http://if.com.au/ Inside Film - Australia en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss info@if.com.au (The Editor) http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Coalition-of-International-Film-Academies-formed/NLLYTMBOJG.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Coalition-of-International-Film-Academies-formed/NLLYTMBOJG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from APSA</p> <p> Cannes: the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) has announced the formation of an international coalition of three film Academies: the Asia Pacific Screen Academy (APSA), the European Film Academy (EFA), and the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA|AFI).</p> <p> Members from this foundation of academies will have the opportunity to share valuable experience, knowledge and collaborate on international projects.</p> <p> Academy members from the EFA and AACTA have been named as part of the 2012 APSA Jury. The three Jury members announced at the Cannes reception earlier today are actress Maria De Medeiros (EFA member), known among other achievements, for her role as Bruce Willis' girlfriend in Pulp Fiction; APSA winning producer, Zeynep Özbatur Atakan (EFA and APSA academy member); and 2011 APSA best actor nominee Sasson Gabay (EFA and APSA academy member) currently one of the most prolific and highly respected actors working in Israeli cinema.</p> <p> Now in its sixth year, the APSA ceremony, or APSAs as it has become known, has become a major event on the Asia Pacific film industry calendar. Seventy (70) countries are eligible to submit films for the competition. In recent years more than forty (40) countries have had their films in selection.</p> <p> The 2012 APSA International Jury will meet to deliberate in late November ahead of the APSA Ceremony in Brisbane, Queensland, on November 23, 2012.</p> <p> The Cannes international launch was attended by more than 150 guests including high profile filmmakers of the region, APSA Patron and founding director of Busan International Film Festival Kim Dong-ho; FIAPF President Luis Alberto Scalella; representatives from APSA's official submitting organisations across the region and many directors of the world's leading film industries. Australians in attendance included: Australian Ambassador to France H.E Ric Wells, who addressed the reception and announced a member of the 2012 APSA Jury.</p> <p> APSA celebrates the cinematic excellence and cultural origins of 70 countries and areas - a region responsible for half the world's film output. Visit: Œ</p> Mon, 21 May 2012 16:43:52 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Astor-Theatre-petition-reaches-10000-signatures/ZMBHJGNNXC.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Astor-Theatre-petition-reaches-10000-signatures/ZMBHJGNNXC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Friends of the Astor Association</p> <p> An online petition calling on the elite St Michael’s Grammar School to let Melbourne’s iconic art deco Astor Theatre survive has attracted 10,000 signatures in five days, making it one of website Change.org’s most successful Australian petitions ever.</p> <p> The petition, part of a community campaign to Protect the Astor, was launched at 12.30pm on Wednesday and by 2pm today had clocked up more than 10,000 signatures from around Australia and the world, and hundreds of messages of support.</p> <p> At its peak the petition was attracting 240 new signatures an hour.</p> <p> “This has been one of the fastest growing petitions that Change.org has hosted in the six months it has been operating in Australia,” Change.org’s communications director, Tony Robertson, said.</p> <p> “Other Australian petitions that have attracted this many signatories this quickly have been on national issues, so it is extraordinary for a state-based issue to draw this level of interest. The incredible response shows the depth of feeling about the need to protect The Astor Theatre.”</p> <p> Petition organiser Vanda Hamilton, president of community organisation Friends of The Astor, said she was heartened that so many people cared about the future of The Astor.</p> <p> “The people are speaking and I just hope the board of St Michael’s Grammar School is listening,” Ms Hamilton said.</p> <p> “People do not want The Astor turned into a private school performing arts centre and uniform shop. They want this cinema, one of Australia’s last great picture palaces, to live on.”</p> <p> The petition calls on St Michael’s Grammar School to relinquish the site. Supporters want to raise $5 million to buy the building and ensure it can continue its historic purpose as a cinema.</p> <p> The online campaign has been assisted by Twitter support from film and television personalities, including comedian Tony Martin, Rove McManus, Adam Hills, Melissa Doyle and Rob Mills.</p> <p> Supporters include film industry luminaries actor Michael Caton, Underbelly star Roy Billing, ABC TV At the Movies host David Stratton and The Cup star Stephen Curry, who will launch the campaign at a community day featuring a free movie and popcorn, tours and Jaffa rolling on 16 June.</p> <p> Ms Hamilton said her organisation was not comforted by St Michael’s claims that its redevelopment would “protect the theatre’s historic use as a cinema” as there was no guarantee that The Astor in its current form would survive.</p> <p> “The Astor has survived a World War and the advent of video, DVD, movies online and the multiplex. It would be a tragedy if it went the way of other classic and arthouse cinemas, like the Walter Burley Griffin Capitol Theatre, the Valhalla Cinema, The Longford, The Trak and the Carlton Moviehouse.” To sign the online petition go to change.org/astor. For more information go to fota.net.au.</p> Mon, 21 May 2012 14:47:36 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Event-Zero-to-premiere-on-YouTube/UNJDJMWASX.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Event-Zero-to-premiere-on-YouTube/UNJDJMWASX.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Movie Extra Webfest</p> <p> MOVIE EXTRA WEBFEST 2.0 winning webseries, EVENT ZERO is set to launch on YouTube on Tuesday 22 May at 9.00 am (AEST)</p> <p> The winning webseries in the 2011 MOVIE EXTRA WEBFEST 2.0 competition, Event Zero, will premiere on Movie Extra's YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/mnctv on Tuesday 22 May 2012 at 9am (AEST). Audiences will get their first taste of the highly anticipated webseries with the launch of episode one, ahead of the release of the following six episodes on Monday 11 June.</p> <p> Created by Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey (producers of The Tunnel), Event Zero stars a host of Australian actors including Zoe Carides (Crownies, Out of the Blue), Valentino Del Toro (Gabriel, Underbelly: Infiltration), Harry Pavlidis (Gabriel, East West 101, All Saints) and Steve Davis (The Tunnel). As well as collaborations with several directors including Carlo Ledesma (The Tunnel), Andrew Traucki (The Reef) and Shane Abbess (Gabriel).</p> <p> Event Zero tells seven interconnected stories of people caught up in an event much bigger than they are. A report comes in of a train derailment near Circular Quay. Smoke billows from the wreckage and victims pour onto the streets. As the emergency workers arrive at the chaotic scene, they realise the biggest threat is only just emerging. People without a scratch are collapsing on the ground and dying - and it is spreading. Unless someone can work out what is going on the death toll will continue to rise. This moment is Event Zero.</p> <p> As winners of the MOVIE EXTRA WEBFEST 2.0 competition, creators Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey were awarded a $100,000 production budget funded by Movie Network Channels and Screen Australia, to produce the seven part webseries.</p> <p> To catch the premiere episode of Event Zero, visit www.youtube.com/mnctv on Tuesday 22 May at 9am (AEST). To follow the webseries and for regular WEBFEST updates and announcements visit Facebook www.facebook.com/movieextrawebfest.</p> Mon, 21 May 2012 15:57:57 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Lightning-Entertainment-snags-worldwide-sales-rights-for-The-Jungle/XPJOSNWESC.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/21/article/Lightning-Entertainment-snags-worldwide-sales-rights-for-The-Jungle/XPJOSNWESC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Lightning Entertainment</p> <p> Following the worldwide success of THE REEF represented by Lightning Entertainment (“Lightning”) in 2010, the Santa Monica-based sales, production and distribution company has acquired worldwide rights to writer/director Andrew Traucki’s next feature film production THE JUNGLE that commences principal photography in June on location in Australia and Indonesia, it was announced today by Robert Beaumont, President of Lightning.</p> <p> Produced by Traucki’s Mysterious Light Production Company and Annmaree J. Bell, the new thriller stars Rupert Reid (MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, MATRIX RELOADED) whose short BOO won the Audience Award at this year’s Tropfest and newcomers Igusti Budianthika and Agoes Widjaya Soedjarwo.</p> <p> Richard S. Guardian is the executive producer of the film and serves as a sales consultant on THE JUNGLE for Lightning. He also served as executive producer for THE REEF. Guardian brought the film to Lightning under his ongoing acquisitions and sales consultancy agreement with the company.</p> <p> “I am thrilled to be working again with Andrew after the incredible success we had with THE REEF,” said Guardian. “This script is an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller -- Andrew’s specialty,” added Lightning President, Robert Beaumont.</p> <p> THE JUNGLE tells the story of an Australian leopard conservationist who ventures into the remote Indonesian jungle with his documentary filmmaker brother to investigate reported sightings of an endangered species of the big cat. Their trek into the jungle becomes ever more bizarre and sinister with the realization they are being stalked by a deadly unseen predator.</p> <p> Lightning has already secured significant sales for THE JUNGLE with the film pre-sold to Australia’s IFM/Filmways; France’s Wild Side; Metrodome in the UK; to Acontracorrientes in Spain; Middle East’s Eagle Films and IPA in Thailand. </p> <p> Lightning previously represented international rights to Traucki’s thriller THE REEF about a great white shark that stalks the crew of a capsized sailboat along the Great Barrier Reef, which was released successfully in over 106 countries worldwide. </p> <p> Traucki’s previous films BLACK WATER and THE REEF have cemented him as a filmmaker to watch. THE JUNGLE will be the third film in Traucki's genre trilogy of terror he calls ‘Three Colours Red,’ showcasing his distinctive brand of man-against-nature authentic filmmaking at its finest. </p> <p> A native Australian, Traucki recently completed his segment for Magnet Picture’s ambitious and highly-anticipated horror anthology THE ABC’S OF DEATH in which 26 of the world’s leading talents in contemporary genre film -- among them Ti West (THE INNKEEPERS), Ben Wheatley (KILL LIST), and Nacho Vigalondo (TIME CRIMES) -- film a cinematic way to die. The feature film will debut in September. </p> <p> Lightning’s high profile Cannes slate includes the Liam Hemsworth starrer LOVE AND HONOR screening for the first time for international buyers, WHOLE LOTTA SOLE starring Brendan Fraser and directed by Oscar winner Terry George (HOTEL RWANDA) making its market debut along with the star-studded comedy STRUCK BY LIGHTNING starring Glee’s Chris Colfer and Rebel Wilson, the comedy SERVITUDE starring Joe Dinicol (the CW’s The L.A. Complex) and the Russian animated 3D film KIKORIKI: TEAM INVINCIBLE; the comedy THE HOT FLASHES starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes which will debut footage; the thrillers BLACK SOUTH-EASTER, ONE LAST LOOK and family film HEAVEN’S DOOR starring Charisma Carpenter (upcoming THE EXPENDABLES 2) and Joanna Cassidy (HBO’s Six Feet Under). </p> <p> In addition, Lightning will also be showing buyers first footage from the comedy THE HOT FLASHES starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Virginia Madsen, Camryn Manheim and Wanda Sykes and screening Australian sci-fi film, 25th REICH starring Jim Knobeloch, Dan Balcaban and Jak Wyld.</p> Mon, 21 May 2012 10:48:36 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/Screen-Australia-announces-internship-with-Ted-Hope/AQGMYWBKXZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/Screen-Australia-announces-internship-with-Ted-Hope/AQGMYWBKXZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release</p> <p> Screen Australia is again pleased to offer an outstanding opportunity for a producer at an early stage in their career with a bespoke producer internship. Following earlier internships with Film4, Belladonna and Killer Films, we are pleased to announce applications are now open for the Ted Hope Producer Internship.</p> <p> Ted Hope is one of the most respected and dynamic independent producers in the US. The successful applicant will receive $40,000 from Screen Australia to support their six-month placement working with Ted at his New York-based production company Double Hope Films, commencing in August 2012.</p> <p> Emerging in the early 1990s with his phenomenal company Good Machine, Ted has remained at the forefront of new technologies, consistently delivering vital and exciting work. He has produced and executive produced over 40 films, including 21 Grams, In the Bedroom, Happiness and American Splendor. More recently he produced Martha Marcy May Marlene, Collaborator and Dark Horse. With a keen eye for strong talent, Ted has 21 ‘first features’ under his belt, including those of Alan Ball, Todd Field, Michel Gondry, Hal Hartley and Ang Lee.</p> <p> The ideal candidate will have an interest not only in development and production, but also in social media, marketing and distribution. In addition to his busy slate of films, Ted Hope is currently developing new distribution models for independent filmmakers and is considered a leading innovator in this field. The successful applicant stands to gain invaluable skills and experience in numerous areas of the independent film sector in the US.</p> <p> Screen Australia is inviting applications from talented producers who have either one feature film credit, or who have produced at least two outstanding short films. The guidelines and application form are available at <a href="http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/TedHopeinternship">www.screenaustralia.gov.au/TedHopeinternship</a></p> Fri, 18 May 2012 14:05:55 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/International-games-gurus-secured-for-Victorian-symposium/LKXTZHPFGU.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/International-games-gurus-secured-for-Victorian-symposium/LKXTZHPFGU.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business</p> <p> Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher announced today that three of the world’s most influential games developers will headline a games symposium for Australian games developers in June 2012.</p> <p> Ms Asher said independent developers Peter Molyneux (Populous, Dungeon Keeper and Fable), Tim Schafer (Full Throttle, Psychonauts and Brutal Legend) and Warren Spector (System Shock and Deus Ex) would lead the two-day symposium, funded by the Victorian Coalition Government through Film Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).</p> <p> “Securing these international gurus of the games industry to share their experiences will stimulate business and professional development opportunities for Victorian and Australian games developers,” Ms Asher said.</p> <p> “In addition to keynote presentations, selected games developers will also have an opportunity to engage in one-on-one meetings with these outstanding international games experts.</p> <p> “Participation in Game Masters: The Forum will provide an exciting kick-start to ACMI’s 2012 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, Game Masters, which opens on 28 June and features over 125 playable games from more than 30 internationally-renowned game designers.</p> <p> “The Game Masters exhibition clearly demonstrates the growing popularity and importance of games in contemporary culture,” Ms Asher said. Game Masters is the first locally-curated exhibition in the Winter Masterpieces series, reflecting Victoria’s long and extensive contribution to the video games field.</p> <p> ACMI’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Sweeney said Game Masters was an opportunity to bring the games and cultural industries together.</p> <p> “Having highly respected international guests coming to Melbourne for the launch of Game Masters provides a forum to explore the synergies and intersection between the games industry and the broader cultural industries,” Mr Sweeney said.</p> <p> Film Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer Jenni Tosi welcomed the opportunity to partner with ACMI in jointly funding the symposium.</p> <p> “I’m delighted with this partnership and I’m sure it will provide inspiration and new connections for our talented games developers, stimulating ideas and business opportunities for this important sector of our industry,” Ms Tosi said.</p> Fri, 18 May 2012 14:02:35 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/Film-Victoria-invests-3-million-in-18-projects/FSSCNLDIRB.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/Film-Victoria-invests-3-million-in-18-projects/FSSCNLDIRB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business</p> <p> Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today announced more than $3 million in funding to support the local production of feature films, documentaries and television shows through Film Victoria.</p> <p> Ms Asher said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to supporting Victorian film and television projects with the potential to attract audiences through their originality and quality.</p> <p> “Assisting film and television companies through the Production Investment program and the Production Investment Attraction Fund not only helps to support employment of cast and crew on the projects, the benefits also flow on to our local post-production facilities and small businesses,” Ms Asher said.</p> <p> Estimates from the producers of the 18 projects approved for funding indicate they expect the projects to create approximately 2,670 jobs in Victoria.</p> <p> “The total expenditure and the resulting employment represent a good return on investment for the Victorian economy,” Ms Asher said.</p> <p> “Since December 2010, Film Victoria has supported 63 film and television projects which are estimated to bring around $240 million in production expenditure to Victoria.”</p> <p> Projects receiving Production Investment funding announced today are:</p> <p> Children’s TV Get Ace Ch 10 (Galaxy Pop) Animation The Lost Boys ABC 3 (Matchbox Pictures) Live action</p> <p> Other TV Mr & Mrs Murder Ch 10 (Fremantle Media) Comedy/Drama Upper Middle Bogan ABC (Gristmill) Comedy House Husbands Ch 9 (Playmaker) Drama Time of our Lives ABC (JAHM Pictures) Drama</p> <p> Feature films Galore (Film Camp) The Mule (The Mule Development Productions) The Turning (Arenamedia) Documentaries Anatomy (Series 4) ABC (Matchbox Pictures) Fallout ABC (Rough Trade Pictures) George Rrurrambu ABC (Night Sky Films) Grey Man ABC (Abracadabra Films) Licence to Kill ABC (DD & B Productions) Possum Wars ABC (360 Degree Films)</p> <p> “Ultimately the Production Investment funding assistance supports the creation of Australian stories on screen for both local and international audiences,” Ms Asher said.</p> <p> Ms Asher also announced today that additional post production and visual effects work had been secured for Victoria through Film Victoria’s Production Investment Attraction Fund.</p> <p> The three international projects receiving PIAF funding are: James Cameron’s Deep Sea Challenge, the National Geographic and iMax 3D feature documentary on his under-sea descent into the Mariana Trench; The Sony Will Smith science-fiction star vehicle, After Earth; and Emperor which will also use Victorian facilities for post-production special effects.</p> <p> Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi said the spread of projects reflected the vibrancy of film and TV production currently on the slate in Victoria.</p> <p> “Funding from this round is also supporting the move of both early and mid-career talents into producing and directing on major productions which consolidates the ongoing benefit and impact of investing in production activity in Victoria,” Ms Tosi said.</p> Fri, 18 May 2012 13:56:33 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/Screen-Australia-invests-1-8-million-in-seven-documentaries/CHFUURDYQZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/18/article/Screen-Australia-invests-1-8-million-in-seven-documentaries/CHFUURDYQZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Screen Australia Screen Australia today announced $1.8 million investment in seven documentary projects triggering $4.8 million in production. Among the projects to receive investment are two projects from the National Documentary Program: Grey Man, a one-hour ABC documentary, and the SBS series Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl. Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl is a landmark four-part series about Lebanese migrant settlement in Western Sydney which follows the hugely successful Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta that screened early this year on SBS. The series will be produced by Tim Toni and executive produced by Sue Clothier. “I’m thrilled to announce investment in the SBS series Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl,” said Screen Australia’s Documentary Manager Liz Stevens. “This important series will again strongly resonate with the local community.” “It’s really encouraging to see that one-off documentaries still have a place in broadcasters’ schedules and I’m sure audiences will find the six powerful and unique films announced today compelling viewing,” said Ms Stevens. Grey Man follows serving and former Australian soldiers and police who rescue children from the sex trade in Thailand. The film will be produced, written and directed by Luigi Acquisto and also produced by Stella Zammataro. Documentaries to receive investment from the General Documentary Program include Licence to Kill from producer/director Terry Carlyon who will seek answers to the tragic chain of events set in motion when police use firearms in the course of duty. This ABC documentary is also produced by Robyn Miller. Writer/director/producer John Hughes’s ABC documentary Love and Fury looks at one of the best-kept secrets in Australian literary and political public life – the 25-year clandestine relationship of Judith Wright and HC ‘Nugget’ Coombs. Producer Philippa Campey and writer Penelope Chai are also attached to this project. Producer Laurie Critchley and writer/director Aviva Ziegler’s ABC documentary Plumpton High Babies: 10 Years On will focus on four teenage mums who revisit the success of a radical experiment to keep them at school> The Sunnyboy is an ABC documentary from producer Tom Zubrycki and writer/director Kaye Harrison about schizophrenia told through the story of the lauded singer/songwriter of the 80s band ‘The Sunnyboys’ on the eve of their comeback. SBS documentary The Surgery Ship will follow a team of Australian doctors and nurses over a year who sail to one of the poorest nations on earth to provide life-saving medical supplies and services. The film will be produced and directed by Madeleine Hetherton and will also be produced by Rebecca Barry. NATIONAL DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM (NDP) GREY MAN 57 mins FairTrade Films Pty Ltd Writer/Director/Producer Luigi Acquisto Producer Stella Zammataro Broadcaster ABC Synopsis This powerful, suspenseful documentary embeds itself with a daring group of serving or former Australian soldiers and police as they rescue children from the sex trade in Thailand, often from the reach of Australian paedophiles. ONCE UPON A TIME IN PUNCHBOWL 4 x 52 mins Northern Pictures Executive Producer Sue Clothier Series Producer Tim Toni Broadcaster SBS Synopsis Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl is a landmark television series about Lebanese migrant settlement in Western Sydney. GENERAL DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM LICENCE TO KILL 57 mins DD & B Productions Pty Ltd Producer/Director Terry Carlyon Producer Robyn Miller Broadcaster ABC Synopsis Licence to Kill seeks answers to the tragic chain of events that is set in motion when police use firearms in the course of duty – tragedy for both the shooting victims and the police who pull the trigger. LOVE AND FURY 27 mins Early Works Writer/Director/Producer John Hughes Producer Philippa Campey Writer Penelope Chai Broadcaster ABC Synopsis On 1 January 2009, the National Library of Australia lifted an embargo on the private correspondence between Judith Wright and HC ‘Nugget’ Coombs, making public their clandestine relationship of 25 years, one of the best-kept secrets in Australian literary and political public life. PLUMPTON HIGH BABIES: 10 YEARS ON 57 mins Australian Documentaries Pty Ltd Producer Laurie Critchley Writer/Director Aviva Ziegler Broadcaster ABC Synopsis Four teenage mums revisit the success of a radical experiment to keep them at school. THE SUNNYBOY 56 mins Jotz Productions Producer Tom Zubrycki Writer/Director Kaye Harrison Broadcaster ABC Synopsis A film about schizophrenia told through the story of the lauded singer/songwriter of the 80s band ‘The Sunnyboys’ who are about to make a comeback. THE SURGERY SHIP 52 mins Media Stockade Producer/Director Madeleine Hetherton Producer Rebecca Barry Broadcaster SBS Synopsis A team of Australian doctors and nurses on board a unique ship, crammed with medical supplies, is sailing to one of the poorest nations on earth to provide life-saving medical services – they have just one year. Œ</p> Fri, 18 May 2012 13:52:36 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/16/article/Zealot-Sweeps-Golden-Trailer-Nominations/NGHGSYLKSR.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/16/article/Zealot-Sweeps-Golden-Trailer-Nominations/NGHGSYLKSR.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Zealot</p> <p> ZEALOT is nominated for Best Documentary Trailer (REBIRTH), Trashiest Trailer (TIM AND ERIC’S BILLION DOLLAR MOVIE), Best Foreign Comedy Trailer (A FEW BEST MEN), Best Foreign Documentary Trailer (ANTON CORBIJN INSIDE OUT, JIG, PINK RIBBONS INC), Best Foreign Drama Trailer (THE CUP, THE LADY, ORANGES AND SUNSHINE), Best Foreign Horror/Thriller Trailer (LA CARA OCULTA,THE HUNTER).</p> <p> Held on 31 May in Los Angeles, the GOLDEN TRAILER AWARDS ceremony recognises the best in theatrical marketing and promotion worldwide</p> <p> Shaun Farrington, Director of ZEALOT said: “Last year we received nine nominations and were completely floored. I thought we should enjoy it while it lasts because it will be difficult to replicate that kind of success. To receive 11 nominations this year is just amazing and underscores the consistent quality of our creative”.</p> <p> Based in Sydney, London and New York, with clients worldwide, ZEALOT is a creative marketing company for the television and film industries. Œ</p> Wed, 16 May 2012 11:03:31 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Melbourne-International-Film-Festival-set-to-sparkle-on-opening-night/RHJRPBSEQZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Melbourne-International-Film-Festival-set-to-sparkle-on-opening-night/RHJRPBSEQZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from The Melbourne International Film Festival. </p> <p> MELBOURNE, 15 May 2012 – The 61st Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is proud to announce that the 2012 Festival will open with the Australian Premiere of The Sapphires. Australia’s brightest stars and biggest names in film and entertainment will walk the red carpet at one of the most anticipated events on the Australian film calendar.</p> <p> Festival Director Michelle Carey commented “MIFF is thrilled to be presenting The Sapphires straight from Cannes. Not only is this one of the most anticipated Australian films of the year, a Victorian story and a brilliant filmmaking team, the film will leave audiences on an immense high, ready to kick up their heels at what is sure to be one of the most celebratory parties of the year.”</p> <p> The Sapphires is the feature film debut for acclaimed theatre director and actor Wayne Blair and is produced by Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne. Based on the stage play of the same name, the film was adapted by Keith Thompson (Clubland) and Tony Briggs from the original play by Tony Briggs. Inspired by the remarkable true story of Briggs' mother and her family, it is set in the heady days of 1968 when four talented singers from a remote Aboriginal mission in Victoria are discovered by an unlikely talent scout. Plucked from obscurity and branded as Australia's answer to The Supremes, The Sapphires are offered their first real gig entertaining the troops in Vietnam, and from there a luminous new world opens up before them.Set to an unbeatable soul music soundtrack with a roll-call of hits from the 60s, this uplifting story stars Australian screen icons Deborah Mailman and Jessica Mauboy with newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell as the formidable four along with Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) as their manager. </p> <p> Many of the cast and crew will be guests of the Festival on Opening Night, making for a spectacular red carpet event. “I can’t think of anything more perfect than The Sapphires having its Australian Premiere as the opening night film of the Melbourne International Film Festival. It’s a great honour to be chosen for this special screening and feels completely right as the genesis of the story of The Sapphires began in beautiful Yorta Yorta country, Victoria, where these four amazing Aboriginal women grew up,” said filmmaker Wayne Blair. The Sapphires marks the first of 18 days for MIFF, which includes well over 300 films from around the globe. Festival programs include world-class cinema in International Panorama, Documentaries, Accent on Asia, Backbeat and Animation.</p> <p> A selection of films will be announced in First Glance on 5th June and full program details, including Closing Night, will be announced on 11th July. Tickets go on sale 13th July. The Festival runs 2 - 19 August 2012. The Opening Night event will take place on Thursday 2nd August at Greater Union with tickets on sale now.</p> <p> German luxury carmaker Audi is proud to be the major sponsor of the Melbourne International Film Festival Opening Night celebration. Audi has long been involved in film. Its high performance sports cars have appeared in heart-stopping car chases (Ronin, Mission Impossible II and the Transporter movies) and futuristic concept films (I, Robot).</p> <p> It is the red carpet limousine of choice for opening nights and major film premieres. Managing Director Uwe Hagen said “As a sophisticated and progressive brand, Audi is a strong supporter of film festivals in Australia and values the opportunity to give back to the community through the support of major cultural events. The partnership between MIFF and Audi is founded on a mutual respect for heritage and a focus on innovation.”</p> <p> Audi is proud to present an Opening Night that is certain to delight film fans and support the local film industry in Australia. Audi is a proud partner of MIFF opening night</p> <p> For more information on the Opening Night event, tickets and other festival details visit www.miff.com.au For all media enquiries contact: Ghita Loebenstein | 03 8660 4816 | 0411 436 620 | ghita@ashaholmespublicity.com.au Katie Rose-Price | 03 8660 4816 | 0450 170 080 | katie@ashaholmespublicity.com.au</p> Tue, 15 May 2012 10:37:50 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Purchase-confirms-Canon-as-brand-of-choice-for-HD-broadcast-optics/UGHZZQSPCB.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Purchase-confirms-Canon-as-brand-of-choice-for-HD-broadcast-optics/UGHZZQSPCB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p class="MsoNormal"> Sydney 14 May 2012: Canon Australia and Global Television have today announced the purchase by Global Television of 17 Canon High Definition (HD) Box-style and Electronic Field Production (EFP)-type lenses with full controls. The purchase agreement was reached at the recent National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Global Television through this agreement,” says John McInerney, National Sales Manager – Optical, Canon Australia. “It delivers Global the very best lens complement available in the industry today and confirms Canon as the brand of choice for HD professional optical products.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> The lenses expand Global Television’s inventory of Canon high-end HDTV lenses, which includes a vast number of XJ100:9.3, XJ86:9.3, XJ75:9.3 and XJ27x6.5 Box-style lenses as well as HJ22:7.6 and HJ14:4.3 EFP-type lenses. Global has acquired this lens inventory over the past three years as part of the HD upgrade of its outside broadcast fleet.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> ŒGeoff Rudder, Global Television’s General Manager - National Resources, said the Canon lenses supported the facilitator’s ongoing investment in the latest technology and equipment.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> “We decided on the Canon lenses as they offer the best picture quality and operator familiarity as well as the post-sales service you would expect from an industry leader,” said Rudder.” The flexibility of the Canon components also enables us to mix and match accessories for myriad uses." </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Among its projects, Global will deploy the Canon lenses on a number of upcoming outside broadcast events including the new series of Big Brother.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> About Canon:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.canon.com.au/default.aspx" target="_blank" title="http://www.canon.com.au/default.aspx">Canon</a> is the world's leading imaging brand that actively inspires with imaginative ideas that enable people to connect, communicate and achieve more than they thought possible through imaging solutions for business and consumers. Canon's Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-four US patent recipients* for the past 20 years, and had global revenues of around $US46 billion in 2011. Canon Australia also operates <a href="http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Business/Canon-Finance" target="_blank" title="http://www.canon.com.au/finance/story_107.html">Canon Finance Australia</a>, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> For more information, visit <a href="http://www.canon.com.au" target="_blank">www.canon.com.au</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/canonaustralia" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/canonaustralia</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/canonaustralia" target="_blank">www.twitter.com/canonaustralia</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/canonaustralia" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/canonaustralia</a></p> <p> <p> <p> * Based on weekly patent counts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> About Global Television</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Global Television brings content to life. We are an experienced broadcast technical service provider to major Australian television networks and program producers and an increasingly significant player in the Asia-Pacific region and internationally. With state-of-the art outside broadcasting and studio facilities, Global Television facilitates more than 2,000 hours of television each year, including live sport (NRL, AFL, V8 Supercars, Cricket), live entertainment and event programs (Dancing with the Stars, The Footy Show the annual ARIA and Logie awards) as well as popular series and drama (My Kitchen Rules, Neighbours). More information at <a href="http://www.globaltv.com.au" target="_blank">www.globaltv.com.au</a>. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Media Contacts:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Andrew Giles</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Canon Australia</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="mailto:andrew.giles@canon.com.au" target="_blank">andrew.giles@canon.com.au</a></p> <p> Œ </p> </p> </p> Tue, 15 May 2012 10:32:19 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/New-technologies-represent-major-milestones-in-digital-projection/DSRNHPANDJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/New-technologies-represent-major-milestones-in-digital-projection/DSRNHPANDJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Qube Cinema. </p> <p> Burbank, CA: May 14, 2012ˆ Qube Cinema demonstrated a series of industry firsts at CinemaCon in Las Vegas recently, including multi-IMB sync, 3D projections running at 120 fps per eye (240 fps total), and a special demonstration of new laser projection technology from Barco. On the show floor, Qube demonstrated multi-IMB synchronization, delivering 4K content from a single Qube XP-I server to two Qube Xi 4K Integrated Media Blocks (IMBs) in two Barco DP4K-32B projectors; both images were in perfect frame synchronization. “The high bit rate and multi-IMB sync capabilities of the XP-I server and Xi 4K IMB mean that the promise of dual projector 4K 3D digital cinema has been realized,” said Eric Bergez, Qube Cinema’s director of sales and marketing for the Americas. “The system is easy to operate and flattens the learning curve for projectionists by eliminating the unnecessary redundancies and complicated hardware configurations offered by previous vendors.” The Qube XP-I server has the throughput to play back at 1,000 Mbps – four times the DCI bit rate specification of 250 Mbps. With 2K content, the Qube Xi can deliver up to 120 fps playback. With 4K content it can provide up to 30 fps playback. Alternatively, the high data throughput can be used to drive dual 4K or dual 2K projectors for stunning 4K 3D at up to 30 fps per eye (60 fps total). “The image quality at these frame rates is impressive,” said Bergez, “and it’s coming at the right time. HFR films are already in production, or in development today, so high frame rate playback capability is becoming essential for exhibitors. Qube demonstrated its ability to playback content and has emerged as a technology leader for digital cinema.” The company also demonstrated a standard Qube XP-I server paired with a single Qube Xi 4K IMB driving Barco’s new prototype laser projector (aka The Dragon) in a special presentation at the Coliseum in Caesars Palace. The brightness and high contrast came through in the projection of clips from Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, as well as others, shown at 4K and 2K HFR 3D at 48 fps. “We’re delighted to work with Barco on another industry advance,” said Rajesh Ramachandran, CTO of Qube Cinema. “The high brightness and color saturation of the 4K laser projection improves the 3D experience immensely.” At the Filmmakers’ Lunch, with special guests Ang Lee and Martin Scorsese, Qube highlighted its new multi-IMB sync and HFR-HBR technology. The presentations offered side-by-side comparisons of 2D and 3D content on three different screens, all driven by synchronized Qube Xi IMBs. The left and right screens featured single Barco DP2K-20C projectors with RealD single-projector stereoscopic configurations, while the center screen was illuminated by two vertically-stacked Barco DP2K-20C projectors. All three images were kept in perfect sync with Qube’s native ability to sync multiple IMBs. In addition, attendees were treated to a triple 3D screening of Martin Scorsese’s award-winning 3D film Hugo, with the Qube XP-I driving a single DCP to Qube Xi IMBs in Barco 2K projectors and RealD 3D equipment in perfect synchronization. “CinemaCon marked a real milestone for digital cinema,” said Senthil Kumar, co-founder of Real Image, the parent company of Qube Cinema. “HFR projection, coupled with stereoscopic 3D, delivers an immersive in-theater experience that people can’t get anywhere else, and multi-IMB sync will play a key role in delivering it.” About Qube Cinema, Inc. Qube Cinema is an international manufacturer of Digital Cinema technology and mastering solutions. A subsidiary of India-based Real Image Media Technologies, Qube Cinema draws on decades of experience in media, cinema and entertainment. The company is committed to creating a seamless Digital Cinema environment for exhibitors, filmmakers and postproduction companies with technologies that are innovative, flexible and cost-effective. Qube Cinema’s product lines include the Qube XP series of digital cinema servers, Qube Xi 4K Integrated Media Block, QubeMaster software solutions, and Qube Keysmith KDM generation system. Qube Cinema, Inc. is based in Burbank, California. For more information, visit www.qubecinema.com. Press Contact Eric Philpott philpott | communications (905) 773-6651 philpott@philpott.ca</p> Tue, 15 May 2012 10:26:46 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Russian-Resurrection-Film-Festival/RESYGFFNPW.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Russian-Resurrection-Film-Festival/RESYGFFNPW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from the Russian Resurrection Film Festival. </p> <p> The ninth Russian Resurrection Film Festival, the largest festival of Russian Cinema outside of Russia today, returns to screens Australia-wide this September, sharing great cinematic moments in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.</p> <p> The beauty of Russian cinema is the broad range of quality films across different genres. The festival celebrates the revival of Russian cinema and this year’s program will include a variety of new dramas, animations, comedies, arthouse cinema, award winning classics and possibly Russia’s first ever zombie film. Festival tradition dictates a retrospective and, this year to mark the bicentenary of the 1812 defeat of Napoleon, there are three stunning dramas and comedies. Visiting actors and directors, Q&As and some of the best ever celebratory gala parties in each city are just some of the highlights for this vibrant celebration of Ruski culture.</p> <p> FESTIVAL DETAILS</p> <p> SYDNEY Dates: 30 August – 12 September Cinemas: Chauvel, Event Cinemas Burwood</p> <p> MELBOURNE Dates: 5 – 17 September Cinema: Palace Como</p> <p> BRISBANE Dates: 7 - 16 September Cinema: Palace Centro</p> <p> PERTH Dates: 19 – 26 September Cinema: Cinema Paradiso</p> <p> CANBERRA Dates: 14 – 19 September Cinema: Greater Union, Manuka</p> <p> Key Links Website: www.russianresurrection.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Russian-Resurrection-Film-Festival/127699903951629</p> <p> Further Media Information: Natasha Ciesielski, e: natasha@tsuki.com.au t: 02 8399 0699</p> Tue, 15 May 2012 10:21:39 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Sydney-Film-School-graduate-wins-Australian-Directors-Guild-award/RIPFZXMLZN.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/15/article/Sydney-Film-School-graduate-wins-Australian-Directors-Guild-award/RIPFZXMLZN.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sydney Film School. </p> <p> Sydney Film School is pleased to announce 21 year old Epiphany Morgan has won ‘Best Direction in a Student Film’ at the esteemed 2012 Australian Directors Guild Awards for her documentary ‘The Room’, about the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross. “I’m thrilled to have won this prestigious award. It’s an honour to be acknowledged by the film industry and I’ll be able to use this recognition as a foundation for future funding appeals. The award is also great in building awareness of MSIC (the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre) and will help to bring the issue and treatment of drug addiction to the forefront of people’s minds,” said Epiphany Morgan.</p> <p> ‘The Room’ has also been given an educational release through VEA (Video Education Australia) - the largest educational distribution company in Australia. Upon completing high school, Epiphany studied for one year at Sydney Film School, graduating in 2010 with a Diploma of Screen & Media. ‘The Room’ was produced in the second half of her studies and recognised with the ‘Best Director’ and ‘Courage Curiosity Compassion’ awards as judged by the school’s teachers and industry professionals. “Epiphany’s tenaciousness and clarity of vision were evident from the first day of her studies at the film school. While making The Room she was courageous enough to tackle a very contentious social issue and compassionate enough to give a voice to people addicted to heroin. I’m sure she will continue to create provoking and engaging stories without pulling any punches,” said Sydney Film School Director Ben Ferris.</p> <p> With a passion for documentary storytelling, Epiphany is quickly making her mark in factual filming of philanthropy issues. When she was just thirteen years-of-age, Epiphany travelled to Zambia as a UNICEF Youth Ambassador assisting on the issue of the AIDS epidemic in African and Asian regions. As part of the role, she co-hosted a UNICEF AIDS Documentary which was screened on Network TEN. Last year she also shot and directed footage for Vets Beyond Borders in India which she then edited into promotional videos and short documentaries.</p> <p> Epiphany is now working at production company 2 Feet Films; campaigns include The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and The Children’s Medical Research Institute on the campaign ‘Jeans for Genes day’. Editor’s Notes The Australian Directors Guild Awards celebrates the creative achievement of directors in film, television and new media platforms.</p> <p> Further information about Epiphany Morgan can be found at http://www.epiphanymorgan.com</p> <p> ABOUT SYDNEY FILM SCHOOL The Sydney Film School is one of the top private film schools globally, renowned for its unique blend of creativity and practical realism. The Sydney Film School Diploma courses combine the teaching of theoretical/creative processes and practical hands-on film production, with the emphasis on practice. It is the only film school in Australia which teaches a ‘complete production pathway’ that uses and teaches both 16mm film and digital technologies. The classes in both drama and documentary production cover all essential aspects of filmmaking: from Pre-production (research, script writing, pitching, casting, production management, design etc), to Production (crewing, working with actors, lighting, filming, recording etc) and Post-production (editing, music, sound mixing copyright, distribution etc). The SFS community is global, with students from 42 different countries attending the school since 2004. More than 120 quality documentaries, dramas and individual thesis films, exploring all manner of cinematic forms are being produced each year, dozens of them participating at prestigious local and international festivals. Since the School’s establishment in 2004 student films have screened in more than 100 festivals worldwide, winning 34 awards. The Sydney Film School family includes established filmmakers such as Academy Award winner and Industry Patron of Sydney Film School Emile Sherman (The King’s Speech), feature filmmaker and School Director Ben Ferris (Penelope), and alumni emerging filmmakers such as Gracie Otto, Maya Newell, and Brian Lye. High calibre Sydney Film School Festival guest speakers have included Paul Keating, George Miller, Gillian Armstrong, Bruce Beresford and Barry Otto. For further information about Sydney Film School visit: www.sydneyfilmschool.com.au SYDNEY FILM SCHOOL - INTERVIEWS, IMAGES AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Natasha Ciesielski, t: (02) 8399 0699, m : 0407 683 716, natasha@tsuki.com.au</p> Tue, 15 May 2012 10:16:25 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Ai-Media-Welcomes-Launch-of-NDIS/BXRAGRQLEO.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Ai-Media-Welcomes-Launch-of-NDIS/BXRAGRQLEO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Ai-Media</p> <p> The system will be transformed through the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and the Coalition’s declared support for the funding.</p> <p> Ai-Media and other disability organisations have been advocating for the NDIS many years.</p> <p> Ai-Media CEO, Tony Abrahams, said: “Australia is currently ranked 27th out of 29 OECD countries in terms of outcomes for people with disabilities. The $1.03 billion provided by the Australian Government over the next four years in a tight fiscal environment is a credible commitment to this critical social and economic reform. We are hopeful that this will be supplemented by State and Territory funding.</p> <p> “Although the start-up funding is less than the additional funding recommended by the Productivity Commission, 10,000 people with disability will get access to the NDIS a year earlier than forecast. It is now time to get some quick wins on the board that can pave the way for a quicker rollout.</p> <p> “The NDIS is a long term reform that will deliver substantial benefits to the economy. It is terrific that we now have a bipartisan commitment to fund the scheme. It is hoped that subsequent negotiations between State and Territory Governments and the Australian Government will see more funding released, as well as ensuring existing resources are better directed and targeted to meet the individual needs of people with disability, their families and carers.”</p> <p> Ai-Media remains focused on developing innovations that assist people with a disability to gain an education and skilled employment.</p> <p> Mr Abrahams said: “Too many Australians are jobless because they don't have access to the simple and cost-effective tools they need to participate. The NDIS can change this and in so doing help the Budget bottom line with fewer outlays for disability support pensions, higher tax receipts, and improved labour participation.” Œ</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 14:24:22 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Missing-William-at-Cannes-Film-Market/IAPOTPKFUQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Missing-William-at-Cannes-Film-Market/IAPOTPKFUQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Aloris Entertainment</p> <p> Missing William is a romantic drama starring Brandon Routh (SUPERMAN RETURNS, SCOTT PILGRIM vs. THE WORLD, CHUCK), Courtney Ford (PARENTHOOD, TRUE BLOOD, DEXTER), Reid Scott (VEEP, THE BIG C) and Spencer Grammer (DESCENT, GREEK). </p> <p> It was produced by John Santilli and Dan McKinnon of Aloris Entertainment (THE ENGLISH TEACHER), Matthew Chausse of Mirabelle Pictures (DARK TIDE, LUCKY), and Kendra Robichaud (LOOSIES, INKUBUS), and written by McKinnon, with Kenn MacRae (THE VIEW FROM GREENHAVEN) directing.</p> <p> The story examines the love that lives through loss, and follows Ford’s character, Abby, living in Rhode Island and caring for her husband William after he's tragically injured in a bar fight. As she attempts to coax him back to health, James, her childhood sweetheart and unrequited love played by Routh, attempts to coax her back into living life again herself. The complicated love triangle that ensues is touching, poignant, and concludes with a realization that's as profound as it is beautiful.</p> <p> The film marks LA-based Australian writer-director Kenn MacRae’s second feature after winning PROJECT GREENLIGHT AUSTRALIA with his brother in 2006 and directing THE VIEW FROM GREENHAVEN, which had a nine-month release in Australia and New Zealand.</p> <p> “Dan wrote an incredibly unique and moving story and we all worked hard to get a cast that could do it justice.” Macrae said, “I’m thrilled that we were successful, and we now have a powerhouse sales agent in Inferno repping the film at the pinnacle of world film markets. Missing William is a small film that packs a huge punch and we’re very confident it will be extremely well-received.”</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 14:13:27 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/New-post-house-Mirage-VFX-opens-shop/QUVPZGXHJC.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/New-post-house-Mirage-VFX-opens-shop/QUVPZGXHJC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Mirage VFX</p> <p> Mirage VFX houses a collection of skilled artists to produce cinema-quality visual effects and animation for advertising and film in the Asia Pacific region. Mirage VFX employs a highly specialised team of feature film VFX artists and offers their services for production projects. VFX veteran Felguerus, whose work can be seen on features including Happy Feet and King Kong, leads the team. Globally recognised, he’s worked out of 20 cities, managed 60-plus crew production teams in Europe and has overseen large-scale jobs out of Asia and Australia. </p> <p> “Our company is unique in that we offer a creative service that looks at the whole picture and can accommodate for all visual effects at our studio, plus we have access to TVC directors,” says co-founder Jaffers. “We don’t rely solely on 3D as a cure for all visual effects but we offer an integrated approach, combining the traditional craft with current tech solutions,” he adds. </p> <p> Mirage VFX is also backed by international expertise with its recent alliance with award-winning Spanish studio Vando. A 3D animation company based in Barcelona, Vando is comprised of three of the country’s top visual graphic talents with a combined experience of over 40 years in the industry, working across film, advertising and gaming.</p> <p> Mirage VFX comes complete with an in-house Pride built 11 axis motion control rig, shooting studio, access to model makers, Red One/Epic camera, stereoscopic colour grading suite, 300 core render farm and 3D facilities. </p> <p> The post house has recently produced work on numerous feature and television projects, including Bank Mandiri and Birds Eye TVC. Information on other projects will be available upon official release. Œ</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 14:01:20 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Six-Nominations-for-The-Solid-State/RGOINUYAOF.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Six-Nominations-for-The-Solid-State/RGOINUYAOF.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from The Solid State</p> <p> The Sydney-based creative agency were nominated for their trailers for A Few Best Men, 2 Little Boys and Tall Man, their presales trailer for the upcoming feature Babylon and film festival trailers for The French Film Festival and Message Sticks Film Festival.</p> <p> Each year, through an open competition judged by film industry notables, the Golden Trailer Awards recognize the creative people who make movie trailers, teasers, tvcs and posters in a gala award show. Since moviegoers consistently rate trailers as one of the most entertaining parts of the theatre experience, the Golden Trailer Awards celebrates the craftsmanship and allure of these potent mini-epics with a fast-paced show in LA</p> <p> The company is competing in 4 categories: Best Trailer- No Movie [Babylon – JaggiShute ], Best Foreign Comedy [A Few Best Men-Arclight Films and Two Little Boys - Hopscotch], Best Foreign Documentary [The Tall Man - Hopscotch] and Best Film Festival Trailer [The French Film Festival and Message Sticks Film Festival]</p> <p> "We're excited to receive these nominations and to have our work recognised against some of the biggest international marketing campaigns" says Company Director Danny Lachevre "Most of our trailer nominations have come from work that began at pre-sales stage which proves to us the earlier key marketing messages are worked on, the stronger the elements are at theatrical rollout."</p> <p> "That’s 18 nominations in 5 years which is a great testament to all the hard work the team put in here." says Co Director Walter Bienz "We’ve had a great run of projects over the last 12 months, collaborating with some some fantastic clients, like Iron Sky [New Holland Pictures] and Bait [Paramount Pictures]. However, my highlight was getting our poster for Al Pacino’s ‘Wilde Salome’ signed by the man himself.”</p> <p> "We're absolutely thrilled to hear that the pre-sales trailer for Babylon has been nominated for a Golden Trailer award” says film producer Steve Jaggi of JaggiShute.</p> <p> The Solid State's work on our first film 'Short Beach' has truly connected with its teen audience so we were eager to collaborate with them again. Working with such a high-calibre team on Babylon - from the writing of Stephen Sewell to the film's Executive Producer, the Academy Award-winning Bruce Beresford - it made perfect sense to engage The Solid State in the early stages of pre-production to bring Babylon's daring aesthetic to the market place," says producing partner Liz Shute.</p> <p> All nominated work can be viewed at <a href="http://www.thesolidstate.com.au">http://www.thesolidstate.com.au</a> Œ</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:59:46 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Alphamum01/VBCMBNXTFN.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Alphamum01/VBCMBNXTFN.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Facefive Productions Alphamum01 is a short film set to get tongues wagging over its hilarious portrayal of competitive parents anticipating the birth of their first child. </p> <p> The film has been selected to screen at the 2012 St Kilda Film Festival and stars The Secret Life of Us and Rush star Samuel Johnson. </p> <p> Alphamum01 sees a competitive couple in an on-line bidding war for high-end baby furniture.</p> <p> The comedy is the result of Writer and Director Marissa Cooke’s observations of how our culture of consumerism can seem all the more absurd in the parenting realm, the idea motivating her to write the script.</p> <p> “It is meant to have satirical undertones of course and ˆ well I had observed these things and saw the humour in it.</p> <p> “It is a part of our society in general, this obsession with winning, with having the biggest and the best, but it is highlighted somehow when put in the context of children and parenting,” she says.</p> <p> The cracker script was put into the hands of Johnson who committed himself to it right away and, says Cooke, together with the full production staff and the very talented director of photography Benjamin Hidalgo De la Barrera, the team was as good as she could have hoped for.</p> <p> “I wrote the script with Sam (Samuel Johnson) in mind, I’d worked with Sam before and knew his talent for comedic performance so I was thrilled when he wanted to come on board. From there everything fell into place and our small but talented production team pulled off the seemingly impossible.”</p> <p> Samuel Johnson, who co-produced Alphamum01 with Carla McConnell and Lee Matthews, was immensely excited to be part of the project.</p> <p> “I was very lucky to have Cookie (writer/director Marissa Cooke) get me to [read it] and I said we have to do this by hook or by crook,” he says.</p> <p> “Cookie is just so sharp and the script bounced off the page ˆ everyone who read it had no problems attaching themselves to the project right off-the-bat.</p> <p> “It was tight writing, a great read and really pithy and funny. That is what made it so special. That is no mean feat with a seven-minute script, let it be said.</p> <p> During production, the usual stresses associated with a shoot were all too present but there were unexpected surprises along the way that made for great drama.</p> <p> When co-star and Samuel Johnson’s on-screen partner Georgia Bolton fell pregnant, everyone saw it as a beautiful omen. But when, mid-scene, the fire sprinkler system at Eureka tower went off and the set was flooded in seconds, Cooke says she had a moment of doubt, and wondered whether the shoot would actually wrap.</p> <p> But spurred on by the camaraderie of the team, they got through it and Cooke has a laugh whenever she recalls that day.</p> <p> “Practically the flood was a nightmare but, as they say, the show must go on, and seeing the finished production no one would know the issues we had.</p> <p> “Georgia’s pregnancy, on the other hand, is just a beautiful punctuation on what was a fantastic experience.” Œ</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 12:33:48 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Odins-Eye-signs-mega-budget-creature-feature/JVXHOSPJXU.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Odins-Eye-signs-mega-budget-creature-feature/JVXHOSPJXU.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Produced by Li Rui and Directed by Li Sheng Lin, the film is a first for China, a giant CGI crocodile on the rampage in Beijing. Currently in post-production, OEE will introduce the film and footage to buyers at Cannes Marche Du Film commencing next week.</p> <p> MILLION DOLLAR CROCODILE is another addition to OEE’s growing catalogue of Chinese features along with previously signed Taihe’s ONE MILE ABOVE; Dayyan Eng’s INSEPARABLE starring Kevin Spacey and Daniel Wu; and China Film Group’s LOOKING FOR JACKIE CHAN.</p> <p> “We are thrilled to add this landmark Chinese feature film to our slate just in time for Cannes. Chinese cinema is expanding and changing so fast and we are privileged to be a part of it” says OEE founder, Michael Favelle.</p> <p> Established in 2006, Odin’s Eye Entertainment is an Australian-based sales agent, distributor and production company with a catalogue of over 40 feature films and documentaries predominately from North America and Australia. Œ</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 11:49:25 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Kojo-and-the-Peoples-Republic-of-Animation-joins-forces/DGFSSYQFOJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Kojo-and-the-Peoples-Republic-of-Animation-joins-forces/DGFSSYQFOJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Kojo</p> <p> The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner in the creation of animation and live action content for the corporate, film and advertising industries</p> <p> KOJO Managing Director Dale Roberts said while KOJO and PRA remained two separate entities, the partnership would provide competitive advantage when pitching for national and global work.</p> <p> “We are often involved in projects that require leading edge live and animated content. This can be for online platforms such as websites right through to television and film,” Mr Roberts said.</p> <p> “The partnership between KOJO and the PRA brings together industry leading expertise, creativity and experience. The PRA is an amazingly talented business and I am excited to add their skills to new projects.”</p> <p> PRA CEO Sam White said the agreement created an alliance between two well-respected firms who shared a similar culture of excellence.</p> <p> “We’ve worked together on several successful projects over the years where I’ve seen firsthand KOJO’s great work and supreme client service in action.</p> <p> Formalising this alliance made sense to both of us as it allows us to provide a better integrated service to our respective customers,” Mr White said.</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 11:45:11 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Oscar-nominee-not-resting-on-laurels/CNTLZHXKYR.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Oscar-nominee-not-resting-on-laurels/CNTLZHXKYR.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Druid Films</p> <p> Two Druid Films-produced short films will screen together at St Kilda Film Festival on the 26th of May.</p> <p> The two short films are Purple Flowers, a touching tale of two teenagers in love, written and directed by Julian Ryan, and Cryo, an epic sci-fi film that tells of a personal struggle to save mankind, written by Matthew Dabner and directed by Luke Doolan.</p> <p> Cryo was developed and funded through Screen Australia’s Springboard initiative. The short film was devised to compliment the feature film Cargo, which Druid Films is developing with Screen Australia and Executive Producer Paula Wagner.</p> <p> It was also announced today that Cryo will screen at the Sydney Film Festival on the 8th and 15th of June. Both Bailey and Doolan will be present to introduce the film. The pair have several feature films in development, as well as another short film with Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds. On top of this Druid Films recently received development funding from Screen NSW to develop a project with young director Tobias Andersson (short film Pop). The film, Death In The Family, aims to re-invent and personalise the zombie film genre. Script consultancy will be handled by Greg Mclean (Wolf Creek, Rogue).</p> <p> Drew Bailey has also teamed up with Pauline Chan (33 Postcards) to develop Western Kimchi. A fish out of water, romantic comedy that is being written by Nakia Trower-Shuman, based on a story by Trower-Shuman and Sarah Katin. The script is loosely based on the girls time spent teaching english in Korea. Druid Films acquired the rights to the script last year while Drew was working with Daniel Dubiecki (Up In The Air, Juno) at Paramount in Los Angeles.</p> <p> Druid Films is also actively developing projects with established director Tim Bullock as well as new comer Katrina Mercer.</p> <p> Drew Bailey continues to produce TVCs at Luscious International with Sebastien. Œ</p> Mon, 14 May 2012 11:20:11 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Cannes-Film-Festival-eat-your-heart-out/ADJRGAFDXI.