Into the Shadows Blog

Into the Shadows on DVD!!

2010-06-07T23:50:00.000+10:00

Ronin Films is proud to announce the DVD release of
INTO THE SHADOWS
A film by Andrew Scarano [Rated M, 90 mins]

Now available with 73 minutes of Extras

“A hard hitting and eloquent documentary ... that deserves to be taken seriously” - Andrew Urban, www.urbancinefile.com.au
------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTO THE SHADOWS (Rated M, 90 minutes) journeys behind the big screen to meet the filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors who bring Australian films to us, the audience. Away from the bright lights, the red carpets and the paparazzi, an awful truth is discovered. The cinema was once a place where Australian culture thrived: audiences were educated, entertained and inspired by Australian stories, characters and landscapes. But now, alarmingly, out of the $945.4 million spent at the Australian box-office in 2008, only $35.5 million (3.8%) was spent on Australian films. Australian films are clearly not connecting with the cinema-going audience. Why?
INTO THE SHADOWS begins by tracing the history of Australian cinema, from the initial production boom in 1910-12, declining steadily to the barren post-war years. The film investigates the regeneration of the domestic production industry in the 1960s, championed by a dedicated few. Bruce Beresford, Anthony Buckley, Phillip Adams and Alan Finney recount what the atmosphere was like in the 1960s and 1970s, while distributors and exhibitors and the elite of the film industry including Bruce Beresford, Brendan Cowell, Phillip Adams and Rolf De Heer, reveal how important the independent art-house cinemas were in contributing to the re-birth of the industry.

The closure of many of these independent art-house cinemas in recent years, exacerbates the difficulties that producers have in reaching cinema screens on a fair and equitable basis. These difficulties parallel the growing number of Australian films remaining unreleased. But all is not lost. A new generation of Australian filmmakers have emerged and continue to push at the boundaries of the cinema trade, exploring new ways of connecting to the ever elusive audience.

To order a DVD please go to www.roninfilms.com.au

FilmINK Awards

2009-12-15T10:50:00.000+11:00

Its FilmINK awards time!

So if Into the Shadows, frustrated you, fired you up or just made you think about film at large then go to this link and place a vote! Thanks!!

On the streets & SBS Review

2009-11-02T18:36:00.000+11:00

After a long week, I'm back home in Canberra. It has been great to get out to cinemas
and meet audience members and here what they have had to say about Into the Shadows - and
the issues it raises.

If you have seen it, post some comments about your thoughts or join the facebook group. If you have not seen it, its still in cinemas this week. Thanks!

Here is a recent review by SBS

Into the Shadows on Triple J

2009-10-29T21:26:00.001+11:00

Into the Shadows is finally prompting some debate on the issues surrounding the film industry.
Listen to the podcasts to hear what some of the industry insiders and the general public have to say! A big thanks to John Barrington and the team at Hack for putting together a great segment.

www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/notes/s2722568.htm

Advanced Preview Screenings! Start today!

2009-10-25T01:53:00.000+11:00

Advanced Preview screenings of Into the Shadows have arrived!

First one is at the Chauvel - hope to see some of you there!

Cheers,
Andrew.

VODO

2009-10-23T00:16:00.000+11:00

For a long time the bad things about piracy have been stated. Yet again, we miss the point. Its not the fact that consumers are sharing files illegal that is the marvel here, that has happened for decades - tape to tape - cd to cd - hard disk to hard disk the list goes on...

however it is the sharing technology that is the amazing part and the thing that needs to be explored and harnessed. thankfully some really smart guys are making it begin to happen ... in 10 years it will all probably happen through this way somehow in some form, what do you reckon?

http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/15/new-website-leverages-piracy-tool-to-help-filmmakers/

4 STARS in EMPIRE!

2009-10-06T22:30:00.003+11:00

Last chance to Vote is today!

2009-09-18T12:23:00.002+10:00

Last day to vote for INTO THE SHADOWS for the Inside Film Awards is TODAY!

Please get behind this and you can help Into the Shadows be seen and heard!

Best,
Andrew.

Opening Night

2009-08-27T22:41:00.004+10:00

On Saturday night INTO THE SHADOWS opened the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. It was a good night and the film received a hearty applause. It was the first public Q and A I had to do for the film and it went really well, a lot of passionate responses and questions from the crowd. Mike Smith from Indie Film Nation was there and typed up a short piece on his thoughts on the film, and you will be able to hear an interview with Mike and myself on his podcast Indie Film Nation come this Monday.

Here is his review:

Into The Shadows (Directed by Andrew Scarano) was great choice for this year's opening night film for MUFF. The current state of the Australian film industry has been kicked around in the arts community and wider Australian mainstream media for a number of years. This documentary took a holistic approach to the subject and gave a historical reference to the industry. Then moved through the years of Australian filmmaking to modern times. The film then took a look at the films, the exhibitors, recent events and the future.

This is difficult matter to cover effectively in an hour and half but Scarano choices and style has pulled together a very enjoyable documentary. It's informative but without being too dry. I was disappointed to hear that the a number of the major Australian film festival like (MIFF and SFF) both had chosen to overlook this documentary which is well made and provided a balanced, fair critique of the Australian film industry.

Into The Shadows certainly doesn't leave it's audience in all gloom and doom but introduces the notion that exciting times are ahead and the gate keepers of traditional exhibition/distribution can be bypassed by thinking outside the square. The internet may still be another solution. As the music industry has learned they should embrace new technology and maybe the motion picture industry should take stock. Exciting times are approaching for those that they have the heart and determination.

Best.
Andrew.

Opening the 2009 Melbourne Underground Film Festival

2009-08-05T01:04:00.003+10:00

Its Official! Into the Shadows will opening the 2009 Melbourne Underground Film Festival!

Here is how the organisers of the festival summed up the documentary. Hope to see you there.

Into the Shadows
dir. Andrew Scarano / AUS

For ten years MUFF has been championing independent and
underground filmmaking and highlighting the appalling state
of the Australian film industry. This year, we are proud to
screen Andrew Scarano and Phil Hignett’s feature documentary
(fresh from last year’s MUFF Academy), which follows these
exact issues with precision and integrity. The film tracks the
development of Australian film from its inception, through
the glory years of the 1970s to the travesty of today, and
emphasizes the need for a rebirth of independent cinema
and for new and revolutionary ways of screening films.

Featuring exclusive must-see interviews from Andrew Denton,
George Miller, Rolf De Heer, Scott Hicks, Bruce Beresford,
representatives from Disney, Sony, Madman and scores of
independent Aussie cinemas and festivals, and many many
more (including MUFF’s own Richard Wolstencroft!) as well
as amazing footage of landmark events such as the closure
of independent cinema Electric Shadows in 2006. You won’t
believe how much you’ll learn from this film. It’ll open your
eyes, move you, enrage you, and force you into action. Into
the Shadows is not only a fantastic film, it’s an important one
- for anyone who identifies with MUFF’s ideology, who despairs
at the state of our nation’s film industry, who laments the
dominance of the multiplex over the independent theatre, and
asks – why? And more to the point – what can we do about it?
Q&A with filmmakers to follow.

VOTE FOR IF AWARDS

2009-06-23T13:19:00.005+10:00

We had a very positive screening at Dungog Film Festival!

The audience that saw the film all seemed to have a reaction to it: wether they were frustrated by the state of the Australian film industry, impassioned to do something about Australian film culture or simply soaked in the film - even a few laughs along the way which was cool.

