Project Factory invests in 360 video
The Project Factory moves into online video production, acquiring a stake in the 360 video company Panoramic Video.
“It’s a radical technology that changes the way we view online video completely. It creates a fully immersive video experience that is currently lacking online,” said company director Guy Gadney. Read more »
Commercial TV exceeds Australian content quotas: ACMA
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found that all metropolitan and regional commercial TV licensees exceeded their Australian content quota in 2009.
“The key, going forward, is to ensure that the success is carried over onto the digital multi channels post 2013 with appropriate regulation put in place to secure that future,” Antony I. Ginnane, SPAA president, told Encore.
Dirt Music, “in good shape”
The film adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel Dirt Music is “in good shape”, according to writer John Collee.
“We’ve now got a draft that works structurally really well. There are less and less changes between the drafts and we’re hoping to shoot next year,” Collee told Encore. Read more »
Melbourne writer finds success in Venezuela
The soccer film Hermanos, written by Melbourne-based Rohan Jones, is currently the number four film at the box office in Venezuela.
“One of the reasons I went overseas was to get a film up. The process to do so here, is limited by imagination,” Jones told Encore. Read more »
Outback-set animated film to start production
Mad Cow Pictures will begin production of the U$25m independent animated CGI film Trouble Down Under in Sydney next month, directed by the company’s founder Steve Trenbirth.
“It is still being considered whether this will be full 3D stereoscopic… currently plans are being formulated depending on cost. It will qualify for the Offset, with an Australian writer/producer/director, production company, pre and post-production, and the creation of a new a CGI studio,” Trenbirth told Encore. Read more »
Australian Film Syndicate explores home entertainment
Sydney-based distributor Australian Film Syndicate will explore different release windows for its titles, starting with the release of the independent comedy The Marriage of Figaro for rental on August 25, followed by a November 17 retail launch.
“AFS is taking a more proactive approach to its DVD titles and has been working in partnership with Gryphon Entertainment,” AFS MD Allanah Zitserman told Encore. Read more »
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 »