PBS Distribution has snapped up US rights to Halifax: Retribution, to premiere on Amazon Prime Video’s PBS Masterpiece Channel.
Originally commissioned by the Nine Network and produced by Beyond Lonehand, the procedural drama stars Rebecca Gibney and Anthony Lapaglia in a reboot of Halifax F.P.
Original creator and writer Roger Simpson returns as writer, alongside Mac Gudgeon , Peter Gawler and Jan Sardi.
The series sees Gibney reprise her role as forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax, who returns to work in the field after a two-decade hiatus when a sniper starts terrorising the city and Commander Tom Saracen (Lapaglia) urgently needs her assistance.
Jane comes to realise that the killer’s invisibility to the surveillance cameras and his sophisticated hacking skills hold the clue to what he wants.
Halifax: Retribution was recently nominated in the Best Drama Series category for the prestigious 2020 Aacta Awards, while Rebecca Gibney was nominated for...
Originally commissioned by the Nine Network and produced by Beyond Lonehand, the procedural drama stars Rebecca Gibney and Anthony Lapaglia in a reboot of Halifax F.P.
Original creator and writer Roger Simpson returns as writer, alongside Mac Gudgeon , Peter Gawler and Jan Sardi.
The series sees Gibney reprise her role as forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax, who returns to work in the field after a two-decade hiatus when a sniper starts terrorising the city and Commander Tom Saracen (Lapaglia) urgently needs her assistance.
Jane comes to realise that the killer’s invisibility to the surveillance cameras and his sophisticated hacking skills hold the clue to what he wants.
Halifax: Retribution was recently nominated in the Best Drama Series category for the prestigious 2020 Aacta Awards, while Rebecca Gibney was nominated for...
- 12/9/2020
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
One of Australia’s most distinguished screenwriters, Cliff Green (Picnic At Hanging Rock) died on Friday following a long illness. He was 85. Here, Mac Gudgeon and Roger Simpson pay tribute to his life and career.
Cliff Green was a pioneer in Australian screenwriting and a central figure in the Australian Writers’ Guild’s (Awg) early development. His television credits include his celebrated quartet, Marion, inspired by his time as a school teacher in the Mallee, and the sprawling adaptations, Power Without Glory and I Can Jump Puddles. His screenplay for Peter Weir’s Picnic At Hanging Rock remains a landmark in Australia’s film renaissance of the 1970s.
Though one of Australia’s most sought-after writers, Cliff never hesitated to give his time to the guild in an era when the organisation, with only two full-time employees, depended entirely on the efforts of its members and the leadership of its most prominent practitioners.
Cliff Green was a pioneer in Australian screenwriting and a central figure in the Australian Writers’ Guild’s (Awg) early development. His television credits include his celebrated quartet, Marion, inspired by his time as a school teacher in the Mallee, and the sprawling adaptations, Power Without Glory and I Can Jump Puddles. His screenplay for Peter Weir’s Picnic At Hanging Rock remains a landmark in Australia’s film renaissance of the 1970s.
Though one of Australia’s most sought-after writers, Cliff never hesitated to give his time to the guild in an era when the organisation, with only two full-time employees, depended entirely on the efforts of its members and the leadership of its most prominent practitioners.
- 12/8/2020
- by Mac Gudgeon and Roger Simpson
- IF.com.au
Robyn Nevin in ‘Relic’.
Former Australian Writers’ Guild president Jan Sardi and actor Robyn Nevin were among the screen professionals to receive Queen’s Birthday Honours over the long weekend.
Sardi, Oscar-nominated for Shine and whose credits also include Mao’s Last Dancer and Love’s Brother, was named an Officer to the Order of Australia (Ao) for distinguished service to the film and television industries as a screenwriter and director, and to professional guilds.
Co-collaborator Mac Gudgeon, who worked with Sardi on projects like Ground Zero and The Secret River, said: “It’s a richly deserved honour. Not only because Jan’s a bloody good writer, but because it’s recognition of his selfless service, generosity of spirit, and courage and persistence in fighting for performance writers’ creative rights and remuneration for over 40 years.
“And the timing couldn’t be more ironic given Jan’s passionate advocacy for what’s unique about Australian culture,...
Former Australian Writers’ Guild president Jan Sardi and actor Robyn Nevin were among the screen professionals to receive Queen’s Birthday Honours over the long weekend.
Sardi, Oscar-nominated for Shine and whose credits also include Mao’s Last Dancer and Love’s Brother, was named an Officer to the Order of Australia (Ao) for distinguished service to the film and television industries as a screenwriter and director, and to professional guilds.
