The most successful production houses of 2012
In this roundup from the Encore and Mumbrella Annual, we look at the seven most successful production houses of 2012.
1. Goalpost Pictures
Goalpost Pictures has had its most successful year with film The Sapphires finishing its Cannes campaign with a standing ovation and an international distribution deal with Harvey Weinstein.
2. Jungleboys
The production company started the year with the excellent and over-the-top Australia Day lamb campaign. It finished with ABC sitcom A Moody Christmas and Screen Australia issuing an enterprise grant to grow their long-form development team.
3. Southern Star
Southern Star hit ratings gold with Puberty Blues and Offspring, telemovie Beaconsfield and mini-series Howzat! Kerry Packer’s War, all led by head producer John Edwards. The production house also resurrected Big Brother and, coming in 2013, the second installment of the Paper Giants miniseries, Magazine Wars.
4. Essential Media and Entertainment
Recently named Independent Producer of the Year at the Screen Producers Association of Australia Awards, Essential Media saw courtroom series Rake picked up by Sony Pictures USA and the Jack Irish telemovies, starring Guy Pearce, premiere on ABC1.
5. Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder
This year saw the merger of two of Australia’s best factual creators, Zapruder’s Other Films, creators of the Gruen series and Cordell Jigsaw, producers of the highly awarded Go Back To Where You Came From. In 2012, CJZ delivered new series of Can of Worms, Dumb Drunk and Racist, and The Great Mint Swindle.
6. Blackfella Films
From their biopic of Eddie Mabo to a second series of Redfern Now as well as a programming partnership with the Sydney Film Festival, it has been a busy year for Darren Dale, Rachel Perkins and their team.
7. Shine
In 2012, Shine produced ratings standout of the year, The Voice. Staples Masterchef, Beauty and the Geek and The Biggest Loser continued good business – a welcome relief after last year’s bomb The Renovators.
- This list first appeared in the Encore and Mumbrella Annual available in the App store and on Google Play.