If you saw the film at Dungog then show your support by visiting theIF AWARDS website. Here you can register and vote for
INTO THE SHADOWS. The winner is decided by the overall score given not the amount of votes so if you liked the film get behind it and hopefully we can encourage more people to see it and begin discussing, debating the issues that come out of the documentary.

Cheers-
Andrew.

Bud Tingwell dies at 86

2009-05-15T12:21:00.010+10:00

Today one of Australia's great screen legends, Bud Tingewell passed on at the age of 86.

I had the great pleasure to work with Bud on a short film I co-produced in 2006. He was an absolute gentleman, professional and a man with many stories to tell.

I will never forget sitting around after to shoot to listen to him recount his days of acting with Chips Rafferty and his time spent overseas. It was like being transported back to the glory days of filmmaking and Bud was the time capsule of knowledge.

CHARLES BUD TINGWELL - REST IN PEACE.

-Andrew.

Distribution Deal

2009-05-03T13:50:00.004+10:00

It's Official!

Into the Shadows will be distributed by Ronin Films.

Ronin made a name for themselves throughout the 80s and 90s as a key independent distributor of Australian films and often sourced foreign films from then untapped countries such as Japan and China.

Ronin became known with hits like Shine and Strictly Ballroom but today focus mainly on the educational market. As Canberra's only real distributor of films (and me being a local Canberran) it has worked out well and I look forward to working with Ronin over the next few months distributing and marketing the film.

- Andrew.

Sydney Film Festival

2009-02-17T00:30:00.004+11:00

Today after 2 and a half years of blood, sweat and tears on Monday 16th February we put INTO THE SHADOWS into an express post bag and sent it off for submission to the 2009 Sydney Film Festival! This is our first submission for Into the Shadows and also our debut entry into a national and international festival.

Now, fingers crossed and we begin the waiting game.

The Overlanders

2009-01-14T20:48:00.004+11:00

The Overlanders (1946)

It's the start of WWII in Northern Australia. The Japanese are getting close. People are evacuating and burning everything in a "scorched earth" policy. Rather than kill all their cattle, a disparate group decides to drive them overland half way across the continent.

Does anyone else think the synopsis of, 1946 film 'The Overlanders' sounds eerily familiar?

SHOWTIME for MEN'S GROUP

2008-11-18T21:01:00.006+11:00

I interviewed John L Simpson for Into the Shadows, late December 2007, and we spoke about Men's Group. From then on I had hoped the film would work for him and for those that took that leap of faith in the project and above all I hoped it would turn out to be a great film.

I saw it for the first time at Spaa Fringe 08 and it was very compelling. And it has now won a bag of awards at the INSIDE FILM AWARDS 2008. This is a great triumph for independent film and for the creative team behind the film!

It goes to show that if you want to make a film, do not take no for an answer, do not feel you have to be confined to the traditional ways of making a film. We live in an interesting time, when technology and film making culture is changing, anything is possible.

John L is working closely with independent exhibitors to find an audience for Men's Group and I hope he does. This is a film that all men should watch and will get something out of. The distribution and exhibition of this film is very telling of the market place for Australian films - there is none.

Well that is not entirely true, but it is very hard to find an audience for a low budget Aussie film and John L is a good example of how we as filmmakers can work with the distribution and exhibition industry and help find that core audience.

Glass Portrait

2008-11-06T23:00:00.003+11:00

When Phil and I went the ADG last year we watched a screening of Scott Hicks new film, Glass, a portrait of Phillip in 12 parts.

It was quite a moving film, one of the best- if not the best documentary I had seen in YEARS! And I have been watching a lot of doco's of the past while. It was really interesting to hear from Scott, how he felt cast back to his early days of indie film making when making this film as he started with no real budget and some consumer video cameras. Kind of inspiring really, as Phil and I were just in the thick of producing Into the Shadows.

Well the film is about to come out in limited release around Australia. Its crazy to think that these days such a crafted film about an amazing composer can struggle to get screens, but that's a discussion for another day. What this film is also a good example of is a good website. Its easy to access, and even has clips for your i-phone.

Check it out, if you want an insight into a genius mind you won't be disappointed.

SPAA FRINGE: Saturday, Day 3

2008-10-28T00:12:00.007+11:00

Last night finished up as 3am this morning. Regardless, I had to meet Peter Broderick at 10:15am so it was quickly off the couch, in the shower, pack the bags, say bye to Johnny and meet Andy on the corner of Abercrombie and Broadway. Then hail a taxi, arrive at Paddington town hall, ask if I could leave a bag somewhere, leave it in the cloak room, run up the stairs and bump into Peter Broderick in the foyer.

We sat down and I played him the chapter of Into the Shadows that he mostly features in. He laughed at a few key moments and he watched the whole 11 mins! He gave me some frank advice about distribution and commented that he really liked the chapter! Great start to the morning.

I went and got some Doritos for breaky (yeah I know, not exactly weetbix) and headed into: How and When: A Guide To Successfully Presenting a Project for Financing, Distribution and Sales. I think I missed the good part, but it was interesting enough, the speakers spoke about Poster Art and showed some cool examples. Then I went to hear Kristy Vernon speak about the making of Gabriel. The best talk of the day! I had heard most if before while interviewing Shane Abbess, but Kristy's insights were refreshing and inspiring to hear. Afterwards I apporached her and asked about gaining access to clips of Gabriel or behind the scenes pictures that Sony doesn't own the copyright to. She was happy to chat and said to email her as she might have something - so fingers crossed something might turn up. Not that I don't want to have to pay Sony for the clips, its just the people that clear this kind of thing are based in LA and it takes ages! to hear from them.

After lunch I bumped into Mark Pesce and asked if he wanted to meet to view some of the film, he was happy to and then I headed into Sue Maslin's session on Doing Business differently. Interesting session and cool to see a producer really trying to grasp the new business paradigm of Media Rights Management.

Then I rushed out of her session to meet Mark and get his thoughts on the chapter he features in. He watched it all and gave me great feedback on the edit. Also commented that he hadn't seen the material covered in such a way before! So as you could tell I was feeling pretty pumped, then slipped into a session on budgets. It was OK but by then I wasn't really in the mood, so I slipped out of it and went looking for broadcasters.

I met the head guy for documentary from SBS and introduced myself and the idea of the doco to him. We exchanged business cards and I said I would keep him up to date with the progress of the film.

Andrew Urban hosted a Q and A with Steven Kastrissios and fellow co-producer of The Horseman. The clips of the film looked great and I am keen to see it, hope it goes off in Australia and establishes a determine young filmmaker (in Steven). His talk was great and I reckon he will go places.

Then it was time to grab the bags and head off to the Fringe Bar one last time.

Spaa Fringe 2008 - over and out.

SPAA FRINGE: Friday, Day 2

2008-10-27T23:32:00.007+11:00

After an OKish sleep on the couch, a hurried shower and hot cappuccino from the POINT Cafe on Broadway I was in a taxi again and off to Paddington Town hall.

I was marginally late but it meant I got a free run at the bar and headed into the opening session with a bottle of water and Banana bread (not a bad breaky on the run?). Peter Broderick opened Spaa Fringe by handing the microphone over to the crowd and asking for people to stand up and offer their skills up to other producers in the room. Last year I stood up and asked for anyone with a story about indie cinemas to come chat to me and as the speakers behind the microphone went from offering up skills, to asking for collaborators to introducing oneself, I thought I mise well get up and plug the doco. I tried to slant the website as a space where people could 'continue the conversation of Spaa Fringe' but that has not happened as yet? Anyone? Feel free to be write inspired words on the blog.

