Jenny Buckland.
One of the major but less recognised benefits of continuing to fund children’s television in Australia is the long tail of overseas sales for multiple series, according to Jenny Buckland.
“A number of Australian shows sell broadly for many years; exports are an incredible opportunity,” says the CEO of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf).
“It’s a real success story,” she told Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner in a webinar on Tuesday. “Whenever Australian broadcasters say kids don’t like these shows, we’ve pointed out how huge certain series are in the UK or Germany or Sweden or Japan. These shows last for a very long time.”
Buckland pointed to Jonathan M Shiff Productions’ Mako Mermaids, which in 2017 delivered more net returns to investors from overseas buyers than any other TV drama that Screen Australia had invested in since its inception.
Goalpost Pictures’ Lockie Leonard,...
One of the major but less recognised benefits of continuing to fund children’s television in Australia is the long tail of overseas sales for multiple series, according to Jenny Buckland.
“A number of Australian shows sell broadly for many years; exports are an incredible opportunity,” says the CEO of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf).
“It’s a real success story,” she told Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner in a webinar on Tuesday. “Whenever Australian broadcasters say kids don’t like these shows, we’ve pointed out how huge certain series are in the UK or Germany or Sweden or Japan. These shows last for a very long time.”
Buckland pointed to Jonathan M Shiff Productions’ Mako Mermaids, which in 2017 delivered more net returns to investors from overseas buyers than any other TV drama that Screen Australia had invested in since its inception.
Goalpost Pictures’ Lockie Leonard,...
- 6/10/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Alastair McKinnon.
A generational change is sweeping through Matchbox Pictures as the NBCUniversal-owned production company develops a raft of projects with emerging writers and producers.
“Talent development has always been a priority for Matchbox,” says Alastair McKinnon, who started as MD last December after three years with the ABC, most recently as head of content investment and planning,
McKinnon signed on just as the company founded by Penny Chapman, Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst was celebrating its 10th anniversary. “That was the perfect time to reflect and think about what Matchbox has done incredibly successfully over that time as the leading drama production company in Australia,” he tells If in his first interview since taking charge.
“But the industry has transformed in that 10 years and is unrecognisable if you think about the sorts of shows, how they are financed and the distribution models of drama.
A generational change is sweeping through Matchbox Pictures as the NBCUniversal-owned production company develops a raft of projects with emerging writers and producers.
“Talent development has always been a priority for Matchbox,” says Alastair McKinnon, who started as MD last December after three years with the ABC, most recently as head of content investment and planning,
McKinnon signed on just as the company founded by Penny Chapman, Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst was celebrating its 10th anniversary. “That was the perfect time to reflect and think about what Matchbox has done incredibly successfully over that time as the leading drama production company in Australia,” he tells If in his first interview since taking charge.
“But the industry has transformed in that 10 years and is unrecognisable if you think about the sorts of shows, how they are financed and the distribution models of drama.
- 2/10/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Michael McMahon.
Screen Producers Australia will present Matchbox Pictures co-founder and executive chairman Michael McMahon with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Spa Awards.
McMahon began his career in the industry as an entertainment lawyer, and produced his first short, Cruel Youth, in 1988. In the 30 years since, McMahon has driven some of Australia’s most notable features, documentaries and television dramas, including Ali’s Wedding, The Slap and Nowhere Boys.
In 1999, he formed Big and Little Films with partner Tony Ayres, and then a decade later, the two – together with Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst – formed Matchbox Pictures. In 2011, NBCUniversal took a majority stake in the company and acquired full ownership in 2014.
Over his career, McMahon has served on the boards of both Screen Tasmania and Film Victoria, and has recently expanded his career into teaching at Swinburne University and the University of South Australia.
“The...
Screen Producers Australia will present Matchbox Pictures co-founder and executive chairman Michael McMahon with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Spa Awards.
McMahon began his career in the industry as an entertainment lawyer, and produced his first short, Cruel Youth, in 1988. In the 30 years since, McMahon has driven some of Australia’s most notable features, documentaries and television dramas, including Ali’s Wedding, The Slap and Nowhere Boys.
In 1999, he formed Big and Little Films with partner Tony Ayres, and then a decade later, the two – together with Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst – formed Matchbox Pictures. In 2011, NBCUniversal took a majority stake in the company and acquired full ownership in 2014.
Over his career, McMahon has served on the boards of both Screen Tasmania and Film Victoria, and has recently expanded his career into teaching at Swinburne University and the University of South Australia.
“The...
- 10/18/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Producer Joanna Werner.
For director Emma Freeman, one of the most exciting things about filming the new political thriller miniseries Secret City was the opportunity to film locations that have never before been seen on-screen.
.We shot some beautiful scenes out in the Pm.s courtyard., she recalls..
.Peta Credlin was there and she came out and took some selfies with Sacha Horler, who was very much inspired by Peta Credlin for her character..
Secret City — which was adapted from former journalists Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis. novels The Marmalade Files and The Mandarin Code — premiered on Foxtel on June 5 and will shortly be released on DVD.
Matchbox Pictures produced the six-part miniseries, which underwent an extended period of development..
One of the key changes made to the original text involved swapping the gender of the journalist protagonist, Harry Dunkley.
Played by Anna Torv, Secret City.s Harriet Dunkley is...
For director Emma Freeman, one of the most exciting things about filming the new political thriller miniseries Secret City was the opportunity to film locations that have never before been seen on-screen.
.We shot some beautiful scenes out in the Pm.s courtyard., she recalls..
.Peta Credlin was there and she came out and took some selfies with Sacha Horler, who was very much inspired by Peta Credlin for her character..
Secret City — which was adapted from former journalists Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis. novels The Marmalade Files and The Mandarin Code — premiered on Foxtel on June 5 and will shortly be released on DVD.
Matchbox Pictures produced the six-part miniseries, which underwent an extended period of development..
One of the key changes made to the original text involved swapping the gender of the journalist protagonist, Harry Dunkley.
Played by Anna Torv, Secret City.s Harriet Dunkley is...
- 8/8/2016
- by Alice McCredie-Dando and Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Proof 20th anniversary screening and Q&A.
Growing Aacta's year-round member events program is a key pillar of the organisation's five-year plan, CEO Damian Trewhella said at the AFI-Aacta Agm on Tuesday night..
Guests who have participated in Aacta events over the last couple of years include Andrew Knight, Jeremy Sims, Jan Chapman, Tony Ayres, Joel Edgerton, Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman, Penny Chapman, Ariel Kleiman, Megan Riakos and Ryan Griffen.
.Our member events are providing a platform for the public and the industry to come together to watch, discuss and share insights into great Australian productions and the creative process, and we.re pleased to have expanded our program to include television premieres on the big screen, including our upcoming screening of Foxtel.s Secret City", Trewhella said. .
Other upcoming events include next month.s Directing The Dressmaker Vivid Sydney event with Jocelyn Moorhouse in conversation with Gillian Armstrong and Margaret Pomeranz,...
Growing Aacta's year-round member events program is a key pillar of the organisation's five-year plan, CEO Damian Trewhella said at the AFI-Aacta Agm on Tuesday night..
Guests who have participated in Aacta events over the last couple of years include Andrew Knight, Jeremy Sims, Jan Chapman, Tony Ayres, Joel Edgerton, Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman, Penny Chapman, Ariel Kleiman, Megan Riakos and Ryan Griffen.
.Our member events are providing a platform for the public and the industry to come together to watch, discuss and share insights into great Australian productions and the creative process, and we.re pleased to have expanded our program to include television premieres on the big screen, including our upcoming screening of Foxtel.s Secret City", Trewhella said. .
Other upcoming events include next month.s Directing The Dressmaker Vivid Sydney event with Jocelyn Moorhouse in conversation with Gillian Armstrong and Margaret Pomeranz,...
- 5/25/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Jacki Weaver returns to Australian television in Secret City.
New Australian political drama Secret City - starring Jacki Weaver, Anna Torv and Dan Wyllie - is set to premiere on June 5.
Filmed in Parliament House and locations across Canberra and Sydney, Secret City is inspired by the best-selling novels The Marmalade Files and The Mandarin Code, written by Canberra political journalists Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis.
Amidst rising tension between China and America, Canberra press gallery journalist Harriet Dunkley (played by Anna Torv) forces her way closer to the truth, uncovering a secret city of interlocked conspiracies which will threaten her career, her life and endangers the freedom of every Australian. .