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Cannes-Film-Festival-eat-your-heart-out/ADJRGAFDXI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Cannes Film Festival, Eat Your Heart Out Queensland Brisbane Local Filmmaking duo, Producer Cieron Cody and Director David Ridley will be rubbing shoulders with the movie industryʼs elite at this yearʼs Cannes Film Festival in May, upon the screening of their short comedy Douglas Adams Eat Your Heart Out. The Griffith Film School alumni are thrilled to be attending after being awarded a trip that will see them represent Queensland talent in the ultimate congregation of movie makers and hollywoodʼs whose who, held each year on the French Riviera. The short film Inspired by the comedic wit of the late Douglas Adams - of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Fame - is about that time in a young boys life where becoming a teenager means braving unchartered territory. When itʼs young protagonist Douglas is faced with the buxom beauty of an older woman, he becomes caught in the embarrassing crossfire as two worlds collide. ʻItʼs an exciting short film and with the star quality of Brisbane theatre favorite Lauren Jackson presenting a dynamite performance, it quickly mixes into a facetious cocktail of animation, witty narration, moonscapes and special effects that literally take itʼs characters out of this world,” says Director David Ridley. “Part of what we were trying to achieve was a tongue and cheek celebration of that awkward hormonal tight rope called adolescence”. “By taking our dreamy astronomy loving character to the moon we were able to acknowledge the epic proportions of the coming of age journey. And that paired with the spirit of Douglas Adamʼs humor made for a punchy story not afraid of the big questions on teenage life” explained Producer Cieron Cody. “We literally had to build a moon from scratch using nearly a tone of wood and cement. Iʼm still shaking it out of my hair - but itʼs paying off” he laughed. “It might be a short film, but it was big job. itʼs the product of almost sixty cast, crew and community members, who all pulling together made something that was shortlisted for Tropfest 2012 and we hope will continue to find audiences around the world. We owe them all big thank you”. Presenting their film at Cannes will mean being acknowledged within the international arena, where having an audience will provide an excellent opportunity to bond with the international community. “Filmmaking is an exciting triathlon and weʼre amidst a really active time where the proliferation of co-productions means broadening your audiences and creating international projects from home. The festival is about developing relationships with the right players who want to run, swim and ride the same course as we do” said Mr Cody. “We canʼt wait to sink our teeth in and fly our Queensland flag. Anything could happen.” FOR MEDIA CONTACT Caroline Russo Mob: 0409 45 1180</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 12:15:17 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Australians-in-Film-Heath-Legder-scholarship-finalists-announced/QOFNZHMLGL.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Australians-in-Film-Heath-Legder-scholarship-finalists-announced/QOFNZHMLGL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Australians in Film. </p> <p> AUSTRALIANS in FILM (AiF) have announced the names of the 13 talented young Australian actors who are finalists for this years prestigious 4th Annual AUSTRALIANS IN FILM HEATH LEDGER SCHOLARSHIP.</p> <p> The finalists are; Aaron Jakubenko (Pearcedale, Victoria), Alycia Debnam-Carey (Sydney), Andrew Hazzard (Sydney), Anna McGahan (Sydney), Brett Stiller (Los Angeles), Kenji Fitzgerald (Sydney), Lachlan Buchanan (Los Angeles), Meegan Warner (Newcastle), Michael Sheasby (Sydney), Shari Lee Sebbens (Sydney), Talia Zucker (Melbourne), Tim Pocock (Sydney) and Will Howarth (Sydney). Andrew Warne, president of Australians in Film says, “Year-after-year Australia is producing some of the world’s most exciting and emerging acting talent and this year’s finalists represent some of the best. Australians in Film and the Ledger family are incredibly proud to be able to help these thirteen young actors further their careers internationally.”</p> <p> The winner and two runners up will be announced at the AIF’s annual Breakthrough Awards, which will be held at the Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 27. The judges for this year’s Scholarship are; Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, Warner Bros Pictures President: Production Greg Silverman, Casting Director Donna Issacson (127 Hours, Date Night), Alexander Artists Group CEO Steve Alexander, (Heath Ledger’s US agent), ROAR manager Will Ward (Chris & Liam Hemsworth) and Australian based judges Ann Fay (Maura Fay Group casting agent) and Gregor Jordan (Ned Kelly). The recipient of the Scholarship will receive USD$10,000 in cash, a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles, flying Virgin Australia, a one-year course at the Stella Adler Acting School in LA, a ten-day trip for two around California from Visit California and a Showcast & Breakdown Services VIP casting package. Two runners up will receive a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles, with Virgin Australia, plus a Showcast VIP casting package. All finalists will receive a Quickflix annual subscription. The AUSTRALIANS IN FILM HEATH LEDGER SCHOLARSHIP is named after the late actor, who was an Ambassador and supporter of AiF. Previous recipients have included Bella Heathcote, who will be seen in Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows, Ryan Corr (Packed to theRafters) and Oliver Ackland (The Slap). Virgin Australia, Stella Adler Acting &Theatre, Quickflix and Showcast are sponsors of the 2012 scholarship, which has the support of the Ledger family and friends and colleagues from the entertainment industry. For further information and photos please contact: Peter Ritchie PR Publicity – Los Angeles 1 213 448 9262/0413 602 337 About Australians in Film Founded in May 2001, to celebrate and support Australian film and TV makers and their work, Los Angeles based non-profit Australians in Film has held over 100 screenings, premieres and special events and currently has over 500 members. In 2008 Australians in Film established the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship in honor of thelate actor who was an ambassador of the group. For further information please visit www.australiansinfilm.org. Australians in Film 2012 Heath Ledger Scholarship is sponsored by: Virgin Australia, Visit California, Stella Adler Acting and Theatre, Quickflix and Showcast, with Breakdown Services. AiF annual sponsors are Virgin Australia, Brand Australia, Stacey Testro International, Ausfilm, Protea Group International, and Getty Images. About Virgin Australia Virgin Australia is proud to be the Presenting Partner and exclusive airline of Australians in Film. Flying non-stop between Los Angeles and Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Virgin Australia offers 33 lie-flat beds inInternational Business, 40 all-leather International Premium Economy seats and 288 International Economy seats – the widest across the Pacific. Virgin Australia also offers attentive in-flight service, two in-flight boutique bars, gourmet meals, generous legroom, state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment, and unique mood lighting. Once you’ve landed Down Under, Virgin Australia can fly you to more than 50 destinations within Australia and New Zealand. For more information on Virgin Australia, please visit www.virginaustralia.com.</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 12:11:43 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/The-Globe-Collector-has-been-selected-for-St-Kilda-Film-Festival/RHHIGCKACJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/The-Globe-Collector-has-been-selected-for-St-Kilda-Film-Festival/RHHIGCKACJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from The Globe Collector.</p> <p> Australian documentary short film THE GLOBE COLLECTOR will have its World Premiere at the prestigious Opening Night of the St Kilda Film Festival on May 22 and will Internationally Premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest in June. It is one of three Aussie films selected for Sheffield.</p> <p> The 7-minute documentary is a portrait of light globe collector Andrew Pullen, who has well over 10,000 globes in one of the world’s largest private collections. The film takes us into his incredible world, a world where a passion for electronics is all-consuming and a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome is nothing more than a label. This is the story of one man's lonely quest to protect a part of our technological history that is fast being forgotten.</p> <p> THE GLOBE COLLECTOR is a debut film from emerging filmmakers, director Summer DeRoche and producer Andrea Distefano. The duo self-funded the project with a tiny budget and a 5-person team. Completed in January 2012, the film has already secured World, International and North American Premieres at some of the world’s leading film festivals.</p> <p> The original intention for making THE GLOBE COLLECTOR was for it to be submitted into the short film competition Tropfest, however it was not selected as a finalist. After crying into several rounds of beer, Summer and Andrea pulled themselves together and focused their energy on other festivals, both local and abroad. As a result the film can now take on a new life, opening the door to unexpected and exciting opportunities.</p> <p> Both only 27 years-of-age, Summer DeRoche and Andrea Distefano are emerging as significant talents in the Australian film industry. They became close friends whilst studying a Bachelor of Film andŒ Television at Swinburne University in Melbourne. They both graduated with Honours in 2010.</p> <p> Summer DeRoche, whose father is veteran screenwriter Everett DeRoche, is fast gaining recognition for her quirky and unique comedic style. She juggles her ambitions for being a film director with her full time job as a video editor for an adult film company, taking out the bits that the rest of Australia doesn’t get to see.</p> <p> Andrea Distefano is an emerging producer who has had an impressive grounding in the film industry; she worked as associate producer on the feature film ‘Bran Nue Dae’ and as post-production supervisor on the feature documentary ‘murundak – songs of freedom’. The filmmakers will travel to the UK to represent the film at Sheffield Doc/Fest thanks to marketing support from Screen Australia</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 12:03:24 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Awards-launch-sees-new-reality-for-Australian-Academy/ELDQWJGAUM.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Awards-launch-sees-new-reality-for-Australian-Academy/ELDQWJGAUM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> The search is on for Australia’s most outstanding film and television performers, practitioners and productions, with the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts today calling for entries for the 2013 AACTA Awards. Entries across all AACTA Awards categories - feature film, short animation, short fiction film, television and documentary - are now open. The Academy is also calling for AACTA Awards jurors. New Award Category for 2013 In a move reflective of the reality television juggernaut, AACTA has announced a new Award for 2013 – the AACTA Award for Best Reality Television Series. Whilst reality TV productions could previously enter the AACTA Awards under the light entertainment category, the new stand-alone reality TV Award was created to reflect growth, industry talent and innovation in this genre. Says AFI AACTA CEO, Damian Trewhella, “The Australian Academy has created a new Award category dedicated to reality TV in response to the ongoing success and evolution of the genre. Primetime programming is frequently dominated by a plethora of Australian reality TV shows engaging extensive and often enormous audience shares. “Reality TV now takes out six of the top 10 most watched broadcasts in the last 11 years since OzTam began recording ratings in Australia, bumping sports broadcasts to the second most watched genre. “The inclusion of a reality TV Award is just one example of AACTA’s commitment to being a modern, adaptive Academy which strives to reflect the changing face of local screen production through the AACTA Awards.” More than 50 Awards will be bestowed at the 2013 AACTA Awards, which will recognise excellence across a multitude of screen crafts including screenwriting, producing and acting, through to cinematography, composition and costume design. Increased international opportunities for AACTA award winners The AACTA Awards, which are industry-assessed and therefore mark the pinnacle of screen achievement in Australia, aim to increase national and international recognition for Australia’s screen industry. According to Helen Bowden, one of the producers of the multi-AACTA Award winning TV series, The Slap, being awarded with Australia’s highest screen accolade leads to new opportunities in Australia and abroad. "We were incredibly proud to win five AACTA Awards for The Slap. As well as bringing more attention to the series in Australia, the AACTA Awards have great impact internationally. Our UK based sales agent for The Slap was literally waiting for a text from us from the Awards Ceremony, so they could pass the news straight on to buyers. They say that peer recognition of excellence is gold in the international market," Bowden said. Nelson Woss, producer of RED DOG, which won the Samsung AACTA Award for Best Film, said winning had been a tremendous boost to the film’s DVD release, whilst Daniel Henshall, who took out the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor for his performance in Snowtown, said winning had already benefited his career. “Not only is it an amazing honour to get that kind of recognition from my peers, it has also introduced me to many in the industry who had not known me beforehand, creating more opportunities both here and overseas. It has been a great experience thus far,” Henshall said. Call out for Jurors for 2013 Awards</p> <p> In addition to calling for 2013 AACTA Award entries, the Academy is also calling for jurors. Jurors, who must be AACTA members, are screen professionals chosen from a cross-section of crafts, who come together to determine the nominees and winners for various Awards in the following categories: Feature Film Pre-Selection; Documentary; Television; Visual Effects; Young Actor; and Short Fiction Film & Short Animation. AFI-Award winning actor, writer and director, Nadine Garner, said being an AACTA Awards juror is both rewarding and educational. “It was a pleasure and a privilege to be a juror for the inaugural AACTA Awards, and a rare opportunity to sit down and view content across many genres and demographics. Being afforded the opportunity to look at all the content we are currently producing was a great education. I am heartened and inspired by the number of popular and well crafted productions that Australia has to offer and hope that I am able to continue to contribute to our ever expanding industry,” Garner said. 2013 AACTA Awards – Building on inaugural AACTA Awards success in Sydney The 2013 AACTA Awards Ceremony will be held in Sydney in early 2013, building on the success of the inaugural AACTA Awards, which were held at the Sydney Opera House. NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris said the NSW Government, through Destination NSW, is proud to support the AACTA Awards, Australia's pre-eminent screen industry awards. “The AACTA Awards are a key creative industries event on the NSW Events Calendar, playing a leading role in reinforcing Sydney's position as the creative services capital of Australia,” Minister Souris said. AFI AACTA Chairman, Alan Finney, said he looks forward to capitalising on greater awareness and interest in the Academy. “The launch of the 2013 AACTA Awards Cycle comes just four months after the Academy’s first ever AACTA Awards honoured Australian and international screen excellence at events held in Sydney and Los Angeles, marking the biggest and most successful screen Awards season ever held in Australia, and a marking a new era for the Australian screen industry. “We aim to raise the bar further again with the 2013 AACTA Awards, with more activity within Australia and abroad, creating new ways to engage audiences in Australia and around the world with the great content our talented people are creating,” Finney said. Notes to Editors: AACTA is calling for entries across all AACTA Award categories: Feature Film; Documentary; Short Fiction Film; Short Animation; Television Drama; Television Comedy, Light Entertainment and Reality; Children’s Television; and, Visual Effects. Further information about the 2013 AACTA Awards, including an overview of the 2013 AACTA Awards entry deadlines and eligibility criteria, will be available on the AACTA website from 9:30am Wednesday 9 May 2012. MEDIA ENQUIRIES: The Lantern Group Susan Hoerlein T: +61 2 9383 4029 E: susan@lanterngroup.com.au AFI | AACTA Brooke Daly T: +61 (0) 4499 00466 E: bdaly@afi.org.au</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:49:55 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Panavision-Asia-restructures-as-Martin-Cayzer-moves-on/ACWDCLKKJE.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Panavision-Asia-restructures-as-Martin-Cayzer-moves-on/ACWDCLKKJE.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Panavision Asia Pacific. </p> <p> After 17 years with the company MD Martin Cayzer has decided to leave Panavision Asia Pacific. Cayzer’s departure sees a new management structure take the helm with current Marketing Director Paul Jackson becoming Head of Rentals and Finance Director Brett Rubin taking additional responsibility for John Barry sales. Cayzer said, “After 17 years it’s time for me to move on to fresh challenges. I’m delighted to say that Panavision Asia Pacific is in the best shape it’s been in for some time having secured features like Fury Road, I, Frankenstein, The Railway Man, The Sapphires and The Great Gatsby as well as TV series such as Spartacus and Winners and Losers. It’s obviously a significant decision on my part but I leave happy in the knowledge that Panavision is in a good place moving forward with Paul and his 13 years experience with the company and Brett with his solid financial background, without question the best two people to take the helm.” In his time at Panavision Cayzer has worked closely with both Jackson and Rubin on many major projects including some of Australia and New Zealand’s largest movie and TV productions, moving the organisation’s HQ and the recent sale of Panalux to Fox Studios Australia. He was also a board member and Chairman of Ausfilm. Paul Jackson said, “Obviously everyone at Panavision is sad to see Martin go. He has made an incredible contribution to the company over the last 17 years and we all wish him well with his future endeavours. That said, he leaves us with a healthy organisation and as a result, the rest of 2012 is looking very busy indeed. We are very optimistic for the future and I am certainly looking forward to help grow the rentals side of Panavision further.” Brett Rubin added, “Martin has been a great asset to Panavision and I am very much looking forward to building on the great platform he has helped create for John Barry in the market. Our brand and offering are stronger than ever, as is our commitment to our customers.” About Panavision Australi</p> <p> Panavision Australia has operated as a supplier to the film and television industry in Australia for over thirty years. Panavision Australia has supplied equipment to over 650 locally produced films including such classics as Breaker Morant, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Mad Max, Babe and Crocodile Dundee. Panavision’s TV series credits include Water Rats, Farscape, McLeod’s Daughters, Underbelly, Packed to the Rafters and Rush. www.panavision.asia</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:45:37 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/FSM-adds-Halo-to-Sydney-operation/LCWATGATIL.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/FSM-adds-Halo-to-Sydney-operation/LCWATGATIL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from FSM.</p> <p> FSM, one of Australia's leading film and television post production companies, has rolled animation studio Halo Pictures into its operations, rapidly expanding the company’s digital animation capacity.</p> <p> Under the FSM umbrella, Halo will be run by the FSM head of digital animation, Andreas Wanda and creative director Emile Rademeyer. The Halo brand will gradually transition into the FSM team, who will continue Halo’s highly regarded animation work in film, TVCs, music videos and home-grown indie short films. “We’re thrilled about migrating Halo into the FSM business - it’s a brand and style known for its creative skill and passion for animation. Our immediate priority is getting to know Halo’s clients and ensuring the projects currently in progress are delivered seamlessly,” said Rick Schweikert, FSM managing director. Halo was established by partners Chris and Lisa Hauge in 2000. After many successful years together, including working with Ridley Scott, Laika and some of the world’s largest ad agencies, the pair will leave the business to pursue new artistic ventures. Lisa Hauge, Halo executive producer said: “FSM is a production house that shares the same level of passion, service and depth of experience as Halo. Our ongoing clients will be extremely happy with what is a seamless integration of services.” Chris Hauge will continue to expand his artistic direction with his first sculpture commission commencing in the coming months. Chris Hauge, Halo creative director said: “I have worked with some phenomenal talent over the years and know this will continue whether in sculpting, painting or animation. I’m looking forward to a shared and collaborative future with many creatives, including FSM.” To visit the new Halo Pictures website: www.halopictures.com. About FSM FSM (formerly known as Frame Set & Match) is Australia’s leading post production company. Launched in 1984, FSM is responsible for some of the country’s most high profile and award-winning film and advertising work. It offers world-class technology and talent housed in distinct areas of specialisation - FSM COLOUR (colour grading), FSM CUT (editing), FSM DESIGN, FSM VFX (special effects), and FSM FEATURES (long form). For more information: Angela Cross, Access PR T: 02 9292 7004 / 0412 92 93 97 E: angela@accesspr.com.au</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:40:34 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Australian-film-chosen-for-frontieres-genre-market/WJULXOVDLB.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Australian-film-chosen-for-frontieres-genre-market/WJULXOVDLB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release form Rogue Productions.</p> <p> Rogue Production's project BLOOD BORNE (writer/director FIN EDQUIST) has been chosen as one of the 14 featured projects for this year's inaugural international market place for genre films at the Fantasia Festival in Montreal in July. Fantasia Market Director Stephanie Trepanier writes: "Montreal's Fantasia International Film Festival, widely acclaimed as one of the largest and most influential genre film festivals in the world, is embarking on its 16th edition with a major new industry-driven venture: the Frontières International Co-Production Market. Frontières is the first international co-production market to connect North-American with Europe and Australasia, in an environment focused specifically on genre film production. The projects to be presented in the market have now been chosen and feature an exciting array of filmmakers, from gifted newcomers to world-renowned maestros, as well as numerous established international producers. The selection of the first edition of Frontières will consist of 14 projects. From Australia, producer David Rapsey (LAKE MUNGO) delivers the feature debut by Fin Edquist, BLOOD BORNE" BLOOD BORNE is the fourth of Fin/Edquist's projects will which will be presented at international markets this year. THE KINGDOM and BOMBER, are producer Mish Armstrong's headliner projects at Cannes this month and BAD GIRL makes its debut for producer Steve Kearney, also at the Cannes Festival. BLOOD BORNE returns to the origins of the vampire myth to explore how Vlad the Impaler's grisly crimes have been romanticised. Œ</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:33:48 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/WA-Screen-Academy-graduate-joins-Underbelly/QFEWTNFZIG.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/WA-Screen-Academy-graduate-joins-Underbelly/QFEWTNFZIG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from WA Screen Academy.</p> <p> WA Screen Academy 2010 directing graduate Ben Mizzi will join the crew of the new season of Underbelly, which is currently being filmed in Sydney. Ben has been awarded a directing attachment and will be working alongside acclaimed Australia television director, Tony Tilse (Crownies, East of Everything, Scorched, City Homicide) on his episode of Underbelly: Badness. “I'm excited to work on Underbelly as it's one of the biggest TV productions in Australia, and it's a great opportunity for me to continue to learn and improve my directing skills, whilst working with people in the industry,” said Ben. Ben arranged the attachment with the assistance of Kingston Anderson and the Australian Directors Guild, of which he is an associate member. Andrew Lewis, The Associate Director of the WA Screen Academy and also the Directing Lecturer said “Ben was an exceptional student who displayed great visual flair in his storytelling. He was sensitive to the needs of actors and achieved an outstanding result with his graduating war film Casualties. I was delighted to hear of Ben’s professional attachment and have no doubts he will achieve professional employment as a director.” Underbelly: Badness is the fifth installment in Nine’s prime time crime series set from 2001 – 2011 and stars Jonathan LaPaglia as underworld figure Anthony Perish. A Press Release indicates “Perish maintained an almost non-existent public profile, which was only revealed when his connection to the murder of Terry Falconer, a former inmate of Sydney’s Silverwater jail, brought him to the attention of Strike Force Tuno, formed to find Falconer’s killers. Ben will soon head to Sydney thanks to the financial assistance of ScreenWest, the Western Australian screen development agency, who has agreed to fund the directing attachment that will run mid May till mid June. WA Screen Academy Director John Rapsey was thrilled to hear of Ben’s upcoming directorial attachment. “This is a very exciting and unique opportunity for Ben. It is another example of one of our outstanding graduates getting a kick-start in the industry. I know he’ll do a terrific job and make the most of his time working with one of Australia’s leading television directors.” Media contact: Natalie Bell, WA Screen Academy Marketing Officer, natalie.bell@ecu.edu.au +61 8 9370 6703</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:27:59 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Oscar-nominated-producer-not-resting-on-laurels/TFQOVDMCJE.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/Oscar-nominated-producer-not-resting-on-laurels/TFQOVDMCJE.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Druid Films.</p> <p> Academy Award® Nominated Producer Drew Bailey (Miracle Fish) has had several big announcements in the past week. Starting with the report last week that two Druid Films produced short films will screen together at St Kilda Film Festival on the 26th of May. The two short films are Purple Flowers, a touching tale of two teenagers in love, written and directed by Julian Ryan, and Cryo, an epic sci-fi film that tells of a personal struggle to save mankind, written by Matthew Dabner and directed by Luke Doolan. Cryo was developed and funded through Screen Australia’s Springboard initiative. The short film was devised to compliment the feature film Cargo, which Druid Films is developing with Screen Australia and Executive Producer Paula Wagner. It was also announced today that Cryo will screen at the Sydney Film Festival on the 8th and 15th of June. Both Bailey and Doolan will be present to introduce the film. The pair have several feature films in development, as well as another short film with Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds. On top of this Druid Films recently received development funding from Screen NSW to develop a project with young director Tobias Andersson (short film Pop). The film, Death In The Family, aims to re-invent and personalise the zombie film genre. Script consultancy will be handled by Greg Mclean (Wolf Creek, Rogue). Drew Bailey has also teamed up with Pauline Chan (33 Postcards) to develop Western Kimchi. A fish out of water, romantic comedy that is being written by Nakia Trower-Shuman, based on a story by Trower-Shuman and Sarah Katin. The script is loosely based on the girls time spent teaching english in Korea. Druid Films acquired the rights to the script last year while Drew was working with Daniel Dubiecki (Up In The Air, Juno) at Paramount in Los Angeles. Druid Films is also actively developing projects with established director Tim Bullock as well as new comer Katrina Mercer. Drew Bailey continues to produce TVCs at Luscious International with Sebastien. For further information about Drew Bailey, Druid Films, or any of their projects please contact: DBaileyassist@druidfilms.com or visit www.druidfilms.com</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:19:38 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/SAFC-invests-in-four-new-South-Australian-produced-projects/RTYGVYENIM.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/11/article/SAFC-invests-in-four-new-South-Australian-produced-projects/RTYGVYENIM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from South Australian Film Corporation</p> <p> The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) today announced $610,000 in investment in a feature film, a three-part art series, a half hour documentary and a transmedia children’s fantasy, representing more than $12.5 million in production for South Australian production companies over the next twelve months. The estimated total combined spend in South Australia for these projects is $5.4 million.</p> <p> The projects include feature film Tracks adapted from the best selling book by Robyn Davidson; a three part TV series, Hannah Gadsby’s Oz; a half hour TV documentary, Disassembly Line; and Time Tremors, a Canadian/Australian transmedia co-production.</p> <p> SAFC Chair Cheryl Bart said, “We are thrilled to be supporting such a diverse and exciting slate of South Australian projects. The local industry has been kicking serious goals lately, both commercially as well as creatively, and the fact that so many of our local production companies are getting their films and television projects financed is the best signal of the momentum that we have right now.”</p> <p> Tracks is produced by Emile Sherman, Iain Canning of See-Saw Films and Julie Ryan of South Australia’s Cyan Films (producer of Red Dog) and directed by John Curran. It is based on the true story of Robyn Davidson’s journey through the Australian desert.</p> <p> The three part ABC Artscape series, Hannah Gadsby’s Oz follows comedian Hannah Gadsby, a self-described closet art scholar armed with a rapier wit and a desire to discover Australia’s cultural identity. The series is directed by Matthew Bate, and produced by Rebecca Summerton of Closer Productions. Disassembly Line is a half hour documentary co-commissioned by ABC TV and Screen Australia, written and directed by Madeleine Parry. The film follows Parry as she enlists at her local abattoir to reveal the hidden experience of the men who kill what we eat. The film is produced by Daniel Joyce of Projector Films.</p> <p> The People’s Republic of Animation has teamed up with Canada’s Xenophile Media to create Time Tremors. This transmedia children’s fantasy is a Canadian and Australian Broadcasting Corporation co-production. It is produced by Patrick Crowe (Xenophile Media) and Sam White (People’s Republic of Animation).</p> <p> The Babadook, produced by Kristina Ceyton (Causeway Films) and Kristian Moliere (Smoking Gun Productions) which is written and will be directed by Jennifer Kent, was also approved to receive a $780,000 cashflow loan from the SAFC’s Revolving Film Fund in addition to $250,000 in SAFC investment funding approved in March.</p> Fri, 11 May 2012 10:11:42 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/09/article/South-Australia-strikes-gold-at-2012-Shorts/THTENRMHYQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/09/article/South-Australia-strikes-gold-at-2012-Shorts/THTENRMHYQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release for Shorts Film Festival</p> <p> Anthony Maras’s film The Palace took the top prize of a trip to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.</p> <p> The award was announced Saturday night (May 5) at the closing screening of the 2012 Festival.Anthony’s Gold Shorts Award comes on top of wins for The Palace at the Sydney Film Festival, Flickerfest, Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards and Best Short Fiction Film and Best Director at the 2012 Beverly Hills Film Festival.</p> <p> The Palace tells the story of a Cypriot family fleeing advancing Turkish forces and taking refuge in an abandoned Ottoman-era palace.</p> <p> However, Anthony isn’t the only South Australian celebrating with five of the seven Shorts 2012 Awards going to South Australian filmmakers.</p> <p> The Silver Shorts Award went to young South Australian filmmakers Madeleine Parry and Daniel Joyce for their film Murder Mouth, a documentary that follows meat-eater Madeleine as she attempts to find out if she could actually kill what she eats.</p> <p> Shorts Film Festival Chair Paul Jorgensen said the quality of South Australian films entered for this year’sFestival was outstanding.</p> <p> “The Award winners along with all the South Australian finalists demonstrate the depth of filmmaking talent that resides in the state,” said Mr Jorgensen. “The judging was very close this year with the Gold and Silver Award winners separated by just half a point. It was the closest ever result in Shorts history.”</p> <p> “This year’s Festival has been a great success with more than 1800 people attending screenings across the week - an attendance record for the event.” Other South Australian winners included Alexandra Blue (Best Young Film-maker Award) for her film Unfinished Thoughts and Merit Awards for Storm Ashwood for Paper Planes and Troy Bellchambers for The Moment.</p> <p> New South Wales filmmakers also did well with Alex Edmonson taking out the $10,000 Beach Energy Black Shorts Award for her film, The Burnt Cork, and Damien Power winning Best Emerging Screenwriter for his film, Peekaboo.</p> <p> The Best Asia Pacific Film Award went to Craig Rosenthal for the Chinese film Shanghai Love Market.</p> <p> The judging process is completely independent involving a total of 48 judges. Each film entered is judged by a panel of five judges, consisting of arts and media professionals. This year, judging sessions were held in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.</p> <p> Established in 2003, the SHORTS Film Festival is the only national dedicated short film festival to be held in South Australia and continues to grow its reputation among filmmakers and audiences alike. Œ</p> Wed, 09 May 2012 11:03:14 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Pre-production-begins-on-The-34th-Battalion/DAFFVPVAUR.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Pre-production-begins-on-The-34th-Battalion/DAFFVPVAUR.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sparke Films</p> <p> Sparks are set to fly on the Gold Coast as a momentous WW1 feature film is now in development at the Village Roadshow studios. The 34th Battalion is the story of the real life Army Battalion out of Maitland, New South Wales which follows them to the western front during 1916-1918. The film intends to capture the audience and have them witness the mateship, courage, triumphs and tierney of the ANZAC’s. Primary filming will take place on the Gold Coast with a brief shoot on the North Coast of New South Wales</p> <p> To represent and personify these remarkable men in history, the production is currently in negotiations with Nick Farnell, Vince Collosimo, Henry Nixon, Andrew Lees, Khan Chittenden, Ashley Zukerman & Claire Van Der Boom, The international cast will be announced as the production progresses.</p> <p> Chair of Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Councillor Jan Grew, said the Gold Coast was proud to have Australian films such as The 34th Battalion produced in the region.</p> <p> "Each year, the film industry on the Gold Coast injects upwards of $80 million into the economy, and accounts for 75 per cent of all Queensland film production," said Cr Grew. “Gold Coast City Council has recognised the importance of film for the region, with Business Gold Coast’s Investment Attraction and Film Gold Coast initiatives helping secure this production by Sparkefilms.</p> <p> "We are very excited that a film written and developed in Queensland with a top Australian cast will be filmed right here on the Gold Coast."</p> <p> The film is being executive produced and co-written by Ian Sparke, (2010 AFI nominee for Beneath Hill 60 as Costume Designer).”We are very excited to be able to tell this remarkable story. I myself am extremely passionate about this film. It’s been a long, hard road and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”</p> <p> Luke Sparke, who is one of the executive producers and co-writer, is making his directorial debut. 'We are very pleased and proud to bring this major film to the Gold Coast. The 34th Battalion is going to be big. I am also very proud to be employing many talented local Queenslanders in important crew roles. I'm looking forward, after 20 years of research, to showing the world this important ANZAC story.'</p> <p> Steve Cooper, Managing Director of one of Australia's leading film and TV post production companies The Post Lounge, recently joined the 34th Battalion team as Executive Producer. He brings more than 35 years of industry experience to the project.</p> <p> The production has also secured the talent of veteran director of photography Nino Martinetti (“Bad Karma”, “Sabrina Down Under”). The production has also been lucky enough to have the casting direction of Tom Mc Sweeney and David Newman who individually cast THE GREAT RAID and THE PACIFIC and this will be their first project together as a team.</p> <p> Shooting will commence in early September 2012 and will be set for worldwide release in 2013.</p> Tue, 08 May 2012 14:45:24 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Shooting-starts-on-Jonathan-M-Shiffs-12-3-million-series-Mako-Mermaids/MQFLJLSGMK.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Shooting-starts-on-Jonathan-M-Shiffs-12-3-million-series-Mako-Mermaids/MQFLJLSGMK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Jonathan M Shiff Productions</p> <p> Principal photography has commenced on the next Jonathan M. Shiff Production, MAKO MERMAIDS (aka MAKO - ISLAND OF SECRETS), within days of wrapping their new 13-hour family drama REEF DOCTORS, it was announced today.</p> <p> Continuing the company’s highly successful Mermaid franchise, MAKO MERMAIDS is the new 26 half-hour children’s spin off of the smash hit H20 JUST ADD WATER, which is enjoyed by an audience of tens of millions in over 160 territories including Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.</p> <p> With a budget of $12.3 million, MAKO MERMAIDS centres on three mermaids, Sirena, Nixie and Lyla, who are charged with the task of protecting their magical Mako Island from trespassers, only to be thwarted by the arrival of a 16 year-old land-dweller Zac - who forms a special connection with theisland and is granted a fish-like tail and amazing powers. Threatened by his existence, the mermaid pod are forced to move away, abandoning Sirena, Nixie and Lyla, who in a bid for survival must get legs, venture onto land, and take back Zac's powers - or risk being outcasts forever.</p> <p> With hundreds of teenagers auditioning for the coveted lead roles, the three mermaids will be played by - Lucy Fry (Lightning Point, Reef Doctors), Ivy Latimer(Me & My Monsters, All Saints, Home & Away, Love My Way) and Amy Ruffle, a stunning newcomer to television with experience in stage and musical theatre. The series also introduces Chai Romruen as the merman, Zac. </p> <p> Produced by Jonathan M. Shiff, directed by Evan Clarry (Lightning Point, and the feature films Blurred, Under the Radar) and Grant Brown (The Elephant Princess, Rush, Crownies) and executive produced by Jonathan M. Shiff and Julia Adams, MAKO MERMAIDS commences filming this week at the Village Roadshow Studios and around the Gold Coast.</p> <p> In making the announcement Jonathan M. Shiff said “REEF DOCTORS was undoubtedly our most ambitious project to date and our first foray into long-form series with a broad family appeal. Lisa McCune and our wonderful cast have delivered an extraordinary series showcasing a grand adventure set against Australia’s tropical north. Now we are thrilled to commence immediate production on our next series. Children all over the world love mermaids – but now a merman opens up a whole new world of fantasy and action.”</p> <p> Renowned the world over for outstanding family and children’s drama, Jonathan M. Shiff Productions’ new family drama REEF DOCTORS will premiere in 2012. With productions sold into more than 160 territories worldwide, the company’s impressive credits include the critically acclaimed and multi-award winning OCEAN GIRL, THUNDERSTONE, WICKED SCIENCE and THE ELEPHANT PRINCESS, as well as the international phenomenon H2O JUST ADD WATER (currently sitting at No 40 in the National Top 50 programs in Australia) and the upcoming LIGHTNING POINT.</p> <p> MAKO MERMAIDS is a Jonathan M. Shiff Production produced in association with Screen Australia, Network Ten, ZDF Enterprises Germany and Screen Queensland, with assistance from Gold Coast City Council’s Business Gold Coast. Œ</p> Tue, 08 May 2012 14:41:04 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Bollywood-superstar-Vidya-Balan-to-launch-the-Indian-Film-Festival/EIMQYXMNFC.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Bollywood-superstar-Vidya-Balan-to-launch-the-Indian-Film-Festival/EIMQYXMNFC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Indian Film Festival Melbourne</p> <p> Indian superstar Vidya Balan will spend two days in Melbourne on 11 and 12 May to launch the program of the 2012 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). Balan was named the IFFM Ambassador by the Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu during the Victorian Government’s Super Trade Mission to India earlier this year.</p> <p> The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, running from 11-22 June 2012, showcases the incredible depth and diversity of the thriving Indian film scene. The festival will screen over 35 films from the latest and greatest Bollywood box-office blockbusters, through to art house and independent cinema exploring the grittier realities of life in the region, and a program of little-seen films from the wider sub-continent, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. IFFM will also run four masterclasses with leading Indian film industry figures, for Victorian filmmakers to tap into the wealth of Indian film knowledge and experience.</p> <p> Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said “I am delighted that Vidya Balan is coming to Melbourne to launch the festival program. It is an honour for us, as she is inarguably India’s biggest actor right now. Vidya is the true embodiment of a festival that endeavours to showcase the sheer breadth and evolution of Indian cinema.”</p> <p> Vidya Balan, who stars in three films screening in the festival, is one of India’s most sought after actors, unafraid to tackle difficult roles and challenging subject matter. She is a game changer who has redefined how women are represented on Indian screens, heralding a new naturalism, eschewing stereotypical roles and bringing a massive new female audience to films. In 2011 she was awarded a National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in The Dirty Picture (2011).</p> <p> Balan will launch the festival program on Friday 11 May at The Investment Centre, Collins St at 10.00am. On Saturday 12 May, she will soak up the atmosphere at the MCG, presenting the match ball to umpires in the middle of the MCG prior to the Richmond v Sydney match.</p> <p> Film lovers are invited to attend a special IFFM screening of The Dirty Picture at Hoyts Melbourne Central at 730pm on Friday 11 May introduced in person by Vidya Balan.</p> <p> For bookings and information go to www.indianfilmfestival.com.au or www.hoyts.com.au</p> Tue, 08 May 2012 10:58:32 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Filmworks-secures-rights-to-David-Rollins-series/SQTCQUOIAI.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/Filmworks-secures-rights-to-David-Rollins-series/SQTCQUOIAI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Filmworks Company</p> <p> Pandemonium Films, Los Angeles, and Filmworks, Sydney, have just announced a series of movies based on the novels by Australian international best-selling author David Rollins.</p> <p> The films will feature ‘Special Agent Vin Cooper’, the central character in four of the seven novels Rollins has published through Pan MacMillan Australia, with a fifth Vin Cooper novel to be published on August 1 of this year.</p> <p> Bill Mechanic, the CEO of Pandemonium and former Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox, is a big fan of the books. ‘I read one and I was hooked, and only stopped reading them when I’d finished the series. Cooper is the classic hero, basically a good guy but cynical and flawed. I think he will make a fantastic franchise character.'</p> <p> Pandemonium is readying for production in 2012 two films, ‘The Moon and the Sun’, directed by Sean McNamara, and ‘The C.0.’, directed by Randall Wallace. Mechanic’s last film, 'CORALINE', was Oscar-nominated during the same year he produced the Emmy-nominated 83rd Annual Academy Awards.</p> <p> During his time running Fox, Mechanic was responsible for such outstanding films as-TITANIC, BRAVEHEART, FIGHT CLUB, X-MEN and CASTAWAY.</p> <p> Jan Eymann, CEO of Filmworks, based on the Fox lot, who also found the novel for “CREATION” said that when she discovered David Rollins books the first person she thought of was Bill Mechanic. “He’s a producer’s producer”, said Eymann, “I have enormous respect for his work.” Rollins is equally thrilled. ‘Having someone like Bill Mechanic in your corner is a bit of dream really and together I believe he and Jan will make an amazing movie.’ The first film to go into production will be based on the novel GHOST WATCH. Production is slated for 2013.</p> <p> Filmworks Company. Fox Studios, FSA#5,Bldg.3, 38 Driver Ave, Moore Park. NSW. 1363. Australia. T: +61 2 93834161 www.filmworkscompany.com</p> Tue, 08 May 2012 10:46:08 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/First-ever-World-Movies-Secret-Cinema-a-success/CNGMHCCHXL.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/08/article/First-ever-World-Movies-Secret-Cinema-a-success/CNGMHCCHXL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from SBS</p> <p> A mystery international film. A top secret location. Hundreds of film lovers. On Wednesday 2 May, SBS Subscription TV unveiled an Iranian-themed, cinematic wonderland in Sydney with the launch of Australia’s first ever World Movies Secret Cinema.</p> <p> With the ‘secret cinema’ concept popular around the world, there was an overwhelming response to the announcement of the inaugural Australian event – with tickets selling out in less than an hour. Guests received clues in the lead-up, with the location revealed via SMS on the day.</p> <p> Once they’d arrived at Lo-fi in Darlinghurst, guests were given Iranian “currency” to redeem drinks, and enjoyed a smorgasbord of Persian cuisine and delicacies. Lavish theming and surprising elements, such as the appearances of sad brides and morality police, were clues to the mystery film. The Sundance award-winning Circumstance was revealed in a lush pop-up cinema upstairs in The Standard, with an introduction from one of the lead actresses.</p> <p> “We were thrilled to be able to bring this unique and innovative film experience to Australia for the first time,” said General Manager Chris Keely. “World Movies is an immersive channel, with content that both entertains and pushes the boundaries, which we felt was perfectly reflected by this event.</p> <p> “After selling out in minutes, and seeing such an enthusiastic response on the night, we’ll be looking to extend this concept with future World Movies Secret Cinema events in Sydney and around Australia.”</p> <p> World Movies has captured the night in a highlights video, and is using it to launch a competition on their Facebook page. From 2pm Friday 4th May, Facebook users who share the video go in the draw to win a VIP experience to the next World Movies Secret Cinema event and a Platinum FOXTEL subscription.</p> Tue, 08 May 2012 10:40:10 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/07/article/Bondi-Rescue-hangs-out-with-Google/JTXXYICCPW.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/07/article/Bondi-Rescue-hangs-out-with-Google/JTXXYICCPW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Cordell Jigsaw</p> <p> Multi award-winning factual series, Bondi Rescue is the first television series to use Google+ Hangouts to connect with fans from around the world. The Cordell Jigsaw produced program will also screen the first episode of the latest series on YouTube in HD to a global audience this evening, Monday May 7 for a 24-hour window.</p> <p> The series is now in its seventh season on TEN, screening Mondays at 8pm.</p> <p> Google’s Hangouts allow people to interact in a live video stream. Five fans from anywhere in the world will be selected to Hangout on the Bondi Rescue Google+ page with Chief Lifeguard Hoppo, and Bondi favourites Reidy, Deano, Maxi, Jesse and Kerrbox and Whippet from 8.30pm. The Hangout is public so anyone can watch on Google+ as it happens.</p> <p> The first hangout on Monday April 30 saw Bondi Rescue become one of the Top 20 global trending topics on twitter, and lead to the Lifeguards being overrun with social media enquiries stemming from the Hangout.</p> <p> Cordell Jigsaw’s Head of Sales, Kristin Burgham says the projects with Google offer an exciting way to interact with fans and gain new ones. “We are strengthening the audience of Bondi Rescue worldwide - targeting non-traditional television viewers, who we believe will tune in to engage more fully with the show and the network screening it – wherever in the world they live.”</p> <p> The program’s international distribution continues expanding, with recent sales of the series to National Geographic Channels in Asia, the Middle East, Italy and Iberia; Nelonen Media in Finland; NRK in Norway; SBS in The Netherlands and SKY in New Zealand.</p> <p> The show’s online community is also growing rapidly – increasing by 540% in the last two months. It now boasts over 80,000 Facebook fans, 11,500 Google+ friends, 7,300 Twitter followers, and its YouTube video channel has received over 2.2 million video views. Australia is still its biggest fan base, with the UK and USA second and third respectively. </p> <p> Bondi Rescue won the Logie Award for Most Popular Factual Program five years running from 2007 to 2011. </p> <p> BONDI RESCUE 8pm Mondays on TEN Œ</p> Mon, 07 May 2012 11:09:16 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/04/article/Adelaide-Studios-receives-Dolby-Premier-Accreditation/AWJRGXFRXU.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/04/article/Adelaide-Studios-receives-Dolby-Premier-Accreditation/AWJRGXFRXU.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from SAFC</p> <p> Adelaide Studios has received Dolby Premier Accreditation, making it one of only two studios in Australia with this prestigious certification.</p> <p> Dolby Premier Accreditation is the gold standard for studios and a measure of technical excellence at every level of the Studio’s operation. Room acoustics, monitoring standards, equipment selection, installation standards, synchronization accuracy, mixing competence and technical experience are all measured and evaluated by a Dolby expert as part of the certification process.</p> <p> South Australian Film Corporation CEO, Richard Harris welcomed the news of the accreditation: "This places us amongst just two Dolby Premier Accredited Sound Mixing Studios in Australia. We aimed high and I am justifiably proud of this achievement and congratulate the whole team who worked so well together to ensure this key goal was reached."</p> <p> Adelaide Studios was designed and built with Dolby Premier Accreditation in mind. Equipment specification was drawn up by current and former SAFC staff and freelance mixers, while Adelaide acoustician Dr Peter Swift of AECOM produced a theoretical design that computer analysis suggested would meet the Dolby requirements. </p> <p> “Given the exacting acoustic requirements for Dolby Premier compliance and the knowledge that the physics of the acoustic field is more complex than the algorithms employed in even recent sophisticated computer modelling software, it is a credit to the design and construction teams and the rigorous testing procedures undertaken during and post construction, that such a positive outcome was achieved,”Dr Peter Swift said.</p> <p> Mike Rowan and Adrian Medhurst were key members of the team, which was led by SAFC Studios Services Manager, Jo Mulcahy</p> <p> "You know that feeling you get when you are certain you are involved in something that will be really, really special? I've had that feeling since the start of this project about five years ago, and the end result is full justification. I've been building mixing equipment and been involved with mixing theatres for about 38 years. Adelaide Studios Dolby Premier Studio, the work of many people, is the pinnacle of that career," said Mike Rowan.</p> <p> James Seddon from Dolby spent a week testing the Adelaide Studios, and only very fine adjustments were necessary to achieve accreditation. This contrasts with several other studios world-wide where major re-working has been required to achieve the desired result.</p> <p> Rolf de Heer, who was the first to make use of the sound mixing theatre for his latest feature The King is Dead! said of his recent experience just prior to the accreditation: "My favourite place in the universe used to be the mixing theatre at Hendon, but once I sat down in the chair in front of the new Adelaide Studios mixing desk, with that huge screen in front and that extraordinary sound coming out, then I knew that this is my favourite place in the universe."</p> Fri, 04 May 2012 13:47:28 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/04/article/Vista-launches-cinema-management-application-Veezi/PUSURONJXK.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/04/article/Vista-launches-cinema-management-application-Veezi/PUSURONJXK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Vista</p> <p> Vista is proud to announce the arrival of Veezi by Vista. Veezi is a cinema management application that has been built specifically for the independent cinema market.</p> <p> Veezi is the result of Vista’s largest single development project and has had a dedicated team of industry and technology experts working on it for over 2 years. Partly funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Science and Innovation, Veezi represents a multi-million dollar investment in the independent cinema sector.</p> <p> Veezi is being launched in Australia and New Zealand at the Independent Cinema Association of Australia conference in Sydney (1st – 3rd May) and also the New Zealand Movie Convention in Hamilton (6th – 8th May)</p> <p> Veezi is designed and built using the very latest in cloud technologies using a software as a service model. This means that all of the management functions are accessible by the cinema owner and/or manager from any PC connected to the Internet. At the Point of Sale, Veezi uses the industry leading Vista POS – also connected via the Internet. These latest technologies mean that Veezi has been designed to be very easy to access and use.</p> <p> Veezi offers a subscription model and can be trialled and purchased by visiting the Veezi.com web-site. Cinema owners can be up and running using Veezi within less than one hour of simple set-up.</p> <p> General Manager – Online, Matthew Preen, states “this is an exciting time for everyone at Vista. Veezi has been a huge undertaking for us as a business and it is great to now be in the position to launch. Veezi is a very clear signal that we at Vista believe in the independent cinema market and are committed to delivering world leading solutions to our customers in this space. Our plan is to launch in Australia and New Zealand and then take it into other key markets such as UK and Europe, USA, India and China. Ultimately, we see Veezi as a solution that can run any independent cinema no matter where they may be.”</p> <p> Veezi takes the complexity out of cinema operations and allows cinema owners to focus on the running of the business. Already installed in a small group of early adopters, this has helped ensure that it delivers in the real world. One of these early adopters is Ruby’s Cinema Wanaka. Patrick McAteer (owner) states: “From a food and beverage and a ticketing perspective, Veezi was the only one we thought could deliver to match the boutique experience we have." He goes on, “With the one monthly fee there really are no surprises with Veezi and it is a product that I believe more cinemas should definitely pick up.”</p> <p> Matthew Preen continues “working with the likes of Patrick from Ruby’s has given us an invaluable insight into how best to develop the product. In my view the independent cinema market is a unique and important part of the movie industry. We see Veezi as being a great way for these cinemas to continue to develop their business. As far as our timing goes, I believe it couldn’t be better. Many of the independent cinemas still face the challenges of converting to digital. I believe when they take this leap, it will be the ideal time for them to try Veezi.”</p> Fri, 04 May 2012 12:47:19 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/01/article/Australian-web-series-wins-LA-Webisode-Festival/QPPSUDXANF.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/01/article/Australian-web-series-wins-LA-Webisode-Festival/QPPSUDXANF.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Cheese on Toast Productions</p> <p> Love Gossip Girl or Skins but can barely find the time to keep up with the series? Why not watch a whole season in just over an hour. Cheese on Toast Productions is proud to launch SYD2030, Australia’s hottest new web series that has just taken out the “Best International Webseries” at the LA Film, TV and Webisode Festival.</p> <p> In April SYD2030 competed in LA’s highly acclaimed LA Film, TV & Webisode festival. This premier festival creates an international platform for TV pilots, Web Content and Digital Features, to be viewed and potentially picked up by industry greats. SYD2030 was 1 of 15 International webseries’ chosen to be screened at the festival.</p> <p> The last time an Australian won an International Webseries Festival was in 2009 with Nicholas Carlton & Sophie Tilson’s OzGirl. OzGirl went on to be distributed by Fairfax, Tivo, Koldcast TV, iTunes and V Australia Airlines. SYD2030 hopes to follow in OzGirl’s very successful footsteps after the win of their own. This is an incredible opportunity to showcase young Sydney talent. SYD2030 includes an all local cast, crew, designers, sponsors, locations and distributers. With 12 episodes, approximately 5 minutes each, this is the perfect way to enjoy bite-sized pieces of entertainment without indigestion.</p> <p> Boasting an impressive cast, including AFI Award winner Sophie Luck, SYD2030 follows the lives of five law university students, struggling to balance their hectic social lives with a demanding workload. While the textbooks are hefty and the teachers strict, it’s the sexual escapades, drug overdoses, boozy scandals and naughty secrets that keep the students of SYD2030 really on their toes.</p> <p> Despite filming in Sydney’s wettest summer in history, not to mention the helicopter rescues, corrupted disks, broken equipment and some 21 hour shoots, SYD2030 is an impressive achievement for anyone, let alone a team of under 24’s. It’s time to rally up the support and get people following what already promises to be a big year for Sydney’s SYD2030. Check out all the action at www.syd2030.com.au</p> <p> About Cheese on Toast Productions (COT): Named after their favourite university snack at Uni, five talented university graduates created COT to make their mark on the global media industry. They may be young, but they’ve got ambition and are steadily gathering respect in the industry. Individually members of COT have created short films for festivals like Tropfest and the British Independent Film Festival. Collectively they've been commissioned to create a TVC for the Sydney based company Baron's Beer, which premiered at the sold out Bondi Short Film Festival in 2010.</p> Tue, 01 May 2012 09:59:51 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/Production-house-Candid-launches-in-Chippendale/NGYIJPFAFI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/Production-house-Candid-launches-in-Chippendale/NGYIJPFAFI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Candid</p> <p> New Chippendale production house, Candid Projects “Candid”, officially launches today providing a range of production services to Sydney creative agencies and brands.</p> <p> Quietly created in mid 2011 Candid has already delivered a 12 part adventure travel documentary series “Aussie Way Up”, for National Geographic Channel and numerous branded content projects, most notably “Kiwi Sceptics”, the recently acclaimed Air New Zealand four part web series for ad agency ‘Host’.</p> <p> Candid Projects was founded by Jo Melling, a long term Sydney Freelance Producer with 15 years industry experience in TV and event production. Jo has worked at numerous agencies and production companies across the city and prior to that in London. Her previous work includes high profile TV series (Long Way Round, Extreme Fishing with Robson Green), TVC’s (ING, Xbox, Médecins Sans Frontières) and Events (the Award Winning ‘Alienware Clan Challenge’, ‘Rosemount Australian Fashion Week’ for Rosemount and ‘MTV Japan Jam’). She also produced an independent Australian feature film, ‘Who Pays the Hitman’ which is currently on the festival circuit and recently won ‘Best Drama’ at a Californian film festival. Clients already include MTV, Momentum, One Partners, Host, Jamboree, and Jack Watts Currie, who have commissioned work for their brand clients including Nike, Heineken, Lion Nathan, Panadol, Sensodyne and Air New Zealand. Jo and her team have a number of TV and film projects in development. Key production service offering: Branded content – online and TV TVC Events & Experiential Film “We have the unique offering of proven experience across all aspects of production so if creative requires a number of aspects we fully understand how they work, and how they can work best together. To this we added a friendly, honest and efficient work ethic that has proved itself a very convenient formula for our clients.”</p> <p> Jo Melling, Candid Founder and Exec. Producer</p> <p> Candid also partners with overseas production companies to facilitate their Australian filming requirements such as visas, research, crew and kit support. In the last six months we have welcomed Tigress Productions (Freddie Flintoff: Into the Wild), Silver River productions (Spike Milligan Documentary) and Kanakna (Pekin Express Series 7). Candid is now welcoming the opportunity to quote on new briefs and collaborate with peers.</p> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:05:58 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/Warwick-Thornton-seeks-indigenous-ghost-stories/TQSXNRWYGI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/Warwick-Thornton-seeks-indigenous-ghost-stories/TQSXNRWYGI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Scarlett Pictures</p> <p> The creators of the film, SAMSON & DELILAH are offering the opportunity for people to be a part of their exciting new project.</p> <p> They’re on the look out for Indigenous people who have had first-hand encounters with ghosts!</p> <p> Have you seen a ghost? Know someone who has? Had a weird experience that you just can’t explain? Yes? Then they want to hear from you!</p> <p> Director, Warwick Thornton and producer, Kath Shelper are in pre-production for a new project based around Indigenous ghost stories and encounters with the after-life. Stories that are poignant and relevant to Indigenous issues is what they’re after – and the blacker the better!</p> <p> You won’t have to appear on screen, but they would love to hear about your first-hand experiences.</p> <p> If you have a ghost story, or know someone who does, please visit the Scarlett Pictures website at<a href="http://scarlettpictures.com.au/ " target="_blank"> http://scarlettpictures.com.au/ </a>for more information, or contact:</p> <p> Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ozghosts" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/ozghosts</a> Phone: (02) 9319 6133 Email: <a href="mailto:ghosts@scarlettpictures.com.au">ghosts@scarlettpictures.com.au</a> Post: PO Box 322, Potts Point, NSW, 1335</p> <p> Thornton & Shelper’s feature film debut, SAMSON & DELILAH stunned the film world by taking out the coveted Camera d’Or (Golden Camera) at the Cannes International Film Festival and went on to win multiple awards, including Best Picture at the AFI Awards.</p> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:01:44 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/Global-TV-purchases-24-Sony-HDC-2400-camera-chains/DIYNPLQKLI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/Global-TV-purchases-24-Sony-HDC-2400-camera-chains/DIYNPLQKLI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sony</p> <p> In one of Sony's most significant deals of recent times, Sony Australia’s Professional Solutions Division today announced that Global Television, Australia’s leading provider of outsourced television production services, had purchased 24 Sony HDC2400 camera chains at this year’s NAB Garry Rhodin, General Manager of Sony Australia’s Professional Solutions Division, said, “As one of the region’s most forward thinking service providers Global TV is further expanding its camera fleet to meet the market’s growing needs for high definition coverage and the HDC2400 meets these requirements Sony’s HDC2400 HD camera chain is a member of the company’s flagship HDC2000 series of high performance HD cameras featuring 3G SMPTE fibre connection, 2/3-inch CCD and 16bit A/D converter. Global’s newest acquisitions join an already substantial fleet of over 140 HDC series cameras owned and operated by the company.