Graeme Mason..
The message of Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason.s keynote address to the Australian International Documentary Conference (Aidc) was simple: adapt or die..
Despite significant budget cuts, Mason said Screen Australia had tried its best so far to insulate on-screen funding by trimming costs and staff..
However this financial year will see the agency.s direct on-screen funding drop around 6 per cent across the board. Mason said Screen Australia will, as a result, have to start saying no to projects it perhaps would have backed in the past. In response, filmmakers need to consider what that means for their businesses..
.If your funding model for your project, or worse, your entire business, relies majorly on federal and state funding, then you are not coming from a position of strength, or in most cases, logic,. he said..
.We do know that times are tricky elsewhere here in Australia. The...
The message of Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason.s keynote address to the Australian International Documentary Conference (Aidc) was simple: adapt or die..
Despite significant budget cuts, Mason said Screen Australia had tried its best so far to insulate on-screen funding by trimming costs and staff..
However this financial year will see the agency.s direct on-screen funding drop around 6 per cent across the board. Mason said Screen Australia will, as a result, have to start saying no to projects it perhaps would have backed in the past. In response, filmmakers need to consider what that means for their businesses..
.If your funding model for your project, or worse, your entire business, relies majorly on federal and state funding, then you are not coming from a position of strength, or in most cases, logic,. he said..
.We do know that times are tricky elsewhere here in Australia. The...
- 3/8/2017
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Matchbox Pictures MD Chris Oliver-Taylor and Goalpost Pictures MD/partner Ben Grant have been elected as president and vice president of Screen Producers Australia.
They succeed outgoing president Brian Rosen and VP Sue Taylor.
Spa executive director Matt Deaner said the newly elected councillors represent a significant cross section of the screen production industry and bring a breadth and depth of experience and achievements.
Oliver-Taylor said, .I am delighted to be elected president of Screen Producers Australia and am thrilled at the opportunity to work closely with Matt and his team. The sector continues to evolve and at this crucial time of change, it is a great privilege to be able to work on behalf of the producers of Australia to ensure our wonderful creative industry remains strong and buoyant..
The 2014 - 2015 Screen Producers Australia Council comprises:
Chris Oliver-Taylor, Matchbox Pictures (president) Ben Grant, Goalpost Pictures (vice president) Donna Andrews,...
They succeed outgoing president Brian Rosen and VP Sue Taylor.
Spa executive director Matt Deaner said the newly elected councillors represent a significant cross section of the screen production industry and bring a breadth and depth of experience and achievements.
Oliver-Taylor said, .I am delighted to be elected president of Screen Producers Australia and am thrilled at the opportunity to work closely with Matt and his team. The sector continues to evolve and at this crucial time of change, it is a great privilege to be able to work on behalf of the producers of Australia to ensure our wonderful creative industry remains strong and buoyant..
The 2014 - 2015 Screen Producers Australia Council comprises:
Chris Oliver-Taylor, Matchbox Pictures (president) Ben Grant, Goalpost Pictures (vice president) Donna Andrews,...
- 10/8/2014
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
In a statement to the media, Coote's family said, “To his community, Greg Coote was an extraordinary leader and advocate for the arts in the public schools. He founded an arts endowment campaign to fund arts programs in perpetuity and to create a model for other school districts around the state and country. He was a generous and strong individual who was able to bring people along with him when it came to making sure that the arts remained part of the public school curriculum.”
Here is a poem by W.H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was our North, our South, our East and West,
Our working week and our Sunday rest,
Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song;
We thought that love would last for ever: We were wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
He is survived by his girlfriend Amanda Pryce, two brothers, four children, four grandchildren, and his first and second wives. His funeral will take place on Wednesday, July 2, in Santa Monica, with a second service as yet unscheduled in Sydney, Australia.
The former CEO of Dune Entertainment and Village Roadshowchief died today of cancer in Los Angeles. Greg Coote was 72. He was a key player in the emergence of the Australian film industry, starting in the mailroom at Aussie distributor Village Roadshow and working his way up to Managing Director. “Greg was a champion of Australian films from the early 1970s, and he continued being a great supporter of Australian filmmakers,” said Screen Producers Australia president Brian Rosen. After a stint at Ten Network during which its ratings soared, Coote relocated to La as President of Columbia Pictures’ international division, where he oversaw worldwide distribution, acquisitions and marketing. He later became the founding President and CEO of Village Roadshow Pictures in Los Angeles, and the company helped finance films including The Matrix. Later, when Coote was Chairman and CEO of Dune Entertainment, the company co-financed dozens of movies including Avatar, which went on to be the top-grossing film in history.
Coote also chaired China Lion Film Distribution and ScreenSingapore; served as a non-executive director of Bollywood producer Eros International; partnered with Leon Tan in the Malaysian-based DragonSlate; and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the advisory board of the Singapore Government’s Media Development Authority. He teamed with David Calvert-Jones to launch the Century City-based development and production company Larrikin Entertainment, working there until his death. A funeral is set for July 2 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica.
Here is a poem by W.H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was our North, our South, our East and West,
Our working week and our Sunday rest,
Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song;
We thought that love would last for ever: We were wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
He is survived by his girlfriend Amanda Pryce, two brothers, four children, four grandchildren, and his first and second wives. His funeral will take place on Wednesday, July 2, in Santa Monica, with a second service as yet unscheduled in Sydney, Australia.
The former CEO of Dune Entertainment and Village Roadshowchief died today of cancer in Los Angeles. Greg Coote was 72. He was a key player in the emergence of the Australian film industry, starting in the mailroom at Aussie distributor Village Roadshow and working his way up to Managing Director. “Greg was a champion of Australian films from the early 1970s, and he continued being a great supporter of Australian filmmakers,” said Screen Producers Australia president Brian Rosen. After a stint at Ten Network during which its ratings soared, Coote relocated to La as President of Columbia Pictures’ international division, where he oversaw worldwide distribution, acquisitions and marketing. He later became the founding President and CEO of Village Roadshow Pictures in Los Angeles, and the company helped finance films including The Matrix. Later, when Coote was Chairman and CEO of Dune Entertainment, the company co-financed dozens of movies including Avatar, which went on to be the top-grossing film in history.
