Lisa Matthews.
Ian Collie’s Easy Tiger Productions has chosen Lisa Matthews to direct an episode of the third series of the Nine Network’s Doctor Doctor with director Jennifer Leacey as part of the Australian Directors’ Guild’s Shadow Directing program.
A documentary director, Matthews’ credits include the series Australia in Colour, Australia – The Story of Us, Darwin’s Brave New World and The Real Mary Poppins.
The Shadow Directing program was created by the ADG with funding from Screen Australia’s Gender Matters: Brilliant Careers initiative to get more women directing Australian TV drama series and serials over the next two years.
Last year director Darlene Johnson was given the first Shadow Directing opportunity on the Seven Network’s Home and Away followed by Lucy Gaffy on Doctor Doctor.
Matthews said: “It’s such a wonderful career opportunity to bridge my transition from making documentaries and docudramas to full-length drama. I’m thrilled to be under the helm of the amazingly talented Jen Leacey and to work with the team at Doctor Doctor. The ongoing support of the ADG and Screen Australia has been phenomenal.”
ADG CEO Kingston Anderson said: “We are pleased that another of our talented female directors has been given an opportunity to work on this popular television drama production.”
Nerida Moore, senior development executive at Screen Australia added: “The Gender Matters: Brilliant Careers initiative is about empowering female screen practitioners and supporting them with viable career pathways. Lisa is an incredibly talented documentary director and working with Jennifer on Doctor Doctor is a fantastic opportunity for her to broaden her skills in the drama space.”
Further shadow directing opportunities with participating production companies will be announced in the coming months.