</p> <p> Geoff Rudder, Global Television’s General Manager – National Resources, said, “In order for Global to stay ahead of the game we are continually acquiring the best possible technology. We decided on the HDC2400 camera chains as they are Sony’s top of the line cameras with unparalleled picture quality, operator familiarity and flexibility of formats. The HDC2400s also enable us to mix and match accessories and chain components with our existing HDC1000 series fleet for even greater flexibility.”</p> <p> In a mature market such as Australia, Global Television’s purchase of 24 camera chains is significant and further enhances Sony’s position as market leader in the Garry Rhodin continued, “We constantly strive to ensure Sony cameras, accessories, viewfinders, RCP and CCU are accepted by all broadcasters as best in breed. Companies like Global Television, with their high quality standards, Global’s new HDC2400s will predominantly be used in the coverage of major Australian sporting events, OB environments, stadiums and event venues which according to Geoff Rudder is all the more reason the company has to be at the very top of its game. He added, “When you offer the type of broadcast services Global TV does, the picture quality and reliability of the cameras we use are paramount. We have a close working relationship with Sony which, in addition to the quality of Sony equipment, also allows us access to the broadcast industry’s leading service and support resources. As a result we are looking forward to the delivery of our new HDC2400 camera chains and a continuing, successful partnership with Sony Australia’s Professional Solutions Division.”</p> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:33:08 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/BBC-Worldwide-Australia-signs-distribution-deal-with-Roadshow-Entertainment/TJTKKBXMBB.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/30/article/BBC-Worldwide-Australia-signs-distribution-deal-with-Roadshow-Entertainment/TJTKKBXMBB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from BBC Worldwide</p> <p> BBC Worldwide Australia has signed a five year deal with Roadshow Entertainment to distribute and promote its highly successful DVD business.</p> <p> Under the terms of the new deal, Roadshow will be the exclusive distributor of the entire BBC Worldwide DVD and Blu-ray catalogue in Australia and New Zealand for the next five years from 1 July 2012, as well as holding non-exclusive rights to BBC Worldwide DVDs in other parts of Australasia. Roadshow will also be responsible for the marketing and publicity of the product and will be re-teamed with the ABC to support the vast line up of BBC programs that appear on the national broadcaster’s channels.</p> <p> The agreement ensures that Australian and New Zealand audiences can continue to access the best of British programs across all genres held in the BBC catalogue. Recent top selling titles include Frozen Planet, Doctor Who, Sherlock, the Royal Wedding, Planet Earth and Life (also winner of the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association award for best specialist title).</p> <p> The relationship with Roadshow will be managed by Amanda McGregor, BBC Worldwide Australia’s Director of Brands, Consumers and New Ventures.</p> <p> Says Amanda McGregor: ‘DVDs are an extremely important part of our business in Australasia, and we’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with Roadshow, who have proved that the DVD business is very healthy if you have a quality product and distribute it with expertise and flair. Roadshow is a trusted partner with a deep passion for our programming and strong empathy with the BBC’s values. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Roadshow in creating engaging and innovative ways to extend consumers’ enjoyment of our brands’.</p> <p> Says Chris Chard, Roadshow Entertainment’s Managing Director: ‘The sustained growth of the BBC label across Australasia is one of the great success stories in the Home Entertainment industry and our new agreement signals the start of the next exciting chapter in our relationship with BBC Worldwide. I am particularly pleased that we will be also be teaming with the ABC again, as our collaborative efforts have provided a unique and strategic platform upon which the BBC label has grown.’</p> <p> Lynley Marshall of ABC Commercial adds: ‘ABC Commercial is pleased to be again teaming with Roadshow Entertainment to promote the BBC label in the territory. This is a continuation of the ABC’s extensive relationship with the BBC which has flourished over many years.’</p> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:50:54 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Three-Australian-documentaries-to-screen-at-Hot-Docs/MHABMOEFRC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Three-Australian-documentaries-to-screen-at-Hot-Docs/MHABMOEFRC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Screen Australia</p> <p> Three Australian documentaries are screening in competition over the next week at Hot Docs. Held in Toronto, Canada, Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival.</p> <p> Penny Vozniak’s Despite the Gods will have its international premiere at Hot Docs, screening in the World Showcase program. Despite the Gods tells the story of Jennifer Lynch’s disastrous return to filmmaking as she delves into an ambitious Bollywood/Hollywood production.</p> <p> Also screening in the World Showcase program is Catherine Scott’s Scarlet Road which follows Australian sex worker Rachel Wotton who, impassioned about freedom of sexual expression, works with clients who have disabilities.</p> <p> David Tucker’s My Thai Bride will screen in the International Spectrum program. My Thai Bride details the ensuing demise of a 46-year-old Welshman after his marriage to a poor Thai bar girl.</p> <p> This year’s Hot Docs will showcase 189 films selected from 2,085 submissions. Also a premier documentary conference and market, Hot Docs will welcome over 2,000 industry delegates who will partake in a wide array of industry events and services, including conferences sessions, The Doc Shop and the Hot Docs Forum.</p> <p> Hot Docs takes place 26 April–6 May 2012. For more information visit: www.hotdocs.ca</p> <p> DESPITE THE GODS (85 mins) Production Company House of Gary Director Penny Vozniak Producer Karina Astrup Synopsis An overly ambitious Bollywood/Hollywood production about a man-eating snake goddess becomes an exercise in self-actualisation rather than effective filmmaking. An unforgiving behind-the-scenes look at Jennifer Lynch’s disastrous return to filmmaking after a 15-year hiatus.</p> <p> MY THAI BRIDE (55 mins) Production Company Showreal Productions Director/Producer David Tucker Writer Ashleigh Hooker Synopsis Ted marries a Thai bar girl but when his money runs out the marriage ends and he returns to the UK destitute, having learned what his Thai wife already knew: without money you lose everything.</p> <p> SCARLET ROAD (70 mins) Production Company Paradigm Pictures Director/Co-producer Catherine Scott Producer Pat Fiske Synopsis Driven by her passion for free sexual expression and the rights of sex trade workers, Australian sex trade worker Rachel Wotton specialises in a long over-looked clientele – those with disabilities. Œ</p> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:46:37 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Rights-holders-defeat-Optus-in-TV-Now-Appeal/RKGUCHGCRQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Rights-holders-defeat-Optus-in-TV-Now-Appeal/RKGUCHGCRQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Australian Copyright Council</p> <p> The Full Federal Court today decided in favour of the NRL, AFL and Telstra in the ongoing litigation that had pitted Optus against the two sporting bodies and Telstra.</p> <p> Finn, Emmett and Bennett JJ’s decision held that:</p> <p> - The maker of the recorded broadcasts was either Optus alone, or Optus and the TV Now user – with Optus and its users jointly and severally liable; - Following from this – Optus couldn’t then rely on the section 111 “time shifting” provision in its defence. Background to the litigation The Copyright Act contains an exception allowing TV broadcasts to be recorded for watching at a later time in a private or domestic context (often referred to as “time-shifting”). This litigation is the first to tackle the question of whether firstly, it is legal for these recordings to be made on equipment operated by and located with a commercial third party and secondly, whether it is legal for these recordings to be stored on a cloud service operated by a commercial third party.</p> <p> In August 2011, Optus launched its “TV Now” service, which lets users record free to air TV programs using Optus’ servers and store these recordings on Optus’ cloud. A user can then stream recorded programs to his or her devices (such as a mobile phone or computer). Users are given a limited amount of free recording time and can pay to have more. A user can only view a program that he or she has recorded – not other users’ recordings. Recorded programs are deleted after 30 days.</p> <p> These recordings include NRL and AFL matches broadcast on the free to air networks. Optus’ rival, Telstra, had earlier signed a deal worth $153 million with the AFL for the exclusive online broadcast rights to AFL matches. Optus’ TV Now service effectively lets Optus offer a similar service - but without having to pay the AFL for the rights. After rumblings about the legality of the service and potential legal action, Optus took the matter to the Federal Court with the aim of having the service declared legal.</p> <p> The key issue before the court at first instance was whether Optus’ service fell within the scope of the “time-shifting” exception. Rares J decided in Optus’ favour, which led to the NRL, AFL and Telstra appealing to the Full Federal Court. Additionally, Screenrights, (which administers the retransmission scheme) was granted leave to intervene as amicus curiae and made submissions at the appeal hearings. Our detailed analysis of the first instance decision can be read at <a href="http://copyright.org.au/news-and-policy/details/id/2045/" target="_blank">http://copyright.org.au/news-and-policy/details/id/2045/</a></p> <p> Read the full decision at: <a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2012/59.html" target="_blank">http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2012/59.html</a> or <a href="http://jade.barnet.com.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2012/59.html" target="_blank">http://jade.barnet.com.au/au/cases/cth/FCAFC/2012/59.html </a></p> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:23:57 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Alan-Finney-joins-Pinball-as-consulting-producer/OWONDEWINK.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Alan-Finney-joins-Pinball-as-consulting-producer/OWONDEWINK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Matt Holcomb</p> <p> Current AFI Chair and Australian film industry luminary, Mr. Alan Finney has officially joined the production team for Melbourne-based crime drama, Pinball. Mr. Finney will serve as Consulting Producer and brings with him fifty years of production and distribution experience. Career highlights include producing the landmark Alvin Purple films and shepherding the release of such iconic Australian films as Mad Max, Romper Stomper, Muriel’s Wedding, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and The Castle. According to Pinball writer-director, Matt Holcomb, “Alan is a living legend, and I am as humbled as I am excited by Alan’s decision to come on board as Consulting Producer. Alan’s involvement feels like a ringing endorsement of the project; we all look forward to working closely with him to ensure that Pinball is worthy of his participation and wealth of experience.” According to Mr. Finney, “The Holcomb brothers have conceived in Pinball a bold re-telling of Cain and Abel, which we all know is one of the classic tales. I admire Matt and Trevor’s fiscally responsible and commercially-focused approach to their first feature film, and for what they’ve achieved already; namely the casting of John Jarratt and Mark ‘Chopper’ Read." Pinball tells the story of Clint Thorp, a former Australian Rules footballer-turned-criminal left for dead after a failed hit on a crime lord mistakenly classified as a low-level target. Clint’s failure quickly sets off a violent chain of events and exposes sinister and disturbing truths about the Melbourne underworld -- and Clint’s own world -- with dire and tragic consequences. Block two of principal photography is due to commence this winter.</p> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:47:40 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/APSA-MPA-film-fund-to-receive-extra-100000/PWEKXWKJPJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/APSA-MPA-film-fund-to-receive-extra-100000/PWEKXWKJPJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from APSA</p> <p> The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) and Motion Picture Association (MPA) announced a further US $100,000 for the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund at a reception held at the second Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) this evening. This brings the total investment in these film development projects to US $300,000. Established in 2010, the fund is intended to stimulate film production in the Asia Pacific region and to encourage dialogue, collaboration and business opportunities for the region's filmmakers particularly at the developmental phase. Among the 70 countries embraced by APSA, grants totalling $200,000 have already been awarded to projects from the Islamic Republic of Iran, India, Republic of Korea, and People's Republic of China, Iraq and Kazakhstan. The four $25,000 development grants are exclusive to members of the APSA Academy comprised of past APSA nominees, winners, Jury and Nominations Council members.In the past two years the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund rewarded eight deserving APSA Academy Members with $25,000 to assist them to realise their stories for the screen. "A common theme for discussion at the 2nd Beijing International Film Festival this week has been the importance of recognising creative talent and supporting their screen ideas at an early stage," said Mike Ellis, President and Managing Director Asia-Pacific MPA. "Our MPA APSA Academy Film Fund does just that, and with astonishing results. "We were the first to support Asghar Farhadi's film, A Separation, allowing him to complete the film and take it to the screen. The rest is history. It went on to win a multitude of awards including Best Feature Film at the 2011 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and to our delight Best Foreign Language Film prize at this year's Oscars." Applications for 2012 MPA APSA Film Fund are now open; commencing from April 25 to October 21. Projects will be assessed by a panel of highly qualified Film Practitioners. Successful applicants will be announced during the sixth annual APSAs ceremony on Friday November 23 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia This year, three Film Practitioners have been appointed to assess the projects from APSA Academy Members. APSA Artistic Director Maxine Williamson said in Beijing, "We are extremely excited to welcome back to Chair the Panel for a third year, founder and Managing Director of Ronin Films Mr Andrew Pike, multi-awarded Hong Kong filmmaker and APSA Academy member Alex Law, and APSA 2009 winner for, Best Animated Feature Film for Mary and Max, Academy Award winning filmmaker Melanie Coombs." The MPA reception, held earlier this evening, forms part of the Beijing International Film Festival calendar of events, and was attended by a number of APSA Academy members including 2011 Jury President Nansun Shi and 2011 Jurors Cameron Bailey from the Toronto Film Festival and Ming Zhenjiang, Executive Chairman of the China Film Producers Association. Several past APSA winners and nominees' films are being screened at the Beijing festival. "This year we were again honoured to have worked with the international panorama section in presenting APSA nominated films and see five APSA films screening in the program." said Maxine Williamson "The BJIFF is an important platform that offers members of our 500-strong Academy the opportunity to Premiere their films in China." Further information on the 2012 MPA APSA Academy Film Fund Panel is available <a href="http://www.asiapacificscreenacademy.com/the-academy/mpa-apsa-academy-film-fund/2012-mpa-apsa-film-fund-panel/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:43:29 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Howzat-miniseries-now-filming/SWKHIYICQD.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Howzat-miniseries-now-filming/SWKHIYICQD.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Ten </p> <p> Produced by Southern Star John Edwards for the Nine Network and Screen Australia, the highly anticipated two-part mini-series Howzat! is currently filming in and around Melbourne for six weeks. Lachy Hulme (Beaconsfield, Offspring), leads an outstanding cast of some of Australia’s most sought after actors in the mini-series which tells the story of how Kerry Packer took on the cricket Establishment and won. In 1976 Australian businessman Kerry Packer, annoyed at not having been granted TV broadcasting rights by the Australian Cricket Board and fearing the game was dying, threw the cricket world into turmoil by secretly signing up fifty of the world’s best cricketers and creating ‘World Series Cricket’. He knew the players, who had been underpaid for years, were on the point of rebellion against the cricket authorities. His rebel games clashed head-on with official test matches, and the war was on. Despite poor crowds at first, a brave new world of sports broadcasting had begun, ushering in the era of one-day cricket played under lights. Howzat! – Kerry Packer’s War tells the story of the bitter two-year cricket war between Packer, with his highly-paid elite professionals and the cricket Establishment doing its best to protect the hundred-year legacy of pride in the traditional nature of the poorly paid game. The result was to change cricket forever. World Series Cricket introduced into the game a dramatic new era of dynamism and elite professionalism and thrust cricket into the modern era, shaping the game we know today. Abe Forsythe (Laid, Marking Time) plays John Cornell, Clayton Watson (Out of the Blue) and Damon Gameau (Balibo) play cricketing brothers Ian and Greg Chappell, with Brendan Cowell (Beneath Hill 60, Love My Way) as Rod Marsh, Matthew Le Nevez (Offspring, The Society Murders) as Dennis Lillee, and Richard Davies (Offspring) as David Hookes. Hamish Michael , Ryan O'Kane, Alexander England, Mandy McElhinney, Cariba Heine and Travis McMahon also star. Southern Star's John Edwards (Beaconsfield, Offspring, Paper Giants, Rush) and Mimi Butler (Rush) are producing Howzat! for the Nine Network. Daina Reid (Paper Giants) directs from a screenplay by Christopher Lee (Paper Giants). “Kerry Packer played such an intrinsic role in shaping the Nine Network, with his legacy still very much alive today,” Michael Healy, Nine Network Director of Television, said. “Coupled with Channel Nine’s long history of broadcasting cricket, we couldn’t be more excited about bringing this extraordinary story to Australian television.” Southern Star producer John Edwards said: ‘World Series Cricket was a great adventure for everybody involved – and it’s a great adventure for us too, to get to tell that story.’ Howzat! is now shooting in Melbourne and will be broadcast later this year on the Nine Network.</p> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:41:57 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/05/01/article/ASTRA-Awards-tickets-now-on-sale/RMTKNBGMFD.html http://if.com.au/2012/05/01/article/ASTRA-Awards-tickets-now-on-sale/RMTKNBGMFD.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ASTRA Awards</p> <p> Tickets are now on sale for the subscription TV (STV) industry’s 10 Annual ASTRA Awards, which will return to Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay for the second year in a row on Thursday 21 June. Organised by the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), the event recognises the wealth of talent both in front of and behind the camera of STV. Ticket holders will enjoy a star-studded event including pre-drinks, the theatre ceremony, and access to the exclusive after party.</p> <p> The industry’s finest including television executives, producers, directors and the talent that Australians love to watch on STV all gather for this annual event. At the 2011 awards, some of the biggest names in Australian entertainment walked the red carpet including Rove McManus, Sarah Murdoch, Tara Moss, Lincoln Lewis, Erin McNaught, Laura Dundovic and Icehouse singer Iva Davies. This year a host of well known faces are expected to attend, celebrating the growth of Australian subscription TV over the past decade.</p> <p> Finalists for 2012 reflect the diversity of talent in Subscription TV with 95 entries selected across 21 categories including five Subscribers’ Choice award categories selected by consumer vote. Popular personalities Andrew Winter and Sarah Murdoch, Favourite Personality – Male and Female 2011 winners, are nominated for the award once again this year with Project Runway host Megan Gale and food-publishing phenomenon Donna Hay joining the category. Best New Talent finalists include up-and-comers Hugo Johnstone-Burt, Ben Britton and Lara Robinson. Rove McManus joins 2011 winners Luke & Wyatt of Nickelodeon in the category of Most Outstanding Performance by a Presenter while in the category of Most Outstanding Performance by a Broadcast Journalist, 2011 winner Ashleigh Gillon is a finalist for the second year in a row, joining SKY NEWS colleagues Kieran Gilbert and David Speers and The Weather Channel’s Josh Holt. Actors David Wenham, Geoff Morrell, Essie Davis and Claudia Karvan are among just a few of the finalists in the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male and Female categories.</p> <p> Sydney Theatre will once again be transformed into a glamorous after party venue and must attend event.</p> <p> Tickets to the 10 Annual ASTRA Awards can be purchased online at <a href="http://www.astra.org.au/Astra-Awards/Buy-Tickets" target="_blank">http://www.astra.org.au/Astra-Awards/Buy-Tickets</a>.</p> Tue, 01 May 2012 11:13:20 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Hugh-Jackman-to-host-Tropfest-NY/BABXVYMQAG.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/27/article/Hugh-Jackman-to-host-Tropfest-NY/BABXVYMQAG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Tropfest</p> <p> The World’s Largest Short Film Festival, Hosted By One Of The World’s Biggest Stars, Will Take Place At Bryant Park On June 23, 2012 – Event Will Be Free And Open To The Public Filmmaker Deadline Extended To May 17; First Prize Is $20,000 Cash New York, NY – April 24, 2012 – Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, announced today that Hugh Jackman will host the main event when Tropfest takes over New York City June 21-23. Tropfest began twenty years ago when Director John Polson (Hide & Seek, Tenderness) showed a six-minute film he made for under $100 at his local café in Sydney, Australia, for 200 guests. Today the annual free festival in Sydney receives thousands of submissions, is attended by more than 150,000 people and watched live via satellite by hundreds of thousands more. This summer Tropfest arrives in the U.S. beginning with a weekend of activities at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, June 1-3, celebrating Tropfest’s 20th birthday and featuring an “All Star Competition” hosted by Rob Corddry. Three weeks later, Tropfest New York will present a short film competition as the centerpiece for a weekend long event. The festivities will also include musical performances, film screenings, and a filmmaker symposium called “Roughcut,” before culminating in a spectacular event under the stars at Bryant Park, where finalists will be screened and judged live by a panel of celebrities and industry experts lead by host, Hugh Jackman. "Knowing that Tropfest has opened doors for brilliant filmmakers, actors and others for the past 20 years, I'm proud to be a part of the festival as it expands its reach to the U.S. and brings its competition to New York,” said Jackman. “As a mecca of the arts, New York is a perfect host for a festival that empowers creative minds to try their hand at filmmaking." Like Tropfest, Jackman got his start in Australia where he starred in the independent films "Paperback Hero" and "Erskineville Kings" (Australian Film Critics' Circle Best Actor award and The Australian Film Institute Best Actor nomination). Since then, Jackman has become a critically acclaimed actor and performer, Tony Award and Emmy Award Winner, starring in major blockbusters like the "X-Men" franchise and "Reel Steel." Jackman is currently in production on the much-anticipated film adaptation of “Les Miserables,” set for a December 2012 release, directed by Tom Hooper (of “The King’s Speech”), and co-starring Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway. Following, he will return to Australia to film the next chapter of the Wolverine saga, appropriately titled “The Wolverine.” “Hugh has been a great supporter of Tropfest and we could not be more delighted to have him on board,” said Polson. “He is one of the greatest talents on stage and screen today and he embodies the type of creativity and passion we hope the competition will inspire.” Tropfest has a reputation for placing creativity, ingenuity and strength of idea above production values and budgets, with some of Tropfest’s most powerful entries shot on mobile phones for just a few dollars. The event has helped launch the careers of dozens of successful directors, writers, and actors. Festival alumni include: Sam Worthington (Avatar, Last Night); Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby, Warrior, Animal Kingdom); Alister Grierson (director of the James Cameron-produced Sanctum); and Jason Gann and Tony Rogers, whose Tropfest short, Wilfred, was the genesis of the popular U.S. TV series of the same name starring Elijah Wood. Now, Americans have the opportunity to take part in this global phenomenon and see their short film screened in front of a massive live and online audience, and considered for a chance to win $20,000 cash and other prizes. Due to increasing interest from American filmmakers eager to participate in the competition, Tropfest has introduced a latecomer deadline of May 17, one week after the regular May 10 deadline. All films entered must be produced specifically for the event and have their premiere at Tropfest New York; films cannot exceed seven minutes, including titles and credits; and each film must contain the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), which this year is “bagel,” a true staple of New York culinary culture. The TSI has been part of the Tropfest ethos since the early days to show films have been made specifically for the festival. For more information about entering and the complete contest guidelines, please visit: www.tropfest.com/newyork. Tropfest USA has amassed ambassadors including Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Anthony Lapaglia, Liev Schreiber, and Charles Randolph. The event has traditionally received extraordinary support globally from some of the biggest stars in the international film community, including the most recent iteration of Tropfest Australia where the panel of judges and guests included Kidman, Rush, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Baz Luhrmann, and Tobey Maguire. Tropfest New York will be free and open to the public however reservations are recommended. Please visit http://tropfestnewyork.eventbrite.com/ to reserve your space now. The main event will begin at 3:00 PM on June 23 with live music and DJs performing in the afternoon and the short film competition will begin at 8:00 PM. Tropfest New York 2012 is proudly supported by Citi, JetBlue, Thompson Hotels, Film Society of Lincoln Center, STARZ CINEMA, NBC 4, and WNYC Radio. For more information about Tropfest New York, please visit: www.tropfest.com/newyork</p> Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:40:30 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/Monster-claim-for-new-post-production-facility/YNPEVRAPIO.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/Monster-claim-for-new-post-production-facility/YNPEVRAPIO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Final Post</p> <p> FinalPost, a new 5k post-production facility based in the Hunter, is about to wrap with I Frankenstein after spending three months on-set securing and managing the digital negatives for the production.</p> <p> Chewing through 1TB of data daily on the set of I Frankenstein, OUTPOST has nailed the arduous task of both on-set wrangling and DIT functions. All material is backed-up in triplicate, graded, synched and compressed for editorial, VFX and iPad dailies review – and all within a couple of hours of the last shot.</p> <p> In the hands of one of the greatest DIT’s and an OUTPOST favourite, James Notari hasn’t had a chance to enjoy the Melbourne life yet. Coming straight off the back of UNDERWORLD 4, James single handedly managed the digital negatives for the entire production (usually a 2-3 person task)! I Frankenstein however, has only required two carts, one located with the action unit and the other with the main stage.</p> <p> “OUTPOST is leading the way with rock solid performance and an integrated toolset which delivers real-time RAW support for all formats, including Red Epic, Sony F65RAW, ARRIRAW, Canon C300 and new C500, Phantom, Go Pro, and DSLRs, such as the Canon 5DMkIII. These units cannot be beaten and we’re excited to make them available to the film and television industry here in Australia.” Shane Burrell, FinalPost.</p> <p> Backed by an exemplary facility in the Hunter Valley, FinalPost offer a full end-to-end solution for RAW workflows with their NUCODA Film Master DI suite and editorial facilities. Launching in late 2011 and focusing on file-based post production and workflow capable of working up to 16bit 5k material, the facility not only provides a creative haven with the leading DI and editorial toolsets, but also give access to some of Australia’s finest talent for colour grading, finishing and editorial. Œ</p> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:33:01 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/Bruce-Carter-joins-Toybox/CUGHKTQBJT.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/Bruce-Carter-joins-Toybox/CUGHKTQBJT.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Toybox</p> <p> Bruce has worked alongside a number of international award-winning directors, producers, film studios, production companies and advertising agencies throughout the world and led diverse, multi-disciplined teams producing work across a range of award winning projects. </p> <p> Film and television credits include ‘300’ by Zack Snyder, Oliver Stone’s ‘World Trade Centre’, Verizon ‘Mercy’ and Comcast ‘Rabbit’ by Noam Murro.</p> <p> Most recently Bruce has been focussed on the development of feature film, television and new media projects as part of Animal Logic’s development group.</p> <p> In his new role Bruce will lead the TOYBOX team to build creative opportunities and strategic relationships across the television, film and entertainment industries.</p> <p> “The media world is shape changing almost daily, with the lines between design, art, fashion, advertising, games and film being blurred and distorted in all kinds of exciting ways. New Zealand is known for innovative talent and TOYBOX is no exception. With an amazing core group of artists and advanced technical infrastructure, Toybox offers end to end creative solutions across all media. The opportunity to return to New Zealand and work with the Toybox team was too good to pass up”</p> <p> Leading VFX artist joins Toybox </p> <p> Joining Bruce at TOYBOX is leading VFX Artist Leoni Willis. </p> <p> After 15 years as Senior VFX Supervisor and Lead Compositor in TVC at Animal Logic in Sydney, Australia, Leoni has returned home to Auckland.</p> <p> Leoni has supervised and composited many high profile, award winning projects. With a background in design, she brings a wealth of ideas, creativity and knowledge, which are ever present in her speedy compositing skills. Her credits include work with directors Baz Lurhman,</p> <p> Alex Proyas, Noam Murro, Steve Rogers, Bruce Hunt, Graeme Burfoot, Steve Ayson - to name just a few.</p> <p> Says Leoni, “I’m looking forward to working with Bruce and the team at Toybox. </p> <p> Colourist Pete Ritchie and Animation director Andrew Newland are leaders in their fields and I’m confident that through sharing ideas and expertise we’ll be able to create some great work together.”</p> <p> Nanette Miles of Toybox says "We are really thrilled about Bruce and Leoni coming on board. Leoni’s strong ability to collaborate with directors throughout a project, from initial preproduction to on-set VFX supervision, and work closely with our 3D department, will further strengthen our team. Bruce has a terrific reputation and his experience and commitment to creative excellence will ensure a strong creative culture at Toybox.”</p> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:25:56 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/KOJO-appoints-Creative-Director/WQGTFTCDSD.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/KOJO-appoints-Creative-Director/WQGTFTCDSD.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> PRESS RELEASE from KOJO</p> <p> “We have been looking for a creative and driven storyteller who loves our business and has a vision for making a difference across various communication strategies,” KOJO Chief Executive Loewn Steel said.</p> <p> "Mike is the ideal person to take on the new role of Creative Director. He has global experience and worked on campaigns for some of the world’s most recognised brands. His work has won major prizes at industry awards including Cannes, AWARD, Caxton and One Show.”</p> <p> Ms Steel said Mr Wilson’s appointment was in line with KOJO’s strategy to build its presence, particularly along the eastern seaboard.</p> <p> “In the role of Creative Director, Mike will spearhead KOJO’s expanding digital, events, entertainment and experiential offering to its corporate clients,” she said.</p> <p> “Mike will also be a key asset in our collaborations with advertising agencies and media companies as we continue to improve our range of services to the industry.”</p> <p> Over the past 15 years Mr Wilson has created internationally recognised campaigns for Vodafone, Stella Artois, MINI, NZ Lotteries and Pacific Blue. He has held positions both as a Senior Writer and a Head of Art, and has fulfilled the role of Creative Director four times on both sides of the Tasman. Mr Wilson will join KOJO from mid May and will split his time between the firm’s Adelaide and Melbourne offices.</p> <p> His appointment comes as KOJO has recently expanded its team of directors with the appointment of Stephen de Villiers. With an impressive number of short films to his name and list of festival accolades, Mr de Villiers joins a highly talented and creative team of directors at KOJO with global experience across film, drama, comedy, documentaries, corporate videos and advertising.</p> <p> Celebrating its 21st year, KOJO specialises in content, digital, events and post production with offices in Adelaide and Melbourne servicing national and global clients. Œ</p> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:32:09 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/Sony-sets-personal-best-with-BRAVIA-HX850-LCD-TV/HITWZRTPBQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/26/article/Sony-sets-personal-best-with-BRAVIA-HX850-LCD-TV/HITWZRTPBQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Sony Australia</p> <p> The new TV, due to arrive in Australia in May, features the best picture quality technologies ever delivered by Sony, as well as access to a suite of additional on-demand and subscription based channels. Available in 46” and 55” screen sizes, the BRAVIA HX850 also offers new levels of connectivity with other devices such as tablets, smartphones and the company’s upcoming Google TV set-top-box.</p> <p> “Put simply, we believe the BRAVIA HX850 is the best TV on the market,” said Sony Australia Managing Director, Carl Rose. “We’ve done our research and we know that while the advent of Smart TV is changing the way we watch TV, the number one consideration when choosing a TV to buy is still outstanding picture quality – something we will never compromise on. Sony delivers our best picture quality ever with the BRAVIA HX850, while ensuring Smart TV content and connectivity to multiple devices rounds out this top-of-the-range package.”</p> <p> Nicolas Barendson, Sony Australia’s General Manager of Marketing, added, “We’ve made selecting a TV as simple as possible by streamlining our range to nine models. Our TVs are made by entertainment lovers, for entertainment lovers. Our focus is on delivering a premium, top-quality entertainment experience, no matter the content – whether you’re watching 3D, internet video or regular programming. Using our TVs is simple as well. We’ve made accessing all of our ‘Smart TV’ features like catch-up TV, Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited as easy as the press of one button on your remote. We have a wide variety of content available for our connected BRAVIA TVs today, and will continue to add more significant channels, apps and partnerships in the future – providing increasing value to the BRAVIA owner.”</p> <p> Picture quality promise</p> <p> Sony is well known for its heritage in developing industry-leading TVs and picture quality. Ushering in a new era in its picture quality, the BRAVIA HX850 comes with Sony’s market leading X-Reality PRO and Motionflow XR technologies.</p> <p> The X-Reality PRO processing chip monitors the type of program on screen and adjusts the picture accordingly to ensure the optimum viewing experience. Perfect for fast-paced sports action, Sony’s Motionflow XR technology reduces blur caused by quick camera movements and enhances picture sharpness to create a smoother picture. X-Reality PRO also brings picture quality to 3D content, with 3D Super Resolution resulting in sharper and smoother pictures in 3D.</p> <p> Launching alongside the 2012 BRAVIA range are Sony’s new 3D glasses (TDG-BR750). Backwards compatible with previous BRAVIA models, these active 3D glasses are made of titanium and are lightweight – making your BRAVIA 3D viewing experience more pleasurable than ever before.</p> <p> Access to on-demand entertainment</p> <p> Connecting BRAVIA HX850 or any model in the new range to the Internet also gives access to Sony Entertainment Network which features 29 Smart TV channels, including over 7,000,000 songs with Music Unlimited’s subscription service, on-demand blockbuster movies from Video Unlimited, the Quickflix movie service and a host of apps including Skype, Twitter and Facebook. Catch-up TV services available on Sony’s compatible BRAVIA range now include Yahoo!7, SBS and ABC iView. Sony also announced it will be the first company to offer a catch-up service from TEN.</p> <p> Connect me</p> <p> Connectivity is a key feature in the latest BRAVIA range with all models boasting Wi-Fi capability and the ability to share content across other devices including Sony Tablets, smartphones and other DLNA enabled devices. This level of compatibility allows you to “throw” content to your BRAVIA TV –you can send files from your smartphone or tablet wirelessly so they appear on your TV screen.</p> <p> Take control of the BRAVIA TV by turning your iPhoneïÿˆ, iPadïÿˆ or Android™ device into an intelligent remote control so you can navigate between different channels, pause videos and even surf the Net. Downloading Sony’s “Media Remote App” also makes your smartphone a second screen with detailed information on YouTube videos and more. Give it a shake and get information on the music track playing on screen.</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> The BRAVIA HX850 and the entire BRAVIA range will be available for purchase from mid-May.</p> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:21:05 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/24/article/ABC-appoints-new-Head-of-Entertainment/XVHUUOFULL.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/24/article/ABC-appoints-new-Head-of-Entertainment/XVHUUOFULL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ABC</p> <p> Jennifer Collins has today been appointed the new Head of Entertainment for ABC TV. She will take up her new role Monday 30th April.</p> <p> For the past three years Jennifer has been ABC TV’s Head of Factual with overall responsibility for all documentary and factual programs as well as Sport and Events. During this time Jennifer has reshaped TV’s internal and independently produced factual slate, including launching major factual entertainment and format initiatives in South Australia and Western Australia, in partnership with local funding bodies and independent film communities.</p> <p> Prior to heading the factual team, Jennifer was executive producer across a range of entertainment programming including The Chaser’s War on Everything, Strictly Dancing and The Glasshouse along with development of the very successful My Favourite Book and My Favourite Film specials.</p> <p> Jennifer Collins says “I’ve had a terrific three years leading the factual arm and ensuring ABC TV is delivering a vibrant and contemporary factual slate. However, I am thrilled to be working again in the entertainment area, and look forward to working with the best of Australia’s entertainment producers and presenters as well as seeking out and developing the next generation of talent”.</p> <p> Kim Dalton, Director of Television said “Strong, intelligent and thought-provoking entertainment programming is core to ABC TV’s schedule. We also work with and have supported the development of some of Australia’s leading entertainment talent.</p> <p> “Jennifer brings to this role a successful background and strong connections with this sector along with an impressive track record in spotting new talent and new ideas.”</p> <p> In her new role as Head of Entertainment, Jennifer will retain responsibility for ABC TV programs such as Q&A, Poh’s Kitchen, Gardening Australia, Auction Room as well as ABC TV’s Sport and Events programs.</p> <p> In the interim Alan Erson, Head of Documentaries, will take over the responsibility for the factual strands of Catalyst and Compass and the factual initiatives in Western Australia and South Australia.</p> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:25:31 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/24/article/Canon-Australia-creates-new-sales-role-appoints-Troy-Cabot/OYPVLHIVVP.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/24/article/Canon-Australia-creates-new-sales-role-appoints-Troy-Cabot/OYPVLHIVVP.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Canon Australia</p> <p> Canon Australia has announced the appointment of Troy Cabot to the newly created role of Assistant General Manager – Sales, Canon Consumer Imaging. Encompassing the retail and distribution channels, the new role reports directly to Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging.</p> <p> “I am very excited to welcome Troy to my leadership team and look forward to the new ideas that he will bring for the benefit of Canon and our key customers,” said Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging. “This promotion is in recognition of Troy’s consistent success in his current role, his passion and commitment to our business and his record of developing strong partnerships for mutual success at each stage in his career.”</p> <p> With Canon since 2007, Cabot has experience in management positions spanning Canon Australia’s consumer imaging sales business, including as a State Field Manager, National Account Manager and most recently as National Business Manager for Canon’s retail accounts.</p> <p> “As an industry leader, Canon Australia aims to be an employer of choice offering clear scope for career path planning, skills acquisition and development, and merit-based promotions,” continued McLean. “It’s very rewarding to see these principles alive and working to great effect in our organisation through appointments such as Troy’s.”</p> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:58:00 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Mathews-Student-Oscar-finalist/IZRQKNNTSR.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Mathews-Student-Oscar-finalist/IZRQKNNTSR.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from AFTRS</p> <p> Emily is AFTRS first success in this prestigious and landmark film competition.</p> <p> The short was voted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Student Academy Awards Executive Committee as one of the finalists in this year’s Foreign Film Award category. The Academy received 51 films from 29 different countries this year. Final voting for the winning film is held in May with an announcement around mid-May.</p> <p> The first Honorary Foreign Film Award was in 1981and AFTRS has been invited to enter a student film each year since. This is the very first year that an AFTRS short has been chosen as a finalist for the Student Oscar accolade. The winner of this gains automatic eligibility to enter for the ‘real’ Oscars later in the year. FYI AFTRS have had 3 shorts nominated for the actual Academy Awards in the past.</p> <p> The 19 and a half minute short film EMILY has been written and directed by Ben Mathews and is a psychological thriller. Ben is an AFTRS Directing graduate (2010) who is currently also doing a Screenwriting Graduate Diploma at AFTRS. Ben was part of the team that recently cleaned up at the OPTUS One80 project awards for their work on Deadbeat Dads.</p> <p> Ben is excited about creating compelling, powerful, innovative, unique and entertaining work as a writer and director. He is also passionate about acting. He received the all-important letter from the Academy informing him of his nomination earlier this month.</p> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:38:39 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Australias-newest-entertainment-company-hatches/AKITBCFZVW.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Australias-newest-entertainment-company-hatches/AKITBCFZVW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Hatch Entertainment Founded by entertainment and advertising industry stalwarts Greg Logan and Miriam Stein, Hatch brings together Stein’s production background and Logan’s experience in the advertising industry.</p> <p> In doing so, Hatch will build bridges between brands, production companies and broadcasters in the creation of entertainment programs.</p> <p> Hatch will mainly produce long-form TV formats in every genre, but also content, games and events. Œ</p> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:32:27 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Franki-Show-Webby-Awards-Official-Honoree/VPWQZNNJWZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Franki-Show-Webby-Awards-Official-Honoree/VPWQZNNJWZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Painting in Pictures</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> This nomination is a distinction that recognises work exhibiting remarkable achievement.</p> <p> The Franki Show is independently produced by indie duo filmmakers Bonnie Carter and Joey Harrison, and they are thrilled to have successfully entered the arena with the big boys and girls.</p> <p> Hailed as the ‘internet’s highest honor’ by the New York Times and often called the ‘Oscars of the internet’, the Webby Awards honors outstanding work, work which sets standards for the Internet. The Franki Show’s Official Honoree selection is a testament to the hard work and vision of its two creators and an inspiration for other indie filmmakers to continue producing low budget independent work.</p> <p> Selected from nearly 10,000 entries from 50 states and over 60 countries in the world, The Franki Show was competing in the Online Film and Video ‘Variety’ category, with some impressive heavyweight companies such as NBC, TED, PBS and AOL.</p> <p> Needless to say, the Franki Show team is incredibly excited about their Webby recognition.</p> <p> Watch The Franki Show, <a href="http://www.thefrankishow.com">HERE</a> .</p> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:36:31 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Lebanese-Ambassador-supports-festival/YVPHHSULWL.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Lebanese-Ambassador-supports-festival/YVPHHSULWL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Lebanese Film Festival</p> <p> The Lebanese Ambassador to Australia, Dr Jean Daniel, has expressed his support for the Lebanese Film Festival.</p> <p> Mr Daniel says, “I am very happy to support the Lebanese Film Festival Association. It paints a positive image of Lebanon and we are confident of the success of the inaugural festival”.</p> <p> Lebanese Film Festival Director, Camille Lattouf, Co-Director, Jessica Khoury and Media and Marketing Manager, Julia Lattouf, met with Mr Daniel and his wife, Mireille, in Canberra earlier this year.</p> <p> LFF Director, Mr Camille Lattouf says, “It is an honour to have the support of the Lebanese Ambassador to Australia. Mr Daniel has been of great assistance to us in providing a link with the broader Lebanese community across Australia.”</p> <p> With the help of Mr Daniel, the recent Multicultural festival in Canberra saw the Lebanese Film Festival Association contribute to showcasing Lebanon and its culture.</p> <p> Mr Daniel also enabled the Lebanese Film Festival Association to meet with His Excellency, President of the Republic of Lebanon, Michel Suleiman during his brief visit to Australia, to briefly inform him of the project.</p> <p> The inaugural event will take place between 22 August and 2 September 2012. Œ</p> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:21:07 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Sweet-13th-for-MUFF/LIVPMCJNQC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/23/article/Sweet-13th-for-MUFF/LIVPMCJNQC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from MUFF</p> <p> Over the last twelve years, MUFF has come to stand for everything that is important in independent cinema; providing a forum for emerging filmmakers, a venue for an audience hungry for alternative screen options, an exhibition platform for the overlooked or the voiceless and a beacon for the underground and anti-establishment.</p> <p> In the current climate of reducing media options and opinions, the true value of MUFF has never been so relevant or important.</p> <p> This year, MUFF is looking to continue to grow in both films screened and audience numbers. Its philosophy of bringing the best independent and alternative screen content to the widest possible audience has not waivered. The MUFF 13 program will include showcase local and international feature films, a short film program (MiniMUFF), the MUFF Academy (master-classes with prominent speakers from the local and international film community) and a series of one off, unique events designed to raise the profile of locally produced screen content. MUFF 13 will also again include an audience award competition to reward and encourage participating filmmakers.</p> <p> At the helm is the unique and inimitable Richard Wolstencroft. Never one to shy away from speaking his mind or standing up for what he believes in, Mr. Wolstenscroft has at times come up against both personal and professional attacks for his stance on censorship, freedom of speech and the state of the Australian Film Industry and its governing bodies. In 2010 Mr. Wolstencroft was charged and fined for organising a Free Speech Public Disobedience screening of the Bruce LaBruce film LA Zombie after it was pulled from the program of another prominent film festival due to government pressure. </p> <p> Ongoing attacks on our basic civil rights and freedom of speech have only strengthened his resolve and reinforced why MUFF is so important in a free and democratic society. This year also sees the introduction of a new Festival Co-Producer and Mini-MUFF Program Curator, David Leadbetter, an international award winning producer and freelancer in the Australian film & TV industry. </p> <p> Mr. Wolstencroft says, “We are proud to have David on our team as he brings not only his organising and logistics skills, but also his knowledge and experience of the local film industry. We do not always see eye to eye, but diversity within the MUFF family is why we are able to offer the film loving public the broadest range of viewing experiences”.</p> <p> Film submissions to MUFF 13 are now open until the deadline of the 22nd of June 2012. The entry form is available via <a href="http://www.muff.com.au.">www.muff.com.au.</a> MUFF 13 is also seeking volunteers to assist with the running of this year’s festival. Œ</p> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:14:29 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/High-Court-decision-shows-Government-needs-to-keep-pace-with-online-environment/HJGVWMVHMA.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/High-Court-decision-shows-Government-needs-to-keep-pace-with-online-environment/HJGVWMVHMA.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from AFACT</p> <p> Today’s decision by the High Court exposes the failure of copyright law to keep pace with the online environment and the need for Government to act, leading film and television industry companies said following the announcement of the decision.</p> <p> The High Court ruled against leading film and television companies who sued iiNet for failing to take action in response to known infringements by customers using its network.</p> <p> Representing the film companies, Australian Federation against Copyright Theft (AFACT) Managing Director Neil Gane said the judges in the case had unanimously recognised that legislative change was required to address the widespread copyright infringements via Peer to Peer technology in Australia.</p> <p> “Both judgements in this case recognise that copyright law is no longer equipped to deal with the rate of technological change we have seen since the law of authorisation was last tested. They both point to the need for legislation to protect copyright owners against P2P infringements,” Mr Gane said.</p> <p> “The Judges recognise the significant rate of copyright infringement online and point to the fact that over half the usage of iiNet’s internet service by its customers (measured by volume) was represented by Bit Torrent file sharing which was known to be used for infringing activities,” he said</p> <p> “Now that we have taken this issue to the highest court in the land, it is time for Government to act.</p> <p> “We are confident the Government would not want copyright infringement to go on unabated across Australian networks especially with the rollout of the NBN,” he said.</p> <p> Mr Gane also said the decision shows that Australian law has been left behind by overseas developments in online copyright protection.</p> <p> “In the three years since the case commenced, legislators, regulators and courts around the world have mandated that ISPs must play a central role in preventing online copyright theft,” he said.</p> <p> “Fortunately, many ISPs have come to the conclusion that being involved in online copyright protection is in their commercial interests. </p> <p> “ISPs are becoming increasingly dependent on monetising legal content and therefore protecting its value.”</p> <p> Mr Gane said it was too early to comment on the details of the decision but that he copyright owners would be having discussions with Government in due course.</p> <p> “We thank the actors’ union (MEAA), and songwriters, composers and publishers (APRA), who also had concerns about the outcome of this case, for taking the time and effort to express them to the court.</p> <p> “We would also like to acknowledge all content creators whose movies, music, pictures and words we all enjoy and for whom today’s decision must be extremely concerning,” Mr Gane said.</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:23:59 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/Screen-Australia-names-delegates-attending-China-Film-Industry-Forum/DGNIPVGIAC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/Screen-Australia-names-delegates-attending-China-Film-Industry-Forum/DGNIPVGIAC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Screen Australia</p> <p> A high-level Australian film delegation, led by Screen Australia’s Chief Executive, Ruth Harley, will travel to Beijing to build relationships with Chinese screen industry representatives, for the second Australia-China Film Industry Forum, hosted by the Australian Embassy. The delegation includes prominent Australian film industry representatives, including Oscar®-winning producers Doug Mitchell (Happy Feet) and Emile Sherman (The King’s Speech).</p> <p> Dr Harley said, “The Australian Embassy in Beijing, through the Australia-China Film Industry Forum, is once again providing an ideal opportunity for Australian producers to establish and further build relationships with Chinese producers and production companies.”</p> <p> The Australia-China Film Industry Forum coincides with the opening of the second Beijing International Film Festival. The 2012 event builds on the highly successful inaugural Australia-China Film Industry Forum in December 2010. The Forum is an invitation-only event held on Monday 23 April and will include panel sessions and presentations by high-profile Australian film industry experts and leading world-class producers and directors. It will also provide opportunities for industry networking.</p> <p> “With two official Australian-Chinese co-productions released in 2011, and more Australian films being seen on Chinese screens, this Forum speaks to a bright future for the joint outcomes of our shared experience, skills and talents,” said Dr Harley.</p> <p> 2012 Australia-China Film Industry Forum speakers include:</p> <p> Dr Ruth Harley, Chief Executive Officer, Screen Australia Miao Xiaotian, Vice-President, Beijing Film Production Corporation, China Film Corporation Limited Chris Oliver, Senior Manager, State and Industry Partnerships, Screen Australia Alaric McAusland, Chairman/Managing Director, Ausfilm/Deluxe Australia Geoff Brown, Executive Director, Screen Producers Association of Australia Ellen Eliasoph, President and Chief Executive Officer, Village Roadshow Entertainment Group Asia Mario Andreacchio, Chairman/Executive Director, Australia-China Screen Alliance/AMPCO Films (Producer of the first official Australia-China film co-production The Dragon Pearl) Mathew Alderson, Partner, Asia Pacific, Harris & Moure Attorneys</p> <p> Australian delegation</p> <p> Delegation leader: Dr Ruth Harley, Chief Executive Officer, Screen Australia</p> <p> Chris Oliver, Senior Manager, State and Industry Partnerships, Screen Australia Alaric McAusland, Chairman of Ausfilm, Managing Director of Deluxe Australia, SPAA TVC, Services & Facilities Councillor Debra Richards, Chief Executive Officer, Ausfilm Defrim Isai, Director, Production Investment, ScreenWest Geoff Brown, Executive Director, Screen Producers Association of Australia</p> <p> Companies in alphabetical order:</p> <p> Mario Andreacchio, Executive Director and Producer, AMPCO Films Gary Hamilton, Founder and Executive Producer, Arclight Films – Lord of War, Strictly Ballroom, Two Hands Michael Tear, Managing Director, Bearcage Films Paul Sullivan, Producer, Benchmark Films Jane Cameron, Director, Cameron Creswell Agency Carmelo Musca, Producer, CM Film Productions Pauline Chan, Producer and Director, Darkroom Films Chris Hilton, Executive Producer and CEO, Essential Media and Entertainment Deidre Kitcher, Managing Director, Filmscope Entertainment Rosemary Blight, Producer, Goalpost Pictures Australia – Clubland, The Eternity Man, The Tree Doug Mitchell, Producer, Kennedy Miller Mitchell – Happy Feet (Oscar® winner), Babe (Oscar® winner), Happy Feet Two Lynda Woods, Producer, NJM Worldwide Ian Hart, Principal, Peace Mountain Productions Pamela Wilson Endrina, Principal, Red Tiger Productions Emile Sherman, Founder, Producer, See-Saw Films – The King’s Speech (Oscar® winner), Rabbit-Proof Fence John Dietz, Principal, VisPop Alan Lindsay, Managing Director, Vue Group Lesley Hammond, Principal, Wild Candy Œ</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:33:17 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/Cybersmart-film-recognised-in-New-York-Film-Awards/JQCVUGWTBO.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/Cybersmart-film-recognised-in-New-York-Film-Awards/JQCVUGWTBO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy</p> <p> The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Chair of the Joint Select Committee for Cybersafety, Senator Catryna Bilyk, today welcomed the news that Tagged has won a silver medal at the New York Festival’s International Film and Television Awards.</p> <p> Tagged, a short film to help educate young people about cyberbullying, sexting and protecting their digital reputation, was developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and launched by Senator Conroy in September 2011.</p> <p> “The government takes the online safety and security of all Australians, especially our young, very seriously,” Senator Conroy said.</p> <p> “We have committed $125.8 million to our Cybersafety Plan, which is a comprehensive strategy to combat online risks to children and help parents and educators protect children from inappropriate material. This includes funding to support cybersafety education and awareness initiatives provided by ACMA.”</p> <p> Senator Conroy said Tagged was developed by ACMA under this plan. School children, including members of the Youth Advisory Group on Cybersafety (YAG), informed the production of this film.</p> <p> “I would like to thank the students from Brighton Secondary College and Northcote High School who contributed valuable feedback and acted as extras in the film.”</p> <p> “I would also like to thank Wesley College in Melbourne for participating in the YAG and allowing their students to contribute to the making of this award winning film,” Senator Conroy said.</p> <p> “It is a valuable short film that I encourage all young people, parents and teachers to see,” Senator Bilyk said.</p> <p> Tagged can be viewed online now at www.cybersmart.gov.au/tagged or can be ordered on DVD free of charge from the Cybersmart website.</p> <p> The film is accompanied by lesson plans, activities and character interviews that promote positive online behaviour, for use in schools.</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:29:34 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/Black--White--Sex-returns-for-a-final-screening/TKHZCMFFZB.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/Black--White--Sex-returns-for-a-final-screening/TKHZCMFFZB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Titan View</p> <p> Internationally acclaimed indie feature Black & White & Sex is coming back for an additional and final public screening at 7pm, Friday 27th April at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter.</p> <p> Black & White & Sex recently enjoyed a season at the Classic Cinema, Elsternwick in Melbourne, and ran for four weeks at Hoyts EQ in Sydney.</p> <p> Black & White & Sex is the directorial debut of acclaimed Producer John Winter (Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doing Time for Patsy Cline, Paperback Hero). The film has been applauded by film lovers and the sex industry for the way it debunks myths about sex and sex workers, and the thrilling way it explores sexual politics between men and women.</p> <p> Black & White & Sex has generated a cult following, particularly with the sex industry and sex positive groups. The Friday night screenings often end up more like a party than a traditional screening with hundreds of dollars’ worth prizes given away each session.</p> <p> The final screening will take place in Sydney at 7pm, Friday 27th April at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter and will be followed by a Q&A with the director and an after party at the Bavarian Bier Café.</p> <p> There will also be over $500 worth of prizes awarded for the cheekiest outfitˆso dust off your leathers and bust out the sling backs and help send Black & White & Sex off with a bang!</p> <p> Please note this session will sell out, tickets are available via:</p> <p> <a href="http://www.titanview.com/index.php/screenings/black-white-sex-screenings" target="_blank">http://www.titanview.com/index.php/screenings/black-white-sex-screenings</a></p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:25:45 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/10terrorists-to-screen-at-the-LA-Comedy-Festival/JTDEPBWDCI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/10terrorists-to-screen-at-the-LA-Comedy-Festival/JTDEPBWDCI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from 10terrorists</p> <p> The shock & awe(some) parody on reality television and terrorism has successfully shot a missile directly into the heart of the movie capital. The small Melbourne movie, 10TERRORISTS!, that launched at the Greater Union as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival on the 29th of March is getting its West Coast Premiere in Los Feliz in late April. As an official selection of the 11th Los Angeles Comedy Festival (the largest comedy festival in the United States), it has two screening and is one of only six feature films chosen.</p> <p> “Making the decision to go with the Comedy Festivals seems a good fit”. says producer, Andrea Buck. “Although the film is screening as part of the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival on the 18th April. There is also one final screening here in Melbourne on the 20th April at The Greater Union at 9.00pm”</p> <p> In this high-octane comedy, a Los Angeles producer steals from popular Reality TV formats, hiring three ex-military judges to seek out the ultimate “amateur master-terrorist. “We are parodying the producers and the very city of Los Angeles – with footage having being shot there” says producer/ director Dee McLachlan. “But I’m sure Hollywood can laugh at itself”.