Coote also chaired China Lion Film Distribution and ScreenSingapore; served as a non-executive director of Bollywood producer Eros International; partnered with Leon Tan in the Malaysian-based DragonSlate; and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the advisory board of the Singapore Government’s Media Development Authority. He teamed with David Calvert-Jones to launch the Century City-based development and production company Larrikin Entertainment, working there until his death. A funeral is set for July 2 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica.
- 6/28/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The former CEO of Dune Entertainment and Village Roadshow chief died today of cancer in Los Angeles. Greg Coote was 72. He was a key player in the emergence of the Australian film industry, starting in the mailroom at Aussie distributor Village Roadshow and working his way up to Managing Director. “Greg was a champion of Australian films from the early 1970s, and he continued being a great supporter of Australian filmmakers,” said Screen Producers Australia president Brian Rosen. After a stint at Ten Network during which its ratings soared, Coote relocated to La as President of Columbia Pictures’ international […]...
- 6/28/2014
- Deadline
The hiring of Sally Caplan as head of production at Screen Australia has prompted several producers to ask If: How can a Brit who has never worked in Australia get up to speed with the complexities of the Oz screen industry?
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason acknowledges that Caplan will not be familiar with the .minutiae. of some local screen projects but he is supremely confident her skills, experience and knowledge of global development, production, distribution and acquisition are precisely what the agency needs.
..She will be aware of the Australian films and programs and formats that have been successfully exported,. Mason tells If. .She has worked with a wide variety of filmmakers and genres, from Ken Loach and Mike Leigh to Streetdance 3D and The King.s Speech, from the art-house and speciality arena to wide multiplex releases.
.She has proved she can work incredibly well with culturally-specific material.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason acknowledges that Caplan will not be familiar with the .minutiae. of some local screen projects but he is supremely confident her skills, experience and knowledge of global development, production, distribution and acquisition are precisely what the agency needs.
..She will be aware of the Australian films and programs and formats that have been successfully exported,. Mason tells If. .She has worked with a wide variety of filmmakers and genres, from Ken Loach and Mike Leigh to Streetdance 3D and The King.s Speech, from the art-house and speciality arena to wide multiplex releases.
.She has proved she can work incredibly well with culturally-specific material.
- 12/4/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Over the next five years Australian producers will find it even harder to secure theatrical releases for their films around the world but films will be capable of reaching even more eyeballs via myriad digital platforms. That was the consensus view among the experts at the panel entitled My film is great, so why is no one interested?: Positioning your film for the marketplace, at the Screen Forever conference on Wednesday. Bec Smith, an agent at UTA Independent Film Group in Los Angeles, predicted theatrical deals for Australian films will be .more elusive. and a lot of content will migrate to digital platforms. Craig Emanuel, a partner at La-based entertainment law firm Loeb & Loeb, opined that in five years theatrical releases for independent films worldwide will be the exception rather than the rule. But he told the assembled producers that that if that happens it would not necessarily be...
- 11/20/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Producers Australia presidewsnt Brian Rosen today called on Screen Australia and government to devise new policies to boost levels of film production and to help local films reach wider audiences. .The status quo is not sustainable unless we actively change the mechanisms that we now operate under,. Rosen said in his welcoming address at the Screen Forever conference. The former CEO of the Australian Film Finance Corp. restated the case to lift the 20% producer offset for TV drama, which he said would lessen the need for direct funding for more commercially orientated projects. And he advocated the producer offset be extended to cover the games sector. Rosen noted the producer offset for features has not facilitated the desired rise in production and said the independent film production sector is suffering in Australia and worldwide. .The traditional financing and viewing mechanisms of bygone years are anachronistic in this new digital...
- 11/19/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Producers Australia president Brian Rosen today called on Screen Australia and government to devise new policies to boost levels of film production and to help local films reach wider audiences. .The status quo is not sustainable unless we actively change the mechanisms that we now operate under,. Rosen said in his welcoming address at the Screen Forever conference. The former CEO of the Australian Film Finance Corp. restated the case to lift the 20% producer offset for TV drama, which he said would lessen the need for direct funding for more commercially orientated projects. And he advocated the producer offset be extended to cover the games sector. Rosen noted the producer offset for features has not facilitated the desired rise in production and said the independent film production sector is suffering in Australia and worldwide. .The traditional financing and viewing mechanisms of bygone years are anachronistic in this new digital...
- 11/17/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian TV drama is being widely hailed for its excellence but many directors are being treated badly by networks and production companies, according to Australian Directors Guild executive director Kingston Anderson.
The perceived lack of respect for TV directors is one of the key issues to be addressed at the Adg.s conference Directing in the Digital Age next month. Among other topics to be canvassed are the demise of the one-off documentary, the Adg.s fight to ensure directors get a share of the copyright, and the need to train new directors in how to work with actors.
Anderson will moderate a plenary session with the provocative title Do We Really Need Directors? with producer Brian Rosen, director Michael Thornhill and transmedia director Michaela Ledwidge of Mod Productions.
.In the past two years we.ve seen a lack of respect for directors, particularly TV drama directors,. Anderson tells If.
The perceived lack of respect for TV directors is one of the key issues to be addressed at the Adg.s conference Directing in the Digital Age next month. Among other topics to be canvassed are the demise of the one-off documentary, the Adg.s fight to ensure directors get a share of the copyright, and the need to train new directors in how to work with actors.
Anderson will moderate a plenary session with the provocative title Do We Really Need Directors? with producer Brian Rosen, director Michael Thornhill and transmedia director Michaela Ledwidge of Mod Productions.