Weaver makes her return to Australian television in the role of Labor powerbroker Senator Catriona Bailey, while Dan Wyllie plays Minister of Defence Mal Paxton.
Weaver said she loved the story and the character.
.It.s very authentic because...
New Australian political drama Secret City - starring Jacki Weaver, Anna Torv and Dan Wyllie - is set to premiere on June 5.
Filmed in Parliament House and locations across Canberra and Sydney, Secret City is inspired by the best-selling novels The Marmalade Files and The Mandarin Code, written by Canberra political journalists Chris Uhlmann and Steve Lewis.
Amidst rising tension between China and America, Canberra press gallery journalist Harriet Dunkley (played by Anna Torv) forces her way closer to the truth, uncovering a secret city of interlocked conspiracies which will threaten her career, her life and endangers the freedom of every Australian. .
Weaver makes her return to Australian television in the role of Labor powerbroker Senator Catriona Bailey, while Dan Wyllie plays Minister of Defence Mal Paxton.
Weaver said she loved the story and the character.
.It.s very authentic because...
- 4/26/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Matchbox Pictures has won the Production Business of the Year award at the 15th annual Screen Producers Australia Awards.
The awards, were hosted by television and radio presenter James Mathison at Melbourne.s Palladium at Crown during the 30th Screen Forever Conference.
For a full list of awards, see below.
Matchbox Pictures was founded by Australian producers Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst in 2008.
It was acquired by NBC Universal in 2014..
Matchbox specialises in television drama, children.s programming, factual and entertainment content, animation and feature films for the domestic and international marketplace..
Most recently, Matchbox has produced the popular reality television series Real Housewives of Melbourne, feature film Ali.s Wedding, Lally Katz.s comedy mini-series Stories I Want To Tell You In Person for the ABC, and the youth television drama series Nowhere Boys for ABC Television, which was honoured with the Screen...
The awards, were hosted by television and radio presenter James Mathison at Melbourne.s Palladium at Crown during the 30th Screen Forever Conference.
For a full list of awards, see below.
Matchbox Pictures was founded by Australian producers Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst in 2008.
It was acquired by NBC Universal in 2014..
Matchbox specialises in television drama, children.s programming, factual and entertainment content, animation and feature films for the domestic and international marketplace..
Most recently, Matchbox has produced the popular reality television series Real Housewives of Melbourne, feature film Ali.s Wedding, Lally Katz.s comedy mini-series Stories I Want To Tell You In Person for the ABC, and the youth television drama series Nowhere Boys for ABC Television, which was honoured with the Screen...
- 11/24/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: TV projects also on slate for Australian outfit.
Snowtown and Partisan producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw are moving on from Warp Films Australia to launch production outfit Carver Films with a slate that includes Nick Cave adaptation The Death of Bunny Munro.
McLeish co-founded Warp Films Australia six years ago with ’71 and This Is England producers Warp UK, which will discontinue the Warp Films Australia banner but where possible will look to continue to produce with the territory.
McLeish and Shaw produced Kurzel’s acclaimed debut Snowtown, Ariel Kleiman’s Vincent Cassel starrer Partisan, which premiered at Sundance this year, and New Zealand drama Shopping, which played in Sundance and Berlin.
Under their new banner the Melbourne-based duo are set to produce Jed Kurzel’s feature debut Ivan Lendl Never Learnt to Volley, starring Denis Menochet, and the narrative feature adaptation of Nick Cave’s cult Brighton-set 1989 novel The Death of Bunny Munro, which will be...
Snowtown and Partisan producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw are moving on from Warp Films Australia to launch production outfit Carver Films with a slate that includes Nick Cave adaptation The Death of Bunny Munro.
McLeish co-founded Warp Films Australia six years ago with ’71 and This Is England producers Warp UK, which will discontinue the Warp Films Australia banner but where possible will look to continue to produce with the territory.
McLeish and Shaw produced Kurzel’s acclaimed debut Snowtown, Ariel Kleiman’s Vincent Cassel starrer Partisan, which premiered at Sundance this year, and New Zealand drama Shopping, which played in Sundance and Berlin.
Under their new banner the Melbourne-based duo are set to produce Jed Kurzel’s feature debut Ivan Lendl Never Learnt to Volley, starring Denis Menochet, and the narrative feature adaptation of Nick Cave’s cult Brighton-set 1989 novel The Death of Bunny Munro, which will be...
- 9/30/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Amanda Higgs has joined Matchbox Pictures as creative producer as she prepares to start production on the ABC TV drama Barracuda.
Higgs, who was script editor on Matchbox Pictures/ABC's The Slap, most recently produced two series of The Time of Our Lives for the public broadcaster.
Before that she served as acting head of drama and commissioning editor at the ABC, where she also executive produced dramas and comedies. She was also consultant Ep for Fox8 on SLiDE.
At Southern Star she co-created and produced Network 10.s The Secret Life of Us, the most watched Oz. drama in the 16-39 year old demographic.
Based on the book of the same name by Christos Tsiolkas, Barracuda follows young Olympic hopeful Danny Kelly as he deals with the pressure of obsession. Rob Connolly is directing with scripts by Belinda Chayko and Blake Ayshford.
Matchbox MD Chris Oliver-Taylor said: .Amanda.s track record is formidable,...
Higgs, who was script editor on Matchbox Pictures/ABC's The Slap, most recently produced two series of The Time of Our Lives for the public broadcaster.
Before that she served as acting head of drama and commissioning editor at the ABC, where she also executive produced dramas and comedies. She was also consultant Ep for Fox8 on SLiDE.
At Southern Star she co-created and produced Network 10.s The Secret Life of Us, the most watched Oz. drama in the 16-39 year old demographic.
Based on the book of the same name by Christos Tsiolkas, Barracuda follows young Olympic hopeful Danny Kelly as he deals with the pressure of obsession. Rob Connolly is directing with scripts by Belinda Chayko and Blake Ayshford.
Matchbox MD Chris Oliver-Taylor said: .Amanda.s track record is formidable,...
- 9/16/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
Aacta-award winner Blake Ayshford believes writers in the UK are more valued than they are in Australia.
That.s one reason why the screenwriter is heading to the UK in a few months to pursue the opportunity to work on an eclectic bunch of projects set in Europe, the Middle East and South America.
Not that Ayshford, whose credits include The Code, Devil.s Playground, An Accidental Soldier, The Straits and Crownies, is turning his back on Oz.
He intends to work part-time in the UK while juggling several Australian projects including adaptations of two popular Australian novels for the ABC. He's written an episode of The Beautiful Lie, a modern retelling of Tolstoy.s Anna Karenina to be produced by Endemol Australia.s John Edwards and Imogen Banks for the public broadcaster.
Ayshford, who won an Aacta award as one of the producers of Devil.s Playground, shared with...
That.s one reason why the screenwriter is heading to the UK in a few months to pursue the opportunity to work on an eclectic bunch of projects set in Europe, the Middle East and South America.
Not that Ayshford, whose credits include The Code, Devil.s Playground, An Accidental Soldier, The Straits and Crownies, is turning his back on Oz.
He intends to work part-time in the UK while juggling several Australian projects including adaptations of two popular Australian novels for the ABC. He's written an episode of The Beautiful Lie, a modern retelling of Tolstoy.s Anna Karenina to be produced by Endemol Australia.s John Edwards and Imogen Banks for the public broadcaster.
Ayshford, who won an Aacta award as one of the producers of Devil.s Playground, shared with...
- 2/9/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Double win marks the first time two films have shared Australia’s top film prize.Scroll down for full list of winners
Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner and Jennifer Kent thriller The Babadook have both won the Aacta (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Award for best film, marking the first time that two titles have shared the country’s top film prize.
The event in Sydney, hosted this year by actresses Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman, is only the 4th annual Aacta Awards but they were the result of an overhaul of the AFI (Australian Film Institute) Awards, which were established in 1969.
The two winning films could not be more different from each other. Kent’s meticulously crafted low-budget claustrophobic thriller, The Babadook, is about a single mother who battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house.
Gladiator star Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner, is about...
Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner and Jennifer Kent thriller The Babadook have both won the Aacta (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Award for best film, marking the first time that two titles have shared the country’s top film prize.
The event in Sydney, hosted this year by actresses Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman, is only the 4th annual Aacta Awards but they were the result of an overhaul of the AFI (Australian Film Institute) Awards, which were established in 1969.
