Redfern Now set to employ 250 jobs
New ABC series Redfern Now will create over 250 Job opportunities for indigenous filmmakers.
It is the first drama series produced by Indigenous Australians.
Produced by Blackfella Films’ Darren Dale and Miranda Dean, the series will employ Indigenous Australians in various roles, from producers, directors, writers, actors and production and post production staff.
The series, due to begin production in early 2012, has been created by Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker, The Lakes) and is currently working on the scripts with a team of writers.
“We’ve all been working hard on the scripts,” said McGovern. “And this is a wonderful reward for our efforts. I think it’s going to be a brilliant series.”
Producer Darren Dale said: “As Samson & Delilah and Bran Nue Dae created excitement for Australian cinema, I am positive that Redfern Now will be a bold and adventurous television series.”
The series is set in six households in the Sydney suburb that has seen years of oppression and black struggle.
Sally Riley, Head of ABC TV’s Indigenous Department said: “Redfern Now is a turning point in the Australian television industry. We are providing the finance and infrastructure for real career opportunities for creative Indigenous Australians, which is very exciting. This contribution to the industry will hopefully have an amazing impact for years to come.”
Head of Screen Australia’s Indigenous department, Erica Glynn said: “The series will provide an opportunity for Indigenous Australians to tell their contemporary, urban stories on our small screen for the first time – and that is a significant cultural turning point as well.”
Casting and directors have not yet been announced.
Good on em – what this business is really all about – opportunities – jobs – lack of them.
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This might not be the most PC thing to say, but in 50/100 years are we going to look back (just like we look back now in guilt at how our ancestor’s treated indigenous people) and think this sort of thing is outrageous and indirect reverse-racism.
I think this is a great project and idea, but why only indigenous? I know they get the short end of the stick and the white man has all the opportunities with real jobs. But to offer a crew of 250 people an amazing paid position, right in the heart of the industry, and then limit it to only indigenous people? It’s not something you see for any other minority group. A project that was celebrated as ‘250 white Australian’s make a show about white people’ might sound like 90% of Aussie TV, but in reality it would never exist.
I guess what I’m saying is congratulations to the Redfern Now crew. But I’m jealous of you. And I wish I wasn’t refused this opportunity solely because of the colour of my skin (and yes I’m aware of the irony in that statement).
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