.In the past two years we.ve seen a lack of respect for directors, particularly TV drama directors,. Anderson tells If.
- 10/22/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The clamour from Australian producers and some distributors for a new model for releasing Australian films is getting louder.
They contend the four-month window between theatrical launch and DVD/Video-on-Demand release makes no sense for most Australian films. Shortening the gap would not harm the box-office potential of those films, they say.
The major cinema chains are implacably opposed to a reduction in the window for films of any origin but there are signs that some independent exhibitors may be amenable to screening indie films which have a shorter holdback if they can negotiate different terms.
.The traditional model for financing and releasing films no longer works as it once did,. Screen Production Association of Australia president Brian Rosen told If.
.Most Australian films play in cinemas for four-to-six weeks. To have to wait for up to three months to release them on DVD and VoD is a waste of energy and money.
They contend the four-month window between theatrical launch and DVD/Video-on-Demand release makes no sense for most Australian films. Shortening the gap would not harm the box-office potential of those films, they say.
The major cinema chains are implacably opposed to a reduction in the window for films of any origin but there are signs that some independent exhibitors may be amenable to screening indie films which have a shorter holdback if they can negotiate different terms.
.The traditional model for financing and releasing films no longer works as it once did,. Screen Production Association of Australia president Brian Rosen told If.
.Most Australian films play in cinemas for four-to-six weeks. To have to wait for up to three months to release them on DVD and VoD is a waste of energy and money.
- 8/8/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australia is abuzz with long-awaited news: Graeme Mason is the new chief executive of government agency Screen Australia.
Mason [pictured] is currently chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) and has held executive roles at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Channel 4. He will take up the role in November.
“After so many years away I am delighted to be coming home to Australia to take on such an exciting role and to build on the great work of Ruth Harley and her team,” said Mason in Screen Australia’s statement. “I am really looking forward to working as part of the Australian screen industry to help tell our stories to domestic and global audiences and to continue to build a vibrant and sustainable screen sector.”
The joke that is rolling off everyone’s tongue is that the Nzfc will soon be as famous for producing chief executives for Screen Australia as it is for...
Mason [pictured] is currently chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) and has held executive roles at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Channel 4. He will take up the role in November.
“After so many years away I am delighted to be coming home to Australia to take on such an exciting role and to build on the great work of Ruth Harley and her team,” said Mason in Screen Australia’s statement. “I am really looking forward to working as part of the Australian screen industry to help tell our stories to domestic and global audiences and to continue to build a vibrant and sustainable screen sector.”
The joke that is rolling off everyone’s tongue is that the Nzfc will soon be as famous for producing chief executives for Screen Australia as it is for...
- 7/24/2013
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Australia is abuzz with long-awaited news: Graeme Mason is the new chief executive of government agency Screen Australia.
Mason [pictured] is currently chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) and has held executive roles at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Channel 4. He will take up the role in November.
“After so many years away I am delighted to be coming home to Australia to take on such an exciting role and to build on the great work of Ruth Harley and her team,” said Mason in Screen Australia’s statement. “I am really looking forward to working as part of the Australian screen industry to help tell our stories to domestic and global audiences and to continue to build a vibrant and sustainable screen sector.”
The joke that is rolling off everyone’s tongue is that the Nzfc will soon be as famous for producing chief executives for Screen Australia as it is for...
Mason [pictured] is currently chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) and has held executive roles at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Universal Pictures and Channel 4. He will take up the role in November.
“After so many years away I am delighted to be coming home to Australia to take on such an exciting role and to build on the great work of Ruth Harley and her team,” said Mason in Screen Australia’s statement. “I am really looking forward to working as part of the Australian screen industry to help tell our stories to domestic and global audiences and to continue to build a vibrant and sustainable screen sector.”
The joke that is rolling off everyone’s tongue is that the Nzfc will soon be as famous for producing chief executives for Screen Australia as it is for...
- 7/24/2013
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Graeme Mason's appointment as chief executive of Screen Australia, replacing Ruth Harley, has been widely welcomed by the screen industry.
An Aussie, Mason has been CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission since 2009.
For months it.s believed the Screen Australia board was looking to hire an Australian with international experience, which made Mason an obvious front-runner for the position. He.s worked in international production, distribution and acquisition for more than 20 years.
It's a popular choice among the Australian screen industry because filmmakers and executives who know Mason say he's smart, personable and passionate about the business..
"Graeme is a very experienced executive with great knowledge of the distribution and production industry," said Spaa president Brian Rosen. "Spaa looks forward to working with him especially in constructing new financial paradigms to embrace the rapidly changing distribution model that the internet has instigated."
Said filmmaker Bill Bennett, "Graeme is...
An Aussie, Mason has been CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission since 2009.
For months it.s believed the Screen Australia board was looking to hire an Australian with international experience, which made Mason an obvious front-runner for the position. He.s worked in international production, distribution and acquisition for more than 20 years.
It's a popular choice among the Australian screen industry because filmmakers and executives who know Mason say he's smart, personable and passionate about the business..
"Graeme is a very experienced executive with great knowledge of the distribution and production industry," said Spaa president Brian Rosen. "Spaa looks forward to working with him especially in constructing new financial paradigms to embrace the rapidly changing distribution model that the internet has instigated."
Said filmmaker Bill Bennett, "Graeme is...
- 7/24/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen producers are hopeful an incoming Coalition Government will agree to their pleas to lift the producer offset for TV drama from 20% to 40% and to raise the uncompetitive 16.5% location rebate to 30%.
Producers are also optimistic the next Government will reject proposals by the Australian Law Reform Commission (Alrc) which they fear would severely weaken Australian copyright law.
Statements by the Shadow Arts Minister, Senator George Brandis, at a forum staged in Canberra on Wednesday by the Screen Producers Association of Australia were widely seen as encouraging signs of the policies the Coalition is likely to adopt in Government.
