This week on ScreenHub, we placed an emphasis on the perspectives and experiences of people from a variety of careers and world situations, like in Rochelle’s cracker of an interview with beloved Australian screen personality Noni Hazlehurst, about how she thinks our society treats its older population.
But at the start of the week, we also announced sixteen diverse new writers who will be penning work for both ScreenHub and our sister site, ArtsHub. It’s a continuation of the work we’ve been doing with the Diversity in Australian Media and Diversity Arts Australia groups, and we can’t wait to share what the group have been working on.
In major industry news, we’re keeping a close eye on the senate enquiry into tax reforms for the screen industry, which is happening as we write. Some of the changes in thresholds will affect the really important work being done in the low-production space, so we’ve got our fingers crossed and are hoping for the best.
MIFF is the other main thread from this week, where we take a closer look at the just-announced winners of the Academy-accredited short film winners, as well as review a couple of notable docs in Ablaze and Paper City. You’re probably still as devastated about the in-cinema cancellations as we are, but consider checking out the titles on MIFF Play a look-in before it all wraps up this weekend.
EXPERIENCED PERSPECTIVES
- Noni Hazlehurst on what Australia really thinks about old people
The much-loved Australian actor talks about her new SBS project tackling stigma around ageing.
- Silly noises into a microphone – an Audio Director explains his job
From composer to engineer to leadership, Audio Director Brad Derrick shares his career path in the unique world of game sound.
- Teaching in isolation is intense: Four perspectives [Evergreen]
A VFX animation teacher, primary school teacher and two academics talk about their experience and give tips for survival.
- Sixteen diverse new writers announced for ScreenHub and ArtsHub
We’ll be publishing fresh perspectives from these 16 writers in the coming months, as part of an ongoing initiative with Diversity in Australian Media and Diversity Arts Australia.
OUR INDUSTRY
- Senate enquiry: Crunch time for docos and post-production
Opposition to government ‘reforms’ climaxes again in a Senate Enquiry on Friday, 20 August, 2021
- West Coast Visions: WA is just too hard to leave
The thinking behind low budget feature scheme West Coast Visions reflects the spirit of a very unusual state.
- Box Office – cinemas rebranded as locations for the apocalypse
Box office opportunities for new films are nixed by ho-hum reviews and rising lockdowns.
OPPORTUNITIES
- Applications extended for SPA Ones to Watch program
SPA has also announced the return of the $10,000 Screen Internship supported by Screen Australia.
- Screen Queensland pushes producers to go global
Screen Queensland finds an international consultancy to turbocharge its push for global shows. The key words? Specificity and authenticity.
- If you are an Australian film, TV, radio or online content practitioner take part in AFTRS’ Career Pathways Survey closing on Monday 23rd August. Tell your career story, about the challenges, what’s helped you get ahead, and what you think the industry needs to sustain careers and nurture talented team members. Respondents have the chance to win a transferable $500 AFTRS course voucher.
EVENTS
- Melbourne Film Festival short film winners announced
The eight winners of the MIFF Short Film Awards are internationally flavoured, even the Australian ones. Watch them all before Sunday.
- Sydney goes underground for a film festival of twisted joys: SUFF 2021
The Sydney Underground Film Festival is back, online, and available across Australia.
ON OUR SCREENS, SOON
- Warner Bros, Binge, and Aquarius Films team up on new romantic drama ‘Love Me’
Hugo Weaving leads the cast on Love Me, a new romantic drama for Binge.
ON OUR SCREENS, NOW
- MIFF Film Review: Ablaze reframes our artistic past with affection and passion
Ablaze utilises incredible archival footage to redress the gaps of the Australian artistic industry’s shameful and largely un-interrogated past.
- MIFF Film Review: Paper City pays tribute to survivors of neglected tragedy
Australian filmmaker Adrian Francis tries to understand the firebombing of Tokyo in this MIFF Premiere Fund documentary.
- Review: Phantom Abyss – A promising mixture of movement and mystery
The kinetic experience of making your way through hazard-filled temples in Phantom Abyss makes us eager to see what else is still to come.
VIDEO GAMES
- Sledgehammer Games reveals ‘Call of Duty: Vanguard’ amidst lawsuits against its publisher
Call of Duty: Vanguard will take the series back to World War II, with the Melbourne-based Sledgehammer Games contributing significantly.
- Melbourne International Games Week 2021 reveals program with online and in-person events
Though PAX Aus and GCAP are taking their activities online this year, MIGW will still play host to a number of entertaining physical activities to celebrate video games.
- You should play… Bugsnax, by Young Horses
Monster Hunter x Frog Detective x body horror? It’s Bugsnax! Don’t think about it too hard!
