Filmnet Daily 3.022 Pearls of Wisdom & Tropfest
Filmnet
FILMNET DAILY 3.022 Wednesday February 9 2000
THE FREE ONLINE WEEKDAILY AUSTRALIAN & NZ FILM INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER
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CONTENTS
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Dockland deal dying, Jet Set flying ahead, Finder gets green light,
Tropfest finalists, Wolstonecroft letter
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COMMENT
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Tropfest will be bigger than ever this year. Great to see that the Oz
public actually do want to see and support Australian films and
filmmakers. Why is it that the support doesn’t translate to the feature
film circuit? There is a short circuit in the system! Life In A
Volkswagon – Great to see Bryan Moses & Craig Anderson back again this
year! Don’t forget to read Richard Wolstonecroft’s interesting letter in
today’s filmnet. A filmmaker with plenty to say who will be making films
one way or anther for years to come.
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NEWS
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DOCKLANDS ON DEATHBED
Brokers have failed to raise enough investor interest for the $A485M
Studio City fun park and are desperately sweetening the offer terms and
slashing the size of the project. Under the new plan the retail and
entertainment strip adjoining the park (the potentially profitable
part!) will be axed at a saving of $A105M. The State Government has even
offered an emergency $A40M support package. Negative factors included
low tourist traffic, Melbourne’s inclement weather, potential strike
action and reports that the Fox studios park is underperforming (which
Fox would no doubt happily push!). The main problem however is that you
really can’t have a profitable theme park that is only open half the
year.
JET SET FLYING AHEAD
Writer/Director Jonathan Ogilvie’s no budget feature Jet Set should now
be in post production. Full details on the cast and crew (including Maya
Stange) are at: www.filmnet.org.au/misc/jetsetteam.html
FINDERS KEEPERS
THE FINDER has just been greenlit and will move into pre production in
Sydney in mid March. It will be shot in and around the Sydneys Northern
Beaches. Contact via email only on: fron...@oceanguard.com
TROPFEST
THE FINALISTS: Happy Camper – Tim Porter, The Island – Kieran
Darcy-Smith, The baaa Flock Project – Darryl Thoms & Zenon Kohler, The
Bathroom – Richard Lindsell, The Raw Prawn – Trent O’Donnell, How Far
Can You Wear Your Underpants from The Beach – John Biggins, Hop, Skip,
Jump – Michael Lui, Desy – Heather-Jean Moyes, Brother – Angus Strachan,
Old Man – Robin Feiner & Jesse Gibson, Life In A Volkswagon – Bryan
Moses & Craig Anderson, Face Of The West – Rhian Hinkley, The watermark
– Lisa Dombroski, Noise – Chris Bence, Meeting Misty Rain – Justin
Kurzel, 1 Day 2 Tracks – Shalom Almond & Tamsin Sharp
TROPFEST SCREENING DETAILS
Sydney – The Domain & Victoria St Cafes, Darlinghurst
Melbourne – Greville St & Cafes, Prahran
Brisbane – Ric & Fat Boy’s, 321 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley
Cairns – Coffee Club, 71 Esplanade, Cairns
Adelaide – Al fesco, 280 Rundle St, Adelaide
Perth – Tropicana Café, 88 Marine Pde, Cottesloe
Hobart – machine Laundry Café, Salamanca Sq.
And on Channel 9 – see below in the ads section for full details.
RACHEL BUSY ON BLOW JOB
Director Ted Demme is busy filming Blow in the Mojave desert (day 3)
about a Hollywood party drug dealer. It stars Johnny Depp, Penelope
Cruz, Paul Reubens, Cliff Curtis, Jordi Molla, Ray Liotta, Rachel
Griffiths, Max Perlich and Franka Potenta.
IN BRIEF
Foxtel looks set to adopt the OpenTV interactive pay TV service.
MEG has reported an after tax profit of $A1.3M on a 62% increase in
sales and has adopted new accounting guidelines.
Seven Network expects to make large savings now that its fibre cable
system called Digital Video platform has been launched.
The Age reports that Toni Colette is performing well in the Broadway
show The Wild Party.
Don’t miss Tranceformer: A Portrait Of Lars Von Trier, 9pm SBS Sat Feb
12.
The Tasmanian Readers & Writer’s Festival will be held from Aug 17-21
(its free) www.fearless.org.au/taswriters
The search function on the AFC site should now be fully functional.
Erskineville kings has just been released on video.
Hammer film productions has been sold!