</p> <p> This film is a big departure from their previous feature, THE JAMMED, the acclaimed 2007 sex trafficking thriller, that burst onto the Australian film scene in 2007. Mclachlan used some of the cast (Veronica Sywak, Masa Yamaguchi) and crew from THE JAMMED (Cinematographer Peter Falk, Costume designer Jill Johanson, Sound recordist Rob Hornbuckle) to shoot principal photography in only 8 days. “We could only do this because we had a great crew and very talented actors” says McLachlan.</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:22:31 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/NAB-Show-Virtualsetworks-releases-new-line-of-virtual-backgrounds/MPYEPGCPMW.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/NAB-Show-Virtualsetworks-releases-new-line-of-virtual-backgrounds/MPYEPGCPMW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Virtualsetworks</p> <p> Virtualsetworks, the leading provider of virtual set studios, today announced a new line of virtual backgrounds called PowerSets. Virtualsetworks offers an extensive library of pre-existing sets and custom-designed virtual sets. PowerSets make the components within the virtual sets separate, enabling increased flexibility during post-production.</p> <p> PowerSets allow users to independently move virtual set components and turn layers on or off for expanded customization. There are more opportunities to add or remove things within these sets, such as adjusting furniture, desks and screens. Users can purchase only the elements they need, or bundle elements together as a package.</p> <p> “We are constantly working to provide high-quality, low-cost virtual backgrounds for video production professionals,” said Eric Pratt, CEO of Virtualsetworks. “We love finding ways to improve our products to fit our customers’ needs, and with PowerSets customers now have greater flexibility and customization opportunities.”</p> <p> PowerSets were designed to be easy to use and offer multiple layers of content for each virtual angle. With PowerSets, users are able to configure the set to meet their needs. Virtualsetworks products are available as still images and animated sequences in standard definition, high definition, stereoscopic, layered Adobe™ Photoshop™ files compatible with After Effects™, 3D scenes for NewTek's Lightwave™ and Autodesk 3D Studio Max™ as well as NewTek's Tricaster Pro, Studio, Broadcast, XD300, XD450, and XD850 products.</p> <p> PowerSets are available in a variety of formats starting with a base standard-definition model priced at $99, and expanded high-definition packages up to $599. Virtualsetworks’ virtual sets can be purchased individually or in a pack of 20 at www.virtualsetworks.com. The company also offers hundreds of other virtual set backgrounds from their Studio Sets™ and AnimSets™ lines. Œ</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:15:31 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/NAB-Show-Worlds-first-3D-Post-Production-virtual-system-launches/ADTHAMFGSQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/NAB-Show-Worlds-first-3D-Post-Production-virtual-system-launches/ADTHAMFGSQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Intensikey</p> <p> IntensiKey, the world’s first fully 3D post-production virtual set system, was released today at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. A first for the industry, intensiKey allows users to chroma key their footage into a true 3D virtual set with integrated camera moves during post-production. </p> <p> IntensiKey merges seamlessly into a user’s existing workflow to create true 3D virtual set animations from green screen footage without the hassle, complexity and expense of complicated 2D or 3D compositing programs. IntensiKey is the first true 3D post-production virtual set system created for everyday videographers. The software is easy-to-use, customizable, and affordable, and supports industry-standard resolutions.</p> <p> “We developed intensiKey to fulfill user demand for true 3D functionality when integrating green screen talent into a virtual set during the post-production process,” said Eric Pratt, CEO of intensiKey. “I’m thrilled to bring these game-changing features to my customers and enable even an average user access to true 3D capabilities.”</p> <p> IntensiKey software is incredibly versatile, complimenting any editing program. Users simply load their footage, add a B source and camera moves, select the desired output format, and render. The footage is ready to go straight to the internet, into a user’s editing program of choice, or anywhere else common video file formats are used. </p> <p> “I have worked with many virtual studios in the past, but intensiKey is different. It is a virtual 3D engine,” said Mark Harrigan, Director of IT at Palm Partners Recovery Center. “You simply bring in your un-keyed talent, key frame, and then output. I was an expert within an hour – it’s that easy to use.”</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:06:18 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/New-Zealand-short-selected-for-Cannes/KKDDZBGTXC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/20/article/New-Zealand-short-selected-for-Cannes/KKDDZBGTXC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from New Zealand Film Commission</p> <p> The New Zealand short film – NIGHT SHIFT, written and directed by Zia Mandviwalla has been chosen to compete for the 2012 Short Film Palme d’or at the top film festival on the international calendar. Night Shift has been selected out of 4,500 films to be in the final 10 competing for the prestigious prize.</p> <p> Night Shift is an incredibly moving tale of an airport cleaner trying to make it through another long shift. She does her job, tries not to draw attention to herself and gleans her survival from what others leave behind.</p> <p> It is the latest offering from writer/director Zia Mandviwalla whose previous work has earned her a host of prominent international selections at film festivals in Pusan, Melbourne and London. This is her fourth short film.</p> <p> “The news that we were selected to screen in competition at Cannes took me completely by surprise” said Zia Mandviwalla. “I am so very honoured and excited to represent New Zealand this year at this prestigious film festival.”</p> <p> “Night Shift wouldn't be the film that it is without the support and hard work of an exceptional cast and crew. This achievement is something I share with everyone who worked on the film” she said.</p> <p> Night Shift was funded through the New Zealand Film Commission’s (NZFC) Premiere Shorts scheme/programme. It was produced by Chelsea Winstanley and Matt Noonan through Curious Films in Auckland. Executive Producers are Maile Daugherty and Michael Bennett from A Collective Intake of Breath.</p> <p> “Selection for Cannes is an incredible achievement for any filmmaker” says NZFC Short Film Manager Lisa Chatfield. “Zia’s film is utterly compelling and will be a strong contender for the main short film award”.</p> <p> This selection follows a long line of achievements for New Zealand short films. Last year Blue, directed by Stephen Kang won the Critics’ Week Canal Plus Grand Prix in Cannes. </p> <p> “New Zealand shorts continue to punch above their weight” says Chatfield “New Zealand is second only to France when it comes to the number of shorts being selected for competition at Cannes.”</p> <p> The winner of the Short Film Palme d’or will be announced on the 27th of May.</p> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:15:25 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-AJA-product-announcements/LGUUTTOHZK.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-AJA-product-announcements/LGUUTTOHZK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from AJA</p> <p> AJA Announces Ki Pro Quad at NAB 2012</p> <p> AJA Video Systems announced Ki Pro Quad, a new solid-state portable video recorder at NAB Show 2012. Ki Pro Quad is capable of capturing high-quality edit-ready files in formats including 4K (4096 x 2160), Quad HD (3840 x 2160), 2K (2048 x 1080), and HD (1920 x 1080), for the fastest path from camera-to-editorial with 10-bit 4:4:4 and 10-bit 4:2:2 color support.</p> <p> "I believe a Ki Pro Quad, a Canon EOS C500 and a Thunderbolt™-enabled Mac will revolutionize the industry, delivering a powerful, portable and cost-effective gear solution for premium Hollywood filmmakers," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A.</p> <p> Ki Pro Quad helps facilitate a powerful workflow for 4K, accepting RAW camera output via SDI simultaneously outputting that data via Thunderbolt™. The recorder also performs debayer processing of the RAW data that can be used to produce on-board Apple ProRes recordings to SSD media. HD, 2K and 4K ProRes files recorded to removable SSD media may easily be used in a variety of popular non-linear editors. The debayered image produced by the Ki Pro Quad can also be used for 4K monitoring in real time. A scaled or cropped output is also simultaneously available for 2K or HD monitoring via dedicated SDI and HDMI connections.</p> <p> "We have been working very closely with Canon Inc. headquarters in Japan to optimize performance between Canon's upcoming Cinema EOS C500 digital cinema camera and our Ki Pro Quad," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. "Ki Pro Quad offers some amazing new ways of working; by creating post-friendly files to removable SSDs, moving the original camera RAW files to a Mac, and allowing 4K monitoring all at the same time. Regardless of what your production needs may be today, Ki Pro Quad will have you covered for future workflow needs as well."</p> <p> Ki Pro Quad Overview: --4K/Quad HD/2K/HD Solid State Video Recorder --Supports 10-bit 4:4:4 and 10-bit 4:2:2 --RAW support --Debayer and ProRes encode to on-board SSD --Realtime pass-through of RAW data via Thunderbolt --Uncompressed and debayered 4K monitoring output --Dedicated HD monitoring via SDI and HDMI --Record to edit-friendly 4K, 2K, or HD ProRes files on removable SSD media --Offload ProRes files to your non-linear edit system via AJA Thunderbolt SSD reader</p> <p> Ki Pro Quad Workflow: --Camera outputs 4K RAW over SDI --Ki Pro Quad accepts 4K RAW over SDI --Ki Pro Quad performs debayer processing of RAW --Debayered image is used for on-board compressed recordings to SSD media --Debayered image is used for 4K monitoring output --Debayered image is used for scaled/cropped HD monitoring via SDI and HDMI --RAW signal is passed from camera to Ki Pro Quad and out via Thunderbolt to computer/storage --Further manipulation of RAW is made possible via Canon software tools --HD, 2K, and 4K compressed recordings made to SSD media may be used directly in popular non-linear editor</p> <p> Ki Pro Quad will be available later in 2012 through AJA’s worldwide network of resellers for an MSRP of $3,995 US. For a complete set of features and technical specifications, please visit http://www.aja.com</p> <p> AJA Announces Ki Pro Rack, Ready-to-Edit Recording in 1RU Form Factor</p> <p> AJA Video Systems announced another new product in its Ki Pro family, Ki Pro Rack, enabling recording of high-quality, edit-ready files for the fastest path from camera to edit in a new 1RU rack mount form factor.</p> <p> "We've seen a lot of our customers use their Ki Pro units as a portable, cost-effective VTR alternative. Those customers in particular have been asking for Ki Pro functionality in a slim rack mountable unit," explained Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. "Ki Pro Rack is a great recording and playback solution for facilities migrating from tape to file-based workflows. Ki Pro rack is designed for machine rooms or mobile production trucks where rack space is at a premium and for any project looking for the function of a tape deck but with the instant access of a file-based system."</p> <p> Ki Pro Rack uses the same SSD or spinning disk storage modules as the Ki Pro with recording capacities scaling up to 500GB. Ki Pro Rack simplifies the acquisition-to-edit workflow by creating high-quality Apple ProRes 422 or Avid DNxHD files which can be used directly in most standard professional editing systems without the need to import or transcode files.</p> <p> Ki Pro Rack Key Features: --Ability to switch between Apple ProRes 422 and Avid DNxHD --Built-in broadcast-quality Up/Down/Cross conversions --HD/SD SDI, HDMI, and HD/SD analog video I/O --Multi-channel AES, analog balanced XLR, and embedded audio I/O --Familiar buttons and operation minimize learning curve --Dual media drive bays --Delivers the functionality of much larger devices without taking up valuable rack space --Sturdy and dependable with removable storage modules engineered for repeat use --Remote configuration and control via Ethernet LAN connection --Ethernet file transfer --Stand-alone operation and configuration, no need for external computer --RS-422 machine control, genlock, and LTC connections</p> <p> Ki Pro Rack is available now for an MSRP of $3995.00 (US) through AJA's worldwide network of resellers. For more information and list of global resellers, please visit http://www.aja.com</p> <p> AJA Announces T-TAP™, Thunderbolt™ Power in the Palm of Your Hand</p> <p> T-TAP Utilizes Thunderbolt™ for High-Quality 10-bit SD, HD and 2K Output in a Tiny Form Factor</p> <p> AJA Video Systems announced T-TAP™, a very small new bus-powered device that takes advantage of Thunderbolt™ connectivity for high-quality 10-bit SD, HD and 2K output through SDI and HDMI connections. This new adapter enables a simple, unobtrusive means of getting professional video and audio out of any Thunderbolt™-enabled Mac system.</p> <p> T-TAP provides video professionals an easy setup solution via its simple, single Thunderbolt cable connectivity for both power and data. Offering the ultimate in portability, T-TAP is lightweight and smaller than a standard mobile phone. T-TAP supports everything from SD to HD to 2K and 3D with pristine 10-bit quality, even over HDMI, and all with 8-channel embedded audio. T-TAP includes AJA's renowned Mac drivers and software for integrated compatibility with major software packages from Apple, Adobe, Avid and many more.</p> <p> "T-TAP delivers uncompromised video and audio quality and tackles a range of media output needs at a very low cost," said Nick Rashby, president, AJA Video Systems. "Packing a lot of power into a remarkably small form factor is what T-TAP is all about."</p> <p> T-TAP Key Features: --High-speed Thunderbolt™ connectivity --10-bit uncompressed 4:2:2 video and audio output --HD/SD SDI and HDMI connectivity supports simultaneous output at incredible 10-bit quality --3D support on HDMI for real-time stereoscopic review without requiring additional hardware --Full 8-channel embedded audio allows for multi-channel playback --Bus-powered via Thunderbolt™ connector so no additional power supply required --AJA Mac driver and proven software compatibility --Backed by AJA's quality, reliability and 3-year international warranty</p> <p> T-TAP will be available soon through AJA's network of worldwide resellers for a cost of $249.00 US. For a complete set of features and technical specifications, please visit http://www.aja.com</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:26:01 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-Avid-motion-graphics-delivers-on-air-imagery-faster-than-ever-before/XJEQQNTCEK.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-Avid-motion-graphics-delivers-on-air-imagery-faster-than-ever-before/XJEQQNTCEK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Avid</p> <p> Avid® (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced that it is showcasing Avid Motion Graphics™, the company’s next-generation graphics solution, at NAB 2012. Avid Motion Graphics gives media producers a streamlined graphics workflow allowing them to deliver stunning visual imagery to air and build strong brand recognition more cost-effectively.</p> <p> “Avid is committed to helping our customers unleash their creativity to convey information in new ways while also making their workflows more efficient,” said Dana Ruzicka, vice president of segment and product marketing at Avid. “With support for third-party tools, industry standards and plug-ins, Avid Motion Graphics offers the innovation and speed to help our customers work more creatively and cost-effectively than ever before.”</p> <p> “We are excited about the way our new Avid Motion Graphics solution lets us use the latest AMG software and Deko on the same platform to create high quality graphics and get them quickly to air,” said Christian Augereau, director, France Télévision, Overseas.</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:16:00 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-Blackmagic-Cinema-Camera/WWIAUWKXGO.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-Blackmagic-Cinema-Camera/WWIAUWKXGO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Blackmagic Design</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> The new camera includes powerful features such as super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, high resolution 2.5K sensor, built in high bandwidth SSD recorder, open file format support, colour correction with full version of DaVinci Resolve and a built in LCD with metadata entry, all in an attractive compact design for only $3075 AU$ (Inc GST).</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2012 booth at #SL220.</p> <p> Many current generation video cameras suffer from a "video look" due to a limited contrast range, a maximum HD resolution sensor, poor quality optics and lenses, the use of heavy video compression for file recording and poor integration with NLE software metadata management. With these limitations, they cannot be used for high end work or feature films.</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera has been designed to eliminate these problems so customers get a true feature film look, and at an affordable cost can shoot high end television commercials, episodic television programming and feature films. Œ</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a super wide 13 stops of dynamic range, large 2.5K sensor, a built in SSD recorder that has the bandwidth to capture open standard CinemaDNG RAW, ProRes and DNxHD files, a built in capacitive touch screen LCD for direct metadata entry, standard jack audio connections, built in high-speed Thunderbolt connection, 3 Gb/s SDI output, a refrigerated sensor for low noise, and is fully compatible with extremely high quality Canon EF and Zeiss ZF mount lenses.</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera also includes a full copy of DaVinci Resolve for colour correction and Blackmagic UltraScope software for waveform monitoring. UltraScope can be run on a laptop connected to the camera via a Thunderbolt connection.</p> <p> One of the most important features of the camera is its super wide dynamic range of 13 stops, allowing feature film quality images. Commonly people focus on more pixels, however often this just creates a higher resolution, but still "video" looking images that suffer from highlight and black clipping that limits details. Blackmagic Cinema Camera's wide dynamic range eliminates this problem and provides film quality with dramatically more detail retained in black and whites in the image. Once the shoot is complete, the included DaVinci Resolve colour correction software can be used to adjust images and take advantage of this extra range in the images. The high quality EF and ZF lens compatibility also helps create sharp and cinematic images that look incredible.</p> <p> To eliminate the damage that low bit depth and high compression video storage creates, Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a fast SSD recorder. The built in SSD recorder can record on fast solid state disks the full sensor detail in 12 bit Log RAW files in the open standard CinemaDNG format. These files can be read by all high end video software. The full 2.5K sensor data is stored in the files completely uncompressed because the SSD has the speed to store video data at the required rate. Then this high quality file can be colour corrected on DaVinci Resolve for the same high quality result currently only possible on cameras costing tens of thousands of dollars.</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera has been designed as the perfect companion to Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer NLE software. Unlike other cameras, which require the use of custom video file formats that are not compatible with popular NLE software, often making the post production process a nightmare, the Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes absolutely no custom video file formats, and every file type included is open standard. It records into CinemaDNG format for RAW files, ProRes and DNxHD for HD resolution files compatible with Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer.</p> <p> The built-in large LCD display makes focus easy, and allows playback of captured files. Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes a built in microphone, as well as external jack based mic/line level balanced audio connections. When playing back recorded clips, a speaker is built in, and there is an included headphone socket, as well as embedded audio on the SDI output and Thunderbolt connection. The SDI output includes all camera data such as time code, transport control, shutter angle, colour temperature setting and ASA information overlaid in attractive anti-aliased fonts.</p> <p> For easy metadata entry, the built in LCD features fast and responsive capacitive touch screen technology. When the user taps the display with a finger, a data entry window called the "slate" appears. This lets the user enter shot information just like typing on a smart phone. This data is then stored in the files so can be accessed by NLE software when editing content later. Metadata is compatible with popular software such as Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve. All camera settings can be changed on this touch LCD, such as frame rate, shutter angle, colour temperature, dynamic range, focus assist settings and more.</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera includes an innovative industrial design built from solid machined aluminium metal which results in an attractive but rugged design. All of the camera, recorder and display have been shrunk down into a lightweight design that’s very portable.</p> <p> "This is one of the most exciting products we have ever created and it’s been a work in progress for a very long time," said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. "Ever since I was a telecine engineer back in the 1990's I have wished that video cameras would include features that allowed them to perform creatively similar to film. However current digital cameras are too heavy, way too expensive and need costly accessories to work. We felt there was a need for a camera that delivered these features in a design that's optimized for professional video shoots, as well as being a compact, elegant design that's easily affordable. We think we have achieved that!"</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera Key Features</p> <p> · High resolution 2.5K sensor allows improved anti-aliasing and reframing shots. · Super wide 13 stops of dynamic range allows capture of increased details for feature film look. · Built in SSD allows high bandwidth recording of RAW video and long duration compressed video. · Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software such as CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW, Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD. No custom file formats. · Includes no custom connections. Standard jack mic/line audio in, BNC 3 Gb/s SDI out, headphone, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology, LANC remote control and standard DC 12-30V power connection. · Capacitive touch screen LCD for camera settings and slate metadata entry. · Compatible with extremely high quality Canon EF and Zeiss ZF lenses. · Supports 2.5K and 1080HD resolution capture in 24, 25, 29.97 and 30 fps. · Thunderbolt connection allows direct camera capture via included Media Express software and supports live waveform monitoring via the included Blackmagic UltraScope software. · Includes a full copy of DaVinci Resolve 9.0 colour grading software.</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> Availability and Price</p> <p> Blackmagic Cinema Camera will be available July 2012 for $3075 AU$ (Inc GST) from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide. Œ</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:53:19 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Asia-Pacific-Screen-Awards-to-showcase-films-in-China/JRZCLLYCUB.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Asia-Pacific-Screen-Awards-to-showcase-films-in-China/JRZCLLYCUB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Asia Pacific Screen Awards A Separation (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin, Islamic Republic of Iran), Academy Award and Golden Globe winner and the 2011 Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) Best Film recipient, will join Australian box office sensation Red Dog as two of four APSA 2011 nominees and winners to be showcased to Chinese audiences at the 2012 Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) in April. Since its inauguration in 2011, the Beijing International Film Festival has enlisted APSA to recommend a selection of the finest films from the region for the festival’s Panorama section. APSA Artistic Director, Maxine Williamson said, “It is extremely rewarding to work with BJIFF to promote and highlight the extraordinary talents of Asia Pacific. We are delighted to continue our relationship with BJIFF this year in order to offer members of our 500-strong Academy the opportunity to premiere their films in China. I congratulate BJIFF on their selections and wish the second edition of the festival great success.” A Separation, produced, directed and written by Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi won the 2011 APSA for Best Feature Film. Red Dog, directed by Kriv Stenders and produced by Nelson Woss and Julie Ryan was nominated for the 2011 APSA Best Children’s Feature Film award. “Just like the real Red Dog, the Red Dog movie has roamed around the world, entertaining audiences along the way,” said producer Nelson Woss. “I am very pleased that the Chinese people will have the opportunity to experience the film at this prestigious festival." Other APSA films selected for BJIFF include the critical and commercial Hindi hit and 2011 nominee for APSA Best Feature Film Wedding Planners (Band Baaja Baraat, India) directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced by Aditya Chopra, and 2011 Berlin International Film Festival Crystal Bear special mention The Flood (Mabul, Israel / France / Germany / Canada) directed by Guy Nattiv and produced by Chilik Michaeli, Ina Fichman, Avraham Pirchi, Tami Leon, David Silber, Moshe Edery and Leon Edery. The Flood was nominated for the 2011 APSA Best Children’s Feature Film. “I believe that India and China have proven themselves to be global destinations in all spheres, including entertainment,” said Avtar Panesar, Vice President of International Operations at Yash Raj Films, producers of Wedding Planners. “I am excited about collaborating with our friends in China to bring our rich cultures together through cinema and this is a small but significant step in that direction.” Maxine Williamson will be representing APSA at the Beijing Film Festival and in conjunction with the MPA (Motion Picture Association) will be hosting a reception on Wednesday, April 25 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm in Beijing. Since its inception in 2010, the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund has provided eight Asia Pacific Screen Academy members with over US$200,000 in grants to assist them realise their stories for the screen. The reception will conclude with a screening of A Separation, which received an inaugural MPA APSA Academy Film Fund grant in 2010 and marks the first completed project supported by the initiative. The sixth annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards will take place on Friday November 23, 2012 in Queensland, Australia. Further information on the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund is available at http://www.asiapacificscreenacademy.com/the-academy/mpa-apsa-academy-film-fund/</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:45:50 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Blood-Brothers-receives-a-Hugo/XNOIGTTKEX.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Blood-Brothers-receives-a-Hugo/XNOIGTTKEX.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Hugo Television Awards</p> <p> The juries for the 2012 Hugo Television Awards have announced the award winners for this year’s competition, and Australian Director Peter Andrikidis (Underbelly, East West 101, The Kings of Mykonos) has been awarded the 'Silver Plaque Special Achievement: Direction' for his telemovie Blood Brothers.</p> <p> Produced by Playmaker Media, the 90-minute crime thriller about the grisly Gilham family murders in Sydney stars Lisa McCune (Blue Heelers), Tony Martin (False Witness) and Michael Dorman (Daybreakers), and aired on Channel Nine in May 2011.</p> <p> Blood Brothers was expressly chosen from a long list of submissions, both domestic and international for the award.</p> <p> The official awards ceremony will be held on April 19 in Chicago. Œ</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:11:22 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Dripping-in-Chocolate-delivers/NODJRYXTFU.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Dripping-in-Chocolate-delivers/NODJRYXTFU.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release BBC Worldwide</p> <p> Dripping in Chocolate, a one x 90 minute Southern Star commission for UKTV Australia, had an average audience of 111,000 viewers since its premiere on Saturday April 7, as part of the annual murder mystery event Whodunit? </p> <p> The consolidated reach of 215,000 for 7-14 April adds over 35,000 viewers to the already impressive 179,400 unique viewers for its premiere (combined reach for UKTV and UKTV+2).</p> <p> Commissioning a bespoke Australian drama as the promotional anchor of a curated crime collection helped the channel reach 83,000 new viewers and enticed the established heartland of 'over-55s' to sample a new treat amongst the familiar franchises of Lewis, Midsomer Murders and literary adaptation DCI Banks.</p> <p> A delicious mix of love and mystery, Dripping in Chocolate is a contemporary crime drama set in the laneways of inner city Sydney. When Detective Bennett O’Mara (Wenham) finds a chocolate wrapper on a strangled girl, it leads him to enigmatic chocolatier Juliana Lovece (Louise Lombard, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) Just as this perceptive woman gets under his hardened skin, he suspects she may be at the centre of an increasing murder count.</p> <p> BBC Worldwide Australia’s GM / Director of Channels & Branded Services Deirdre Brennan said, “Subscription television is a fantastic platform for unique, premium drama and I am very proud that UKTV’s local commission Dripping in Chocolate has proved to be an audience favourite. This is another step towards increasing our commitment to creating original, quality local drama.”</p> <p> UKTV has commissioned a slate of successful dramas to support the ACMA expenditure requirement including AFI and ASTRA award-winning drama False Witness. In 2013, the channel will premiere Top of the Lake, a 6 x 60 minute mystery written and directed by Jane Campion, which is a co-production between BBC Two, Sundance Channel, and UKTV Australia and New Zealand. Œ</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:23:06 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Box-Office-boom/MFQKMMNUWG.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Box-Office-boom/MFQKMMNUWG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Val Morgan</p> <p> Over $337 million has been spent at the Australian Box Office so far this year, an increase of 13% year on year.</p> <p> Top grossing movies year-to-date include The Hunger Games ($24m), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows ($20m), Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked ($19m), The Descendants ($15m), and 21 Jump Street ($13m).</p> <p> Val Morgan CEO Damian Keogh said the year-to-date box office results reflect the strength of movie-going in Australia and the depth of movies on offer.</p> <p> “2012 is off to a great start at the Box Office with the second highest quarter in Australian history and the ongoing outlook remains strong. There are titles screening that appeal to all ages and with these strong figures there has never been a better time for brands to capitalize on the unique impact and engagement of the cinema environment.”</p> <p> The box office juggernaut looks set to continue rolling with a phenomenal line-up of movies set to hit screens in the next few months, including The Avengers, Men In Black 3, The Dark Knight Rises, Five Year Engagement, Ice Age 4 and many others. Œ</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:17:06 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Webby-Award-nomination-for-Asylum-Exit-Australia/GFSXUOACCT.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/Webby-Award-nomination-for-Asylum-Exit-Australia/GFSXUOACCT.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from the CLF (Chocolate Liberation Front)</p> <p> CLF received the nomination for Asylum: Exit Australia, an interactive documentary that allows users to simulate the experience of being an asylum seeker.</p> <p> The project was launched in conjunction with SBS’s Go Back to Where You Came From TV series and was produced by CLF’s Chris Sullivan with executive producers Frank Verheggen and Dan Fill, in association with the Refugee Council of Australia, and with the support and assistance of Screen Australia’s National Documentary Program, Screen Australia’s Innovation Fund, SBS Online and Film Victoria. It previously received a Special Commendation at the United Nations Association of Australia
Media Peace Awards 2011.</p> <p> Hailed as the "internet's highest honor" by The New York Times, the Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the internet, including websites, interactive advertising & media, online film & video, and mobile & apps. Established in 1996, the 16th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS).</p> <p> "The nominees mirror this incredible year on the internet, from memes to viral videos to cultural movements and extraordinary creativity," said David-Michel Davies, Executive Director of the Webby Awards. "IADAS has distilled the best and most innovative work on the web and we look forward to celebrating at this year's ceremony in May."</p> <p> Chocolate Liberation Front’s Frank Verheggen says ‘We’re humbled by this recognition and can’t emphasize enough how thrilled we were to be able to work on this project, with such an important topic. SBS is going from strength to strength and showing tremendous vision in commissioning cutting edge projects.’</p> <p> Asylum: Exit Australia is the second of three innovative factual projects CLF produced in collaboration with SBS. The first, Immigration Nation: Building Multicultural Australia, was selected as an Official Honoree at the last years Webby Awards and was shortlisted as a Finalist for a New South Wales Premier’s History Award.</p> <p> Currently in production is Wonderland (working title); an online interactive documentary by first time directors David Elliot-Jones, Lachlan McLeod and Louis Dai. The project is an investigation into the Indian Student Crisis; a world where thousands of vulnerable young people have been left to face exploitation, poverty and racial violence in the very country they were told would provide their dream future. It is developed and produced in association with SBS, produced in association with Screen Australia and with the assistance of Film Victoria.</p> <p> <a href="http://sbs.com.au/asylumexitaustralia/">CLICK HERE</a> to be a part of the Asylum: Exit Australia experience. Œ</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:38:01 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-Mirror-Mirror-fairest-of-all/QIAGTHHRJZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NAB-Show-Mirror-Mirror-fairest-of-all/QIAGTHHRJZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Digital Vision</p> <p> Digital Vision returns in a supporting role to the Paris-based Film Factory, a global post-production company, in the finishing of Relativity Media's Mirror Mirror. The beautifully stylised retelling of the Snow White tale, featuring Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen, is a visual feast, pushing post production and visual effects fully to express the filmmaker's colourful vision.</p> <p> The project, which was directed by Tarsem Singh and shot by Brendan Galvin on the Sony F35, was completed at the Montreal-based facilities of Film Factory. Lionel Kopp, Founder of Film Factory and one of the world's leading colourists, worked closely with the project's creative visionaries, assisted by the expertise within Digital Vision to execute a dynamic colour pipeline.</p> <p> Mirror Mirror was directed, shot and produced by the same creative team that delivered The Immortals to audiences last year, and the design of the production-through-final colour workflow had been developed for that earlier project. Like its predecessor, Mirror Mirror had a number of complex visual elements to manage and with the experience gained on The Immortals, this guaranteed a fast turnaround. The Film Factory's process is centred on the Nucoda Film Master, which marries a powerful on-set solution to the final colour pass. The Film Master system, which included a SAN and Nucoda Fuse assist station, was installed on set in Montreal. From the set, Kopp did a grading pass of the Sony F35 dailies, which were then sent to the editing room with the colour settings. In some cases, a further grading took place prior to dailies screening in the DI suite with director and crew. Designing this system meant that the dailies - from the set through screening and ultimately delivery - were kept in a closely matched, carefully monitored environment. As he did for The Immortals, Kopp graded every take from the first day of dailies through completion of the DI.</p> <p> "Building the infrastructure frees me and the director to concentrate on what we really want to do, and that is to create something beautiful," says Kopp. "This workflow allowed the artistic process to go on through the entire course of the project, not just at the end. It was all about the colour palette and choosing visuals that we wanted in the story. If you have to worry about how the pipeline is going to work, that takes time away from what is important. Nucoda has freed us from those concerns. That is why we started with one, and now have three."</p> <p> In addition to dailies and preparing for the DI, there were previews of the film, which were graded and screened for preview audiences. When audience comments came in, the notes were incorporated into the process and considered for the final DI grade. Working in the Nucoda facilitated easy export for those previews.</p> <p> Colourist Marc Boucrot, who also worked on the project for Film Factory, notes, "From our experience on The Immortals, we were ready and comfortable to go through the process a second time. That was important, since the time frame for Mirror Mirror was significantly compressed, and there were previews to incorporate. With four months from beginning to end, there was simply no time for missteps and confusion in the pipeline. The Nucoda was a critical piece of our success in this project."</p> <p> There were nearly 1,300 visual effects shots in the movie, and Kopp states, "The Nucoda enabled us to have one central hub, where dailies colour settings, visual effects and eventually the DI was managed. There were vendors from all over the world, but the VFX Supervisor, Tom Wood, was in house with us in Montreal during the shoot, and in the post production building at Wildfire Studios in Los Angeles where editing, sound editing and mixing, and DI rooms were all together. As shots came in, we were able to look at them in the DI rooms and see how they were working. The ability to have all of these activities going on in one location, our facility, was crucial given the time frame and the visual style of the movie."</p> <p> "Keeping the process in-house was important." Kopp adds. "Helping Tarsem execute his vision for Mirror Mirror was our first priority. Every project we undertake is an artistic and technical process, and we plan and execute how to do that in the best way, from day one to the final delivery. We want to be efficient, creative, and enable filmmakers to tell the story they set out to tell. As we finish this second project with our Nucoda driven pipeline, we have seen again that the Nucoda Film Master is fundamental to our process."</p> <p> Mirror Mirror continues rolling out in theatres worldwide.</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:26:22 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NYF-TV--Film-grows-greener/DTOBVOEVPF.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/17/article/NYF-TV--Film-grows-greener/DTOBVOEVPF.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from New York Festivals®</p> <p> New York Festivals® International Television & Film Awards, continues to grow its green initiative for the second year in a row by offering an e-program on a mobile app.</p> <p> Attendees of the 2012 TV & Film Awards, taking place April 17th at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, can save trees while viewing the paperless awards program on their phone or mobile device. With a quick scan of the QR code, NYF’s mobile app puts the award-winning entries at the attendee’s fingertips. To view the app <a href="http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/nabshow2012/mobile/">CLICK HERE</a>.</p> <p> The New York Festivals e-program mobile app will communicate all of the 2012 TV & Film awards program information: Grand Trophy, Gold, Silver, and Bronze award-winning entries, as well as the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, Broadcaster of the Year, Production Company of the Year, and United Nations Department of Public Information Awards. All NYF & NAB co-sponsored events and screenings will also be included.</p> <p> Newly launched in 2012, the Green Promotion category continues NYF’s support for all things Green by honoring promos created for environmental awareness campaigns. Green Promotion entries achieving Finalists status include i-CABLE Entertainment Limited, Hong Kong “Save The World: Conserve Energy”, and Cartoon Network Latin America, USA “Green Campaign”.</p> <p> 2012 Award winners will be announced at the April 17th Awards Ceremony.</p> <p> New York Festivals Television & Film Awards will shine the spotlight on the World’s Best TV & Films™. The second annual NYF Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to one of sports broadcasting industry’s most accomplished executives Geoffrey Mason, Senior Production Specialist for ESPN. Mr. Mason, will be the keynote speaker for the 2012 NAB Show “Creative Master Series,” featuring an in-depth interview conducted by acclaimed sports journalist, ESPN Anchor Bob Ley titled “Mason Unplugged” on April 17th at 9:30AM.</p> <p> 2012 Grand Trophy winning work will be showcased at an NYF/NAB sponsored screening on April 18th at 3:00PM taking place at the Content Theater.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/nabshow2012/nyf_show.html">CLICK HERE</a> for schedule and ticket information. Œ</p> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:15:36 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Cinedeck-RXv3-5-delivers-new-configurations-for-Broadcast-and-Cinema/DZWGWBXZVL.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Cinedeck-RXv3-5-delivers-new-configurations-for-Broadcast-and-Cinema/DZWGWBXZVL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Cinedeck</p> <p> Cinedeck LLC (www.cinedeck.com), pioneering developer of mobile capture systems for motion picture and broadcast production, will premiere a significant software upgrade to its Cinedeck RX, record monitoring and playback system, plus brand new configurations of Cinedeck RX for broadcast and cinema applications, at NAB 2011 (Cinedeck Booth #SL13417).</p> <p> Cinedeck RX is a rack-mountable, solid-state recording, monitoring and playback system. It delivers tapeless workflow to studios, broadcasters and post-production facilities working across the broad range of entertainment production in both 2D and 3D stereoscopic formats. It has the greatest native capture and codec versatility of any recorder currently available, delivering ready-to-edit files, and eliminating time-consuming and costly transcoding processes.</p> <p> Now Cinedeck is launching brand new configurations – the Cinedeck RX Broadcast and Cinedeck RX Cine/444 (current Cinedeck RX system) – that focus on the different needs of the broadcast and digital cinema markets.</p> <p> The new Cinedeck RX Broadcast configuration is focused on ease of integration into broadcast, mobile OB and multi-camera workflows. Along with delivering unparalleled HD codec and format diversity, it provides two-channel single-link HDSDI inputs with four single-link HDSDI outputs, full duplex video I/O for simultaneous record/play, character overlay to display/embed metadata on a control room monitor, such as status or timecode, and supports eight channels of embedded audio. It also offers uncompressed 422 2D and 3D stereo support, plus realtime up/down/cross conversion.</p> <p> The existing Cinedeck RX is now the Cinedeck RX Cine/444 configuration, and supports high-resolution workflows that are typical in digital cinema production. Expanding the already unmatched codec choice, it also now adds Apple ProRes 444 and Avid DNx444 codecs for editorial, and comes with HDMI, dual-link and 3G HDSDI I/O, two channels of AES audio, and 16 channels per video input of embedded SDI audio. It also offers uncompressed 422 2D and 3D stereo support, plus realtime up/down/cross conversion.</p> <p> The new, free-of-charge, v3.5 software upgrade extends Cinedeck RX’s native support to include Panasonic DVCPRO-HD cameras, and adds a DPX codec for post production, and H.264 for playout to broadcast servers, dailies deliverables, web-based services and iPad.</p> <p> Cinedeck RX’s unparalleled codec support now encompasses all types of Avid DNxHD, Avid Meridien JFIF Apple ProRes and CineForm formats; uncompressed 444 (10-bit) or 422 (8- or 10-bit); AVC-I 100/50; XDCAM HD50/XDCAM EX35; DVCPRO-HD; H.264 and DPX. Footage is immediately ready for editing in popular editors such as Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas and GV Edius. Avid DNx444 and Apple ProRes 4444 are available on the Cinedeck RX Cine/444 configuration.</p> <p> Both configurations of the Cinedeck RX will ship with Cinedeck Controller, a free-of-charge TCP/IP Windows-based Windows application enabling multiple Cinedeck RX systems to be managed from any PC, or via a browser, with no additional hardware requirements. Cinedeck Controller will drive up to 24 channels (across 12 Cinedeck RX systems) from a single interface.</p> <p> “The flexible architecture of Cinedeck RX has allowed us to rapidly develop brand new configurations that meet the operational requirements of different markets,” said Charles Dautremont, CEO of Cinedeck LLC. “With the launch of Cinedeck RX Broadcast and Cinedeck RX Cine/444, broadcast and cinema producers can select a tool that’s already tuned for their specific purposes. The latest v3.5 software upgrade extends the reputation of Cinedeck RX as the industry’s most flexible and versatile record, monitoring and playback tool, while delivering the same extreme performance.”</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:51:08 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-ShowPanasonic-and-Liveu-announce-strategic-technology-partnership/OOJKWOUJAP.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-ShowPanasonic-and-Liveu-announce-strategic-technology-partnership/OOJKWOUJAP.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Panasonic</p> <p> Panasonic and LiveU (Hackensack, NJ), a pioneer in portable video-over-cellular, are announcing a new collaboration to deliver an integrated camcorder and live video uplink solution, utilizing the groundbreaking LU40i video uplink device and the new AJ-HPX600 P2 camcorder with planned wireless integration features.</p> <p> The LU40i will be linked via the camera interface, giving camera operators a real-time indication of LiveU's transmission status and video transmission quality. With the LU40i and HPX600, a camera operator will be able to manage the video uplink while shooting: a must for a one-person remote crew.</p> <p> Samuel Wasserman, LiveU's CEO, said, "We're thrilled that Panasonic, a world-leading camera developer and manufacturer, has partnered with LiveU to develop this next-generation camera uplink solution using our cellular-based technology. We are confident that 'live cameras' symbolize the future for broadcasting and online media, and will open up new market segments for live video transmission around the world."</p> <p> This integration strengthens LiveU's ongoing collaboration with Panasonic, following last September's announcement at IBC Amsterdam to facilitate HD 3D live mobile broadcasts over cellular networks.</p> <p> Michael Bergeron, Business Development Manager for Panasonic System Communications Company of North America (PSCNA), said, "We want to deliver solutions for our broadcast customers that evolve with the pace of new technology, and the upgradable HPX600 camcorder platform gives us the flexibility to do that. When the operation of the LU40i is integrated with the camera, the complete system provides a high-quality video feed with the easiest remote operation yet."</p> <p> Panasonic and LiveU are planning to offer the complete camcorder transmission system, and will be providing details as the AJ-HPX600 launch approaches. Œ</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:46:12 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Sony-launches-SR-D1-Memory-Drive-Unit/WXZLRNXJKN.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Sony-launches-SR-D1-Memory-Drive-Unit/WXZLRNXJKN.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sony</p> <p> At NAB in Las Vegas, Sony has announced the launch of the SR-D1, a compact, affordable and easy to use Memory Drive Unit which opens up the power of F65RAW and SStP workflow to a much wider user base. The SR-D1 is the latest addition to Sony’s SRMASTER family and has been designed for drag & drop ingest of content from SRMemory media recorded using cameras such as the revolutionary F65 with SR-R4 recorder and the PMW-F3 with SR-R1 recorder.</p> <p> The SR-D1 is equipped with both USB3.0 and eSATA interfaces for direct connection to a computer. Installation of the SR-Driver software onto the computer brings the ability to drag and drop files from SRMemory media using Windows Explorer or MacOS Finder. Clips can also be browsed before transfer using Sony’s F65RAW Viewer or SR Viewer applications.</p> <p> Anthony Kable, senior product manager at Sony Australia and New Zealand, said; “By expanding the SRMASTER line up we’re making the power of SRMemory operation more accessible across applications such as on-set dailies and post production. The launch of the SR-D1 re-emphasises Sony’s commitment to develop leading-edge technology for professionals who are looking to create their best -ever images in HD, 3D or true 4K”</p> <p> First deliveries of the SR-D1 are scheduled for July 2012.</p> <p> SRMASTER is a registered trademark of the Sony Corporation.</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:43:15 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Autodesk-introduces-Smoke-2013-video-editing-software/HPNIGYLGEQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Autodesk-introduces-Smoke-2013-video-editing-software/HPNIGYLGEQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Autodesk</p> <p> Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) introduces Autodesk Smoke 2013 video editing software, a completely redesigned and repackaged version of the all-in-one video editing and visual effects tool for the Mac. Smoke 2013, born out of two decades of visual effects leadership, features a unified creative workflow that brings powerful node-based compositing right in the timeline.</p> <p> “Autodesk combined over 20 years of visual effects leadership and customer feedback to create video editing and effects software that serves the current and evolving marketplace for high-quality video content. Early feedback has been gratifyingly enthusiastic,” said Marc Petit, senior vice president, Autodesk Media & Entertainment. The industry is already abuzz with excitement for this upcoming version of Smoke. Matt Silverman, creative director at San Francisco-based Bonfire Studios said, “Autodesk creates tools for pros and listens to pros to create their tools.”</p> <p> A recent Autodesk-commissioned survey of film and video production companies found that editors and studio owners are grappling with limited budgets, file management complexity and tight project timelines. Of the respondents, 42 percent cited dealing with different file formats as one of the biggest challenges with current editing and finishing tools. In the survey, 82 percent called out Smoke software’s support for HD and higher resolution formats and 60 percent its all-in-one package as the most valuable features to help combat production complexity and streamline their post-production workflow. The research illuminated a thriving professional video market with more Hollywood blockbuster-quality content required for web, new mobile platforms, interactive advertising and traditional broadcast.</p> <p> The professional video market is eagerly awaiting an improved post-production workflow and demanding pipeline efficiency. The new all-in-one Smoke, with its unified editing and effects workflow, can be that tool. Smoke can help editors simplify their workflow, centrally manage their media, work interactively with high-res media throughout their projects and deliver high-end content.</p> <p> “Time is not a renewable resource. A multi-application workflow with all the round-tripping is time that’s taken away from being creative. With Smoke, you have all those tools in one place. You cannot underestimate the power of what we call ‘the super app.’ The idea of non-linear editing-centric visual effects is what we’ve all been crying out for a decade. This version of Smoke is disruptive. This version of Smoke is going to be a change agent,” said Chief Technology Officer and Industry Evangelist, Evan Schechtman of NY-based transmedia company @radical media.</p> <p> To watch live streaming and on demand presentations from the Autodesk NAB booth, including Evan Schechtman’s integrated Final Cut Pro X to Smoke workflow for Grey Goose vodka, visit http://area.autodesk.com/nab2012. Key Features • The Smoke User Interface (UI) — An intuitive all-in-one creative workflow that combines track-based editorial, industry-standard editing conventions and proven Autodesk creative tools. • ConnectFX — Powerful node-based compositing inside the timeline for high-end effects and advanced compositing without leaving the editorial environment. • Creative Tools — A robust toolset with proven high-end finishing tools, Action for true 3D compositing, the Colour Warper for professional grading and color matching, the Master Keyer for one-click chroma keying and stereoscopic 3D editing and effects. • MediaHub — A modern approach to working natively with the most common formats that facilitates managing all project media from ingest to edit to effects and archiving. • Lower System Requirements — Runs on the most recent generation of Apple iMac and MacBook Pro systems using high-bandwidth Thunderbolt storage and IO bringing true high-end video effects to flexible desktop and mobile workflows.</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:40:01 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Panasonic-unveils-new-professional-video-solutions/ZEANXYOEGH.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/NAB-Show-Panasonic-unveils-new-professional-video-solutions/ZEANXYOEGH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Panasonic</p> <p> Panasonic Australia has announced the AG-AC160A and AG-AC130A, upgraded versions of its newest professional AVCCAM HD camera recorders.</p> <p> Improved functionality in both camera recorders includes expanded focus assist and “turbo-speed” one-push auto-focus function. The AG-AC160A also incorporates acquisition in the 1080/50p and 1080/60p HD recording formats (PS mode).</p> <p> Expanded focus assist enables the AG-AC160A and AG-AC130A to zoom in on the picture to check focus in addition to the conventional focus-in-red focus assist. The turbo-speed one-push auto-focus capability ensures that the camera recorders quickly attain focus. The addition of 1080/50p and 60p recording (PS mode (maximum 28Mbps)) to the AG-AC160A is of special value to worldwide customers in broadcasting, sports and scientific analysis, where this mastering-quality format is rapidly proliferating.</p> <p> The AG-AC160A and AG-AC130A incorporate high-sensitivity 1/3 type, Full HD 2.2 megapixel 3-MOS imagers to capture native 1920 x 1080 resolution images, with a new, wider 22X HD zoom lens, the longest in its category.</p> <p> Key features include two SD Memory Card slots for relay or simultaneous recording, compatibility with Panasonic’s new SDHC full Class 10 UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed) Memory Cards, an enhanced viewfinder and LCD display, and DV recording. The higher-end AG-AC160A also includes such top production features as variable frame rate recording in 1080p, Linear PCM audio, HD-SDI output, and switchability between 59.94Hz/50Hz.</p> <p> The AG-AC160A and AG-AC130A will be available in Australia in May at $5494.00 RRP (including GST) and $4528.00 RRP (including GST) respectively. Current AG-AC160 and AG-AC130 owners will be able to purchase this suite of upgrades. The price of the upgrade suite will be announced closer to the release date.</p> <p> The 60p/50p upgrade for the AG-AC160 is free and can be performed by the customer. The turbo-speed one-push auto-focus and Expanded Focus Assist upgrades require a hardware change and this needs to be done at a Panasonic Authorised Service Center. </p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:36:07 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Gen-Y-Documentary-Filmmaking/ZLWQIEEZES.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Gen-Y-Documentary-Filmmaking/ZLWQIEEZES.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Late Nite Films Young film-makers aren’t waiting for opportunities - they’re finding & creating them for-themselves. Twenty-two-year-old female documentary film-maker, Jacqui Hocking, will be returning to Australia this April, after sailing from South Africa to Brazil as part of a long-form documentary project, before flying out again in May to film her second documentary for the year, in Sri Lanka. Jacqui is a director of the young Melbourne-based filmmaking collective, LateNite Films. Choosing not to go to film school, she pursued an opportunity to film & sail onboard the TOPtoTOP Global Climate Expedition. Jacqui has filmed and edited with the TOPtoTOP team around the globe. Highlights include recently crossing the Atlantic Ocean, climbing to Everest Base Camp, filming Orang-utans in Borneo, & joining the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race - in which she used footage from the event in her first feature documentary, Seven Continents, Seven Summits, One Family... after finishing high school in 2007. Jacqui focused her skills on editing - and began also working as a freelance assistant editor with award-winning Melbourne boutique post-production facility, The Butchery. “Everything I’ve learnt about editing has been through the mentorship of Rohan Zerna (The Butchery) ... it’s so important to find industry support & advice, and he continues to be a major influence and inspiration...” In 2010 Jacqui started working with social entrepreneur Ashwin Subramaniam - young founder of the GoneAdventurin’ Social Enterprise; to film a documentary about his first project cycling in Timor-Leste. The concept was to be the first organisation to integrate feature documentary content into a social enterprise business model. Within three months from filming to completion (working solo) - Jacqui’s documentary: Spinning Dreams premiered in Singapore and helped the #socent raise over $50,000 for Timor Aid. It then premiered in Melbourne in partnership with OpenChannel at Shed4, and soon after, distributed via the FairFax Media Network online. LateNite Films focuses on their online community, allowing people to connect > collaborate and experience content. (They actively crowd-fund projects, and are associate producers of Kickstarters successful @UnderWaterRealm campaign.) They are currently in talks with the innovative team at MoPix to be at the forefront of indiedistribution online. Funded by “GoneAdventurin” - the second documentary Spinning Dreams in Cambodia was filmed by both Jacqui and her film-making partner from San Fransisco - Michael Lutman*, and premiered in seven cities around the world over one weekend. It raised over $60,000 for Carpets for Communities. In May this year, the 3rd Documentary with GoneAdventurin will be made by LateNite Films - this time with an innovative new concept funded by boutique Sri Lankan company “BPdeSilva” - and will be completed by September this year, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the company. GoneAdventurin will use the film for fundraising and awareness for NGO “Practical Action”. The project is a good example of how LateNite Films is changing the conventional funding process for young filmmakers, while simultaneously changing the way companies advertise and gain mass-publicity. The bonus is also the opportunity for charity organisations to promote their cause through engaging content. Moving forward, the focus will be on bringing the strong indie-community of filmmakers together, and creating important content through crowd & corporate collaboration and funding. Aside from mainstream content like TOPtoTOP and GoneAdventurin - LateNite Films is also exploring educational content & study guides with new expedition WorldxCycle. Jacqui will be meeting this team in Brazil, and hopes to film and edit content from the expedition around the world in the coming year. Her documentary content filmed with the TOPtoTOP expedition earlier this year will screen at the World Earth Summit in Rio this coming June. Œ</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:39:56 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/MUFF-turns-sweet-thirteen/BCOJPKUYWM.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/MUFF-turns-sweet-thirteen/BCOJPKUYWM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from MUFF</p> <p> Over the last twelve years, MUFF has come to stand for everything that is importantin independent cinema; providing a forum for emerging filmmakers, a venue for an audience hungry for alternative screen options, an exhibition platform for the overlooked or the voiceless and a beacon for the underground and anti-establishment.</p> <p> In the current climate of reducing media options and opinions, the true value of MUFF has never been so relevant or important.</p> <p> This year, MUFF is looking to continue to grow in both films screened and audience numbers. Its philosophy of bringing the best independent and alternative screen content to the widest possible audience has not waivered. The MUFF 13 program will include showcase local and international feature films, a short film program (MiniMUFF), the MUFF Academy (master-classes with prominent speakers from the local and international film community) and a series of one off, unique events designed to raise the profile of locally produced screen content. MUFF 13 will also again include an audience award competition to reward and encourage participating filmmakers.</p> <p> At the helm is the unique and inimitable Richard Wolstencroft. Never one to shy away from speaking his mind or standing up for what he believes in, Mr. Wolstenscroft has at times come up against both personal and professional attacks for his stance on censorship, freedom of speech and the state of the Australian Film Industry and its governing bodies. In 2010 Mr. Wolstencroft was charged and fined for organising a Free Speech Public Disobedience screening of the Bruce LaBruce film LA Zombie after it was pulled from the program of another prominent film festival due to government pressure. Ongoing attacks on our basic civil rights and freedom of speech have only strengthened his resolve and reinforced why MUFF is so important in a free and democratic society.</p> <p> This year also sees the introduction of a new Festival Co-Producer and Mini-MUFF Program Curator, David Leadbetter, an international award winning producer and freelancer in the Australian film & TV industry. Mr. Wolstencroft says, “We are proud to have David on our team as he brings not only his organising and logistics skills, but also his knowledge and experience of the local film industry. We do not always see eye to eye, but diversity within the MUFF family is why we are able to offer the film loving public the broadest range of viewing experiences”.</p> <p> Film submissions to MUFF 13 are now open until the deadline of the 22nd of June 2012.</p> <p> The entry form is available <a href="http://www.muff.com.au. ">HERE</a></p> <p> MUFF 13 is also seeking volunteers to assist with the running of this year’s festival.</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:32:21 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Travel-Fellowship/VZODCTZGJF.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Travel-Fellowship/VZODCTZGJF.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release for Revelation Perth International Film Festival</p> <p> The Revelation Perth International Film Festival launches its 2012 Travel Fellowship, inviting submissions from filmmakers and film fans from across the country who want to attend Australia’s most creatively progressive film festival.</p> <p> The Revelation Perth International Film Festival (5-15 July 2012) is Perth’s only international film festival and Western Australia’s major annual screen culture event. Launching its country-wide Travel Fellowship for the fourth year, the Fellowship provides financial assistance to attend Revelation in July 2012 to three successful applicants.</p> <p> Revelation wants to hear from those with a genuine interest in cinema and screen culture.