Co-collaborator Mac Gudgeon, who worked with Sardi on projects like Ground Zero and The Secret River, said: “It’s a richly deserved honour. Not only because Jan’s a bloody good writer, but because it’s recognition of his selfless service, generosity of spirit, and courage and persistence in fighting for performance writers’ creative rights and remuneration for over 40 years.
“And the timing couldn’t be more ironic given Jan’s passionate advocacy for what’s unique about Australian culture,...
- 6/9/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Mark Ruse. (Photo: Annie Beach)
Mark Ruse, who was partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment for 20 years, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 64.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Ruse produced more than 250 hours of prime-time comedy and drama, more than 20 hours of documentaries and 300 hours of live television.
“Mark was a true gentleman; incredibly talented, understated and generous, he gave many lucky people a leg up in the industry,” Julie Marlow, screen industry consultant and former Film Victoria director, tells If. “He was a joy to deal with and will be sadly missed by so many.”
Luby said of his colleague and close friend: “Mark was a man of incredible integrity, kindness, creativity, intelligence, dedication, work ethic, humour and goodness.
“His express philosophy was to ‘enable other people’s talents to shine.’ He loved to support and nurture people’s creative journeys (including mine).
“Producer skills developed...
Mark Ruse, who was partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment for 20 years, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 64.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Ruse produced more than 250 hours of prime-time comedy and drama, more than 20 hours of documentaries and 300 hours of live television.
“Mark was a true gentleman; incredibly talented, understated and generous, he gave many lucky people a leg up in the industry,” Julie Marlow, screen industry consultant and former Film Victoria director, tells If. “He was a joy to deal with and will be sadly missed by so many.”
Luby said of his colleague and close friend: “Mark was a man of incredible integrity, kindness, creativity, intelligence, dedication, work ethic, humour and goodness.
“His express philosophy was to ‘enable other people’s talents to shine.’ He loved to support and nurture people’s creative journeys (including mine).
“Producer skills developed...
- 5/11/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Mac Gudgeon and Jan Sardi.
Shaun Grant, Tony McNamara, Jacquelin Perske, Andrew Knight, Kate Mulvany, Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon were among the recipients of the 52nd annual Awgie Awards presented in Sydney on Thursday night.
Grant won the feature film adaptation prize for True History of the Kelly Gang while McNamara and Deborah Davis shared best original feature screenplay for The Favourite.
Sardi and Gudgeon accepted the award on Grant’s behalf; he is in La and will head to Toronto for the world premiere of Justin Kurzel’s bushranger tale which stars George Mackay, Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, Essie Davis and Harry Greenwood.
That was Shaun’s fourth Awgie following Snowtown, Jasper Jones and Deadline Gallipoli.
Perske’s The Cry was named best telemovie or miniseries of four hours or less and Knight’s first episode of the second season of Jack Irish was judged best series or miniseries of four hours plus.
Shaun Grant, Tony McNamara, Jacquelin Perske, Andrew Knight, Kate Mulvany, Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon were among the recipients of the 52nd annual Awgie Awards presented in Sydney on Thursday night.
Grant won the feature film adaptation prize for True History of the Kelly Gang while McNamara and Deborah Davis shared best original feature screenplay for The Favourite.
Sardi and Gudgeon accepted the award on Grant’s behalf; he is in La and will head to Toronto for the world premiere of Justin Kurzel’s bushranger tale which stars George Mackay, Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, Essie Davis and Harry Greenwood.
That was Shaun’s fourth Awgie following Snowtown, Jasper Jones and Deadline Gallipoli.
Perske’s The Cry was named best telemovie or miniseries of four hours or less and Knight’s first episode of the second season of Jack Irish was judged best series or miniseries of four hours plus.
- 8/22/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Anthony Lapaglia and Jessica Marais will star alongside Rebecca Gibney in Australian drama series “Halifax: Retribution.”
The crime thriller follows forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax and was on Australian free-tv network Nine in the 1990s and early 2000s. It has resurrected the Melbourne-set show, with production getting underway this month, on location.
Other cast for the new miniseries include Jacqueline McKenzie (“Romper Stomper”), Rick Donald (“Wentworth”), Hannah Monson (“Glitch”), Craig Hall (“The Doctor Blake Mysteries”), Mavournee Hazel (“Neighbours”), and Louisa Mignone (“Rake”).
After years on the police frontline, Halifax has carved out a new career as a university professor in the new series. She has to return to the field when a serial sniper starts terrorizing Melbourne, and Halifax finds herself in his sights.
“’Halifax’ has a rich and revered heritage and I am very much looking forward to working opposite the legend that is Rebecca Gibney in this latest iteration,...
The crime thriller follows forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax and was on Australian free-tv network Nine in the 1990s and early 2000s. It has resurrected the Melbourne-set show, with production getting underway this month, on location.