The two winning films could not be more different from each other. Kent’s meticulously crafted low-budget claustrophobic thriller, The Babadook, is about a single mother who battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house.
Gladiator star Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner, is about...
- 1/29/2015
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
When Foxtel executives first saw Deadline Gallipoli, they were so impressed with the performance of Joel Jackson they made a highly unusual deal with the young actor and his agent.
A 2013 Nida graduate, Jackson makes his screen debut as Charles Bean, one of the three war correspondents at the centre of the miniseries.
Foxtel executive director of television Brian Walsh and head of drama Penny Win wanted to ensure Deadline Gallipoli will be the first time Australians see the 24-year-old Jackson on screen.
So they made a financial arrangement with the actor.s agent Mark Morrissey of Morrissey Management that if he took jobs in other shows, none would go to air before Deadline Gallipoli premieres on showcase in April.
.It.s very unusual to do that kind of holding deal, especially for a young man who was straight out of Nida,. Morrissey tells If.
Morrissey signed Jackson after admiring his work at Nida,...
A 2013 Nida graduate, Jackson makes his screen debut as Charles Bean, one of the three war correspondents at the centre of the miniseries.
Foxtel executive director of television Brian Walsh and head of drama Penny Win wanted to ensure Deadline Gallipoli will be the first time Australians see the 24-year-old Jackson on screen.
So they made a financial arrangement with the actor.s agent Mark Morrissey of Morrissey Management that if he took jobs in other shows, none would go to air before Deadline Gallipoli premieres on showcase in April.
.It.s very unusual to do that kind of holding deal, especially for a young man who was straight out of Nida,. Morrissey tells If.
Morrissey signed Jackson after admiring his work at Nida,...
- 1/20/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe-Directed Movie Up for Australian Film Award; Crowe Shortlisted Only in Acting Category
Director Russell Crowe Movie up for Best Film: Australian Academy Awards 2015 nominations (photo: Actor-director Russell Crowe in 'The Water Diviner') Aacta Awards: Feature Film Categories Best Film The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson and Bill Curbishley Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum Best Director The Babadook Jennifer Kent Charlie's Country Rolf de Heer Predestination Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Rover David Michôd Best Actress Kate Box The Little Death Essie Davis The Babadook Sarah Snook Predestination Mia Wasikowska Tracks Best Actor Russell Crowe The Water Diviner David Gulpilil Charlie's Country Damon Herriman The Little Death Guy Pearce The Rover Best Supporting Actor Patrick Brammall The Little Death Yilmaz Erdogan...
- 12/3/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
The ailing screen production sector is set to get a major boost with more than $80 million worth of films, TV dramas and a documentary receiving funding from Screen Australia.
The agency is investing more than $12 million in four features, four adult dramas, two children.s dramas and a theatrical doc. In addition Scroz is providing completion funding to sex comedy The Little Deaths, writer-director Josh Lawson.s feature debut.
The projects include a Blinky Bill animated movie, a comedy set during the Cronulla race riots, the long-mooted Molly Meldrum TV drama and The Principal, the first drama commissioned by Sbs since Better Man.
.We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices, . said Screen Australia head of production Sally Caplan.
.The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have...
The agency is investing more than $12 million in four features, four adult dramas, two children.s dramas and a theatrical doc. In addition Scroz is providing completion funding to sex comedy The Little Deaths, writer-director Josh Lawson.s feature debut.
The projects include a Blinky Bill animated movie, a comedy set during the Cronulla race riots, the long-mooted Molly Meldrum TV drama and The Principal, the first drama commissioned by Sbs since Better Man.
.We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices, . said Screen Australia head of production Sally Caplan.
.The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have...
- 8/6/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Sam Worthington, Hugh Dancy, Rachel Griffiths, Bryan Brown and Ewen Leslie are just some of the names that make up the impressive Deadline Gallipoli cast.
Foxtel made the casting announcement this morning as the mini-series starts production in South Australia.
Other cast members are Jessica De Gouw, Anna Torv, James Fraser, Charles Dance and newcomer 2013 Nida graduate Joel Jackson.
John Bell of Bell Shakespeare will also be returning to television for the first time in more than 20 years.
The mini-series, directed by Michael Rymer (Hannibal), looks at the Gallipoli legend from the point of view of four war correspondents Charles Bean, Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, Phillip Schuler and Keith Murdoch.
Joel Jackson stars as Bean, Hugh Dancy as Bartlett, Ewen Leslie as Murdoch, and Sam Worthington as Schuler. Charles Dance plays Hamilton, the Commander of the Gallipoli campaign, Bryan Brown plays General Bridges and John Bell plays Lord Kitchener.
"This is a...
Foxtel made the casting announcement this morning as the mini-series starts production in South Australia.
Other cast members are Jessica De Gouw, Anna Torv, James Fraser, Charles Dance and newcomer 2013 Nida graduate Joel Jackson.
John Bell of Bell Shakespeare will also be returning to television for the first time in more than 20 years.
The mini-series, directed by Michael Rymer (Hannibal), looks at the Gallipoli legend from the point of view of four war correspondents Charles Bean, Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, Phillip Schuler and Keith Murdoch.
Joel Jackson stars as Bean, Hugh Dancy as Bartlett, Ewen Leslie as Murdoch, and Sam Worthington as Schuler. Charles Dance plays Hamilton, the Commander of the Gallipoli campaign, Bryan Brown plays General Bridges and John Bell plays Lord Kitchener.
"This is a...
- 6/16/2014
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Sam Worthington, Hugh Dancy, Rachel Griffiths, Bryan Brown and Ewen Leslie are just some of the names that make up the impressive Deadline Gallipoli cast.
Foxtel made the casting announcement this morning as the mini-series starts production in South Australia.
Other cast members are Jessica De Gouw, Anna Torv, James Fraser, Charles Dance and newcomer 2013 Nida graduate Joel Jackson.
John Bell of Bell Shakespeare will also be returning to television for the first time in more than 20 years.
The mini-series, directed by Michael Rymer (Hannibal), looks at the Gallipoli legend from the point of view of four war correspondents Charles Bean, Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, Phillip Schuler and Keith Murdoch.
Joel Jackson stars as Bean, Hugh Dancy as Bartlett, Ewen Leslie as Murdoch, and Sam Worthington as Schuler. Charles Dance plays Hamilton, the Commander of the Gallipoli campaign, Bryan Brown plays General Bridges and John Bell plays Lord Kitchener.
"This is a...
Foxtel made the casting announcement this morning as the mini-series starts production in South Australia.
Other cast members are Jessica De Gouw, Anna Torv, James Fraser, Charles Dance and newcomer 2013 Nida graduate Joel Jackson.
John Bell of Bell Shakespeare will also be returning to television for the first time in more than 20 years.
The mini-series, directed by Michael Rymer (Hannibal), looks at the Gallipoli legend from the point of view of four war correspondents Charles Bean, Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, Phillip Schuler and Keith Murdoch.
Joel Jackson stars as Bean, Hugh Dancy as Bartlett, Ewen Leslie as Murdoch, and Sam Worthington as Schuler. Charles Dance plays Hamilton, the Commander of the Gallipoli campaign, Bryan Brown plays General Bridges and John Bell plays Lord Kitchener.
"This is a...
- 6/16/2014
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Matchbox Pictures, the prolific producer of Nowhere Boys, Devil.s Playground, The Slap, the movie Cut Snake, Real Housewives of Melbourne, Formal Wars and upcoming miniseries Deadline Gallipoli, is now fully owned by a Us studio.
NBCUniversal International Television Production, which bought a 60% stake in 2011, today announced a further investment which gives it 100% ownership.
Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Michael McMahon, Helen Bowden and Helen Panckhurst, who founded the firm in 2008, sold their shares to NBCUniversal.
.They pursued us, primarily due to the success of the partnership and they are keen to invest and further grow the company internationally, so owning the company fully makes sense to do that,. Matchbox managing director Chris Oliver-Taylor tells If. "There is more incentive for NBCU to drive the business further."
The company will continue to operate as a distinct entity led by Oliver-Taylor and creative heads Chapman and Ayres (scripted ) and Kylie Washington (unscripted).. McMahon becomes executive chairman.
NBCUniversal International Television Production, which bought a 60% stake in 2011, today announced a further investment which gives it 100% ownership.