I stayed for Peter's session on Hybrid Distribution and could hear his interview playing over in my head. Cathy Henkel from The Burning Season provided a great example of how an Aussie can use the power of the net and Hybrid Distribution to great effect. The Burning Season looks like a powerful film and I hope it helps to promote the cause of the Orangutan and the survival of Rain forests globally.

Afterwards I bumped into Andy K 'the intern from Melbourne' and we got a bite to eat from a nice cafe on Oxford Street. The weather had changed! And now we were enjoying a chance for fresh air in the warm Sydney sun.

Then came the surprise session of the day: Melanie Coombs talking about making Mary and Max. I'll write about this in detail later. After that session Andy and I went down to the Fringe bar and got an early start on drinks. Shortly after other Spaa Fringe attendees turned up and we had some fun networking before going our separate ways.

SPAA FRINGE: Thursday Day, 1

2008-10-27T23:03:00.008+11:00

Arrived in Sydney at Central Station on Thursday at 2:30pm. It was raining and windy, apparently one of the worst days (weather wise) in Sydney during the month of October ever! So turning up in a bright blue polo and cargo shorts wasn't the best start to the trip.

But I grabbed a sandwhich from a nearby vendor and caught a train to St. Lenoards. While trying to not be blown away from the mighty wind, I made it to Johnny's work (mate from school days) and he gave me his spare key. Then on the way back, and in true Indina Jones style I got onto the return train moments before the doors closed.

Another long walk and finally Johnny's house. I bumped into his Forgien room mate, who was great for conversation, dropped off my bag, quickly changed and taxied it to the new home of AFTRS, in Moore Park.

Free drinks, food and networking was a nice touch, but I had come for one thing, to watch Mens Group. Every since interviewing John L Simpson for Into the Shadows I had been keen to watch Mens Group and it did not disappoint! Its the kind of movie every guy will avoid seeing but if they watched it, they would connect with it on all levels. Its going to provide John L with a challenging marketing task but good luck to him! Its a solid film; funny, revealing and top perfomances.

Taxi back to Johnny's and first night on the couch. Spaa Fringe 2008 has begun.

ScreenACT application

2008-10-18T18:31:00.006+11:00

After not much sleep on Thursday and some last minute DVD burning issues on Friday morning I have handed in an application for ScreenACT funding.

Phil and I have not had any funding for the documentary thus far but as we are approaching the business end of the film (final stages of post-production), funding would allow us to complete with Archival footage and a professional sound-mix.

The Into the Shadows story is an important document on the state of the industry and needs to be told in this twilight time: new government, merging of film funding bodies, debate over the tax offset and so on.

So the application is in and the wait is on. In the mean time I will be posting videos from my trip to MUFF 2008 on Youtube and Facebook. Keep an eye out for them.

-Andrew

MUFF 2008 DEBUT

2008-10-13T23:39:00.002+11:00

On Saturday, at 5pm at the Noise Bar I delivered the first public presentation on Into the Shadows. As part of Melbourne Underground Film Festival I was asked to give a talk about Into the Shadows as a work-in-progress documentary.

It was small but intimate crowd who listened on and I would like to give a big shout out to:

Rachael Lucas, director of Bondi Tsunami, who turned up in support. James Olof Collins and Christian Doran (friends from Canberra) who now live in Melbourne and suprised me by showing up to have a listen. And big thank you to Claude and Marina who were holidaying in Melbourne and came and filmed me giving my speech.

The people after the talk were really impressed with the sneak preview I gave them and were all keen to ask questions and want to see the film when it is finished.

So one small step for me, one giant leap for Into the Shadows.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support, it has given me a renewed energy to surge on and finish the film.

Cheers,
Andrew.

Broadcasting via My Laptop

2008-08-30T17:27:00.003+10:00

I have recently started up a Laptop Journal.

I will be stopping from time to time to record my thoughts about film related issues, topics, ideas as well as use the Laptop Journal to keep you all up to date with the progress of Into the Shadows.

The videos will be recorded directly from my MacBook Pro Laptop camera hence the title. So keep an eye out for them, feel free to engage with me by posting comments about the journals or even making your own video responses.

Here is my latest entry.

Cheers,
Andrew.

Dark Knightsbridge

2008-08-13T22:36:00.011+10:00

Into the Shadows has finally had its first fund raiser!

A few weeks back at Dendy Canberra we put on a screening of the Dark Knight and had a raffle with many great prizes! Thanks to the businesses who provided free gifts for the prizes and a big thank you to Impact Comics for the limited edition Batman Mobile that we raffled off! (Hence there store is our banner link)Also thank you to the girls at Dendy who helped organize and run the event on the night.

We sold out the cinema and a fair few raffle tickets, which helped us raise a smidgen over $600. This money will be the beginning of a pool of money we aim to fund raise to help pay for an online edit in the near future. We see this as a great to way to include the community in post-producing a local independent feature film.

And a BIG THANKS to Phil's mum and my mum; with out your last ditch efforts the prizes the raffle would never had been so good.

Also cheers to the guys on the night who helped sell raffle tickets and to Daniel at Plushroom graphics who designed the flyer we gave out on the night.

After the screening a small group of us celebrated at Knightsbridge in Braddon, one of the guys coined the term Dark Knightsbridge. Any ideas for the next fund raiser? It will be Bigger.

The great Picture Palace

2008-08-10T22:14:00.015+10:00

A week back I drove to Sydney with a new edition to the Into the Shadows team, Callum Craigee, to shoot overlay footage of the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace in Cremorne.
Walking into the Orpheum for me is like stepping back in time. Each cinema has its own personality, its own charm and of course its very own name.

I have only seen one film there, Michael Clayton (it was in the Walsh) but after going back there to film I will no doubt be back again and again and again. In a time when showmanship is hard to come by and cinemas are more like supermarkets an old Picture Palace is a soothing experience. If your love for cinema is flickering go to the Orpheum and the magic for you will spark back!

While there we interviewed Paul Dravet the General Manager of the Orpheum and shot lots of great footage of the cinemas. We even had the surprise pleasure of meeting Tv personality and owner of the Orpheum, Mike Walsh.

A big thank you must go out to Rachell and Brett (Booking Manager and Projectionist) who assisted us the whole morning and also thanks to the floor staff on that day!

Intern Journal

2008-07-04T13:04:00.009+10:00

Hello, its Andy (the intern) here.

I decided to take a journey up from Melbourne to see what this film was about. The subject matter was the thing that drew me here. If no one is watching Australian films, and I want to make films in the future, what's the point if no one will be watching them? So this documentary had me interested from the start and I've tried to help Andrew and Phil tell this story over the past two weeks.

Since I arrived, the film has gone through a phase of intense editing into a rough cut which is almost complete. There have been many long nights. Copious amounts of red bull have been drunk, much to the dismay of Phil's dentist and many of Andrew's so called 'concept' maps drawn leaving the white board completely coloured in and me more confused. Quite a few road maps constructed also, so I don't get lost around Canberra. However, much progress has been made! Hopefully in a couple of days there will be a rough cut done and ready for a private screening and feedback from a select few. From there its a matter of overlaying the basic structure, with additional footage which we are gathering from the archive and with animations from Owen, as the film comes to life.

It is an exciting time and what I've observed is a new found motivation from the guys as the film starts taking shape and coming to fruition. Hopefully by the end of the month a fine cut will be complete and the movie will shake up an industry which is waiting to be rejuvenated.

Watch this space!

Encore Article

2008-06-14T22:09:00.006+10:00

Into the Shadows is in Encore!

About a month ago Phil and I had a chat with Tracey from Encore Magazine (over the phone) and it led to this article being published about Into the Shadows. It’s our first picture in a film magazine and hopefully another step forward for the film. What do you guys think?