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/film/index.asp
OZ FILM SHARE PRICES
Amalgamated Holdings (AHD) 369 -3
Barron (BAE) 18 -1
Becker (BKR) 23 -5
Beyond International (BYI) 145 -13
Cinema Plus (CIA) 37 -5
Media Entertainment Group (MEG) 52 -4
News Corporation (NCP) 2120 +29
Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd (PBL) 1320 -25
Scanbox (SOX) 20.4 –0.6
Seven Network (SEV) 584.1 +6
Southern Star (SSR) 71 -3
Ten Network (TEN) 215 -2
Village Roadshow (VRL) 252 -2
(Closing Prices Of Previous Day in Australian cents)
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MAIL
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Dear Gawain/Filmnet,
Have enjoyed recent discussions and clarifications in Filmnet regarding
film funding in this country, both at state and federal level. Thought
I'd deal in my opinions and respond to Paul Harrington's quote "Also,
thanks for Julie Marlowe's recent correction regarding her aspirations
for the Victorian industry being "left of centre" rather than left wing.
Still bet Richard Wolstencroft's unique brand of gonzo fascism won't be
welcome!"
I don't know exactly what Paul means by "Gonzo fascism" if it's a
reference to Hunter S.Thompson... I feel flattered. I suppose those who
have seen my new film "Pearls Before Swine" have questioned it's
political motivations, so I thought I'd clarify a little. My personal
political position is sticky. My new film is not attempting to promote
what is normally called fascism but is an attempt to reopen a dialogue
with the social, sexual and political motivations that lead people
toward such areas.
I have a fairly different view of humanity than most people, but I
cannot bring myself down to the stupidity level to be a racist...(Though
it can be a powerful tool to motivate the base hatred of weak people to
do your will... as history has proven). While the human race can be
extremely unique and beautiful, it can also be extremely stupid and
ugly...yes? I openly admit to admiring figures like Adolph Hitler and
Benito Mussolini but also Chairman Mao and Fidel Castro, Napoleon,
Marcus Aerulius, Julius Caesar, Gaius Caligula, Alexander the Great,
Caesar Borgia and Hannibal. These figures shaped entire era's with their
own will power and their life stories, especially their sexual tastes,
psychology and motivations make for essential study for any student of
history.
This has lead me to the conclusion that humanity has been living a
delusion since the advent of Christianity and the more utopian times of
the Greeks. Christ whose life and teachings are fascinating(a
re-intepretation of Plato for the not so perceptive) and worthy of
serious study has unfortunetly spawned a 'mind poisoning cult' that has
infected us since the Roman era. Even though we claim to have left
God/Jesus and his friends behind we still cling to the morality and
'world view' of Christianity and Neo-Platonism.
This is a mistake. Especially now in our technologically advanced world.
Where we are becoming stock! or at least a product in the great consumer
orgy we are now witnessing (ie. "Fight Club"). Perhaps we needed
Christianity at some time, but its need is now over, outside of studying
in the context of a genealogy of ideas and beliefs. Now we are free to
look at men and women as they really are and to base our society
accordingly.
I have found humanity to be dominated by one force alone, sexuality. I
hate to bring down the post modern critics but Freud, Adler,
Kraft-Ebbing, Reich and Kinsey understood a lot more than we care to let
on. We have been in a state of 'denial' about the power of sexuality
since their discoveries. Sexuality's influence reaches into all aspects
of human endeavor including politics.
One aspect of "Pearls Before Swine" and only one is, that I'm attempting
to de-construct the forces that draw us to what is called fascism and
reveal them as related entirely to sexuality, especially sadomasochism.
The dominant/submissive relationship explains the entire history of
oppression and dictatorship perfectly. It produced sexual and orgasmic
reactions in the oppresors and even sometimes the victims, on an
unconscious level(sometimes conscious). Read Sade and Bataille for
further details.
I'm not a fan of post-modernism but have enjoyed the work of Derrida and
Foucault, but we are now heading into a new era, out of the 'cul de sac'
of late twentieth century thought. I do feel as Foucault hinted that
there are things outside the linguistic Wittgenstein, structarlist,
trap. Sexuality, power and violence are three of those things. They
transcend language and are more pure and primal. I see the perversions
such as sadomasochism and homosexuality as taking language and culture
and re sexualizing it. Bringing it back into the realm of the the sex
drives. Hence the vicissitudes of the human sexual animal.
If my film has a political belief it is based on my observations from
the sexual standpoint and progress from there. Future politics should
embrace psychology and the sexually diverse and reward the talented and
unique (ala. Nietzsche's political philosophy) whilst maintaining a
certain standard of living for the masses, whilst balancing the
environment over consumerist rape and pillage. Education is paramount
here. I suggest the world stop it's defense spending by half and invest
massively on education bring everyone up to the high level of
intelligence in public and/or private schools regardless of class
stasis. Stop fighting and start learning and fucking, examine a
philosophy of pleasure. A true sexual revolution.
