Yolanda Ramke interview: ‘We’ve got great talent in Australia that just can’t get a look-in’

The Cargo and Troppo writer and director used stepping stones in both Hollywood and Sydney to rise through the ranks. Here's how.
Directors in conversation in bush

But Yolanda Ramke, along with her working partner Ben Howling, has gone from a viral short film, to a feature with an International actor, to direct in North America, to receive two AWGIES from the Writers’ Guild, to then create Troppo, the drama series currently running on the ABC. All in less than ten years.

‘I do have a really formative memory of being eight years old and going to see Jurassic Park with my dad at the cinema. And we didn’t have cinemas where I was when we were growing up so it was a real treat. Seeing the impact on an audience, and seeing my father awed and blown away and sucked into this fictional world – I was enamoured of it.’

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David Tiley was the Editor of Screenhub from 2005 until he became Content Lead for Film in 2021 with a special interest in policy. He is a writer in screen media with a long career in educational programs, documentary, and government funding, with a side order in script editing. He values curiosity, humour and objectivity in support of Australian visions and the art of storytelling.