“I’ve been in the hospital three times, and every time, I went through the phase of believing that I didn’t belong there and I was somehow separate and possibly superior to those around me,” say Wakefield creator and co-showrunner Kristen Dunphy about some of her inspiration for the Australian series now airing on Showtime.
“I really do think that’s really a defense mechanism before you are humbled by the realization that you are no different to anyone else,” the scribe adds.
Having debuted Down Under on public broadcaster ABC earlier this spring, the Rudi Dharmalingam-starring dramedy explores mental illness at the frontline and what happens when the person who is supposed to be taking care of the patients begins to lose himself? Essentially, what is the line between sane and insane and how easily is it crossed?
ViacomCBS-owned Showtime picked up the protean Wakefield back...
“I really do think that’s really a defense mechanism before you are humbled by the realization that you are no different to anyone else,” the scribe adds.
Having debuted Down Under on public broadcaster ABC earlier this spring, the Rudi Dharmalingam-starring dramedy explores mental illness at the frontline and what happens when the person who is supposed to be taking care of the patients begins to lose himself? Essentially, what is the line between sane and insane and how easily is it crossed?
ViacomCBS-owned Showtime picked up the protean Wakefield back...
- 11/9/2021
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
(Welcome to ...And More, our no-frills, zero B.S. guide to when and where you can watch upcoming movies and shows, and everything else you could possibly stand to know.)
The latest limited series for Showtime is coming from down under, with the network set to premiere the popular Australian series "Wakefield" later this fall. The eight-episode seriocomedy originally aired on Australian public broadcaster ABC (not to be confused with the American ABC) back in April, and is inspired by creator Kristen Dunphy's personal experiences dealing with depression and anxiety in a psych ward. Here's everything you need to know about "Wakefield" to prepare for the release.
Described as...
The post Wakefield: Release Date, Cast, And More appeared first on /Film.
The latest limited series for Showtime is coming from down under, with the network set to premiere the popular Australian series "Wakefield" later this fall. The eight-episode seriocomedy originally aired on Australian public broadcaster ABC (not to be confused with the American ABC) back in April, and is inspired by creator Kristen Dunphy's personal experiences dealing with depression and anxiety in a psych ward. Here's everything you need to know about "Wakefield" to prepare for the release.
Described as...
The post Wakefield: Release Date, Cast, And More appeared first on /Film.
- 9/14/2021
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Yet another Jungle Entertainment series is headed Stateside – this time drama Wakefield, with Showtime snapping up the US rights.
It’s the second Australian acquisition by the ViacomCBS-owned premium network of late, having also picked up See-Saw Films’ The End last September.
Created by Kristen Dunphy and originally commissioned by the ABC, Wakefield explores the fine line between sanity and madness through the perspectives of staff and patients at a psychiatric facility.
The cast is lead by Brit Rudi Dharmalingham, a gifted nurse, who is the sanest person in what is a pretty crazy place. But when a song gets stuck in his head, a dark secret from his past begins to intrude into his present.
The ensemble also includes Mandy McElhinney, Geraldine Hakewill, Harriet Dyer, Ryan Corr, Sam Simmons and Felicity Ward.
Sam Meikle is a showrunner with Dunphy, and both wrote alongside Joan Sauers and Cathy Strickland. Series...
It’s the second Australian acquisition by the ViacomCBS-owned premium network of late, having also picked up See-Saw Films’ The End last September.
Created by Kristen Dunphy and originally commissioned by the ABC, Wakefield explores the fine line between sanity and madness through the perspectives of staff and patients at a psychiatric facility.
The cast is lead by Brit Rudi Dharmalingham, a gifted nurse, who is the sanest person in what is a pretty crazy place. But when a song gets stuck in his head, a dark secret from his past begins to intrude into his present.
The ensemble also includes Mandy McElhinney, Geraldine Hakewill, Harriet Dyer, Ryan Corr, Sam Simmons and Felicity Ward.
Sam Meikle is a showrunner with Dunphy, and both wrote alongside Joan Sauers and Cathy Strickland. Series...
- 7/15/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Showtime has headed down under for its latest drama series acquisition.
The ViacomCBS premium cabler has picked up Wakefield, an Australian series starring The Split’s Rudi Dharmalingam and set an October 18 premiere date.
The eight-episode series, which debuted on Australian public broadcaster ABC in April, is a psychological drama that shines a comedic light on what happens when the sanest individual working in a psych ward begins to lose his grip. It is inspired by creator Kristen Dunphy’s personal experiences.
