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So what’s been your summer gem?
The other week a journalist asked me for some quotes on how our TV summer season was faring and I pointed out that historically, the 09 / 10 season has offered an abundance of choice -at least compared to when we had just 5 channels, half of which were stuck on sport.
This year the amount of content has boomed, thanks to our extra digital channels.
But when the article appeared in print, readers hit back saying summer is still a dead zone. I got slammed. Well, it is if you stick with …
Body talk
In the third series of Satisfaction, currently showing on Showcase, actor Dustin Clare gets to remind viewers it’s not all girl talk.
Having joined the second season as sex worker Sean, brother of Mel (Madeleine West), his role as the only male principal allows contrast to the issues of the female cast.
As Clare tells TV Tonight, the research also netted him some useful storylines that have been woven into this series.
“I met with gigolos, female sex workers, booking agents and went through brothels,” he said. “I think the thing I got most …
Melbourne Studios underperforming
Melbourne Central City Studios are again the subject of scrutiny after Victoria’s Auditor-General, Des Pearson, says their trading cash flows last financial year were ”not sufficient to meet rental, loan interest and principal obligations”.
In a report to the Victorian Parliament yesterday he said, ”The studios are assessed as having a high financial viability risk due to their current-year loses, while June 30, 2010, operating cash flow forecasts are also uncertain.
”An assessment of key indicators of financial health and business forecasts for the studios indicates high financial viability risk.
”The future plans and …
Melbourne Studios too expensive
Melbourne Central City Studios, better known as Docklands Studios, is the subject of an investigtion by the Sunday Herald Sun today.
It brands the lot a ‘white elephant.’
While it has been home to feature films including Ghost Rider, The Knowing, Charlotte’s Web and Where the Wild Things Are, it’s use of hire is way down amid renewed criticism it is too expensive. With the high Aussie dollar, it becomes even less attractive to overseas productions.
Yet many local productions believe its hire fee is not competitive. Frankly, the same claims were levelled …
Pay TV more than just Killing Time
Killing Time, next year’s 10 part drama on the life of disgraced Melbourne lawyer Andrew Fraser (pictured), will be the biggest undertaking yet by TV1.
Re-telling the life of a high-flying lawyer who came crashing to earth with cocaine addiction, being disbarred and imprisoned, the story will be produced by FremantleMedia. Executive Producer Jason Stephens told TV Tonight he was looking forward to working with the Pay TV channel again, after their successful union for the Graham Kennedy telemovie, The King.
“In terms of trust they give you room …
2008-09 Production Report
Screen Australia has released the findings of its annual Production Report on the state of film and television.
Never wanting to paint a bleak picture, it manages to find optimism with a healthy state of production, if boosted by the big investment of George Miller’s Happy Feet 2 and the $100m Hollywood animation Guardians of Ga’Hoole in Sydney.
TV Tonight has taken a look at the television sector separately, and the results are still very good. While series / serials were down, mini-series (which also includes telemovies) were up.
The …
Screen Music Awards: winners
The Chaser’s Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen hosted the 2009 Screen Music Awards in Sydney last night.
The annual awards, organised by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), recognise music for film and television industry,
In the TV categories, Cameron Giles-Webb / Colin Simkins won Best Television Theme for Satisfaction. The talented Giles-Webb was also a co-composer of the Australian penned entry for Greece in Eurovision 2009.
Alastair Ford won Best Music for a Television Series or Serial for McLeod’s Daughters .
Roger Mason won Best Music …
Killing Time drama series for TV1
TV1 and FremantleMedia Australia are joining forces for Killing Time, a new 10 part crime drama series based on the true story of disgraced lawyer Andrew Fraser.
In a statement, FMA said, “The series follows the story of Andrew Fraser’s rise from small time lawyer to successfully defending the most infamous criminals this country has ever seen, and then his ultimate downfall and imprisonment for five years in maximum security. His clients included Dennis Allen, Jimmy Krakouer, Alan Bond and those accused of the Walsh Street murders.
“At the top of his game, …
Returning: Satisfaction
Spicy local drama Satisfaction returns to Showcase on Tuesday December 8th at 8:30pm.
Season 3 sees the return of Kestie Morassi (pcitured), Madeleine West, Alison Whyte and Dustin Clare, who are joined by Renai Caruso and Camille Keenan as two new working girls, ‘Tess’ and ‘Amy’. The two are from vastly different worlds, and according to publicity notes, ’set to act act as lightning rods to the balance of life at 232.’
The 10 x 1 hour series will also include support roles from Grant Bowler, Robert Taylor, Shane Connor, Todd MacDonald, Nathaniel …
TV’s family values
Some years ago when he was Treasurer, Peter Costello suggested Australian families should have one baby for mum, one for dad and one for the country. Maybe he should have thrown in one for television too.
The traditional, nuclear family is disappearing from primetime television. Yet TV families are amongst our most popular genres.
If you step into the fictional suburb of Erinsborough today you will find great change from its origins. Under the roofs of Ramsay Street there is an array of family groupings: married couples, children, brothers and sisters, friends, step-parents, …
Satisfaction 3 wraps
Season 3 of Satisfaction wrapped last week after a twelve week shoot.
This series has upped the ante on guest stars: Asher Keddie, Kate Fitzpatrick, Heather Mitchell, Robert Taylor, Linda Cropper, Damon Herriman, Nathaniel Dean, Maya Stange, Alyce Platt, Todd MacDonald, Tottie Goldsmith, Kate Jenkison, Jeremy Stanford, Ryan Johnson and Sophie Lowe. Previously announced cast include Grant Bowler, Shane Connor and Danielle Carter.
Returning toplay roles at ‘232′ are Kestie Morassi (pictured), Madeleine West and Alison Whyte, along with Dustin Clare. This year they are joined by new ensemble cast members Camille …
Directing accolade for Ken Cameron
TV director Ken Cameron will receive a special award for excellence in TV direction from the Australian Director’s Guild Awards next week in Sydney.
Cameron will receive the Michael Carson Award for his body of work which spans more than three decades.
Amongst his achievements are 1989’s Bangkok Hilton (pictured), 1991’s mini-series Brides of Christ and the two-part series My Brother Jack. These works won Logie and AFI Awards.
He has also directed episodes for The Strip, The Alice, Satisfaction, MDA, Stingers, Stringer, White Collar Blue, Police Rescue and Special Squad.
Other titles include Miracle …