Tony Ayres, Penny Chapman, Michael McMahon, Helen Bowden and Helen Panckhurst, who founded the firm in 2008, sold their shares to NBCUniversal.
.They pursued us, primarily due to the success of the partnership and they are keen to invest and further grow the company internationally, so owning the company fully makes sense to do that,. Matchbox managing director Chris Oliver-Taylor tells If. "There is more incentive for NBCU to drive the business further."
The company will continue to operate as a distinct entity led by Oliver-Taylor and creative heads Chapman and Ayres (scripted ) and Kylie Washington (unscripted).. McMahon becomes executive chairman.
- 1/29/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
After acquiring an equity stake in Australian producer Matchbox Pictures in 2011, NBCUniversal International Television Production has now taken full ownership of the company via an undisclosed investment. This adds to NBCU’s stable of overseas production labels that also includes Carnival Films (Downton Abbey, Dracula), reality producer Monkey Kingdom and factual shingle Chocolate Media, all in the UK; as well as Lark Productions in Canada. Matchbox launched in 2008 and develops and produces drama, comedy, documentary and young adult television, and feature films. Earlier this month, NBC greenlighted The Slap, an eight-episode mini based on Matchbox’s 2011 complex family drama series. Universal Television and Matchbox are producing with Matchbox co-founder Tony Ayres as exec producer. Other recent Matchbox credits include the dramedy Camp which aired on NBC this summer and Aacta winning action adventure series Nowhere Boys, which Ayres created. Ayres, with co-founder Penny Chapman, will lead the creative team at Matchbox on the scripted side,...
- 1/29/2014
- by NANCY TARTAGLIONE, International Editor
- Deadline TV
NBCUniversal International Television Production has taken full control of Australian production company Matchbox Pictures, producers of Hulu's critically-acclaimed drama The Straits and the BAFTA-winning The Slap, which NBC is adapting as a miniseries for the U.S.. NBCUniversal was already an equity partner in Matchbox, having taken a stake in the company back in 2011. The new ownership arrangement will not change management at Matchbox. Chris Oliver Taylor will stay on as managing director, company founders Penny Chapman and Tony Ayres will continue to run the company's scripted production business and Kylie Washington the unscripted. “Matchbox is one
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- 1/29/2014
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Goalpost Pictures, Matchbox Pictures. Penny Chapman, Jungleboys, Top of the Lake and Lore won key awards at the Screen Producers Australia awards on Wednesday night. Julie Zemiro hosted the free-wheeling ceremony at the Crown Palladium with an appealing mixture of humour, self-deprecating satire and due respect for the recipients. Goalpost was named Production Business of the Year, its principals Ben Grant and Rosemary Blight noting they have been in the industry for 23 years. Chapman received the Maura Fay Award for Services to the Industry in recognition for her work on programs such as The Slap, The Straits, Old School and Devil.s Playground. Jungleboys took the award for Breakthrough Business of the Year, co-founder Jason Burrows paying tribute to his partners Phil Lloyd and Trent O.Donnell. Burrows also expressed gratitude to Screen Australia, the ABC and Centrelink for .financing. the first nine months of Jungleboys. existence. See-Saw Films. Top of the Lake...
- 11/21/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Two major miniseries on Gallipoli both aim to start shooting by the middle of next year.
Casting is underway for the eight-hour opus Gallipoli, produced by Southern Star Entertainment for the Nine Network, which will re-enact 10 months in the Australian forces'. WW1 campaign in Turkey.
Sam Worthington is highly likely to play a lead role in The Gallipoli Story, a four-parter for Foxtel which will follow Australian journalists Keith Murdoch, Charles Bean and Phillip Schuler and Brit Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, who accompanied the troops to Gallipoli in 1915 and reveal how their quest for the truth helped change the war.s course.
John Edwards, who is producing Nine.s Gallipoli with Imogen Banks and Robert Connolly, tells If he does not see the two projects as rivals, given the very different approaches to the subject.
He invited Connolly to join the production team because he and Banks are simultaneously working on two other shows,...
Casting is underway for the eight-hour opus Gallipoli, produced by Southern Star Entertainment for the Nine Network, which will re-enact 10 months in the Australian forces'. WW1 campaign in Turkey.
Sam Worthington is highly likely to play a lead role in The Gallipoli Story, a four-parter for Foxtel which will follow Australian journalists Keith Murdoch, Charles Bean and Phillip Schuler and Brit Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, who accompanied the troops to Gallipoli in 1915 and reveal how their quest for the truth helped change the war.s course.
John Edwards, who is producing Nine.s Gallipoli with Imogen Banks and Robert Connolly, tells If he does not see the two projects as rivals, given the very different approaches to the subject.
He invited Connolly to join the production team because he and Banks are simultaneously working on two other shows,...
- 11/6/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Anzac spirit will be celebrated in two miniseries that received funding on Tuesday from Screen Australia. While both projects had been announced, the cast for Anzac Girls has been revealed and it.s been confirmed that Sam Worthington is highly likely to star in The Gallipoli Story.
Also funded was Catching Milat, a two-part telemovie recounting the investigation that led to the arrest of serial killer Ivan Milat.
Produced by Screentime for ABC TV, Anzac Girls will chronicle the true story of five young military nurses from Australia and New Zealand who experienced horror, heartbreak and triumph caring for the soldiers at Gallipoli and the Western Front.
The six-part series will star Georgia Flood (House Husbands, Wentworth, Tangle), Antonia Prebble (Outrageous Fortune, The Blue Rose, Super City), Laura Brent (A Few Best Men, Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader), Anna McGahan (House Husbands, Mystery of a Hansom Cab,...
Also funded was Catching Milat, a two-part telemovie recounting the investigation that led to the arrest of serial killer Ivan Milat.
Produced by Screentime for ABC TV, Anzac Girls will chronicle the true story of five young military nurses from Australia and New Zealand who experienced horror, heartbreak and triumph caring for the soldiers at Gallipoli and the Western Front.
The six-part series will star Georgia Flood (House Husbands, Wentworth, Tangle), Antonia Prebble (Outrageous Fortune, The Blue Rose, Super City), Laura Brent (A Few Best Men, Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader), Anna McGahan (House Husbands, Mystery of a Hansom Cab,...
- 6/26/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Bryan Brown and Sam Neill will star in Old School, an ABC series in the vein of the BBC comedy-drama New Tricks. Brown will play Ted, a retired cop, with Neill as Lennie, an ex-crim. The odd couple turn sleuth to solve crimes, unravel scams and earn much-needed dosh.
The cast includes Sarah Peirse as Ted.s feisty, sports-mad wife; Hanna Mangan Lawrence as Lennie.s granddaughter Shannon; Mark Coles-Smith as Jason, the mechanic son of one of Lennie.s prison mates; and Damian Walshe-Howling as a charming opportunist who woos Shannon.
The show was created by Paul Oliver and Steve Wright and will be produced by Matchbox Pictures. Helen Panckhurst and exec produced by Tony Ayres and Penny Chapman.
Production of the eight-part series starts in Sydney in June with the directing chores shared by Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, Buffalo Soldiers), Peter Templeman (Not Suitable For Children) and Oliver.
The cast includes Sarah Peirse as Ted.s feisty, sports-mad wife; Hanna Mangan Lawrence as Lennie.s granddaughter Shannon; Mark Coles-Smith as Jason, the mechanic son of one of Lennie.s prison mates; and Damian Walshe-Howling as a charming opportunist who woos Shannon.
The show was created by Paul Oliver and Steve Wright and will be produced by Matchbox Pictures. Helen Panckhurst and exec produced by Tony Ayres and Penny Chapman.
Production of the eight-part series starts in Sydney in June with the directing chores shared by Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, Buffalo Soldiers), Peter Templeman (Not Suitable For Children) and Oliver.
- 5/30/2013
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Devil.s Playground, the Foxtel miniseries that deals with the cover-up of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in the 1980s, .won.t pull any punches,. according to producer Helen Bowden.
Now shooting in Sydney, the six-part series stars Simon Burke as Tom Allen, a psychiatrist who is hired as a confessor to the clergy and gets embroiled in political and theological intrigue.
Burke played Allen as a 13-year-old schoolboy in Fred Schepisi.s 1976 drama The Devil.s Playground. The stellar cast includes Don Hany and John Noble as Bishops, Jack Thompson as the Archbishop, Toni Collette as a State Labor MP who campaigns for social justice, Andrew McFarlane as a priest and Max Cullen as a retired priest.