Brandis and Arts Minister Tony Burke took part in a Q&A session moderated by Sky News. David Speers.
While he gave no commitments, Brandis indicated that, if elected, he is willing to listen to arguments that the producer offset and location rebate should be increased to meet market needs. He hinted...
Producers are also optimistic the next Government will reject proposals by the Australian Law Reform Commission (Alrc) which they fear would severely weaken Australian copyright law.
Statements by the Shadow Arts Minister, Senator George Brandis, at a forum staged in Canberra on Wednesday by the Screen Producers Association of Australia were widely seen as encouraging signs of the policies the Coalition is likely to adopt in Government.
Brandis and Arts Minister Tony Burke took part in a Q&A session moderated by Sky News. David Speers.
While he gave no commitments, Brandis indicated that, if elected, he is willing to listen to arguments that the producer offset and location rebate should be increased to meet market needs. He hinted...
- 6/19/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The line where art meets commerce has always been a grey one . even when it is reliant on the public purse. The issue flared in 2011 when government proposals took aim at the regulations which limit foreign actors working on local productions. And it flared again last year when, for the first time, a number of local films employed foreign cinematographers.
The appointments created a ripple of unease among local cinematographers who are regularly lauded as being amongst the world.s best. Of the seven Australians who have won Academy Awards for their work behind the camera, five are still active in the industry: Dean Semler, John Seale, Andrew Lesnie, Russell Boyd and Dion Beebe. A new breed are also making the leap into high-end features such as Ross Emery (The Wolverine), Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) and Jules O.Loughlin (Sanctum), just to name a few.
So it came as...
The appointments created a ripple of unease among local cinematographers who are regularly lauded as being amongst the world.s best. Of the seven Australians who have won Academy Awards for their work behind the camera, five are still active in the industry: Dean Semler, John Seale, Andrew Lesnie, Russell Boyd and Dion Beebe. A new breed are also making the leap into high-end features such as Ross Emery (The Wolverine), Simon Duggan (The Great Gatsby) and Jules O.Loughlin (Sanctum), just to name a few.
So it came as...
- 5/28/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The Federal Government.has released its long-delayed legislation aimed at limiting the type of documentary that is eligible for the Producer Offset tax rebate.
It has been several months since the Labor government announced its plans following Screen Australia.s failed court battle to reject Essential Media and Entertainment.s Offset application for TV series Lush House.
The legislation, which is open for comment until January 30, 2013, will affect any production that began principal photography from July 1, 2012. It enshrines Screen Australia.s previous practice - which spurred its unsuccessful court battle against Essential - to use the Australian Communication and Media Authority.s documentary guidelines.
Those guidelines define documentary as a creative treatment of actuality which excludes infotainment, lifestyle programs, and magazine programs. The new legislation will also explicitly exclude game shows.
Opponents of the Lush House decision have raised concerns that relaxing the documentary definition could open the funding floodgates for cheap network programming.
It has been several months since the Labor government announced its plans following Screen Australia.s failed court battle to reject Essential Media and Entertainment.s Offset application for TV series Lush House.
The legislation, which is open for comment until January 30, 2013, will affect any production that began principal photography from July 1, 2012. It enshrines Screen Australia.s previous practice - which spurred its unsuccessful court battle against Essential - to use the Australian Communication and Media Authority.s documentary guidelines.
Those guidelines define documentary as a creative treatment of actuality which excludes infotainment, lifestyle programs, and magazine programs. The new legislation will also explicitly exclude game shows.
Opponents of the Lush House decision have raised concerns that relaxing the documentary definition could open the funding floodgates for cheap network programming.
- 12/14/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Federal Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean has announced the government will invest $20m in a games fund over the next three years.
The announcement comes after the screen and gaming sectors have lobbied for games companies to be included within Screen Australia’s Producer Offset scheme, as indicated in Spaa president Brian Rosen’s opening speech on Tuesday.
Crean made the announcement of the new Australian Interactive Games Fund at the Screen Producers Association of Australia Conference in his keynote address.
Crean said: “This $20m fund will help build a sustainable base for the Australian interactive entertainment industry to respond and grow in a global market expected to reach $90.1bn by 2015.”
“Australian games studios are recognised internationally for their skill and originality in developing interactive games played all over the world but the local industry is coming under increased pressure in the midst of a major market shift.”
“This...
The announcement comes after the screen and gaming sectors have lobbied for games companies to be included within Screen Australia’s Producer Offset scheme, as indicated in Spaa president Brian Rosen’s opening speech on Tuesday.
Crean made the announcement of the new Australian Interactive Games Fund at the Screen Producers Association of Australia Conference in his keynote address.
Crean said: “This $20m fund will help build a sustainable base for the Australian interactive entertainment industry to respond and grow in a global market expected to reach $90.1bn by 2015.”
“Australian games studios are recognised internationally for their skill and originality in developing interactive games played all over the world but the local industry is coming under increased pressure in the midst of a major market shift.”
“This...
- 11/15/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Brian Rosen, the President of The Screen Producers Association of Australia has accused the commercial networks of not showing an allegiance to Australian content, in his opening speech at the Spaa Conference.
Rosen said: “Two of our three commercial free to air television networks are foreign-owned. Why am I cynical about their allegiance to Australian content? Why do I feel that given half the chance they would do away with Australian content if the cost of acquiring it affected their bottom line.”
His comment came off the back of also questioning the Government’s slow pace to implement the recommendations of the convergence review that would see an increase in Australian content across the Freeview channels.
“The Convergence Review was delivered in March this year and gave a straightforward path into the digital future – a future that strongly supported Australian content and enhanced our business models. here we are in...
Rosen said: “Two of our three commercial free to air television networks are foreign-owned. Why am I cynical about their allegiance to Australian content? Why do I feel that given half the chance they would do away with Australian content if the cost of acquiring it affected their bottom line.”
