Screenwriter Anna Barnes on the creation of Safe Home , from how the idea was sparked from her personal experiences working at community legal centres, creating a pitch deck and pilot script to show to SBS, working with writers Jean Tong and Michelle Law, and seeing the series be brought to life by the cast and crew including director Stevie Cruz-Martin, producer Imogen Banks and co-producer Emelyne Palmer.
SBS development executive Catherine Kelleher, who’s also a screenwriter and filmmaker, explains the role of a note-taker including how it differs from other writing roles, the make-up of Australian TV writers’ rooms, the dos and don’ts of note-taking and how to make the most of opportunities in the screen industry.
113 Partners CEO Ian Murray is a consultant for creative businesses and reveals the questions people should be asking themselves to achieve a sustainable business, common issues, advice for funding grant applications, when to scale up, when to engage with a consultant, and how to be strategic – no matter the size or stage your business is at.
Jacinta Leong is a production designer who’s worked on Australian features 2067 and Buckley’s Chance and was art director on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Alien: Covenant , Unbroken , and more. Throughout the podcast, Jacinta talks about how her background in architecture led her to production design, some of the roles in the art department, and her experience working with directors like Seth Larney on 2067 and Dr George Miller on Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa ....
Kacie Anning - the writer, director and creator of new Australian Amazon Original Series Class of ‘07 - talks about her career from web series Fragments of Friday to now, pitching to Prime Video Australia, advice for general meetings in the US, and why crafting the right tone in comedy is “everything”.
Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary Alex West talks about available funding, advice for applicants and takeaways from the World Congress of Science & Factual Producers, before AIDC CEO Natasha Gadd gives an insight into the conference this year as well as opportunities and pressure points for the sector. View documentary funding here View First Nations Department funding here and First Facts initiative here Visit the AIDC website here...
Screenwriters Pip Karmel and Magda Wozniak join director Corrie Chen in breaking down the making of new Stan television series Bad Behaviour , including the challenges of adaptation, the writers’ rooms, working with composer Caitlin Yeo and sound designer Emma Bortignon, and how they created seamless transitions between the past and present storylines.
Director, producer and writer Robert Connolly ( The Dry, Paper Planes, The Turning ) on filming the Tim Winton adaptation Blueback in Western Australia, working with cinematographer Andrew Commis ACS and their “analogue” approach, as well as starting the company Arenamedia and their commitment to empowering emerging voices.
Actors, writers, directors and producers Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope have created series such as Upper Middle Bogan , Back in Very Small Business , Little Lunch, and The InBESTigators through their company Gristmill. They discuss developing their latest ABC show Summer Love in the midst of the pandemic, as well as their approach to writing, advice on pitching, identifying your place in the market, and why mentoring is a big focus.
Amy Cater talks about what types of projects work with intimacy coordinators, why it’s important in more contexts than people realise, and her experience working on TV series including Love Me Season 1 on Binge and upcoming Bad Behaviour for Stan and Safe Home for SBS.
ABC crime/thriller Bay of Fires co-creator, producer and star Marta Dusseldorp and the series creator, producer, co-writer and star of YouTube series No Ordinary Love Esther Fwati give an insight into production on their projects, while Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason runs through the newly released 2021/22 Drama Report results.
The Online team at Screen Australia discuss the three types of funding they can provide – development, production and completion funding – as well as what they are and aren’t looking for, what kind of platforms are out there, how to make your application competitive, general advice and more. Listen to Alyce’s podcast episode on connecting with audiences here Check out Online funding approvals here...
Director Rachel Perkins ( Total Control, Mystery Road, First Australians ) talks about getting her start in the screen industry and founding Blackfella Films in 1992, her career to date, and her latest project The Australian Wars , a three-part SBS/NITV documentary event, which delves into Australia’s Frontier Wars.
Hear takeaways, learnings and advice from those who were at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. Guests include Screen Australia representatives CEO Graeme Mason, Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon and Head of First Nations Angela Bates, as well as Madman Entertainment CEO Paul Wiegard, We Are Still Here producer Mitchell Stanley from No Coincidence Media, and director Jayden Rathsam Hua, who was selected for the prestigious TIFF Filmmaker Lab.
Want to apply for games funding through Screen Australia? With a second round of Games: Expansion Pack funding now open, Screen Australia’s Head of Online Lee Naimo and Games Investment Manager Amelia Laughlan explain what they are and aren’t looking for in applications and why you need to ensure your project has a clear pathway to audience. The announcement here Guidelines and to apply here...