Other cast for the new miniseries include Jacqueline McKenzie (“Romper Stomper”), Rick Donald (“Wentworth”), Hannah Monson (“Glitch”), Craig Hall (“The Doctor Blake Mysteries”), Mavournee Hazel (“Neighbours”), and Louisa Mignone (“Rake”).
After years on the police frontline, Halifax has carved out a new career as a university professor in the new series. She has to return to the field when a serial sniper starts terrorizing Melbourne, and Halifax finds herself in his sights.
“’Halifax’ has a rich and revered heritage and I am very much looking forward to working opposite the legend that is Rebecca Gibney in this latest iteration,...
- 7/1/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Rebecca Gibney, Anthony Lapaglia and Jessica Marais head the cast of crime thriller mini-series “Halifax: Retribution.” The show is the revival of an iconic Australian series that ran on the Nine Network for six seasons from 1994 to 2002, starring Gibney.
In the new show, produced for Nine, Gibney’s forensic psychiatrist character is called back from academia to the police front line when a serial sniper begins attacking Melbourne.
Original creator and writer Roger Simpson returns as writer and producer, alongside executive producer Mikael Borglund and writers Mac Gudgeon (“Killing Time”), Peter Gawler (“Underbelly”) and the Oscar-nominated Jan Sardi (“Shine”).
Production starts next month in Melbourne with Jacqueline McKenzie, Rick Donald, Hannah Monson (“Glitch”), Craig Hall, Mavournee Hazel and Louisa Mignone among the supporting cast.
“Halifax: Retribution” is a Beyond Lonehand Production with major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Film Victoria. Beyond Distribution is handling international sales of...
In the new show, produced for Nine, Gibney’s forensic psychiatrist character is called back from academia to the police front line when a serial sniper begins attacking Melbourne.
Original creator and writer Roger Simpson returns as writer and producer, alongside executive producer Mikael Borglund and writers Mac Gudgeon (“Killing Time”), Peter Gawler (“Underbelly”) and the Oscar-nominated Jan Sardi (“Shine”).
Production starts next month in Melbourne with Jacqueline McKenzie, Rick Donald, Hannah Monson (“Glitch”), Craig Hall, Mavournee Hazel and Louisa Mignone among the supporting cast.
“Halifax: Retribution” is a Beyond Lonehand Production with major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Film Victoria. Beyond Distribution is handling international sales of...
- 7/1/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Anthony Lapaglia, Jessica Marais.
Anthony Lapaglia and Jessica Marais will co-star with Rebecca Gibney in the Nine Network’s crime thriller miniseries Halifax: Retribution, which will start shooting in Melbourne later this month.
Jacqueline McKenzie, Rick Donald, Hannah Monson, Craig Hall, Mavournee Hazel and Louisa Mignone round out the cast of the Halifax reboot produced by Beyond Lonehand.
Original creator and writer Roger Simpson returns as writer and producer alongside executive producer Mikael Borglund and writers Mac Gudgeon, Peter Gawler and Oscar-nominated Jan Sardi.
Gudgeon and Sardi both worked with Simpson on Halifax f.p., which ran for seven seasons on Nine and ended in 2002. Rebecca Gibney reprises her role as forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax, who has carved out a new career as a university professor.
When a serial sniper starts terrorising Melbourne, she is lured back into the field to help the police task force find the killer. As...
Anthony Lapaglia and Jessica Marais will co-star with Rebecca Gibney in the Nine Network’s crime thriller miniseries Halifax: Retribution, which will start shooting in Melbourne later this month.
Jacqueline McKenzie, Rick Donald, Hannah Monson, Craig Hall, Mavournee Hazel and Louisa Mignone round out the cast of the Halifax reboot produced by Beyond Lonehand.
Original creator and writer Roger Simpson returns as writer and producer alongside executive producer Mikael Borglund and writers Mac Gudgeon, Peter Gawler and Oscar-nominated Jan Sardi.
Gudgeon and Sardi both worked with Simpson on Halifax f.p., which ran for seven seasons on Nine and ended in 2002. Rebecca Gibney reprises her role as forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax, who has carved out a new career as a university professor.
When a serial sniper starts terrorising Melbourne, she is lured back into the field to help the police task force find the killer. As...
- 7/1/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Rebecca Gibney in ‘Halifax f.p.’
Rebecca Gibney will return to the Nine Network next year as forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax in the miniseries Halifax: Retribution, which looks at the character 20 years after the original series.
Roger Simpson, who created and was the lead writer on Halifax f.p., which ran for seven seasons and ended in 2002, returns as writer and producer, together with writers Mac Gudgeon and Jan Sardi, who both worked on the series.
