Screen Australia Podcast

Director, writer and producer Jocelyn Moorhouse talks about directing six-episode ABC crime drama Savage River, working with cinematographer Don McAlpine ACS ASC, creating TV vs features such as The Dressmaker, getting the tone right in dark comedies, and general advice.

Director Dylan River talks about moving into longform TV with ABC TV series Mystery Road: Origin, while Macario De Souza makes the shift from documentary features like Bra Boys to his feature drama debut with 6 Festivals. Both filmmakers discuss making the leap and their latest projects.

SBS Head of Scripted Julie Eckersley on what SBS are and aren’t looking for, how to pitch an idea to them, creating pathways for emerging talent, TV ratings, binge culture and more.

SBS Scripted Pitch Deck Guide: https://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/diversity-commissioning/assets/pdf/SBS-Scripted-Pitch-Deck-Guide.pdf

Kristin Voumard talks about the role of a Script Supervisor, film vs digital, how genres impact her work, advice, and career highlights including TV series Round the Twist and Rake, Aussie films such as Lantana, and studio movies like Mission: Impossible II and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations Angela Bates talks through the challenges and achievements of projects including Sydney Film Festival opening night anthology feature We Are Still Here, and TV dramas Mystery Road: Origin and True Colours, as well as speaking to talent escalation, initiatives, pitching, and her thoughts on the screen sector.

https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/showcases/spotlight-on-first-nations-voices

https://www.naidoc.org.au/

Elvis writer/director/producer Baz Luhrmann, production designer/costume designer/producer Catherine Martin and director of photographer Mandy Walker ACS ASC break down their approach to filming the Warner Bros movie, which despite being set in 50s, 60s and 70s America was filmed on location in Queensland, Australia. The trio discuss how important pre-production was in creating a cohesive visual look and creative choices they made such as bespoke Panavision lenses.

The Screen Australia delegation to Cannes and local creatives share insights and takeaways from the prestigious festival and market, which was back in full force in 2022.

On the latest episode of the Screen Australia podcast, Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason and Michele McDonald, the Producer Offset and Co-Production Unit (POCU) Senior Manager, talk through changes to legislation governing the Producer Offset, the refundable tax rebate that Screen Australia administers on behalf of the Federal Government. They also discuss changes as well as the updated Screen Australia guidelines, key areas assessors look at, the most common mistakes they see in applications (and how it holds up the process), as well as advice on everything from getting your Final Certificate to general ledgers. A must-listen for any Australian screen producers.

Funding and support page here

Vodcast here

Ahead of the Australian Feature Film Summit, hear from Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason, producer Sue Maslin AO, marketing and distribution expert Courtney Botfield, Transmission Films’ Andrew Mackie, director/producer Robert Connolly; and Madman Films’ senior marketing manager Michael Matrenza, who talk about how data around audience, box office and sales informs their business and creative choices.

Fact Finders: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders 

Marketplace: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support/television/sales-and-distribution-support 

Australian Feature Film Summit: https://www.affsummit.com.au/ 

The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson writer, director, producer and star Leah Purcell talks about the journey of the feature film - a re-imagining of Henry Lawson’s classic story, which she first adapted into an acclaimed play, followed by the film and a novel. Purcell talks about the challenges of adaptation, the importance of having a personal connection to her feature directorial debut, working with locations during the shoot, and the difference between directing television series such as Redfern Now, Secret Daughter and Cleverman compared to film.

Watch The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson in Australian cinemas from 5 May 2022.