Of course without God and morality, we are free to do as we will. What
we make of these problems in this century will mean the differance
between true human self realization('individuation' as in Jung) or a
bloody repeat of what happened last century. Once you understand the
sexual motivations and sadistic impulses of the dictator/fascist he
becomes just another fiend getting a 'hard on' over pain and
suffering(not wrong in itself, but these desires must be kept under
control and expressed creatively and without unwilling harm). This
removes his allure and access to power, through de cloaking his
motivations. If this is "Gonzo fascism", so be it!
The funding bodies in this state/country have never to this stage given
me access to any of their film funds, despite having made three feature
films in this country. I do not feel bitter about this. My ideas are
unconventional and not always to everyone's taste. I look forward to
them coming to appreciate my work and possibly supporting a project in
the future. Not all my work will be as risque as "Pearls Before Swine",
but some will go further. Though I will not hold my breath either in
waiting or self censorship and will find financing though private
investors, where I can, if that is what it takes to express myself.
Australian films make several mistakes if one is to generalise. The
worst is trying to be Australian. Believe me just making a film in this
country means it will be stamped with our dubious social characteristics
and slightly 'retarded' accent. We must remember that content, story and
having something timely or untimely to say are paramount. The other
thing is the old 'boys and girls' club of the Aussie film industry,
funding project after project by people whose last hit was a piss poor
film from the eighties, but happen to know the right ass to kiss. The
other thing that is bad is the filmmaking by committee approach. Because
films are funded by the government they are essentially propaganda,
supporting the middle class world view of the average government
intellectual. This too is a mistake. Without agitation and conflict in
the arts where is there creative dialogue, progress in ideas... a true
'left of centre'?
So if I where to make some suggestions, I would award a film fund of say
One to Two million from either federal or state bodies to five or six
interesting filmmakers per annum. People such as Jon Hewitt, Mark
Savage, Phillip Brophy, Alexis Vellis, my good self and others(to name
just a few in VIC!) who have expressed a truly unique voice and say to
these filmmakers "Do what you want". These funds be distributed
responsibly and approriately in line with union and legal standards by a
producer and lawyers responsible to the film funding body but the film
itself be free from government veto of it's ideas and beliefs. Attempt
to remove the bureacracy of application and let the funding bodies
pursue talent, rather than the other way around. I think you would see a
turn around in the film industry within 12 months of implementation. It
would be self perpetuating as some of these filmmakers would break
through and receive commercial funding so the next generation can come
up.
Having made my films on the catering budget of most mainstream films I
relish the day when I can truly create a vision without the financial
restraints of low budget production, which is generally a pain in the
ass. No control of ideas, support and find the talent, fund people who
have proven they can make quality work on a tenth of the proposed budget
and then lets see what they can really do! Viva le revolution. and of
course 'To the new dawn'
Richard Wolstencroft
PS. To Borrow a line from Brad Dourif in the "Exorcist 3: Legion".....
"sorry was I raving..."
<GM: Plenty of interesting points! If only all Oz films had as much to
say as your future films!>
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G,
In response to Paul Birds enquiry about his 10 year old sister I'd
suggest that he call Margot at the Screen Actors Studio in Geelong on
52722500. The screen actors studio represents over 250 actors of who
over 180 are children and teenagers. These kids train each week in a
multicam TV studio and many work regularly as actors and extras in TV
Series Films & Commercials. The Studio Trained John Dutton who plays
"Tad" in Neighbours and Craig McMahon the new presenter on "Totally
Wild". The Studio runs classes in the evenings and on weekends to cater
for many of the students who are Melbourne based. It's basically a great
launch pad for anyone wanting to develop a good acting technique on
camera and present themselves in a professional way to the industry.
The agency side of the business produces a headshot book and internet
site which will soon be closing for the year.
There are many other Agents who represents children and teenagers. You
can get a list by calling the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
Brian Pound is a good contact. They are very helpful in this regard. You
also may want to check out St. Martins Youth Theatre for the theatrical
side of things. The victorian college of the arts and NIDA both run good
holiday drama programs. But the most important thing is that she get
representation by working up a simple resume and getting a decent
headshot done and then presenting these to the list of agents furnished
by the MEAA. Icon Media and Fletch photography both do great headshots
at a good price. Margot can give you their numbers.
