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FROM WRITER TO DIRECTOR
Acclaimed
writer and director, Tony Ayres - WALKING ON WATER, SADNESS, GHOST
STORY and THE LONG RIDE - will present FROM WRITER TO DIRECTOR on
Friday 25 June, 10am – 4.30pm.
 Having
started his career as a screenwriter, Tony will be looking at how the
skills one acquires in becoming a writer are useful and complementary
to the skills that are necessary to becoming a screen director.
Equally, he will be discussing how being a writer can also get in the
way of being a good director, and the inherent tension which exists
between the two roles. Tony will talk about the difference between
creating an imagined literary landscape, and recreating this landscape
in the three dimensional world. Using a combination of his own
experiences and the anecdotal experiences of his peers, this
masterclass is designed to shed some light into this fundamental
creative relationship from someone who has lived on both sides of the
fence.
Tony Ayres is an
award winning writer and director in both drama and documentary. His
first feature film, WALKING ON WATER won five 2002 Australian Film
Institute Awards (Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting
Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing), two Australian Film
Critics Circle Awards (Best Actress, Best Screenplay), and an iF Award
for Best Screenplay. His documentary SADNESS won Best Documentary
and Best Director (Non Features) in the 2000 Australian Film Critics
Awards, the 2000 Atom Award for Best Documentary, Australian Writers
Guild Award for Best Documentary Script and Most Popular Film at the
1999 Brisbane International Film Festival. And as a television
writer, GHOST STORY won the Jury Prize at the 1997
International Cinema and Television Convention in Geneva and THE LONG
RIDE won an AFI Award for Best Telefeature or Miniseries, and
Australian Writers Guild Award for Best Original Television Script.
(Note from
Screenworks: A lot of writers in our region have expressed difficulty
with understanding how to shape their stories for a visual medium be
that TV or cinema. This masterclass, by discussing the two roles, will
be indirectly addressing this issue.)
Friday 25 June. 10am to 4.30pm
@ Screenworks, Suite 5, 95 Jonson Street, Byron Bay.
Cost: $25 and $15 concession.
To book a place call Screenworks 66809220 or email info@screenworks.com.au
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| Application forms for Pitch n’ Punt Round One are now in the office and online.
If you have an idea for a feature film, documentary or television
series get your idea to us now. Deadline for entries is July 1st. Round
One takes place @ Screenworks on July 7th with judges Mark Lewis, doco
maker, ‘Cane Toads’, Lyn McCarthy, Niche Pictures and Valerie Hardy, ex
Head of Drama Ch 10 and ABC TV. Five winners will be selected to go on
to a pitching training day with Sandy George, MC Screen Producers
pitching competition and then into Round Two in front of an audience.
Call Deb McBride now for details or email deb@screenworks.com.au. | | |
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As you may all be
aware by now, in 2002 Kent Williams successfully pitched his project
to, firstly our local pitching competition judges and then to the
Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) pitching competition
judges. His prize was a trip to Cannes film festival and this year he
set off with Lois Randall on the big adventure. This is a quick report
from Lois about the experience:
"On 10 May I left
Australia with Rev. Kent Williams and our feature film project to
attend the Cannes Film Festival in France. After pitching his project,
KEEPING IT FAMILY (now called COLLARED) at SPAA, Kent had teamed up
with me and Roger Monk as Producers (with Roger also taking on the role
of Script Editor) and received script investment funding from the NSW
FTO, which enabled the development of the script to final draft. I was
delighted to accept Kent's invitation to travel with him on his first
overseas trip. The trip to Cannes enabled us to present the script and
concept to a range of international sales agents and distributors
(including Hanway, Fortissimo, Beyond and ArcLight) seeking initial
interest in the concept, and a sense of where to place the film in the
market, i.e. what sort of international appeal there may be and, as a
result, the appropriate budget.
"The trip proved
to be a wonderful learning opportunity for us both. Once our eyes
adjusted to the glare and dazzle of all that glamour we were surprised
to observe the very low profile of the Australian industry and scant
Australian films in the market and festival. The feedback for our
project was that Australian films are very high risk for sales agents
and we don’t
have a great reputation at the moment for 'telling stories that the
world wants to hear'. So we were advised either go very low budget to
minimise the risk... or get Hugh Jackman.