</p> <p> Applications are welcome from Australian residents over 18 years of age with a demonstrable passion for film.</p> <p> The festival’s Program Director Jack Sargeant said, "Yet again we're pleased that the Rev Fellowship will offer the opportunity for young people to come to Revelation Film Festival and enjoy experiencing one of the country's most unique screen events. They'll get to see some of the best, most exciting, stimulating and interesting cinema out there, from award winning movies to the work of unknown visionaries, feature films and documentaries, as well as our special events and workshops. And, because they'll be travelling interstate, the fellowship winners will also get to see Perth and WA too. "</p> <p> AUD$1000 per person will be granted to cover travel and accommodation costs for successful applicants. Applicants also receive a Festival Gold Pass, a Revelation Guest pack, Opening Night tickets, free access to all RevCon Sessions and master classes and the opportunity to be a special part of the event.</p> <p> Application forms can be downloaded from www.revelationfilmfest.org/go/travel/travel-fellowship or contact info@revelationfilmfest.org for more information.</p> <p> Special thanks are extended to Joan Peters for her continuing partnership of the 2012 Revelation Travel Fellowship.</p> <p> Revelation is proudly supported by the West Australian government.</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:13:45 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/The-Straits-on-Sundance-Channel/CSPERZHXGH.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/The-Straits-on-Sundance-Channel/CSPERZHXGH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Matchbox Pictures</p> <p> AMC/Sundance Channel Global has acquired the rights to Matchbox Pictures acclaimed series’ The Straits and The Slap. This will see them air on the Sundance Channel across Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, France and Benelux and select territories in Asia.</p> <p> Producer of The Straits, Helen Panckhurst of Matchbox Pictures, said, "We're delighted to be receiving significant international interest in The Straits and that the ABC has given us the opportunity to develop such distinctive contemporary Australian drama series."</p> <p> The Straits, a darkly humorous crime drama series set in the far North of Australia revolves around The Montebello Family whose business includes smuggling drugs, guns and exotic wildlife. When patriarch Harry (Brian Cox) starts to plan his succession, a power struggle is sparked between brother and brother, wife and daughter. Having recently aired on ABC1, the series now has a premiere window with the Sundance Channel in Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, France and Benelux and select territories in Asia through an agreement with DCD Rights.</p> <p> “Matchbox have produced such a bold, adventurous drama for ABC TV. We’re very happy to see The Straits embraced internationally by the prestigious Sundance Channel”, said Carole Sklan, Head ABC TV Fiction.</p> <p> The award-winning series The Slap based on the bestselling book by Christos Tsiolkas, which also screened on ABC1, has been acquired by the Sundance Channel to air in Dutch Benelux through an agreement with DCD Rights. This agreement builds on the channel’s previously acquired rights for the program in Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Asia.</p> <p> Matchbox Pictures is currently in production with Underground, a television film about the early life of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Written and directed by AFI award-winning filmmaker Robert Connolly (Balibo, The Slap) the film stars Rachel Griffiths (Brothers and Sisters, Six Feet Under) and Anthony LaPaglia (Without a Trace, Balibo), while the young Julian Assange will be played by newcomer Alex Williams.</p> <p> Underground commences a four-week shoot on April 16, 2012 in and around Melbourne and will be aired on Network Ten. The two-hour film is being sold internationally by NBCUniversal.</p> <p> Matchbox Pictures, established in April 2008 by Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Penny Chapman, Michael McMahon and Helen Panckhurst, has quickly become a dynamic enterprise best known for exciting high end drama projects. In 2011, NBCUniversal International Television Production took an equity stake in Matchbox, complementing the company’s diverse TV production brands, which include Emmy and Golden Globe-winning, Carnival Film and Television. Underground is the first project developed and produced under the new partnership. Œ</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:06:11 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Qube-Cinema-brings-uncompressed-4K-projection-to-NAB/DVPPQGTHXH.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Qube-Cinema-brings-uncompressed-4K-projection-to-NAB/DVPPQGTHXH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Qube Cinema</p> <p> NAB 2012, April 16-19</p> <p> Qube Cinema, a world leader in 4K digital cinema technologies, will introduce the new Quad 3G interface for digital cinema projectors at the NAB Show</p> <p> in Las Vegas. The Quad 3G interface allows for integrated postproduction and digital cinema mastering workflows. Facilities can use one projector setup for both HD-4K uncompressed color grading and 2K-4K digital cinema playback providing a comprehensive review and quality control solution from one system.</p> <p> At NAB, Qube Cinema will demonstrate the new Qube Xi 4K Integrated Media Block (IMB) installed in a Barco DP4K-32B projector. The new postproduction version of the Qube IMB features a Quad 3G interface with four BNC connectors that can be connected to color grading or finishing systems in order to stream uncompressed 4K digital content directly to the projector. The Qube XP-I D-cinema server offers a data throughput of up to 1,000 Mbps, sufficient for 4K dual-projector 3D playback from a single server, and the Qube Xi can support High Frame Rate playback and DCPs up to 500Mbps. Internal synchronization of the IMB allows for multiple-projector setups, for example, for stereo 3D playback or for venue entertainment projection. With the Quad 3G interface, users can switch seamlessly between uncompressed 4K and 4K DCP playback.</p> <p> "As the development of 4K cinema continues to gain traction, the industry is going to need transitional tools,” said Michael Cioni, founder of Light Iron Digital, a postproduction facility in Los Angeles. “The Qube Cinema Quad 3G is the perfect example of a small but powerful solution that will help facilities offer filmmakers a simple pathway to 4K monitoring while making use of other 4K components that are readily available.”</p> <p> “Rather than having to switch input boards, which can take hours to complete, facilities can now use one system for review and playback of all their 4K content,” said Rajesh Ramachandran, CTO of Qube Cinema. “This is a key piece of the new 4K pipelines that post houses are now hurrying to implement.”</p> <p> Rather than requiring eight separate HD-SDI links to get 4K uncompressed playback, the Qube 3G interface uses four 3G-SDI cables, further simplifying 4K setups for post houses.</p> <p> “As an industry leader in DCP mastering, Qube understands the importance of ensuring that digital cinema is brought to the screen in a way that reflects the vision of the director and the hard work of the cinematographer and colorist,” explained Ramachandran. “It’s about making sure everything looks the way it was intended to look. The Quad 3G makes that much easier to achieve.” Œ</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:13:13 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/2012-ADG-Award-Nominations/DGUTHUVRQM.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/2012-ADG-Award-Nominations/DGUTHUVRQM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from the Australian Director's Guild</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in a Feature Film are Brendan Fletcher for Mad Bastards, Justin Kurzel for Snowtown, Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty and Kriv Stenders for Red Dog.</p> <p> Nominated in the Documentary Feature category are Tony Krawitz for The Tall Man, Rhys Graham and Natasha Gadd for Murundak – Songs of Freedom, Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond for Mrs Carey’s Concert, and Tom Zubrycki for The Hungry Tide.</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in a TV Drama Series are Matthew Saville for The Slap (Ep 3 – Harry), Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 (The Price of Salvation), Jet Wilkinson for Crownies (Ep 22) and Peter Duncan for Rake (Ep 1 – vs Murray).</p> <p> Nominated in the Documentary Series are Ivan O’Mahoney for Go Back to Where You Came From, Paul Scott for Outback Fight Club and Jacob Hickey for Immigration Nation. Nominated in the Documentary Stand Alone category are Phoebe Hart for Orchids: My Intersex Adventure, Celeste Geer for Then The Wind Changed, Robert Nugent for Memoirs of a Plague and James Bradley for Ochre & Ink.</p> <p> Matthew Saville has received a second nomination for Best Direction in a TV Mini Series for Cloudstreet. Jeffrey Walker has also been nominated in this category for Small Time Gangster.</p> <p> Peter Andrikidis has also received a second nomination. He is nominated for Best Direction in a Telemovie for Blood Brothers. Also nominated in this category are Shawn Seet for Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here and Emma Freeman for Hawke.</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in a TV Comedy are Trent O’Donnell for Laid, Jeffrey Walker, Stuart MacDonald and Chris Lilley for Angry Boys and Trent O’Donnell for Review with Myles Barlow (Series 2).</p> <p> Nominated for Best Direction in a TV Drama Serial are Geoffrey Nottage for Home & Away (Ep 5215), Jonathon Dutton for Neighbours (Ep 6188), Scott Hartford-Davis for Home & Away (Ep 5292) and Ralph Strasser for Neighbours (Ep 6065).</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in TV Reality Program/Light Entertainment are Ken Connor and Kathy Chambers for RocKwiz – On the Road, Mark Adamson for Dancing with the Stars and Craig Melville and Nathan Earl for Lawrence Leung’s Unbelievable (Ep 1).</p> <p> Nominees in The Esben Storm Award for Best Direction in a Children’s TV Program are Jeffrey Walker – his third nomination – for H20: Just Add Water (Series 3), David Scott for Star Wars LEGO, Rachel Ward for My Place (1828 Alice) and Michael James Rowland for My Place (1878 Henry).</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in a Television Commercial are Damien Toogood for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Sean Meehan for Sleep Walker, Bruce Hunt for Subaru XV ‘Carwash’ and Sean Meehan for Volkswagen ‘Cross Country’.</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in a Music Video are Guy Verge Wallace for Wrecking Ball and Steve Rogers for Jack Ladder ‘Cold Feet’.</p> <p> Nominees for Best Direction in an Original Online Project are Glendyn Ivin for Playground, Dario Russo for Danger 5: The Diamond Girls and Paul Goldman for Sydney Opera House – Ship Song Project.</p> <p> Nominated for Best Direction of a Short Film are Ashlee Page for The Kiss, Dimitrios Pouliotis for Unfinished Thoughts and Craig Irvin for Tethered.</p> <p> The nominees for Best Direction in a Student Film are 'Epiphany Morgan for The Room, Billie Pleffer for BINO, David Easteal for The Father and Corrie Chen for Wonder Boy.</p> <p> The ADG Award winners for 2012 will be announced at a black tie Awards ceremony, to be held as part of the ADG’s 30th anniversary celebrations, at the Australian Maritime Museum, Sydney, on May 11.</p> <p> ​This will be the largest celebration and Awards ceremony the ADG has ever hosted and will be an opportunity to highlight the many achievements of ADG members over the past 30 years and the significant role they have played in the development of the Australian screen industry, as well as to honour the best directors of 2012,” said Kingston Anderson, General Manager of the ADG. ÂŒ</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:52:04 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Rave-chooses-Vista-as-provider/KAIDEVPZUI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Rave-chooses-Vista-as-provider/KAIDEVPZUI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Rave Cinemas</p> <p> Rave will deploy a number of Vista’s software modules across their circuit throughout 2012, which will enable them to improve operational efficiency and further enhance the customer experience.</p> <p> CEO Rolando B. Rodriguez says: “Vista’s innovative approach to our industry will empower us to achieve efficiencies, and deliver a better offering to our customers. We have been impressed by the fantastic reviews given to Vista by our peers in the industry and I look forward to working with them.”</p> <p> Vista CEO Murray Holdaway notes: “Vista recognises Rave as one of the fastest growing and most innovative cinema circuits in the USA today. Vista shares some of these same characteristics within our industry and so I think it is tremendous and fitting that Rave has chosen Vista for their circuit. I am thrilled to add another great exhibitor to the growing number of Vista customers around the world.”</p> <p> In addition to Vista’s world leading cinema POS and Cinema Management Software modules, Rave will also install Vista’s Internet Ticketing, Loyalty, Facebook, Smartphone applications, Gift Card management and Home Office modules. This will enable Rave to maximise the customer experience and offer new channels for marketing and ticket sales.</p> <p> By moving to the Vista platform, Rave will gain the ability to offer online ticketing for all cinema sites on its own website, using the Vista Web Ticketing module. This will give Rave full control over the branding and experience for internet ticket sales. Rave will also deploy its own branded Smartphone and Facebook applications, leveraging Vista’s technology.</p> <p> With over 60 sites and 1000 screens, Rave Cinemas ranks as the 5th largest cinema exhibitor within the USA. For Vista, this announcement from such a well-known and admired exhibitor, further cements Vista’s place as the leading cinema software provider in the United States and across the world. </p> <p> Since opening its Los Angeles office in 2009, Visa has gained the business of 5 of the Top 10 exhibitors in North America.</p> <p> Vista also has offices in London, Auckland and Shanghai. The Vista software is installed in over 20,000 screens across 200 customers in more than 50 countries around the world.</p> <p> Œ</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:58:51 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Switch-Media-in-multiple-platform-initiative-with-Dalet/JVJKITXLFM.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Switch-Media-in-multiple-platform-initiative-with-Dalet/JVJKITXLFM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from Switch Media Multi-platform video specialists Switch Media today announced that their Video Content Management System (VCMS) is now 100% API integrated with the Dalet Enterprise Edition and Dalet web services including News, Media Asset Management and Sport. Switch Media’s Global Head of Sales Mark Johns explained, “This is a very big step forward for anyone wanting to publish content to multiple platforms as the VCMS integration allows users to publish to any connected device directly from Dalet’s Enterprise Edition MAM system with just one click.” The Switch Media VCMS Dalet integration has significant benefits for broadcasters and journalists in the field too. Johns continued, “With this new functionality a journalist doesn’t have to worry about formats and workflows of the devices they are publishing to as the Switch Media VCMS takes care of all of this for them. As the VCMS is device agnostic it doesn’t matter if the asset is going to a TV, tablet, PC or all three, with one click it is sent and published without human intervention.” Another major advantage of the VCMS / Dalet integration is the immediate availability of analytics about the published assets directly from the MAM system. Johns added, “Again, this is a major plus for those needing to publish and immediately know the status of their assets. We have now a complete and seamlessly integrated MAM solution that is easy to use and completely intuitive. This is one of the most advanced integrations of its type, with a very high level of functionality that includes analytic results that can help improve business in a multi-platform publishing environment.” Switch Media’s Video Content Management System (VCMS) forms the basis of many of the industry’s leading multi-platform video management and distribution solutions. As a highly customisable Media Asset Management (MAM) platform, Dalet Enterprise Edition enables broadcasters and content producers to integrate multiple workflows and formats – news, sports, programs, VOD, archives in SD and HD – under one fluid system. Built-in production tools manage ingest, logging, production, distribution and archiving across systems and workgroups. “The integration of Switch Media’s VCMS with the Enterprise Edition MAM system really is a step forward,” says Kevin Savina, Director of Product Management, Dalet. “Usually the link between the CMS and the MAM system is a simple push of data. What we have here with Switch Media is a much deeper and meaningful integration with bi-directional exchanges of information at a very granular level and with feedback. With the level of analytics that the VCMS brings, data can now stay with the person publishing it enabling them to see exactly who is using their published asset, from the very device they published it from.” Switch Media and Dalet can be found at NAB 2012 in the South Lower hall on booth #SL4615</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:46:04 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/VEVO-launches-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand/PUFHWRGGKC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/VEVO-launches-in-Australia-and-New-Zealand/PUFHWRGGKC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release from MCM Media VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, has launched in Australia and New Zealand in an exclusive partnership between MCM Media and VEVO. Using the highest quality premium video experience available, VEVO connects fans with the music they love - anytime, anywhere. Ranked by comScore as the Number One Music platform on the web in the US and UK, VEVO currently generates over 3.3 billion video streams worldwide each month. Australians can connect with VEVO online at VEVO.com and through free mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone 7. VEVO on Xbox will be available by the end of the month. The VEVO site offers world class social media integration and inbuilt personalisation with features including the creation of music video playlists based on a user’s current iTunes or Facebook music preferences. In addition to its own website, VEVO’s music videos are syndicated across Facebook and on YouTube, where VEVO provides the majority of premium music videos. Nic Jones, VEVO’s International Senior VP, says MCM Media was the obvious choice to partner with for the Australian launch. “The synergies were evident. MCM Media has spent three years building the premium online video market within Australia, working with the record labels and advertisers - and we wanted their expertise to ensure the VEVO Australia experience is the best it can be.” Advertisers will be able to access VEVO as part of MCM Media’s Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) – an online video platform offering high quality music and entertainment content on an advertiser funded basis. Syndicated across 55 of Australia’s leading entertainment sites including ninemsn and Yahoo!7, the DEN offers advertisers a unique and safe environment to reach engaged audiences passionate about music. First launched in July 2009, the DEN has experienced rapid growth with more than 68 million video and audio streams generated in 2011. Those numbers are set to explode – with VEVO generating more than 40 million streams per month within its YouTube syndication platform alone. MCM Media’s CEO, Simon Joyce says VEVO has been a true game changer for the online video industry. “VEVO’s debut marks the moment we turn music up in Australia – giving audiences a superior viewing experience whilst maximising brands’ access to one of the most powerful premium video advertising platforms in the world. The addition of VEVO to our existing websites Take40.com and thehothits.com, not only cements MCM Media’s position as the market leader in the digital music space but also ensures that MCM Media will be a leading player in the exploding online video advertising sector.” VEVO features an extensive catalogue of premium music content thanks to deals with leading music companies as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music among many others. It has been acclaimed as “the best example of how advertising plays into the future of the music business” (Billboard, December 20, 2011) and currently works with over 650 advertisers. In addition to Australia and New Zealand, VEVO is available in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. QUOTES ABOUT VEVO “Exactly how important was music video as an asset, say, three years ago? VEVO made it matter again. That’s no small feat and credit goes to one of the smartest business models in tech and entertainment. Now it has one of the smartest platforms tooˆ from its social media posture to its discovery engine to its user experience, it is an important step forward for entertainment delivery. And there are lessons in it for companies, even juggernauts like Spotify and VEVO’s most important partner, YouTube.” - Forbes March 9, 2012 “It’s the personalization elements of VEVO that make it brilliant. Music video, as opposed to audio, is very lean forward and so help discovering new things that are relevant to watch is crucialˆ This has obvious benefits for the user as it’s a fun, dynamic way to consume music content but it is also great for artists.” - New Media Age March 9, 2012 “Online video platform VEVO enjoyed a double whammy of success in February – securing over three million views across its BRIT Awards coverage and first ever UK LIFT promotion.” - Music Week March 5, 2012 "Central to the company’s success has been its embrace of channels beyond its ownˆVEVO serves content not just on its own site, but on third-party platforms including Facebook, YouTube and XBox.” - Mashable January 31, 2012 “In two years, VEVO has turned music videos from a promotional expense that an embattled industry was finding harder to justify, into a source of digital income.” - Financial Times, December 21 2011 ABOUT MCM MEDIA Part of the MCM Entertainment Group (ASX:MEG) MCM Media is the market leader in producing premium entertainment content for radio, digital, TV and events that deliver innovative solutions to advertisers. From spectacular branded content live events, to premium online ad funded music videos and cost-efficient national radio campaigns; MCM Media draws upon its stable of leading media brands to craft unique campaigns that achieve results. VEVO.com Follow us on twitter @VEVO_AU</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:31:40 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Yagan-Casting-Call/KKHHVFLJSZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Yagan-Casting-Call/KKHHVFLJSZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> This feature documentary is about Nyoongar warrior YAGAN and the first few years of Perth settlement. We are mainly looking for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous men between the ages of 18 and 40 years. No experience necessary. Production shoots in Perth in late April and early May 2012 Please email Taryne at<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/oyj3t0cffoso/?&v=b&cs=wh&to=2deadlycasting@gmail.com"> </a><a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/oyj3t0cffoso/?&v=b&cs=wh&to=2deadlycasting@gmail.com">2deadlycasting@gmail.com</a> with your photo and contact details or for more information. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Taryne Laffar</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Casting Director</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> YAGAN</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> KM Films</p> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:13:54 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Australian-Directors-Guild-announces-nominees-for-2012-awards/RXCRFPWYLE.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/16/article/Australian-Directors-Guild-announces-nominees-for-2012-awards/RXCRFPWYLE.html Inside Film Correspondent <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Media release from the Australian Directors Guild</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees for Best Direction in a Feature Film are Brendan Fletcher for Mad Bastards, Justin Kurzel for Snowtown, Julia Leigh for Sleeping Beauty and Kriv Stenders for Red Dog.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominated in the Documentary Feature category are Tony Krawitz for The Tall Man, Rhys Graham and Natasha Gadd for Murundak – Songs of Freedom, Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond for Mrs Carey’s Concert, and Tom Zubrycki for The Hungry Tide.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees for Best Direction in a TV Drama Series are Matthew Saville for The Slap (Ep 3 – Harry), Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 (The Price of Salvation), Jet Wilkinson for Crownies (Ep 22) and Peter Duncan for Rake (Ep 1 – vs Murray).</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominated in the Documentary Series are Ivan O’Mahoney for Go Back to Where You Came From, Paul Scott for Outback Fight Club and Jacob Hickey for Immigration Nation. Nominated in the Documentary Stand Alone category are Phoebe Hart for Orchids: My Intersex Adventure, Celeste Geer for Then The Wind Changed, Robert Nugent for Memoirs of a Plague and James Bradley for Ochre & Ink.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Matthew Saville has received a second nomination for Best Direction in a TV Mini Series for Cloudstreet. Jeffrey Walker has also been nominated in this category for Small Time Gangster.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Peter Andrikidis has also received a second nomination. He is nominated for Best Direction in a Telemovie for Blood Brothers. Also nominated in this category are Shawn Seet for Underbelly: Tell Them Lucifer Was Here and Emma Freeman for Hawke.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees for Best Direction in a TV Comedy are Trent O’Donnell for Laid, Jeffrey Walker, Stuart MacDonald and Chris Lilley for Angry Boys and Trent O’Donnell for Review with Myles Barlow (Series 2).</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominated for Best Direction in a TV Drama Serial are Geoffrey Nottage for Home & Away (Ep 5215), Jonathon Dutton for Neighbours (Ep 6188), Scott Hartford-Davis for Home & Away (Ep 5292) and Ralph Strasser for Neighbours (Ep 6065).</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees for Best Direction in TV Reality Program/Light Entertainment are Ken Connor and Kathy Chambers for RocKwiz – On the Road, Mark Adamson for Dancing with the Stars and Craig Melville and Nathan Earl for Lawrence Leung’s Unbelievable (Ep 1).</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees in The Esben Storm Award for Best Direction in a Children’s TV Program are Jeffrey Walker – his third nomination – for H20: Just Add Water (Series 3), David Scott for Star Wars LEGO, Rachel Ward for My Place (1828 Alice) and Michael James Rowland for My Place (1878 Henry).</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees for Best Direction in a Television Commercial are Damien Toogood for Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Sean Meehan for Sleep Walker, Bruce Hunt for Subaru XV ‘Carwash’ and Sean Meehan for Volkswagen ‘Cross Country’.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominees for Best Direction in a Music Video are Guy Verge Wallace for Wrecking Ball and Steve Rogers for Jack Ladder ‘Cold Feet’. Nominees for Best Direction in an Original Online Project are Glendyn Ivin for Playground, Dario Russo for Danger 5: The Diamond Girls and Paul Goldman for Sydney Opera House – Ship Song Project.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Nominated for Best Direction of a Short Film are Ashlee Page for The Kiss, Dimitrios Pouliotis for Unfinished Thoughts and Craig Irvin for Tethered. The nominees for Best Direction in a Student Film are Epiphany Morgan for The Room, Billie Pleffer for BINO, David Easteal for The Father and Corrie Chen for Wonder Boy.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> The ADG Award winners for 2012 will be announced at a black tie Awards ceremony, to be held as part of the ADG’s 30th anniversary celebrations, at the Australian Maritime Museum, Sydney, on May 11.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> “This will be the largest celebration and Awards ceremony the ADG has ever hosted and will be an opportunity to highlight the many achievements of ADG members over the past 30 years and the significant role they have played in the development of the Australian screen industry, as well as to honour the best directors of 2012,” said Kingston Anderson, General Manager of the ADG.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Œ</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"> Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:38:23 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/11/article/Iron-Sky-takes-more-than-US3m-box-office/LDKDFHJROI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/11/article/Iron-Sky-takes-more-than-US3m-box-office/LDKDFHJROI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Blind Spot Pictures</p> <p> Finnish-German-Australian Moon Nazi comedy Iron Sky was released on April 4th in Finland (Buena Vista Finland) and Norway (Euforia), and the next day in German-speaking Europe (Polyband), on 340 screens, and gathered more than 250.000 admissions over the Easter weekend. The results are very promising also for the hundreds of fans who have invested money in Iron Sky. In Finland the film was clearly nr. 1, with close to 75.000 admissions. In Germany Iron Sky made double screen average than most of its competitors, opening in 164 screens and gaining over 140.000 admissions - so much that the German distributor is upping the amount of screens. “The opening was great”, the producer of Iron Sky, Tero Kaukomaa from Blind Spot Pictures says. “This is a great opportunity to build further, and those territories who did not yet decide the final release strategy and size got some encouraging news. This opening indicates us millions of cinema admissions around the world. Our next task is to make sure this news is distributed everywhere by our fans and followers.” Swetlana Winkel , CEO of the german distributor Polyband says; ”We are very glad that so many fans of Iron Sky went to see the film although it was easter holidays and very cold. We will increase the screens to follow the huge demand all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland and we say thank you to all Iron Sky Fans”. Next Iron Sky is to open in Iceland (Greenlight), Sweden (Noble Entertainment), Denmark (MisLabel), UK (Revolver), Poland (Kino Swiat), Slovenia & Serbia (Discovery), Australia & New Zealand (Hoytts), US & Canada (Entertainment One), France (Synergy Cinema), Korea (Zamie Pictures), Israel (Shovel Film) and Japan (Presidio), among other territories. Iron Sky team is updating a release map for all the fans to follow when to expect the film to their home territory. The map can be found here; http://www.ironsky.net/site/film/releasedates/ Iron Sky director Timo Vuorensola enjoyes the start, but reminds that the work is far from done: ”We get requests constantly from Spain, Italy and Latin America to get the film to theaters there as well, and we are working furiously to get the distributors to understand the power of the fan community and the awesome word-of-mouth the film is gaining. The best way to get the word out there is to ask to see Iron Sky in these areas, and our Demand-service is a tool just for that.” Stealth Media Group has sold the world out apart from Portugal, Italy, Spain, Latin America and South Africa. Iron Sky can be demanded to be seen in the theater near you here; http://www.ironsky.net/demand</p> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:58:38 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/11/article/Win-a-holiday-in-exchange-for-five-minutes-of-your-time/VTVHLIJUSC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/11/article/Win-a-holiday-in-exchange-for-five-minutes-of-your-time/VTVHLIJUSC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from The Intermedia Group, publisher of IF Magazine</p> <p> WIN a holiday in exchange for just five minutes of your time! Imagine visiting one of 7 Vibe Hotels, including Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Darwin. That’s what you could be doing, just by completing a short survey about you and your business. The publisher of IF magazine, The Intermedia Group, is conducting the business survey, which aims to obtain a deeper level of understanding of its readers. To complete the survey, click <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/busines-survey" target="_blank">here</a>! Staying at the stylish Vibe Hotels, hotels with personality vibehotels.com.au</p> <p> Vibe Hotels offer a fresh alternative to traditional hotels, reflecting cosmopolitan culture and great value. Loved for their character, charm and locations; in concept and performance Vibe Hotels are dynamic and individual. Every aspect of Vibe Hotels reflects a great lifestyle: stylish rooms, delicious food and locations which provide the best that their cities have to offer. Each Vibe Hotel is an original expression of the city village in which it is located. There are seven Vibe Hotels across Australia in: Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Darwin.</p> <p> For more information or to book, visit vibehotels.com.au. For more information on The Intermedia Group, please visit www.intermedia.com.au.</p> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:28:43 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/11/article/ACS-Awards-to-be-held-May-5-tickets-on-sale/CSLJETIADV.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/11/article/ACS-Awards-to-be-held-May-5-tickets-on-sale/CSLJETIADV.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Announcement from the ACS</p> <p> Ray Martin will be the host of the 2012 Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) National Awards for Cinematography to be held at the Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel on Saturday, May 5. </p> <p> These Awards recognise excellence in Cinematography across all genres over the past twelve months by Australian cinematographers working at home and overseas. </p> <p> For more details about the ACS, the Awards categories and to order tickets go to <a href="http://www.cinematographer.org.au" target="_blank">www.cinematographer.org.au</a>.</p> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:06:49 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/Sony-announces-IP-transmission-system-for-live-HD-video-production/OPDTMDNYRF.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/Sony-announces-IP-transmission-system-for-live-HD-video-production/OPDTMDNYRF.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sony</p> <p> As part of Sony’s continuing effort to bring IP technology into the world of video production, Sony has developed the NXL-IP55, a video network unit that can transfer multiple broadcast quality HD image signals, audio signals and control signals over a single network cable. These units may be used, for example, when shooting in a theatre or stadium, where images need to be transmitted simultaneously from multiple cameras with as minimal delay time as possible. The NXL-IP55 can keep latency to within a single field while sending data streams from multiple cameras over the network cable.</p> <p> Live multi-camera HD production typically requires image transmission through coaxial cables that are compliant with the serial digital interface (HD-SDI), together with numerous other cables to carry syncing and control signals. However, with the NXL-IP55, only a standard IP network is required to interconnect multiple cameras, resulting in simpler setup configurations and greater operational efficiency. As the NXL-IP55 supports bi-directional IP signal transfer, a return video output generated in the control room can be fed back to the camera-side NXL-IP55 with ultra-low delay, for operator reference or even making high-quality large-screen projection possible. With support for genlock, intercom, return video, tally and audio signals the NXL-IP55 can fit easily into traditional broadcast systems.</p> <p> The NXL-IP55 also works in harmony with the IP transmission features built into Sony’s new HDC-2000 Series broadcast cameras. An HDC-2000 setup consists of a camera head and a camera control unit (CCU), connected by a SMPTE fibre cable. The HDC-2000 series also supports a Gbit network trunk link over this same fibre connection. By connecting an NXL-IP55 unit to both the camera head and CCU, it becomes possible to transmit image signals from up to three additional cameras as well as the signal from the HDC camera head itself. These capabilities can significantly enhance live production system flexibility when transmitting from sporting and major events.</p> <p> By merging IP network transmission with the broadcast industry’s standard HD-SDI infrastructure, the NXL-IP55 is an example of Sony’s commitment to developing the next generation of live image transmission solutions.</p> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:15:36 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/New-Zealands-first-DVB-T2-platform/NOWFQKNJYM.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/New-Zealands-first-DVB-T2-platform/NOWFQKNJYM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Magna Systems & Engineering</p> <p> New Zealand’s first DVB-T2transmission network, built by national broadcast transmission company Kordia for the country’s new IGLOO TV pay television platform, will use a VideoBRIDGE end-to-end monitoring and analysis system. The system, a first in New Zealand, includes Bridge Technologies’ VB120 probes, supplied by Magna Systems and Engineering, for advanced monitoring of its digital transmission services. Kordia owns and operates New Zealand’s third largest telecommunications network by geographical reach and provides terrestrial transmission services for all the major television operators. The new DVB-T2 service will be delivered from 19 main sites.</p> <p> Magna Systems and Engineering Head of Technology Richard Greed said, “Using the new features of T2, Kordia will be deploying a single physical layer pipe (PLP) and has chosen modulation parameters that will provide comparable coverage to their existing DVB-T services. The new technology has however raised the data rate achievable in an 8 MHz channel from 26 Mb/s to 38 Mb/s allowing IGLOO TV to operate 12 SD services in a single former analogue TV channel.”</p> <p> The multiple award-winning VideoBRIDGE end-to-end family of probes is one of the world’s most advanced and comprehensive monitoring and analysis systems available to digital media organisations. Its features include seamless integration between broadcast and IP standards, support for all major industry standards and formats, including DVB-T2 MI and sophisticated data probes for multiple locations.</p> <p> The VideoBRIDGE components Magna Systems supplied to Kordia includes multiple VB120 probes with ASI, IP inputs and VB252 probes with COFDM interfaces and will provide comprehensive monitoring capability of their service. The expanded ETR290 and T2-MI monitoring functions of the VB120, and VB252 probes are part of the VideoBRIDGE version 4.9 software release, which also adds powerful RF measurements and MIP analysis as well as alarming and support for a wide range of standards and formats.</p> <p> Kordia Broadcast Network Architect Adam Tommy said, “We chose the VideoBRIDGE probes because they are extremely powerful and as we are moving into a completely new and complex technology, we realised the need to provide comprehensive monitoring throughout our private IP network to the final output of the transmitters. The extensive capabilities of the VideoBRIDGE probes provide us with the tools we need to manage the new architecture of this SFN network and maintain the high quality of service expected by our customer.”</p> <p> The multiple award-winning VideoBRIDGE end-to-end family of probes is the most advanced and comprehensive monitoring and analysis system available to digital media organizations. Its features include seamless integration between broadcast and IP standards, support for all major industry standards and formats, including DVB-T2 MI, and sophisticated data probes for every location. From the satellite downlink, through high-traffic core network, to the viewer’s living room, VideoBRIDGE offers unrivalled control over maintenance costs and quality of service to subscribers.</p> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:11:34 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/South-Australian-Screen-Awards-nominations/DKLYFBGLTI.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/South-Australian-Screen-Awards-nominations/DKLYFBGLTI.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from SASA</p> <p> Adelaide film lovers should cancel all appointments and prepare for a feast of films. The not to be missed South Australian Screen Awards Gala Awards take place on Friday 20 April attended by the who’s who of the local film industry, and in the weekend prior film lovers can attend screenings of all the films short listed for the SASA’s. It’s an opportunity to catch the year’s best South Australian made short and feature films in just one weekend.</p> <p> The Media Resource Centre established the SASA’s thirteen years ago to celebrate and support the South Australian screen industry. This year thanks to the vibrancy of the local industry, the MRC received over 80 entries, with 65 local filmmakers nominated across 20 award categories. The Awards recognise achievement in production, direction, editing, cinematography and composition.</p> <p> You can catch the nominated films at The Mercury in a weekend jam packed with the best of SA film, including darkly hilarious modern fable Shut Up Little Man, selected at Sundance and Edinburgh Film Festivals, followed by a Q&A with director with Matt Bate; and multi award winning The Palace, a riveting film inspired by true events that took place during the 1974 Cyprus conflict.</p> <p> Other highlights include feature documentary 6 On The Street, celebrating Adelaide’s local music scene with interviews and live performances from bands including Vorn Doolette, The Thieves, Bearded Gypsy Band; quirky comedy shortlisted for 2012 Tropfest, Suburban Samurai that follows a Samurai living in the 'burbs who discovers his true worth by smacking down parking inspectors, and short doco Stunt Love, that follows the creative partnership between Jack McGowan, one of Hollywood’s first stunt directors and his wife and on screen daredevil Helen Holmes</p> <p> SA’s premier screen awards, the SASA continues to reward excellence and outstanding achievement from South Australian-based filmmakers. With thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, SASA provides an exciting platform for South Australian screen practitioners to showcase their work across drama, comedy, documentary, animation, music video, non-narrative and digital media.</p> <p> SASA also recognises the invaluable contribution made by SA key creatives, offering awards in eight craft categories, as well as two jury prizes recognising notable contributions from SA’s up-and-coming young filmmakers. While the awards primarily celebrate those working in short films, the MRC introduced a Best Feature category in 2009 to acknowledge the increasing number of independent features being driven by South Australians in key creative roles.</p> <p> Five outstanding films are in the running for the Best Short Film Award, which carries a cash prize of $3000, courtesy of the SA Film Corporation. All films screened will be eligible for The People’s Choice Award. Make your vote count!</p> <p> The SASA Gala Awards night is a key event in the SA film industry calendar. The SASA Gala Awards Ceremony will be held at the recently redesigned Mercury Cinema on Fri April 20th. Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start.</p> <p> The full list of 2012 SASA nominations is: </p> <p> SASA Genre Awards: </p> <p> Best Film:</p> <p> A Tale of Obsession Manda Webber Horace in Slow Motion Luke Jurevicius The Palace Anthony Maras, Kate Croser & Andros Achilleos Stunt Love Caroline Man Suburban Samurai David Ngo & Daniel Joyce</p> <p> Best Drama:</p> <p> Beta Chad Leader Collision David Ngo Kill or Tell Cameron Roberts & Rhys Roscoe The Palace Anthony Maras, Kate Croser & Andros Achilleos Rapture Krystle Penhall</p> <p> Best Documentary:</p> <p> Adelaide’s Forgotten Outlaws Peter Drew, Ronnie Chin & Frazer Dempsey After Release Gemma Soloman Ball of Light Sam Collins The Curse of Grong Grong Rob Wright Stunt Love Caroline Man</p> <p> Best Comedy</p> <p> A Few Nervous Habits Aaron Nash A Tale of Obsession Manda Webber Horace in Slow Motion Luke Jurevicius Steak Knife Chad Leader Suburban Samurai David Ngo & Daniel Joyce</p> <p> Best Non-Narrative: To be announced on the night</p> <p> Best Animation Clarence’s Kite Thomas Cant Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Rose Tucker The Dream Lodge Brett Walter Horace in Slow Motion Luke Jurevicius Sometimes the Stars Luke Jurevicius</p> <p> Best Music Video: Cut You Out (Hawks of Alba) Matt Vesley Into Yer Bones (Lyla) Amy Handley Old Uncle Scratch(The Grenadiers) Kelly Carpenter Sometimes the Stars (The Audreys) Luke Jurevicius Suddenly Smiling (Some Time Soon) Rihannon Miller You Should Consider Having Sex With A Bearded Man (The Beards) Daniel Principe & Nima Nabili Rad</p> <p> Innovation in Digital Media: Big Stories, Small Towns Nick Crowther Danger 5 Kate Croser & Dario Russo 6 on the St Samuel Wright Wastelander Panda Kirsty Stark</p> <p> Best Feature Film: Die for Real Mike Green I Am Orpheus Adam Carter 6 on the St Samuel Wright Shut Up Little Man Sophie Hyde & Matthew Bate Yudum Terry Cleary</p> <p> SASA Craft Awards: </p> <p> Best Direction: Matthew Bate Stunt Love Craig Behenna Suburban Samurai Andrew Kunzel, Arthur Moody & Luke Jurevicius Horace in Slow Motion Anthony Maras The Palace Nicholas Steele Laser</p> <p> Best Cinematography: Victoria Cocks Rapture Maxx Corkindale A Tale of Obsession Sam King and Nick Matthews Collision Nick Matthews The Palace Nima Nabili Rad Beta</p> <p> Best Composition: Michael Darren Collision Jonny Elk-Walsh Rapture Caleb Jones Captivated Christopher Larkin Clarence’s Kite Jason Sweeney The Other Side of Desire</p> <p> Best Screenplay: Matthew Bate Stunt Love Craig Behenna Suburban Samurai Anthony Maras The Palace Fiona Sprott A Few Nervous Habits Dave Wade A Tale of Obsession</p> <p> Best Sound Design: Pete Best & Scott Illingworth Stunt Love Michael Darren Collision</p> <p> Tom Huezanroeder The Palace Leigh Kenyon L’Artiste! Brett Walter The Dream Lodge</p> <p> Best Editing: Anthony Maras The Palace Nick Matthews Collision David Ngo & Cleland Jones Suburban Samurai Krystle Penhall Rapture Zane Roach Steak Knife</p> <p> Best Performance: Kieran McNamara Steak Knife Deanna Ortuso A Tale of Obsession Roy Phung Suburban Samurai Astrid Pill A Few Nervous Habits Hew Wagner Captivated</p> <p> Best Production Design: Anny Duff Collision Bowen Ellames Beta Anita Seiler & Catrin Blight A Tortured Mind Manda Webber A Tale of Obsession Rita Zanchetta The Other Side of Desire</p> <p> Emerging Producer: To be announced on the night</p> <p> Emerging Young Filmmaker: To be announced on the night</p> <p> People’s Choice Award: To be announced on the night</p> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:48:10 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/Asia-Pacific-Screen-Awards-Vice-Patron-Resigns/LRLXCUFDEH.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/Asia-Pacific-Screen-Awards-Vice-Patron-Resigns/LRLXCUFDEH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from APSA</p> <p> Alicia Mayer Beverley today announces her resignation as vice patron of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSAs). As such, her involvement with the regional film awards concluded with the fifth annual APSAs held last November, 2011.</p> <p> Ms Mayer Beverley was appointed in 2008 by the chairman of the APSAs, Des Power.</p> <p> In her role as vice patron, Ms Mayer Beverley, in conjunction with patron and legendary Australian actor Jack Thompson, inducted APSA nominees into the Academy in an event held prior to the gala awards night each year.</p> <p> “I had the honour and the pleasure of presiding over four years of APSA induction ceremonies with Jack, which included meeting some of the world’s most talented filmmakers,” said Ms Mayer Beverley who is based in Sydney, Australia. “It was also thrilling to watch the growth and impact of these regional Awards, especially as my Uncle Louis B. Mayer had founded the Academy Awards over eight decades ago.</p> <p> “You’ve got to start somewhere and the APSAs at just a few years old have enjoyed the involvement of some very high profile jury presidents, such as Bruce Beresford, Huang Jianxin, Nansun Shi and Lord David Puttnam.”</p> <p> APSA Academy inductees have included this year’s Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi, director of A Separation, and Warwick Thornton, director of 2009’s Australian box office success Samson and Delilah, a winner of the Cannes’ Camera D'Or award.</p> <p> “Each year the APSAs gave me a unique opportunity to spend time with filmmakers whose sheer grit and determination to make films on their terms, sometimes under desperate conditions, was incredibly inspiring.</p> <p> “I wish the APSA team every success with the sixth annual awards,” said Ms Mayer Beverley.</p> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:45:24 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/Atomos-Samurais-used-on-Mariana-Trench-exploration/JFRTEIKXZC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/10/article/Atomos-Samurais-used-on-Mariana-Trench-exploration/JFRTEIKXZC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Atomos</p> <p> Atomos, the creator of the award-winning Ninja and Samurai field recorders, announce that Deepsea Challenger is equipped with Atomos Samurai's. This ground breaking submersible takes James Cameron to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world's oceans located in the western Pacific Ocean.</p> <p> National Geographic confirmed on Monday, March 26, 2012 (local time) that James Cameron had arrived at the Mariana Trench, the deepest point of all of the Earth's oceans. Cameron's distinctive lime-green submarine - Deepsea Challenger - was kitted out with no less than 30 Atomos Samurai field recorders.</p> <p> DEEPSEA CHALLENGE is a joint scientific expedition by James Cameron, National Geographic and Rolex to conduct deep-ocean research and exploration. Cameron is now the only individual ever to complete the dive in a single-manned vehicle and the first since 1960 to reach the bottom of the world in a manned submersible.</p> <p> Cameron - best known for creating fictional worlds on film (Avatar, Titanic, The Abyss) spent about three hours at the deepest point in the Mariana Trench, Challenger Deep, some 200 miles (322 km) southwest of Guam, photographing and attempting to collect samples from the deep for research.</p> <p> "James needed to control all the recording and playback functions in a very confined space in the submersible," said Jeromy Young, CEO and Founder of Atomos. "So we specially modified our operating system, AtomOS, so that all Samurai functions could be initiated simultaneously from one computer."</p> <p> The Samurai was chosen because it is both compact and rugged - key attributes for recording 11km below sea level . And because of Atomos' Continuous Power Technology the Samurais could be powered indefinitely and still have back-up battery power.</p> <p> More about the Dive <a href="http://www.deepseachallenge.com">www.deepseachallenge.com</a> First video<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX8cTtOEEyI&feature=player_embedded"> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX8cTtOEEyI&feature=player_embedded</a> More about Atomos Samurai <a href="http://www.atomos.com/samurai">www.atomos.com/samurai</a></p> Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:36:08 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/08/article/SFF-calls-for-Peter-Rasmussen-Innovation-Award-entries/ZNRDUSMZJH.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/08/article/SFF-calls-for-Peter-Rasmussen-Innovation-Award-entries/ZNRDUSMZJH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from SFF</p> <p> The Peter Rasmussen Innovation Award was established by a board of trustees made up of friends and collaborators of the late innovative Australian filmmaker Peter Rasmussen. The trustees committed to raise the funds in perpetuity for the purpose of awarding a $5,000 cash prize, the Peter Rasmussen Innovation Award. The award will be given out each year at Sydney Film Festival to an Australian whose work in film, machinima or new media that embodies a visionary spirit and a relentless determination in the face of obstacles - financial or otherwise - to create high quality works for the screen. This years award has been supported by Screen NSW and not only shows the agency’s understanding of the contribution Peter Rasmussen made to our creative industry but also of the importance of innovation in all screen forms. The recipient's work may be described as fringe, maverick, innovative. It may be pushing boundaries in form or mode of production, and may sit outside the usual categories of films shown at the festival. For details go to <a href="http://www.sff.org.au/awards/peterrasmussenaward.aspx">http://www.sff.org.au/awards/peterrasmussenaward.aspx</a> or please contact the festival office at alana@sff.org.au or call 9690 5306. Who was Peter Rasmussen? Danish-born Australian filmmaker Peter Rasmussen was best known in the Australian Film Industry as the co-writer of the feature film ‘In the Winter Dark’. Yet Peter’s work sat largely outside the commercial mainstream. From writing Australia’s first no-budget feature, ‘Mad Bomber in Love’, to writing and directing innovative award-winning short films ‘The Picture Woman’ and the machinima short ‘Killer Robots’, to co-creating the world’s first full-length machinima feature, ‘Stolen Life’, Peter’s works were always independently generated, passionate endeavours, made on ‘the smell of an oily rag’. In a business where the word artist is scorned, Peter worked as one – though he would have been mortified to hear himself described as such. His films were made because he felt they had to be made, by any means necessary. The lack of money never deterred him from his drive to create. When his chosen medium of film became too costly for him to pursue, Peter took a detour into the new medium of machinima, in which he is now known as a world pioneer. It’s ironic to hear him described as “visionary” because Peter was legally blind. The macular degenerative eye disease that left him with only peripheral vision, had forced his career move twenty years ago from cinematographer to screenwriter. In order to write, he invented and adapted various optical apparatus to enable him to see the computer screen. Weary of being ‘the blind filmmaker’, Peter took his life in March, 2008. Some months earlier, Peter Rasmussen’s and Jackie Turnure’s machinima feature ‘Stolen Life’ had won the major award at the New York Machinima Filmfest 2007. The New York Festival in recognition of Peter’s enormous contribution to pioneering the new medium has named an annual honorary award after him.</p> Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:42:25 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/05/article/INPUT-SYDNEY-adds-bonus-industry-day/ZMSGEAGCVQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/05/article/INPUT-SYDNEY-adds-bonus-industry-day/ZMSGEAGCVQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from TM Publicity</p> <p> INPUT Sydney May 7 – 11, Hoyts Cinemas, The Entertainment Quarter, next to Fox Studios Get ahead of the pack with the INPUT Sydney Bonus Industry Day – a new addition in 2012 to extend the INPUT experience. INPUT is one of the world’s leading television industry events and will be held in Australia for the very first time in Sydney from May 7 – 11. The Bonus Industry Day will offer two special sessions on Monday May 7 to bring delegates face to face with decision makers from around the globe who will share the latest market intelligence. The sessions are: Who's Who - INPUT participants from all around the world have an opportunity to say who they are and what they or their broadcasters are looking for. Speakers will not be limited to commissioning editors but will include funding bodies, production companies and program makers. Working with the Region - We’re headlong into the Asian century and all of us in the industry need to build more strongly on our relationships with key players in the Asia Pacific region. In this special session, INPUT participants attending from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, The Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand and South Korea will talk about the sorts of programs they make and why. Included in this session will be a case study presented by ABC3.</p> <p> INPUT is based on the principal of television in the public interest – a meeting place where broadcasters, commissioners, programmers, producers and directors from 50 countries and five continents come together to share programs, ideas and aspirations. The Conference runs in a different country each year, screening and debating around 70 hours of international programming. It is a unique ‘whole of television’ event, encompassing Drama, Documentary and Factual, TV Specific programming and Transmedia. Discussions follow all screenings in which delegates talk directly with the commissioner, producer or director of the program about the craft, the politics, and the broadcast issues. The discussions are frank, open, often challenging, and very refreshing. Many deals are done on the sidelines of the Conference, but above all INPUT is a market for ideas, and a base for building the international networks that we all rely on more and more in our increasingly globalised and multi screen world.</p> <p> Register NOW! Full registration is just 100 Euros. Full program is available at: <a href="http://www.inputsydney.com " target="_blank">www.inputsydney.com </a></p> Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:35:32 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/05/article/Quickflix-signs-digital-agreement-with-ITV-Studios-Global-Entertainment/ODZZPVQPPG.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/05/article/Quickflix-signs-digital-agreement-with-ITV-Studios-Global-Entertainment/ODZZPVQPPG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Quickflix</p> <p> Quickflix Limited ASX: QFX (Quickflix) today announced that it has entered a content licensing agreement with ITV Studios Global Entertainment, ITV Studios' international distribution business. The agreement spans Australia and New Zealand and adds to Quickflix’s expanding range of premium British drama television series. ITVS GE will deliver hundreds of hours of television from recent series such as Trial Retribution and Above Suspicion, as well as the best from past hit series such as Cold Feet, Prime Suspect, Hornblower and Brideshead Revisited.</p> <p> Subscribers to the Quickflix digital streaming service will have instant on-demand access to ITVS GE programs from May.</p> Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:34:18 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/04/article/The-Chasers-Craig-Reucassel-and-Chris-Taylor-to-host-ADG-Awards/WMMJWVQNIW.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/04/article/The-Chasers-Craig-Reucassel-and-Chris-Taylor-to-host-ADG-Awards/WMMJWVQNIW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from TM Publicity</p> <p> The Chaser’s Craig Reucassel and Chris Taylor have been confirmed as hosts of the Australian Directors Guild Awards, to be held on Friday May 11 at Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney. The gala Awards ceremony will this year celebrate the ADG’s 30th anniversary. Craig Reucassel and Chris Taylor have been both writers and presenters of such TV series as The Election Chaser (2001), CNNNN (2002, 2003), The Chaser Decides (2004), The Chaser’s War on Everything (2006-2008), Yes We Canberra! (2010) and The Hamster Wheel (2011). “The Awards are a great opportunity to mark the ADG’s 30th anniversary and to celebrate the achievements of our directors over the past three decades. The night will be lots of fun too – Craig and Chris will make sure of that!” says ADG General Manager Kingston Anderson. Nominations in the ADG Awards will be announced April 16. As well as winners in the 18 Award categories, the ADG Awards will also announce the winner of the ADG and Directors Guild of America Finders series. One Australian feature film, which is yet to secure US distribution and is an entry in the 2012 ADG Awards, will be selected to screen in Los Angeles to key industry figure, including distributors. Tickets to the Awards are now on sale and cost $135 for members and $185 for non members. Tickets include dinner and wine and are available at: </p> <p> <a href="http://www.adg.org.au/awards.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.adg.org.au/awards.aspx</a> or</p> <p> <a href="http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=56060&adgweb" target="_blank">http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=56060&adgweb</a></p> Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:22:49 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/04/article/Sony-introduces-smallest-and-lightest-XDCAM-camcorder/TVZRUGPVZK.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/04/article/Sony-introduces-smallest-and-lightest-XDCAM-camcorder/TVZRUGPVZK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Behind the Screens PR</p> <p> Sony introduces the full-featured yet light and compact PMW-100 handheld camcorder. The PMW-100 joins the ever popular XDCAM HD422 line-up - making it the smallest and lightest camera in the XDCAM family. Advancement in digital imaging technology has enabled professional journalists and videographers to cover stories by using portable devices such as cell phones, DSLRs, and consumer camcorders. However, when compared to mainstream shoulder mount camcorders, there is still a significant gap in image quality, ease of editing and data management. The PMW-100 achieves the best of both worlds, by recording full broadcast quality MPEG HD422 video within a hand-held form factor. Equipped with a newly developed 1/2.9-inch “Exmor” CMOS sensor, it delivers excellent picture performance and also achieves a minimum illumination of 0.08lx. Featuring a 5.4-54mm (40-400mm in 35mm equivalent) zoom lens, the versatile PMW-100 allow users to work in virtually any production environment where mobility and flexibility is highly valued. “The PMW-100 combines exceptional picture fidelity with portability and outstanding manoeuvrability based on the proven XDCAM workflow, taking professional users to a whole new level of productivity. The development of the PMW-100 is a natural step in the progression of the XDCAM range, and is a direct response to our customers’ and long-time XDCAM users’ requests for a light and compact camera that will not only work seamlessly on its own, but also alongside other XDCAM cameras such as the acclaimed PMW-500,” said Anthony Kable, Product Manager at Sony Australia and New Zealand. The PMW-100 supports full HD video at 1080i, 1080p and 720p up to 50 Mbps, MXF record and playback based on the MPEG HD422 codec using standard MPEG HD422 Long GOP compression technology. It is also switchable to MPEG HD420 35/25Mbps or DVCAM 25Mbps. The PMW-100 can also record high quality uncompressed 24-bit four-channel audio at 48kHz. It offers the utmost flexibility with the ability to utilise a variety of recording media including the range of high speed SxS memory cards as well as Memory Stick, SD card and XQD as emergency secondary media options. The new application software "SxS Memory Card Management Utility"* will provide additional operational convenience with SxS memory cards, such as a data back-up function and the life time indication of the card in use. Focusing on your subject and reviewing recorded footage is a breeze with the full colour 3.5-inch WVGA (852x480) LCD. The Slow & Quick Motion function enables users to create artistic fast and slow-motion footage from 1 fps to 60 fps in 720p mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode. The camera also incorporates HD/SD-SDI output, HDMI output, Composite output, Genlock input, time code in/out, i.LINK (HDV/DV) in/out, and A/V Out. The PMW-100 will start shipping in May 2012. * "SxS Memory Card Management Utility" will be available through download from May 10th.</p> Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:25:24 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/FME-secures-sales-for-Hit--Miss-series/UWZMGBAOHS.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/FME-secures-sales-for-Hit--Miss-series/UWZMGBAOHS.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Access PR</p> <p> FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has sold Hit & Miss, the highly-anticipated new drama series created by award-winning producer Paul Abbott and starring Academy Award nominee Chloë Sevigny, to broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand and Israel. Hit & Miss, which was originally commissioned by Sky Atlantic HD in the UK, has been picked up by ABC2 in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand and HOT in Israel. These deals follow the announcement last year that DirecTV has acquired broadcast rights in the US. The high-concept, provocative drama stars Chloë Sevigny as Mia, an assassin with a big secret: she's a transsexual woman. Her life is sent in to a tailspin when her terminally ill ex-girlfriend reveals Mia fathered a son 11 years ago. Faced with a difficult decision, she becomes the guardian to a new family, a choice that forces her to mix her killer instincts with her newly acquired maternal ones. David Ellender, FME’s Global CEO, commented: “Hit & Miss has generated real excitement among international broadcasters in the months running up to MIPTV and I’m sure everyone will be talking about it this market. Paul Abbott and Sean Conway have created a powerful, must watch drama that will grip viewers across the globe, and we’re delighted to be bringing it to Australia, New Zealand and Israel.” This is the latest project to come out of FME’s first look distribution deal with Paul Abbott’s production and development company AbbottVision. The series is a co-production between AbbottVision and Red Production Company. It is written by Sean Conway (Kings of London, Brilliant Love), and is executive produced by Paul Abbott, Nicola Shindler (Red Production Company) and Huw Kennair-Jones (Sky Atlantic). Paul Abbott and Ana Garanito, FME’s Director of Scripted Programming, EMEA & Asia Pacific, will be discussing Hit & Miss in a special MIPTV panel. The ‘Creatives Speaking’ session takes place on Monday, 2nd April from 10.45am in auditorium A.</p> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:18:27 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/04/article/The-Telegram-Man-wins-Mudfest-2012/PTYXQGLYGT.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/04/article/The-Telegram-Man-wins-Mudfest-2012/PTYXQGLYGT.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Well Above</p> <p> Not even the threat of poor weather could dampen the spirit and enthusiasm of this year’s Mudgee International Short Film Festival, Mudfest. With the screening moved to Mudfest’s indoor venue due to the possibility of a torrential downpour, the Judges’ Choice award went to James Khehtie’s The Telegram Man, the People’s Choice to Nash Edgerton’s Bear and the FUJIFILM Best Australian Film Award of $1,500 worth of recording media products to Peakaboo
