Filmmakers descend on Canberra to campaign for local content
A delegation of Australian film and TV creators is today visiting Canberra to promote the importance of local content.
Directors Gillian Armstrong and Stephan Elliott and actress and AFI board member Sigrid Thornton will argue the importance for local content on Australian screens in light of the Government’s convergence review.
Fiona Cameron, Screen Australia’s chief operating officer told Encore: “We’re meeting with government members, the coalition and greens. We will have representatives from the Prime Minister’s office and representatives for ministers Crean and Conroy as well as representatives from the shadow communications and shadow arts departments and a bevy of backbenchers.
“We want to remind politicians of the importance of screen culture. It’s a way of life that’s hard to measure but with the survey out today, it’s a good time to do so as there’s the convergence review and cultural policy discussion paper.
“We want to remind them that it is important and in order for it to continue to be relevant we need government incentives and government requirements.”
The delegation will be promoting the three levers of initiative; the direct lever, which is money provided through Screen Australia and the state agencies; indirect funding, which is tax incentives, such as the producer offset; and the regulation through quotas and spend requirement.
“The review will look at the role of the all of those levers and what is the best way to move forward. How can you ensure a level local content that is enough to be relevant.”
Broadcasters and their representative organisations such as Free TV are keen to loosen the quota rules including being allowed to move some of it to digital channels. Cameron said: ” Free TV carry the heaviest load, are a huge investor in narrative drama and had done a wonderful job but with more channels, that content will be really diluted.”
Alongside the trip to Canberra, Screen Australia has launched the campaign Celebrate Australian Stories which included a website, social media campaign and a survey of Australia’s most famous film quotes. Crocodile Dundee’s “That’s not a knife, that’s a knife” won, with 34%.
With more digital channels for commercial broadcasters comes more advertising revenue. It is a commercial reality of broadcast license holders plain and simple – otherwise it would not be exploited. TEN’s moving of Neighbours to ELEVEN is proof first run Australian drama can find a home with targeted and niche audiences. Rather than converge drama quota across new digital channels, new quota requirements must be introduced, perhaps with production budget in mind. Lower the budget, lower the points and vice verca on secondary channels. Convergence will only aid in diluting Australian drama rather than showcasing its value, into which audiences tune loyally and regularly.
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I’ll be real. Make the digital channels the home of low budget scripted entertainment. Show’s where the script, a couple of actors, and a couple of locations is all that is required. The return of the classic sitcom even.
This would solve so many problems:
#1 – More aussie content on screens
#2 – Many, many more jobs for Aussie writers, actors, producers, sound, editing, etc, etc, etc
#3 – A more experienced and diverse industry
#4 – Flow-on effect for the feature’s industry, with more talent being nurtured
Series don’t need to be multi-million dollar affairs like Crownies, et all. A diverse range of low budget shows is just what the industry needs, and with the digital channels in their infancy now is the time to make such a move. The networks just need a little nudge from the government in the form of quota’s or incentives.
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Are they decending, or descending?
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They were descending so fast they forgot the S. Amended, Thanks Miguel.
Colin – Encore
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Put simply, there is so much that is needed to be done that simply isn’t. We need leadership Mr Crean not bullshit political yes speak as seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X07tDSrCQO0 “allowing Australians to tell the Australian story in Australian voices”. If one of the reasons we got through the GFC is because we are a creative and innovative nation then why doesn’t the Government come to the party and start being more creative and innovative with how we delivery this vital creativity and innovation. If you honestly believe what you’re saying Mr Crean..then lead and get a vision for how filmmakers can deliver content across digital platforms, helping our creatives become more sustainable with their careers. I’m sick of seeing Politicians talk big and really do nothing. Also I wonder when Sandy George is actually going to ask a tough question as a “journalist” and put some of these people on the spot. We could be doing so much more! .
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