set to
premiere at the 2005 Adelaide Film Festival. Local filmmaker Cathy
Henkel’s GOON BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SPIKE
MILLIGAN, co-produced by Jeff Canin with web site by Kerry Sunderland,
is included in the 2005 slate.
SPAA plans private development fund
A scheme of pooled development funds (PDFs) is being put together by
the Screen Producers Association of Australia and Content Capital, one
of two companies given the right to raise private capital for the
industry under the Film License Investment Companies pilot scheme of a
couple of years ago. The fund will cover option and writers’ fees,
distribution guarantees and advances, print and advertising costs,
production company overheads and producers’ salaries. Only experienced
producers with a strong track records are likely to get their hands on
the money, which will be recouped from the production budget.
Sound Archive Row
A row over the merger of ScreenSound and the Australian Film Commission
has intensified in the lead up to the federal election and the
Opposition's pledge to separate the organisations. Lobby group Archive
Forum accuses the AFC of political opportunism as it forges ahead with
what it says is "merger by stealth". ScreenSound's new director, Paolo
Cherchi Usai, who takes up the position next month, has avoided stating
a preference for an independent or AFC-merged ScreenSound.
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AFTRS: The Hunt Is On For New Film And Broadcast Talent
Do you have a passion for filmmaking or broadcasting – and the talent and
drive to become a creative leader? The Australian Film Television and
Radio School (AFTRS) is on the hunt for new and creative talent and is
accepting applications for its full-time
film, television, digital media and radio programs for 2005. Email info_nsw@aftrs.edu.au or call the AFTRS student centre on 1300 131 461
Artsconnect: Invitation For Filmmakers To Get Connected!
Afree web portal promoting Australian artists & troupes of all
mediums : filmmakers, painters, poets, writers, actors, musicians, fire
artists, sculptors etc. Filmmakers are invited to register for a free
profile at http://www.artsconnect.com.au/register.htm
Byron Kennedy Award for 2004
3 September recommendations close.
The 2004 Byron Kennedy Award, which recognises outstanding creative
enterprise, will be presented at the AFI Awards ceremony in Melbourne
on October 29.
The Byron Kennedy
Award is awarded is presented to an individual, usually early in their
career, whose work embodies the qualities of Byron Kennedy: innovation,
vision and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The award is presented
by Kennedy Miller, in association with the AFI, and includes a cash
prize of $10,000.
Recommendations,
with an explanation of how the candidate's work shows a commitment to
the pursuit of excellence, are invited and should be sent to:
The Jury, Byron
Kennedy Award, Australian Film Institute, 49 Eastern Road, South
Melbourne, VIC 3205 by Friday 3 September 2004, or by email akeay@afi.org.au
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Acting and Directing for Stage and Screen With George Whaley
Phone Nth Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre in Lismore for details. 66212266
The Actor Talks Back At Capturing Performance
3-5 September
Join renowned actor Chris Haywood (Grass Roots, Innocence, Oscar and
Lucinda) for this fascinating session on the craft of directing from
the actors' perspective. Featuring Michael Apted, Capturing Performance
is at the Sydney College of the Arts from 3-5 September. See
www.asdafilm.org.au or call Alex on 03 9696 5085.
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