His comment came off the back of also questioning the Government’s slow pace to implement the recommendations of the convergence review that would see an increase in Australian content across the Freeview channels.
“The Convergence Review was delivered in March this year and gave a straightforward path into the digital future – a future that strongly supported Australian content and enhanced our business models. here we are in...
- 11/14/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president Brian Rosen has called on the government to implement the convergence review recommendations and increase its support for local screen content.
The convergence review was released earlier this year and made a range of sweeping recommendations including doubling the level of the Producer Offset to 40 per cent for .premium. television and potentially requiring a wider range of companies, dubbed .content service enterprises., to contribute to the cost of producing local content. However, the government has yet to respond to the recommendations after several months.
.Two of our three commercial free-to-air networks are foreign owned,. Rosen said at the 2012 Spaa conference. .Why am I cynical about their allegiance to Australian content? Why do I feel that given half the chance they would do away with Australian content if the cost of acquiring it affected their bottom line. And as for the telcos . forget it...
The convergence review was released earlier this year and made a range of sweeping recommendations including doubling the level of the Producer Offset to 40 per cent for .premium. television and potentially requiring a wider range of companies, dubbed .content service enterprises., to contribute to the cost of producing local content. However, the government has yet to respond to the recommendations after several months.
.Two of our three commercial free-to-air networks are foreign owned,. Rosen said at the 2012 Spaa conference. .Why am I cynical about their allegiance to Australian content? Why do I feel that given half the chance they would do away with Australian content if the cost of acquiring it affected their bottom line. And as for the telcos . forget it...
- 11/13/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
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
The Screen Producers Association of Australia has announced Matthew Deaner as the organisation’s new executive director.
Most recently the manager of strategy and research at Screen Australia, Deaner replaces Geoff Brown, who announced his departure in December. Before Screen Australia, Deaner was at the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association as manager of legal, policy and industry development.
Brian Rosen, president of Spaa, said: “We are at an important cross roads and are thrilled that Matthew will be leading the organisation through this next critical phase.” he added.
Deaner said: “Independent producers are responsible for creating the finest and most successful Australian content – whether that be feature film, television or digital media. Their work is not only key to the ambitions of the Government’s cultural objectives, it is key to the business success of traditional and emerging content distribution platforms.”
Of Brown’s departure, Rosen said: “We are...
Most recently the manager of strategy and research at Screen Australia, Deaner replaces Geoff Brown, who announced his departure in December. Before Screen Australia, Deaner was at the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association as manager of legal, policy and industry development.
Brian Rosen, president of Spaa, said: “We are at an important cross roads and are thrilled that Matthew will be leading the organisation through this next critical phase.” he added.
Deaner said: “Independent producers are responsible for creating the finest and most successful Australian content – whether that be feature film, television or digital media. Their work is not only key to the ambitions of the Government’s cultural objectives, it is key to the business success of traditional and emerging content distribution platforms.”
Of Brown’s departure, Rosen said: “We are...
- 9/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The Screen Producers Association of Australia has appointed Matthew Deaner as executive director.
Deaner, a lawyer with qualifications in economics and commerce, will replace long-serving incumbent Geoff Brown. Deaner most recently held senior policy and strategy positions with Screen Australia and prior to that, the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (Astra).
.After an exhaustive search we are delighted to have someone of Matthew.s experience and passion to help steer Spaa into the new converged digital media future that lies ahead,. Spaa president Brian Rosen said in a statement.
.With the Government.s Convergence Review and Cultural Review to be implemented, there is a momentous task ahead for Spaa to ensure that our screen industries are not sidelined and that Australian independent producers. content is absolutely front and centre in the outcomes that emanate from these important reviews. We are at an important crossroads and are thrilled that Matthew...
Deaner, a lawyer with qualifications in economics and commerce, will replace long-serving incumbent Geoff Brown. Deaner most recently held senior policy and strategy positions with Screen Australia and prior to that, the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (Astra).
.After an exhaustive search we are delighted to have someone of Matthew.s experience and passion to help steer Spaa into the new converged digital media future that lies ahead,. Spaa president Brian Rosen said in a statement.
.With the Government.s Convergence Review and Cultural Review to be implemented, there is a momentous task ahead for Spaa to ensure that our screen industries are not sidelined and that Australian independent producers. content is absolutely front and centre in the outcomes that emanate from these important reviews. We are at an important crossroads and are thrilled that Matthew...
- 9/3/2012
- by Staff reporter
- IF.com.au
This article originally appeared in If Magazine #146 (April-May 2012).
Oscar Wilde famously described a cynic as one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. The Australian film industry knows the value very well but the price . at least in the eyes of the international community . remains questionable.
Producer Michael Robertson, who has carved out a successful niche in recent years making low-budget horror films such as Black Water and Road Train, recalls one experience at last year.s American Film Market.
.I had a conversation recently where the budget of a picture was sitting at around $2.5 million and the sales agent said to me .you know we could do this film in America for about $1.8 million. . they probably could because the way costs were over there,. he says.
It is an unpalatable view given budgets have been under pressure for a number of years. South Australian Film...
Oscar Wilde famously described a cynic as one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. The Australian film industry knows the value very well but the price . at least in the eyes of the international community . remains questionable.
Producer Michael Robertson, who has carved out a successful niche in recent years making low-budget horror films such as Black Water and Road Train, recalls one experience at last year.s American Film Market.
.I had a conversation recently where the budget of a picture was sitting at around $2.5 million and the sales agent said to me .you know we could do this film in America for about $1.8 million. . they probably could because the way costs were over there,. he says.
It is an unpalatable view given budgets have been under pressure for a number of years. South Australian Film...
- 8/17/2012
- 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 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
Geoff Brown will step down as executive director of the Screen Producers Association of Australia, it has been announced today.
Brown has been with Spaa for 16 years, the last ten as CEO.
A new CEO is expected to begin in October 2012, but Brown will continue through until the Spaa Conference in November 2012 before departing.