Dharmalingam plays Nik Katira, who after years working as psych nurse at Wakefield, is exceptionally good at his job. With a gift for soothing the afflicted and reaching the unreachable, he’s the most stable person in what tends to be a pretty crazy place. But right now, as his own sanity is slipping, the question is … why? Tackling the complexity of mental illness with humor and heart,...
The ViacomCBS premium cabler has picked up Wakefield, an Australian series starring The Split’s Rudi Dharmalingam and set an October 18 premiere date.
The eight-episode series, which debuted on Australian public broadcaster ABC in April, is a psychological drama that shines a comedic light on what happens when the sanest individual working in a psych ward begins to lose his grip. It is inspired by creator Kristen Dunphy’s personal experiences.
Dharmalingam plays Nik Katira, who after years working as psych nurse at Wakefield, is exceptionally good at his job. With a gift for soothing the afflicted and reaching the unreachable, he’s the most stable person in what tends to be a pretty crazy place. But right now, as his own sanity is slipping, the question is … why? Tackling the complexity of mental illness with humor and heart,...
- 7/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
There will be a strong Australian contingent at Series Mania in France this year, including Jungle Entertainment’s Wakefield, Aquarius Films’ The Unusual Suspects, Porchlight Films’ Fisk and Lazy Susan Films’ Iggy & Ace.
2020 saw the international TV festival initially forced to cancel outright before moving industry meetings and networking online. This year it returns, after two postponements, as an in-person event in Lille August 26 to September 3, with an accompanying special digital program.
Series Mania Forum, the industry arm of Series Mania, is set for August 30 – September 1.
Dramas Wakefield, commissioned by the ABC, and The Unusual Suspects, by Sbs, will each compete in the Panorama section.
ABC-ordered comedy Fisk, written, directed by and starring Kitty Flanagan, will be shown in the comedy strand, while Iggy and Ace, an upcoming short-form drama series for Sbs On Demand, will make its world premiere in the web series competitive section.
Two other Australian shows...
2020 saw the international TV festival initially forced to cancel outright before moving industry meetings and networking online. This year it returns, after two postponements, as an in-person event in Lille August 26 to September 3, with an accompanying special digital program.
Series Mania Forum, the industry arm of Series Mania, is set for August 30 – September 1.
Dramas Wakefield, commissioned by the ABC, and The Unusual Suspects, by Sbs, will each compete in the Panorama section.
ABC-ordered comedy Fisk, written, directed by and starring Kitty Flanagan, will be shown in the comedy strand, while Iggy and Ace, an upcoming short-form drama series for Sbs On Demand, will make its world premiere in the web series competitive section.
Two other Australian shows...
- 7/1/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Balancing humour and pathos: Kristen Dunphy and Chloe Rickard on the controlled chaos of ‘Wakefield’
When Wakefield premiered on the ABC this month, it was the culmination of a nearly decade-long journey for creator and showrunner Kristen Dunphy.
Finding a home for the mental health-focused series was only half the battle for its creative team as they were forced to navigate a Covid-19 shutdown across international and state borders. Dunphy and executive producer Chloe Rickard, COO Jungle Entertainment, talk to If about what it meant to finally complete the project.
Introspection resulting from self-isolation is hardly a new phenomenon.
But how does it factor into the portrayal of a fictional character?
In the case of Wakefield, Covid-19 protocol may have given lead actor Rudi Dharmalingam some of the emotional triggers necessary to step into the role of Nikhil Katira, a psychiatric nurse whose sanity begins to unravel while working at the titular facility.
Before he could resume filming the miniseries following the Covid-19 lockdown, Dharmalingam first had to complete quarantine,...
Finding a home for the mental health-focused series was only half the battle for its creative team as they were forced to navigate a Covid-19 shutdown across international and state borders. Dunphy and executive producer Chloe Rickard, COO Jungle Entertainment, talk to If about what it meant to finally complete the project.
Introspection resulting from self-isolation is hardly a new phenomenon.
But how does it factor into the portrayal of a fictional character?
In the case of Wakefield, Covid-19 protocol may have given lead actor Rudi Dharmalingam some of the emotional triggers necessary to step into the role of Nikhil Katira, a psychiatric nurse whose sanity begins to unravel while working at the titular facility.
Before he could resume filming the miniseries following the Covid-19 lockdown, Dharmalingam first had to complete quarantine,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Netflix has commissioned a reboot of beloved ’90s teen drama Heartbreak High, to be produced by Fremantle Australia and Dutch production company NewBe.