We will be contacting Mr Jackman shortly."
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| FUTURE BENEFITS FOR SCREENWORKS SUBSCRIBERS | |
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Screenworks is
looking to our members for ideas on the future role of Screenworks and
the benefits to be offered to our subscribers, particularly on-line
services through the Screenworks website. Please put forward your ideas
about what services you would like us to provide in the future and send
them to us via email to Screenworks Director, Andrew Bambach, at andrew@inyourface.com.au by the end of July, 2004.
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| A new survey to
determine the size and scope of screen industries in the region since
2000 is now being conducted. This is part of a larger research project
to determine the future prospects for people working in film,
television, print, radio, new media, visual arts, photography,
performance and digital media. People have been very slow in filling
this out – please help by going to the web site NOW and submitting your survey. | | |
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Screenworks is
looking for a student seeking a professional placement in the film
industry. We need someone with journalism, computer and HTML skills to
assist with our newsletter. Please call Deb or Kate 6680 9220 or email info@screenworks.com.au
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Hatchling
Productions' THE MAN WHO STOLE MY MOTHER'S FACE continues on its roll,
with acceptance to the 53rd Melbourne International Film Festival in
July. The film is eligible for the International Short Film
Competition, which will offer AUD$35,000 in prize money.
THE NEW BOOTS was
screened on Sunday 30 May at the St Kilda Film Festival and has
screened at the 51st Sydney Film Festival. THE NEW BOOTS was written
and directed by Tristan Bancks and produced by Lois Randall and
Teri-Lea Tobin.
Last year's Pitch
'n' Punt winners, UNDA.RAGERS, has been picked up by Executive
producers, Burberry Productions, attracting Mark Pesce, co-inventor of
the VRML technology associated with MPEG-4, on board as interactive
production supervisor.
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Writer’s Festival program out now
To get a copy of the full program and order form, visit http://www.byronbaywritersfestival.com/ or tel: 02 6685 6262. Programs are also widely available throughout businesses in the Byron Shire.
Lawrence takes out ASDA gong
Ray Lawrence received the top gong at the Australian Screen Directors Association (ASDA) annual awards in Sydney on May 31.
Independent distribution arm
Sydney production company Iconoclast Productions is in the midst of
establishing a distribution company to handle the cinema and DVD
release of short films and low-budget features.
Australian content and children’s content compliance results 2003
According to the Australian Broadcasting Authority, all commercial
television licensees met the Australian transmission quota and program
sub-quota requirements of the Australian Content Standard and
Children’s Television Standards in 2003. They exceeded the minimum 55
per cent Australian transmission quota in 2003, with the Nine Network
licensees achieving over 60 percent in the three metropolitan markets
of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Australian content standard varied
The ABA has varied the definition of ‘independent producer' in the
Australian Content Standard for commercial television. The change
allows a production company that is a related body to a licensee,
program supplier, or holder of a subscription television broadcasting
licence to claim ‘independent producer' status when it is supplying
programs to any such bodies other than that to which it is related.
Under the previous definition, a production company could not be
considered an independent producer under any circumstances if it was
related to a licensee, program supplier or holder of a subscription
television licence.
Two other
variations have also been made to the content standard. Documentaries
counting towards the documentary quota must now be broadcast within the
same band of hours as material counting towards the Australian
transmission quota. The ABA is now also able to specify the form for
compliance reporting to be used by commercial television broadcasters.
The variations will come into effect on 1 July 2004.
New AusFILM Commissioner
AusFILM
International has appointed experienced marketer, Tracey Montgomery to
the role of AusFILM Commissioner based in Los Angeles, replacing David
Pratt who will finish at the end of July.
National Screen and Sound Archive
The new director of the National Screen and Sound Archive has hosed
down speculation about staff cuts, instead calling for a new
state-of-the-art film theatre as well as dial-up digital access to an
expanded Australian and international collection.