Director, writer and producer Jocelyn Moorhouse talks about directing six-episode ABC crime drama Savage River , working with cinematographer Don McAlpine ACS ASC, creating TV vs features such as The Dressmaker , getting the tone right in dark comedies, and general advice.
Director Dylan River talks about moving into longform TV with ABC TV series Mystery Road: Origin, while Macario De Souza makes the shift from documentary features like Bra Boys to his feature drama debut with 6 Festivals. Both filmmakers discuss making the leap and their latest projects.
SBS Head of Scripted Julie Eckersley on what SBS are and aren’t looking for, how to pitch an idea to them, creating pathways for emerging talent, TV ratings, binge culture and more. SBS Scripted Pitch Deck Guide: https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/diversity-commissioning/assets/pdf/SBS-Scripted-Pitch-Deck-Guide.pdf
Kristin Voumard talks about the role of a Script Supervisor, film vs digital, how genres impact her work, advice, and career highlights including TV series Round the Twist and Rake , Aussie films such as Lantana , and studio movies like Mission: Impossible II and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings .
Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations Angela Bates talks through the challenges and achievements of projects including Sydney Film Festival opening night anthology feature We Are Still Here , and TV dramas Mystery Road: Origin and True Colours , as well as speaking to talent escalation, initiatives, pitching, and her thoughts on the screen sector. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/showcases/spotlight-on-first-nations-voices https://www.naidoc.org.au/...
Elvis writer/director/producer Baz Luhrmann, production designer/costume designer/producer Catherine Martin and director of photographer Mandy Walker ACS ASC break down their approach to filming the Warner Bros movie, which despite being set in 50s, 60s and 70s America was filmed on location in Queensland, Australia. The trio discuss how important pre-production was in creating a cohesive visual look and creative choices they made such as bespoke Panavision lenses.
The Screen Australia delegation to Cannes and local creatives share insights and takeaways from the prestigious festival and market, which was back in full force in 2022.
On the latest episode of the Screen Australia podcast, Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason and Michele McDonald, the Producer Offset and Co-Production Unit (POCU) Senior Manager, talk through changes to legislation governing the Producer Offset, the refundable tax rebate that Screen Australia administers on behalf of the Federal Government. They also discuss changes as well as the updated Screen Australia guidelines, key areas assessors look at, the most common mistakes they see in applications (a...
Ahead of the Australian Feature Film Summit, hear from Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason, producer Sue Maslin AO, marketing and distribution expert Courtney Botfield, Transmission Films’ Andrew Mackie, director/producer Robert Connolly; and Madman Films’ senior marketing manager Michael Matrenza, who talk about how data around audience, box office and sales informs their business and creative choices. Fact Finders: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders Marketplace: https://www.screenau...
The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson writer, director, producer and star Leah Purcell talks about the journey of the feature film - a re-imagining of Henry Lawson’s classic story, which she first adapted into an acclaimed play, followed by the film and a novel. Purcell talks about the challenges of adaptation, the importance of having a personal connection to her feature directorial debut, working with locations during the shoot, and the difference between directing television series su...
Three experts on marketing explain what it is, why you should be thinking about it even before the cameras start rolling, and practical steps to identify your audience, know what assets you need and much more. Get marketing advice for putting together a Screen Australia application, hear insights from a distributor POV, and find out about the importance of key art. Guests include: Screen Australia Distribution Manager Anthony Grundy, Madman Entertainment Senior Marketing Manager Michael Matrenza...
River co-director and co-writer Jennifer Peedom from Stranger Than Fiction Films talks about the making of the “sequel” to Mountain in collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, how Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood became involved, plans to move into drama filmmaking and why doco and drama are more similar than people think.
Producer Naomi Cleaver talks about producing an enormous studio TV series like NBCUniversal’s La Brea and the benefits of being able to do so in Victoria, as well as talking about the production department more generally – including the different roles she has worked across, from production coordinator, to production manager and then line producer on projects like Oddball and the Mystery Road TV series.
Screen Australia’s outgoing Head of Content Sally Caplan reflects on her eight years at the agency, changes in the screen sector both here and globally, advice to applicants and more. Sally holds more than 25 years’ of international experience across financing, development, acquisition, production and distribution, which has included roles such as MD of eOne International, head of the UK Film Council’s Premiere Fund, and President of Icon Film Distribution UK.
Head of Content Tyler Bern talks through the strategy for Amazon Prime Video Australia, advice for anyone hoping to pitch to Amazon and what kind of ideas they are looking for. Bern also reveals the new hire who will be leading their scripted slate, and explains how upcoming TV adaptation The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart came to Amazon Prime Video.