The eight-part series, to shoot in Sydney with the support of Screen Nsw, will be inspired by the original but reimagined for today.
NewBe started shopping a contemporary remake at MIPCOM last year, after acquiring the rights from Brian Abel, partner of the late Ben Gannon, who created and produced the original. Fremantle was understood to be involved in March.
Production is expected to begin next year, with the show to premiere globally on the streamer in 2022. Fremantle Asia Pacific CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor and creative director, scripted content Carly Heaton will be the EPs, together with NewBe founder and CEO Jeroen Koopman and Tarik Traidia. Abel and Michael Jenkins, one of the original EPs, will be consultants on the series.
Set in Sydney’s fictional Hartley High School,...
The eight-part series, to shoot in Sydney with the support of Screen Nsw, will be inspired by the original but reimagined for today.
NewBe started shopping a contemporary remake at MIPCOM last year, after acquiring the rights from Brian Abel, partner of the late Ben Gannon, who created and produced the original. Fremantle was understood to be involved in March.
Production is expected to begin next year, with the show to premiere globally on the streamer in 2022. Fremantle Asia Pacific CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor and creative director, scripted content Carly Heaton will be the EPs, together with NewBe founder and CEO Jeroen Koopman and Tarik Traidia. Abel and Michael Jenkins, one of the original EPs, will be consultants on the series.
Set in Sydney’s fictional Hartley High School,...
- 12/6/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Rudi Dharmalingam in ‘Wakefield’ (Photo credit: Lisa Tomasetti.)
Jungle Entertainment, BBC Studios and the ABC’s Wakefield will be among the first drama series to resume shooting after the shutdown after the producers obtained an exemption from Border Force travel restrictions for Rudi Dharmalingam.
The British actor will return to Australia on July 10 and after two weeks in quarantine will be ready to work when filming resumes on August 3.
In the eight-parter set in a Blue Mountains psychiatric hospital created by Kristen Dunphy, Dharmalingham plays Nik, a psych nurse blessed with a powerful combination of common sense and intuition.
Nik is easily the sanest person in what is a pretty crazy place but when a song gets stuck in his head, a dark secret from his past begins to intrude into his present, forming an intriguing puzzle.
Geraldine Hakewill plays a psychiatrist with Mandy McElhinney as the head nurse, Dan Wyllie...
Jungle Entertainment, BBC Studios and the ABC’s Wakefield will be among the first drama series to resume shooting after the shutdown after the producers obtained an exemption from Border Force travel restrictions for Rudi Dharmalingam.
The British actor will return to Australia on July 10 and after two weeks in quarantine will be ready to work when filming resumes on August 3.
In the eight-parter set in a Blue Mountains psychiatric hospital created by Kristen Dunphy, Dharmalingham plays Nik, a psych nurse blessed with a powerful combination of common sense and intuition.
Nik is easily the sanest person in what is a pretty crazy place but when a song gets stuck in his head, a dark secret from his past begins to intrude into his present, forming an intriguing puzzle.
Geraldine Hakewill plays a psychiatrist with Mandy McElhinney as the head nurse, Dan Wyllie...
- 6/30/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Jason Burrows.
Jungle Entertainment CEO Jason Burrows advocates one key structural change if the Australian screen industry is to take full advantage of an expected, post-pandemic boom in demand for scripted content: Treat writers much better.
Burrows is confident Australia can produce drama which competes with the best in the world if writers are given more time for development, greater creative control, more training and mentoring and higher fees.
“If we don’t, we might as well stop making drama,” he said in a webinar with Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner yesterday.
“We should do that even it means Australia makes one less drama each year, as it will pay off in the long run for all of us.”
Too often, he says, projects go into production or pre-production without finished scripts due to numerous factors including network pressures to fill a gap in the schedule, limited development fees and investment,...
Jungle Entertainment CEO Jason Burrows advocates one key structural change if the Australian screen industry is to take full advantage of an expected, post-pandemic boom in demand for scripted content: Treat writers much better.
Burrows is confident Australia can produce drama which competes with the best in the world if writers are given more time for development, greater creative control, more training and mentoring and higher fees.
“If we don’t, we might as well stop making drama,” he said in a webinar with Screen Producers Australia CEO Matt Deaner yesterday.
“We should do that even it means Australia makes one less drama each year, as it will pay off in the long run for all of us.”
Too often, he says, projects go into production or pre-production without finished scripts due to numerous factors including network pressures to fill a gap in the schedule, limited development fees and investment,...