The big Aussie Film Myth

2008-06-12T14:50:00.004+10:00

Local flicks more popular than credited

Michael Bodey | June 12, 2008

THE notion that Australians dislike Australian films is a myth, according to a research study commissioned by Film Finance Commission Australia.

The qualitative and quantitative study found Australian films did not suffer an intrinsic disadvantage against international films, despite the study's focus group research throwing up some disparaging remarks about local films.

"The qualitative research looked at the perceived wisdom; the quantitative research showed the perceived wisdom is wrong," said John Berenyi, managing director of Bergent Research, which conducted the study.

Read the story here.

What do you think? If you hear a film is Australian are you turned off or turned on?

What the, IF?

2008-06-06T12:06:00.008+10:00

So a week ago I come home to find my monthly subscription of IF mag lying on the kitchen table. I flick through it, read a few articles then put it down. Just before I go on to make some dinner I think, oh Rachael's column (as I usually read the magazine front to back and check out her column regularly).

Then, what the? There is Into the Shadows in print for the first time in an Aussie film mag.

A great surprise!

Gone Filming

2008-05-29T00:59:00.006+10:00

So the bag is packed, batteries are charged and my train ticket (print out) is wedged in my wallet. In a few hours I will not be bright eyed and bushy tailed nonetheless I will be on my first train ride from Canberra all the way to Dungog. From May 29- June 1 I will be in Dungog attending the Film Festival while Phil stays home editing.

I heard on a radio interview today, the director of the festival say something like, 'we need more venues that screen Australian films'. What do you think? Do our exhibitors need to support Australian films better or do Australian filmmakers need to make better films? Have Aussies lost the love for Aussie cinema? If you think 'we' have can it be revived?

Pollack has died

2008-05-27T12:04:00.003+10:00

Phil and I love cinema full stop, so when I heard that a great film director died I thought it was relevant to add. After all great filmmakers breed great cinema.

Pollack died of cancer at his home in Pacific Palisades today surrounded by his family, his agent Leslee Dart said.

Pollack's biggest success was the 1985 film Out of Africa starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, which won Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture.

Read more here.

-Andrew

Dungog count down

2008-05-25T23:13:00.003+10:00

As the new week breaks I am getting ready for the most exciting film festival on the Aussie calendar...Dungog!

Its only in its second year but it is already attracting great aussie films and a following.

Interested to know more about the festival? Find out here.

Interview with Honourable Peter Garret

2008-05-09T23:55:00.007+10:00

After a few changes to dates and times I had secured an interview with the relatively new Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts - The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP and at 5am on Thursday morning Phil and I packed up the old Honda and headed off to Sydney. As the sun rose a new day dawned for Into the Shadows as we decided this would be the last day Phil would shoot any more interviews. He will now go into post-production hibernation with the goal of having a fine cut of the film mid July 2008.

While waiting in the nearby cafe Encore Magazine called us and we did our first 'over-the-phone-interview' we are not sure when the story will be published but we are told there will be one written so we will keep you updated on that later.

Shortly after, we met Peter and interviewed him for the film. He was very gracious with his limited time and I want to thank his team for helping to make this happen. We then took advantage of the beautiful Sydney weather and shot some overlay of the Harbour surrounds before heading back home.

More Variety the better

2008-05-04T23:25:00.006+10:00

There is a great article in Variety on the possibilities that are emerging for indie filmmakers or DIY filmmakers. The article talks about the models for online distribution giving an outline of the challenges that lie ahead before it can fully function. It also comments on the hard realities that most filmmakers are facing, in that they are still having to mix between traditional media and online media to promote themselves.

I think it is clear that there are no either/ors anymore. It seems that it is all about deciding what best suits you as a filmmaker (what are your constraints and advantages) but also and maybe more importantly what medium suits your film?

Check it out here and let me know your thoughts,

Andrew.

Into the Documentary Australia approved list

2008-05-04T10:39:00.004+10:00

I know Andrew blogged about this before, but now Into the Shadows is actually on the list!

Click here for more information about the approved list and the awesome Documentary Australia Foundation website.

Just Sincere

2008-04-23T09:39:00.006+10:00

I was thinking of all the different kinds of puns I could use for the title of this blog, but I thought it best to keep it short and sincere.

Below you will find the first full length feature film to have it's premiere on YouTube.

Its a pretty big step in the whole new technologies thing. And since Four Eyed Monsters was the first full length film (not premiered) on YouTube (foureyedmonsters youtube channel), you can bet you bottom dollar that YouTube have been waiting to premiere one on there for a while!

YouTube have been pretty savvy so far about a lot of things, and I figure that they have probably had a lot of offers to premiere a film and wouldn't want to premiere crap. And after watching the trailer, something tells me they definitely picked the right film here!

I'm am currently letting The Cult of Sincerity load so I can watch the whole thing.

You too can do the same...Enjoy!

First step to getting on IMDb

2008-04-10T13:59:00.008+10:00

Into the Shadows has finally being submitted to IMDb for consideration! For anyone who wants to submit credits for their own work but does not know how check out this link

I had to search and scan to find this little link but it put me on the path to submitting the infomation IMDb require in order for your project to be considered for approval. Be prepared to give up half an hour or so of your time to fill out all the info.

So hopefully in four weeks time Into the Shadows will be on IMDb- fingers crossed!

Melbourne down, Sydney and Brisbane to go...

2008-04-10T11:17:00.025+10:00

After three days in Melbourne we are back home, enthusiastic and ready to continue the hard slog of editing Into the Shadows together.

On Monday, we arrived in Melbourne and after dropping some bags of at our now regular, City Limits hotel, met Paul Coulter. Paul has had a long life in the film industry, from the days of the Melbourne film co-op, Melbourne Film Festival and finally running the Lumiere Cinema for 12 years before closing it in late 2005.

He made some interesting comments about distribution and exhibition in Australia and views the need for a vibrant screen culture as very important. Afterwards he offered us a lift into the city where we met with Tony Ayres.

Tony is currently producing a TV Series 'Bogan Pride' and we ended up interviewing him in the art-department store room, which actually worked out quite well. Tony spoke openly about his experiences making and releasing The Home Song Stories. He also commented on the way Australian films are financed and the grueling development processes that they must go through from script to screen.

After the interview Phil and I headed back to the hotel, then we were off in search of wood fired pizza and a cold beverage.

Tuesday was not as eventful. Matt Zeremes was unable to do his interview (so we postponed it till later in the month) and I could not get in contact with Matt Saville. Not wanting to waste a day, we packed up the camera and tripod and went scouting for overlay. We shot exteriors of some cinemas and imagery of the city scape then took a taxi out to Westgarth and recorded the old Valhalla cinema (now run by Palace). The building tells its own story of changing times, reflected in the mix of its past and modern architecture.

We then headed back into town to meet Jarred (four4ty), a singer, song writer and our potential music composer. We talked over a beer and discussed how we saw the music working in the doco. Jarred was really receptive and liked the idea of collaborating with us to create a dynamic soundtrack. Phil and I left the conversation with some enthusiasm and headed off to Lygon Street for dinner and more filming.

The highlight of the night was getting to film inside the projection room at the Nova followed by a free bottle of wine and great pizza and pasta.

Wednesday, we checked out of the hotel and headed off to meet Clayton Jacobson, the man behind the 2006 Aussie hit 'Kenny'. Clayton was welcoming from the minute he opened the door to the minute we left. The interview was insightful on many levels, filmmaking, distribution, exhibition and audience perception. We chatted with Clayton for a while after the interview and left inspired to continue on in our work for Into the Shadows.