Weinsteins buy 'FAHRENHEIT 9/11'
LOS ANGELES - A distribution deal for Michael Moore's controversial
documentary FAHRENHEIT 9/11 may soon be finalised following Miramax
Films' co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein buying the film back from
Walt Disney.
SPAA names OS guests
US independent producer Ted Hope and BBC head of comedy entertainment
Jon Plowman lead the list of the key international speakers confirmed
to attend the upcoming Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA)
annual conference, which will be held in Queensland from August 8 to
10.
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FILM ARTISTS CO-OP
The next meeting for the Film Artists Co-op will be held at 7.30 pm,
Thursday July 1 (and every first Thursday of each month thereafter) at
Screenworks. The inaugural meeting was a great success with 25 true
blue film people turning up to meet one another and express their basic
wish to help one another make films. On the agenda for next meeting
will be a number of members ‘pitching’ their ideas in order to gain
support for projects they wish to get going, and discussion for future
directions and goals to be adopted by the group. All Artists who have
an interest in film are invited, actors, producers, writers, set
designers, tap dancers etc, Come along and add your resources to ours.
For further information contact Larry Larstead 6680 3279 or email larstead@ekit.com
TROPFEST SCREENINGS
North Coast CAMERA is screening Tropfest, one of the world's largest short film festival.
The dates are: Friday 18 June 2004 7.30pm at the Star Court Theatre, Lismore
Thursday 24 June 2004 8.30pm The Cotton Club at The Piggery, Byron Bay
North Coast CAMERA members $ 8. Concession $ 10. Full price $ 12
BYRON FILM CLUB
The next screening will be on Sunday 27 June at the Cotton Club. Please
note earlier time: 7.00pm for 7.30pm start . Screenings includes works
from Piere Jacques, Jasper Vader, Greg Sheean / Andy Bambach, Aran
Major, David Granato and Dominick Reyntiens.
For further info call Faye on 0416221233 or Frank at Screenworks on 6680 9220.
Byron Film Club
has also announced a mini-film contest called 'Three Minute Messiah'.
Three minutes is the time limit for you to express your message - be it
spiritual, political, capitalist, sexual, fascist or holistic. It may
be in verse or passionate prose. It may be face to camera, or
voice-over imagery. Finalists will be screened in the BFC's August
screening. Your judges will be the audience. The criteria is novelty,
compellingness and the internal consistency of the message rather than
The Truth. The winner will receive a Pig House Banquet including drinks
at the Buddha Bar and four tickets to the movies at the Pighouse
Flicks. There will be runners' up prizes too. Leave your offerings at
the Screenworks office. Closing date is Friday 30 July.
AFTRS NATIONAL SCREENING TOUR AND FREE SEMINAR
The AFTRS National Screening Tour will bring a collection of the best short films
produced by 2003 AFTRS graduates to Byron Bay on August 1st. A free
seminar explaining everything you need to know about applying to the
school will also take place on Sunday 1 August at 2pm, Screenworks
office, 5/95 Jonson Street, Byron Bay followed by the screening at
Byron Cinemas at 7pm.
NORTH COAST CAMERA PRESENTS - YOUTH MEDIA
Byron Bay UNCLE, Casino High School & the Lismore Light N Up group
have recently created three films, expressing their own voice in their
own way. The diverse range of shorts from the younger & older
members of the community will be screened in Byron : 5.45pm, Byron Bay
Cinemas, Wednesday, June 30. Lismore: 7.30pm, Star Court Theatre,
Saturday July 3. $5 entry. For further info call Grant McGifford on
6622 0901
SPAA FRINGE CONFERENCE 2004
Brisbane Powerhouse 5-7 August 2004
Australia's leading annual conference for emerging and low budget film and
television producers. The 2004 program is currently being developed and speakers include:
- SPAA Fringe Patron, Peter Broderick
- Oscar winning HARVIE KRUMPETT’s Melanie Coombs and Adam Elliot
- Cathy Henkel
- Mark Lazarus, Exec Producer, Film Graphics Entertainment / Feature Film
Producer, AUSTRALIAN RULES
- Annabelle Sheehan, CEO/Senior Agent, RGM Associates - one of Australia's
top talent and creative agencies
- Stacey
Testro, Executive Producer, SAW who will talk about the pitfalls and
successes of setting up a picture in America with Australian
filmmakers.
