Screen Australia Podcast

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.

Three experts on marketing explain what it is, why you should be thinking about it even before the cameras start rolling, and practical steps to identify your audience, know what assets you need and much more. Get marketing advice for putting together a Screen Australia application, hear insights from a distributor POV, and find out about the importance of key art. Guests include: Screen Australia Distribution Manager Anthony Grundy, Madman Entertainment Senior Marketing Manager Michael Matrenza and Carnival Studio's Demi Hopkins. Find A Practical Guide to Key Art here

River co-director and co-writer Jennifer Peedom from Stranger Than Fiction Films talks about the making of the "sequel" to Mountain in collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, how Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood became involved, plans to move into drama filmmaking and why doco and drama are more similar than people think.

Producer Naomi Cleaver talks about producing an enormous studio TV series like NBCUniversal's La Brea and the benefits of being able to do so in Victoria, as well as talking about the production department more generally – including the different roles she has worked across, from production coordinator, to production manager and then line producer on projects like Oddball and the Mystery Road TV series.

Screen Australia's outgoing Head of Content Sally Caplan reflects on her eight years at the agency, changes in the screen sector both here and globally, advice to applicants and more. Sally holds more than 25 years' of international experience across financing, development, acquisition, production and distribution, which has included roles such as MD of eOne International, head of the UK Film Council's Premiere Fund, and President of Icon Film Distribution UK.

Head of Content Tyler Bern talks through the strategy for Amazon Prime Video Australia, advice for anyone hoping to pitch to Amazon and what kind of ideas they are looking for. Bern also reveals the new hire who will be leading their scripted slate, and explains how upcoming TV adaptation The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart came to Amazon Prime Video.

Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason looks at the record-breaking numbers in the 2020/21 Drama Report, before executive producers Andrea Denholm of ABC series Fires and Catherine Nebauer from International Emmy-award winning kids' TV series Hardball and Paramount+ TV drama Spreadsheet give their insights into what production has been like on the ground. For more info, click here: https://bit.ly/3owNuun

Australian director of photography Greig Fraser ACS, ASC, talks about working on the epic new feature Dune, including collaborating with director Denis Villeneuve, shooting on IMAX, the switch from his Emmy-award winning work on The Mandalorian to a new sci-fi world, and how his lighting approach on Australian features Lion and Mary Magdalene helped with filming some of those big desert sequences in Dune.

Australian cinematographer Ari Wegner ACS talks about working with director Jane Campion on The Power of the Dog including spending a year in pre, shooting New Zealand as 1920s Montana, and what it was like switching to a handheld camera style for some scenes with the always-in-character Benedict Cumberbatch.

Nakkiah Lui on getting her start in the screen industry on Black Comedy, writing for stage and screen, staying on track during long development periods, and how a very real fascination with doomsday prepping led to co-creating, co-writing and starring in the new ABC half hour comedy Preppers.

For her first feature documentary Under the Volcano, Australian producer Cody Greenwood needed to licence music for 30 songs from the likes of Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Duran Duran and more. She breaks down the ins and outs of music licensing and dealing with archival footage, as well as getting that first interview with Sting, working with director Gracie Otto, and advice. Visit https://www.underthevolcanomovie.com to stream, rent, or buy.

Screen composer Caitlin Yeo talks about her career writing music for film, television and documentary, and how she went about creating the score for the epic four-part SBS series New Gold Mountain – a murder mystery set in the Australian gold rush and told from a Chinese perspective – including working with director Corrie Chen, instrument choice, and breaking down the title music in detail.

Journalist, documentary-maker and presenter Marc Fennell talks about his latest work hosting ABC documentary series The School That Tried to End Racism and more broadly about his career to date, including interviewing techniques, his approach to research, why he always like to have at least two jobs on the go, and how he's navigated a constantly changing media and screen landscape.

Screenwriter Bevan Lee, who created such TV series as All Saints, Always Greener, Winners & Losers, A Place to Call Home and Packed to the Rafters, talks about creating Amazon Australia's First Scripted Original Series Back to the Rafters, working with streamers, the power of nostalgia, and his advice for writers.

