April 2008 Archives
We'll we're a little late with this post, what can I say, I was watching Big Brother.
TUESDAY
Channel 7 have two new shows premiering, both British. At 9:30pm is 'Mistresses' and then 'The Palace'. At 10:30pm, SBS's Hot Doc's features 'Bearing Witness' which asks the question, do men and women report the news differently?
WEDNESDAY
Channel 9 have a double episode of 'Underbelly' and their new drama series 'Canal Road' has already been pushed back to 10:30pm after just three weeks.
THURSDAY
ABC premiere the Mini Seires 'The State Within'.
FRIDAY
Channel 7 are screening the film 'Man on Fire' from Director Tony Scott, after midnight 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' is screening.
SATURDAY
ABC 2 begin a series of films from the Cannes Film Festival with 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
TUESDAY
Channel 7 have two new shows premiering, both British. At 9:30pm is 'Mistresses' and then 'The Palace'. At 10:30pm, SBS's Hot Doc's features 'Bearing Witness' which asks the question, do men and women report the news differently?
WEDNESDAY
Channel 9 have a double episode of 'Underbelly' and their new drama series 'Canal Road' has already been pushed back to 10:30pm after just three weeks.
THURSDAY
ABC premiere the Mini Seires 'The State Within'.
FRIDAY
Channel 7 are screening the film 'Man on Fire' from Director Tony Scott, after midnight 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' is screening.
SATURDAY
ABC 2 begin a series of films from the Cannes Film Festival with 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
THE GUARDIAN has an exclusive clip of Marjane Satrapi's feature animation 'Persepolis', which is soon to be released in the UK. It's a pretty interesting looking film, I hope we get to see it in Australia.
Our list of what aspiring filmmakers might wish to consder viewing on television this week.
SUNDAY
City of Men
11:10PM SBS Drama Series
This Nine part series was created as a follow up to the Academy Award winning film 'City of God'.
MONDAY
Funland
10:00PM SBS Drama Series
Written by Jeremy Dyson (League of Gentleman) and Simon Ashton (East Enders). SBS usually have fairly interesting things in this timeslot like 'Skins', 'Shameless' and 'Queer as Folk'.
TUESDAY
The Fog of War
10:00 SBS Documentary Feature
Eighty-five-year-old US statesman and businessman Robert S McNamara belies his age. He's fit, alert, feisty and entirely on top of memories as well as statistics. He claims that from 1961-68 the US came "within a hair's breadth" of nuclear war with the USSR three times. He mentions that, while the CIA was convinced that Cuba in October 1962 had the missiles but not the warheads, Fidel Castro personally told him 30 years later that not only were there many nuclear warheads on the island at the time, but that he recommended that Khruschev use them, knowing full well that Cuba would be wiped out as a result.
This Academy Award winning documnetary was directed by the legendary fiolmmaker Errol Morris.
The Loop
11:30PM SEVEN Sit-com
This sit-com ran for two seasons in the USA before getting the bog axe. Well known actors Mimi Rodgers and Philip Baker Hall co-star amongst a cast of younger lesser known actors.
THURSDAY
Galippoli Submarine
8:30pm ABC Documentary
Made by local production company Electric Pictures this film is a clever combination of re-enactment and treasue hunt. If you think you know the ANZAC story - think again, this is definately worth tuning in for.
The West Wing
10:20pm W Drama Series
Foxtel plays 'The West Wing' on an almost constant cycle, however this week is a watershed moment, they will play Season 4, previously they've been playing a cycle of Seasons 1-3.
FRIDAY
Casulties of War
11:25PM ABC Drama Feature
Sean Penn and Michael J Fox star in this dramatic film from Brian De Palma. Look out for John C Rielly and John Leguizamo making their screen debuts.
SUNDAY
City of Men
11:10PM SBS Drama Series
This Nine part series was created as a follow up to the Academy Award winning film 'City of God'.