directed by Damien Power. The full list of finalists was: Peakaboo – Australia Sukkertoppen (Sugartop) – Norway Secret life of Objects - Outhouse – Australia Donkey - United Kingdom Half Hearted - United Kingdom Collision - Australia
 Bear - Australia
 The Telegram Man - Australia
 Moving Day - Australia The Extraordinary Life of Rocky - Belgium
 Spielend älter werden mit Wilda WahnWitz - Germany
 Squeeze - Australia
 Lola - France
 Cockatoo - Australia

 Co-founder of Mudfest Peter Scott said, “Mudfest, now in its 8th year just keeps getting better and better, even with the challenging weather conditions we had more visitors than ever before. Mudfest would again like to thank FUJIFILM for sponsoring the Best Australian Film award with their prize of $1,500 worth of FUJIFILM recording media and Video-8 taking care of all the mastering, duplication and DVD replication of the entries. We couldn’t put on Mudfest without the invaluable support of our sponsors.” Earlier this year MudFest was announced as an Official Satellite Event of the G’Day USA Festivities, screening in Los Angeles on 17 January at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. G'Day USA is an annual program held in the lead-up to Australia Day and is designed to showcase Australian business, innovation and culture to the USA. The 2012 G’Day USA 3-week program brought new business, education, entertainment, innovation, and tourism events to seven cities (San Francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Houston and Chicago).</p> Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:32:50 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/Canon-strengthens-professional-video-team-with-Charles-Montesin/HNKUKKUQDQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/Canon-strengthens-professional-video-team-with-Charles-Montesin/HNKUKKUQDQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Canon</p> <p> Canon Australia has announced the appointment of cinema and broadcast industry stalwart Charles Montesin as Brand Manager – Professional Video, Canon Australia. The appointment continues Canon’s momentum in building strong professional video capability and backs a unique portfolio spanning HD video-equipped EOS digital SLR cameras through to the groundbreaking Cinema EOS System for the motion picture and broadcast industry. “Charles brings a wealth of knowledge and professional video expertise to Canon at a very exciting time for the industry and our evolution in it,” said Darren Ryan, General Manager– Marketing, Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. “The professional video market is a growth sector and we are investing for the success of our partners and customers on the back of once-in-a-generation innovations that mark a new chapter in our 75-year history.” Mr Montesin will lead Canon Australia’s Professional Video market development with a particular focus on the Cinema EOS System, launched in January this year. “I am excited to join Canon at such a pivotal time in the cinema and broadcast industries,” said Charles Montesin. “New technology is enabling so much more to the creative process and is also enabling significant changes to workflow, and I look forward to partnering with the industry to achieve higher quality productions with reduced costs.”</p> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:15:15 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/Canon-EOS-C300-receives-coveted-BBC-broadcast-approval/BMYJUXXBHO.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/Canon-EOS-C300-receives-coveted-BBC-broadcast-approval/BMYJUXXBHO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Canon</p> <p> Canon Australia announced that the ground-breaking EOS C300, the first model from the new Cinema EOS System, has been approved for HD broadcast use by the BBC in line with its stringent test criteria*. The approval allows both internal and external BBC production teams to use the EOS C300 for the production of a variety of programmes to be broadcast on the BBC’s range of HD channels. The EOS C300 is the third professional camcorder from Canon to be approved by the BBC since the start of 2011, joining the XF305 and XF300 Full HD camcorders, which were approved for use in January last year. “The BBC’s approval of the EOS C300 is testament to the quality and versatility of the Cinema EOS system and indicative of the high regard it has already achieved in the broadcast and motion picture production arenas,” said Charles Montesin, Brand Manager – Professional Video, Canon Australia. “We had received tremendous interest in Australia following the launch last year and the since going on sale in January the figures we’re seeing have smashed all forecasts and redefined any assumptions we had made for this product in our market.” The EOS C300/C300 PL Interchangeable-Lens Digital Video Camcorder The Canon EOS C300/C300 PL is an all new digital video camcorder available in two models: the EOS C300, equipped with an EF lens mount for compatibility with the wide array of more than 60 lenses that make up Canon’s current interchangeable EF lens line-up; and the EOS C300 PL, offering a PL lens mount for use with industry-standard PL lenses. The camcorder features a Super 35 mm-equivalent approximately 8.29-megapixel CMOS sensor ideally suited for digital cinematography. A landmark model for Canon, the EOS C300 merges Canon’s heritage in sensor and lens design to create a compact, versatile camera that offers exceptional image quality alongside the flexibility to shoot in a wide range of different situations. The 4K Cinema Lens Line-up Canon’s Cinema EOS System features seven new 4K EF Cinema Lens models: four zoom lenses covering a wide zoom range from 14.5 mm to 300 mm—two models each for EF and PL lens mounts—and three single-focal-length lenses for EF mounts. All seven new lenses deliver exceptional 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) optical performance and offer compatibility with Super 35 mm-equivalent sensors. Additionally, the three single-focal-length lenses can be used with cameras equipped with 35 mm full-frame sensors. * Cameras tested to the EBU recommendation EBU R118. http://tech.ebu.ch/camtest </p> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:17:05 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/03/article/Supernatural-series-deadside-available-online-from-April-10/NXUQADSWGK.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/03/article/Supernatural-series-deadside-available-online-from-April-10/NXUQADSWGK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release</p> <p> "deadside" is a supernatural TV show, produced in Australia by SL8IT Productions, with a strong focus on story, action, adventure and martial arts.</p> <p> It is the first of its kind to ever be produced in Australia, featuring a strong multicultural cast, with Asian, European, African, Middle Eastern and American characters.</p> <p> Set in Sydney, it revolves around a young British girl named Sara, who's life is thrown into turmoil when a mysterious man named Boli Shah starts pursuing her. She is eventually drawn into a mysterious world of Voodoo, ancient oriental mysticism, martial arts and the Yakuza gangster underworld. She is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior known as Ogunte, who must stop Baron Samedi, guardian of the dead from crossing his armies over from deadside into the world of the living.</p> <p> The cast have previously featured in Various Feature Films and on television in Gangs of Oz, CIA: Crime Investigation Australia, Rescue Special Ops, Home and Away, Neighbours, Packed to the Rafters, Tomorrow When The War Began, Kitchen Whiz and on Channels 7, 9 and ESPN.</p> <p> Andy Minh Trieu is also currently a Cleo Bachelor of the year nominee and already their Thomas Sabo event.</p> <p> The show will be available worldwide via online distributor VODO.net at 12am on the 10th of April 2012</p> <p> www.deadside.tv</p> <p> facebook.com/deadsidetv</p> <p> twitter.com/deadsidetv Use #deadsidetv for all deadside related tweets Œ</p> Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:55:11 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/Government-receives-final-convergence-review-report/LCYAFEBNWC.html http://if.com.au/2012/04/02/article/Government-receives-final-convergence-review-report/LCYAFEBNWC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy</p> <p> Government receives final report of the Convergence Review The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has received the final report of the Convergence Review officially marking the end of this landmark review of Australia's media and communications regulation. “At a time of significant structural change brought about by digital switchover, the advent of new technologies and the rollout of the National Broadband Network, the work of the Convergence Review will be of particular importance in positioning Australia's communications and media sector to meet the digital future,” Senator Conroy said. In late 2010, the Gillard Government announced a review to examine the policy and regulatory frameworks that apply to the converged media and communications landscape in Australia. It announced the formation of an independent committee to conduct the review in early 2011. “I would like to thank Committee Chair Glen Boreham and his colleagues Louise McElvogue and Malcolm Long for their efforts in this highly complex area of reform,” Senator Conroy said. Senator Conroy said in undertaking the review the Convergence Review Committee consulted with key industry leaders and organisations, received over 340 written submissions and 28,000 comments and undertook an in-person consultation programme across Australia. “The Government will consider the findings of the Review ahead of releasing it publicly by late April. “The Government will formally respond to the Review later in the year and will seek to begin delivering reforms during the course of 2012.”</p> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:22:16 +1000 http://if.com.au/2012/03/20/article/IF-Magazine-Rising-Talent-Feature---Call-for-submissions/VSIRXOWHIP.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/20/article/IF-Magazine-Rising-Talent-Feature---Call-for-submissions/VSIRXOWHIP.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> IF Magazine is planning to run a special feature on some of Australia’s best up-and-coming actors for the June-July issue.</p> <p> The story will highlight the great work being done in the industry and pinpoint some of Australia’s next stars. We’re calling for submissions now from agencies around the country! Candidates must have film and/or television credits to their name. No age limitations are in place, and actors that have previously been nominated for an Out of the Box IF Award will also be considered.</p> <p> If you would like to nominate an actor, please send a photo, a biography and the reasons you think they are a rising talent to Amanda Diaz at <a href="mailto:adiaz@if.com.au">adiaz@if.com.au</a> by Sunday, April 1.</p> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:59:35 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/30/article/FSM-picks-up-broadcast-design-award-at-Hotshop-Awards/JCSYMCAHKW.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/30/article/FSM-picks-up-broadcast-design-award-at-Hotshop-Awards/JCSYMCAHKW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from FSM</p> <p> FSM, one of Australia's leading film and television post production companies, has picked up the coveted award for broadcast design at Australian Creative’s Hotshop Awards.</p> <p> FSM took out the prize for its ability to deliver outstanding design work for its clients that include ABC TV, XYZ Networks, Fox Sports and Matchbox Pictures.</p> <p> Rick Schweikert, FSM managing director said: “It is great to see our team, led by creative director Emile Rademeyer, being recognised for its outstanding work in broadcast design by such a reputable industry publication. We work tirelessly to produce creative and outstanding results for our clients and this is just an example of that.”</p> <p> In the upcoming edition of Australian Creative, judges said FSM’s work was “beautiful work at a consistently high standard – pushing into new areas.”</p> <p> This is the second time FSM has won, having been awarded Hotshop in 2009.</p> <p> Australian Creative’s Hotshop Awards, announced on Tuesday 27 March, aim to uncover the companies and individuals who are creating truly innovative solutions for their clients by pioneering fresh styles, techniques and strategies across a range of disciplines including advertising, design, digital, post production, animation, production, sound and photography.</p> Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:29:17 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/30/article/Rave-Cinemas-selects-Vista-as-cinema-management-software-provider/YKOQKLQYPA.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/30/article/Rave-Cinemas-selects-Vista-as-cinema-management-software-provider/YKOQKLQYPA.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Vista Entertainment Solutions</p> <p> Vista Entertainment Solutions is pleased to announce that Rave Cinemas has chosen Vista as its cinema management software provider. Rave will deploy a number of Vista’s software modules across their circuit throughout 2012, which will enable them to improve operational efficiency and further enhance the customer experience, CEO Rolando B. Rodriguez says: “Vista’s innovative approach to our industry will empower us to achieve efficiencies, and deliver a better offering to our customers. We have been impressed by the fantastic reviews given to Vista by our peers in the industry and I look forward to working with them.”</p> <p> Vista CEO Murray Holdaway notes: “Vista recognises Rave as one of the fastest growing and most innovative cinema circuits in the USA today. Vista shares some of thesesame characteristics within our industry and so I think it is tremendous and fitting that Rave has chosen Vista for their circuit. I am thrilled to add another great exhibitorto thegrowing numberof Vista customers around the world.”</p> <p> In addition to Vista’s world leading cinema POS and Cinema Management Software modules, Rave will also install Vista’s Internet Ticketing, Loyalty, Facebook, Smartphone applications, Gift Card management and Home Office modules. This will enable Rave to maximize the customer experience and offer new channels for marketing and ticket sales.</p> <p> By moving to the Vista platform, Rave will gain the ability to offer online ticketing for all cinema sites on its own web site, using the Vista Web Ticketing module. This will give Rave full control over the branding and experience for internet ticket sales. Rave will also deploy its own branded Smartphone and Facebook applications, leveraging Vista’s technology.</p> <p> With over 60 sites with 630 screens, Rave Cinemas ranks as the 7th largest cinema companywithin the USA. For Vista, this announcement from such a well-known and admiredexhibitor, further cements Vista’s place as the leading cinema software provider in the United States and across the world. Since opening its Los Angeles office in 2009, Visa has gained the business of 5 of the Top 10exhibitorsin the United States.</p> <p> Vista also has offices in London, Auckland and Shanghai. The Vista software is installed in over 20,000 screens across 200 customers in more than 50 countries around the world.</p> Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:10:54 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/28/article/Autodesk-announces-2013-Digital-Entertainment-Creation-Software-Portfolio/VFNKHFIGIN.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/28/article/Autodesk-announces-2013-Digital-Entertainment-Creation-Software-Portfolio/VFNKHFIGIN.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Autodesk</p> <p> Autodesk, Inc., (NASDAQ: ADSK) announced the 2013 versions of its Digital Entertainment Creation (DEC) software and suites, used by leading artists working in film, game development, television and advertising. The new releases improve consistency and interoperability between applications, making it even easier for artists to take advantage of powerful new and enhanced creative features.</p> <p> "Creative artists want to work at the speed of thought," said Marc Petit, Autodesk senior vice president, Media & Entertainment. "They need software that enables them to explore new concepts, iterate and refine their ideas. The 2013 releases of our Entertainment Creation Suites provide rich visual feedback earlier in the creative process and allow artists to work in their favorite tools by making it easier to move between multiple applications. Autodesk is also removing technical barriers to the creation of believable characters by providing new simulation tools for realistic cloth, hair and crowds."</p> <p> "Entertainment companies are seeking out new ways to standardize and optimize their workflows, better manage increasing project complexity, and take full advantage of globally distributed production resources," added Petit. "Autodesk is working closely with the leading studios in the film and games industries to develop and package workflows that address these challenges into our Entertainment Creation Suites."</p> <p> Expanded Suites Deliver More Powerful Toolsets</p> <p> Autodesk extended its suites offering with the new Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Ultimate edition. This suite contains both Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 and Autodesk Maya 2013 animation software, together with Autodesk Softimage 2013 3D animation and visual effects software, Autodesk Mudbox 2013 3D sculpting and painting software and Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013 real-time virtual production and motion capture editing software.</p> <p> All editions of the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites now also include Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2013 concept art software. This product enables artists to explore and present new ideas for characters, props and environments using an intuitive hybrid paint and vector toolset.</p> <p> For more information about the three editions of the Entertainment Creation Suites, visit <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/entertainmentcreationsuites">http://www.autodesk.com/entertainmentcreationsuites</a></p> <p> Enhanced Interoperability Provides Greater Flexibility</p> <p> Building on the existing data exchange workflows, the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites 2013 offer a variety of new features to further enhance interoperability between products:</p> <p> · Live character streaming between MotionBuilder and Maya provides an efficient way to previsualize a retargeting result in the final Maya scene before transferring the data between applications.</p> <p> · More consistent hotkeys make it easier for Maya artists to navigate viewports in the 3D suite applications, and help artists familiar with 3ds Max to get up to speed with Softimage faster.</p> <p> · The enhanced, consistent F-Curve Editor within 3ds Max, Maya, Softimage and MotionBuilder now offers consistent functionality, helping animators transition between these applications more smoothly.</p> <p> · Autodesk HumanIK Interoperability with CAT (Character Animation Toolkit) provides a single-step, round-trip workflow to transfer 3ds Max CAT bipedal characters between 3ds Max, Maya and MotionBuilder.</p> <p> · Enhanced interoperability between Maya and 3ds Max enables artists to move 3D data between the applications in a single step.</p> <p> Autodesk 2013 Software Helps Power Creativity, Enable Collaboration and Manage Data Complexity</p> <p> Products contained within the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suites 2013 have also been updated to offer new creative toolsets, more interactive viewports and workflow enhancements that help artists collaborate, manage complexity and move data through their pipeline more efficiently:</p> <p> · Autodesk Maya 2013 software delivers powerful new toolsets for dynamic simulation, animation and rendering that offer new levels of creativity, while everyday productivity enhancements help artists work faster. In addition, the Open Data initiative introduced in Maya 2013 offers tools to help facilitate parallel workflows and better complexity handling</p> <p> · Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 software delivers ActiveShade support in the NVIDIA iray renderer; a new render pass system; and enhanced interoperability with Adobe After Effects and Adobe Photoshop software. The 2013 version also offers new tools for motion graphics, 3D animation, and simulation.</p> <p> · Autodesk Softimage 2013 software delivers a new high-fidelity interactive environment and powerful new creative toolsets that include a new CrowdFX simulation feature set, along with enhanced modeling, animation, physics, and selection tools.</p> <p> · Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013 software helps production teams more reliably acquire, aggregate and refine data, and offers a new nonlinear editing paradigm for Virtual Production. Highlights are the option to record live motion capture data directly to disk, a flexible new HUD (heads-up display), a floating viewer and support for broadcast WAVE files.</p> <p> · Autodesk Mudbox 2013 software helps artists create complex production-ready scenes with greater ease, with the Gigatexel engine and the ability to work efficiently with significantly more objects. In addition, Mudbox 2013 offers new multipurpose curves, support for edge sharpness data and enhanced interoperability with Adobe Photoshop software.</p> <p> Autodesk also announced the 2013 version of its Autodesk Flame Premium software, which combines high-end visual effects and finishing tools with real-time color grading in a single solution. The 2013 version features:</p> <p> · More creative and technical tools for advanced compositing and 3D relighting</p> <p> · Interactivity enhancements in Action for an even more fluid creative experience</p> <p> · Improved 3D tracking workflow for greater flexibility and control when positioning compositing elements in a scene</p> <p> · Enhanced grading capabilities including new color grading presets to get started on look development, new media export workflow and Tangent Element modular control panel support</p> <p> Availability</p> <p> Product availability varies by country. Details and license purchasing options are available at <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions">http://www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions</a></p> Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:53:01 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/28/article/Australian-audiences-love-The-Best-Exotic-Marigold-Hotel/TZDOFFONHH.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/28/article/Australian-audiences-love-The-Best-Exotic-Marigold-Hotel/TZDOFFONHH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from: Fox Searchlight</p> <p> THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL opened in cinemas across Australia to an extraordinary $3.41M (on 327 screens) on its opening weekend (Thursday-Sunday inclusive), proving audiences have taken the movie to heart and discovered the perfect counter-programming film to THE HUNGER GAMES.</p> <p> This is the biggest opening weekend for any Fox Searchlight film in Australia, more than last year’s breakout hit BLACK SWAN ($2.22M on 168 screens) and current highest-grossing Fox Searchlight film THE FULL MONTY ($1.88M on 136 screens). This result is even more impressive considering it is bigger than the opening weekend of MAO’S LAST DANCER ($2.75M on 266 screens) and almost two times bigger than the opening weekend of audience favourite RED DOG ($1.80M on 245 screens).</p> <p> Directed by John Madden (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE), the film stars Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith.</p> <p> THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL tells the story of a group of misfit British pensioners who are enticed to retire to a fabulous hotel in Jaipur, India, where they are promised to live a life of luxury for a bargain price. Upon their arrival, they are dismayed to find that restoration of the once elegant Marigold Hotel has stalled. There is waterˆsometimes. And electricityˆsometimes. The hotel’s eager manager, a young Indian entrepreneur, is quick to tell them that his ambitious renovation is going to turn the place around. Surprisingly, the retirees find themselves settling into this strange new world and creating bonds with each other. What their new life lacks in luxury they come to find is plentiful in adventure, stunning beauty, peace and love.</p> <p> THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is currently screening in cinemas across Australia.Œ</p> Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:32:47 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/27/article/ABC-Hobart-installs-Magna-gear/TKSMMQOVEU.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/27/article/ABC-Hobart-installs-Magna-gear/TKSMMQOVEU.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Well Above</p> <p> Magna Systems and Engineering today announced that they have supplied ABC Hobart with a full RTS Telex comms system.</p> <p> Magna Systems and Engineering Product Specialist Lucas Bohm explained, “ABC Hobart’s OB van already fitted with an RTS Telex comms system, so the team there were familiar with its functionality. Thus when ABC were looking for a new talkback system for the TV station itself, they made contact with a number of suppliers and Magna Systems were one of them.”</p> <p> Bohm and the team at Magna Systems supplied details around the latest products from RTS Telex that best suited ABC Hobart’s requirements. After a comprehensive evaluation process ABC Hobart purchased the Telex intercom system from Magna Systems and Bohm travelled to Hobart with Shawn Anderson from RTS Telex to provide a full training program for ABC Hobart’s engineers and technical operators.</p> <p> The RTS Telex ADAM matrix, supplied to ABC Hobart, is one of the most widely used matrices in the world today utilising a patented Time Division Multiplex (TDM) technique that makes it possible to support 272 ports in a 7 RU frame. It is a modular system and has full power supply and controller-card redundancy. It also has individual cross-point level controls and multi-level IFB, ISO, groups and GPI's as standard. The ADAM is available with a wide variety of hot swappable interface cards which includes the AIO-16, AES-3, MADI-16+ and the RVON-16 VoIP interface card.</p> <p> The RVON-16 card is hot swappable and installs into any available slot in an ADAM intercom system. It provides Voice over IP communications for the RTS® ADAM intercom product family via a RJ-45 Ethernet connection over a standard 10/100 BASE-T network. The RVON-16 also supports remote keypanel connectivity between it and any of the RVON product range. Additionally it has two DB-9 serial connections for RS-232 or RS-485 pass-thru to supports RTS® Intelligent Trunking over IP. RTS®’ intelligent trunking provides seamless routing of communications between facilities, regardless of distance.</p> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:42:13 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/27/article/WA-Screen-Academy-graduates-selected-for-Clare-Valley-Film-Festival/ADWSJKDDGT.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/27/article/WA-Screen-Academy-graduates-selected-for-Clare-Valley-Film-Festival/ADWSJKDDGT.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from: WA Screen Academy</p> <p> WA Screen Academy directing graduates Ben Young and Mike Hoath have made official selection for the 2012 Clare Valley Film Festival with their short films Something Fishy and Crosshairs.</p> <p> The Clare Valley Film Festival showcases Australian and international independent film, as well as informing and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers through the Clewers Film Challenge</p> <p> A 2005 graduate of the WA Screen Academy, Ben Young has added a number of recent accolades to his name including a $20,000 feature film script development award for Unloved. He plans to direct his debut full-length feature film in the near future. </p> <p> His short film, Something Fishy, tells the story about a friendship that is more than skin deep. It will be screening as part of the Perception Official Selection of short films.</p> <p> "The Festival has a great reputation amongst industry professionals, so I'm stoked to be a part of it,” Ben said. </p> <p> Mike’s film, Crosshairs, is about two brothers from a rural West Australian town who are caught poaching a lamb, with the situation ending in a violent showdown. It will be screening as part of the Cigarettes & Regret Official Selection of short films.</p> <p> "I love how Clare Valley have curated their program,” Mike said.</p> <p> ”All the films within each block are linked thematically, as opposed to just lumping them together randomly like so many other festivals do. It shows they have put the effort in to provide a better viewing experience for their audience.” </p> <p> Something Fishy and Crosshairs are in the running for Best Australian Short Film Award and a $1200 prize pack. The winning film will be announced on the closing day of the festival.</p> <p> WA Screen Academy Director John Rapsey wished Mike and Ben success for the festival screening. </p> <p> “Ben and Mike have both accumulated impressive collections of awards, prizes and funding grants over a number of years. This a tribute to their unique talents and determination to make their mark in the screen industry,” Mr Rapsey said.</p> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:07:06 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/27/article/ABC-Hobart-chooses-Magna-RTS-Telex-coms/HDHXODMBWV.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/27/article/ABC-Hobart-chooses-Magna-RTS-Telex-coms/HDHXODMBWV.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Magna Systems and Engineering</p> <p> Magna Systems and Engineering today announced that they have supplied ABC Hobart with a full RTS Telex comms system.</p> <p> Magna Systems and Engineering Product Specialist Lucas Bohm explained, “ABC Hobart’s OB van already fitted with an RTS Telex comms system, so the team there were familiar with its functionality. Thus when ABC were looking for a new talkback system for the TV station itself, they made contact with a number of suppliers and Magna Systems were one of them.”</p> <p> Bohm and the team at Magna Systems supplied details around the latest products from RTS Telex that best suited ABC Hobart’s requirements. After a comprehensive evaluation process ABC Hobart purchased the Telex intercom system from Magna Systems and Bohm travelled to Hobart with Shawn Anderson from RTS Telex to provide a full training program for ABC Hobart’s engineers and technical operators.</p> <p> The RTS Telex ADAM matrix, supplied to ABC Hobart, is one of the most widely used matrices in the world today utilising a patented Time Division Multiplex (TDM) technique that makes it possible to support 272 ports in a 7 RU frame. It is a modular system and has full power supply and controller-card redundancy. It also has individual cross-point level controls and multi-level IFB, ISO, groups and GPI's as standard. The ADAM is available with a wide variety of hot swappable interface cards which includes the AIO-16, AES-3, MADI-16+ and the RVON-16 VoIP interface card.</p> <p> The RVON-16 card is hot swappable and installs into any available slot in an ADAM intercom system. It provides Voice over IP communications for the RTS® ADAM intercom product family via a RJ-45 Ethernet connection over a standard 10/100 BASE-T network. The RVON-16 also supports remote keypanel connectivity between it and any of the RVON product range. Additionally it has two DB-9 serial connections for RS-232 or RS-485 pass-thru to supports RTS® Intelligent Trunking over IP. RTS®’ intelligent trunking provides seamless routing of communications between facilities, regardless of distance.</p> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:04:26 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/ASTRA-2012-highlights-the-rising-impact-of-Subscription-TV/SJXKDHQFFC.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/ASTRA-2012-highlights-the-rising-impact-of-Subscription-TV/SJXKDHQFFC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ASTRA</p> <p> Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) closed the ASTRA 2012 Conference, themed Driving Change, with key take outs including:</p> <p> • Australia is positioned as one of the five top countries to watch over the next five years for growth in Subscription TV.</p> <p> • The NBN is creating a healthy competition matrix which will drive creation of original programming, innovation and storytelling. Subscription TV is pitched perfectly to seize these opportunities.</p> <p> • The media landscape doesn’t need subsidies, it thrives on competition and government regulation should be reduced.</p> <p> • Emergence of new business models such as the marriage between ‘content and data’ and ‘content and distribution’.</p> <p> • Consumers are engaging with media in new and exciting ways through multiple devices across multiple platforms anytime, everywhere.</p> <p> • The acknowledgement of a new era and change in the Subscription TV landscape. Commencing with The ASTRA Women in TV Breakfast, food publishing phenomenon Donna Hay and Tiffany Cherry, former track and field athlete, and now highly regarded sports presenter, producer, reporter and TV personality, with moderator Helen Dalley inspired over 600 professionals from across the TV landscape. A sold out event, this year ASTRA donated a portion of ticket sales to The Butterfly Foundation, whose aims are to bring about change to the culture, policy and practice in the prevention, treatment and support of those affected by eating disorders and negative body image.</p> <p> Donna Hay and Tiffany Cherry shared their experiences on the pathway to success: “Be passionate about what you do - especially in this industry - you will be found out if you are not because you have to work so hard at it. The ultimate thing is to be honest with yourself and when opportunities come, follow what you want to do. Passion will drive you and take you above and beyond all those hard times,” said Tiffany Cherry.</p> <p> “Don’t let anyone steal your dream. It’s your dream and while people may say ‘you can’t do it’ or put brick walls in your way, those are just opinions and usually come from people who are insecure about their own position. Seek out people who are really supportive and will embrace you and encourage you,” continued Tiffany Cherry.</p> <p> “When I produced my first marie claire cook book, it was all white on white. I got called in to Jackie Frank’s office and she told me that the French (head office) didn’t want it to hit the shelves. They tested it and hated it. It was alarming news, you can imagine. They let us publish it in Australia, and 800 copies sold out quickly, then it spread to sell millions of copies worldwide,” said Donna Hay</p> <p> “I think the most important thing about having a great brand is that financial motivation comes way down on the list. Stay true to your core brand and to what you want to achieve.” continued Donna Hay.</p> <p> Fresh from London, with a global perspective, Kevin MacLellan, President, International Television, NBCUniversal International sparked lively discussion with his comments around why the STV industry in Australia is a growth market and one to watch.</p> <p> “In Australia you have a really high GDP, with the potential for a very high ARPU particularly when you are looking at a triple play package, which was unimaginable 12 years ago. And you have the ability to drive significant revenues because your penetration right now is lower than it is elsewhere in the world, with similar economics. So, to me I look at it and I say, even if you just raise penetration 20% that's a home run. So, I would put Australia right there in my top five countries to pay attention to over the next five years and there is a lot of economic factors as to why that makes sense to me,” said Kevin MacLellan, President, International Television, NBCUniversal International.</p> <p> Richard Freudenstein delivered his debut address as FOXTEL Chief Executive Officer and announced today that its history making broadcast of the LONDON 2012 Olympic Games will be available to every FOXTEL cable and satellite residential sports subscriber at no additional cost.</p> <p> “I am delighted to announce that FOXTEL will offer our full Olympic Games coverage at no extra charge to every FOXTEL residential sports subscriber. We will produce the best coverage of the Olympic Games in our country’s broadcast history. We are making it available across eight High Definition and Standard Definition digital channels, and we are doing all of this at no additional charge for our residential sports customers.</p> <p> “FOXTEL’s commitment to this groundbreaking coverage of LONDON 2012 is a great example of how we are continuing to innovate and add value for our consumers. This investment is a massive increase in what we offer for a FOXTEL subscription, said Richard Freudenstein, CEO, FOXTEL.</p> <p> Penny Chapman (Producer, The Straits, The Slap), Mark Joffe (Director, The Man Who Sued God, Cosi, Dripping in Chocolate ) and Imogen Banks (Producer, Offspring, Tangle) in discussion with The Australian’s Michael Bodey drove discussion about the evolving nature of drama programming on television, expectations of viewers and how the creative process is changing.</p> <p> “Part of our issue is we are a little country. We are punching well above our weight but the challenge for us is in the development area,” said Penny Chapman.</p> <p> Kim Williams, former FOXTEL CEO and now the Chief Executive of News Limited was awarded the prestigious Pioneer Award by The Hon Steve Bracks, AC, Chairman of ASTRA in recognition of the outstanding achievements and contribution he has made in the STV industry.</p> <p> “The legacy of this year’s recipient will live on through the vast array of content and services that are enjoyed by countless Australian consumers, making him a true pioneer in the industry,” said the Hon Steve Bracks, AC, Chairman of ASTRA.</p> <p> “I am delighted to receive the reward. It recognises that we have built a company and sector that is bigger, better and stronger than we found it. We’ve created thousands of jobs for great Australian talent, and awarded both our viewers and our shareholders,” said Kim Williams, Chief Executive of News Limited.</p> <p> FOX SPORTS Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Delany, shared first hand expertise and insights into innovation in sports broadcasting, most recently highlighted by the launch of FOX FOOTY, a new dedicated 24-hour AFL channel in HD, which will feature game commentary by iconic AFL personality Eddie McGuire.</p> <p> On the cusp of the ACCC announcement, John Porter delivered what could be his final presentation as Chief Executive Officer of AUSTAR, reflecting on the great partnerships between AUSTAR and the rest of the industry that have been so critical to the AUSTAR story and their succesS.</p> <p> “As you are all aware this is a pretty important moment in our history. The gossip of the day at last year's ASTRA conference was the possibility of an AUSTAR and FOXTEL merger. At the end of May we announced FOXTEL's indicative bid and in July the final deal was waiting for a sign of the ACCC's approval and subsequent shareholder vote. The ACCC started its official review in late May 2011 and since then a lot has happened. Osama bin Laden has been captured and killed. K Rudd has come and gone as a Prime Ministerial contender. 14 AUSTAR babies have been conceived, 44,320 trees have been destroyed, and 300 lawyers have been made a lot richer.</p> <p> "More recently, the debacle of the Australia network tender and massive lost opportunity of the Convergence Review are examples of what happens when government is intent on choosing winners instead of allowing the market to play out,” said John Porter, CEO AUSTAR.</p> <p> Mike Quigley, Chief Executive Officer, NBN Co shared insights into how the NBN will impact demand by consumers for premium quality content. Discussion arose around its impact on piracy; the convergence of media and communications technologies to offer opportunity to encourage competition and innovation to deliver a more diverse range of content and services to Australians; and the NBN’s impact on traditional distribution models.</p> <p> “More of us are going online in more ways, for more time, to consume richer content. The model for NBN Co is a government business enterprise. Maximising profit is not our job. Our job is to provide the very lowest prices we can in return for fixed return to the government. Build as prudently as we can and drive down prices as much as possible,” said Mike Quigley, CEO, NBN Co.</p> <p> Breakout sessions on Understanding the STV Audience, IPTV, Production & Promotion in a 3 Screen World and Break-Through Advertising Campaigns were filled to capacity, prompting discussion and debate from both panelists and the floor.</p> <p> The ASTRA Industry Excellence Awards were presented at the closing of the Conference recognising individuals, channels and agencies creating ground breaking and innovative marketing campaigns within the Australian STV industry.</p> <p> “The ASTRA Industry Excellence Awards distinguish the high calibre marketing and promotional work and profile of subscription TV. The recipients of these awards should be proud in the knowledge that their efforts are transforming the way that Australian’s perceive subscription TV,” said ASTRA CEO Petra Buchanan.</p> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:13:19 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/SPAA-Its-time-the-Government-repaid-Australians-for-TV-license-fees/QKBKLSXQMK.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/SPAA-Its-time-the-Government-repaid-Australians-for-TV-license-fees/QKBKLSXQMK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from SPAA</p> <p> “Its time for the federal government to ensure that Australians see an increase in Australian content on our television screens, as promised by the big three networks in return for a reduction in their obligations of hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Geoff Brown, Executive Director of SPAA.</p> <p> The Gillard Government rushed a one page Television License Fees Amendment 2012 (no 1) through the House of Representatives late yesterday to cut a further 25 percent off license fees payable by the free to air television networks for the use of public spectrum.</p> <p> “This renewal of the rebate will now amount to savings in excess of 275 million dollars for the networks and they expressly requested it of the Minister to ensure appropriate levels of Australian content,” said Brown. “There has been no appreciable increase in Australian content since the license rebate and in that time the amount of foreign content on the free to air multi channels and on the Internet has increased. The government must now act to shore up Australian content by legislating for an increase in the Producer Tax Offset for television.”</p> <p> The government has commissioned a Convergence Review looking into the difficulties that have arisen as a result of the converging of the formerly separate media environments of radio, television and the Internet. The Review panel recently published an Interim Report suggesting that the government should increase the Producer Offset for television from 20% to 40% and broaden its base to ensure that more Australian content is produced to counter the ever increasing levels of foreign content in the converged environment.</p> <p> “The government must heed the recommendation in the interim report and commit to an increase in the Offset,” said Brown. The Convergence Review final report is due by the end of April.</p> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:01:58 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/Jack-Thompson-joins-the-cast-of-Blinder/GENUVFPHGD.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/Jack-Thompson-joins-the-cast-of-Blinder/GENUVFPHGD.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release Jump Street Films</p> <p> Australian screen icon Jack Thompson has joined the cast of BLINDER, marking his return to the Australian Rules genre after 1980's THE CLUB. Thompson joins the previously announced cast of Oliver Ackland, Rose McIver, Anna Hutchison, Josh Helman, Angus Sampson, Bob Morley and Zoe Carides.</p> <p> Filming is currently underway in Torquay, Victoria and will continue through late April before wrapping in Boston in May. Thompson has just wrapped filming Baz Luhrmann’s THE GREAT GATSBY.</p> <p> Quote from writer/director Richard Gray: “I grew up watching films like BREAKER MORANT and THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER. We’re incredibly excited to have Jack onboard – he’s a legend.”</p> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:55:36 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/The-Shadowcatchers-A-history-of-cinematography-in-Australia/GFCJGMUJOC.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/The-Shadowcatchers-A-history-of-cinematography-in-Australia/GFCJGMUJOC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from DMCPRMEDIA</p> <p> Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Geoffrey Rush and Naomi Watts are some of our most famous exports. However we also have top notch directors, costume designers, art directors and an incredible five Academy Award winning Australian cinematographers in our vibrant film industry. </p> <p> The unique nature of our cinematographers is captured beautifully in The Shadowcatchers, a pictorial history of Australian film through the lens of the camera. It is an insider’s view of the creative and passionate people who have driven Australian film-making from its earliest days from 1900 all the way to Beautiful Kate, Sanctum (the first live action 3D feature shot in Australia) and the high-rating Underbelly Razor. We get to see what actually happens behind the camera; the highs and lows, the dangers, the commitment and hard work, the inventiveness, the relationships with the directors, cast and crew and what it takes to get the shot. Along with the photographs is a well-researched and readable historical text with personal anecdotes from the great characters of the Australian film industry. It recounts the customs, attitudes and relationships as well as the tremendous social and technological changes of the past 110 years.</p> <p> Cinematographers are responsible for the unique look and feel of a film utilising the equipment and technology available to them – interpreting and realising the vision of the director. Notable Australian cinematographers covered in The Shadowcatchers include early battlers like the Burnes’ (father Al and sons George and Len), Academy Award winners such as Dean Semler, Ruddell Boyd and John Seale, war correspondents Damien Parer and Neil Davis, and famed Movietone newsreel cameraman Bill Trerise.</p> <p> A magnificent production with over 380 evocative and carefully chosen photographs, The Shadowcatchers highlights the triumphs and challenges of the resilient and entrepreneurial men and women behind the camera with many memorable and familiar moments along the way.</p> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:44:58 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/Date-and-venue-announced-for-the-10th-annual-ASTRA-Awards/PVRWVFMBNW.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/26/article/Date-and-venue-announced-for-the-10th-annual-ASTRA-Awards/PVRWVFMBNW.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ASTRA</p> <p> Following on from the success of their annual conference on March 22nd, ASTRA is delighted to announce that the 10th Annual ASTRA Awards will this year return to Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay for a star-studded ceremony to be held on Thursday June 21st. Last year marked the first time the event had been staged in the state-of-the-art venue.</p> <p> The transition in 2009 from a roundtable event to a theatre-style presentation of the industry awards has proven successful, making the night even more streamlined and entertaining. Sydney Theatre offers an ideal venue to accommodate the large audience, including space for the afterparty on site.</p> <p> The evening ceremony on June 21st will honour and celebrate Australian subscription TV talent, programming and production. The ASTRA Awards recognize the wealth of talent that drives the Australian subscription TV industry and highlights the creativity, commitment and investment of subscription TV in production and broadcasting.</p> <p> “This year the ASTRA Awards reaches a benchmark being its tenth year,” said Petra Buchanan, Chief Executive of ASTRA. “This event, like the subscription television industry in Australia itself, has certainly come of age over the past decade and it is vital that we continue to recognise the investment in original and international production and the wealth of talent that exists in the industry.”</p> Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:51:40 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/Hollywoods-Leading-Talent-Agency-Signs-Perth-Filmmakers-Henry--Aaron/JCSAXNBERD.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/Hollywoods-Leading-Talent-Agency-Signs-Perth-Filmmakers-Henry--Aaron/JCSAXNBERD.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by Muse Bureau</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> Perth filmmaker team Henry Inglis, Aaron McCann and Lauren Elliott have been signed by Hollywood’s leading talent agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). CAA represents A-list and emerging stars in movies, television and music including Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Steven Spielberg, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Will Ferrell, Scarlett Johannson, Justin Timberlake and Robert De Niro. According to Fast Company Magazine, “In Hollywood, there's CAA and then there's everybody else." Inglis, McCann and Elliott have spent the last ten days in Hollywood, meeting with their new agents as well as several top networks, studios and producers following their breakout success with ‘It’s A Snap!’ a digital short created for Perth’s Central Institute of Technology. Last month, the two-minute short achieved over one million YouTube hits in one weekend and has been featured on US websites Time Magazine.com, The Huffington Post, Vancouver Sun, Reddit and Gizmodo who declared it “Best. Technical College. Ad. Ever”. Celebrity fans include creator and executive producer for NBC television comedy series Community, Dan Harmon who introduced the trio to his writing team in LA on the weekend. Inglis and McCann are long time friends and collaborators who have been producing and starring in a series of 'Henry & Aaron' comedy shorts since 2007. In 2009, the writer/director pair teamed up with producer/publicist Elliott and founded Perth-based production company, Perfectly Adequate.</p> <p> In January 2011, the trio won the inaugural Movie Extra Webfest for their 'Henry & Aaron' concept and marketing campaign, winning $50,000 to produce a 7-part web series. ‘Henry & Aaron's 7 Steps to Superstardom’ debuted on YouTube and the Movie Extra channel in 2011 and to date has achieved over 200,000 YouTube hits and counting. Inglis, McCann and Elliott will be back in Perth next week and are on the hunt for a Highgate or Mount Lawley production office space so they can start developing a half-hour 'Henry & Aaron' comedy series which they plan to pitch to both US and Australian networks.</p> <p> It’s A Snap! And ‘Henry & Aaron’s 7 Steps to Superstardom’ can be seen at <a href="http://www.henryandaaron.com">www.henryandaaron.com</a></p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:03:59 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/ABC-TVs-Clean-Sweep-of-the-AIMIA-Awards/UNWYDJOBGY.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/ABC-TVs-Clean-Sweep-of-the-AIMIA-Awards/UNWYDJOBGY.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> The Multiplatform division of ABC TV has four reasons to celebrate following the 18th AIMIA Awards, which were held in Sydney this week.</p> <p> ABC iview, the ABC’s popular online catch-up TV service, and the ABC 4 Kids Portal took the winner’s trophy in every category in which they were nominated:</p> <p> Best Children's - ABC 4 Kids Portal Best Entertainment - ABC iview Best Crossplatform - ABC iview Best Use of Video - ABC iview</p> <p> The Australian Interactive Media Association (AIMIA) Awards, affectionately known as the ‘Amys’, celebrate the most outstanding work produced by the Australian digital industry of the past year, across a broad range of consumer, business, government and not-for-profit categories. In accepting the awards, ABC iview Manager Sally O’Donoghue reflected on the year’s highlights, and acknowledged the efforts of colleagues across the ABC, in addition to technology and platform partners: “With programs such as Angry Boys, The Slap, Paper Giants, Crownies, Q&A, Good Game and Play School, 2011 was a great year for ABC TV and lovers of quality drama, comedy and Children’s entertainment.”</p> <p> “Thanks to the vision and dedication of many people across ABC TV, Innovation, Technology and TV Multiplatform, ABC iview is the most ubiquitous catch-up TV service in Australia.” Since its launch in July 2008, ABC iview’s has grown rapidly from around 250,000 visits in September 2008 to approximately 3.6 million monthly visits and 5.1 million program plays recorded in October 2011 with a monthly average of 44% increase in ABC iview visitors from 2010 to 2011. </p> <p> The rise of internet-enabled TVs, connected devices including PS3, Xbox, blu-ray players and iPad has given audiences greater access to ABC iview streamed into their homes. Since its launch there has been over 862,000 downloads of the ABC iview app for iPad and an impressive growth in plays on this platform with Children’s content being a firm favourite.</p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:50:03 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/Film-Makers-Offer-Hunger-For-Change-For-Free-Online/CJHPKEMOUB.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/Film-Makers-Offer-Hunger-For-Change-For-Free-Online/CJHPKEMOUB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by Adele Feletto</p> <p> On March 21 this year, the film makers behind the internationally popular Food Matters film will offer their second film, the ultimate get-healthy documentary “Hungry For Change”, for free online for ten days at http://www.hungryforchange.tv/ The first film in its genre to really empower and provide practical and realistic solutions, “Hungry For Change” is set to take on the billion dollar dieting and weight loss industry. Dispelling the dieting, weight loss and so-called health food myths constructed by mainstream media, “Hungry For Change” features Britain’s most famous health food crusader, Jamie Oliver, as well interviews with best selling health authors and leading medical experts including Dr Alejandro Junger, Dr Christiane Northrup, David Wolfe, Daniel Vitalis, Dr Joseph Mercola, Jason Vale, Jon Gabriel, Kris Carr and Mike Adams. The film also tracks real life stories of people who have struggled for years with their weight and managed to turn their life around including Evita Ramparte, Frank Ferrante and Joe Cross. “Hungry For Change” shows you how many of the ‘health foods’ we eat are keeping us locked in the dieting and bad health cycle and how by educating ourselves about what we eat and where it comes from, we can truly take control of our appearance, our health and ultimately, our life,” said Laurentine ten Bosch, the film’s co-director. With expert advice on navigating supermarkets – foods to buy and foods to avoid, how to read labels and identify food additives, understanding the dangers of aspartame, MSG and high fructose corn syrup, this film will have you thinking like a nutritionist in no time. The film explains why diet and fat free foods should be avoided at all cost, how to over-come food addictions and obsessive food cravings. Discover through “Hungry For Change” how to eat yourself beautiful - learn about the best foods to make your eyes white, your skin glow and your hair strong and shiny. You’ll really understand what fat and cellulite are and how to better equip yourself to lose weight and reduce skin imperfections. In an attempt to make the film’s message available to the public and as far reaching as possible the film makers have forgone a film festival premiere in favour of launching “Hungry For Change” for free on the internet. They know the power of social media and word of mouth and are excited that the film will soon be made available to viewers all over the world, at exceptional quality, online. “We thought long and hard about how to launch the film,” James Colquhoun said. “This is information that needs to get to people fast. There is this prevalent mind set in our society where we think that being overweight, having food allergies, feeling sluggish or run down is just part of life and ageing. It’s not true and with access to solid information, we can all start making better choices for our health” An owner’s manual on how to eat your way to beauty and health, “Hungry For Change” will be available for free for ten days only during the world-wide free online premiere from March 21-31, 2012. Be the first to watch it at http://www.hungryforchange.tv/</p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:06:44 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/Adelaide-Cinematheque-Celebrates-25-Years/THTNDWDLYJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/Adelaide-Cinematheque-Celebrates-25-Years/THTNDWDLYJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by Adelaide Cinematheque</p> <p> South Australia’s premier film society Adelaide Cinematheque is celebrating its quarter century anniversary this year. 25 years ago a passionate group of cinephiles came together to create a society dedicated to the viewing and appreciation of international film culture. On March 29, 25 years later, the 2012 program is being launched by Adelaide filmmaker extraordinaire Dario Russo, creator of Danger 5 and internet sensation Italian Spiderman. Russo says "Cinematheque has provided me with the opportunity to see some of my favourite, obscure classics up on the big screen, on 35mm, the way they were intended to be seen. In the age of the torrent, this is always an inspirational experience." The 2012 Adelaide Cinematheque runs every Monday and Thursday evening for 41 weeks screening a diverse selection of quality cinema, from the Greek masters to punk, to old Hollywood, to Eighties gems. Audiences this year can join in heated discussion after the screenings in the fabulous newly refurbished Mercury Cinema foyer. Highlights of the 2012 season include a focus on the luminous Isabelle Huppert, whose long and productive working relationships with the likes of Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol and Claire Denis have created a series of cool, precise, and intensely hypnotic performances. She shimmers in Cactus under the direction of Australian auteur Paul Cox and in Michael Haneke’s typically dystopian The Time of the Wolf. Delving into punk cinema we see some early examples of raw, unconventional filmmaking including Rude Boy (Jack Hazan & David Mingay), Suburbia (Penelope Spheeris) and Rock’n’Roll High School (Allan Arkush). Hollywood takes a good, hard look at itself in David Lynch’s modern classic Mulholland Drive, the beguiling Sunset Boulevard, Vincente Minnelli’s The Bad and the Beautiful and Robert Aldrich’s Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Fame is on-point, kicking off the Eighties indulgence with Footloose, Flashdance and Dirty Dancing. Leg warmers are welcome. Then looking to the future, we see an overpopulated planet as imagined by Richard Fleischer in Soylent Green, the cult classic Logan’s Run (Michael Anderson), and of course Ridley Scott’s early masterpiece Alien. Cinematheque programmer Mat Kesting cites some of the perennial favourite sessions of the last 25 years as Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Charles Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter with Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters, Wim Wenders’ Wings of Desire, Bill Murray in Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters, David Lynch’s Eraserhead, Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and the zombie classic Night of the Living Dead. </p> <p> Screenings are only available to society members, but anyone can join and becoming Cinematheque member is easy and great value. For more information about Season One or to become a member visit <a href="http://www.mercurycinema.org.au">www.mercurycinema.org.au</a> or phone 08 8410 0979. </p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:00:50 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/TVNZ-Buys-Latest-Harmonic-Encoder-from-Magna-Systems/YHKKXSHWRS.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/TVNZ-Buys-Latest-Harmonic-Encoder-from-Magna-Systems/YHKKXSHWRS.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press Release by TVNZ</p> <p> TVNZ recently purchased the latest generation Harmonic Electra 8000 Universal SD/HD MPEG-2 and AVC Encoder from Magna Systems and Engineering NZ for use as a secondary head end. TVNZ is New Zealand's leading television and digital media company with two commercial free-to-air channels TV ONE and TV2, two digital commercial channels U and TVNZ Heartland and one digital non-commercial channel TVNZ 7. TVNZ also has a significant online presence with tvnz.co.nz, providing up-to-the-minute news and entertainment and TVNZ Ondemand its online television catch up site. Magna Systems and Engineering NZ Sales Manager Keith Brewer explained the uniqueness of the sale, “The interesting thing here is that the Harmonic Electra 8000 Universal SD/HD MPEG-2 and AVC Encoder enables TVNZ to have their free-to-air channels TVNZ ONE, TV2, U, and TVNZ 7 feeding a mixture of HD and SD material, some concurrently, for both DTT and DTH head ends.” The Electra® 8000 is the world's first 1-RU encoder with multi-resolution, multi-standard, multi-service and multi-channel capabilities. The Electra 8000 enhances bandwidth efficiency and provides up to four standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD) channels of superior quality constant bit-rate (CBR) or variable bit-rate (VBR) video using either MPEG-2 or AVC encoding. Brewer added, “The Electra® 8000 is a really clever single 1RU encoder which now enables TVNZ to run some TV services should they need to take down their main transmission head ends for maintenance and service. Whilst it’s not technically a DR, as it will be deployed in the same facility as their live head ends, it does also give TVNZ some additional service reassurance.”</p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:39:30 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/ARRI-Launches-ALEXA-Studio-Camera-in-Aus-and-NZ/QQNQSTAHKZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/23/article/ARRI-Launches-ALEXA-Studio-Camera-in-Aus-and-NZ/QQNQSTAHKZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by ARRI Australia</p> <p> Œ</p> <p> ARRI Australia officially launched its new ALEXA Studio camera with an industry event held at Red Apple Camera Rentals in Artarmon. The evening saw over 30 industry professionals and DoPs including David Burr ACS, Pieter de Vries, Dan Freene, Ashleigh Carter, Paul Nicola and Nino Tamburri treated to Australia’s first real demo and Q&A on the new camera. ARRI Australia MD Stefan Sedlmeier kicked off proceedings with an informal explanation on the camera’s new functions, moving very quickly to hands-on demos for all attendees. Sedlmeier said, “There was quite a lot of excitement about the ALEXA Studio with all the attendees keen to try it out in Red Apple’s sleek new showroom. In addition to the ALEXA Studio and ALEXA PLUS demos, we also had the ARRI wireless follow focus system and our new Master Prime 135 lens being used with the cameras.” The ALEXA Studio features a quiet, adjustable mirror shutter and an optical viewfinder that provides a real-time, high contrast image with true colours. The Studio is a direct response to cinematographers’ requests for a camera that combines the latest in digital image making with traditional elements of the film cameras they have known and trusted for generations. 