Produced by Beyond Lonehand, a Jv between Beyond and Simpson, with Mikael Borglund as executive producer, the new version will see Halifax hunting for a killer who is terrorising an entire city, potentially putting herself and her family in danger. Beyond Distribution has the worldwide sales rights outside Australia/Nz.
“I’ve had people asking me for years if we could bring Jane Halifax back,” Gibney told 9Honey Celebrity. “I loved the character – Roger...
Rebecca Gibney will return to the Nine Network next year as forensic psychiatrist Jane Halifax in the miniseries Halifax: Retribution, which looks at the character 20 years after the original series.
Roger Simpson, who created and was the lead writer on Halifax f.p., which ran for seven seasons and ended in 2002, returns as writer and producer, together with writers Mac Gudgeon and Jan Sardi, who both worked on the series.
Produced by Beyond Lonehand, a Jv between Beyond and Simpson, with Mikael Borglund as executive producer, the new version will see Halifax hunting for a killer who is terrorising an entire city, potentially putting herself and her family in danger. Beyond Distribution has the worldwide sales rights outside Australia/Nz.
“I’ve had people asking me for years if we could bring Jane Halifax back,” Gibney told 9Honey Celebrity. “I loved the character – Roger...
- 11/22/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Documentary filmmaker Sonya Pemberton and post production maven John Fleming are the latest recipients of the Film Victoria Screen Leader Awards.
The agency also announced the creation of two awards for a director and screenwriter in 2016, honouring Fred Schepisi and Jan Sardi.
The Film Victoria — Fred Schepisi Award for Achievement in Directing salutes the director, producer and screenwriter who made his name with The Devil.s Playground and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith.
Among his stellar credits are Iceman, Barbarosa, Plenty, Roxanne, Six Degrees of Separation, Iq, Evil Angels, Last Orders, The Eye of the Storm and Words and Pictures.
The Film Victoria — Jan Sardi Award for Achievement in Screenwriting recognises the achievements of the screenwriter whose first feature was Moving Out in 1983, followed by such works as the Academy Award-nominated screenplay for Shine, Love.s Brother, Mao.s Last Dancer and, most recently, the ABC miniseries The Secret River,...
The agency also announced the creation of two awards for a director and screenwriter in 2016, honouring Fred Schepisi and Jan Sardi.
The Film Victoria — Fred Schepisi Award for Achievement in Directing salutes the director, producer and screenwriter who made his name with The Devil.s Playground and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith.
Among his stellar credits are Iceman, Barbarosa, Plenty, Roxanne, Six Degrees of Separation, Iq, Evil Angels, Last Orders, The Eye of the Storm and Words and Pictures.
The Film Victoria — Jan Sardi Award for Achievement in Screenwriting recognises the achievements of the screenwriter whose first feature was Moving Out in 1983, followed by such works as the Academy Award-nominated screenplay for Shine, Love.s Brother, Mao.s Last Dancer and, most recently, the ABC miniseries The Secret River,...
- 10/5/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Andrew Anastasios and Andrew Knight.s The Water Diviner won the top prize and the gong for best original feature at the 2015 Awgie Awards.
It was the first time a feature collected the Australian Writers' Guild's Major Award and the gong for original feature since 2012 when Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson won with The Sapphires.
The prize for feature film adaptation was shared by Brendan Cowell for Scarlett Productions'. Ruben Guthrie and Tommy Murphy for Matchbox Pictures' Holding the Man.
Matchbox and Full Clip.s Deadline Gallipoli was named best original TV miniseries, acknowledging the work of writers Jacquelin Perske (also script producer), Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland.
FremantleMedia.s Wentworth Season 3, Episode 3 The Governor.s Pleasure by Stuart Page shared the TV series award with Endemol Australia.s Offspring Episode 511 by Michael Lucas. Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon took the award for best miniseries adaptation for...
It was the first time a feature collected the Australian Writers' Guild's Major Award and the gong for original feature since 2012 when Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson won with The Sapphires.
The prize for feature film adaptation was shared by Brendan Cowell for Scarlett Productions'. Ruben Guthrie and Tommy Murphy for Matchbox Pictures' Holding the Man.
Matchbox and Full Clip.s Deadline Gallipoli was named best original TV miniseries, acknowledging the work of writers Jacquelin Perske (also script producer), Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland.
FremantleMedia.s Wentworth Season 3, Episode 3 The Governor.s Pleasure by Stuart Page shared the TV series award with Endemol Australia.s Offspring Episode 511 by Michael Lucas. Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon took the award for best miniseries adaptation for...
- 9/14/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Nine features have been nominated for this year's Awgie Awards for performance writing.