MONDAY
Funland
10:00PM SBS Drama Series
Written by Jeremy Dyson (League of Gentleman) and Simon Ashton (East Enders). SBS usually have fairly interesting things in this timeslot like 'Skins', 'Shameless' and 'Queer as Folk'.
TUESDAY
The Fog of War
10:00 SBS Documentary Feature
Eighty-five-year-old US statesman and businessman Robert S McNamara belies his age. He's fit, alert, feisty and entirely on top of memories as well as statistics. He claims that from 1961-68 the US came "within a hair's breadth" of nuclear war with the USSR three times. He mentions that, while the CIA was convinced that Cuba in October 1962 had the missiles but not the warheads, Fidel Castro personally told him 30 years later that not only were there many nuclear warheads on the island at the time, but that he recommended that Khruschev use them, knowing full well that Cuba would be wiped out as a result.
This Academy Award winning documnetary was directed by the legendary fiolmmaker Errol Morris.
The Loop
11:30PM SEVEN Sit-com
This sit-com ran for two seasons in the USA before getting the bog axe. Well known actors Mimi Rodgers and Philip Baker Hall co-star amongst a cast of younger lesser known actors.
THURSDAY
Galippoli Submarine
8:30pm ABC Documentary
Made by local production company Electric Pictures this film is a clever combination of re-enactment and treasue hunt. If you think you know the ANZAC story - think again, this is definately worth tuning in for.
The West Wing
10:20pm W Drama Series
Foxtel plays 'The West Wing' on an almost constant cycle, however this week is a watershed moment, they will play Season 4, previously they've been playing a cycle of Seasons 1-3.
FRIDAY
Casulties of War
11:25PM ABC Drama Feature
Sean Penn and Michael J Fox star in this dramatic film from Brian De Palma. Look out for John C Rielly and John Leguizamo making their screen debuts.
Well known Director of Photography, and former Perth resident, Denson Baker has been interviewed on ABC Radio National's Movie Time Program. In the 'Trash and Treasure' segement Denson talks about his love of Kathryn Bigalow's 'Strange Days'.
If you're interested in delving deeper into this film, it's also worthwhile to seek out a copy of James Cameron's book, a combination of script and treatment.
If you're interested in delving deeper into this film, it's also worthwhile to seek out a copy of James Cameron's book, a combination of script and treatment.
Earlier this week Yvette Coyne and I dropped in on the students in the Advanced Diploma in Screen (Video Production) as they shot the dramatic film 'Spirits'. The total shoot was just five days, an intensive and busy experience for everyone.
Ollie Johnston, the last of Disney's famous Nine Old Men passed away earlier this week, on April 14th, he was 95.Johnston was born in California in 1912 and studied at Stanford University, while working on the Universities humorous publication 'Stanford Chaparrel' he met Frank Thomas, who would become a life long friend and colleague. Johnston joined Disney in 1935, shortly after his friend Thomas, and remained part of the team for 43 years until 1978.
Walt Disney refered to his nine crack animators as his nine old men, borrowing the phrase from President Johnston's description of the US Supreme Court, even though most of the nine were still in their 20's. The name stuck making Johnston an acknowledged 'old man' for all of his life.
Johnston and Thomas used to drive into the studio's together using the 45 minute commute to plan their work day and generate ideas. Ollie Johnston worked on 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves', 'Fantasia', 'Bambi' and Pinoccio'. His last work was on 'The Rescuers' where he is charactured as the character of Rufus the Cat. In 1978 both Johnston and Thomas retired from Disney.
Once retired the pair authored 'The Illusion of Life' a book that documented many of the techniques of early animation, especially those used at the Disney studios. Today the book remains an essential text for character animators. The Nine Old Men established Disney's 12 Rules for Animation, rules which are still the basis for animation training today.
The pair still had a lifelong association with Disney, FTI's Animation Lecturer Stephen Grant recalls meeting both Johnston and Thomas when they visited the Australian Studios in the 1990's. Johnston and Thomas were also importalised on film, their collaborative partnership is depicted in the documentary film 'Frank and Ollie'. Thomas passed away in 2004, aged 92.