- 5/6/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Fin Edquist.
Fin Edquist is perhaps best known for animated adventures aimed at children and families – but the screenwriter finds equal satisfaction in creating adult-themed dramas.
Reflecting that diversity, his upcoming slate includes an Alice Springs-set series to be produced by Brindle Films’ Rachel Clements; a feature film spin-off of On the Edge, a planned TV animated children’s series; and a dark thriller/horror.
“My natural inclination is to the darker stuff,” says Edquist, whose writing credits include McLeod’s Daughters and House Husbands; he also co-created The Secret Daughter with Sam Meikle, Justin Monjo and Kristen Dunphy but didn’t get the chance to work on the Screentime/Seven Network show.
“The kids stuff is something I discovered later on in my career. I enjoy them equally and am glad I can work in both. They present different challenges and requirements and different forms of escape.
“I have four children.
Fin Edquist is perhaps best known for animated adventures aimed at children and families – but the screenwriter finds equal satisfaction in creating adult-themed dramas.
Reflecting that diversity, his upcoming slate includes an Alice Springs-set series to be produced by Brindle Films’ Rachel Clements; a feature film spin-off of On the Edge, a planned TV animated children’s series; and a dark thriller/horror.
“My natural inclination is to the darker stuff,” says Edquist, whose writing credits include McLeod’s Daughters and House Husbands; he also co-created The Secret Daughter with Sam Meikle, Justin Monjo and Kristen Dunphy but didn’t get the chance to work on the Screentime/Seven Network show.
“The kids stuff is something I discovered later on in my career. I enjoy them equally and am glad I can work in both. They present different challenges and requirements and different forms of escape.
“I have four children.
- 4/27/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Support Act.
Hoodlum Entertainment’s Nathan Mayfield was devastated when the pandemic forced a halt to filming the third season of the ABC’s Harrow and the second of Network 10’s Five Bedrooms.
Mayfield worried about the mental health and well-being of more than 400 crew and cast who were directly affected by the shutdowns, and their families.
So he was delighted when the Federal Government announced last week a $10 million funding package for music industry charity Support Act.
A good portion of the funds will be used to open up the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline to all members of the arts and screen industries.
Launched in June 2018, the helpline is a free, confidential phone counselling service dedicated to help those who are concerned about any aspect of their mental health and well-being.
“Knowing there is wider access to tools and communication that ensures we are doing everything we can...
Hoodlum Entertainment’s Nathan Mayfield was devastated when the pandemic forced a halt to filming the third season of the ABC’s Harrow and the second of Network 10’s Five Bedrooms.
Mayfield worried about the mental health and well-being of more than 400 crew and cast who were directly affected by the shutdowns, and their families.
So he was delighted when the Federal Government announced last week a $10 million funding package for music industry charity Support Act.
A good portion of the funds will be used to open up the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline to all members of the arts and screen industries.
Launched in June 2018, the helpline is a free, confidential phone counselling service dedicated to help those who are concerned about any aspect of their mental health and well-being.
“Knowing there is wider access to tools and communication that ensures we are doing everything we can...
- 4/14/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Jocelyn Moorhouse with Dop Martin McGrath on the ‘Wakefield’ set.
Jocelyn Moorhouse was shooting the ABC’s Stateless when Jungle Entertainment offered her the gig of set-up director of the ABC drama Wakefield.
The concept was unlike anything she’d ever heard of, centering on the interaction between staff and patients at a Blue Mountains psychiatric hospital, leavened with musical numbers and tap dancing, so she was hooked.
Brit Rudi Dharmalingam plays Nik, a gifted psych nurse in the eight-episode show created by Kristen Dunphy, who is the showrunner with Sam Meikle, produced by Shay Spencer and Ally Henville for Jungle Entertainment and BBC Studios.
The sanest person in a pretty crazy place, Nik is confronted by a dark secret from his past when a song gets stuck in his head.
Reuniting with the director after collaborating on the Seven Network’s Wanted, Geraldine Hakewill plays a psychiatrist, with Mandy McElhinney as the head nurse.
Jocelyn Moorhouse was shooting the ABC’s Stateless when Jungle Entertainment offered her the gig of set-up director of the ABC drama Wakefield.
The concept was unlike anything she’d ever heard of, centering on the interaction between staff and patients at a Blue Mountains psychiatric hospital, leavened with musical numbers and tap dancing, so she was hooked.
