AFC NEWS JUNE 2006 |
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In this issue:
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In this edition we feature an interview with Orson Welles' cinematographer Gary Graver who was recently in Australia as a guest of the National Film and Sound Archive, we celebrate the success of Australian films at Cannes and cover the 30th anniversary reception held there, and we announce the four new feature films to receive production funding through the AFC's IndiVision.
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- To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the AFC supporting Australian filmmakers at Cannes, the AFC, together with the Film Finance Corporation, the NSW Film and Television Office, Ausfilm, Film Victoria, South Australian Film Corporation and the Pacific Film and Television Commission, hosted a reception for over 500 people on Tuesday 23 May 2006 at Rado Beach in Cannes.
The reception created an opportunity to promote Australia and its filmmakers to the rest of the world, and to promote the eight Australian films selected for the festival: Ten Canoes (which won the special jury prize), Suburban Mayhem and 2:37 (screening in Un Certain Regard); Jindabyne (Directors' Fortnight); Look Both Ways (Critics' Week) and three shorts - Sexy Thing (Shorts Competition), Snow (Cinefondation) and a special out of Competition screening of The Water Diary.
Recognition at Cannes gives Australian films a solid and well-regarded platform from which to go to the international market. In addition to the Australian films screening in the festival, there were another 14 screening in the marketplace, and a record number of Australian industry professionals in attendance at this year's festival and market.
Read more about the reception here.
- The AFC is pleased to announce the release of the first feature to come out of the IndiVision low-budget feature initiative. The Caterpillar Wish is set in a small coastal town during one tumultuous winter. The film is about mothers, wives, fathers and husbands who are too afraid to confront the painful past or the untenable present - until a young girl takes action and changes everything. Starring Victoria Thaine, Susie Porter, Wendy Hughes, Robert Mammone, Philip Quast and newcomer Kahn Chittenden, it is set in the striking landscape of the South Australian town Robe.
The film opened Thursday 8 June in Palace cinemas across the country.
The AFC's IndiVision is a dynamic initiative supporting the development, production and promotion of outstanding low-budget feature dramas. IndiVision was directly conceived as a result of a $17.5 million increase in Government funding over 4 years to allow the AFC to support script development and low-budget features for professional development.
- In 2006 the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) is presenting Indie Screen, a selection of new Australian and international feature films, produced guerilla style on budgets of less than AUD$200,000. The films have used a variety of alternative production models, including small crews, short shoots and staggered schedules. In conjunction with the SFF, the AFC's IndiVision is presenting the Indie Screen Director Dialogues, two professional masterclasses for Australian filmmakers. The masterclasses will be given by Indie Screen guest directors Kelly Reichardt (Old Joy) from the US and Danny Lerner (Frozen Days) from Israel. They will talk about making distinctive work in a low-budget context.
Kelly Reichardt
10.00am, Tuesday 13 June
Danny Lerner
2.00pm, Wednesday 21 June
Both masterclasses will be held in the AFC Theatrette, Ground Floor, 150 William St, Woolloomooloo. Tickets for the Indie Screen Director Dialogues are free, but places are strictly limited. To request a place email info-indiescreen@afc.gov.au
Further information on the screenings and masterclasses is available here.
- An eerie supernatural drama and a tense genre thriller are among the four new films backed in the latest round of the IndiVision Production Fund. Two features received commitments for production funding: Lake Mungo, a disquieting study of grief and a disturbing tale of the uncanny and Black Water, a terrifying tale of survival, set in remote Australia. Two projects received commitments for post-production funding: All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane, a fresh romantic comedy about twentysomethings in Brisbane and Left Ear, the story of a lonely Polish immigrant in Australia who videos his life in an attempt to capture his dreams.
Click here for further information about the films. Applications for the next round of IndiVision Production Funding (Strand I) close Friday 4 August 2006.