Johnston's hobby outside of work was scale railroads, a passion that he passed on to his boss Walt Disney. In 2005 one of Johnston locomotives was bought by PIXAR boss John Lasseter, who restored it and then surprised Johnston by luring him to the Disney Theme park before opening under the pretence that he would be recieving an award. Once the award was presented the fully restored Marie E, named after the Animators late wife appeared as a surprise.
In 2005 Johnston was presented with the National; Medal of the Arts which was presented to him in the Oval office by President Bush.
PIXAR Director Brad Bird has also paid tribute to Johnston and Thomas in his film 'The Incredibles' where they appear as two old men, the pair also had a cameo in Bird's earlier film 'The Iron Giant'.
While the last of the nine old men is no longer with us, their timeless work on those classic Disney films is sure to be with us for a long time to come, and thier skills and knowledge have influenced many animators who have followed.
Screenwest and the Department of Culture and the Arts has just released a report they commissed into Digital Media and the Arts in Western Australia. The report was written by Kate Rothschild and it's worth a read.
Both the state and federal governments in the last few years has commissioned a variety of reports on the digital content sector, some are public while toher have not seen the public light of day. The great thing about this report is it highlights what needs to be done and has a great 'get on with it' ethos.
Kate interviewed a huge variety of people when she was researching, we talked for a few hours when she came to FTI about a millions and one different things. In WA we seem to be quite conervative and slow to embrace new things, I'm not sure why this is, it's not necisarily an Anustralian things, maybe an isolation factor?
In the report this blog is even quoted, which was quite a surprise, the quote is from this post back in September 07 on working in niches.
Both the state and federal governments in the last few years has commissioned a variety of reports on the digital content sector, some are public while toher have not seen the public light of day. The great thing about this report is it highlights what needs to be done and has a great 'get on with it' ethos.
Kate interviewed a huge variety of people when she was researching, we talked for a few hours when she came to FTI about a millions and one different things. In WA we seem to be quite conervative and slow to embrace new things, I'm not sure why this is, it's not necisarily an Anustralian things, maybe an isolation factor?
In the report this blog is even quoted, which was quite a surprise, the quote is from this post back in September 07 on working in niches.
So instead of talking about niches, maybe we should use a different language to drive things forward. Maybe we should begin talking about how we are distinct and how we can stand out from the crowd. What if we started asking filmmakers to make things that were radical, challenging, disruptive, controversial, creative, and outrageous? What if these became our words.Blogs are often stream of conciousness affairs, often in reviewing older posts you find your thoughtsd have moved on, your position changes. A few people have asked me this week if I still think we lack 'outrageous creativity' or need more 'controvertial storytellers'? and the answer is YES - bring on more of the radical craziness.
TV Tonight is reporting that Chanel 9 has taken the axe to Steve Jacobs new game show 'The Power of Ten', after just two episodes. I'm not surprised, I got annoyed with all the 'wooing' and 'whoaing' within about 5 minutes of watching the premiere episode.
This show's problems were obvious, it was too similar to other game shows of recent years, the set, the music, the 'let's find out after the ad break' tactic. Game Shows are a staple part of light entertainment TV, yet it is a rare occurance that you hear a young filmmaker say "I have a great idea for a game show". It's an area of TV that we seem to not think of.
The reality of game shows is that they're not about the game - they're about the entertainment. Half laughs and half suspense. When we think back on 'Sale of the Century' it's as much about Tony and Alyce's banter and hijinks as the suspence of who will win. The game shows on the ABC understand this, who won on 'Spics and Specks' last week? It doesn't matter.
The most successful game shows have largely done away with contestants and replaced them with celebrities and comedians. 'Spicks and Specs', 'Good News Week', 'Rock Wiz' are all good examples. In the UK Stephen Fry's 'QI' is wonderfully entertaining - in fact it nails the challenge on the head completely. In 'QI' which stands for Quite Interesting' celebrity guests are given points for being interesting, this is worth more points than actually being correct.