 David Burr ACS, who also reminisced with an original 1948 Mitchell camera during the evening commented, “The ALEXA Studio will be a very popular camera. The optical viewfinder gives the illusion of shooting with a traditional 35mm or 16mm film camera. It takes you back to the way we used to work.” Nino Tamburri said, “With the ALEXA Studio you are safe in the knowledge that, in a technical capacity, it easily takes care of so much for you leaving you to concentrate fully on getting the best shot.” Red Apple Senior Camera Technician Thomaz Labanca added, “The ALEXA Studio is unique as, with the Codex on-board recorder, it captures ARRIRAW. Something that is truly valuable to anyone shooting at this level.” Another key feature of the ALEXA Studio is its 4:3 sensor, which makes it the only digital camera (aside from the ARRIFLEX D-21) to boast true anamorphic capability. Anamorphic lenses create a unique, cinematic look that has been appreciated by directors and cinematographers for over half a century, and cannot be created in post. Stefan Sedlmeier concluded, “It was a very successful evening with many of Australia’s top cameramen and DoPs walking away impressed with the ALEXA Studio and I’m delighted to say that Red Apple Camera Rentals have already placed an order for an ALEXA Studio camera and a Master Prime 135 lens as a result.” The new ARRI ALEXA studio camera and Master Prime 135 lens will feature on the ARRI booth #C6737 at this year’s NAB show in Las Vegas from 16-19 April.</p> Fri, 23 Mar 2012 09:26:12 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/21/article/Val-Morgan-appoints-Mark-Griffiths-as-director-of-agency-strategy/XAAUKGTTHQ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/21/article/Val-Morgan-appoints-Mark-Griffiths-as-director-of-agency-strategy/XAAUKGTTHQ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Val Morgan</p> <p> Val Morgan CEO Damian Keogh announced today the appointment of former OMD Group Business Director Mark Griffiths to the newly created role of Director of Agency Strategy.</p> <p> “Mark’s role will be to work closely with our sales team and media agencies in maximising the benefits of the step change to digital cinema. Many media agencies discount cinema in the media mix due to perceptions of cost relating to film transfer and length of time to air. Digital cinema will change this with campaigns able to be booked just like television. Mark’s experience makes him the ideal person to spearhead our education push to media agencies.”</p> <p> Griffiths has held numerous senior media agency roles and was most recently Group Business Director at OMD Sydney, a position he held for five years. Mark’s previous experience includes senior roles within Initiative Sydney, Mindshare Sydney and Carat London.</p> <p> “This is a great role for me to get back into the sales side of the business. Val Morgan is a company on the move and we have seen that the conversion to digital cinema in other countries has increased advertising to cinema significantly. Having worked on the media agency side I am familiar with the reasons why cinema is often not included in campaigns. Cinema offers a unique and powerful environment for advertiser’s that is becoming even more compelling in the fragmenting media landscape” said Griffiths.</p> <p> Digital conversion in cinema in Australia is expected to reach 80% by the middle of 2012.</p> <p> The appointment is effective immediately.</p> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:06:41 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/20/article/INPUT-showcase-travels-to-Perth/MEMPXKVFUG.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/20/article/INPUT-showcase-travels-to-Perth/MEMPXKVFUG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from INPUT</p> <p> INPUT, the television industry’s most free thinking event, is coming to Australia for the very first time in May 2012. Over five days in Sydney, from 7th – 11th May, delegates will watch television’s latest programs across every genre, ask questions of the year’s most interesting producers, and network with hundreds of international commissioning editors, acquisitions executives and producer colleagues. </p> <p> Ahead of INPUT SYDNEY, the ADG, in partnership with INPUT, is offering Perth an early taste of the INPUT experience on Wednesday March 28. Three fascinating and provocative television programs will be screened and the program makers will participate via Skype after each screening to talk about their programs.</p> <p> The Perth INPUT event, to be held at the FTI Cinema, will screen:</p> <p> BLOOD IN THE MOBILE, an investigate documentary about the dark, bloody side of mobile phones we don't see in the advertisements. This documentary shows the disturbing connection between our cell phones and the civil war in the Congo. BLOOD IN THE MOBILES is an intriguing consumer-activist film about our responsibility for that conflict and about corporate social responsibility, a story in which the film maker himself becomes a protagonist.</p> <p> Produced by: Ole Tornbjerg</p> <p> Directed by: Frank Poulsen</p> <p> Broadcaster: Danmarks Radio-DR, Denmark</p> <p> SONG OF LUNCH, a BBC2 adaptation of Christopher Reid's narrative poem, commissioned for National Poetry Day, starring Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. SON OF LUNCH tells the story of a book editor (Alan Rickman) who, 15 years after their break-up, meets his former love (Emma Thompson) for a nostalgic lunch at the Soho restaurant they used to frequent. As the wine flows, the couple rakes over their failed relationship.</p> <p> Produced by: Pier Wilkie, BBC Drama</p> <p> Directed by: Niall MacCormick</p> <p> Broadcaster: BBC, UK</p> <p> STORYCORPS - Q&A. Since 2003, StoryCorps has been recording and preserving the voices of everyday people, one conversation at a time. In this episode Joshua Littman, a 12 year old boy with Asperger's syndrome, interviews his mother, Sarah.</p> <p> Produced by: Dave Isay</p> <p> Directors: Rauch Brothers</p> <p> Broadcaster: PBS (POV), USA</p> <p> You may have heard about INPUT, but this is your chance to get a taste of the event and see why it is unique. INPUT SYDNEY director Julia Overton will illustrate how INPUT works. She will be joined, via Skype, by a representative of each program after their show screens and you will have a chance participate in one of these lively INPUT Q&A sessions. The Q&A’s that follow screenings are an essential part of the INPUT experience. Confirmed to represent their programs are Frank Poulsen (BLOOD IN THE MOBILE), Pier Wilkike or Niall MacCormick (SONG OF LUNCH) and The Rauch Brothers (STORYCOPS – Q&A)</p> <p> The evening is expected to run just over three hours and has been made possible through the generous support of ScreenWest.</p> <p> The event will be held at 7pm on Wednesday 28th March at the FTI Cinema, 92 Adelaide St, Fremantle. Tickets will be $15 full and $5 concession (including ADG & AWG members). Reservations can be made by calling FTI on (08) 9431 6700 or emailing <a href="http://fti@fti.asn.au">fti@fti.asn.au</a>. All payments will be made at the door.</p> <p> The full INPUT SYDNEY program will be available towards the end of March at<a href="http://www.inputsydney.com"> www.inputsydney.com</a>. Cost of registration is just 100 Euros.</p> <p> Host broadcasters for INPUT SYDNEY are the ABC and SBS.</p> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:21:30 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/19/article/Tim-Christlieb-appointed-BBC-Worldwide-Australia-head-of-programming/EPVYLAENCE.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/19/article/Tim-Christlieb-appointed-BBC-Worldwide-Australia-head-of-programming/EPVYLAENCE.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from BBC Worldwide Australia </p> <p> BBC Worldwide Australia today announces that Tim Christlieb has been appointed as Head of Programming and Production for BBC Worldwide Channels, Australasia. Tim Christlieb joins the Australian team from the UK-based BBC Worldwide Channels EMEA division, where he was Head of Scheduling for the BBC Worldwide portfolio in the Nordics and Italy. Christlieb will begin his new role with the company in June. In his new role, Tim will be responsible for the established BBC Worldwide channels in Australia and New Zealand as well as developing long-term strategies for brand building and content management, reporting directly to GM/Director, BBC Worldwide Channels and Branded Services, Australasia, Deirdre Brennan. “Tim joins the Australasian team with a proven track record of programming success across the BBC Worldwide Channels in Italy and the Nordic region, an extremely diverse territory. We are so pleased that Tim will head up our team and look forward to future successes with our wide ranging channels portfolio in this territory“, said Brennan of Christlieb’s appointment. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining such a successful team and incredibly excited about contributing to the continued growth of the BBC Worldwide portfolio in Australia and New Zealand”, added Christlieb. Tim Christlieb joined BBC Worldwide as Head of Scheduling, Nordic & Italy in April 2010 and has previously held channels management and scheduling roles with MTV Networks Europe, GTV, NBC Universal’s Sci-Fi Channel UK and Sony/Disney . BBC Worldwide Australia operates five locally programmed channels across Australia and New Zealand, UKTV, BBC Knowledge and CBeebies in Australia and UKTV NZ and BBC Knowledge in New Zealand. </p> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:55:54 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/19/article/Val-Morgan-says-cinema-advertising-is-growing-fast/TSRTKJFCBH.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/19/article/Val-Morgan-says-cinema-advertising-is-growing-fast/TSRTKJFCBH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Val Morgan</p> <p> Who would have thought it? In the era of new media, the fastest growing media sector in Australia year to date is one of the oldest media ˆ. Cinema.</p> <p> According to SMI data cinema advertising has posted the largest individual gains of any media for the second consecutive month. Cinema revenue was up 83% in February following growth in January of 16%.</p> <p> Year to date cinema advertising is up a massive 32%!</p> <p> Val Morgan Cinema Network CEO Damian Keogh believes the growth trend is set to continue.</p> <p> “These are positive early signs for the changes we have made at Val Morgan, however the real exciting opportunities lay ahead as we near the conversion to digital cinema, where traditional barriers to entry in the sector – long lead times, high film conversion costs, and booking inflexibility - will be removed. In the UK around 1.5% of ad spend goes to cinema. Australian’s go to the movies more often than the Poms and advertising revenue is at just .7%. On this basis we have significant upside ahead.”</p> <p> “More and more advertisers are realizing that in the changing media landscape, with ad avoidance and media fragmentation creating huge challenges to reach audiences, cinema is ideally positioned with its unrivalled impact and engagement and ability to reach elusive and sought after light TV viewers.”</p> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:59:32 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/19/article/Quinto-supplies-SBS-with-Evertz-Multiview-For-Transmission-Monitoring/EGTLFAYPNY.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/19/article/Quinto-supplies-SBS-with-Evertz-Multiview-For-Transmission-Monitoring/EGTLFAYPNY.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Quinto</p> <p> Australian systems integrator, Quinto Communications has recently supplied Australia’s SBS Television with an Evertz MVP3000 Multiview display processor system for transmission monitoring at its Sydney Broadcast Centre.</p> <p> SBS had a requirement to monitor its multiple television and radio channel broadcasts across several regions and timezones throughout Australia, using both terrestrial and satellite distribution platforms. As such, a large number of services needed to be decoded, displayed and monitored, on two large high resolution display screens.</p> <p> An additional critical requirement imposed by SBS was to display not only multiple uncompressed standard definition and high definition serial digital video signals, but also H.264 compressed video services, and AAC compressed audio radio services carried, within compressed multiprogam transport streams. All monitoring had to carried out within a single system.</p> <p> The solution proposed by Quinto Communications consisted of an Evertz MVP multiview system capable of displaying both compressed and uncompressed video and audio signals. In addition, the MVP providing SBS with additional features such as subtitle decoding as well signal integrity checking, display and monitoring. </p> <p> Evertz’s new MVP-DEC32 cards, each of which is capable of decoding and displaying up to 32 compressed video services, were deployed as part of the system to handle decoding and display of the compressed services. </p> <p> The system was supplied and commissioned by Quinto Communications who are the official Evertz distributor in Australia and New Zealand.</p> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 17:02:07 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/15/article/Two-Australian-projects-win-SXSW-Interactive-Awards/JVKHRQLVDO.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/15/article/Two-Australian-projects-win-SXSW-Interactive-Awards/JVKHRQLVDO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Screen Australia</p> <p> Two Australian interactive projects supported by Screen Australia have won prestigious SXSW Interactive Awards. Goa Hippy Tribe, a social media documentary for SBS about a hippy reunion in Goa, has won the film and television category. The project comes from filmmaker Darius Devas and production company Freehand TV. Martin Potter and producer Anna Grieve’s Big Stories, Small Towns, an evolving multi-platform documentary featuring stories by filmmakers living in remote and regional communities to bring local people’s stories to screen, has won the community category award. “SXSW is a top film and interactive event presenting fierce competition from around the world,” said Screen Australia Investment Manager Mike Cowap. “In this context, such strong recognition for Australian digital projects is unprecedented and a huge triumph.” In a significant international acknowledgment for Australia’s digital sector, four other Australian projects were selected as finalists for the SXSW Interactive Awards 2012. Australian producer/director Natasha Pincus’s extraordinary music video for Gotye, which has been viewed almost 110 million times online, also screened in competition at the SXSW Film Festival. Founded in 1997, the SXSW Interactive Awards identify the best new digital works from around the world, from mobile and tablet apps to websites, kiosks and installations, while celebrating those who are building tomorrow’s online trends. The awards are part of the SXSW digital, film and music conference in Austin, Texas. For more information on all Australian finalists for the SXSW Interactive Awards: <a href="http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2012/mr_120131_sxsw.aspx">http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/news_and_events/2012/mr_120131_sxsw.aspx</a> For more information on the SXSW Interactive Awards visit: <a href="http://sxsw.com/interactive/awards">http://sxsw.com/interactive/awards</a> BIG STORIES, SMALL TOWNS www.bigstories.com.au Creative Director Martin Potter Producers Anna Grieve, Martin Potter Interactive Producer Nick Crowther Synopsis Big Stories, Small Towns is a unique web documentary project created by filmmakers living in remote and regional communities, working with local people to bring their personal stories to the screen. The result is a series of inspiring short films, digital stories and slide shows – full of humour and hope – released to the world via a specially created website: www.bigstories.com.au. The heart-warming project showcases stories of people living in the regional communities of Murray Bridge, Raukkan and Port Augusta in South Australia as well as Banlung in Cambodia. GOA HIPPY TRIBE www.sbs.com.au/goahippytribe Production Company Freehand TV Director/Camera/Editor Darius Devas Executive Producer Paul Rudd Web Developer SBS Online Synopsis Goa Hippy Tribe is an online social media documentary about a hippy reunion in Goa, made by filmmaker Darius Devas and a vibrant community of online contributors.</p> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:58:33 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/14/article/INPUT-set-to-hit-Australia-in-May/UKWWKJRDYC.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/14/article/INPUT-set-to-hit-Australia-in-May/UKWWKJRDYC.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from TM Publicity</p> <p> INPUT showcases some of the world’s most interesting television in MELBOURNE INPUT, the television industry’s most free thinking event, is coming to Australia for the very first time in May 2012. Over five days in Sydney, from 7th – 11th May, delegates will watch television’s latest programs across every genre, ask questions of the year’s most interesting producers, and network with hundreds of international commissioning editors, acquisitions executives and producer colleagues. The ADG, in partnership with INPUT, is offering Melbourne members an exclusive early taste of the INPUT experience on Monday March 26. Three fascinating and provocative television programs will be screened and Greg Waters, ABC Drama Development Manager, and Joseph Maxwell, Commissioning Editor, SBS Documentaries, will be guest speakers and the program makers will participate via Skype after each screening to talk about their programs. The Melbourne INPUT event, to be held at the Victorian College of the Arts, will screen: BLOOD IN THE MOBILE, an investigate documentary about the dark, bloody side of mobile phones we don't see in the advertisements. This documentary shows the disturbing connection between our cell phones and the civil war in the Congo. BLOOD IN THE MOBILES is an intriguing consumer-activist film about our responsibility for that conflict and about corporate social responsibility, a story in which the film maker himself becomes a protagonist. Produced by: Ole Tornbjerg Directed by: Frank Poulsen Broadcaster: Danmarks Radio-DR, Denmark SONG OF LUNCH, a BBC2 adaptation of Christopher Reid's narrative poem, commissioned for National Poetry Day, starring Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. SON OF LUNCH tells the story of a book editor (Alan Rickman) who, 15 years after their break-up, meets his former love (Emma Thompson) for a nostalgic lunch at the Soho restaurant they used to frequent. As the wine flows, the couple rakes over their failed relationship. Produced by Pier Wilkie, BBC Drama Directed by: Niall MacCormick Broadcaster: BBC, UK STORYCORPS - Q&A. Since 2003, StoryCorps has been recording and preserving the voices of everyday people, one conversation at a time. In this episode Joshua Littman, a 12 year old boy with Asperger's syndrome, interviews his mother, Sarah. Produced by: Dave Isay Directors: Rauch Brothers Broadcaster: PBS (POV), USA You may have heard about INPUT, but this is your chance to get a taste of the event and see why it is unique. The INPUT SYDNEY directors Graeme Isaac and Julia Overton will illustrate how INPUT works. They will be joined, via Skype, by a representative of each program after their show screens and you will have a chance participate in one of these lively INPUT Q&A sessions. The Q&A’s that follow screenings are an essential part of the INPUT experience. Confirmed to represent their programs are Frank Poulsen (BLOOD IN THE MOBILE), Pier Wilkike or Niall MacCormick (SONG OF LUNCH) and The Rauch Brothers (STORYCOPS – Q&A) The evening is expected to run just over three hours. Venue is Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, St Kilda Rd, Southbank. Cost is ADG and VCA members free, general admission $10, concession $5. Seating is limited so RSVP to secure your seat by emailing: The full INPUT SYDNEY program will be available towards the end of March at www.inputsydney.com. Cost of registration is just 100 Euros. Host broadcasters for INPUT SYDNEY are the ABC and SBS.</p> Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:35:27 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/15/article/Byron-Bay-International-Film-Festival-Awards-Announced/MSNUDVKNWT.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/15/article/Byron-Bay-International-Film-Festival-Awards-Announced/MSNUDVKNWT.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by Byron Bay Film Festival</p> <p> The 6th Byron Bay International Film Festival wound up at the weekend after screening over 200 films, from 39 countries at 5 different venues. A highlight of the festival was BBFF’s free beach-side Sunset Cinema where over 2000 people came to watch the environmental surf documentary Minds in the Water and which featured a surprise performance by Jack Johnson. BBFF2012 opened with a sold out crowd for Cockatoo Film’s Face to Face with cast and crew members present and closed with the Byron Premiere of local filmmaker David Bradbury’s On Borrowed Time which focuses on Paul Cox, who has been BBFF’s Patron since 2007. The festival also included an intimate Masterclass with brothers Peter & Jack Thompson and a workshop with legendary Surf Cinematographer Jack McCoy. 13 Awards were presented through-out the festival. The winners were: Best Film – Inuk (France/Greenland) Best Dramatic Feature – Face to Face (Australia) Best Short Film – Tethered (Australia) Best Byron Film – On Borrowed Time (Australia) Best Young Australian Filmmaker – Chris Haysom – Better on the Inside Best Animation – The Missing Key (Australia) Best Surf Film – Come Hell or High Water (USA) Best Environmental Film – Minds in the Water (USA) The Byron International Documentary Prize ($5000) – PressPausePlay (Sweden) Best Cinematography – PressPausePlay (Sweden) Best Music Video – Have you Seen My Sister Evelyn (USA) Best Experimental Film – Year Zero (Czech Republic/Netherlands) Contribution to the Northern Rivers’ Film Community – Lois Randall. BBFF2013 will run from March 1st to the 10th.</p> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:30:03 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/13/article/Movie-Extra-Webfest-winner-Event-Zero-commences-production-next-week/LNYDZJZQYY.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/13/article/Movie-Extra-Webfest-winner-Event-Zero-commences-production-next-week/LNYDZJZQYY.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Movie Extra Webfest</p> <p> The highly anticipated webseries, Event Zero, by Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey (producers of The Tunnel) and winners of the 2011 MOVIE EXTRA WEBFEST 2.0 competition, will commence production on 19 March 2012.</p> <p> Australian actors, Damian Walshe-Howling and Zoe Carides have both signed on to be a part of the series.</p> <p> Australian Film Institute Award winner, Damian Walshe-Howling (Terra Nova, East West 101, Rescue Special Ops) will take on a lead role and broaden his behind-the-scenes career by taking on a directorial role for an episode. Film and television actress and Australian Film Institute Award nominee, Zoe Carides (Crownies, Out of the Blue) will also step into a lead role in Event Zero. </p> <p> The suspenseful web-series will see Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey collaborate once again with director, Carlo Ledesma – who directed the award winning, The Tunnel, last year. Andrew Traucki (The Reef) and Shane Abbess (Gabriel) will also share directors billing on Event Zero. Other actors tied to the project include Harry Pavlidis (Gabriel, East West 101, All Saints) and Valentino del Toro (Gabriel, Underbelly: Infiltration). Event Zero will also feature two actors from Distracted Media’s internet film sensation, The Tunnel, Bel Delia and Steve Davis.</p> <p> Set and filmed in Sydney, the seven part webseries is funded by Movie Network Channels and Screen Australia with a $100,000 production budget. Event Zero will premiere on the Movie Network Channels’ YouTube channel www.youtube.com/mnctv.</p> <p> Commissioned especially for Movie Network Channels branded online video platforms, Event Zero tells the stories of seven people caught up in an event much bigger than they are. A report comes in of a train derailment near Circular Quay. Smoke billows from the wreckage and victims pour onto the streets. As the emergency workers arrive at the chaotic scene, they realise the biggest threat is only just emerging. People without a scratch are collapsing on the ground and dying - and it is spreading. Unless someone can work out what is going on the death toll will continue to rise. This moment is Event Zero.</p> <p> Since the launch of the Movie Network Channels YouTube channel in November 2010, a raft of branded content has been posted including Movie News, entertainment and StarBios programming, repurposed from broadcast as well as web only content to actively engage our online audiences. Movie Network Channels YouTube channel now on average see’s over 1.5 million views per month worldwide.</p> <p> To follow the webseries and for regular WEBFEST updates and announcements visit Facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/movieextrawebfest" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/movieextrawebfest</a></p> Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:40:13 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/15/article/Miller-to-unveil-new-150mm-fluid-head---Skyline-70/HLJKYOHAFG.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/15/article/Miller-to-unveil-new-150mm-fluid-head---Skyline-70/HLJKYOHAFG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by Miller Camera Support</p> <p> Skyline - Take the Big Picture To meet the new market trend of lighter weight sports and outside broadcast production needs, Miller Camera Support has unveiled a new 150mm ball base fluid head - Skyline 70 that supports a diverse choice of camera configurations up to 40 kg / 88 lbs. Skyline 70 embraces easy-to-operate rear facing illuminated controls that brings the functionality and ergonomics to a new level. Features include 7-position pan and tilt drag, 8-position of selectable counterbalance, +90 degrees tilt, 120mm sliding quick release camera platform, mounting block / adaptors for accessories and safety tilt lock. The ergonomic design reflects the shooting needs of sports based configurations and outside broadcast operations using barrel or lightweight box lens with external viewfinders.</p> <p> Counterbalance The Skyline 70 incorporates a totally new counterbalance system that provides 8 positions of adjustment to enable payloads from 4.5 kg to 37.5 kg / 10 to 82.5 lbs @ 150mm C of G to be perfectly balanced. With this extended range the Skyline 70 will accommodate a wide range of cameras in various configurations making it versatile for many applications.</p> <p> Fluid Drag that Outperforms All the Competition Miller engineers with over 50 years of experience in fluid drag technology understand the importance of perfect drag movement is vital for users to capture every moment and provide smooth movements, soft take offs, smooth stops with no over runs. The 7 position fluid drag system provides distinct levels of drag resistance that provide repeatable movements even in extreme temperature ranges. There is nothing as smooth as a Miller, the inventor of pan and tilt fluid drag technology.</p> <p> 3 Systems Suit all Applications A variety of system packages are available, from the Heavy Duty 2-Stage Carbon Fibre tripod to Heavy Duty Single Stage Alloy tripod to studio based Heavy Duty Studio Alloy tripod, Skyline 70 systems are built with the strength, stability & rigidity to enable the user to always be in control especially in challenging shooting conditions.</p> Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:48:51 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/12/article/Clark-Carters-Arctic-Circle-Adventures-to-appear-on-the-big-screen/BKWRUMECLP.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/12/article/Clark-Carters-Arctic-Circle-Adventures-to-appear-on-the-big-screen/BKWRUMECLP.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Adelle Feletto Publicity</p> <p> Distracted Media’s Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey will bring to the big screen this year the infamous Victoria Island adventures of explorer, Clark Carter and his expedition partner, Chris Bray in “The Crossing”. The award-winning filmmakers of Australian horror film, The Tunnel partnered with the Australian adventurers two years ago. Directed by Julian Harvey and with the support of Australian Geographic, iinet and Gore-Tex®, the feature documentary will detail the first attempt in 2005 by Clark Carter and Chris Bray to navigate Victoria Island in the Arctic Circle. It will then recount when the pair returned in 2008 to finally complete the expedition. Hauling half a tonne of food and equipment across 1000 kilometres of mud, rock and tundra, the adventurers braved being chased by wolves, battled blizzards and hid from polar bears. After spending 128 days on the island together, Clark Carter and Chris Bray became the first people in history to walk across the remarkable Victoria Island. "Nothing comes easy with Victoria Island so to finally finish the expedition after four years of blood, sweat and tears was really an amazing feeling. I'm really excited we're now able to share our adventure with the rest of the world," said Clark Carter. Bringing to life Chris’ book, The 1000 Hour Day, the filmmakers have sifted through in excess of 100 hours of high-definition footage to condense it to a one and a half hour film that accurately told the plight of the adventurers. "As someone who has done a fair bit of mountaineering, I've come across quite a lot of adventure stories, but this one stood out straight away. Not only because of the quality of the footage they captured but the incredible determination Clark and Chris showed to reach their goal. It is a truly inspiring story," said Julian Harvey. “The Crossing” will premiere as part of the 2012 film festival circuit with a plan for mainstream distribution. Visit www.thecrossingfilm.net</p> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:05:17 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/12/article/Engines-Saman-Keshavarz-shoots-new-commercial-two-features/OXRGTAKPBK.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/12/article/Engines-Saman-Keshavarz-shoots-new-commercial-two-features/OXRGTAKPBK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Well Above</p> <p> Engine’s multi-award winning director Saman Keshavarz has continued his action packed approach to content creation by shooting a brand new TVC for McDonald’s whilst simultaneously working on two movies and a press tour. The movies, Fight or Flight and Sounds Pussy are currently being produced in the USA with Keshavarz playing a major creative role in both. Keshavarz was also featured in this month’s Shots magazine (www.shots.net) as part of a feature on his fast-paced style and the awards that have come his way as a result. Keshavarz said, “Life is a little crazy right now but that suits me just fine because I’m more than a little crazy myself. I’m very happy to be working with cool agencies like Engine in Asia and Pulse Films in the UK as they get me and what makes me tick and this leads to some very interesting projects.” Saman Keshavarz can be contacted and booked through Adam Wells at Engine on +61 2 9438 2000 or at adam@engine.net.au BIO Saman Keshavarz won the 2010 Clio Best Commercial, 2010 Gold Addy, 2010 Emmy Outstanding Commercial and 2010 YDA Cannes Silver for the TVC Game of Digital Freeze Tag he created and shot using Canon EOS and Powershot cameras. The music video he shot for Cinnamon Chasers’ Luv Deluxe achieved over 1,000,000 views online within a week and saw the young director nominated and then go on to win the prestigious South by Southwest festival in the USA. Luv Deluxe was also an official selection for both the 2010 Saatchi & Saatchi Directors' Showcase and 2010 Vimeo Awards.</p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://vimeo.com/samankeshavarz">http://vimeo.com/samankeshavarz</a></p> <p> To see Saman Keshavarz’s Canon Freeze Tag commercial go to:</p> <p> http://www.engine.net.au/directors?id=5&task=videos&wid=77 To see Saman Keshavarz’s Luv Deluxe music video go to: http://www.engine.net.au/directors?id=5&task=videos&wid=76 To see Saman Keshavarz’s viral for Coca-Cola Burn go to: http://www.engine.net.au/directors?id=5&task=videos&wid=75 For more of Saman Keshavarz’s work go to: http://samanftw.com/#1955643/-h0m3-p-ge</p> <p> Œ</p> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:03:12 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/12/article/Twentieth-Century-Fox-Home-Entertainment-and-HopscotchEntertainment-One-expand-p/IOQZKQIHNX.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/12/article/Twentieth-Century-Fox-Home-Entertainment-and-HopscotchEntertainment-One-expand-p/IOQZKQIHNX.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment</p> <p> The Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) and Hopscotch/Entertainment One (Hopscotch/eOne) partnership continues to grow with the announcement it will be home to one of the UK’s most successful pre-school brand’s Peppa Pig among other key eOne franchises. The transition to Fox of selected titles will begin April 1, however May heralds the release of the hugely popular pre-school brand Peppa Pig. The re-promotion of existing titles plus a brand new DVD release will be supported by a substantial sales and marketing push across both DVD and merchandise. Hopscotch/eOne will also bring into the fold some of the hottest properties on TV including FX Channel’s The Walking Dead which launched on Australian TV on February 26th following its global success. Also in the new line-up is Hell on Wheels which along with Jason Priestley’s Call Me Fitz formed part of the marketing and promotional campaign for the channel launch. The cult sci-fi hit Sanctuary will also be part of the home entertainment slate in 2012. “We are thrilled to bring these titles into our growing library. The team here is enormously passionate about Peppa Pig and Fox has a great track record in children’s theatrical titles,” Jude Troy, managing director of Hopscotch/eOne Home Entertainment said. “We already have a very strong TV on DVD portfolio which complements titles like The Walking Dead. We are really looking forward to working these new additions to the slate.” Prior to the Hopscotch acquisition, eOne had enjoyed a sales and distribution deal through Beyond Home Entertainment. Commenting on the announcement Flavio Paoli, Managing Director of TCFHE said “The Fox team is incredibly excited about the growing portfolio of quality product under the Hopscotch/eOne and Fox partnership. Key franchises such as Peppa Pig and The Walking Dead complement our current portfolio and allow Fox to leverage our broad distribution network in bringing these franchises to consumers.</p> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:40:18 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/Destination-NSW-to-support-Sydney-Film-Festival-for-next-two-years/DJREPIYZDL.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/Destination-NSW-to-support-Sydney-Film-Festival-for-next-two-years/DJREPIYZDL.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sydney Film Festival</p> <p> NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts George Souris, today announced a two year funding deal for Australia’s oldest and most internationally recognised film festival.</p> <p> Minister Souris said the NSW Government through Destination NSW is proud to support the Sydney Film Festival for an additional two years to ensure the continued growth and development of this important cultural event.</p> <p> “This new two year deal is exciting and will firmly position Sydney as Australia’s creative capital and global city for film.</p> <p> “The NSW Government is committed to supporting creative industry and the Australian film industry and this partnership underlines that,” he said.</p> <p> Destination NSW will provide support to the 2012 and 2013 Sydney Film Festivals, building on a three year partnership that began in 2008 with the inauguration of the Sydney Film Festival Official Competition.</p> <p> The Official Competition with a $60,000 prize pool has put the international spotlight on the Sydney Film Festival attracting some of the best filmmakers and actors in the world to Australia’s leading tourism and events city.</p> <p> Minister Souris said for the first time, the Destination NSW investment includes a Vivid Sydney Partnership that will amplify both events and extend them to new audiences.</p> <p> “This Partnership brings together two of the most creatively inspired events in Sydney and will help attract more commercial interest and investment in Sydney and NSW,” Minister Souris said.</p> <p> Sydney Film Festival Director, Nashen Moodley welcomed the support saying this funding ensures Sydney Film Festival to continually expand on the scope and popular appeal of this flagship cultural event.</p> <p> “Increasingly, Sydney Film Festival wants to create places for visitors to connect and celebrate film. Vivid Sydney is another exciting path for them to cross,” he said.</p> <p> The new Vivid Sydney Partnership will increase the national and international appeal of the Film Festival even more by promoting elements of it within the 2012 Vivid Sydney program.</p> <p> The Partnership will continue to leverage the Sydney Film Festival Official Competition (also known as the Jury Prize), which has become the public focus of the Sydney Film Festival.</p> <p> The Jury Prize was established to increase the positioning and profile of the Sydney Film Festival internationally and within Australia. Over the years it has grown in stature and popularity.</p> Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:23:48 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/NFSA-ACS-John-Leake-OAM-ACS-Award-aimed-at-emerging-cinematographers/FKOSKCPASA.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/NFSA-ACS-John-Leake-OAM-ACS-Award-aimed-at-emerging-cinematographers/FKOSKCPASA.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ACS</p> <p> The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) will once again afford an emerging cinematographer the opportunity to win a generous cash incentive. The NFSA-ACS John Leake OAM ACS Award, will provide a cash prize of $5000 to an emerging cinematographer who is either currently studying cinematography at a tertiary institution or is currently working in the film industry, and is a member of the ACS. The Award is named in honour of Australian Cinematographers Society co-founder and industry icon, John Leake OAM ACS (1927-2009). John began his cinematographic career as a 15-year-old with Movietone News in 1944 before moving on to Supreme Sound Studios. He served as both NSW President and Federal President of the ACS and was the Society’s Official Historian until his death. The winner of the Award, to be announced at the ACS National Awards in Sydney on Saturday May 5, can use the prize for any educational, training, or professional work which will further his or her cinematographic knowledge. The judging panel will comprise the National President of the Australian Cinematographers Society, two NFSA representatives and two ACS executive members. “By investing in Australian creativity we hope to encourage our nation’s young cinematographers to capture the stories that excite them,” said NFSA CEO Michael Loebenstein. “Partnering with the ACS to present this award allows us to show young artists how important their work is in telling the Australian story.” Kirsty Stark, winner of the inaugural NFSA-ACS John Leake OAM ACS Award, commented on her win. “Landscape Scene and L’Artiste are two short Epic Films productions shot by Vivyan Madigan and myself. Thanks to the $5000 I received, and the generous support of many sponsors and ACS members, we were able to shoot on 16mm film and produce two short films that in turn helped many emerging talents in South Australia.” “The partnership between the NFSA and the ACS is one of vital importance to the continued growth of our industry,’ said ACS National President, Ron Johanson ACS. “It is the policy of the Society to foster and encourage emerging and aspiring cinematographers to pursue their craft and their dreams at every opportunity. This is one of those opportunities.” Applications to apply for this award can be downloaded from the ACS website <a href="http://www.cinematographer.or.au" target="_blank">www.cinematographer.or.au</a> or contact Ron Johanson ACS – <a href="mailto:president@austcine.org.au">president@austcine.org.au</a></p> Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:59:08 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/James-Spigelman-apointed-new-ABC-chairman/HQCVTRRXSZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/James-Spigelman-apointed-new-ABC-chairman/HQCVTRRXSZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from The Hon Julia Gillard MP and Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy</p> <p> The Hon James Spigelman AC QC will be the new Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Mr Spigelman’s appointment was finalised today, and his five year term as Chair of the ABC will commence on 1 April 2012. With more than 40 years of service to the legal profession and a fierce passion for the arts, Mr Spigelman will be an exemplary leader of the ABC. He will lead the ABC at a time when the challenges and opportunities facing our national broadcaster have never been greater. He brings a wealth of experience in the arts and culture, and will build on the work of the previous Chair, Maurice Newman AC, to ensure that the ABC remains at the forefront of the media in Australia. Mr Spigelman was the 20th Lieutenant Governor of New South Wales and the 16th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. He is currently Chairman of the National Library of Australia Council. His previous achievements include: Chair of the Government’s Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Local Government (2011); President of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (1995–1998); Member of the Council of the National Gallery of Australia (1995–1998); and Chairman of the Film Finance Corporation (1990–1992). Mr Spigelman was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2000 for service to the law and to the community. In 2001, he was awarded a Centenary Medal for his contribution to Australian Society. His appointment has been made under the Government’s merit-based appointment process for the ABC and SBS boards. The position was widely advertised and assessment and short-listing carried out by the independent Nomination Panel chaired by Mr Ric Smith AO PSM. In accordance with the guidelines for the merit-based appointment process, Mr Spigelman was selected from the Panel’s shortlist in consultation with the Prime Minister. Legislation to entrench this merit-based appointment process is currently before Parliament. The Government thanks Steven Skala for filling the position of Acting Chair of the ABC Board over the last three months.</p> Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:56:45 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/Open-Channel-secures-240K-in-funding/JUSGQGSRQJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/09/article/Open-Channel-secures-240K-in-funding/JUSGQGSRQJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Victorian Coalition Government</p> <p> Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today announced funding of $240,000 for screen resource organisation Open Channel to service early-career and aspiring Victorian screen practitioners in 2012.</p> <p> Open Channel supports a diverse and innovative screen industry by providing training and professional development, production initiatives and production support.</p> <p> Ms Asher said the Victorian Coalition Government was supporting the provision of training opportunities for the next generation of screen practitioners to ensure a strong and sustainable screen industry.</p> <p> “It is important that we maintain our reputation as a highly-skilled, versatile and innovative screen industry,” Ms Asher said.</p> <p> “As a key provider of practical training, up-skilling and production support, Open Channel is an important component in Victoria’s screen industry.</p> <p> “This support, in addition to the $50,000 grant provided by the Victorian Coalition Government for an equipment upgrade in 2011, puts Open Channel in a solid position to deliver productive programs with strong outcomes.</p> <p> “The Coalition Government recognises and understands the importance of ensuring our young screen practitioners have access to the appropriate training and opportunities to up-skill, which is why we are supporting Open Channel.”</p> <p> The funding package, to be delivered by Film Victoria, comprises organisational funding plus support to deliver targeted events and initiatives for entry-level practitioners.</p> <p> Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi said she was very pleased to offer this level of support to Open Channel in 2012.</p> <p> “Open Channel’s suite of programs in 2011 was a resounding success, and we’re confident the programs they will offer this year will expand on this success,” Ms Tosi said.</p> <p> “Importantly, Open Channel has identified two activity focus areas for 2012 – regional and Indigenous development.</p> <p> “Several of Open Channel’s programs and initiatives this year will provide points of entry and up-skilling opportunities for Victoria’s practitioners from Indigenous communities, as well as aspiring practitioners from regional communities seeking to enter the screen industry.”</p> <p> Open Channel Executive Director Jennie Hughes said the Melbourne-based organisation was in a unique position to service the emerging sector across metropolitan and regional Victoria.</p> <p> “Last year we took our programs into regional Victoria with great success. Our 2012 programs will continue to focus on providing quality training and production opportunities that provide pathways to industry,” Ms Hughes said.</p> <p> “This funding will go a long way to ensuring we can continue to deliver high-quality services to Victoria’s screen industry.”</p> Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:52:17 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/Voodoo-Digital-launches-in-Sydney/FQXDFIYVIN.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/Voodoo-Digital-launches-in-Sydney/FQXDFIYVIN.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Well Above</p> <p> Voodoo, one of Australia’s best known post production facilities, has launched Voodoo Digital a new content driven production house with a digital innovation and integration approach, based at Fox Studios Australia. Voodoo Digital’s founders, Simon Cranch (Managing Partner – Production) and Nick Renford (Managing Partner – Creative), together have over 40 years experience in digital, creative, production and post production in film and TV having first worked together in the early 1990s. Renford, who has worked with agencies and brands including Visual Jazz Isobar, Hothouse, Hyro, Subaru, Commonwealth Bank, Toyota, Canon and McDonald’s said, “Voodoo Digital is a very different type of agency. We are content creators and technical innovators with a focus on getting that content on multiple platforms in the most effective way possible. Thing is, we do it all ourselves - we write ideas, create content and find and integrate the best technology platforms. All under one roof.” Simon Cranch (20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Hoyts, 9mm, FOXTEL) added, “Voodoo has been in business for over 14 years and we have witnessed some major changes in our industry during that time. Launching Voodoo Digital was, in part, due to the fact that there has been a renaissance in TV production through the web. In order to maximise the effect of your content it now has to be produced by video and story telling specialists – that’s where Voodoo comes in. We take our production expertise and combine it with our digital innovation knowledge to create and tell stories online. This is quite a unique offering as the mindset for online content is very different to traditional channels. It has to be quick, effective and engaging and this requires a specialist approach.” Voodoo Digital has already created online content, apps and multi-platform solutions for Subaru (http://voodoo.com.au/?p=263) and HSBC (http://voodoo.com.au/?p=257) amongst many others. To see Voodoo digital’s full scope of work go to: www.voodoo.com.au </p> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:09:19 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/08/article/Pierce-Brosnan-supports-Cinemagic-Los-Angeles-filmtv-festival-for-young-people/XUQHSRPQSH.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/08/article/Pierce-Brosnan-supports-Cinemagic-Los-Angeles-filmtv-festival-for-young-people/XUQHSRPQSH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release by Ballantines PR</p> <p> Pierce Brosnan lent his support to the 3rd Cinemagic Los Angeles Film and Television Festival for Young People which took place February 20th-25th 2012. Brosnan attended the VIP Opening Night at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica, CA as well as spoke to students at Pepperdine University.</p> <p> Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival founded in Belfast, Northern Ireland worked in partnership with a number of film and television organizations in Los Angeles that included The Jim Henson Company, Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, HBO, 20th Century Fox, Remote Control Studios, Pepperdine University, New York Film Academy. Variety and Inner-City Arts to entertain and educate hundreds of young people through film and offer them the opportunity to attend educational Q&A’s, film screening, workshops and special events with leading industry professionals such as Cinemagic patron Pierce Brosnan.</p> <p> The opening of the festival was marked with a VIP evening in association with Ray Garcia’s Fig Restaurant and the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica at which the action packed 6-day program of events was officially launched. Attendees at the opening heard from Cinemagic Chief Executive, Joan Burney Keatings and 10 teenagers from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland who were representing Cinemagic in Los Angeles.</p> <p> The Cinemagic Festival gave young people the opportunity to work with others from different cultural backgrounds and to create new channels of communication through the medium of film. The workshops helped develop not only the young people’s film making skills but also their inter-personal skills, and the overall process of film viewing contributes to a deeper understanding of cultural difference.”</p> <p> Pierce Brosnan, Cinemagic patron said “I am delighted to be joining Cinemagic once again to share my experience in film and television with students from Ireland and Los Angeles. Cinemagic offers a unique educational experience to students who might otherwise not receive the chance to learn about the entertainment industry."</p> <p> About Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People, based in Belfast (Northern Ireland), is an award winning charity that embraces the magic of film, television and digital technologies to educate, motivate and inspire young people through the medium of workshops, film screenings and industry led masterclasses.</p> <p> Established in 1989, with the first Festival in 1990, Cinemagic has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in children’s programming. It is also recognised for its ability to engage young people, stimulate discussion on social issues and provide opportunities to learn from leading film and television industry professionals. </p> <p> Over the course of the last twenty years the Festival has grown and expanded beyond all expectations. In addition to Belfast’s annual Festival in November, festival events are now delivered in Dublin (Ireland), Glasgow (Scotland), Nottingham (England) and Castres, (France) and the USA since 2010.</p> <p> Designed for and by young people, the Cinemagic programme caters for 4 – 25 year olds through an array of preview screenings, workshops for schools, themed film events, Q&A sessions, a Young Filmmaker Competition, a Festival Jury and masterclasses in various aspects of television and filmmaking. There is a public screening programme in the Belfast and Dublin Festivals that is open to everyone regardless of age.</p> <p> Industry professionals that have supported the Cinemagic Festival include Aardman Animation, Brian Cox, Brian Freisinger, Christine Blundell, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Hanks, Dame Helen Mirren, Danny Boyle, David Arnold, David Parfitt, David Perry, Dermot O’Leary, Gerard McSorley, Hamish Hamilton, Jenny Beavan, Julian Fellowes, Kenneth Branagh, Liam Neeson, Lindy Hemming, Mark Kermode, Mike Hodges, Mike Leigh, Patrick Bergin, Pierce Brosnan, Ralph Fiennes, Ros and John Hubbard, Roy Disney, Sir Alan Parker, Stephen Rea, Stephen Warbeck, and The Jim Henson Company.</p> <p> To find out more about the Cinemagic Los Angeles Film and Television Festival please visit www.cinemagic.org.uk or email Shauna@cinemagic.org.uk to register your interest in participating.</p> Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:53:49 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/Quickflix-signs-digital-content-agreement-with-BBC-Worldwide-Australia/WEHOTHKBNB.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/Quickflix-signs-digital-content-agreement-with-BBC-Worldwide-Australia/WEHOTHKBNB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Quickflix</p> <p> QFX (Quickflix) today announced that it has entered a content licensing arrangement with the BBC Worldwide Australia Pty Ltd (BBCW). The agreement will provide high quality television series from BBC Worldwide’s catalogue of British drama and comedy and be available to Quickflix subscribers from late March.</p> <p> The agreement with BBCW is the second deal to provide television series content to the Quickflix digital streaming service, following the announcement of a licensing agreement with HBO.</p> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:06:57 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/ST-and-Magna-Systems-upgrade-Freeviews-EPG/BLNKLBXCIG.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/ST-and-Magna-Systems-upgrade-Freeviews-EPG/BLNKLBXCIG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Well Above</p> <p> S&T and its Australian partner Magna Systems and Engineering today announced that they have developed and installed a major system upgrade to the Freeview Australia EPG system, with Magna providing local support and systems testing for the installation and S&T providing new customised versions of software. David Cutts Managing Director of S&T said, “The upgrade was commissioned by Freeview to improve the performance and user experience of the EPG with modifications to the MHEG receiver application and relocation of the schedule data processing to a single data centre. The TSBroadcaster2 carousel systems at all the broadcaster playout centres have also been upgraded to support new features. HWW, Australia's leading provider of TV Metadata, which collates the schedule data from all networks, have also assisted with consolidation of similar programme schedules for different markets.” The Freeview EPG, which has been on-air since July 2010, provides eight-day listings for all Freeview channels as well as integrated PVR support with series links and accurate recording. Andrew Robertson, Freeview’s consultant engineer said, “S&T and Magna Systems have successfully and promptly delivered this complex project resulting in a better user experience and significant performance efficiencies. The upgraded Freeview EPG is a solution that we are very pleased to have had implemented by S&T and Magna. We expect to see more Freeview EPG receiver products enter the market this year as a result.” Freeview’s EPG system is the most complex MHEG application system delivered outside of the UK, managing schedule data presentation as well as integrated PVR booking, series links and accurate recording, for multiple broadcasters across multiple states and time zones. David Bowers CEO of Magna Systems said, “We are delighted to have completed this major upgrade for Freeview Australia as it has addressed new requirements from the Freeview broadcasters for an increased number of unique markets, whilst also delivering an improved user experience with faster performance and improved operational reliability.”</p> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:08:09 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/Sydney-Film-Schools-Nick-Dangers-feature-Sick-wins-gongs-in-US/RZKHWPZINE.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/07/article/Sydney-Film-Schools-Nick-Dangers-feature-Sick-wins-gongs-in-US/RZKHWPZINE.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Tsuki</p> <p> Sydney Film School is pleased to announce 21 year old Nick Danger has been internationally awarded for his feature film Sick.</p> <p> Upon completing high school, Nick Danger studied for one year at Sydney Film School, graduating in 2009 with a Diploma of Screen & Media.</p> <p> His debut feature film Sick, inspired by the works of Kevin Smith, has won Best Comedy Feature and Best Supporting Actress at the American Independent Filmmaker Showcase (IFS). IFS recognises the best independent and underground filmmakers working outside of the studio system. Sick will now screen at the annual Independent Filmmaker Showcase Film Festival in Los Angeles on the 22nd March.</p> <p> “Nick has always been audacious and his latest film is no exception: it is a frank and funny portrayal of what high school students get up to on weekends. It’s all the more astonishing when you consider the shoestring budget,” said Sydney Film School Director Ben Ferris.</p> <p> A feature comedy, Sick is a teenage party romp with heart and intellect. James and Rachel are high school best friends set to have a party. When a ‘sure thing’ gets invited to the party, James has only one thing on his mind, ignorant to the fact that Rachel wants to be more than just friends - the result is a love triangle that takes the party to a new level.</p> <p> Written, directed, produced, edited and starring in the film, Nick raised $5,000 to finance the project, with his brother and father paying for the editing.</p> <p> “I was inspired by 'Clerks’, Kevin Smith’s independent extremely low budget comedy about people who just seem to spend their day at work talking and talking. It had one main location, few characters, and hilarious dialogue. I figured I could do the same: a teenage party set over one night, only one group of friends therefore few costumes changes. I wanted to play with comedy and drama as Kevin Smith's works do and I approached this project as Robert Rodriguez did on his first film, 'El Mariachi' an action film shot for $7000: Rodriguez did as many jobs as he could, so he could learn. He shot things quickly and cost cut anywhere possible," said Nick Danger.</p> <p> “At Sydney Film School we had lots of practical experience and this really spurred me on and boosted my confidence. Being a filmmaker is all I’ve ever wanted to be. In creating Sick I wanted to play with comedy and drama so the dialogue is very frank and sounds like what teens are actually saying to each other. I think audiences might be shocked by the realism,” said Nick Danger.</p> <p> IFS judges remarked: “Themes that could easily fall into cliché are done with intellect and fresh sensitivity. We wish Hollywood still made films this honest and funny”.</p> <p> Nick is now working on the screenplay for a second film, an action movie.</p> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:56:54 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/06/article/Flickerfest-visits-WA-and-NT/PZYXFLJTSO.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/06/article/Flickerfest-visits-WA-and-NT/PZYXFLJTSO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Flickerfest</p> <p> Flickerfest Australia’s only Academy Accredited Short Film Festival heads to 4 more locations this weekend taking in Alice Springs, Broome, Katherine and Margaret River!</p> <p> This year Flickerfest received a remarkable 2200 entries from which a fabulous collection of around 43 of the most innovative and creative highlights have been handpicked to entertain and amaze audiences across our national tour.</p> <p> Kicking off the weekend of short film in Alice Springs on Thursday 8th and screening under the stars at the picturesque Olive Pink Botanic Garden, will be The Best Of Comedy- Short Laughs, an hilariously off-kilter comedy programme which Includes Australian Marcus Dineen’s The Winking Boy, winner of the Amsterdam Film Festival 2011 Best Comedy Award and the Las Vegas Film Festival 2011 Best Screenplay award; the psychedelic, Hungarian Don Juan Zoltan: The Hungarian Gangster of Love; the beautifully upbeat musical about finding love from Norway, Baldguy and the much loved Flickerfest SAE Digital Award winner Las Palmas from Sweden.</p> <p> Also screening across the weekend at all locations and showcasing some amazing Australian filmmaking talents, The Best Of Australian programme includes the politically astute and hilarious, Julian which recently won the Crystal Bear at Berlin Film Festival. Other highlights include the hilarious Fish & Chips; AACTA award winner and Flickerfest Sound Prize Animation winner Nullarbor and Cannes short-listed and winner of Best Direction at Flickerfest 2012 Bear written, directed and starring Nash Edgerton.</p> <p> Screening in Alice, Broome and Margaret River also is The Best of International Shorts including 2012 Academy Award nominee from Germany, Raju, which follows a couple’s journey to India to collect their adopted child, The ING DIRECT Award Winner for Best Short Film 2012 Ebony Society beautifully directed by Tammy Davies from New Zealand and the hilarious and screw-balled Brick Novax’s Diary winner of Best Short Film at Sundance.</p> <p> Flickerfest remains Australia’s only Academy® Accredited and BAFTA recognised short film festival ensuring that we continue to present an A-list class short film competition recognised amongst the best in the world. THE FLICKERFEST TOUR IS SUPPORTED BY SCREEN TERRITORY IN NT AND SCREEN WEST IN WA.</p> <p> ALICE SPRINGS- Olive Pink Botanic Gardens 8TH – 10TH MAR Thursday 8th- Best Of Comedy 7.15pm Friday 9th- Best of Australian 7.15pm Saturday 10th- Best Of International 7.15pm Tickets available from Araluen Box Office - 08 8951 1122 or Cam’s Coffee Shop ( opposite ASTC ) Tickets $15 per night pre sale ($20 on the Gate) Three Night Festival Pass $30</p> <p> BROOME- SUN PICTURES 9TH & 10TH MAR Fri 9 Mar - 8pm Best of International Sat 10 Mar -8pm Best of Australian $16 adult/$12 concession/$11 child/$50 family Ticket purchases can also be made by calling 08 9192 3199 or online at <a href="http://sunpictures.com.au">sunpictures.com.au</a> or <a href="http://broomemovies.com.au ">broomemovies.com.au </a> Box Office opens 1 hour prior to the show.</p> <p> KATHERINE- KATHERINE CINEMAS 10TH MAR 10th March- Best Of Australian - 7.30pm <a href="http://www.katherinecinemas.com.au">www.katherinecinemas.com.au</a></p> <p> MARGARET RIVER- CAPE MENTELLE WINERY 10TH & 11TH MAR Movies In The Vineyard Sat 10 Mar - 8pm Best of International 1 Sun 11 Mar -8pm Best of Australian $17 Adult/$13 concession</p> <p> Full program details are available at <a href="http://www.flickerfest.com.au">www.flickerfest.com.au</a></p> <p> Still to visit on the 2012 tour- Hobart, Esperance, Eden, Cygent, Narrogin, Wyalkatchem, Canowindra, Canberra, Young, Albany, Darwin, Gerringong and Trinity Beach.</p> <p> For full tour details, please visit our website <a href="http://flickerfest.com.au">flickerfest.com.au</a></p> Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:23:03 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/06/article/Packed-To-The-Rafters-Jessica-Marais-part-of-live-script-readReynolds-Cargo/NGLCUMPEQK.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/06/article/Packed-To-The-Rafters-Jessica-Marais-part-of-live-script-readReynolds-Cargo/NGLCUMPEQK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Cockatoo Film Festival</p> <p> Hot on the heels of Josh Lawson’s very successful reading of The Little Death comes Cockatoo Island Film Festival’s next In The Raw live script read, Reynolds’ Cargo. With all the traits of a Hollywood epic, Reynolds’ Cargo is the debut screenplay from award winning writer Carolyn Anderson and is based on the true story of a disgraced Australian naval captain who collaborates with a Chinese opium pirate to rescue a group of British women and children as Singapore falls in WWII. This heroic tale will be told on the 15th of March by a stellar Australian cast, led by Packed To The Rafters favourite Jessica Marais.</p> <p> With its strong maritime theme, historic context and the recent 70th year commemoration of the fall of Singapore, there is no better time or place to bring this international story to audiences on spectacular Cockatoo Island. With its strong maritime theme, historic context and the recent 70th year commemoration of the fall of Singapore, there is no better time or place to bring this dynamic story to audiences on spectacular Cockatoo Island.