Eight telemovies and miniseries are in contention. The Australian Writers. Guild says nominations in the 25 categories for the 48th Annual Awgie Awards reflect the abundance of outstanding work currently being produced in Australia. Nominees for best original telemovie are Steven McGregor for Redfern Now: Promise Me and Katherine Thomson for House of Hancock, while Christopher Lee.s Gallipoli and Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon.s The Secret River contend for best adaptation in a television miniseries. There are four nominees for original television mini-series: The Principal by Alice Addison and Kristen Dunphy; The Kettering Incident by Vicki Madden, Andrew Knight, Cate Shortland and Louise Fox; Deadline Gallipoli by Jacquelin Perske, Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland; and Love Child: Series 2 from Tim Pye, Cathryn Strickland, Chris McCourt, Jane Allen and Tamara Asmar. In the categories...
Eight telemovies and miniseries are in contention. The Australian Writers. Guild says nominations in the 25 categories for the 48th Annual Awgie Awards reflect the abundance of outstanding work currently being produced in Australia. Nominees for best original telemovie are Steven McGregor for Redfern Now: Promise Me and Katherine Thomson for House of Hancock, while Christopher Lee.s Gallipoli and Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon.s The Secret River contend for best adaptation in a television miniseries. There are four nominees for original television mini-series: The Principal by Alice Addison and Kristen Dunphy; The Kettering Incident by Vicki Madden, Andrew Knight, Cate Shortland and Louise Fox; Deadline Gallipoli by Jacquelin Perske, Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland; and Love Child: Series 2 from Tim Pye, Cathryn Strickland, Chris McCourt, Jane Allen and Tamara Asmar. In the categories...
- 7/23/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
Chris Thomson, one of the founding directors of the burgeoning New Zealand film and television industry in the 1960s, died in Sydney after a sudden stroke on July 1. He was 70.
Born in Wellington, Thomson directed the first ever drama to air on New Zealand television, A Game for 5 Players, followed by the series The Alpha Plan.
After relocating to the UK in the early 1970s, he worked as a director with the BBC before returning to Australia to direct acclaimed miniseries 1915, Waterfront and The Last Bastion and the feature films The Empty Beach, The Perfectionist and The Delinquents.
He also directed the first ever episode of A Country Practice in 1981. During his long career he worked closely with some of Australia.s finest performers and crew including Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver, Bryan Brown, Greta Scacchi, Bill Hunter, Sigrid Thornton, Kylie Minogue, Ray Barrett, Andrew McFarlane, Bill Kerr, Lorraine Bayly, Noni Hazlehurst,...
Born in Wellington, Thomson directed the first ever drama to air on New Zealand television, A Game for 5 Players, followed by the series The Alpha Plan.
After relocating to the UK in the early 1970s, he worked as a director with the BBC before returning to Australia to direct acclaimed miniseries 1915, Waterfront and The Last Bastion and the feature films The Empty Beach, The Perfectionist and The Delinquents.
He also directed the first ever episode of A Country Practice in 1981. During his long career he worked closely with some of Australia.s finest performers and crew including Jack Thompson, Jacki Weaver, Bryan Brown, Greta Scacchi, Bill Hunter, Sigrid Thornton, Kylie Minogue, Ray Barrett, Andrew McFarlane, Bill Kerr, Lorraine Bayly, Noni Hazlehurst,...
- 7/2/2015
- by Matt Day
- IF.com.au
When Daina Reid was offered the chance to direct The Secret River, the ABC miniseries based on Kate Grenville.s novel, she found the subject confronting.
The 2-part drama, which premieres on June 14, depicts the dispossession of Indigenous Australians by the British colonialists.
.I was confronted by my own lack of education about our history,. says Reid, whose recent credits include Nowhere Boys, Offspring, Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of Inxs and Miss Fisher.s Murder Mysteries.
.I knew some of the stories from primary school but I remember learning about Aboriginal culture as if it was a dead culture..
Scripted by Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon, the $8.7 million drama stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Mr Selfridge, Raven, Dracula) as Will Thornhill, an English convict who is transported to Nsw in 1805.
Sarah Snook plays his wife Sal. Will.s claim over a piece of land on the Hawkesbury River brings...
The 2-part drama, which premieres on June 14, depicts the dispossession of Indigenous Australians by the British colonialists.
.I was confronted by my own lack of education about our history,. says Reid, whose recent credits include Nowhere Boys, Offspring, Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of Inxs and Miss Fisher.s Murder Mysteries.
.I knew some of the stories from primary school but I remember learning about Aboriginal culture as if it was a dead culture..
Scripted by Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon, the $8.7 million drama stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Mr Selfridge, Raven, Dracula) as Will Thornhill, an English convict who is transported to Nsw in 1805.
Sarah Snook plays his wife Sal. Will.s claim over a piece of land on the Hawkesbury River brings...
- 6/4/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The ABC's 1970s crime and political corruption drama Power Without Glory based on Frank Hardy.s classic 1950 novel is to get a remake.