The screenplay by Blake Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison and Tommy Murphy is .complete fiction but drawn from events that happened,. Bowden told If.
Funded by Screen Australia and Screen Nsw and produced by Matchbox Pictures,...
Now shooting in Sydney, the six-part series stars Simon Burke as Tom Allen, a psychiatrist who is hired as a confessor to the clergy and gets embroiled in political and theological intrigue.
Burke played Allen as a 13-year-old schoolboy in Fred Schepisi.s 1976 drama The Devil.s Playground. The stellar cast includes Don Hany and John Noble as Bishops, Jack Thompson as the Archbishop, Toni Collette as a State Labor MP who campaigns for social justice, Andrew McFarlane as a priest and Max Cullen as a retired priest.
The screenplay by Blake Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison and Tommy Murphy is .complete fiction but drawn from events that happened,. Bowden told If.
Funded by Screen Australia and Screen Nsw and produced by Matchbox Pictures,...
- 4/5/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia says it has not mismanaged its finances by spending its annual production funding in just six months - a state of affairs which it says reflects the strength of the local film industry.
The government screen agency revealed in mid-December 2012 that it had spent its entire annual $42 million drama production allocation due to the unprecedented number of quality feature film and television projects seeking support. The shock announcement was reminiscent of the agency's abrupt decision to cut its investment cap in 2009 while several films were mid-financed. That decision.threw several major Australian productions into dissaray including The Tree and the biggest box office hit of.2010, Tomorrow When the War Began (Omnilab Media had to increase its investment at the last minute to ensure production).
Overspending on such a scale has never occurred before, even going back to the era of Screen Australia.s predecessor funding arm, the Film Finance Corporation.
The government screen agency revealed in mid-December 2012 that it had spent its entire annual $42 million drama production allocation due to the unprecedented number of quality feature film and television projects seeking support. The shock announcement was reminiscent of the agency's abrupt decision to cut its investment cap in 2009 while several films were mid-financed. That decision.threw several major Australian productions into dissaray including The Tree and the biggest box office hit of.2010, Tomorrow When the War Began (Omnilab Media had to increase its investment at the last minute to ensure production).
Overspending on such a scale has never occurred before, even going back to the era of Screen Australia.s predecessor funding arm, the Film Finance Corporation.
- 2/6/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The Devil’s Playground
A series which picks up the story of classic feature film The Devil’s Playground 35 years on, is among 11 productions to receive Screen Australia funding.
Return to the Devil’s Playground is a six-part series produced by Matchbox Pictures’ Helen Bowden and Blake Ayshford and directed by The Strait’s Rachel Ward and Dead Europe’s Tony Krawitz.
Writers on the production are Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison and Tommy Murphy.
The series picks up the story in 1988, 35 years after Fred Schepisi’s The Devil’s Playground, where main character Tom Allen, a psychiatrist and a secular confessor to the Catholic clergy, becomes entangled in political and theological intrigue.
The series is executive produced by Penny Chapman, Simon Burke, who played the original character of Tom Allen and is the current Actor’s Equity president, and Penny Win.
Screen Australia’s overall investment across the 11 productions...
A series which picks up the story of classic feature film The Devil’s Playground 35 years on, is among 11 productions to receive Screen Australia funding.
Return to the Devil’s Playground is a six-part series produced by Matchbox Pictures’ Helen Bowden and Blake Ayshford and directed by The Strait’s Rachel Ward and Dead Europe’s Tony Krawitz.
Writers on the production are Ayshford, Cate Shortland, Alice Addison and Tommy Murphy.
The series picks up the story in 1988, 35 years after Fred Schepisi’s The Devil’s Playground, where main character Tom Allen, a psychiatrist and a secular confessor to the Catholic clergy, becomes entangled in political and theological intrigue.
The series is executive produced by Penny Chapman, Simon Burke, who played the original character of Tom Allen and is the current Actor’s Equity president, and Penny Win.
Screen Australia’s overall investment across the 11 productions...
- 12/17/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has today announced it will invest over $11.4 million in five feature films and six television series, one of which is for children.
The feature projects include Kill Me Three Times from Red Dog director Kriv Stenders, The Darkside from writer/director Warwick Thornton, debut feature Fell from Kasimir Burgess, crime-thriller Cut Snake from director Tony Ayres (Home Song Stories) and comedy Now Add Honey from successful comedy team Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler (The Librarians).
Screen Australia.s Chief Executive Ruth Harley said, .It.s great to end the year investing in such a dynamic range of feature films from a good mix of experienced practitioners and emerging talent.
.I.m thrilled to announce Warwick Thornton.s highly creative and resonant Indigenous story, The Darkside. The smart and stylish thriller Cut Snake comes from a talented and experienced team and Kill Me Three Times is a well-told tale...
The feature projects include Kill Me Three Times from Red Dog director Kriv Stenders, The Darkside from writer/director Warwick Thornton, debut feature Fell from Kasimir Burgess, crime-thriller Cut Snake from director Tony Ayres (Home Song Stories) and comedy Now Add Honey from successful comedy team Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler (The Librarians).
Screen Australia.s Chief Executive Ruth Harley said, .It.s great to end the year investing in such a dynamic range of feature films from a good mix of experienced practitioners and emerging talent.
.I.m thrilled to announce Warwick Thornton.s highly creative and resonant Indigenous story, The Darkside. The smart and stylish thriller Cut Snake comes from a talented and experienced team and Kill Me Three Times is a well-told tale...
- 12/17/2012
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
BBC Worldwide Appoints Interim CEO As the BBC regroups amid its ongoing crises, a game of management musical chairs is playing out. Paul Dempsey will take over as interim CEO of BBC Worldwide beginning next month. Dempsey, who is currently managing director for consumer products at Bbcw, will oversee the division until Tim Davie takes over as CEO in March. Davie became interim director general of the BBC when George Entwistle resigned earlier this month, but had previously been named to follow outgoing Bbcw CEO John Smith who leaves in December. Tony Hall is to become the official BBC director general in March. Dempsey joined Bbcw in 1998 as UK sales director and has since held posts that include managing director of BBC Audiobooks and director of Bbcw’s audio & music business. New TV Series Will Continue The Saga Of ‘The Devil’s Playground’ Fred Schepisi will serve as consultant on...
- 11/27/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The Australian screen industry is lobbying the Federal Government to implement two key Convergence Review recommendations that would bolster the level of Australian content on free-to-air and pay-tv.
High-profile screen industry practioners descended on Canberra today including actors Roy Billing, Simon Burke and Matt Day; producers Penny Chapman and Brian Rosen; writers Tim Pye, Roger Simpson and John Collee; and directors Gillian Armstrong, Rowan Woods and Ray Argall.
Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president Brian Rosen said the Convergence Review report, delivered in March, recommended that the current Australian Content Standard be extended to the new digital multi-channel environment and the pay-tv platform. "We were told that the government supported this move but, six months later, the lack of progress has us worried,. Rosen said in a statement.
Other guilds and industry bodies to express concern about the future of local content regulation included the Australian Directors Guild (Adg...
High-profile screen industry practioners descended on Canberra today including actors Roy Billing, Simon Burke and Matt Day; producers Penny Chapman and Brian Rosen; writers Tim Pye, Roger Simpson and John Collee; and directors Gillian Armstrong, Rowan Woods and Ray Argall.
Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president Brian Rosen said the Convergence Review report, delivered in March, recommended that the current Australian Content Standard be extended to the new digital multi-channel environment and the pay-tv platform. "We were told that the government supported this move but, six months later, the lack of progress has us worried,. Rosen said in a statement.
Other guilds and industry bodies to express concern about the future of local content regulation included the Australian Directors Guild (Adg...
- 9/19/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Senior film and TV industry representatives will express their concerns over the future of local content regulation on digital multi-channels and pay TV in Canberra tomorrow.
The representatives are calling on the Federal Government to move quickly to implement key recommendations of the Convergence Review relating to Australian content.
The representatives include members of the Screen Producers Association of Australia, the Australian Directors Guild, the Australian Writers Guild and the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance.
In November last year a delegation of film and TV creators visited Canberra to promote the importance of local content.
The Convergence Review was published on 1 May with the decision by the committee not yet announced.