Brit Rudi Dharmalingam plays Nik, a gifted psych nurse in the eight-episode show created by Kristen Dunphy, who is the showrunner with Sam Meikle, produced by Shay Spencer and Ally Henville for Jungle Entertainment and BBC Studios.
The sanest person in a pretty crazy place, Nik is confronted by a dark secret from his past when a song gets stuck in his head.
Reuniting with the director after collaborating on the Seven Network’s Wanted, Geraldine Hakewill plays a psychiatrist, with Mandy McElhinney as the head nurse.
- 3/16/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Wakefield’.
British actor Rudi Dharmalingam, Mandy McElhinney and Geraldine Hakewill lead the cast of newly-announced ABC drama Wakefield, now shooting across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Southern Highlands.
Produced by Jungle Entertainment in partnership with BBC Studios, the eight-parter created by Kristen Dunphy is set in a Blue Mountains psychiatric hospital, and described as a psychological mystery exploring the fine line between sanity and madness.
At the show’s centre is Dharmalingham’s Nik, a gifted psych nurse, blessed with a powerful combination of common sense and intuition. Nik is easily the sanest person in what is a pretty crazy place. But when a song gets stuck in his head, a dark secret from his past begins to intrude into his present, forming an intriguing puzzle that comes together as the series builds to its heart wrenching conclusion.
Starring alongside is an impressive ensemble cast including Dan Wyllie, Harriet Dyer,...
British actor Rudi Dharmalingam, Mandy McElhinney and Geraldine Hakewill lead the cast of newly-announced ABC drama Wakefield, now shooting across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Southern Highlands.
Produced by Jungle Entertainment in partnership with BBC Studios, the eight-parter created by Kristen Dunphy is set in a Blue Mountains psychiatric hospital, and described as a psychological mystery exploring the fine line between sanity and madness.
At the show’s centre is Dharmalingham’s Nik, a gifted psych nurse, blessed with a powerful combination of common sense and intuition. Nik is easily the sanest person in what is a pretty crazy place. But when a song gets stuck in his head, a dark secret from his past begins to intrude into his present, forming an intriguing puzzle that comes together as the series builds to its heart wrenching conclusion.
Starring alongside is an impressive ensemble cast including Dan Wyllie, Harriet Dyer,...
- 2/12/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Courtney Gibson..
Former Screen Nsw boss Courtney Gibson is headed to Jungle, where she will serve as managing director..
Gibson joins the production company — known for.Here Come the Habibs, No Activity and The Moodys.— as it ramps up its TV drama slate. Jungle has a long-form series set to go into production in August, as well as another series in development from showrunner Kristen Dunphy..
Jungle CEO Jason Burrows said the team were excited to have Gibson on board..
.She has fantastic instincts for creating great television, with significant experience across so many genres..
Gibson left Screen Nsw last December. Before that she served as Nine Network's programming production executive, director of programmes at Southern Star, and executive head of content creation and head of arts, entertainment and comedy at ABC TV..
.I have a huge amount of respect for the team at Jungle; they're such a class act...
Former Screen Nsw boss Courtney Gibson is headed to Jungle, where she will serve as managing director..
Gibson joins the production company — known for.Here Come the Habibs, No Activity and The Moodys.— as it ramps up its TV drama slate. Jungle has a long-form series set to go into production in August, as well as another series in development from showrunner Kristen Dunphy..
Jungle CEO Jason Burrows said the team were excited to have Gibson on board..
.She has fantastic instincts for creating great television, with significant experience across so many genres..
Gibson left Screen Nsw last December. Before that she served as Nine Network's programming production executive, director of programmes at Southern Star, and executive head of content creation and head of arts, entertainment and comedy at ABC TV..
.I have a huge amount of respect for the team at Jungle; they're such a class act...
- 4/20/2017
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Claire van der Boom. (Photo: David Cook)..
The ABC.s new medical drama.Pulse.goes into production in Sydney today.
The series, from Clandestine Beyond, is inspired by a true story of a transplant patient who became a doctor, and is created by Kris Wyld, Michael Miller and Mel Hill..
Set in a western suburbs teaching hospital, Claire van der Boom (Sisters of War) stars as Frankie Bell, a second year practising doctor who, eight years after her own kidney transplant, is set to start on a renal rotation..
Pulse will also star Andrea Demetriades (Janet King), Owen Teale (Game of Thrones), Liam McIntyre (Spartacus: War of the Damned), Susie Porter (Puberty Blues), Arka Das (Top of The Lake), Penny Cook (A Country Practice), Blessing Mokgohloa (Hunters), Pallavi Sharda (Lion) and Renee Lim (Please Like Me).