- Check out the June issue of IndiVision News out now. This month we feature interviews with Australian filmmakers Geoffrey Wright (Macbeth, Romper Stomper), and Murali K. Thalluri and Nick Matthews (2:37). We also feature an interview with Israeli indie director Danny Lerner (Frozen Days), who is conducting a masterclass during the Sydney Film Festival. There's a project update on The Caterpillar Wish, the latest film festival deadlines, and much more.
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Alice Bell (writer) and Jan Chapman (executive producer), Suburban Mayhem, at the 30th anniversary Australian reception in Cannes. Photo: ACBP/Eric BONTE.
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Actor Victoria Thaine in the first IndiVision feature to be released, The Caterpillar Wish
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A still from Old Joy by US director Kelly Reichardt, who will be conducting an Indie Screen masterclass during the Sydney Film Festival
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- Several Film Development strands are undergoing major changes from 1 July 2006. Please consult the new Film Development Funding Guidelines published 1 July 2006 before lodging applications. Applicants can contact Film Development administration staff with specific queries. Phone: 02 9321 6444. The new Guidelines will be published on the AFC's Film Development homepage.
- AFC funding deadlines - June/July:
FILM DEVELOPMENT
16 June
Strand A1 - Draft Drama Funding (no feature credits) - FEATURES
Strand A2 - Draft Drama Funding - SHORT FEATURES or SHORT TV SERIES
30 June
Strand J - Documentary Early Development
Strand K - Documentary Development
7 July
New Screenwriters Program (NSP)
Strand L - Shooting Time-Critical Material
14 July
Strand G - Short Features and Animations and Short TV Drama Series Production (including animation)
21 July
Strand B - Seed Feature Funding
28 July
General Development Investment (GDI)
INDUSTRY AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
14 Aug 2006
ICD Interactive Media Fund
New Projects Fund
TRAVEL GRANTS
1 Aug
For attending MIPCOM: Television Market
Type B (Producers with market experience)
Type C (Producers developing market experience)
- AFC funding approvals.
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The AFC-funded animation Gloomy Valentine in production
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- In May, the National Awards for Cinematography were held in Canberra for the first time. At the same time, the NFSA joined with the Australian Cinematographers Society to present the Celebration of Cinematography Festival, a week of exciting events, high-profile guests and retrospective screenings. At the launch of the Festival, esteemed newsreel and documentary cameraman John Leake donated a historic Miller tripod to the NFSA.
- Warm up with the NFSA Cinémathèque's winter events in June. The celebration of the 'cult' of Orson Welles will continue at the Electric Shadows Cinemas throughout the month. And on 29 June documentary filmmaker John Hughes will be welcomed to Canberra for a preview of his new film The Archive Project.
- A Film Studies student from ANU, Zoe Warner, has recently completed an internship with the NFSA's Centre for Scholarly and Archival Research. During her internship, Zoe pursued her interest in the famous Australian film pioneer Raymond Longford by working on a collection that holds images of Longford's missing silent film The Mutiny of the Bounty. Read more about the project in the CSAR pages.
- Throughout June a group of artists are presenting a number of exciting site-specific works around Sydney. The NFSA has helped one of them, Michelle Outram, with her work located in the Domain. In her work, Michelle explores the influence of political speech on our society and our lives. Senior Curator of Recorded Sound at the NFSA, Matthew Davies, says that the NFSA has many speeches in the collection.
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Andrew Lesnie at the Celebration of Cinematography Festival in Canberra
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Bligh in the hands of the mutineers in Raymond Longford's The Mutiny of the Bounty.
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- High school and primary school teachers in regional areas who would like free cinema screenings of Australian films for their students can now book online. The AFC, through its Industry and Cultural Development program, offers school students the opportunity to view and discuss contemporary and classic features, shorts and documentaries in local communities throughout regional Australia. To book screenings, teachers can now access a quick and easy online booking system on the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) website. For more information about the program and the films, read the Screenings listings on the AFC website.
- The AFC's Black Screen program can supply DVD compiles of short films by Indigenous filmmakers free to communities, councils and groups for screening as part of NAIDOC Week (2-9 July) or other events. Event coordinators or community representatives can contact Emelda Davis, Black Screen Coordinator (emelda.davis@afc.gov.au) for more information including titles, synopses and promotional materials. See the Screenings listings on the AFC website.