Brown said: “I have enjoyed every moment of my time at Spaa and have been blessed with great staff and supportive Spaa Councils but it’s time for a change. Recent events in my personal life have made me focus on the important things in life and I hope to find a new direction. This does not mean that I am retiring. I just want to move onto a new phase which will hopefully involve working in the industry in some other capacity.”
Brian Rosen, president of Spaa, said: “Geoff has been such a mainstay in...
Brown has been with Spaa for 16 years, the last ten as CEO.
A new CEO is expected to begin in October 2012, but Brown will continue through until the Spaa Conference in November 2012 before departing.
Brown said: “I have enjoyed every moment of my time at Spaa and have been blessed with great staff and supportive Spaa Councils but it’s time for a change. Recent events in my personal life have made me focus on the important things in life and I hope to find a new direction. This does not mean that I am retiring. I just want to move onto a new phase which will hopefully involve working in the industry in some other capacity.”
Brian Rosen, president of Spaa, said: “Geoff has been such a mainstay in...
- 12/19/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Producers Association of Australia executive director Geoff Brown has decided to step down from the organisation after sixteen years. .I have enjoyed every moment of my time at Spaa and have been blessed with great staff and supportive Spaa Councils but it.s time for a change," Brown said in a statement. "Recent events in my personal life have made me focus on the important things in life and I hope to find a new direction. This does not mean that I am retiring. I just want to move onto a new phase which will hopefully involve working in the industry in some other capacity.. A new chief executive will begin in October 2012 with Brown set to stand down after the Spaa Conference in November 2012. Spaa president Brian Rosen said: .Geoff...
- 12/19/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The producers’ guilds of Australia and the USA have entered into an affiliation agreement it was announced today.
The agreement aims to encourage members of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) and Producers Guild of America to become involved in co-productions and discuss industry issues in their respective markets.
Geoff Brown, executive director of Spaa said: “It’s a hands across the sea alignment. We are thrilled to join forces with the 4,750 strong Producers Guild and can’t wait to see the possibilities with this affiliation.”
Brian Rosen, president of Spaa said: “It’s not an industrial pact but an agreement to co-operate, collaborate and co-contribute.”
Stu Levy, PGA International Committee Chair said: “In this increasingly global world, this affiliation will encourage Australian and American producers to work together to ideally overcome the challenges they face in the current industry environment. I am thrilled to build our relationship with Spaa.
The agreement aims to encourage members of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) and Producers Guild of America to become involved in co-productions and discuss industry issues in their respective markets.
Geoff Brown, executive director of Spaa said: “It’s a hands across the sea alignment. We are thrilled to join forces with the 4,750 strong Producers Guild and can’t wait to see the possibilities with this affiliation.”
Brian Rosen, president of Spaa said: “It’s not an industrial pact but an agreement to co-operate, collaborate and co-contribute.”
Stu Levy, PGA International Committee Chair said: “In this increasingly global world, this affiliation will encourage Australian and American producers to work together to ideally overcome the challenges they face in the current industry environment. I am thrilled to build our relationship with Spaa.
- 11/22/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The Slap's producers have revealed that they find its success "fascinating". The Australian television drama starring Sophie Okonedo, Jonathan Lapaglia and Melissa George - which looks into the repercussions for a group of friends after one of them slaps another's child at a barbecue - has now been picked up by a Us television network. Producer Helen Bowden told The ABC: "The Slap is selling everywhere, right around the world. There's been a huge interest in it. It's a fascinating idea that something so Australian is translating so well." Around 700 producers - including Bowden - are currently gathering in Sydney for the Spaa Conference 2011, hoping to help the Aussie television industry evolve further. Brian Rosen from the Screen Producers Association said: "If we want to have an Australian voice, if we (more)...
- 11/16/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa) president Brian Rosen has called on the industry to acknowledge that it is a manufacturer of creative content, which adds value to the economy in the same way as mining and tourism. Rosen, opening this year.s Spaa conference in Sydney, said he was sick of hearing arguments that the local screen production sector was a cottage industry that only exists for cultural reasons. He instead called on the industry to embrace better financial models and creative processes which will boost content production, exports and create profitable businesses. .I want us to be seen as an industry that has value in our economy, just like the mining industry or the car industry or the tourist industry,. he said. .For us to succeed...
- 11/14/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The role of the screen industry in society is to be debated at Tasmania’s MyState Bofa (Breath of fresh Air) Film Festival in November.
The topic “the screen is mightier than the sword” will be discussed by Van Dieman’s Land director Jonathan auf der Heide; Screen Producers of Australia director Brian Rosen, who also chairs Screen Tasmania; Marcia Langton who is Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at The University of Melbourne and Major General Jim Molan – the Coalition’s former Chief of Operations who was named “2009 Australian Thinker of the Year”. Also on the panel will be Dr Natasha Cica, director of the Inglis Clark Centre for Civil Society at the University of Tasmania, who also writes on culture and politics.
The debate takes place in Launceston on November 26. It will also be broadcast by the ABC.
The five day Bofa Film Festival launched last year. It is...
The topic “the screen is mightier than the sword” will be discussed by Van Dieman’s Land director Jonathan auf der Heide; Screen Producers of Australia director Brian Rosen, who also chairs Screen Tasmania; Marcia Langton who is Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at The University of Melbourne and Major General Jim Molan – the Coalition’s former Chief of Operations who was named “2009 Australian Thinker of the Year”. Also on the panel will be Dr Natasha Cica, director of the Inglis Clark Centre for Civil Society at the University of Tasmania, who also writes on culture and politics.
The debate takes place in Launceston on November 26. It will also be broadcast by the ABC.
The five day Bofa Film Festival launched last year. It is...
- 9/28/2011
- by Tim Burrowes
- Encore Magazine
Ben Grant of Goalpost Pictures and David Redman of Instinct Entertainment join new President Brian Rosen and Vice President Sue Taylor on the Spaa Council for 2011/12.