Cheers, John
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Dear Gawain,
Yes, I did know that Shawshank Redemption was adapted from Stephen
King's novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. The sub-title
was meant to summarise how I see the film. Thus, by "Shawshank
Redemption meets Stephen King", I meant the style of that film plus the
supernatural element, which is typical of Stephen King's work.
Grovelling apologies for the misleading summary. How about "Shawshank
Redemption meets the supernatural"?
Cheers! - Emma
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ADVERTISEMENTS
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16 SHINING BUGS <press release>
2000 heralds the eighth year of Tropfest. Apart from adding a new venue
in Cairns to our list of satellite venues, “the quality of the films
entered this year is, without a doubt, the best we’ve had”, says John
Polson – Festival Director. “Themes explored in this year’s films are
sex, loneliness, infidelity, spirituality, dreams and a kind of
disenfranchisement with the environment. It seems the ‘gag film’, for
which Tropfest has become known, has claimed a smaller slice of the
finalist program, making way for films with more dramatic weight.” From
a field of close to 400 entries for Tropfest 2000 16 Finalists have be
selected:
These 16 short films will be screened at Tropfest 2000 on Sunday 27
February, in Sydney at the Domain – where in 1999 55,000 film lovers
gathered – and in the cafes of Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. Tropfest
2000 will be beamed across Australia to venues in Melbourne, Brisbane,
Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart.
For the first time, Tropfest will be televised free to air to a national
audience on Channel 9 (Friday March 3, 11.30PM). Tropfest is delighted
to announce the new Principal Sponsor, Digital One. Mr. CM Murphy,
founder and executive chairman of Digital One, said digitalone's online
radio programming will appeal to the Tropfest 2000 audience,
"particularly the Radio Raw station which encourages and promotes
unsigned artists in much the same way that Tropfest encourages and
promotes budding film makers”. Other sponsors for Tropfest 2000 are
Showtime, Channel Nine, NSWFTO, Universal, thecomedychannel, Video Ezy,
Who Weekly, Fox Studios, Sydney Morning Herald, Apple, Pettaras Press,
City of Sydney and Royal Botanic Gardens. In Sydney’s Domain
entertainment will commence at 3.00pm. Films commence at 8.00pm.
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A reminder that submissions for DOCO2000 close on Friday the 11th of
February 2000.
The REAL: DOCO2000 initiative will exhibit Australian documentaries
which address diverse and challenging subjects and offer alternative
visions of the world we live in. Documentaries selected to screen as
part of this program will, in keeping with the thematic concerns of
REAL: life on film, provide individuals and different cultural groups
with a means to voice untold or unheard stories.
DOCO2000 is the first documentary forum in Australia which aims to
promote cultural diversity and human rights through film. Awards for
Excellence in promoting these values will be presented during the
festival. Entry submissions close on Friday 11 February 2000 and
festival screening dates are 4-11 April in Melbourne and 13-17 April in
Sydney (tbc). Selected DOCO2000 submissions will be screened with
titles from prominent New York film festivals the American Museum of
Natural History?s Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival and the Human
Rights Watch International Film Festival.
A touring package will be compiled and made available to
international documentary festivals who form partnerships with REAL:
life on film. Entry submission forms are available by visiting the
website www.reallifeonfilm.com or calling (03) 9517 6355."
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SCREEN STUDIES at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School
presents:
"Between Frames: Morphing and Digital Effects in Film"
UNIT DIRECTOR Dr Patrick Crogan, Screen Studies,
AFTRS SPECIAL GUEST: Professor Vivian Sobchack, Associate Dean,
Department of Film and Television, University of California, Los
Angeles, and author of several significant texts in film theory, eg.
Screening Space, Address of the Eye, and the recent anthology,
Meta-Morphing.
DATES/TIMES: Saturday, 18 March, 2000. 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
VENUE: Seminar Room & Main Theatre, AFTRS Sydney.
ABSTRACT: This one day course explores the impact of digital imaging and
effects on the analysis and interpretation of contemporary film.
Techniques and processes such as morphing, digital compositing, virtual
actors, etc. are becoming increasingly central to feature filmmaking and
are challenging critical and theoretical assumptions about the nature of
'live action' film. This course will investigate some of these
challenges and develop ways of thinking cinema in the digital age,
through lectures, discussions, screenings and demonstrations.
COST: $50 ($25 conc.) To enrol, or for further information, contact Unit
Director for the course, Patrick Crogan (patr...@aftrs.edu.au )
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PUBLISHING DETAILS
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Email: con...@filmnet.org.au
Website: www.filmnet.org.au
Mail: PO Box 122, Albert Park, Victoria 3206, and Australia
ISSN: 1441-726X
(C) 1998-2000 Gawain McLachlan
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