- The AFC-supported animation Granny Queer won Best Animation at the 2006 San Francisco Women's Film Festival in May.
- The Australian films Candy, Ten Canoes, The Caterpillar Wish, Puppy, Unfolding Florence, Solo, Irresistible, Jindabyne, Like Minds and Kenny are screening in June/July so keep an eye out for them at your local cinema.
- Big Screen kicked off in Coober Pedy on 24 May with screenings for local school children. The Caves Convention Centre was dressed for the digital screenings of two Australian classics, No Worries and Muriel's Wedding, supported by two shorts from the newly classified AFTRS graduate program. A fabulous opening night at the Coober Pedy Drive-in featured a double bill of The Wog Boy and Oyster Farmer. Then an extensive satellite program hit the road on 28 May so local communities - William Creek, Maree, Leigh Creek, Copley, Nepabunna, Arkaroola and Blinman - could also experience Big Screen. This year's Big Screen is the most extensive tour ever undertaken, combining 35mm and digital to service remote and far-flung communities. For further details on the touring programs visit the Big Screen website.
- The following international film festival submission deadlines are coming up for June/July: Venice International Film Festival, Uppsala International Short Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Sheffield International Documentary Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, Cork Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, Pusan International Film Festival, Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, London Film Festival. See Festival Profiles for more information.
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A scene from the AFC-funded short The Djarn Djarns. Photo: Mark Rogers.
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- On 14 May the Attorney General announced that the Government will be introducing reforms to Australia's copyright regime. The reforms arise from the Government's review of Fair Use and Other Copyright Exceptions, and the review of the 2001 Digital Agenda copyright amendments.
The Attorney General's media release and an overview of the proposed reforms are available here.
The AFC's contributions to both of these reviews are available here.
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Actor Anh Do in Footy Legends
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Susan Sarandon as Sophie in Irresistable. Photo: John Tsiavis
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- Welcome to Gayle Lake - Assistant Curator RDSN; Andrew Ma - Policy Officer; Clare Strong - Marketing Assistant; Claire Jager - Project Manager, Film Development.
- Farewell to Sabina Finnern - Manager Marketing; Vipula Gunawardena - Lotus Notes Application Developer.
- Positions vacant: Human Resources Support Officer; ICD Audience Development Coordinator - Industry and Cultural Development; Researcher - Policy, Research and Communications; Reception/Administration Officer (Melbourne); Project Manager, Film Development.
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Laura Linney in Jindabyne. Photo: April Films
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- The AFC's Industry and Cultural Development Division proudly supports the following upcoming festivals:
Melbourne International Children's Festival - Little Big Shots
7-11 June (Melb)
14-18 June (Syd)
17 June - 1 July (Vic)
Sydney Film Festival
9-25 June
Sydney Film Festival - Digital Media Program
13-23 June
15/15 Film Festival
15 June - Sydney screening
See website for other tour venues
Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) &
Australian International Animation Festival (AIAF)
20-25 June
St Kilda Film Festival Tour
See website for tour venues and dates
- For the 2007 exhibition Experimenta Play, Experimenta is commissioning new interactive works that allow the audience to play and be played upon. Up to $6,000 per project is available for emerging and mid-career Australian artists to create new interactive media art works. Visit the Experimenta website to download the guidelines and application form. The closing date for applications is Friday 21 July.
- The 9th Canberra Institute of Technology Film and Television Awards (affectionately known as the FATs) will take place at the National Museum of Australia on Thursday 15 June at 7pm. The awards provide an opportunity for CIT's Communication Media and Music students to showcase their skills, and also gives the Canberra community a preview of their local filmmaking talent. For tickets and information call 02 6207 4348.
- The ATOM Film, Television and Multimedia Awards are calling for entries. Deadline 12 July. The awards presentation will be held in August at ACMI in Melbourne. Visit the ATOM Awards website for further details.