This delegation includes Matchbox Pictures’ producer Penny Chapman, directors Gillian Armstrong and Rowan Woods and screenwriter John Collee.
The representatives are calling on the Federal Government to move quickly to implement key recommendations of the Convergence Review relating to Australian content.
The representatives include members of the Screen Producers Association of Australia, the Australian Directors Guild, the Australian Writers Guild and the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance.
In November last year a delegation of film and TV creators visited Canberra to promote the importance of local content.
The Convergence Review was published on 1 May with the decision by the committee not yet announced.
This delegation includes Matchbox Pictures’ producer Penny Chapman, directors Gillian Armstrong and Rowan Woods and screenwriter John Collee.
- 9/18/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Matchbox Pictures will produce a new six-hour mini-series about Australian and English journalists covering the battle of Gallipoli with actor Sam Worthington to co-produce, and possibly star in. Among the journalists to be portrayed is Keith Murdoch, father of Rupert Murdoch.
Keith Murdoch’s endeavours in covering Gallipoli is near legendary, credited in some quarters with being a turning point in what had been a badly run campaign.
Penny Chapman of Matchbox Pictures, producers of The Slap and The Straits, told Encore Worthington and his FullClip Productions partner John Schwarz brought the project to NBCUniversal which FullClip is in talks with on other productions, and which owns a major interest in Matchbox Pictures.
The untitled project has received development funding by Foxtel.
The mini-series follows three embedded journalists who see the war going wrong but can’t report on it; Charles Bean, British war correspondent Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett and Rupert Murdoch...
Keith Murdoch’s endeavours in covering Gallipoli is near legendary, credited in some quarters with being a turning point in what had been a badly run campaign.
Penny Chapman of Matchbox Pictures, producers of The Slap and The Straits, told Encore Worthington and his FullClip Productions partner John Schwarz brought the project to NBCUniversal which FullClip is in talks with on other productions, and which owns a major interest in Matchbox Pictures.
The untitled project has received development funding by Foxtel.
The mini-series follows three embedded journalists who see the war going wrong but can’t report on it; Charles Bean, British war correspondent Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett and Rupert Murdoch...
- 6/14/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Freelance journalist Don Groves is a Deadline contributor based in Sydney Sam Worthington will co-produce and possibly star in a six-hour miniseries that chronicles how a team of Australian and English journalists who covered the infamous World War I battle in Gallipoli were instrumental in the decision to end the campaign against Turkish forces. Worthington’s production company FullClip will produce with Matchbox Pictures, part-owned by NBCUniversal International Television Production, which has first and last rights on all Matchbox’s output. Australian pay-tv platform Foxtel, part-owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, commissioned the mini, which is due to go into production in the second half of 2013 and will air in Australia in 2015 — which marks the 100th anniversary of the Turkey-set battle. Among the casualties were 43,000 British troops, 15,000 French, 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders. Co-incidentally, one of the journalists involved was Keith Murdoch, Rupert’s father. Matchbox’s Penny Chapman tells...
- 6/13/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
The entertainment industry is calling for more funding to bolster Sbs's drama and documentary production.
The Friends of Sbs, a parliamentary group convened by MPs Steve Georganas, Paul Fletcher and Senator Scott Ludlam, will hold a lunch in Canberra on Thursday where Australian producers, performers and industry leaders will call on the government to provide Sbs with more financial support.
Among the lunch delegates will be Julia Zemiro (RocKwiz), Bruce Spence (R.A.N.); producers Penny Chapman (The Slap), Nick Murray (Go Back to Where You Came From), Joe Connor (RocKwiz); director Mark Joffe (Neighbours, Wild Boys); Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president and producer Brian Rosen, Spaa executive director Geoff Brown; and Actors Equity director Sue McCreadie.
.Sbs is unique in the world as a multicultural broadcaster and should be considered a national treasure,. Zemiro said in a statement. .Sbs needs our continued support. It plays a critical...
The Friends of Sbs, a parliamentary group convened by MPs Steve Georganas, Paul Fletcher and Senator Scott Ludlam, will hold a lunch in Canberra on Thursday where Australian producers, performers and industry leaders will call on the government to provide Sbs with more financial support.
Among the lunch delegates will be Julia Zemiro (RocKwiz), Bruce Spence (R.A.N.); producers Penny Chapman (The Slap), Nick Murray (Go Back to Where You Came From), Joe Connor (RocKwiz); director Mark Joffe (Neighbours, Wild Boys); Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president and producer Brian Rosen, Spaa executive director Geoff Brown; and Actors Equity director Sue McCreadie.
.Sbs is unique in the world as a multicultural broadcaster and should be considered a national treasure,. Zemiro said in a statement. .Sbs needs our continued support. It plays a critical...
- 3/14/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The entertainment industry is calling for more funding to bolster Sbs's drama and documentary production. The Friends of Sbs, a parliamentary group convened by MPs Steve Georganas, Paul Fletcher and Senator Scott Ludlam, will hold a lunch in Canberra on Thursday where Australian producers, performers and industry leaders will call on the government to provide Sbs with more financial support. Among the lunch delegates will be Julia Zemiro (RocKwiz), Bruce Spence (R.A.N.); producers Penny Chapman (The Slap), Nick Murray (Go Back to Where You Came From), Joe Connor (RocKwiz); director Mark Joffe (Neighbours, Wild Boys); Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president and producer Brian Rosen, Spaa executive director Geoff Brown; and Actors Equity director Sue McCreadie. .Sbs...
- 3/14/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
From drama to reality and factual – meet the production house powerhouses responsible for Australia’s greatest television.
Andrew Denton
Owner/ Creative guy
Zapruder’s Other Films The Gruen Transfer, Hungry Beast, Country Town Rescue, Randling
With producers Anita Jacoby and Peter Thompson, Andrew Denton’s Zapruder’s Other Films is known for intelligent and often funny television.
Denton came to prominence as the host of ABC’s 1988 comedy show Blah Blah Blah and was quick to get involved behind the scenes. His first executive producing credit came in 2001 when he gave The Chaser team their break with The Election Chaser.
Denton is responsible for adland favourite The Gruen Transfer, with five series including Gruen Planet and Nation under its belt. The show is one of the ABC’s highest rating formats attracting international interest.
Denton’s great skill is fostering young talent with his 2008 Project Next experiment resulting in Hungry Beast.
Andrew Denton
Owner/ Creative guy
Zapruder’s Other Films The Gruen Transfer, Hungry Beast, Country Town Rescue, Randling
With producers Anita Jacoby and Peter Thompson, Andrew Denton’s Zapruder’s Other Films is known for intelligent and often funny television.
Denton came to prominence as the host of ABC’s 1988 comedy show Blah Blah Blah and was quick to get involved behind the scenes. His first executive producing credit came in 2001 when he gave The Chaser team their break with The Election Chaser.
Denton is responsible for adland favourite The Gruen Transfer, with five series including Gruen Planet and Nation under its belt. The show is one of the ABC’s highest rating formats attracting international interest.
Denton’s great skill is fostering young talent with his 2008 Project Next experiment resulting in Hungry Beast.
- 2/17/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
ABC’s new series The Straits has had a slow ratings start to its ten episode run.
Produced by Matchbox Pictures, producers of last year’s success The Slap, The Straits movie length premiere averaged 599,000, peaking at 696,000 viewers last night, according to preliminary ratings by Oztam.
Matchbox Pictures’ creative director Penny Chapman spoke to Encore in January: “It’s the violence and the black humour that is going to make this pretty special. I’ve not made a show like this – maybe blue murder but the Straits’ humour is quite enjoyable. Young men respond to it strongly. It’s a real blokes show. And for the ABC that’s great because young men don’t watch the ABC.”
The Straits is based on an idea by Aaron Fa’aoso which has been developed by a team of writers, including: AFI winning Louis Nowra (Cosi, K-19: The Widowmaker, Radiance); Blake Ayshford (Crownies,...
Produced by Matchbox Pictures, producers of last year’s success The Slap, The Straits movie length premiere averaged 599,000, peaking at 696,000 viewers last night, according to preliminary ratings by Oztam.
Matchbox Pictures’ creative director Penny Chapman spoke to Encore in January: “It’s the violence and the black humour that is going to make this pretty special. I’ve not made a show like this – maybe blue murder but the Straits’ humour is quite enjoyable. Young men respond to it strongly. It’s a real blokes show. And for the ABC that’s great because young men don’t watch the ABC.”
