Listen to interviews with world-class Australian directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals as they discuss their careers, latest projects a...
In the latest episode of the Screen Australia Podcast, Stephanie Dower discusses the importance of building an accessible culture on set, engaging Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent (DDN) crew, and her experiences working in the Australian screen industry. Dower talks about the emerging role of access coordinating; the philosophy and vision behind the role; the distinctions between access coordinators, safety officers, and support workers; and her experiences as a coordinator on upcoming feature films Australian indie Spit and international swashbuckler The Bluff - both due for release in 2025.
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40:33
Audrey: Dark comedy on the big screen with Lou Sanz and Natalie Bailey
Audrey screenwriter Lou Sanz and director Natalie Bailey on creating their debut feature film together. Throughout the episode, Sanz and Bailey share their love for comedy and dislike for the term unlikeable female characters. They also talk about getting the project to the big screen, creating compelling characters, the differences between writing for television and film, and the importance of finding the black comedy balance – or “balancing the sweet and sour”, as they call it.
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29:45
Pikelet Pictures’ Jessica Smith and Scarlett Koehne on their new online series Videoland
Videoland director Jessica Smith and producer Scarlett Koehne reflect on queer representation and 90s nostalgia in the Series Mania Comedy Competition-winning series. On the latest episode of the Screen Australia podcast, we spoke with Smith and Koehne following their win at Series Mania about their festival strategy and experience premiering in a foreign market. They also reflect on the creation of the queer dramedy and challenges of retro-fitting (literally) a video rental store.
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36:00
Distribution and discoverability of Australian theatrical releases
During the latest episode of the Screen Australia podcast, we explore the changing theatrical distribution landscape. Madman Entertainment's CEO Paul Wiegard and Screen Australia Distribution Manager Anthony Grundy explain how audience behaviour has shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect on the challenges and opportunities this presents Australian filmmakers in an increasingly global marketplace. Wiegard shares Madman's approach to audience engagement as an independent distributor, while Grundy discusses some of the research and tools available through Screen Australia to support discoverability, including the new Where to Watch function.
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50:51
Updates on the Marketplace and Distribution Landscape
Taking your project to market? Screen Australia Marketplace Manager Rakel Tansley shares the latest marketplace intel and advice to get the best deals on your projects. Tansley breaks down the key terms of finance plans and the market and explains the role of the Marketplace team in supporting Australian producers navigate domestic and global deals, as well as the resources publicly available on the Screen Australia website. She also talks to the key findings of the most recent Post-Financing International distribution of projects between 2020–2023, the current trend of rights, how to make IP and secondary rights work for you, the hidden costs to watch out for when building a finance plan, and shares the top five key territories and regions buying Australian film and television, both in terms of volume of sales and highest spendings.
Listen to interviews with world-class Australian directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals as they discuss their careers, latest projects and industry trends.