- Popcorn Taxi, a regular film event where filmmakers and film lovers can meet, watch films of all types, and discuss the filmmaking process all year round runs in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin. For further information and screening details visit the Popcorn Taxi website.
- mo:life monthly is an informal gathering on the second Monday of every month, that offers the opportunity to discuss the latest advances and opportunities in mobile media technology and culture. Find out about the various players and networks and what they offer, explore the capabilities of the latest handsets, and see what others around the globe are doing with this new format. Contact d.opitz@metroscreen.org.au
- Metro Screen's Members Production Group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm at Metro Screen. Meetings are open to all Metro Screen members and give you the opportunity to pitch new ideas, discuss your current projects, share skills and resources, and collaborate with others to produce your own films, TV content and media projects.
- ScreenWest and PAC Screen Workshops have announced the PAC Script Lab initiative, monthly rehearsed readings of West Australian feature film scripts on the last Sunday of each month. The aim is to hone West Australian scripts and increase the profile, quality and awareness of West Australian film projects.
- IF Magazine's What's On in Film guide to screen events is sponsored by the AFC. The January to June 2006 calendar is now available on the AFC website.
- Other AFC-supported activities and events.
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Cinematographers are rarely given the attention afforded directors, yet their craft is integral to the art of filmmaking, embodying the combination of technical know-how and aesthetics that underpins every film. The National Film and Sound Archive recently hosted a Celebration of Cinematography Festival to coincide with the 2006 National Awards for Cinematography, which were held in Canberra on 27 May. The festival featured several illustrious local and overseas guests, including Gary Graver, cinematographer on all Orson Welles' work from the late 1960s until Welles' death in 1985.
Graver's best-known collaboration with Welles is the highly innovative F for Fake (1974), made while they were working on Welles' unfinished feature film The Other Side of the Wind. This 'lost' final work has become the stuff of legend, described by Tim Cumming in The Guardian (9/1/2002) as "a nonlinear Hollywood Rashomon that explores…the terminal trajectory of a great man's life through the eyes of those around him." The film starred the great Hollywood director John Huston, whose reputation loomed almost as large as Welles'.
While in Australia, Graver talked with NFSA Chief Programmer Quentin Turnour about his ongoing attempts to get The Other Side of the Wind released, and the discovery of a little-known gem in the NFSA's National Collection.
We were just at the NFSA looking at a 16mm film in our collection called Orson Welles Tonight. You think it's something special. Can you tell me about it?
Before we started shooting The Other Side of the Wind in January 1971, we did a series of short stories, specifically for a department store called Sears Roebuck in the States. They were going to sell a console, like a television set, and on it you could play programs [supplied by Roebuck]. The first one was Orson Welles, and then they were going to have variety shows, music and everything. I don't know if they ever did that, or if it sold very well. But it was exclusive to the department store. You had to buy the console set, and then you got this program Orson Welles Tonight.
I think you've got everything [at the NFSA]. I thought most of it had been lost, apart from an episode held in the Munich film archive. I seem to remember 10 or 12 shows, but I think they were combined and made into one 50-minute program. I don't know what format [it was sold on]. We shot on 16mm and they put it on video. They were turned into cassettes, but they were not VHS or Beta.
How did you first become involved with Orson Welles?
I'd been in Vietnam in the US Navy as a combat cameraman. I had gone in under a ruse - I wasn't a cameraman, I faked it, but after shooting every day for two years I became a cameraman. Once I got out of the Navy I realised if I stayed a cameraman I would always work. There's always some fool wants to produce a movie, and they always need a cameraman.
I read in Variety that Orson was in Los Angeles, so I thought, 'Where would he be? The Beverley Hills Hotel!' So I was in Schwab's - the famous drug store where Lana Turner was discovered - and I went to the pay phone, called the Beverley Hills Hotel and said, 'The room of Orson Welles please'. The operator said 'Just a moment', and then all of a sudden: 'Hello!'
Read the full interview.
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Gary Graver at the Celebration of Cinematography Festival in Canberra
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