The series is produced by Wyld and Antony I. Ginnane, with Beyond Entertainment.s...
The ABC.s new medical drama.Pulse.goes into production in Sydney today.
The series, from Clandestine Beyond, is inspired by a true story of a transplant patient who became a doctor, and is created by Kris Wyld, Michael Miller and Mel Hill..
Set in a western suburbs teaching hospital, Claire van der Boom (Sisters of War) stars as Frankie Bell, a second year practising doctor who, eight years after her own kidney transplant, is set to start on a renal rotation..
Pulse will also star Andrea Demetriades (Janet King), Owen Teale (Game of Thrones), Liam McIntyre (Spartacus: War of the Damned), Susie Porter (Puberty Blues), Arka Das (Top of The Lake), Penny Cook (A Country Practice), Blessing Mokgohloa (Hunters), Pallavi Sharda (Lion) and Renee Lim (Please Like Me).
The series is produced by Wyld and Antony I. Ginnane, with Beyond Entertainment.s...
- 3/13/2017
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Rahel Romahn is 22 but he.s carving out quite a career playing high school students of various ethnic origins, mostly rebellious or with a dark side.
Since quitting his full-time bank job a year ago, the Kurdish-born, Australian-raised actor.s career has accelerated.
Currently on screen in Sbs.s The Principal and ABC3.s Ready for This, Romahn appears in Peter Andrikidis. comedy Alex + Eve, which opens in cinemas on October 22.
Next year he will be seen in writer-director Abe Forsythe.s black comedy Down Under and in the ABC series Cleverman.
This week he started filming a recurring role in the second series of Screentime.s ABC legal drama Janet King.
And he belongs to Blunt Gorilla, a filmmaker collective which makes TVCs and music videos and aims to produce its first feature next year.
That.s quite a resume for an actor who had been considering moving to...
Since quitting his full-time bank job a year ago, the Kurdish-born, Australian-raised actor.s career has accelerated.
Currently on screen in Sbs.s The Principal and ABC3.s Ready for This, Romahn appears in Peter Andrikidis. comedy Alex + Eve, which opens in cinemas on October 22.
Next year he will be seen in writer-director Abe Forsythe.s black comedy Down Under and in the ABC series Cleverman.
This week he started filming a recurring role in the second series of Screentime.s ABC legal drama Janet King.
And he belongs to Blunt Gorilla, a filmmaker collective which makes TVCs and music videos and aims to produce its first feature next year.
That.s quite a resume for an actor who had been considering moving to...
- 10/13/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
TV pundits who were quick to categorize the overnight ratings for the premiere of Essential Media and Entertainment.s 4-part drama The Principal on Sbs as disappointing were too hasty - and misleading.
The broadcaster and producers were more than happy with the combined nationwide figures for the first screening and the repeat the same night.
The first episode last Wednesday drew 361,100 viewers in the five metro cities and a further 115,100 in the regions, for a total of 476,200.
The encore screening on the same night was watched by 98,900 in the metros and 37,800 in the regions for 136,700 combined, so the total was 612,900, with the time-shifting/consolidated figures to come.
.The program has received rave reviews, a lot of commentary on social media and Sbs is very happy with the ratings,. producer Ian Collie tells If. .It.s a great boost to Sbs drama's credentials with its appetite for edgier and compelling stories about our diverse,...
The broadcaster and producers were more than happy with the combined nationwide figures for the first screening and the repeat the same night.
The first episode last Wednesday drew 361,100 viewers in the five metro cities and a further 115,100 in the regions, for a total of 476,200.
The encore screening on the same night was watched by 98,900 in the metros and 37,800 in the regions for 136,700 combined, so the total was 612,900, with the time-shifting/consolidated figures to come.
.The program has received rave reviews, a lot of commentary on social media and Sbs is very happy with the ratings,. producer Ian Collie tells If. .It.s a great boost to Sbs drama's credentials with its appetite for edgier and compelling stories about our diverse,...
- 10/11/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Nine features have been nominated for this year's Awgie Awards for performance writing.