The Straits is based on an idea by Aaron Fa’aoso which has been developed by a team of writers, including: AFI winning Louis Nowra (Cosi, K-19: The Widowmaker, Radiance); Blake Ayshford (Crownies,...
- 2/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
It seems controversy leads to awards. The two big winners at last night.s inaugural Aacta Awards were thriller feature film Snowtown and TV drama series The Slap. Both renowned for their controversial nature, the film and TV series netted four and five gongs respectively.
Snowtown, about Australian serial killer John Bunting who befriends a 16-year-old, was honoured in the Best Direction (Justin Kurzel), Best Adapted Screenplay (Shaun Grant), Best Actor (Daniel Henshall) and Best Supporting Actress (Louise Harris) categories.
The last two awards were particularly impressive as neither actor had appeared in a feature film before. While Henshall had previously acted in such shows as Out of the Blue, it was Harris. first ever acting role.
The four gongs awarded last night at the Sydney Opera House brings the film.s tally to an impressive six Aacta Awards after receiving Best Editing (Veronika Jenet Ase) and Best Sound (Frank Lipson Mpse,...
Snowtown, about Australian serial killer John Bunting who befriends a 16-year-old, was honoured in the Best Direction (Justin Kurzel), Best Adapted Screenplay (Shaun Grant), Best Actor (Daniel Henshall) and Best Supporting Actress (Louise Harris) categories.
The last two awards were particularly impressive as neither actor had appeared in a feature film before. While Henshall had previously acted in such shows as Out of the Blue, it was Harris. first ever acting role.
The four gongs awarded last night at the Sydney Opera House brings the film.s tally to an impressive six Aacta Awards after receiving Best Editing (Veronika Jenet Ase) and Best Sound (Frank Lipson Mpse,...
- 1/31/2012
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
Australian cinematographer Don McAlpine (Acs/Asc) received two standing ovations after tributes from longtime colleagues Jack Thompson and Bruce Beresford at the inaugural Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts (Aacta) awards yesteryday.
McAlpine was awarded the coveted Raymond Longford Award for a lifetime achievement in cinema. McAlpine’s career spans over 50 films including Moulin Rouge and William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, Breaker Morant and most recently Mental.
The ceremony, hosted by Sigrid Thornton, was the first for the newly formed academy. The ceremony also included the announcement of the Australian academy’s international awards to recognise excellence in film. The announcements were made during a live cross to actress Jackie Weaver at the G’Day USA Gala in Los Angeles.
Further awards for both Australian cinema and TV and the international awards will be presented on January 31 at the Opera House.
The Winners
Raymond Longford Award
Don McAlpine
Byron Kennedy Award...
McAlpine was awarded the coveted Raymond Longford Award for a lifetime achievement in cinema. McAlpine’s career spans over 50 films including Moulin Rouge and William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, Breaker Morant and most recently Mental.
The ceremony, hosted by Sigrid Thornton, was the first for the newly formed academy. The ceremony also included the announcement of the Australian academy’s international awards to recognise excellence in film. The announcements were made during a live cross to actress Jackie Weaver at the G’Day USA Gala in Los Angeles.
Further awards for both Australian cinema and TV and the international awards will be presented on January 31 at the Opera House.
The Winners
Raymond Longford Award
Don McAlpine
Byron Kennedy Award...
- 1/15/2012
- by Brooke Hemphill
- Encore Magazine
Local programs My Place and The Amazing Race Australia.have done.the country proud at this year.s Asian Television Awards. My Place, the ABC3 Logie-winning series, netted Best Children.s Program at the prestigious awards show which recognises .excellence in programming, production and performance.. The popular show, produced by Matchbox Pictures' Helen Panckhurst and Penny Chapman, won for the first episode in series two: 1878 Henry and beat fellow ABC3 show Dance Academy (which was nominated for Episode 26: Learning To Fly Part 2). Chapman, who last year won the inaugural If Award for Contribution to Television, said she was "thrilled" with its success overseas. "This has been a bit of a passion project for me because...
- 12/13/2011
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
The Hunter has lead the Aacta Awards with 14 nominations including best film.
The film, by Daniel Nettheim, is also up for best direction, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound, production design, costume, original music score, and visual effects. Meanwhile, Willem Dafoe, Frances O’Connor, Sam Neill and Morgana Davies are all up for acting awards.
The film has currently made just over $1m at the local box office.
It’s the first year for the re-launched AACTAs, formerly the AFI awards.
The technical awards will be given out at a luncheon on 15 January at the Sydney Opera House, with an evening ceremony for the more ‘public-friendly’ awards held at the Opera House on 31 January.
Running against The Hunter for best film is Red Dog, Mad Bastards, The Eye of the Storm, Snowtown and Oranges and Sunshine.
The Eye of the Storm, was second in the nominations race with 12, of which six are...
The film, by Daniel Nettheim, is also up for best direction, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound, production design, costume, original music score, and visual effects. Meanwhile, Willem Dafoe, Frances O’Connor, Sam Neill and Morgana Davies are all up for acting awards.
The film has currently made just over $1m at the local box office.
It’s the first year for the re-launched AACTAs, formerly the AFI awards.
The technical awards will be given out at a luncheon on 15 January at the Sydney Opera House, with an evening ceremony for the more ‘public-friendly’ awards held at the Opera House on 31 January.
Running against The Hunter for best film is Red Dog, Mad Bastards, The Eye of the Storm, Snowtown and Oranges and Sunshine.
The Eye of the Storm, was second in the nominations race with 12, of which six are...
- 11/30/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Helen Bowden and Helen Panckhurst, photo: Cynthia Sciberras
Matchbox Pictures has been named Independent Producer of the Year at the 2011 Spaa Independent Producers Awards.
The production company is behind adult drama series The Slap, children’s show My Place and the upcoming crime series The Straits. Matchbox Pictures was formed by executives Helen Bowden and Helen Panckhurst, and producers Penny Chapman, Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon.
Winners were announced across a number of categories at the awards night on Monday night as part of the Spaa Conference.
See-Saw Films won best feature film for The Kings Speech. The production company run by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning also produced Oranges and Sunshine.
Breakthrough award went to the producers of The Tunnel, Julian Harvey and Enzo Tedeschi with their innovative business model to maximise viewership through an agreement with BitTorrent.
Essential Media and Entertainment won best television drama for their series Rake starring Richard Roxburgh.
Matchbox Pictures has been named Independent Producer of the Year at the 2011 Spaa Independent Producers Awards.
The production company is behind adult drama series The Slap, children’s show My Place and the upcoming crime series The Straits. Matchbox Pictures was formed by executives Helen Bowden and Helen Panckhurst, and producers Penny Chapman, Tony Ayres and Michael McMahon.
Winners were announced across a number of categories at the awards night on Monday night as part of the Spaa Conference.
See-Saw Films won best feature film for The Kings Speech. The production company run by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning also produced Oranges and Sunshine.
Breakthrough award went to the producers of The Tunnel, Julian Harvey and Enzo Tedeschi with their innovative business model to maximise viewership through an agreement with BitTorrent.
Essential Media and Entertainment won best television drama for their series Rake starring Richard Roxburgh.
- 11/15/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Matchbox Pictures – the production house behind ABC and Sbs programmes such as The Slap, Leaky Boat, My Place and Sex: An Unnatural History – has announced the arrival of Chris Oliver-Taylor, previously with the ABC, as its managing director.
Oliver-Taylor was the ABC’s head of business and operations.
Matchbox was formed two years ago by Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst. Its output includes drama, children’s, factual TV and feature films.
The company said of Oliver-Taylor: “He is a talented executive with a great breadth of experience, solid commercial knowledge and strong business acumen. Through his role at the ABC he has played a key role in development and production for the Australian television industry.”
Oliver‐Taylor said: “I am delighted to join a growing company made up of an exceptional group of talented people with a very exciting and diverse slate of projects.
Oliver-Taylor was the ABC’s head of business and operations.
Matchbox was formed two years ago by Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst. Its output includes drama, children’s, factual TV and feature films.
The company said of Oliver-Taylor: “He is a talented executive with a great breadth of experience, solid commercial knowledge and strong business acumen. Through his role at the ABC he has played a key role in development and production for the Australian television industry.”