Yet again Phil and I have returned from the city of Melbourne with more great stories, experiences and encouragement to keep on keeping on...

Last plane to Melbourne

2008-04-07T05:05:00.004+10:00

It's 5am and I am about to head out to the airport for what will hopefully be our last plane trip to Melbourne (time for a morning coffee).

We have 5 interviews planned with some great Australian directors, an actor and a past exhibitor and all round film buff.

If all goes to plan we will be back in Canberra on Wednesday night with plenty to blog about. So until then, stay safe and have a great week!

-Andrew.

Richard Harris responds to 'Embracing Innovation - White paper'

2008-04-01T11:35:00.006+11:00

Richard Harris: A Response to Robert Connolly’s White Paper

Robert Connolly’s paper Embracing Innovation is provocative, thoughtful and immensely timely. Robert is one of the few people who works successfully as a film practitioner who has the ability to step back from the industry, examine his own practice and preconceptions, and really look at how things could be done better. It’s a rare gift.

What has always amazed me in the almost twenty years I have been in this industry is how resistant it is to change. This is an industry that prides itself on its creative and technological innovation and yet it in so many areas it remains locked into paradigms and methodologies that were developed over 100 years ago. And there so often seems to be a fear within the industry of challenging them. This is the reason, whether you agree with Robert’s analysis and recommendations or not, that interventions like this paper are so valuable.

Robert’s paper starts with a look at the changing framework for filmmaking in this country and with a challenge to some of the myths and preconceptions that exist in the industry. However, the greatest strength of the paper is that Robert not only identifies problems but tries to make recommendations for change where possible. He is willing to go out on a limb on a number of issues, but just as importantly he is also willing to recognise that there are some issues that cannot be solved immediately but will require further discussion and negotiation with numerous industry players.

In terms of the analysis itself, Robert makes crucial points about the state of our sector, and the structural limitations within which filmmakers operate – the failed business model, the need for innovation, the perverse incentives that exist, and the bizarre treatment of income for filmmakers whose films are commercially successful. These are just some of the big picture issues that he correctly identifies as needing addressing.

Then he moves his focus to wages and fees – dangerous territory because there are always stories of abuse and exploitation in the film industry. What is important, however, is that he identifies that there are models outside of Australia that could provide models for moving forward, and that should be considered.

He correctly questions the fixed percentage model for producers’ fees (and also writers’ and directors’), which has always struck me as an odd invention, because in a system where there is no incentive for success – because there is no way to share in it for a producer – the only incentive is to bump your fee up in order for you to survive until you make your next film. The more the budget is, the more the producer earns – surely there has to be some more sophisticated way of calculating this; surely there needs to be some connection between success and rewards.

Finally, Robert looks at cast fees, an issue that has caused much consternation over the years, because of the seeming contradiction between the need to attract back our best and brightest stars and the need to keep budgets more realistic and in line with the size of our market. Robert’s nuanced proposal to cap cast fees is a vast improvement on a proposal that I made a number of years ago to simply cap, at a fixed rate, actors’ fees on FFC films (along the lines of the Fox Searchlight cap), because Robert’s proposal makes allowance for the marketplace value of that actor. This makes eminent common sense as a proposal, as it allows flexibility while recognizing the constraints within which our film financing operates.

Robert’s final four recommendations focus on issues that seem so basic and simple that you wonder why they have never been addressed – until you remember that there are very few ways for the industry to look at issues at a whole-of-industry level. Insurance, the seemingly endless expense of legals even on simple projects, the level of unnecessary reporting required – surely some of these mechanical blockages and expenses can be removed or streamlined so that filmmakers can get on with the job of filmmaking. It’s like the whole industry needs an enema to clear out all this detritus that has gathered over the years – and I hope Robert would forgive me for suggesting that that paper is the first dose.

Finally, Robert touches on just one of the issues of distribution – an area that gets scant attention so often within the production industry, and its seeming refrain that if we build it they will come! Robert focuses on the ever increasing delivery demands of the marketplace, which are becoming more and more excessive – and makes a plea for some sanity to return and for the responsibility not to continue to lie always with the filmmaker.

In some ways, I see Robert’s paper as just the start of a discussion that needs to continue beyond those structural areas that he has identified and really delve downwards into the production methodologies themselves. Why are crew structures the way they are? Do they need to stay that way? How do we maximize the benefits that can accrue from new technologies in the actual production process? There are countless questions about the micro that are worth asking and that could take the industry in interesting directions if there was a will to take it there.

This discussion only gets us so far, because it will not solve the many issues that the industry faces that are outside the scope of innovation in production – and in particular issues related to financing and distribution. These will have to be teased out and, who knows, even solved by Robert’s next paper. What this paper does, however, is start the process on what we can do in our own backyard – to fix a few of the problems that we have right now. He’s thinking global but acting locally (as the slogan goes). And who knows, if we can start to embrace a culture of innovation within the production sector perhaps we will even have the guts to begin to challenge the locked marketplace structure within which filmmakers operate. For encouraging this kind of radical thinking, Robert Connolly should be applauded.

This article is found on the Centre for Screen Business website.

What's at Risk: Justice Leauge or the Australian Film Industry?

2008-03-19T20:54:00.016+11:00

Justice League Mortal is the film everyone is talking about and its not even in cinemas, yet-

Background:
A new tax incentive for Australian producers has been introduced, its called the Tax Offset (formally the Tax Rebate) and it provides up to a 40% Offset of budget of the film, which goes to the Producer. Like all incentives this one comes with its Red Tape. On this occasion a film must qualify under QAPE (Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure) to be able to access the Offset. This means that when a film is submitted, to the powers that be, a panel of assessors decide if the film is Australian 'enough' and if it is, then it gets the tick of approval. If not? Then find another country to film in with better tax breaks or change the script.

The Situation:
Justice League Mortal now sits in production limbo as, rumour has it, the Film Finance Corporation (FFC) rejected the producers preliminary request for the 40% Offset. So the question remains, are an Australian director, some key cast and crew enough to be an Australian Film? Or does the story have to be about a man cooking 'shrimp' on a Barbie in the outback? In today’s times, when filmmaking is becoming an increasingly global phenomenon the question is asked, what is an Australian film? And does an industry, that seems to be all but fading away, have the capacity to let such an investment go?

Well, on Wednesday, Dr. George Miller (director of Justice League) gave an impassioned response when interviewed by Fran Kelly on ABC Radio National about why he feels Justice League Mortal should receive the Offset.

There is an audio file of the interview and an interesting write up in The Sydney Morning Herald.

What do you think?

Want to know more about Justice League the comic? Find out here.

-Andrew.

Foundation Approved

2008-03-18T16:12:00.006+11:00

All our time filling in forms and writing up applications has not been an entire waste!

Into the Shadows has been approved by the Documentary Australia Foundation to be a documentary deemed worthy of philanthropic support. Phil and I have issued the Foundation with a production still and synopsis, which will be added to their website shortly. In time Into the Shadows will appear on the Foundation's website 'Approved List' for all to view.

So, if you or someone you know, would like to donate to the production or post production costs of Into the Shadows you can, knowing that you are supporting an offical, charitable production. This also means you can now recieve tax breaks from your donation to the making of the film.

Support the making of Into the Shadows and share in the creation of the film that will raise the awareness, of the need for a fresh, dynamic, vibrant Australian cinema culture.

-Andrew.

Face Space

2008-03-13T11:50:00.006+11:00

We have finally done it. Into the Shadows is now not only on Myspace but Facebook too!

We have started the page off very simply, with a Teaser and a forum to discuss the points raised in the teaser. All are welcome to add comments.