Screenwriter Jon Bell discusses working on new Channel Seven drama series RFDS, creating a strong sense of place through characters, and his award-winning First Nations psychological horror short, The Moogai, which he wrote and directed and which he's developing into a feature with Causeway Films.

Michael Lucas on creating, producing and writing on new ABC series The Newsreader, as well as working as a writer more broadly, including learnings from script editing Rosehaven that he took to co-creating Five Bedrooms; paying it forward as a producer; returning to work with directors such as Peter Templeman and Emma Freeman; and advice for writers wanting to break into the industry.

Mithila Gupta talks about her pathway to screenwriting, her process, juggling projects as a freelance writer, how she came to work on Five Bedrooms, and how the writers' room on Five Bedrooms works – from plotting to writing episodes.

Director Stevie Cruz-Martin discusses moving from features like the 2017 film Pulse, to the fast-paced world of Australian television with the 6 x 10 minute SBS series The Tailings; the importance of rehearsal time especially when working with first-time actors; lighting set-up choices to maximise shooting time; and her collaborative approach with producer Liz Doran, writer and creator Caitlin Richardson, and the rest of the heads of department. Watch The Tailings Behind the Scenes video here.

Love on the Spectrum director and co-creator Cian O'Clery talks about his unconventional road to documentary making, from being a driver on films like the Matrix sequels, to finding his way into reality television, and then getting his big break in factual TV with Northern Pictures. He also breaks down his approach to Love on the Spectrum, including stylistic choices, how many cameras were used, shooting schedules and more.

Vanessa Gazy talks about how the chance to create, executive produce and write on new Stan Original series Eden came about; having four days to write a bible; developing TV for Netflix; the differences in creating TV for the US and Australia; as well as her advice for anyone going into a pitch meeting.

Producers Hayley Adams and Michelle Melky of new TikTok series Scattered run through everything you need to know about making content for the app, from working in a vertical frame, to writing one-minute episodes, how music on the app works, and why they think it's the perfect platform if you're an emerging storyteller.

Netflix ANZ's Que Minh Luu and Nakul Legha talk to their programming strategy for both commissions and licencing, things to keep in mind before pitching, and what they are and aren't looking for. The pair also detail their upcoming slate and address the controversy around upcoming docusoap Byron Baes.

To mark the 20th anniversary of Moulin Rouge!, writer, director and producer Baz Luhrmann and production and costume designer Catherine Martin look back on making the movie musical – remembering the Sydney shoot, their proudest moments, the audience reaction at Cannes Film Festival and around the globe, as well as their thoughts on the stage show opening in Australia two decades after the film premiered.

Lingo Pictures General Manager Tess Novak, Arenamedia founder Robert Connolly and Screen Australia Marketplace Manager Rakel Tansley break down Marketplace - the free industry resource to help finance and exploit projects, and make sure screen creatives are getting the best deals. Available to anyone – whether you have received funding or not. Podcast – Finance Plans Explained Podcast – Distribution 101 Best Practice When Selling Rights

Screenwriter Liz Doran of Please Like Me, Doctor Doctor, Dance Academy, Ready for This and more talks about the challenges of jumping from writing to producing for new SBS series The Tailings. Liz also talks to the power of mentorships, her advice for applying for funding and her tips for producers and writers. Watch all episodes of The Tailings on SBS On Demand now: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/the-tailings Find Liz's projects and where to watch them through The Screen Guide: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/p/liz-doran/5806/

Wakefield showrunners Kristen Dunphy and Sam Meikle talk through the challenges of making the complex eight-part psychological mystery, as well as how music influences their writing, working with directors Jocelyn Moorhouse and Kim Mordaunt, and the stresses and silver linings of having a project shut down by COVID-19. Watch all episodes of Wakefield on ABC iview from 2 April, or on ABC TV from 18 April. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Author, playwright and screenwriter Debra Oswald reflects on her career, the process of developing her latest book The Family Doctor into a six-part TV series, advice for writers, and her takeaways from creating hit TV series Offspring - including how she feels looking back at the passionate online reaction from fans to the death of a beloved character. Subscribe to Screen Australia's e-newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Australians in Film Executive Director Peter Ritchie on what he's learned working in Hollywood, and their call-out for new screenwriters and directors to learn from some of the biggest names in the business including Warwick Thornton, Taika Waititi, Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films, Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment. It's part of a new Australians in Film program called Untapped, which you can apply for here:https://australiansinfilm.org/untapped/ Also read Peter's advice piece: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/screen-news/2019/11-26-hollywood-is-a-strategy-game

