Australia can only make short films...Thoughts?

This is a pretty harsh statement, even by my standards, and I apologize for being so blunt, but its a saying I've been hearing quite frequently over the past few weeks and I thought it was about time I did some research into the background of such a comment. In Australia, there are very few places Aussie films can get noticed. The box office is almost always consumed by the latest American blockbuster;...

Everyone's Talking About...The Australian Film Industry

I've had a few opportunities this week to ask people this question: "What is wrong with the Australian film industry?" Now, don't roll your eyes at me because I've already placed the idea in that person's head that there's something "wrong" with the way we make films. This is indisputable. In an industry that thrives on NOT making money, there is going to come a time in the very near future where...

Blue-Tongue Films

For those of you who have ever wondered about the origin of this amazing film group, this is a great article I've scalped from another blog. http://cinematicpassions.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/aussies-rule-blue-tongue-films-arrives-on-the-scene/ Your browser does not support ifram...

'The Secret Life of Us' - Where Are They Now?

I've recently picked up all 4 seasons of John Edwards' "The Secret Life of Us" and am absolutely loving it. I remember nearly 10 years ago how this was one of my mum's favorite shows which I was not allowed to watch because it was "adult TV" which makes me laugh watching it now. I was going to write this post at the end of...

SFF 2011 Day 3 - Saturday Part 2

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil - **** Bear - ***** I was extremely excited about Saturday night's film firstly, because of number of screenings we would be at (I like to stay on my toes) and secondly, because I would get to see Nash Edgerton's Bear for the third time. I know I sound obsessed but it's actually kinda nice to see how one film can have so many different receptions. We started the night...

SFF 2011 Day 3 - Saturday Part 1

Dendy Awards Today was going to be massive! Not only did we have the Dendy shorts being screened in the 750 plus theatre but we also had 3 more screenings to review later on in the evening, with two being in separate venues. Having had an awesome night on the town the night before with my beautiful girlfriends, my energy...

Everyone's Talking About...Sleeping Beauty

Yes, I know. I still haven't finished Sydney Film fest but after seeing Julia Leigh's latest catastrophe, I just had to write down all the thoughts buzzing about my head like a swarm of angry wasps. First of all, I. CANNOT. BELIEVE. ANYONE. MADE. THIS. FILM!!!! I know it's artsy and indie and different and all the rest...

SFF 2011 Day 2 - Thursday

Short film - Cropped *** Feature film - A Common Purpose *** I think the theme for tonight's screening was 'controversial' brought on by the subject matter of both films and the fact that they were screened together. Neither one made a resounding impact on me but I think that was more to do with the fact that I was extremely tired from having worked in the Inside Film office all day and less to do...

SFF 2011 Day 1 - Tuesday night

Short film: Nullarbor - **** Feature film: I'm not dead yet - *** After getting over the excitement of the Bridesmaids premiere, I settled into Event Cinemas 9 for the premiere of I'm Not Dead Yet preceded by the previously screened Nullabor. The way SFF works is they allow short film makers to present their films before a major feature which gets exposure for the film that may not necessarily be...

Questions, questions...

Im hoping that by writing this all down it may help my decision easier to make in regards to what the hell I should be doing with myself at the end of this year. Over the past few weeks, you'll have noticed a number of posts have been about my concerns over my impending doom due to arrive at the end of 2011. A time when I officially step back into the real world. I say step back as opposed to stepping...

Sydney!!!!

They say that everything happens in life for a reason. Following the events of this week, I can't even begin to to tell you how true this statement is. 5 weeks ago I booked my flight to Sydney on a whim as a form of encouragement to get me through the end of semester. The plan was to spend time with my beautiful girlfriends who I'd met on my exchange to the University of Florida last year. Checking...

Everyone's Talking About...2011 Fall TV Season

Yes folks its finally here. That time of the year when all of us TV fans go bonkers for the new American lineup of TV blockbusters heading our way. Whilst the Australian networks haven't yet released just who they will be picking up for their second round of ratings, the American news publications have been going crazy over the wave of great American television coming out this year. In an era where...

Free Movie Tickets

No, I don't have a stash of double passes to giveaway. Rather, I thought I would share my extensive knowledge of Melbourne's best deals when it comes to getting out to the movies. Listed day by day, here is where I would go for less than $20.Monday: Cinema Nova (BEST DEAL):If you don't know about this yet well then your life is about to get MUCH better. Tickets bought before 4pm are $6 and after 4pm...

Everyone's Talking About...Snowtown

For finishing my cinema essay on time, I decided to reward myself by going to see Justin Kurzel's Snowtown at the Nova on Lygon St. I now realize that this is not the best sort of movie for a reward. Snowtown is a mind-numbing, toe-curling, wife-beater of a movie. You walk in super excited at seeing a movie so many people are speaking so highly of and you walk out feeling like someone pushed you off...

Hot Off The Press...Aussie Box Office

In line again with the new direction I am taking for this blog, I have created another category called "Hot Off The Press." Literally it is just me replicating articles I have seen online in other sites which I either do not have the time to reflect upon (As I do in my 'Everyone's Talking About' category) or discuss. Instead,...

Everyone's talking about ... TV

So this is going to become a new column for my blog (not sure if blog's have columns... category?) because I figured that you, the reader, should know that whatever I write in these posts isn't necessarily going to be earth-shatteringly unique but more likely, just a rumination about what everyone is saying. Ironically, this...

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - First Glance

I know I shouldn't have even clicked the link. I should have immediately averted my eyes from the audacious portal which would lead me to this trailer. But I couldn't help it. The remake of Yellow Birds' The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo film has been described by many as the biggest kick to the gonads for the international film circuit in the history of the industry. And rightly so. With the last film...

The New All Media Fund and what it means for future jobs

On the 3rd of May (yes I realize that this was a while ago), Screen Australia announced it would be soon launching a new initiative within its organization known as the All Media Fund. According to the new guidelines "The objective is to support narrative content in both linear and non-linear forms that pushes the envelope of creative storytelling, and to provide practitioners with opportunities to...

"You're Terrible Muriel" - The Problem With Australia's Film Industry: Part 1

Whilst Screen Australia and the Federal government have taken many steps towards the safeguarding of our industry (such as introducing the producer's offset then reducing it from $1m to $500,000; increasing the location offset and PDV offsets; and abolishing the thieving Division 10B/10A incentives), there are still many hurdles across which filmmakers and television producers must clamber over before...

St Kilda 2011 - Top 100 Session 16

I'll make this quick as I have many films to get through and I am still feeling the effects of last nights closing awards so here goes:1. FlashA cute short film using the technique of drawn animation coupled with 3D technology. The film was nice and short (just how I like it) and without dialogue too which was good because the animator clearly put a lot of hard work into the timing and facial expressions....