Visit www.spaa.org.au/fringe_2004/ for further info or tel: 02 9360 8988, Fx: 02 9360 8977, email: spaa@spaa.org.au
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SBS on lookout for Storyline docos
SBS Independent is looking for 30 x one-hour or feature-length
documentaries to run as part of its Storyline Australia strand, which
has been renewed for 2005.
Full report @ http://www.encoremagazine.com.au/article_view.asp?id=6519
World of Women International Film Festival - Call for Entries
The 13th WOW International Film Festival is now calling for entries for
Drama and Documentary films of less than 50 minutes duration. To
download the application form, please visit our website:
http://www.wift.org/wow
AFTRS Course - Art of the Interview with Robin Hughes
3rd and 4th July.
Explore and develop your interviewing techniques. The Masterclass will
offer an overview of a range of interviewing techniques available to
filmmakers using examples drawn from film and television. Presented by
Robin Hughes, a leading filmmaker, broadcaster and writer who has
worked for the BBC, the ABC, Film Australia and in commercial
television.
Cost: $180. Place: AFTRS Training Room, 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley Qld 4006.
Or contact charlottec@aftrs.edu.au
AFTRS Course - Freeze Frame
26 and 27th June.
Freeze Frame is a series of seminars presented by some of Queenslands leading
film and television practitioners.
Directing: Evan Clarry
Producing: Tom Hoffie
'The Business of Writing Television': Anthony Morris
'Totally' Television: Geoff Cooper
Fee: $100 full weekend. $60 single day
"The Hall" - QUT Creative Industries Cultural Precinct, Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove
Contact Charlotte on 3257 7646 or charlottec@aftrs.edu.au
RAKA $10,000 Prize For Indigenous Scriptwriters
Closing 27 August
The RAKA Award in 2004 will be for a particular script for film or
television, including features, short films and documentaries. Email
annahm@unimelb.edu.au Website
www.australian.unimelb.edu.au/events/awards/raka/
Play Now/Act Now Film Competition
Closing 9 August
Play Now/Act Now is a video and film competition for NSW residents
between 18 - 25 years of age. This year's theme is young people and
alcohol. Three cash prizes totaling $17,500 will be awarded to the
winners. The festival is part of the NSW Government's Youth Alcohol
Action Plan 2001-2005. Contact Samantha McFayden, the Festival
Coordinator at Metroscreen, Tel 02 9361 5318 Website
www.playnowactnow.net.au
Qantas Spirit Of Youth Awards - 'So ya Wanna Be A ...?'
The Noise Festival has teamed up with Qantas to bring you its Spirit of
Youth Awards - an invitation to young Australians (aged 25 and under)
to submit their creative work, with the chance to win cash, flights and
professional mentoring. The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA) span
fields of endeavour including art, music and design. The aim of the
project is to recognise, encourage and celebrate young Australian
talent. Categories include words, photography, music, moving pictures,
fashion design, pictures and industrial design. Contact Noise toll free
1800 080 826 Website www.noise.net.au
Closing 2 August
One Hand Productions: In Search Of Short Films!
Closing 1 September
One Hand Productions is presenting its Short Film Festival, Ten To One.
We are looking for film submissions that are written, produced, or
directed by filmmakers of culturally diverse backgrounds, presenting
issues common to us all. 10 minute maximum length.
Contact - Cinzia at ccoassin@tpg.com.au - mobile: 0408 646 521
One Hand Productions, PO Box 552 Balgowlah NSW 2093
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Fiberculture is a
peer-reviewed journal that provides Australasia's leading forum for
discussion of internet theory, culture, and research. Papers are
invited for the 'Multitudes, Creative Organisation, and the Precarious
Condition of New Media Labour' issue to be published by the end of
2004. This issue will be guest edited by Brett Neilson, Ned Rossiter
and Geert Lovink. Deadline 30 August.
Contact: geert@xs4all.nl
Web Address: journal.fibreculture.org
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