So head to Myspace and become a friend or you can head to Facebook and become a FAN! Then again why not just head to both?

New Channel

2008-03-04T09:57:00.005+11:00

Hey everyone, we have updated our INTERVIEWEE page. Check it out and add some comments below.

We have also created our own YOUTUBE channel. Keep an eye on this for clips and coming trailers.

Friday is always too far away

2008-03-01T01:36:00.002+11:00

Early this afternoon I posted our application to the AFC for production funding.

Phil has been hanging with his girlfriend all week, as she leaves for England tomorrow, so it was almost a one-man show. Has anyone else tried to fill in an AFC application? It’s a lot of work, making sure every box is ticked.

But the paper work is finally signed, sealed and delivered - Fingers crossed!

I have just come back from a night out on the town with my mate Dax; it was a good way to end the week. Hopefully next week will bring some exciting news as we wait to hear from ScreenACT.

Can't wait til next Friday afternoon.

Friday Deadline

2008-02-28T09:41:00.002+11:00

We are busy working on two applications:

One for AFC production funding and the other to be approved by the Documentary Australia Foundation as an official film that can receive Philanthropic support.

To anyone else out there working hard to get an application in on time- good luck!

Embracing Innovation - White Paper

2008-02-25T17:11:00.004+11:00

Robert Connolly has issued a new White Paper titled, Embracing Innovation: a new methodology for feature film production in Australia.

We have interviewed Robert for Into the Shadows, during the interview he did discuss some interesting points of view about the funding models in Australia. We applaude him for his work on this white paper and encourage you all to read it.
ConnollyWP%5B1%5D.pdf

AIDC Day 3

2008-02-25T12:57:00.006+11:00

After our late night of inspiration how did the final day play out? Read on...

Day 3: Friday

Peter Greenaway was the keynote speaker of the conference and his session was well worth the wait. He spoke very provocatively about Documentary itself as a form and challenged everyone’s notion of the context of cinema in contemporary life. He sees the idea of “the frame” as a limited way of shooting and exhibiting films and has begun to test new ways of viewing films and on new subjects. He has been working with artists in Italy who have been projecting work on massive surfaces, from museum walls and ceilings to 10m high boards. The most interesting clip he showed featured Rembrandt’s The Nightwatchman and was originally played during a Rembrandt exhibition in Amsterdam. Digital composting was used to bring the painting to life, adding a whole new aspect of light, sound and vision to the work.

I came away from Greenaway's talk feeling that I had experienced something new. It is hard to describe but it is as if something in the new age of cinema is a foot and Peter Greenaway is onto it.

I went to a session run by Bruno Felix, from submarine channel, about the way documentary and the virtual world is evolving together. Later, Phil and I both sat in on the session, Basement Tapes by Brett Gaylor. He is a young director from Canada, making a groundbreaking documentary on Piracy and copyright in the digital world. He helped establish this idea of open source cinema, which encourages re-mixing and re-mashing of one filmmakers work by another. Another session, another glimpse at what the future of filmmaking may look like.

The day ended with some padded out sessions including listening to the people behind ABC and SBS explain what they are programming and looking for over the coming year and according to Matt Campbell Australia's Top Gear did not cost $11m. I was able to meet Jennifer Collins from ABC and chat about our project, she was interested in it and recommended we apply for the JTV DOCS funding round.

The day ended on a high note going for drinks at the Beach Bar, meeting and greeting other producers, directors and people from state agencies. With plenty of Little Creatures on offer and a cool setting it was a great way to end a very full three days.

It was then time to say good bye to the Ole B&B and fly back to the East side to our homes in Canberra. With new deadlines to meet and plenty of business cards to sort through it’s back in front of the computer and into it all over again.

New Mags

2008-02-24T13:07:00.004+11:00

Just been added to the IF Magazine in production webpage and FILMINK's links page.

Keep an eye out for next month's IF Magazine and the new FILMINK.

AIDC Day 2

2008-02-23T14:34:00.004+11:00

Thinking back to day 2...it was a day that began quickly, lost its way then ended with a high energy climax...so what exactly went down?

Day 2: Thursday

First up was “Who's Who” where all the delegates sat in the audience and were introduced to the faces behind the networks and broadcasters from all around the world with likes of National Geographic, Channel 4, ITVS and Verve Entertainment International.

Documart! For the first time Phil and I watched people giving pitches to television broadcasters from all around the world; Scotland, Germany, the USA, Bangladesh and of course SBS and ABC from Australia. This may show my age, but I wonder why commercial networks like Ten, Seven and Nine don't turn up? Documentary seems to be a hot form at the moment so you never know...(if anyone does know the answer tell us in the comments)

Some pitches were great, some were...not so...actually on second thought all of them were pretty good. The most interesting thing about it was to watch the re-actions and interactions between "pitcher" and the “broadcaster”. Sometimes broadcasters were nice, interested and right into the idea and other times they were ice cold. Phil and I will be mindful of this when we tighten our synopsis and treatments as well as use this experience to further our pitching skills for the future.

“What’s in it for private investors?” was interesting...to sum it up? In our opinion? The new producers offset still has a few bugs to be worked through and the FFC or the to be new Screen Australia will have to work hard with banks and institutions to ensure that the offset is seen as a secure viable model for investing into Australian production. One thing that can be said is that the offset is not designed for small time independent producers but for medium to large size companies who can take on a slate of projects. Instead of trying to make it sound like there are ways for little indie guys to survive I wish someone would have the guts to say what is really going on here and that this is not right as it could destroy the business model for small time players. Some may argue that this is fine, that they are not needed but if the raw indie producers are culled off then the industry stands to lose fresh ideas and its vibrant-risky edge.

The next seminars were so so and our night was drifting nowhere, then by chance we bumped into Tim Sparke from joiningthedots.tv and had fish and chips for dinner with him. We got talking about our project and joiningthedots.tv and before we new it we were debating the current trends in cinema, from England, Australia to the USA and Europe. Later, Tim worked through our film narrative further. We ended up getting some contacts from him and at the stroke of midnight (almost) we met Daryl Karp, Chief Executive Officer of Film Australia. She added some thoughts on our project and with that we walked back to our humble B&B with a renewed focus and vigour.

AIDC End

2008-02-23T12:49:00.009+11:00

So much for posting an entry every day of the AIDC. I guess that's what you get for not having wireless abilities on your mac.

It's all about meeting people at these conferences. Andrew and I met a lot of people. And I mean, a lot! The common questions of course were what are you doing here and what is your project about? Personally I liked to talk about anything but my project. It wasn't because I dont like my project or ashamed or anything like that. In fact, quite the opposite. I am so proud and happy with our project that I didn't want to sound conceited.

I talked about my project when I had to, and I discussed it with enthusiasm when I did. Overall, the other delgates were very positive with their feedback. Some great interest from filmmakers, distributors, local broadcasters and surprisingly, international braodcasters.

Even though Into the Shadows is a very local story, the international correlations are obvious. Especially when in Into the Shadows, we turn around and look outward to see how other countries dealt, deal, and are dealing with the same or similar struggles and challenges our own filmmakers, distributors, exhibitors and government funding bodies etcetera are dealing with in our story.

They seemed to like the Australian focus and felt it could be used as an education of the industry for their industry.

AIDC Day 1

2008-02-21T10:44:00.009+11:00

We have decided to track back the three days at the AIDC:

Day 1: Wednesday

It was a really big day yesterday. There was lots to do and lots to see. Lots of people to meet and lots of coffee to drink...

I went to the round table discussion with Katrina Sedgwick (director of the Adeaide Film Festival) and considering neither of us had been to one before, it went really well.

