Omnilab launches animation studio in NZ
Omnilab Media has expanded its New Zealand VFX company Oktobor by launching an animation studio “inspired by the success of WETA”, which will initially service Nickelodeon Studios.
With 30 staff members, Oktobor Animation is a joint venture with US company Backyard Animated Pictures; it’s already secured a long-term contract to produce CG animated TV series, including The Penguins of Madagascar – based on the hit Madagascar DreamWorks movies. Read more »
Cross-platform artist named AFTRS Creative Fellow
Artist Lynette Wallworth has been appointed the first Australian Film Television and Radio School Creative Fellow, and will receive funding for a full-dome immersive installation.
Wallworth will use the Fellowhip to support her writing and to devise a full-length dome immersive work to be shown in digital planetariums around the world, wthich will form part of a broader cross-platform project entitled Rekindling Venus, to be launched in 2012 and produced by Sue Maslin (Film Art Media) and Forma.org.uk Read more »
Kingdom makes $4m, Madman hopes for 5
Animal Kingdom (Madman Entertainment) has crossed the $4m mark after six weeks. Theatrical distribution manager James Hewison told Encore he expects the film to reach $5m before completing its cinema run.
Claire McCarthy’s debut feature, The Waiting City (Hopscotch Films), earned $31,991 at the box office during its preview weekend – ahead of its full release on July 15. Read more »
Paramount acquires Wasted on the Young
Paramount Pictures will distribute Ben C. Lucas’ debut Wasted on the Young in Australia and New Zealand in early 2011.
The high school drama premiered as part of the Sydney Film Festival Official Competition, receiving an honourable mention. Read more »
The complex future of TV
The advent of digital technologies has redefined the media landscape, not least our concept of television. As consumers embrace content across multiple platforms, industry stakeholders must continue innovating to stay in the game. Brett Savill, strategy and corporate development director for Broadcast Australia writes. Read more »
Summer Coda sold out at MIFF
Richard Gray’s romantic Summer Coda will premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival and has become the first session to be sold out.
The film, which stars Rachael Taylor, Alex Dimitriades, Susie Porter, Jacki Weaver, Nathan Philliips, Angus Sampson and Cassandra Magrath, will be released on October 21.
Margaret Pomeranz to deliver Hector Crawford lecture
Margaret Pomeranz has been chosen to deliver the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture at the opening of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) conference.
“Margaret has been a great supporter of the Australian industry through her television programs. She has a genuine enthusiasm for local film production and her involvement in Spectrum, one of the industry’s senior post-production houses, has given her rare insight into the vicissitudes of filmmaking,” said SPAA’s executive director Geoff Brown about the decision. Read more »
AFI Awards announce non-feature nominees
The AFI has announced its nominees for the non-feature categories including best documentary, animated short and fiction short. Read more »
Amazon publishes self-distribution white paper
US online giant Amazon.com has published a white paper on self-distribution, to promote the services of its CreateSpace division for independent filmmakers worldwide.
“The ability to set up and distribute films is available to filmmakers worldwide. Filmmakers want to understand the how their products will be listed on Amazon.com and how they can track sales and royalties,” Mike Haney, director of content Aquisition for CreateSpace, told Encore. Read more »
The Loved Ones
After a number of delays, Sean Byrne’s horror masterpiece (note from the editor: it really is!) will be in cinemas on September 30.
The trailer has finally been released.