Eight telemovies and miniseries are in contention. The Australian Writers. Guild says nominations in the 25 categories for the 48th Annual Awgie Awards reflect the abundance of outstanding work currently being produced in Australia. Nominees for best original telemovie are Steven McGregor for Redfern Now: Promise Me and Katherine Thomson for House of Hancock, while Christopher Lee.s Gallipoli and Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon.s The Secret River contend for best adaptation in a television miniseries. There are four nominees for original television mini-series: The Principal by Alice Addison and Kristen Dunphy; The Kettering Incident by Vicki Madden, Andrew Knight, Cate Shortland and Louise Fox; Deadline Gallipoli by Jacquelin Perske, Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland; and Love Child: Series 2 from Tim Pye, Cathryn Strickland, Chris McCourt, Jane Allen and Tamara Asmar. In the categories...
Eight telemovies and miniseries are in contention. The Australian Writers. Guild says nominations in the 25 categories for the 48th Annual Awgie Awards reflect the abundance of outstanding work currently being produced in Australia. Nominees for best original telemovie are Steven McGregor for Redfern Now: Promise Me and Katherine Thomson for House of Hancock, while Christopher Lee.s Gallipoli and Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon.s The Secret River contend for best adaptation in a television miniseries. There are four nominees for original television mini-series: The Principal by Alice Addison and Kristen Dunphy; The Kettering Incident by Vicki Madden, Andrew Knight, Cate Shortland and Louise Fox; Deadline Gallipoli by Jacquelin Perske, Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland; and Love Child: Series 2 from Tim Pye, Cathryn Strickland, Chris McCourt, Jane Allen and Tamara Asmar. In the categories...
- 7/23/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
One of Australia.s most experienced screenwriters has criticised sexism in casting which she says discriminates against women who aren.t deemed attractive and those from ethnic backgrounds.
Kristen Dunphy says this bias in casting often works against the stereotypes which writers are striving to avoid.
A screenwriter for 20 years, her extensive credits include Essential Media and Entertainment.s upcoming Sbs drama The Principal, Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions. ABC3 indigenous teen drama Ready for This, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, The Straits, East West 101, Wildside, Heartbreak High and G.P.
.Talented actresses who are overweight, unattractive, unusual looking or just plain ordinary are still rarely cast, unless the show.s a comedy,. she writes in the latest edition of Aftrs. Lumina, which is dedicated to gender equality in the screen industry.
.It seems there is no such thing as a vital female who is not also young, thin and beautiful.
Kristen Dunphy says this bias in casting often works against the stereotypes which writers are striving to avoid.
A screenwriter for 20 years, her extensive credits include Essential Media and Entertainment.s upcoming Sbs drama The Principal, Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions. ABC3 indigenous teen drama Ready for This, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, The Straits, East West 101, Wildside, Heartbreak High and G.P.
.Talented actresses who are overweight, unattractive, unusual looking or just plain ordinary are still rarely cast, unless the show.s a comedy,. she writes in the latest edition of Aftrs. Lumina, which is dedicated to gender equality in the screen industry.
.It seems there is no such thing as a vital female who is not also young, thin and beautiful.
- 6/2/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A chance meeting at the 2013 Logie awards was the catalyst for the launch of a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
- 3/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A chance meeting at the 2013 Logie awards was the catalyst for the launch of a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
- 3/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A chance meeting at the 2013 Logie awards was the catalyst for the launch of a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
- 3/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
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
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 Australian Writers’ Guild held its annual awards ceremony on Friday 24 August. The Sapphires and screenwriters Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson won most outstanding script. Michael Lucas won two awards, in the feature film original category for Not Suitable For Children and in the TV series category for an episode of Offspring.
The announcement:
The 45th Annual Australian Writers’ Guild Awgie Awards were held on Friday 24th August at Doltone House in Sydney. The only Australian scriptwriting awards judged solely by writers on the basis of the script recognised a new crop of creative talent bringing Australian stories to our screens and stages.
The best of Australian performance writing across feature films, theatre, television, radio, interactive and animation were celebrated at a star-studded affair at Doltone House in Sydney last night as part of the golden 50-year anniversary of the Australian Writers’ Guild. The awards were hosted by iconic Australian...
The announcement:
The 45th Annual Australian Writers’ Guild Awgie Awards were held on Friday 24th August at Doltone House in Sydney. The only Australian scriptwriting awards judged solely by writers on the basis of the script recognised a new crop of creative talent bringing Australian stories to our screens and stages.
The best of Australian performance writing across feature films, theatre, television, radio, interactive and animation were celebrated at a star-studded affair at Doltone House in Sydney last night as part of the golden 50-year anniversary of the Australian Writers’ Guild. The awards were hosted by iconic Australian...
- 8/28/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The 45th annual Australian Writer.s Guild Awgie Awards, held at Doltone House in Sydney, have honoured local productions including The Sapphires, Not Suitable for Children and The Slap.