Katrina was extremely informative about the investment fund, and I truly believe our stars and timelines are aligned. We will be submitting an application to the AFFIF as soon as possible.

Andrew had similar luck with Mitzi Goldman and Susan McKinnon from the Documentary Australia Foundation. He received really positive feedback from our draft application and once we get back to Canberra we'll submit our polished application and hopefully be approved by the foundation so we can go on in our search for philanthropic support.

Opening night drinks are always good - especially when the drinks are free - and last night's events were no exception. We met some really nice people, caught up with our friend Sophie from Closer Productions, met her (production) partner Bryan, watched an amazing sunset, got drinks spilt on me and almost lost my bag.

A great night, hopefully followed by another great day.

No Good Night but hopefully plenty of Luck!

2008-02-19T03:16:00.004+11:00

I haven’t gone to sleep tonight, and our flight is at 6:50 am so I don’t think I’ll get there, plenty of time to rest on the plane...we are off to the AIDC 2008 in Fremantle. Never been to West Aussie, heard its a great place so I’m looking forward to it.

Last night was Tropfest 08, sorry...last night was SONY TROPFEST 08! It was packed in Canberra- a 20,000 strong crowd and for once the weather was hot and sunny! Sometimes I forget if its a marketing event or a short film festival, either way I suppose its great to bring so many people together to support short films. I must admit I snuck away during the interval to have a coffee but congrats to all the winners and a big shout out to the two local entries from Canberra who made it into the top 16.

Today Phil added links to the new bios and should have them up and running tomorrow, if we can fit it in between the flights, DOCO2012 seminar and drinks. Whilst Phil worked on the website, I edited our Documentary Australia proposal. I can finally say that it is done! And I am looking forward to meeting Mitzi Goldman and Susan MacKinnon on Wednesday at the round table discussion. If successful Into the Shadows will be given official recognition by the foundation which will help us in our venture to woo philanthropic investors.

My right pointer finger is sore from typing, my neck is creaking and my bag is not packed...time to sign off and get everything else ready for the trip.

Look out for our daily updates whilst at the AIDC.

Breakdown

2008-02-12T14:09:00.000+11:00

Yesterday we packed the car early in the morning and were on the road to Sydney by 6am. We were heading up there to interview Brendan Cowell, the lead actor in Noise and then come back that afternoon. Get up early, leave on time and everything would work out...or so we thought.

Unfortunately, the car had other ideas. An hour and a half outside of Canberra the car broke down. First the radio cut out, the digital dashboard went blank and the Speedo was stuck on 120 so we decided to pull over. As the car came to a stop it lost all power and stalled on us.

An ABS light had come on, which the manual told us meant we had no ABS. No anti-lock braking wasn't the worst thing in the world, so we decided to keep going. On the second try, the car started and we were on our way…5 minutes later the car conked out again.

This time we did what must be done and called Phil’s old man as well as the NRMA. 10mins later the NRMA was there to rescue us, but to no avail. All he could say was that our alternator might need to be fixed but that everything else was fine and as long as we kept the radio, air con and cruise control off (basically everything besides the basic function of driving) we could try our luck and continue on to Sydney or take a turn to Moss Vale and find a ford dealer to check over the car.

So with none of the luxuries we have come to depend on we headed for Moss Vale. The car was running fine and all was well until the gremlins struck again and the car blanked out.

By this time Phil’s mum who had decided to drive to our aid and swap cars was coming up to Goulburn and so she continued to Moss Vale. We called Ford and the NRMA. 45 mins later Phil’s mum turned up, we exchanged cars and were back on the highway.

Thanks to Phil’s stunt man driving and a bit of luck we got to Brendan’s place by 11:30am, half an hour late but nonetheless there. Brendan was very gracious about it and so the interview went on.

Huge thanks to Bob and Lorraine for giving up their entire day to ensure we got the interview.

Today we have captured the interview, and are continuing to prepare for the AIDC 2008. We hope to have a complete promo reel done by Friday, so for now it’s back to the grindstone.

A side note - FILMINK has also added Into the Shadows to their links page - thanks Dov for your continued support.

AIDC Prep

2008-02-08T17:04:00.000+11:00

Weeks seem to come and go at the moment and there goes another one. We have been working on a fresh look for our website, including new material: promos, interviewee bios and our news blog.

We have also been preparing for our trip to the AIDC 2008.

Registration... Check!
Flights... Check!
Accommodation... We had some hick-ups but can now say, check!

We are aiming to meet and greet other documentary filmmakers at the conference and find out what other people out there are making. There are going to be some great seminars run by experienced filmmakers and industry professionals so it should be an enriching experience.

Office Space

2008-02-07T16:09:00.000+11:00

Today we are working from our new office. No it’s not one of those minimalist design penthouse view offices that have views of the CBD. It’s in Phil’s renovated backyard garage, but nonetheless it’s an office space and its working well for us.

Last week we submitted a funding application to ScreenACT. It’s the first time the ACT government has issued funding through ScreenACT specifically for film projects...so fingers crossed. If we receive the funding we will be able to finish the production stage of our doco. If we don’t, we will be hitting up the credit cards again - either way this film will be completed.

On some other news, as you may have noticed we have a new addition to our website - Our news blog! Will we be adding entries to this more often! It will be a great way to keep up to date as our project continues and it means you can now comment on the website and the film.

We have also cut a promo reel and some clips for Into the Shadows so keep an eye on this space because they will be up soon…until then go out and make a film! You know you want to.

New year is here

2008-01-02T16:13:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year! Fireworks are over and the Christmas tree is coming down for 2007, so here it is, 2008 upon us already.

We have been relaxing with family and friends which has been great but now its time to focus on the documentary again and focus on one thing in particular- finance! Yep, we are sucking in the footage, cutting a reel and preparing treatments and budgets for grants.

First cab off the rank...THE SCREENACT 2008 PROJECT FUND. We need to fill out some paper work, write a proposal, treatment, cut a reel and have a budget. Only twenty odd days to go so we better get cracking!

End of the Sydney trip

2007-12-15T20:02:00.000+11:00

It’s been a long week. More interviews are on tape and our heads are spinning with excitement as we look to the New Year with anticipation of cutting together what we have so far.

One of the highlights this week has to be our first radio appearance. After interviewing Megan Spencer she invited us on, as late replacements, to be interviewed about our documentary. We were cut from the main broadcast due to the 20/20 cricket and could only be heard streamed live from the web. So our audience was small but it is a beginning. We also spoke with Paul Coulter (late owner of the Lumiere in Melbourne) on the phone in a live cross.

Now its beer o’clock and the cricket is on. Sitting here with our KFC bucket, air con pumping and our heads chilled back on our pillows. Time to pop open the draughts and celebrate!

Quit our jobs...but still full steam ahead

2007-12-10T11:35:00.000+11:00

This trip is already frustrating and it’s only the end of Day 1. Since quitting our jobs to work on the documentary full time, money has been a problem. Not so much a problem but an issue to deal with and it looks like we will be hitting up the credit card from now on. Which means debt.

The hotel is not to bad, but it isn’t great. The internet is expensive, the extra comforts of a bedside table are non-existent and the desk is one of those minimalist ones shoved in the corner that can hold a skinny TV and that’s about it...not the ideal workspace for traveling filmmakers. Enough complaining - on with the job at hand.

Today we had two great interviews, firstly Adrianne Pecotic from AFACT, who raised some interesting points about piracy and creative ownership. After lunch we interviewed Stephen Basil-Jones from Sony Pictures Releasing. He was very encouraging of our work and great to chat with, he had some upfront thoughts on the real issues facing distributors in this evolving cinema environment.