Producer Jane Scott and screenwriter Jan Sardi have optioned the TV rights from Hardy.s estate and the screenplay will be written by Sardi and Mac Gudgeon.
Oscar Whitbread produced the 26-episode series which aired in 1976 and starred Martin Vaughan as John West, Heather Canning, Irene Inescort, Rosalind Speirs and George Mallaby.
Scott is shopping the project, envisioned as two series each of six episodes, to Australian and international networks and distributors. No director is aboard yet.
A fictionalised version of the life of Melbourne businessman and Alp power-broker John Wren, the plot followed rise of John West from his poverty stricken beginnings in the slums of Melbourne ín the late 19th century to one of the most powerful and corrupt men in the land. The primary...
Producer Jane Scott and screenwriter Jan Sardi have optioned the TV rights from Hardy.s estate and the screenplay will be written by Sardi and Mac Gudgeon.
Oscar Whitbread produced the 26-episode series which aired in 1976 and starred Martin Vaughan as John West, Heather Canning, Irene Inescort, Rosalind Speirs and George Mallaby.
Scott is shopping the project, envisioned as two series each of six episodes, to Australian and international networks and distributors. No director is aboard yet.
A fictionalised version of the life of Melbourne businessman and Alp power-broker John Wren, the plot followed rise of John West from his poverty stricken beginnings in the slums of Melbourne ín the late 19th century to one of the most powerful and corrupt men in the land. The primary...
- 5/13/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Jen Peedom.s feature doc Sherpa will have their world premieres at the Sydney Film Festival.
The festival program unveiled today includes 33 world premieres (including 22 shorts) and 135 Australian premieres (with 18 shorts) among 251 titles from 68 countries.
Among the other premieres will be Daina Reid.s The Secret River, Ruby Entertainment's. ABC-tv miniseries starring Oliver Jackson Cohen and Sarah Snook, and three Oz docs, Marc Eberle.s The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock .n. Roll, Steve Thomas. Freedom Stories and Lisa Nicol.s Wide Open Sky.
Festival director Nashen Moodley boasted. this year.s event will be far larger than 2014's when 183 films from 47 countries were screened, including 15 world premieres. The expansion is possible in part due to the addition of two new screening venues in Newtown and Liverpool.
As previously announced, Brendan Cowell...
The festival program unveiled today includes 33 world premieres (including 22 shorts) and 135 Australian premieres (with 18 shorts) among 251 titles from 68 countries.
Among the other premieres will be Daina Reid.s The Secret River, Ruby Entertainment's. ABC-tv miniseries starring Oliver Jackson Cohen and Sarah Snook, and three Oz docs, Marc Eberle.s The Cambodian Space Project — Not Easy Rock .n. Roll, Steve Thomas. Freedom Stories and Lisa Nicol.s Wide Open Sky.
Festival director Nashen Moodley boasted. this year.s event will be far larger than 2014's when 183 films from 47 countries were screened, including 15 world premieres. The expansion is possible in part due to the addition of two new screening venues in Newtown and Liverpool.
As previously announced, Brendan Cowell...
- 5/6/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Producing a TV drama series in a third world country can be a hazardous undertaking- particularly when Molotov cocktails are detonated in the city nearly every night.
That was one of the risks that Australian producer Mark Ruse faced when he spent the past year in the Bangladesh capital Dakar producing a 16-part series for the national broadcaster Btv.
Other occupational hazards included 100 days of strikes, violent street demonstrations, cars and buses being set on fire, and a cyclone. Despite all that Ruse tells If, .It was a lots of fun working around all these things to make a drama series..
He is partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment; their credits include Bed of Roses, Let Loose Live, The Murray Whelan telemovies and the movie The Extra.
Ruse was commissioned to create the series by the BBC, which produces TV projects in third world countries via its BBC Media Action program,...
That was one of the risks that Australian producer Mark Ruse faced when he spent the past year in the Bangladesh capital Dakar producing a 16-part series for the national broadcaster Btv.
Other occupational hazards included 100 days of strikes, violent street demonstrations, cars and buses being set on fire, and a cyclone. Despite all that Ruse tells If, .It was a lots of fun working around all these things to make a drama series..
He is partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment; their credits include Bed of Roses, Let Loose Live, The Murray Whelan telemovies and the movie The Extra.
Ruse was commissioned to create the series by the BBC, which produces TV projects in third world countries via its BBC Media Action program,...
- 2/9/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia board.s first meeting since Graeme Mason was hired as CEO was eventful as the agency approved $11 million investment in four feature films, four adult dramas and one children.s series.