</p> <p> Now managed by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, this World-­Heritage-­listed site was the major shipbuilding and dockyard facility for the South-West Pacific in WWII following the fall of Singapore. Writer Carolyn Anderson is a recent AFTRS script graduate and winner of the school’s annual prize for exceptional talent. The project is being mentored by industry veteran Jane Smith, who will be presenting the reading with Clare Sawyer, Cockatoo Island Film Festival’s Screen Development & Education Manager. Tickets to this unique event are FREE but seats are strictly limited, so be sure to secureŒ our seatsby registering at http://www.cockatoofilm.com/itr-rsvp-form/</p> <p> Date: Thursday 15th March Time: 6:30pm arrival for 7:00pm start Venue: Building 124, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour Register: http://www.cockatoofilm.com/itr-rsvp-form/</p> <p> In the Raw is a screen development program designed to assist the script development process by offering writers a live audience focus group, providing valuable feedback prior to production.</p> Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:28:56 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/ARRI-releases-ALEXA-software-update/QLMWTXTHUK.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/ARRI-releases-ALEXA-software-update/QLMWTXTHUK.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Well Above</p> <p> ARRI today announced the release of ALEXA Software Update Packet (SUP) 6.0, which includes in-camera support for Avid's open standard and widely adopted Avid DNxHD® codec for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras. SUP 6.0 allows in-camera recording of 1920 x 1080 (16:9) Avid DNxHD encoded MXF files onto SxS PRO cards for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras. In order to utilise this new facility, customers can purchase a cost-effective, downloadable DNxHD software license from the ALEXA License Shop(https://alshop.arri.de/). Once installed, users will be able to choose between MXF/DNxHD and QuickTime/ProRes codecs for in-camera recording. The ability to record native Avid DNxHD carries advantages for a broad range of productions. Many broadcasting corporations rely on MXF files as their primary acquisition and archiving format, so being able to deliver this straight out of the camera has the potential to generate real cost savings. Even for productions that are recording uncompressed ARRIRAW, the expansion of EXA's parallel recording capability to include DNxHD eliminates a transcoding step for the dailies generated for Avid editing systems and creates a more streamlined editorial workflow. ALEXA's MXF/DNxHD material can be edited in Avid Media Composer Version 5.5 and later for Apple and Windows 32 and 64 bit operating systems without transcoding. ARRI provides free downloadable AMA plug-ins for Mac and 32 and 64 bit Windows versions of Media Composer 5.5 and 6.0. To access the plug-ins go to: http://www.arri.com/alexa/downloads SUP 6.0 supports DNxHD 145 (145Mbit/s at 8 bit 4:2:2) and DNxHD 220x (10 bit 4:2:2) codecs. Avid's highest quality version of the codec, Avid DNxHD 444, records at up to 440Mbit/s (10 bit 444) and will be provided as a free upgrade for all DNxHD licensed customers in a later software release. Other new SUP 6.0 features for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus include: • SMPTE color bars in RECD OUT and MON OUT, 1Khz audio tone on SDI and headphone output • New User Button option: Auto White Balance • New User Button option: Turn Anamorphic de-squeeze on and off separately for EVF and MON OUT • New User Button option: False Color Index display • Icons in EVF for: show Smooth Mode • Icons in EVF and MON OUT for: ARRI Look File</p> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:29:58 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/06/article/FremantleMedia-Enterprises-tag-team-with-Richard-Taylors-Pukeko-Pictures/XXCUFQDPOO.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/06/article/FremantleMedia-Enterprises-tag-team-with-Richard-Taylors-Pukeko-Pictures/XXCUFQDPOO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Adele Feletto Publicity</p> <p> Pukeko Pictures, known for international children’s hit The WotWots, seen on ABC4Kids, as well as being the affiliate television company of Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop, has today announced a first look deal with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) to produce scripted content along with the appointment of Adam Fratto as Executive Vice President, Development.</p> <p> Based at FremantleMedia’s LA office, Adam Fratto will report to Pukeko Pictures’ co-owner Martin Baynton and will work alongside FME’s Senior Vice President of Global Content, Jeff Tahler and Tony Optican, Senior Vice President of Scripted Programming for FremantleMedia North America on the development of new scripted television series. These will benefit from the expertise from within the New Zealand entertainment sector, in particular the world-renowned talents of the Wellington film and television production industry and the Weta Workshop facilities.</p> <p> Richard Taylor, co-founder of Pukeko Pictures, said, "We are proud and delighted to have formed this partnership with FremantleMedia Enterprises, a global entertainment leader. Together with Adam EVP, Development, we look forward to creating high-quality and universally appealing productions. Adam brings to the partnership years of industry experience with Atticus Entertainment and Piller/Segan and we are thrilled to announce his appointment".</p> <p> Pukeko Pictures is affiliated with the Oscar and Bafta award-winning Weta Workshop through founding partners Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger, known internationally for their work on films including the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, King Kong, Avatar, The Adventures of Tintin and The Hobbit and television shows Hercules and Xena and their own IP developed brands Jane and the Dragon and The WotWots – Season 1 of the series was partly filmed in Australia.</p> <p> David Ellender, Global CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises, said, “The teams at Pukeko and Weta Workshop are respected the world over for their work at the cutting edge of the film and television industry. Adam’s appointment offers up tremendous opportunities, allowing for incredibly close collaboration between our two organisations on the development, financing and production of innovative new drama series that will appeal to audiences around the globe.”</p> <p> This deal further expands FME’s global initiative, which has recently included The Wedding Band, from Tollin Productions for TBS in the US, and Hit & Miss from Abbott Vision for Sky Atlantic in the UK.</p> <p> Fratto joins from Atticus Entertainment where he spearheaded television, feature and new media development under a first-look deal with HBO. He is also co-executive producer of Haven, a dramatic mystery series based on “The Colorado Kid” by Stephen King, airing on Syfy in the U.S. and more than 100 cable channels around the world.</p> <p> Prior to his role at Atticus Entertainment, Fratto served as VP at Piller/Segan where he oversaw development and served as associate producer on The Dead Zone and Wildfire and co-producer on Greek. While at Piller/Segan, Adam developed and sold pilots to ABC, NBC, TNT, ABC, Family, Lifetime, Syfy, USA, and Spike and worked closely with studios including ABC Studios, NBCU Studios, Fox TV Studios, E1, and Lionsgate.</p> <p> Note: Weta Workshop is not to be confused with Weta Digital, the VFX company owned by Peter Jackson. Peter Jackson is not involved with this Fremantle first look deal.</p> Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:22:53 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/Canon-launches-EOS-5D-Mark-III/IYYTUSRPZB.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/Canon-launches-EOS-5D-Mark-III/IYYTUSRPZB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Canon</p> <p> Key features:  New 22.3 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor  New DiG!C 5+ processor  New 61-point High Density Reticular AF system  Multiple Exposures – an EOS first  Inbuilt HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode – an EOS first  ISO 100-25600 (with expansion of L:50,H:51200/102400) enabling sharper images in a broader range of lighting conditions, especially in low light  Intelligent viewfinder with 100% coverage</p> <p> Sydney, 2 March, 2012: Canon Australia has today unveiled the latest addition to its market-defining EOS range: the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. A revolutionary step in the high-performance DSLR camera category, the Mark III is the latest in Canon’s 5D line-up, joining the range above the EOS 5D Mark II.</p> <p> The highly anticipated EOS 5D Mark III builds on Canon's market-leading position in the DSLR camera market.1 Featuring a 22.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and DiG!C 5+ image processor with a new 61-point High Density Reticular AF system and enhanced full HD movie capability, the camera takes Canon’s 5D range to its highest quality ever, enabling high-level enthusiasts and professional photographers alike to take their photography to the next level.</p> <p> "The EOS 5D Mark III sets a new benchmark in the high-performance DSLR camera category," said Chris Macleod, Canon EOS Brand Manager. </p> <p> "Built with uncompromised quality, it brings new innovations to an already sublime feature set, anticipating the needs of both high-level enthusiasts and professionals looking for a camera that has the speed, control, and agility to capture everything from landscapes and moving wildlife to portraits and weddings. Its added ability to shoot full HD movies makes it a truly indispensable photographic tool to take your photography to the next level.</p> <p> Top-class image quality</p> <p> The EOS 5D Mark III incorporates Canon's full-frame CMOS sensor that delivers image output of unparalleled quality, but now with an increased megapixel count of 22.3. Understanding that image quality goes beyond a simple pixel count, Canon engineers have achieved a balance between resolution and low noise.</p> <p> The sensor incorporates a photo diode with excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency, together with a gapless micro lens, greatly improving light receiving efficiency.</p> <p> Image quality is further enhanced by the new-generation DiG!C 5+ image processor. An advanced new algorithm has been developed that more effectively removes noise, improving results when shooting at high ISO settings.</p> <p> The processing speed is approximately 1.3 times faster than before, delivering improved performance, excellent image quality and more advanced image processing capabilities. The standard ISO range has been expanded by two stops to a standard range of 100 to 25600, delivering a camera that is ideal for capturing everything from outdoor night scenes and portraits to fast-moving action, all with very low noise.</p> <p> The camera offers Full HD EOS Movie which also makes use of the heightened quality of the sensor and image processor, delivering footage with reduced colour artefacts and moiré.</p> <p> Uncompromising specifications</p> <p> Canon understands the varying demands of advanced photographers and has incorporated a high-precision, super multi-point AF system that delivers superior results under a wide variety of shooting conditions. The EOS 5D Mark III's new 61-point reticular AF system, includes up to 41 cross-type focus points.2 Extra points have been positioned to the left and right of the centre frame, giving photographers greater and more precise, accuracy and compositional freedom.</p> <p> The EOS 5D Mark III offers up to approximately 6.0 frames-per-second continuous shooting speed, with a release time of approximately 0.59ms providing users with the ability to shoot anything from fast-moving action to candid portraits.</p> <p> The EOS 5D Mark III's comprehensive range of features and technologies are housed in a sturdy magnesium-alloy body, providing a balance between reduced weight and superior protection. Dust and water resistance have been improved through the addition of water-resistant seals around buttons, dials and strap hooks. The camera's shutter is rated at approximately 150,000 cycles, ensuring reliable performance over time. Rounding out the body is an intelligent viewfinder offering approximately 100% coverage. This is achieved through the pursuit of easy viewing using a 0.71x magnification and a 21mm eye point, to naturally reflect the view of the naked eye.</p> <p> Innovation that expands photographic possibilities</p> <p> To support the desire of many photographers to push the boundaries of their technique and experience the joy of full creative photographic expression, Canon has introduced a range of new features that allow exploration of new techniques.</p> <p> The EOS 5D Mark III incorporates a new High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode to enable greater creative expression. The camera captures three images of a single scene at different exposures and then merges them automatically to create a single HDR image. Four additional, in-camera special picture effects (Art Standard, Art Vivid, Art Bold and Art Embossed) allow even greater creative freedom.</p> <p> For photographers looking for even more creative expression, the EOS 5D Mark III also offers two multiple exposure modes: function/control priority for composed multi-exposure images and continuous shooting priority mode for multiple exposures of a moving subject. This is the first time such a feature has been available in an EOS camera, enabling photographers to combine between two and nine images in a single image in continuous shooting mode or four in function/control priority mode.</p> <p> New accessories</p> <p> To accompany the launch of the EOS 5D Mark III, Canon has released a range of accessories that further enhance the camera's capabilities and open up even more opportunities for photographers, especially for those on the move.</p> <p> The BG-E11 Battery Grip has been designed for enhanced capability and comfort, enabling high performance when shooting horizontally and vertically. Capable of housing 2 x LP-E6 and 6 x AA batteries, the BG-E11 has the addition of the multi-controller and M-Fn button for easy and quick operation. The new Speedlite 600EX-RT, successor to the Speedlite 580EX II, is the first Canon Speedlite to offer wireless radio transmission. It also features a shorter recycle time and a wide 20mm</p> <p> Art Embossed Multiple Exposures Art Bold</p> <p> to 200mm zoom range. Also available is the WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter that supports high-speed communication over 802.11a/b/g and n networks; and it can also be connected to high-speed wired Ethernet networks.</p> <p> Finally, and essential to the gear bag of any professional photographer, is the introduction of the compact GPS receiver for EOS, the GP-E2, enabling photographers to record shooting location and orientation3. The GP-E2’s high sensitivity, precision and stable operation makes it one of the most reliable units in the segment and supports various modes of use and applications.</p> <p> Availability</p> <p> The EOS 5D Mark III will be available through Canon dealers from late March 2012 and will be available in the following kits: - Body Only - Premium Kit, containing the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens - Pro Kit, containing the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens - Speedlite 600EX-RT - WFT-E7 - GP-E2, GPS receiver</p> <p> For more information customers can contact Canon on 1800 021 167, or visit the website at canon.com.au</p> <p> Related links - Learn more about Canon EOS digital SLR cameras - Learn about Canon Professional Photography - Enter World of EOS – a world of inspiration that comes with every Canon EOS camera 1 GfK Retail and Technology Australia, Digital Still Cameras – DSLR, Retail Sales Units at 56% and Value at 54%, for 2011 (excludes Internet sales and online channels) 2 Number of available cross points remains dependant on the lens being used with the EOS 5D Mark III. 3 This is only the second GPS Canon has released for EOS after the GP-E1 which was released with the EOS-1D X.</p> <p> About Canon Canon is the world's leading imaging brand that actively inspires with imaginative ideas that enable people to connect, communicate and achieve more than they thought possible through imaging solutions for business and consumers. Canon's Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-four US patent recipients* for the past 20 years, and had global revenues of around $US46 billion in 2011. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit www.canon.com.au, www.facebook.com/canonaustralia, www.twitter.com/canonaustralia, www.youtube.com/canonaustralia * Based on weekly patent counts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office</p> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 12:00:56 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/BBC-Worldwide-Australia-licenses-content-to-FetchTV/BPMXCQZIXZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/BBC-Worldwide-Australia-licenses-content-to-FetchTV/BPMXCQZIXZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from BBC</p> <p> BBC Worldwide Australia has concluded another considerable content deal with FetchTV, licensing more than 1750 episodes of Natural History, Entertainment, Children’s, Factual and Lifestyle content to the subscriber-based on-demand service available through Optus MeTV with fetch. As a result of this latest deal, FetchTV will offer subscribers access to a wealth of BBC Worldwide content across a variety of package deals, including the BBC Good Food package, which contains BBC Worldwide lifestyle content and FetchTV’s Entertainment, House & Home and Factual packages already on offer.</p> <p> The bespoke BBC Good Food branded package sits alongside the BBC Earth and BBC Kids’ offerings already available to Optus subscribers with the MeTV with fetch digital set-top box. BBC Earth is also available to subscribers to the FetchTV service offered by other ISP partners. “This new deal with FetchTV reflects not only the value of a crafted package offering to the digital marketplace but the ability of content providers and on-demand platforms to work together to give the consumer what they want, when they want it”, said Louisa Bayles, Head of Digital Sales, BBC Worldwide Australia.</p> <p> Scott Lorson, CEO, Fetch TV added, "Our content range keeps on growing and with more of the best BBC content now available, viewers can enjoy some of the world’s best entertainment, natural history, food and lifestyle shows. BBC Worldwide has an established history of providing quality programs and we’re delighted to present more of their content.”</p> <p> FetchTV currently offers a huge choice of content including free-to-air TV, drama, documentaries, movies, comedy, news, music and social media applications, giving subscribers the ability to record and pause live TV, using a broadband connection and set top box which does not impact download quotas.</p> <p> This deal was finalised ahead of Showcase 2012, which held a dedicated digital conference day on Wednesday 29th February. Seminars, panels and speeches ran throughout the day addressing areas such as IPTV and connected televisions, trends in over-the-top services and discussions around standardisation in digital formats and delivery.</p> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:31:27 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/Global-Television-installs-Sony-OLED-monitors-in-OB-fleet/FFCWDMOOXO.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/Global-Television-installs-Sony-OLED-monitors-in-OB-fleet/FFCWDMOOXO.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Sony</p> <p> Global Television, a leading Australian outside broadcast and studio company, has taken delivery of its first batch of Sony PVM-1741 17” OLED monitors. ."We have been evaluating suitable next generation monitors and are now in the process of up-grading our CCU and grading monitors across our entire HD fleet of OB trucks. The OLEDs are just breathtaking,” said Marc Segar, General Manager. Global will be replacing monitors in its expanded HD fleet after the acquisition of Cutting Edge’s outside broadcast division late last year. Alongside the OLED upgrades, Global is also replacing all of its remaining commentary CRT monitors with new Sony LMD-2110W 21” screens. “We’ve always had an eye out for a replacement for LCDs for critical viewing as they never matched CRTs,” explained Terry Manley, Chief Engineer Global Television. “We were waiting for a manufacturer to come up with something better and were very interested when Sony introduced OLED screens. We evaluated the PVM-1741 monitors at IBC 2011 and compared them to those we had in use - we found the OLEDs substantially out-performed our existing monitors.” Sony’s 17-inch Super Top Emission OLED display panels provide unparalleled black performance, a wide colour gamut and quick pixel response with virtually no motion blur. They will be installed by Global TV’s Engineering Services Division as they are delivered and trucks are available, with a planned implementation to time with the start of the AFL season. “The OLEDs will be installed progressively into our HD trucks. HD1, 4 and 6 have already been upgraded with other trucks to follow in the next month. Our brand new HD10 truck will also benefit from OLED monitors when it launches later this year,” said Manley. LMD-2110W rollout The additional rollout of Sony LMD-2110W LCD monitors into the Global grip trucks for use in OB commentary positions, will also see the creation of an all HD flatscreen fleet. “This will give com-mentators a true full HD experience and enable us to remove the last of our legacy tube monitors,” said Segar. Œ</p> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:28:00 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/World-of-Women-Film-Festival-set-to-open/NHHYOJKTWB.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/05/article/World-of-Women-Film-Festival-set-to-open/NHHYOJKTWB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from WOW</p> <p> Check out and vote in WOW’s online competitions, the Digi-vodule competition on Youtube, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWOWfilmfestival" target="_blank">www.youtube.com/user/TheWOWfilmfestival</a> now, and WOW’s FestivalOnline <a href="https://indieflix.com/festivalsonline/WOWFF2012" target="_blank">https://indieflix.com/festivalsonline/WOWFF2012</a> Screening 39 films featuring 13 World premieres, 10 Australian premieres and 5 Sydney premieres. </p> <p> Sydney -siders in need of a cool, affordable yet satisfying indie film fix .. BOOK NOW! This prestigious festival is presented by Women in Film and Television (WIFT) NSW and screens from March 6th - 16th in Sydney at Dendy Opera Quays and Parliament House Theatre, City of Sydney Surry Hills Library and University of Technology Sydney. Celebrate International Women’s Day on Awards Night on 8th March at Dendy Opera Quays commencing with drinks at 6.00pm. Extend the Experience - Opera Bar, the Official Bar of the WOW Film Festival. Join us at Opera Bar for 15% off drinks & food post screening every night of the Festival on presentation of ticket. Enjoy the live music & the view." After Party on Opening Night and Awards Night includes 1 hour of complimentary drinks from 9.00pm.</p> <p> Media personality (Big Brother host) and author, Gretel Killeen, is WOW patron.</p> <p> Anna Howard ACS, cinematographer of South Solitary, Rake (episodes 5-8), Errors of the Human Body will be presenting the ACS judged award for cinematography.</p> <p> NSW Parliament House session introduced by the NSW Minister for Women, Hon Pru Goward MP. Experience a different storytelling and a unique perspective presented by Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW which celebrates its 30 years anniversary in 2012. Details of full program: <a href="http://www.wift.org/wow/WOW_18th_Program.htm" target="_blank">http://www.wift.org/wow/WOW_18th_Program.htm</a> Highlights & Premieres include: Moth, drama written & directed by acclaimed choreographer MERRYL TANKARD and starring SOPHIE LOWE (Beautiful Kate, The Slap). Winner of ACS award Best Cinematography 2010 Murder Mouth, documentary written, directed, edited by Madeleine Parry. Winner - Best Grassroots Film, Inside Film Awards 2011 (Sydney, Australia), Brisbane International Film Festival 2011, Canberra Short Film Festival 2011, Dungog Film Festival 2011, St Kilda Film Festival 2011, South Australian Screen Awards 2011 Winner - Audience Choice, Bondi Short Film Festival 2011 Winner - Best Short Film, Winner - Best Cinematography, Edindocs Film Festival 2011 (Edinburgh,UK), Amsterdam Film Festival 2012 (Netherlands), An American Swan in Paris, a documentary directed, written & produced by Arantxa Aguierre. Starring ballet dancers, American, Kathleen Thielhelm and Australian, PAUL KNOBLOCH .Driftless Film Festival 2011 (USA), Loikka Film Festival 2012 (Helsinki Finland) Australian Premiere UMOJA: No Men Allowed, a documentary written, directed, produced, filmed and edited by Elizabeth Tadic. A farcical battle of the sexes erupts when a group of tribal Samburu women create a women’s only village in Kenya, incurring the wrath of the local men. Winner of several local and international awards including 2011 Inside Film (IF) Award for Best Documentary Short; Panavision Grand Jury Prize, 2011 Palm Springs International ShortFest; Human Rights Award, 2011 Artivist Film Festival. 2012 Best Documentary Award – Dam Short Film Festival; Official Selection IDFA 2010. Bawra Mann: The Heart Needs No Reason, a romantic drama from India. Produced, written, directed by Mitu Kumar. Stars Sakshi Tanwar (Indian television & Bollywood actress),Œ World Premiere Something Fishy comedy directed by KRISTY BEST, actor/filmmaker ( ABC Host of Sunday Best ) nominated for a Reel Women Film Award at the Cornwall Film Festival 2011, LA Comedy Shorts Festival, Canberra Short Film Festival 2011, Connecticut Film Festival 2012, Best Editing: Australian Screen Editors Awards. Sydney Premiere Crystal Jam, live action animation written & directed by AFTRS graduate Leonie Savvides. Starring SARAH SNOOK ( Packed to the Rafters, Sisters of War, My Place, Sleeping Beauty), World Premiere The Burnt Cork, an indigenous drama directed by Alexandra Edmondson, focusing on issues about the ‘stolen generation’ starring Kyas Sherriff ( The Alice) Sydney Premiere Beneath the Waves, directed by Renee Marie Petropoulos Stars FREYA TINGLEY (Cloudstreet) - ‘Best Screenplay’, ‘Best Cinematography’ & ‘Best Supporting Actor (Ash Vlahos)’ at Los Angeles New Wave International Film Festival 2011, Winner ‘Best in Editing’, ‘Best in Directing’, ‘Best in Cinematography’ & ‘Laurie Fitzgerald Prize in Innocation & Creativity in Sound and/or Film’ at 12th Golden Eye Awards 2011 University of Technology Sydney, Gotham International Screen Film Festival (USA) Australian Premiere Camera Obscura, animation directed by Marta Maia, music by Christina Christensen, Premio Zon Criatividade em Multimedia, Portugal 2011, Dungog Film Festival 2011, Revelation Perth International Film Festival, Australia 2011, Sardinia Film Festival Italy 2011, Sydney Underground Film Festival, Australia, 2011, Cinanima, 35th International Animation Film Festival, Portugal 2011, ION International Film Festival, Mexico Heck, comedy directed by Tanya Goldberg, written & produced by Lisa Hoppe & Bobbie Waterman. Stars ROBINA BEARD (Home and Away) Palm Springs International Shortsfest 2011 Winner AWGIE Award Best Script Short Film Australian Premiere Revive, written, directed and stars ALYSON STANDEN (Rescue Special Ops, All Saints) World Premiere The Maiden & the Princess (USA) directed & co-written by Ali Scher. Palm Springs International Short Fest 2011 (USA), Flicker: Rhode Island International Film Festival 2011 (USA), Outfest Film Festival 2011 (Los Angeles, USA), Hollyshorts 2011 (Los Angeles, USA) Australian Premiere Hairpin, comedy produced, written & directed by Laura Scrivano. Stars KATIE FITCHETT ( All Saints, Hating Alison Ashley). Dungog Film Festival 2011 Sydney Premiere Crumble written & directed RENATA BIALKOWSKA. Edgy New York story starring Golden Globe nominated star Steven Bauer ( Scarface). Winner: Best Directorial Debut, New York International Film festival 2010, Vienna rooftop Film Festival, 2011, Manhattan Film Festival, 2011 Sydney Premiere 50-50, a drama directed by Megan Riakos. JESSICA McNAMEE (The Vow,The Loved Ones, Packed to the Rafters) World Premiere Sunny Boy, drama directed by Jane Gull. Stars Jo Wickham (Hitler and Henry VIII, Tearaway). Super Shorts International Film Festival 2011 (London) Best Script, Cambridge Film Festival 2011 (UK), Woodstock Film Festival 2011 (New York, USA), Magma Film Festival 2011 (Italy) & others Australian Premiere The Natural Order of Things. animation directed by Sarah Beeby. The San Francisco Independant Film Festival 2012, London Short Film Festival 2012 , Short and Sweet Film Festival 2011 (Toronto, Canada) Australian Premiere Nice Guys Finish Last, a drama from USA. Stars DANIELLE HARRIS (Halloween II, Cold Case), Kirsten Storius, LEXI AINSWORTH (Gilmore Girls, General Hospital) World Premiere Naked Lady, written & directed by Cigdem Serce. LA Shorts Festival (Los Angeles, USA) 2011 Baghdad International Film Festival 2011, Canberra Short Film Festival 2011 Sydney Premiere Other premieres at WOW are: Ceiling Skies, Harold Holt is Dead, Phobia, Piercing Silence, Playlunch, The Rose Tattoo, Collision, Snygga Brost: Cupcakes, Sex Defense, Distant Thunder, Ray Morley, Drained Festival program & bookings: www.wift.org/wow, ph 9357 1490 Tickets at Moshtix, www.moshtix.com.au At venues on the day. Festival Season Pass $60/50, Opening Night $30/20, Single Session $15 /10 group (10+), NSW Parliament House session $10/7. The WOW Film Festival thanks all our official sponsors, including: Arts NSW, Office for Women’s Policy, NSW Department of Family and Community Services, City of Sydney, Panavision, Spectrum Films, Lemac, TressCox Lawyers, JAM Directions, Porter's Liquor, SBS Television, Opera Bar, AFTRS, E-Film, SMPTE, Metro Screen, Wacom, ARRI Australia, Videocraft, Art Resistance, Inside Film, Australian Directors Guild, Australian Cinematographers Society, Australian Screen Composers Guild, Australian Editors Guild, Aurora Community Channel, Dendy Opera Quays, IndieFlix, Film Mosaics, Hopscotch, Dendy & Icon Films, The Photo Studio, Printers Korner, Corban & Blair, Millie Loves Min, Cross Projections, Russel Sharp the Flower King, A Sustainable Life WOW FILM FESTIVAL – EVENT CALENDAR Tuesday 6 March: Launch at City of Sydney Library, Customs House from 12.30 to 1.30pm. Screening and Filmmaker Q&A Tuesday 6 March: Opening Night at Dendy Opera Quays: 6.00pm Drinks. 7.00pm Screening of Australian Shorts. The official WOW Festival Opening After Party will be held at Opera Bar, Lower Concourse Opera House at 9.00pm. Live music “Entangled Note”. Lotus Fire Dance performance. Wednesday 7 March: Australian & International Shorts at NSW Parliament House Theatre 12 noon morning tea, 12.30pm screening opened by Hon Pru Goward MP, Minister for Women. Filmmaker Q&A Wednesday 7 March: Australian & International Shorts at Dendy Opera Quays: 7.00pm. Featuring award winning documentary and international fiction. Thursday 8 March: Awards Night at Dendy Opera Quays: 6.00pm Drinks. 7.00pm Awards & Screening of Australian & International Shorts. The official WOW Festival Awards After Party will be held at Opera Bar, Lower Concourse Opera House at 9.00pm. Live music. Lotus Fire Dance performance. Thursday 15 March: Australian & International Shorts Adult Themes, Late Night Library at Surry Hills Library: 9pm Friday 16 March: “Tricky Women” exciting program of Australian & International Animation at Theatre 322, UTS, 7pm. Œ</p> Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:14:24 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/02/article/Channel-Nines-The-Great-Mint-Swindle-telemovie-premieres-on-March-11/CKYOFSSPJD.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/02/article/Channel-Nines-The-Great-Mint-Swindle-telemovie-premieres-on-March-11/CKYOFSSPJD.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Channel Nine</p> <p> The Great Mint Swindle, an extraordinary tale about the most famous gold heist in Australia’s history, premieres Sunday, March 11, at 8.30pm on Channel Nine.</p> <p> The story of a major crime that remains unsolved to this day begins with an elaborate sting at the Perth Mint. It ends two decades later with a chilling car-bomb assassination and a wretched suicide. </p> <p> At the centre of it all is a bitter war between two brotherhoods: the Mickelbergs and the police.</p> <p> On one side is Ray Mickelberg (Grant Bowler), a decorated SAS Vietnam veteran with a dubious reputation after manufacturing a huge fake nugget. His offsiders are his larrikin brothers Peter Mickelberg (Todd Lasance), 14 years his junior, and pilot Brian Mickelberg (Josh Quong Tart).</p> <p> On the other side is Detective Donald Hancock (Shane Bourne) – “The Silver Fox”. Some say he was a fearless champion of justice, others a sinister rogue cop. His loyal number two was Detective Tony “Lewi” Lewandowski (John Batchelor), an easily lead thug who, in the end, is left holding the scales of justice. He alone must decide which brotherhood will prevail.</p> <p> Was Hancock’s approach a case of “noble cause” corruption? Or something more sinister?</p> <p> At the time of the crime, the Perth Mint was leaking like a sieve. However, ripping it off in an audacious gold heist was like striking at the heart of Perth’s establishment. Someone had to go down for the crime, and fast.</p> <p> Once the police have the Mickelbergs in the frame they stop at nothing to get a conviction. Now, rotting in maximum security prison, the brothers forge an unbreakable bond and embark on a 20-year battle to clear their names.</p> <p> Told through the eyes of Peter Mickelberg, the infamous Perth Mint swindle is the Wild West’s most celebrated unsolved crime. It is a story that reaches from notorious criminals and dodgy cops to captains of industry and the highest courts in Western Australia.</p> <p> This saga is a mysterious tale of greed, rat cunning and the allure of gold. It’s about the selling of souls, police corruption, the desperate need for redemption and the pursuit of justice.</p> <p> The Great Mint Swindle: Sunday, March 11, at 8.30pm on Channel Nine. Œ</p> Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:55:43 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/02/article/Matthew-Bate-2012-recipient-of-David-and-Joan-Williams-Documentary-Fellowship/DLLXKPGMDJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/02/article/Matthew-Bate-2012-recipient-of-David-and-Joan-Williams-Documentary-Fellowship/DLLXKPGMDJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from AIDC</p> <p> Bob Connolly, co producer and director of last years hit Mrs Carey’s Concert, today announced the 2012 recipient of the David and Joan Williams Documentary Fellowship at the launch of the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC). The recipient is Matthew Bate, director of the award winning Shut Up Little Man. The Fellowship, decided annually by a small industry panel, provides $25,000 to its recipient and is the most substantial annual award available in Australia for documentary practitioners.</p> <p> Matthew Bate's documentaries deal with obsessive people, pop-culture and outsider artists of which are marked by unique storytelling devices and a bold visual style.</p> <p> His 2006 film What The Future Sounded Like, is a visually and sonically experimental exploration the genesis of British electronic music from Dr Who to Pink Floyd. Matt’s 2010 short film The Mystery of Flying Kicks, unearths the relationship between telephone wires sneakers and murder, drugs, sex and politics, and was made entirely from contributions of imagery and phone message bank stories from the global online public. It premiered at the 2010 SXSW Festival and won best short documentary at the 2010 Melbourne International Film Festival and New Zealand Documentary Edge Film Festival.</p> <p> Matt’s first feature-length documentary, Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure, premiered in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at Sundance 2011, and was recently selected in the 40th New Directors/New Films at the MOMA and Lincoln Center New York. The film was acquired for US distribution by Tribeca Films and screened theatrically in over 20 states in the U.S. Most recently Matt completed Stunt Love a biopic about Australian silent film director J.P McGowan and his pioneering work creating daredevil action films in early Hollywood. Stunt Love premiered at BAFF 2011 and took part in the Adelaide Produces Screenings at MOMA New York. Matt is currently in pre production on his latest Feature documentary Sam Klemke’s Time Machine, which deals with a man who has recorded his entire life on film. </p> <p> The Fellowship has been established by Kim Williams AM to honour his parents’ involvement with the creative process, cinema and Australian culture. The Fellowship, which will usually be awarded annually, is intended to reward creative ambition, intellectual rigor and innovation in documentary cinema. “For me much of the most important work in film in Australia has always reposed in documentary - the heartland of our national consciousness and sense of what makes Australia. I am delighted to be able to enable a modest contribution which honours the continuing work of the diverse women and men working in this vital area of creative endeavor and in doing so commemorate my parents who were special people. It is a link they would have valued."</p> <p> This Fellowship provides the recipient up to $25,000 with which to explore, expand and challenge their filmmaking practice and raise the bar of excellence in Australian documentary cinema.The Fellowship is given in the form of grants and overseen by respected film practitioners Bob Connolly and Victoria Treole and administered under the auspices of the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) by a panel initially consisting of Bob Connolly, Victoria Treole, AIDC Board member Julia Overton and AIDC Executive Director Joost den Hartog.</p> <p> David and Joan Williams were people for whom creativity was a fundamental part of life. David Williams AM had an irrepressible love for film and joined Greater Union as an office boy and rose to be managing director until his retirement in the early eighties. His lifelong association with Australian cinema helped bring about its regeneration in the sixties and seventies. David was honoured in his lifetime with the Raymond Longford Award from the Australian Film Institute – Australia’s highest film honour and was also made a member in the Order of Australia for service to the industry he treasured. Joan similarly loved film and was also involved in myriad craft activities which she also undertook with enormous flair and enthusiasm.</p> Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:49:34 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/03/02/article/FremantleMedia-acquires-format-and-licensing-rights-to-Recipe-To-Riches/MIGFYLUONB.html http://if.com.au/2012/03/02/article/FremantleMedia-acquires-format-and-licensing-rights-to-Recipe-To-Riches/MIGFYLUONB.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from accesspr</p> <p> FremantleMedia and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) today announced the acquisition of the format and licensing rights to Recipe to Riches. The show, created by Temple Street Productions, is a new reality competition series that sees home cooks battle for a cash prize and the chance to have their original recipe chosen and sold nationwide in a supermarket chain. </p> <p> Already a hit in Canada, Recipe to Riches kicks off with a cross-country search where a panel of food experts choose finalists in a new food category each week. These categories can include anything from Sweet Puddings and Pies, to Cakes, Appetizers, Main Courses, or Sweet and Savoury Snacks. The top three finalists in each category fight for their recipes to be chosen as the category winner and awarded the weekly cash prize. The winning products are then immediately made available in grocery stores nationwide, allowing viewers to taste the products before they cast their vote to decide the ultimate Recipe to Riches champion. </p> <p> FremantleMedia will roll the format out to international audiences through its worldwide network of production companies, and FME will represent the worldwide licensing rights to the brand (outside of Canada), working closely with the creative production teams to integrate retailers and sponsors into the show, create and launch products with retail partners and develop brand extensions through social media and live events to drive audience participation. </p> <p> Rob Clark, Director, Global Entertainment Development, FremantleMedia said: “Recipe to Riches is a ground-breaking programme. For the viewer, it’s the first truly interactive food show; in Idols, you can buy and enjoy the music, in Recipe to Riches, the viewer can eat the winning recipe. What could be more satisfying? Sight, sound, smell and taste, all in one TV show. We’re delighted to have acquired Recipe to Riches and we are very much looking forward to bringing local versions of the show to audiences around the world.”</p> <p> David Ellender, FremantleMedia Enterprises’ Global CEO, added: “We are incredibly excited about Recipe to Riches, which is the perfect format to plug in to FME’s global expertise and infrastructure, with huge commercial potential, particularly across sponsorship, consumer products, interactive and live events.” </p> <p> David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, Co-Presidents of Temple Street Productions and Executive Producers for Recipe to Riches, said: “Food is such a tactile and sensory experience. We wanted to produce a truly unique food show – where viewers would not be separated from making that connection with the dishes being prepared. We created a show that we could – for the first time ever – provide an outlet where people could taste the food being prepared on the show. We are especially excited that our format will be produced and sold internationally by FremantleMedia who are perfectly positioned to bring the culinary joy of our show to audiences the world over.” Œ</p> Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:40:34 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/29/article/Screen-NSW-mourns-Martin-Williams/VNVTWWMNTJ.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/29/article/Screen-NSW-mourns-Martin-Williams/VNVTWWMNTJ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Screen NSW</p> <p> Screen NSW mourns the passing of much-admired colleague, Martin Williams.</p> <p> Martin was highly respected by all those he worked with over his career, including his colleagues at Screen NSW for his unerringly generous contributions to the screen industry.</p> <p> Martin joined Screen NSW in 2009 following a 25 year career in the screen industry as a Director and a Producer, both independently and for the ABC, in drama and factual production. He worked as a Project Coordinator for the AFC, assessed and consulted for federal and state funding agencies nationwide, and was a Board Member of ASDA (now the ADG).</p> <p> Martin became ill while fulfilling the role of Senior Development Executive at Screen NSW, a workplace he loved. He was always an inspiring collaborator, known for his unique insight, integrity and conviction.</p> <p> He will be greatly missed and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.</p> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:00:10 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/29/article/ABC-TV-cameraman-wins-2012-Video-Photographer-of-the-Year/OFUUPLECPP.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/29/article/ABC-TV-cameraman-wins-2012-Video-Photographer-of-the-Year/OFUUPLECPP.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ABC</p> <p> ABC Washington Cameraman, Louie Eroglu has been awarded the 2012 Video Photographer of the Year by the White House News Photographers Association for the second year in a row. The WHNPA made the announcement overnight, recognising Eroglu’s work for 7.30 and Foreign Correspondent, with stories from West Virginia and Cuba.</p> <p> In accepting the award, Eroglu said, “I’m very excited to be awarded this honour for the second year running from WHNPA. I was lucky enough to cover some memorable stories with ABC Australia this past year.</p> <p> “I just love what I do and having the opportunity to reflect in pictures the amazing beauty and complexity of life in America. I never tire of filming in the USA and working alongside so many talented WHNPA colleagues. You can easily pick me out of the crowd right now on Pennsylvania Avenue: I'm the chappie with the world's biggest grin." </p> <p> Louie’s colleague, Dan Sweetapple was also recognised in the awards in the News Feature, Network and Documentary categories. </p> <p> The ABC News cameramen will be honoured at the annual “Eyes of History” Gala on May 5, 2012 in Washington.</p> <p> Louie Eroglu’s award winning stories can be viewed here: <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3386048.htm">7.30 – West Virginia’s Bleak Outlook</a> and <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2011/s3183082.htm">Foreign Correspondent – Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow </a></p> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:55:57 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/29/article/AFCA-announces-2012-Film-Award-winners/UYHYZCTWKR.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/29/article/AFCA-announces-2012-Film-Award-winners/UYHYZCTWKR.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from AFCA</p> <p> Although it might be somewhat overshadowed by a slightly bigger Film Awards Ceremony that’s just taken place on the other side of the world, the Australian Film Critics Association (AFCA) is delighted to announce the winners of its 2012 Film Awards.</p> <p> Local thriller, Snowtown, continued its critical winning streak, taking top honours in four major categories including Best Australian Film, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Screenplay.</p> <p> Results of the Awards were as follows:</p> <p> Best Australian Film WINNER: Snowtown</p> <p> Best Overseas Film (English Language) WINNER: The Tree of life</p> <p> Best Overseas Film (Foreign Language) WINNER: Incendies</p> <p> Best Actor WINNER: Daniel Henshall (Snowtown)</p> <p> Best Actress WINNER: Emily Watson (Oranges & Sunshine)</p> <p> Best Documentary WINNER: Senna</p> <p> Best Director WINNER: Justin Kurzel (Snowtown)</p> <p> Best Screenplay WINNER: Shaun Grant (Snowtown)</p> Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:51:28 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/BBC-Worldwide-and-ABC-TV-renew-first-option-deal/HWWCYQVUVH.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/BBC-Worldwide-and-ABC-TV-renew-first-option-deal/HWWCYQVUVH.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from BBC</p> <p> BBC Worldwide Australia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have renewed their first-option agreement for a further three years, giving ABC TV viewers the first opportunity to see some of the best British programming available. The deal allows ABC TV exclusive access to new content across a broad range of genre within the BBC Worldwide catalogue. Some of the first programs to launch in the new agreement include: successful new drama series Call The Midwife, the new detective drama Death In Paradise, the new production of the Dickens’ classic Great Expectations and the new factual series, Fry’s Planet Word and Alone In The Wild. The deal also sees the returning series Doctor Who, New Tricks and Luther on ABC TV.Œ</p> <p> Said Julie Dowding, BBC Worldwide’s Sales Director, Australasia: “We’re delighted to renew our first-option deal with ABC TV. It’s a broadcaster that shares many values with BBC Worldwide and it has been a fantastic platform for our quality content over the years.”Œ</p> <p> Said Brendan Dahill, ABC1 Channel Controller: “There is a natural synergy between our audience and the excellent content and high production values of BBC programming. It is an excellent fit so we are extremely pleased to be continuing our relationship for many years to come.”Œ</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:01:55 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Features-using-Kodak-film-dominate-the-awards-season/VHGVVVPSAG.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Features-using-Kodak-film-dominate-the-awards-season/VHGVVVPSAG.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Kodak</p> <p> The motion picture industry's awards season is in full swing. Many of the winners have already been named, with all roads leading to Oscar® night. I must admit, this is one of my favorite times of the year because it allows us to recognize the many talented filmmakers who have created extraordinary stories and images. In fact, for the 25th year, Kodak will be hosting its pre-Oscar dinner recognizing current and past Academy Award nominees and honorees for cinematography. This year, films originated on Kodak earned 60 Oscar® nominations (view our Kodak Oscar® Gallery). Seven of the nine Best Picture nominees were shot on Kodak, and 24 of the 36 narrative, live-action feature nominees originated on film. The results are also in for independent films originating on Kodak. The Independent Spirit Awards gave over 30 nominations to indies produced on Kodak film, including The Artist, The Descendents, Take Shelter, Footnote, Win Win, Margin Call, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Pariah, My Week with Marilyn, A Better Life and Midnight in Paris. The Guilds and artists organizations have also made their selections for the best of 2011. The PGA (The Artist), SAG (The Help), DGA (The Artist) and ASC (The Tree of Life) all gave their top awards to films produced on Kodak stock, as did the Golden Globes (The Artists, The Descendents) and BAFTA (The Artist). There is no higher honor than to be recognized by one's peers. We are honored to support these filmmakers, and we congratulate them on their awards. At Kodak, we feel the thousands of filmmakers who continue to choose film as a storytelling partner are winners too. We feel privileged to provide the creative and technical community with the tools to tell remarkable tales that entertain and inspire audiences worldwide. We continue to supply filmmakers with the products and support they have come to depend upon from Kodak, and intend to emerge from our reorganization even stronger. We are still making billions of feet of film, and many of those reels will be used on films contending for the 2013 Academy Awards®. Congratulations to all the nominees this awards season!</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:31:08 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/ADG-announces-the-Directors-Guild-of-America-Finders-Award-2012/PJCMYJKGGX.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/ADG-announces-the-Directors-Guild-of-America-Finders-Award-2012/PJCMYJKGGX.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from the Australian Directors' Guild (ADG)</p> <p> Awards deadline extended to March 5 The Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG) today announced that it has re-ignited its partnership with the Directors Guild of America Finders series. One Australian feature film, which is yet to secure US distribution and is an entry in the 2012 ADG Awards, will be selected to screen in Los Angeles to key industry figures, including distributors. The winning film will be announced at the ADG Awards, part of the Guild’s 30th anniversary celebrations, to be held on May 11 at the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney. The deadline for entry to the Awards has been extended from February 27 to March 5. The last Australian film to win the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Finders Awards was Kriv Stenders’ Boxing Day in 2007. “Capturing the attention of the North American market is an aspiration most filmmakers share but it can be incredibly difficult to achieve that cut-through. The Finders series guarantees that the winning filmmaker will get to show their film to and meet with some of the most important players in the US screen industry,” said Kingston Anderson, General Manager of the ADG. Kriv Stenders said: "Winning the DGA Finders Award has been the single most defining Award I have received in my career so far. It set in motion an incredible chain reaction of contacts and opportunities that are still playing out for me today. The whole experience was invaluable and allowed me the chance to meet LA based managers, producers and agents. In fact, one of these meetings led directly to the chance for me to direct Red Dog, an opportunity I will always be truly grateful for.” The Directors Finder Series is a DGA initiative to spotlight undistributed independent feature films directed by Guild members. After its original inception in the USA, the series was expanded to also include International Association of English Speaking Directors Organizations (IAESDO) members’ work as well (including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom and Canada). For films to be eligible for the DGA Finders Award they must be entered in the ADG Awards and have secured domestic distribution, with a public screening before December 30, 2011. All ADG Award applicants must be financial ADG members for the 2011 – 2012 year. Membership details available at: www.adg.org.au. The 18 categories in the 2012 ADG Awards are: 1. Feature Film 2. Telemovie 3. Animation 4. Documentary Standalone 5. Documentary Feature 6. Documentary Series 7. TV Drama Series 8. TV Mini Series 9. TV Drama Serial 10. TV Comedy 11. TV Reality / light entertainment 12. TV Children’s 13. Cross Platform project 14. Original online project 15. TVC 16. Short film 17. Music video 18. Student To submit your entry and for further information to the ADG awards, go to: www.adg.org.au/awards.aspx The rescheduling of the ADG Awards to May will enable them to coincide with the INPUT 2012 television conference, being held for the first time in Australia in its 25 year history. Some 800 delegates, including 300 international guests, will attend INPUT 2012. The ADG has partnered with INPUT in recent years through hosting a showcase of television programs featured in the international INPUT conference.</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:13:36 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Five-emerging-documentary-makers-given-an-opportunity-for-ABC2-series/AXUGTNTVYP.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Five-emerging-documentary-makers-given-an-opportunity-for-ABC2-series/AXUGTNTVYP.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from ABC</p> <p> Screen Australia and ABC TV today announced a line-up of five compelling half-hour documentaries for ABC2’s new prime time Opening Shot series. The stories, told by young emerging documentary makers in this insightful and entertaining series, are currently in production and will air mid 2012 on ABC2. ABC2 Controller, Stuart Menzies, said, “ABC2 is the natural home for Opening Shot – new stories, new film makers and challenging ideas”. ABC TV Head of Documentaries, Alan Erson, said, “We are always on the lookout for new talent and it’s invigorating to be working with up-and-coming producers and directors.” Screen Australia’s Documentary Manager, Liz Stevens, said, “With well over 100 applications received, the next generation of filmmakers certainly have a lot to say on all aspects of life and society. They’re edgy and direct films and I’m really looking forward to seeing them on screen.” The documentaries include: Dating the H-Bomb by LaLa Pictures Pty Ltd Producer: Andrew Arbuthnot; Director: Jay Court Ordinary Australians, voiced through puppets, candidly share the lighter side of loving while living with the taboo herpes virus. The Disassembly Line by Projector Films Producer: Daniel Joyce; Director: Madeleine Parry Madeleine Parry, documentarian and one-time slaughter woman, enlists at her local abattoir to reveal the hidden experience of the men who kill what we eat. Future Radicals by Renegade Films (Australia) Pty Ltd</p> <p> Producer: Kate Pappas; Director/Writer: Ben Eriksen A group of masked vigilantes who call themselves ‘Anonymous’, are taking a stand on the issues of online censorship. Project Baby by Secret Key Films Pty Ltd Producer: Katrina Lucas; Director/Writer: Shalom Almond Filmmaker Shalom Almond documents her own process and personal ethics as she attempts to start a family using controversial Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis IVF. Queen Of The Desert by 360 Degree Films Producer Josephine Wright, Director Alex Kelly ‘Starlady’, a youthworker on a mission to bring wild fashion to remote indigenous communities.</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 12:10:11 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Open-Channel-educator-and-producer-Ros-Walker-heads-to-LA-for-ISSI-Fellowship/OLKKABUILV.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Open-Channel-educator-and-producer-Ros-Walker-heads-to-LA-for-ISSI-Fellowship/OLKKABUILV.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Open Channel</p> <p> Open Channel educator and Producer, Ros Walker is set to fly to Los Angeles next week to examine bestŒpractice in television project development thanks to a study fellowship sponsored by the InternationalŒSpecialised Skills Institute.</p> <p> The ISSI Fellowship is providing an incredible opportunity to gain insights into TV series development. Ros isŒmeeting with writers, producers and creators of some the most innovative and popular series of our timeŒsuch as Modern Family, NCIS LA, Breaking Bad, The West Wing and The Simpsons.</p> <p> “Through meetings with showrunners, writers, producers, agents and network heads of development, I willŒgather useful and practical information on the craft of development and I'm looking forward to sharing thisŒin Open Channel’s industry workshops and with their students on my return.”</p> <p> Open Channel Executive Director
Jennie Hughes is thrilled for
Ros and the obvious flow on benefits for
OpenŒChannel students, “We’re excited about the opportunity Ros has to learn from some of the most acclaimedŒtelevision creators in the business. That knowledge will be utilised to innovate new tools for
Open Channel’sŒnationally recognised accredited courses as well as enhance professional development programs and ShortŒCourses.Œ</p> <p> “Open Channel is now the only institution in Victoria offering the Advanced Diploma in Screen and MediaŒ(Feature Film and TV Series Project Development) and Ros’ study will further
improve this program. As with allŒour
courses it will be delivered with practical on‐the‐ground support for
participants.”</p> <p> Also in LA, Ros will attend the Variety/ Academy of Television Sciences and the Arts TV Summit day that willŒexamine a range of topics related to the television landscape. She will also be working in with theŒProducing lecturers at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and attending their TV seriesŒdevelopment program.</p> <p> Ros and other 2011 fellows were announced at a gala ceremony at the ISS Institute late last year which wasŒattended by The Hon. Peter Hall MLC, Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Minster for the TeachingŒProfession.ŒRos will be in Los Angeles for four weeks from 23rdŒof February as part of the fellowship.</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:46:29 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Val-Morgan-launches-ACES-awards/QRICUSQZXZ.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/Val-Morgan-launches-ACES-awards/QRICUSQZXZ.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Val Morgan</p> <p> Val Morgan has today announced the launch of the ACES, the Australian Creative Excellence Showcase. The awards have been specially set up to recognise and celebrate the best of Australian Cinema and TVŒadvertising and the work that goes into it.</p> <p> Val Morgan CEO Damian Keogh praised the high level of creative talent within Australia, “As far as Œcreativity goes, there is no doubt Australia is up there with the world’s best and the purpose of the ACES is to support and celebrate creative excellence in our own backyard. We are committed to ensuring that the ACES play a major role in recognizing the brands, the creative agencies and the individuals who deliver Œoutstanding locally produced creative.”</p> <p> Keogh also added that cinema offered the ultimate platform in which to hold the ACES Awards, “Cinema is and has always been the ultimate brand showcase, providing an unrivalled creative platform. For over 100 years Val Morgan has been proud to place the best of Australian advertising in the most powerful environment – on the big screen in Cinemas - where viewers are totally immersed and engaged with the advertising content.”</p> <p> The ACES are open to Australian produced commercials that have appeared on Cinema or TV and are being held in conjunction with supporting partner Adstream and media partner AdNews.Œ</p> <p> The ACES will be held 3 times a year, judged by a panel of distinguished industry experts under the guidance of a jury chairman.</p> <p> The winning commercial will be awarded the prestigious Golden Ace and a Cinema media schedule to the value of $25,000. The ACES are free to enter and open to all locally produced creative that has appeared on either Cinema or TV in Australia in recent months.</p> <p> The inaugural ACES awards will take place in Sydney on the 21stŒof March 2012 at Gold Class, Event Cinema George Street. The closing date for entries is 14thŒMarch 2012.</p> <p> Subsequent ACES will then be held in June and September 2012.</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:40:23 +1100 http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/ASTRA-2012-unveils-two-breakout-sessions-and-AUSTAR-CEO-as-speaker/KWFKDGFJKM.html http://if.com.au/2012/02/27/article/ASTRA-2012-unveils-two-breakout-sessions-and-AUSTAR-CEO-as-speaker/KWFKDGFJKM.html Inside Film Correspondent <p> Press release from Tsuki</p> <p> ASTRA welcomes AUSTAR CEO, John Porter and unveils breakout sessions: ‘Understanding the STV Audience’ and ‘Production & Promotion in a 3 Screen World’ ASTRA 2012 Conference welcomes new speakers and announces breakout sessions ‘Who, Why, When & Where – Understanding the STV Audience’ and ‘Production & Promotion in a 3 Screen World.’ Plus John Porter presents the AUSTAR platform update. Themed Driving Change, ASTRA 2012 Conference will be held on Thursday 22nd March at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre. “In today’s rapidly changing media landscape there is an ever increasing need to understand shifting consumer viewing habits and to be able to develop and distribute content which meets this demand. These sessions take at timely look at the connected era of multi-screen, multi-device, anywhere and anytime entertainment,” said ASTRA CEO Petra Buchanan. Breakout session: ‘Who, Why, When & Where – Understanding the STV Audience’ ‘Who, Why, When & Where – Understanding the STV Audience’ will engage Murray Love, Insights and Analytics Director – Multiview for Multi Channel Network (MCN) and Doug Peiffer, CEO of OzTAM, in a conversation about viewership and audience measurement moderated by James Manning, Editor and Publisher of Mediaweek magazine. Viewing habits have changed in light of media fragmentation and the increasingly competitive media landscape. This session will provide an overview of the STV audience and viewing environment today, exploring international comparisons and observing how Australian viewership differs and has evolved over time. Breakout session: ‘Production & Promotion in a 3 Screen World’ ‘Production & Promotion in a 3 Screen World’ welcomes panellists Tracey Robertson, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Hoodlum, John Gregory, CEO of Freehand and Wagdy Samir, Senior Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development for Technicolor, with moderator Tim Burrowes, founding editor of Mumbrella and editor-in-chief of Mumbrella’s sister magazine Encore. This session will highlight how content is being created for the new multi-screen world, including the producer perspective and the innovation behind devices that are challenging the TV model and content windowing. AUSTAR platform update with CEO John Porter Also joining this year’s line-up of powerful speakers is John Porter, CEO of AUSTAR presenting a platform update in an environment of pending change. John has been CEO of AUSTAR for 17 years, and prior to that was a cable executive based in the United States, Europe and Japan. In July 2011 FOXTEL and AUSTAR reached a definitive transaction agreement where FOXTEL proposed to acquire AUSTAR. As this may be John’s last ASTRA conference, he will share some reflexions on the past and future of the Australian subscription television industry. The 2012 day-long Conference program will highlight opinions from leaders across the industry, allow for discussion and debate through a combination of panel discussions and break-out sessions and provide networking opportunities at the Women in Television breakfast, lunch and the closing cocktail function where the ASTRA Industry Excellence Awards will be presented. Keynote speakers include Jeff Shell, President of NBCUniversal International, Richard Freudenstein, who will deliver his debut address as FOXTEL CEO and Mike Quigley, NBN Co Chief Executive as the Innovation Keynote speaker. ASTRA also recently announced that Donna Hay, Australian household name and international food-publishing phenomenon, and Tiffany Cherry, former track and field athlete, and now highly regarded sports presenter, producer, reporter and TV personality, will speak at the ASTRA Women in TV Breakfast. Additional speakers will be announced. Registration details are available at www.astraconference2012.com.au</p> Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:26:11 +1100