The other thing the axing of 'The Power of Ten' shows is that on commercial Tv you have to have an audience, and you have to get it from episode one. 'Rove' is stuggling with ratings two weeks into his new season - same rule applies - be more interesting.
Any bets on how many weeks Rove has?
This show's problems were obvious, it was too similar to other game shows of recent years, the set, the music, the 'let's find out after the ad break' tactic. Game Shows are a staple part of light entertainment TV, yet it is a rare occurance that you hear a young filmmaker say "I have a great idea for a game show". It's an area of TV that we seem to not think of.
The reality of game shows is that they're not about the game - they're about the entertainment. Half laughs and half suspense. When we think back on 'Sale of the Century' it's as much about Tony and Alyce's banter and hijinks as the suspence of who will win. The game shows on the ABC understand this, who won on 'Spics and Specks' last week? It doesn't matter.
The most successful game shows have largely done away with contestants and replaced them with celebrities and comedians. 'Spicks and Specs', 'Good News Week', 'Rock Wiz' are all good examples. In the UK Stephen Fry's 'QI' is wonderfully entertaining - in fact it nails the challenge on the head completely. In 'QI' which stands for Quite Interesting' celebrity guests are given points for being interesting, this is worth more points than actually being correct.
The other thing the axing of 'The Power of Ten' shows is that on commercial Tv you have to have an audience, and you have to get it from episode one. 'Rove' is stuggling with ratings two weeks into his new season - same rule applies - be more interesting.
Any bets on how many weeks Rove has?
I recently went along to another of the PAC Sceen Workshops, Script Reading sessions. These friendly sessons see a yet to be produced screenplay being read by a cast of porfessional actors. It's a great opportunity for a writer to hear their words actucally being said, gage an audiences reaction to the story and generate interest amongst producers.
Last month saw a reading of 'Nuclear Family' a film that is very close to going into production, it has Producers, and an established Director attached. It was a near perfect film script.
This month we visited the other end of the process. 'Catching Up with Henry and Aaron' is written by experienced short film Writer/Directors Henry Inglis and Aaron McCann. I'm guessing that they might be at second draft stage of their script, and it's important to remember that when considering their work, each draft that is yet to come with refine their work, clarify the films messages, tighten it's story, deepen it's characters.
So at the moment, 'Catching Up with Henry and Aaron' was a slightly rambling and long story about two friends and their attepts to find fame and fortune as radio DJ's. At the moment the characters lack a central motivation and it's not really clear what's at stake if they don't succeed in thier quest. There are still too many ideas and ingedients in the mix, but these will disapear with editing. What does shine through however is a lot of natural comedy - this film could be a great comedy, a 'Aaron and Henry go to White Castle' styled journey.
One thing you do loose at a screen reading, especially when reading a comedy, is the potential for visual storytelling. Visual humour is not conveyed, and maybe it's not yet in the script. I'd love to see some of the scenes from this script workshoped.
If you've never been, check out the next PAC Script Reading - they're always entertaining and insightful.
Last month saw a reading of 'Nuclear Family' a film that is very close to going into production, it has Producers, and an established Director attached. It was a near perfect film script.
This month we visited the other end of the process. 'Catching Up with Henry and Aaron' is written by experienced short film Writer/Directors Henry Inglis and Aaron McCann. I'm guessing that they might be at second draft stage of their script, and it's important to remember that when considering their work, each draft that is yet to come with refine their work, clarify the films messages, tighten it's story, deepen it's characters.
So at the moment, 'Catching Up with Henry and Aaron' was a slightly rambling and long story about two friends and their attepts to find fame and fortune as radio DJ's. At the moment the characters lack a central motivation and it's not really clear what's at stake if they don't succeed in thier quest. There are still too many ideas and ingedients in the mix, but these will disapear with editing. What does shine through however is a lot of natural comedy - this film could be a great comedy, a 'Aaron and Henry go to White Castle' styled journey.