All told, that will trigger $70 million in production. The features include family film Oddball from the team who made Kenny, starring Shane Jacobson and directed by his brother Clayton; and See-Saw Films. Life, which stars Dane DeHaan and Robert Pattinson.
Two theatrical documentaries were funded: Only the Dead, which explores the career of Australian war correspondent Michael Ware; and Sherpa: In the Shadow of the Mountain, which looks at the drama of a high altitude Everest expedition from the point of view of the Sherpas.
.This is a strong line-up of character-driven feature projects coming from an incredibly talented mix of filmmakers,. said Mason.
Scripted by Peter Ivan, Oddball centres on an eccentric chicken farmer who saves...
All told, that will trigger $70 million in production. The features include family film Oddball from the team who made Kenny, starring Shane Jacobson and directed by his brother Clayton; and See-Saw Films. Life, which stars Dane DeHaan and Robert Pattinson.
Two theatrical documentaries were funded: Only the Dead, which explores the career of Australian war correspondent Michael Ware; and Sherpa: In the Shadow of the Mountain, which looks at the drama of a high altitude Everest expedition from the point of view of the Sherpas.
.This is a strong line-up of character-driven feature projects coming from an incredibly talented mix of filmmakers,. said Mason.
Scripted by Peter Ivan, Oddball centres on an eccentric chicken farmer who saves...
- 12/5/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Channel Seven has picked up Fremantle Media’s drama Killing Time. The 10-part series starring David Wenham previously ran on Foxtel’s TV1.The announcement:
Channel Seven will soon air the award-winning crime drama Killing Time, starring David Wenham.
Killing Time is the true story of the rise and fall of notorious Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Andrew Fraser. His clients ranged from accused cop killers to the rich and famous including international businessman Alan Bond.
At the top of his game, Fraser commanded a huge salary and lived the dream. But when his cocaine addiction spiralled into a thousand dollar-a-day habit, his judgment became unsound and he crossed the line into the criminal milieu. He was disbarred, discredited, broken financially and his marriage was destroyed.
Caged amongst serial killers and psychopaths, Fraser is forced to reflect on where it all went so wrong, and try to salvage his shattered reputation.
Channel Seven will soon air the award-winning crime drama Killing Time, starring David Wenham.
Killing Time is the true story of the rise and fall of notorious Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Andrew Fraser. His clients ranged from accused cop killers to the rich and famous including international businessman Alan Bond.
At the top of his game, Fraser commanded a huge salary and lived the dream. But when his cocaine addiction spiralled into a thousand dollar-a-day habit, his judgment became unsound and he crossed the line into the criminal milieu. He was disbarred, discredited, broken financially and his marriage was destroyed.
Caged amongst serial killers and psychopaths, Fraser is forced to reflect on where it all went so wrong, and try to salvage his shattered reputation.
- 9/11/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
If there’s nothing particularly flooring about the narrative of Glendyn Ivin’s Last Ride - based on a Mac Gudgeon screenplay, which itself was taken from Denise Young’s 2004 novel – the film finds its stirring pulse in the way it unhurriedly frames a wounded father-son relationship against the never-ending landscapes of the Australian Outback. There is something immediately powerful about observing these two souls march through such a vast territory, because it sets up such a compelling incongruity; as they are surrounded by all the vast open-space the world can offer, the tension between them builds mightily so that even when young Chook (Tom Russell) stands alone atop the immense, puddle-coated Lake Gairdner, a sense of claustrophobia still trickles in. They are freed by their surroundings, but paralyzed by their past.
In an opening scene, when we see Kev (Hugo Weaving) cut his hair and beard in the bathroom of a roadside eatery,...
In an opening scene, when we see Kev (Hugo Weaving) cut his hair and beard in the bathroom of a roadside eatery,...
- 7/6/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Last Ride is a little Australian film that’s been around for over three years now having been released in that country back in 2009 as well as making its way around to several film festivals including Toronto’s. Whatever the reason was for the delay in bringing it to the states is unknown, though it could easily have something to do with the film itself. It tries to tell the simple story of a father and son attempting to make their way across the Australian Outback, but like the characters themselves, the film encounters a few problems along the way.
It starts off with Kev (Hugo Weaving) and his young son, Chook (Tom Russell), already on the road. At first, we’re to think that they are simply traveling somewhere, but the film slowly reveals through dialogue and flashbacks that Kev has done something that is making him flee from the police.
It starts off with Kev (Hugo Weaving) and his young son, Chook (Tom Russell), already on the road. At first, we’re to think that they are simply traveling somewhere, but the film slowly reveals through dialogue and flashbacks that Kev has done something that is making him flee from the police.
- 6/29/2012
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
An Australian film released in 2009 with Hugo Weaving in the lead role has been picked up for Us theatrical release.