Oliver‐Taylor said: “I am delighted to join a growing company made up of an exceptional group of talented people with a very exciting and diverse slate of projects.
- 10/7/2011
- by Tim Burrowes
- Encore Magazine
Logie award-winning ABC TV drama My Place is about to grace our screens for a second time. Produced by Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst and based on the acclaimed, multi-award winning children.s book penned by Nadia Wheatley, the.children's drama will continue to journey further into Australian history. This time the 13-part, half-hour series will share stories ranging from 1878 to a time before European settlement. Filmed across Sydney (in such places as Old Sydney Town, the Manly Dam and the Lane Cove National Park), the second series has taken on the production design challenges of recreating eras that viewers will not be able to locate within their own memories. Nevertheless, My Place doesn.t burden itself with historical earnestness but aims to...
- 6/22/2011
- by Hannah Lee
- IF.com.au
ABC1′s new 10 hour drama, The Straits, produced by Matchbox Films’ Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst begins shooting today. Scottish actor Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, Troy, Braveheart) joins the troupe of Australian actors assembling in Cairns and Torres Strait Islands.
The Montebello family are Far North Queensland’s Corleones, running drugs into Australia and guns and exotic animals out with ambitious bikies in Australia and Papau New Guinean raskols across the Strait also wanting a piece of the action. Cox plays Patriach Harry Montebello, with actress Rena Owen playing his part Torres Strait Island, part Maori wife, Kitty.
Joining Cox and Owen in the cast will be AFI Nominated Aaron Fa’aoso (East West 101, Ran), Logie winner Firass Dirani (Underbelly, Pitch Black) as well as new Australian talent; Jimi Bani (Ran, The Sapphires) and Suzannah Bayes-Morton (All Saints, The Tumbler), who together play the Montebello’s children.
In a statement,...
The Montebello family are Far North Queensland’s Corleones, running drugs into Australia and guns and exotic animals out with ambitious bikies in Australia and Papau New Guinean raskols across the Strait also wanting a piece of the action. Cox plays Patriach Harry Montebello, with actress Rena Owen playing his part Torres Strait Island, part Maori wife, Kitty.
Joining Cox and Owen in the cast will be AFI Nominated Aaron Fa’aoso (East West 101, Ran), Logie winner Firass Dirani (Underbelly, Pitch Black) as well as new Australian talent; Jimi Bani (Ran, The Sapphires) and Suzannah Bayes-Morton (All Saints, The Tumbler), who together play the Montebello’s children.
In a statement,...
- 6/14/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
ABC1's new 10-part one-hour drama series, The Straits, has started production in Cairns and the Torres Strait Islands. The crime drama series stars Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, Troy) as Harry Montebello, the head of a family of smugglers, which transports drugs into Australia and guns and exotic wildlife out, making use of ties of blood and loyalty in the Torres Strait Islands. When Harry starts to plan his succession he sparks a vicious family power struggle, forcing the family to hold together through torture, assassination and imprisonment. The Straits is produced by Matchbox Pictures. Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst, who were the team behind the Torres Strait-set TV series Ran: Remote Area Nurse. .We have assembled...
- 6/14/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Us Studio NBCUniversal has bought a majority interest in local production company Matchbox Pictures for an undisclosed amount.
Matchbox Pictures was founded in 2008 by Tony Ayres, Michael McMahon, Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst.
The company is currently adapting Christos Tsiolkas’s The Slap for television; producing a second series of My Place; developing a six-part documentary series called Aussiewood about Australian hopefuls trying to make it in Hollywood; and a third series of Anatomy – consisting of three documentaries exploring art, sex and the body. Both Aussiewood and Anatomy 3 have received investment from Screen Australia.
Matchbox Pictures was founded in 2008 by Tony Ayres, Michael McMahon, Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman and Helen Panckhurst.
The company is currently adapting Christos Tsiolkas’s The Slap for television; producing a second series of My Place; developing a six-part documentary series called Aussiewood about Australian hopefuls trying to make it in Hollywood; and a third series of Anatomy – consisting of three documentaries exploring art, sex and the body. Both Aussiewood and Anatomy 3 have received investment from Screen Australia.
- 5/23/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Producer Penny Chapman likes to keep busy. The fruit of her diligence is a prolific, 25-year career in film and television that includes the likes of Brides of Christ, Blue Murder, Ran: Remote Area Nurse and the AFI Award-nominated children.s drama My Place. .A lot of them looked at our cultural history, and tell us something really intriguing about it,. Chapman observes of these highlights from her stellar career. .I am drawn to history, to anything that explores where we.ve come from and helps explain where we are.. In November, Chapman won the inaugural If Award for Contribution to Television, coming in ahead of the likes of Andrew Denton, Rob Sitch and Kim Williams. Not bad for a woman who, as a political science honours student half a lifetime...
- 4/29/2011
- by Tim Kroenert
- IF.com.au
It was a big night for David Michôd’s Animal Kingdom and Jane Campion’s Bright Star at the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Industry Awards last night, with three statues each. Glenn Dunks reports.
The first of the AFI Awards ceremonies rewarded the technical crafts and behind-the-scenes players in a gala hosted by actor Shane Jacobson.
Opening with speeches by AFI Chief Executive Officer Damian Trewhalla and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Susan Riley as well as a musical performance by Claire Bowditch, the night was also filled with some great material from Jacobson.
Animal Kingdom took out the night’s big prize of the Member’s Choice Award and is the odds on favourite to reap far bigger rewards at tonight’s major ceremony. Bright Star could pose a threat, however, after it’s big haul including two for Janet Patterson (Best Production Design, Best Costume Design),who wasn’t at the ceremony.
The first of the AFI Awards ceremonies rewarded the technical crafts and behind-the-scenes players in a gala hosted by actor Shane Jacobson.
Opening with speeches by AFI Chief Executive Officer Damian Trewhalla and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Susan Riley as well as a musical performance by Claire Bowditch, the night was also filled with some great material from Jacobson.
Animal Kingdom took out the night’s big prize of the Member’s Choice Award and is the odds on favourite to reap far bigger rewards at tonight’s major ceremony. Bright Star could pose a threat, however, after it’s big haul including two for Janet Patterson (Best Production Design, Best Costume Design),who wasn’t at the ceremony.
- 12/11/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Filmmaker/journalist James Ricketson finally got the answers he was looking for. In this guest post, he discusses the Aurora development program with Screen Nsw.
It all began with a simple interview request: ‘Would love to talk with you or whoever the relevant person is at Screen Nsw about the Aurora initiative.’ I had in mind an article about the Australian film industry. It would take nine months and dozens of emails and letters… but perhaps the following questions and answers will generate some dialogue, debate, amongst filmmakers about a topic relevant to all of us: How do we develop first class screenplays that can be produced to make films that Australian audiences want to see?
James Ricketson: Up until about 20 years ago screenwriters worldwide, did not feel the need to appeal to experts, script gurus, engage in workshops, to teach them how to write or improve on their screenplays.
It all began with a simple interview request: ‘Would love to talk with you or whoever the relevant person is at Screen Nsw about the Aurora initiative.’ I had in mind an article about the Australian film industry. It would take nine months and dozens of emails and letters… but perhaps the following questions and answers will generate some dialogue, debate, amongst filmmakers about a topic relevant to all of us: How do we develop first class screenplays that can be produced to make films that Australian audiences want to see?
James Ricketson: Up until about 20 years ago screenwriters worldwide, did not feel the need to appeal to experts, script gurus, engage in workshops, to teach them how to write or improve on their screenplays.
- 11/16/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Remember that one year (2001) when the list-happy AFI (American Film Institute) decided to compete with the Globes and the Oscars in year end prizes? No, that didn't last long. But there's another AFI, The Australian Film Institute, that has been around for a long time and is in no such danger of being a one-off. This year, they're all about the amazing family crime drama Animal Kingdom which they awarded with a record breaking 18 nominations. Sure, the film is in danger of being way overhyped for people who are coming to it late (which is just about everyone given the sorry state of international distribution for dramas of virtually any kind) but for those who can slough off the "omg" raves, I guarantee you'll think it at least an insinuating and well executed crime drama.
AFI Favorites with multiple nominations
Its main competition for the coveted prizes, if you go by nomination counts,...
AFI Favorites with multiple nominations
Its main competition for the coveted prizes, if you go by nomination counts,...
- 10/29/2010
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
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