One thing you do loose at a screen reading, especially when reading a comedy, is the potential for visual storytelling. Visual humour is not conveyed, and maybe it's not yet in the script. I'd love to see some of the scenes from this script workshoped.
If you've never been, check out the next PAC Script Reading - they're always entertaining and insightful.
Our Diploma of Animation students at FTI have been wokring with Animators Rosie Lau and Timothy Merks over the last few weeks exploring the art of making maquettes, and stop motion animation. Take a look at some of their work.
Playing with Stop-Mo
Tim refelcts on the class
Playing with Stop-Mo
Tim refelcts on the class
There's not many new programs starting in TV this week, Channel 9 has a new reality show about child stars and stage parents. The new series of Sea Patrol started last week and was good. There is some good documentaries on this week.
SUNDAY
Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows
7:30PM THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL Mini Series
Australian Actress Judy Davis was awarded with an Emmy for her portrayal of Judy Garland in this miniseries.
MONDAY
The Last Waltz
7:30PM OVATION Documentary
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton
9:35PM ABC Documentary
In Angels and Demons, Andrew discovers what it feels like to lose your mind - and get it back again. In a world that's often invisible because - in our fear - we choose to look away, Andrew starts at the 2007 Annual Mental Health Services Conference in Melbourne, where he meets people from many walks of life who have struggled with severe mental illness.
TUESDAY
Afterlife
6:30pm UKTV or 1:35AM (wed) Nine Drama
Eight-year-old Carly Tufnell has gone missing and the police have no leads whatsoever. Her distraught parents make an emotional televised appeal, desperate to know whether their daughter is alive or dead. The next day, Alison is frozen to the spot when she sees a ghost standing in front of her, dripping wet and shivering. Could it be Carly? Stars Adrian Lester and Lesley Sharp.
Interesting that this UK show is being shown simulteneously on Pay Tv and Free to Air.
WEDNESDAY
The Oasis
8:30PM ABC Documentary
This documentary, filmed over two years, follows the daily chaos and drama of a group of homeless kids who have found solace and family at Oasis - a youth refuge run by Salvation Army Captain Paul Moulds.
They played a preview of this at AIDC and it looked very good.
SUNDAY
Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows
7:30PM THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL Mini Series
Australian Actress Judy Davis was awarded with an Emmy for her portrayal of Judy Garland in this miniseries.
MONDAY
The Last Waltz
7:30PM OVATION Documentary
On Thanksgiving Day, 1976, The Band gave its farewell concert at
Winterland in San Francisco. On hand to help say goodbye to this
influential rock group were some of the most acclaimed musicians of the
late 1960s and '70s. This film is not only a vibrant documentary of
that historic evening, but also a commentary on the rock world at the
time. Most of the picture is concert footage of The Band and their
guest performers - highlighted by interviews with members of the group,
who eloquently articulate their personal involvement in the history of
rock and roll. Directed by Martin Scorsesee.
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton
9:35PM ABC Documentary
In Angels and Demons, Andrew discovers what it feels like to lose your mind - and get it back again. In a world that's often invisible because - in our fear - we choose to look away, Andrew starts at the 2007 Annual Mental Health Services Conference in Melbourne, where he meets people from many walks of life who have struggled with severe mental illness.
TUESDAY
Afterlife
6:30pm UKTV or 1:35AM (wed) Nine Drama
Eight-year-old Carly Tufnell has gone missing and the police have no leads whatsoever. Her distraught parents make an emotional televised appeal, desperate to know whether their daughter is alive or dead. The next day, Alison is frozen to the spot when she sees a ghost standing in front of her, dripping wet and shivering. Could it be Carly? Stars Adrian Lester and Lesley Sharp.
Interesting that this UK show is being shown simulteneously on Pay Tv and Free to Air.
WEDNESDAY
The Oasis
8:30PM ABC Documentary
This documentary, filmed over two years, follows the daily chaos and drama of a group of homeless kids who have found solace and family at Oasis - a youth refuge run by Salvation Army Captain Paul Moulds.
They played a preview of this at AIDC and it looked very good.