With Content Films International the film’s sales agent, Music Box Films, picked up Last Ride for a 5 July release, beginning first in New York and Los Angeles.
Music Box Films recently also bought the same distribution company that will release Cate Shortland’s Lore in the Us.
The film was directed by Beaconsfield’s Glendyn Ivin, about a father and son who drive across Australia on the run from the law.
The film, which was written by Mac Gudgeon and based on a Denise Young novel and produced by Antonia Barnard and Nicholas Cole.
Barnard told Encore the film had been selling across international territories, slowly but surely and the three year gap since its local release didn’t concern her: “The momentum is great but if you don...
With Content Films International the film’s sales agent, Music Box Films, picked up Last Ride for a 5 July release, beginning first in New York and Los Angeles.
Music Box Films recently also bought the same distribution company that will release Cate Shortland’s Lore in the Us.
The film was directed by Beaconsfield’s Glendyn Ivin, about a father and son who drive across Australia on the run from the law.
The film, which was written by Mac Gudgeon and based on a Denise Young novel and produced by Antonia Barnard and Nicholas Cole.
Barnard told Encore the film had been selling across international territories, slowly but surely and the three year gap since its local release didn’t concern her: “The momentum is great but if you don...
- 6/26/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Harvey Keitel, Zoe Ventoura ("Packed to the Rafters") and Amber Clayton are currently in Surfers Paradise, Australia filming the true story thriller "Fatal Honeymoon" reports The Herald Sun.
Mac Gudgeon penned the script about the death of Alabama woman Tina Watson (played by Clayton) who was honeymooning on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003 when she died while scuba diving with her husband.
Keitel will play her father who began a fight for justice over his daughter's death. Billy Miller will play the husband who was later charged with manslaughter. Ventoura will play one of Tina's friends.
Mac Gudgeon penned the script about the death of Alabama woman Tina Watson (played by Clayton) who was honeymooning on the Great Barrier Reef in 2003 when she died while scuba diving with her husband.
Keitel will play her father who began a fight for justice over his daughter's death. Billy Miller will play the husband who was later charged with manslaughter. Ventoura will play one of Tina's friends.
- 5/3/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Margaret Pomeranz delivered a powerful keynote speech at the opening of the Spaa Conference yesterday in Sydney, and Encore has the full transcript of her meditation on the state of Australian film and television – and why Government and audiences should appreciate the arts a little more.
I’m extremely grateful to Spaa for inviting me to give this keynote speech today. It is the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture and I want to honour the man today. Hector put Australian television on the map, he made Australian accents acceptable in the media. Do you remember when we could only stomach New Zealanders reading our news because they sounded more English than us? Brian Henderson was a prime example. But more than that Hector validated Australian writers, Australian actors, directors, designers, a whole Australian infrastructure, Some of those people are still working today. In a very significant way Hector created an industry,...
I’m extremely grateful to Spaa for inviting me to give this keynote speech today. It is the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture and I want to honour the man today. Hector put Australian television on the map, he made Australian accents acceptable in the media. Do you remember when we could only stomach New Zealanders reading our news because they sounded more English than us? Brian Henderson was a prime example. But more than that Hector validated Australian writers, Australian actors, directors, designers, a whole Australian infrastructure, Some of those people are still working today. In a very significant way Hector created an industry,...
- 11/18/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Year: 2009
Directors: Glendyn Ivin
Writers: Mac Gudgeon
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: quietearth
Rating: 7.9 out of 10
When I asked my friend down under if there was a name for this wave of top notch gritty thrillers coming out of Australia he answered "Australian films are mostly always gritty thrillers which has become the definition of Australian film!". I'm not going to bother listing all the great films we've covered from Kangaroo land, but suffice it to say, I think this new wave certainly does need a name. Now if only I could think of one. And speaking of kangaroos, I'd love to see Vitali Klitschko go up against one.
Last Ride is not going to hit you over the head with a larger than life personality featured in some of the most loved, and biggest films. In fact, it does the opposite. It starts softly and continues slowly, never...
Directors: Glendyn Ivin
Writers: Mac Gudgeon
IMDb: link
Trailer: link
Review by: quietearth
Rating: 7.9 out of 10
When I asked my friend down under if there was a name for this wave of top notch gritty thrillers coming out of Australia he answered "Australian films are mostly always gritty thrillers which has become the definition of Australian film!". I'm not going to bother listing all the great films we've covered from Kangaroo land, but suffice it to say, I think this new wave certainly does need a name. Now if only I could think of one. And speaking of kangaroos, I'd love to see Vitali Klitschko go up against one.
Last Ride is not going to hit you over the head with a larger than life personality featured in some of the most loved, and biggest films. In fact, it does the opposite. It starts softly and continues slowly, never...
- 8/4/2009
- QuietEarth.us
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