Hosted by Roy and Hg.s John Doyle, the event was attended by key industry figures and featured Australian writing talent from across film, theatre, television, radio and animation.
Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson work on The Sapphires earned them an Awgie Award for Most Outstanding Script of 2012 and another for best Feature Film Adaption. Up-and-comer Michael Lucas also collected two awards, for an episode of the television show Offspring and in the Feature Film Original category for Not Suitable For Children.
The teams behind The Slap and The Straits won AWGIEs for Best Mini Series Adaption and Television Mini Series . Original respectively. Brides of Christ and The Leaving of Liverpool scribe Susan Smith cemented her place as a Australian scriptwriting...
Hosted by Roy and Hg.s John Doyle, the event was attended by key industry figures and featured Australian writing talent from across film, theatre, television, radio and animation.
Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson work on The Sapphires earned them an Awgie Award for Most Outstanding Script of 2012 and another for best Feature Film Adaption. Up-and-comer Michael Lucas also collected two awards, for an episode of the television show Offspring and in the Feature Film Original category for Not Suitable For Children.
The teams behind The Slap and The Straits won AWGIEs for Best Mini Series Adaption and Television Mini Series . Original respectively. Brides of Christ and The Leaving of Liverpool scribe Susan Smith cemented her place as a Australian scriptwriting...
- 8/27/2012
- by Anthony Soegito
- IF.com.au
David Michod
David Michod’s new film has received funding from Screen Australia, as part of almost $20m of investment from the screen agency.
The investment is expected to trigger $100m worth of production across four feature films, five TV dramas and three children’s dramas.
The Rover is written and directed by Michod, with a story by Michod and Joel Edgerton.
The film has cast Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles.
Michod will also produce the film alongside his Animal Kingdom producing partner Liz Watts for Porchlight Films and David Linde, Ep on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for his Lava Bear Films.
The film will be distributed by Village Roadshow with international sales by FilmNation.
The Rover, set in the Australian desert in the dangerous near-future sees Eric, a man who has lost almost everything in life, have his car stolen by a gang of criminals.
David Michod’s new film has received funding from Screen Australia, as part of almost $20m of investment from the screen agency.
The investment is expected to trigger $100m worth of production across four feature films, five TV dramas and three children’s dramas.
The Rover is written and directed by Michod, with a story by Michod and Joel Edgerton.
The film has cast Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles.
Michod will also produce the film alongside his Animal Kingdom producing partner Liz Watts for Porchlight Films and David Linde, Ep on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for his Lava Bear Films.
The film will be distributed by Village Roadshow with international sales by FilmNation.
The Rover, set in the Australian desert in the dangerous near-future sees Eric, a man who has lost almost everything in life, have his car stolen by a gang of criminals.
- 7/26/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia will invest almost $20 million across 12 screen projects including futuristic Western The Rover, starring Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce.
The film is the latest collaboration between producer Liz Watts and writer-director David Michôd, following the success of their crime-thriller Animal Kingdom in 2010. FilmNation Entertainment acquired the majority of worldwide rights to The Rover at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year while Village Roadshow will distribute the film in Australia.
Screen Australia has also backed three other feature films: drama Felony, written by Joel Edgerton and directed by Matthew Saville (Noise); Healing, a redemptive prison drama starring Don Hany (East West 101) and Hugo Weaving; and Aim High in Creation, a hybrid documentary-drama about the late Kim Jong-il from writer/director Anna Broinowski (Forbidden Lie$).
Screen Australia chief executive Ruth Harley said the four Australian features have huge potential. "The Rover is a powerful, well-crafted script from a talented team with an impressive cast,...
The film is the latest collaboration between producer Liz Watts and writer-director David Michôd, following the success of their crime-thriller Animal Kingdom in 2010. FilmNation Entertainment acquired the majority of worldwide rights to The Rover at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year while Village Roadshow will distribute the film in Australia.
Screen Australia has also backed three other feature films: drama Felony, written by Joel Edgerton and directed by Matthew Saville (Noise); Healing, a redemptive prison drama starring Don Hany (East West 101) and Hugo Weaving; and Aim High in Creation, a hybrid documentary-drama about the late Kim Jong-il from writer/director Anna Broinowski (Forbidden Lie$).
Screen Australia chief executive Ruth Harley said the four Australian features have huge potential. "The Rover is a powerful, well-crafted script from a talented team with an impressive cast,...
- 7/25/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
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
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
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