The full list of elected Spaa councillors are as follows:
Brian Rosen moves from Feature Film councillor to President as Antony I Ginnane (Ifm Film) steps down. Bob Campbell (Screentime) will be replaced by Sue Taylor (Taylor Media) formerly the television councillor.
Ben Grant (Goalpost Pictures) and David Redman (Instinct Entertainment) step into the Feature Film councillors roles with Daniel Scharf (Profile Creative) an outgoing office holder.
Paul Barron (Great Western Entertainment) replaces Sue Taylor as Ros Tatarka (CreatEve) fills the spot of outgoing Jenny Lalor (entertainment lawyer) for the Television department. Chris Hilton (Essential Media & Entertainment) and Andrew Ogilvie (Electric Pictures) remain documentary councillors, so too does Jennifer Wilson (The Project Factory) in the role of Animation and New Media councillor while Services...
The full list of elected Spaa councillors are as follows:
Brian Rosen moves from Feature Film councillor to President as Antony I Ginnane (Ifm Film) steps down. Bob Campbell (Screentime) will be replaced by Sue Taylor (Taylor Media) formerly the television councillor.
Ben Grant (Goalpost Pictures) and David Redman (Instinct Entertainment) step into the Feature Film councillors roles with Daniel Scharf (Profile Creative) an outgoing office holder.
Paul Barron (Great Western Entertainment) replaces Sue Taylor as Ros Tatarka (CreatEve) fills the spot of outgoing Jenny Lalor (entertainment lawyer) for the Television department. Chris Hilton (Essential Media & Entertainment) and Andrew Ogilvie (Electric Pictures) remain documentary councillors, so too does Jennifer Wilson (The Project Factory) in the role of Animation and New Media councillor while Services...
- 9/16/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Newly elected Spaa President Brian Rosen, former Film Finance Corporation chief executive, due to take is making the current convergence review a priority.
In his statement of appointment, Rosen said, “I look forward to helping lead the way in getting the best outcomes for the industry with the convergence review.”
The government’s convergence review is currently examining future policy and regulatory frameworks that apply to the converged media and communications landscape in Australia.
Outgoing president, Antony I Ginnane, who held the role for three years, told EncoreLive: “One of the main thrusts of the convergence review issue is, as viewship migrates from free-to-air channels that have local content and related requirements, and even from the Pay TV channels which have local spend requirement, to these new media, how do we find a way to make a local content obligation, directly or indirectly for all this new media.”
From 1 August...
In his statement of appointment, Rosen said, “I look forward to helping lead the way in getting the best outcomes for the industry with the convergence review.”
The government’s convergence review is currently examining future policy and regulatory frameworks that apply to the converged media and communications landscape in Australia.
Outgoing president, Antony I Ginnane, who held the role for three years, told EncoreLive: “One of the main thrusts of the convergence review issue is, as viewship migrates from free-to-air channels that have local content and related requirements, and even from the Pay TV channels which have local spend requirement, to these new media, how do we find a way to make a local content obligation, directly or indirectly for all this new media.”
From 1 August...
- 7/27/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia today announced a round of development funding for eight feature films.
Included in the funding is Bruce Beresford’s Banjo & Matilda, as well as films by directors Adam Elliot, Nadia Tess, Eddie Martin and Richard Lowenstein, and investment in writers Alice Addison, Mark Herman and Glenda Hambly.
Banjo & Matilda is the dramatisation of Banjo Paterson’s Waltzing Matilda. Set in 1895, a young city poet and journalist travels to a remote sheep station to track down a political agitator. When the clashes between union shearers and landowners turn to violence, a man is found dead in a billabong. Was it suicide or murder? The film will be produced by Bill Leimbach (Beneath Hill 60, Bait 3D) and written by David Roach.
Adam Elliot (Mary & Max) will write and direct Ernee, an animated adventure romance, produced by Peter Kaufmann and executive produced by Brian Rosen and Bryce Menzies.
Two musical biopics were also funded.
Included in the funding is Bruce Beresford’s Banjo & Matilda, as well as films by directors Adam Elliot, Nadia Tess, Eddie Martin and Richard Lowenstein, and investment in writers Alice Addison, Mark Herman and Glenda Hambly.
Banjo & Matilda is the dramatisation of Banjo Paterson’s Waltzing Matilda. Set in 1895, a young city poet and journalist travels to a remote sheep station to track down a political agitator. When the clashes between union shearers and landowners turn to violence, a man is found dead in a billabong. Was it suicide or murder? The film will be produced by Bill Leimbach (Beneath Hill 60, Bait 3D) and written by David Roach.
Adam Elliot (Mary & Max) will write and direct Ernee, an animated adventure romance, produced by Peter Kaufmann and executive produced by Brian Rosen and Bryce Menzies.
Two musical biopics were also funded.
- 7/26/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has provided funding for eight new feature films in development including projects by Bruce Beresford, Adam Elliot and Nadia Tass. Clayographer Adam Elliot's animated adventure-romance feature Ernee is among the projects to receive single-draft development funding. It is the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed 2009 debut Mary and Max, which opened the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in that year.. Elliot recently told If that the project is loosely based on his own life (in common with his previous work) and is likely to be a co-production, possibly with a company in France, where Mary and Max received a strong reception. The project is set to be produced by Peter Kaufman and executive produced by Brian Rosen and Bryce Menzies. Screen Australia...
- 7/26/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Former Film Finance Corporation (Ffc) chief executive Brian Rosen has been elected president of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (Spaa). He will replace Antony I. Ginnane, who has held the role for the past three years, at the annual general meeting in September. Rosen said the government's convergence review, which is currently examining future.policy and regulatory frameworks in a multi-platform environment, would be one particular area of focus. "I look forward to helping lead the way in getting the best outcomes for the industry with the convergence review," Rosen told If magazine. Producer Sue Taylor (The Tree).was also elected Spaa vice-president, replacing Screentime's Bob Campbell.. Both the president and vice-president...