Destination: Film Festival

2007-12-08T22:56:00.000+11:00

Today we jumped in the Honda and zoomed off to Newton, Sydney for the closing session of Destination Film Festival. We had an interesting drive through Newton finding the place but once we did it was worth it. Carriageworks! A new contemporary art space transformed from an old railway station...an unreal space, mixing rustic charm with modern technology perfectly.

Megan Spencer introduced the session (Cyber-Born Film) and then let the film Four Eyed Monsters do the talking. It’s a great film, innovative in everyway. We had watched all their video podcasts but had never seen the film on the BIG SCREEN. Its a testament to how indie filmmakers can use digital distribution and marketing to get a film out there...hey we just watched their film on a Big Screen in an old railway station in Sydney! If that’s not getting it out there I don’t know what is.

The discussion with the panel afterwards was great with such speakers as Rosemary Blight (Clubland), Rachel Lucas (Bondi Tsunami), Dan & Dominique Angeloro (Soda Jerk) and Toby Ralph (Street Sweeper). We had some drinks afterwards in a nearby pub, swapped some stories and bizz cards then were back on the road. A good trip and a good festival.

Highlights so far...

2007-12-07T10:42:00.000+11:00

What a whirlwind tour. Interviews, running out of money, changing schedule, the red carpet of the AFI’s! It’s been hard going but great all the same. We have some really good interviews on tape and great colour from the AFI’s.

Highlights of this week included an encouraging chat with Robert Connolly, great discussion with Dee McLachlan and Andrea Buck from The Jammed and interviewing George Miller on the red carpet at the AFI’s.

On to Melbourne

2007-12-04T10:31:00.000+11:00

Ah the ole City Limits. It’s a little hotel tucked away on Little Burke street, but its got all the right comforts, nice staff, brekky in the fridge and cheap internet– great for any indie filmmaker looking for a place in Melbourne.

Adelaide is down, Melbourne and Sydney to go. Spoke with a taxi diver this morning about the upcoming Indian tour of Australia. Meeting with Paul Wiegard from Madman today followed by Robert Connolly, Richard Wolesncroft and Antony Ginnane tomorrow.

Who are we interviewing?

2007-12-02T10:11:00.000+11:00

Two big interviews today and they went really well. Talked with Didier Elzinger from Rising Sun Pictures about the VFX industry and the way he believes Australian filmmakers and VFX artists could evolve in Australia. In the afternoon we had a lengthy discussion with Murali, director of 2:37. He shared some insightful thoughts about the way forward for young filmmakers in Australia and how we can be making cinema people want to see.

Tonight I am watching Alexandra’s Project, ahead of an interview with Rolf De Heer tomorrow. Then in the evening we will interview Richard Harris, which rounds out our time in SA.

It’s been worthwhile; hopefully we can muster two good interviews tomorrow and head to Melbourne with our heads up. Phil is tired and hungry, my stomach is growling...time for some takeaway.

Adelaide arrival

2007-12-01T10:04:00.001+11:00

Arrived in Adelaide to warm evening heat and a very talkative taxi driver. This city is interesting with its blend of colonial buildings and modern centres. Our hotel is terrible; definitely not what was in the picture but after some chummy chatting with the receptionist he has upgraded us (free of charge). Apparently he doesn’t like his job and says he’ll quit tomorrow- lucky timing for us.

A big week ahead, time to stop typing and start prepping...maybe after a quick bite.

Preparation

2007-11-27T17:33:00.000+11:00

Its 10:30 at night and I should be sleeping in preparation for tomorrow’s trip. Instead I am watching the behind the scenes featurette of 2:37 and compiling some research on Shane Abbess. Phil is rocking up at my house at 5:30am then we are off to Sydney.

We will be interviewing Shane at the Sony theatrette at 11am and hopefully meet with Peter Cody at 2:30pm for a quick discussion about the possibility of interviewing him for our project.

Then it’s back in the car and off home to Canberra. Today was also the first day of working on the film 8:30-5pm as I quit my job on Friday- it was a great feeling, here’s to many more productive days ahead. Well enough writing from me, back to work and hopefully sleep...soon enough.

Organising trips away

2007-11-14T22:23:00.000+11:00

Andrew has half a day off work today so we are working together trying to organise trips away to Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. Tough to do with only a few weeks before Christmas, so we'll see how we go.

More Interviews...

2007-11-13T22:12:00.000+11:00

It's crazy that another month has come to pass. We are extremely busy getting everything in order before the end of year. We've done many more interviews (Alan Finney, Sue Maslin, Natalie Miller, Mark Spratt and Antonio Zeccola - just to name a few), which we will have up on our interviewee page shortly.

We have many more interviews planned and some really exciting announcements coming up...so stay tuned.

Pre-ADG conference

2007-10-12T22:07:00.000+10:00

September has come and gone and as you can see, another month of not many entries. It has been an interesting month full of ups and downs, we only wish we had the time to write them all down. That is the one word that encapsulates September, Time. We are quickly learning that as filmmakers you always want the time you don't have. Then when things are going slow you wish something would just hurry up and get the project up and running again.

This weekend we are about to embark on a trip to Sydney for the Australian Directors Guild conference. We are looking forward to meeting many of the people who make the films that create the cinema culture we live in. We have had some recent luck, a late email last night from the ADG has given us permission to film the event and to network with Directors.

The bags are packed, camera is in the boot and we are off...

Interviewed Bruce

2007-10-10T21:57:00.000+10:00

Meeting Bruce Beresford at his book launch back in August has paid off. Not only did we buy a great book but on Tuesday Phil got to meet the man and record an interview with him for the film. Andrew was absent (as he had to work) so Phil was put in the unusual hot seat of interviewer. The interview went well and Bruce was encouraging. We wish him all the best in his future projects.

Back from the AIMC

2007-09-08T21:51:00.000+10:00

It has been a few weeks since our last entry as we have been busy working on the doco after our week away at the Movie Convention.

AIMC was a good trip for us. We met a lot of distributors, exhibitors and filmmakers. We saw a few new movies and enjoyed schmoozing by the bar late into the night. (On a side note; Andrew earned a reputation as the quickest 'business card slinger' at the convention with his smooth slight of hand, wooing the ladies and guys alike).

We were able to conduct some interesting interviews, including, Mark Gooder (Icon), Robert Reeve (Becker Entertainment), Gerald Hensley (DTS) and Mark Sarfaty (Ex-Head of Dendy cinemas). We also learnt a lot about the future of the industry and will continue to research the current issues and make further contact with possible interviewees.

AIMC prep

2007-08-11T21:45:00.000+10:00

Another late night preparing for the Australian International Movie Convention. We are catching a 6am bus tomorrow to Sydney then a flight from there to the Gold Coast. Should be a big week. You can never be too prepared but here's hoping all goes well.

Dr Plonk opens at the Arc

2007-08-07T21:40:00.000+10:00

Last night the Arc opened at the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra. We went along to document the official opening and record some of the after gala party. Rolf De Heer's new film "Dr. Plonk" premiered and will go down in history as the first film to ever screen at the Arc. We were lucky enough to meet and chat with Rolf after the film, fingers crossed we will interview him later this year

Bruce Beresford

2007-08-04T21:21:00.000+10:00

We went to a literary dinner last night with Bruce Beresford, at the Hyatt in Canberra. It was mainly lots of older people chuckling along to Bruce's anecdotes but we must admit he had some good stories to tell. We bought a copy of his new book and got him to sign it. Asked him if he would be interested to do an interview for the doco, he didn't commit to one but we got his email. So you never know.