Aunty Donna director Max Miller on the steps that led to their Netflix series Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, working with executive producers including Ed Helms (The Hangover, The Office) and Scott Aukerman from Comedy Bang! Bang!, tips for building an audience on YouTube, their process when it comes to filming sketch comedy, and advice for anyone wanting to get into directing or making content for online platforms. Aunty Donna's Industry Insights article Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun is on Netflix now. Check out Glennridge Secondary College and 1999 on YouTube. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Producers David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin from Bunya Productions on developing ideas; working on TV series Mystery Road, which topped the Australian TV drama ratings for 2020; creating stories with something to say; and producing new frontier feature High Ground starring Simon Baker and newcomer Jacob Junior Nayinggul. Please note for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners that the following interview may contain references to the names of deceased people. High Ground is out now in Australian cinemas. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Australian producer Bruna Papandrea speaks to her love of adaptations, from The Dry to Penguin Bloom, Gone Girl, Wild and Big Little Lies; how they decide if a story suits the television or film format; starting the production company Made Up Stories in 2017; pitching to different television streamers; and her advice to producers. The Dry is in Australian cinemas now, while Penguin Bloom releases 21 January. Catch The Undoing is on Foxtel and streaming service Binge. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

The Dry star/producer Eric Bana, and co-writer/director/producer Robert Connolly discuss bringing Jane Harper's bestselling crime novel to life on the big screen; why The Dry was shot on large-format cameras; what Eric enjoyed about being a producer on the feature; and their advice for Australian creatives. The Dry releases in Australian cinemas on 1 January 2021. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Screen Australia's Head of Indigenous Penny Smallacombe on consultation, collaboration, non-Indigenous Australians telling Indigenous stories, and why the screen industry is on the precipice of change. Hear from Penny and other Indigenous Australians and people of colour in this piece from The Guardian that's mentioned throughout the podcast. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Hear about the ways the Australian screen industry has persevered in the midst of a global pandemic as told by Five Bedrooms' COVID safety supervisor Philli Anderson, Why Are You Like This producer Sarah Freeman and Screen Australia's CEO Graeme Mason. Read more about the Drama Report findings here: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2020/11-25-drama-report-2019-20-impact-pandemic Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Representatives from the various departments at Screen Australia share their top tips for anyone putting together an application. Visit Screen Australia's funding and support page: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Doctor Doctor and The Unlisted director Lucy Gaffy delivers observations and learnings from her career in Australian television, from her experience stepping onto a large-scale set for the first time, making the most of opportunities and advice for emerging filmmakers wanting to make the leap to long-form. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Business affairs and global brand partnerships specialist Madeline Miller on her move from Australia to the US, her work on the latest James Bond movie, and advice for Australians looking to explore brand collaboration for their next project. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Director Gregor Jordan talks about his return to Australian feature film with Dirt Music, the film's physically demanding shoot, and the process of bringing Australian singer-songwriter Julia Stone on board. He also reflects on making Two Hands, his 1999 debut feature film starring Heath Ledger and Rose Byrne. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Screen Australia Distribution Manager Anthony Grundy breaks down the impact of COVID-19 on Australian theatrical, while Neil Sharma shares what he learnt being in AD roles on local TV and international features like Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Director Unjoo Moon on advice, challenges, and how making a feature documentary about music icon Tony Bennett helped prepare her for I Am Woman - her drama feature debut about Australian singer Helen Reddy. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Retrograde writer, producer and co-creator Meg O'Connell on creating an ABC TV series in a pandemic, lessons learned making vertical series Content, and developing ideas with Snapchat. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe

Producer Jason Stephens on starting Lingo Pictures with Helen Bowden, and their approach to developing, creating and selling acclaimed Australian TV such as The Secrets She Keeps, Upright and Lambs of God. Subscribe to Screen Australia Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Subscribe to the Screen Australia newsletter: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/subscribe