- 7/25/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Antony I. Ginnane will stand down as Screen Producers Association of Australia president when his three-year stint ends this year. It is understood that former Film Finance Corporation chief executive and current Spaa feature film councillor Brian Rosen is favourite to be elected to the position on September 22. Ginnane said his decision to not seek re-election was prompted by the Spaa tradition that the president does not stand for more than three years, as well as to ensure that policy is continuously refreshed through new leadership. "I have been a proud member of Spaa since 1978. It has been a strong and effective advocate of our industry during that time and I know it will continue to be so going forward," he said in a statement. Ginnane took a market-driven...
- 7/9/2011
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
For those who couldn’t attend the Spaa forums this week, we have the full Sydney presentation and Q&A session.
Part 2, David Court explains Spaa’s Producer Distributor Film Fund in detail.
Part 3, Brian Rosen presents three different models for films financed through Spaa’s proposed Producer Distributor Film Fund, and David Court explains the advantages of the fund for producers, distributors and Government.
Part 4, Q&A
Part 5, Q&A
Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation – including the slides for different funding models.
Part 2, David Court explains Spaa’s Producer Distributor Film Fund in detail.
Part 3, Brian Rosen presents three different models for films financed through Spaa’s proposed Producer Distributor Film Fund, and David Court explains the advantages of the fund for producers, distributors and Government.
Part 4, Q&A
Part 5, Q&A
Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation – including the slides for different funding models.
- 5/5/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
According to the president of the Screen Producers Association of Australia, Antony I. Ginnane, the lack of investment in mid-range films and the subsequent brain drain of creative talent means that Australia is subsidising the work of Us studios.
“Films like Wasted on the Young, Griff the Invisible and Red Hill have turbo-charged the careers of their creators. Talent is being forced to move to the Us, so Australia’s taxpayer is funding ‘research and development’ of talent for Us studios,” said Ginnane.
Ginnane spoke at today’s Sydney session about Spaa’s proposed Producer Distributor Film Fund. Providing an historical context for the fund, he explained that the success of Australia’s film industry in the 1930s and 1970s was based on distributors acting as creative/financial partners from inception.
“Since then, we’ve had exceptional years, but most years we struggle to get five percent of the local box office,...
“Films like Wasted on the Young, Griff the Invisible and Red Hill have turbo-charged the careers of their creators. Talent is being forced to move to the Us, so Australia’s taxpayer is funding ‘research and development’ of talent for Us studios,” said Ginnane.
Ginnane spoke at today’s Sydney session about Spaa’s proposed Producer Distributor Film Fund. Providing an historical context for the fund, he explained that the success of Australia’s film industry in the 1930s and 1970s was based on distributors acting as creative/financial partners from inception.
“Since then, we’ve had exceptional years, but most years we struggle to get five percent of the local box office,...
- 5/4/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
What's the difference between operas and musicals? Is getting there quicker cheaper? The house where Handel and Hendrix lived
What distinguishes an opera from a musical?
About £50 a ticket.
John Peniket, Burnham, Bucks
Operas and musicals are similar in that they are both performed as musical theatre, with a story, character distinctions and arias. They are both made up of several songs, or musical pieces, connected by lines of dialogue; this is usually spoken in a musical, whereas in an opera it is performed as a recitative in which the dialogue transpires in a melodic or musical pattern.
Operas also tend to be continuous singing, although some musicals are sung through (eg Les Misérables). These are often acknowledged for their opera-like qualities by being called "popular" or "rock" operas.
Luke Gallagher, Lancaster
The following are tendencies, not certainties. Opera singers weigh more than those performing in musicals. The latter are easy to understand,...
What distinguishes an opera from a musical?
About £50 a ticket.
John Peniket, Burnham, Bucks
Operas and musicals are similar in that they are both performed as musical theatre, with a story, character distinctions and arias. They are both made up of several songs, or musical pieces, connected by lines of dialogue; this is usually spoken in a musical, whereas in an opera it is performed as a recitative in which the dialogue transpires in a melodic or musical pattern.
Operas also tend to be continuous singing, although some musicals are sung through (eg Les Misérables). These are often acknowledged for their opera-like qualities by being called "popular" or "rock" operas.
Luke Gallagher, Lancaster
The following are tendencies, not certainties. Opera singers weigh more than those performing in musicals. The latter are easy to understand,...
- 5/3/2011
- The Guardian - Film News
Spaa will host a Parliamentary Breakfast in Canberra tomorrow, to discuss measures to boost TV production, as well as the distributor Commercial Film Fund Initiative and an increase in funding for Sbs.
Executive director Geoff Brown said that while commercial networks had already received a “massive boost” to their bottom line with the reduction of their licence fees, content creators should be acknowledged for the role they will play in the digital switchover – not with financial incentives, but with an immediate lift in drama (adult/children’s) and documentary sub-quotas for the multi-channels.
The organisation also wants Government to institute minimum licence fees for television sub-quotas in adult drama, children’s television and documentary.
Another point of discussion will be the three-year $30m film fund to stimulate distributor investment in mid-range features ($7-30m) that Spaa discussed in the April issue of Encore (10 Solutions to Heal the Industry) and as...
Executive director Geoff Brown said that while commercial networks had already received a “massive boost” to their bottom line with the reduction of their licence fees, content creators should be acknowledged for the role they will play in the digital switchover – not with financial incentives, but with an immediate lift in drama (adult/children’s) and documentary sub-quotas for the multi-channels.
The organisation also wants Government to institute minimum licence fees for television sub-quotas in adult drama, children’s television and documentary.
Another point of discussion will be the three-year $30m film fund to stimulate distributor investment in mid-range features ($7-30m) that Spaa discussed in the April issue of Encore (10 Solutions to Heal the Industry) and as...
- 6/22/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
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