The premiere of Amazon’s Back to the Rafters last month and the impending production of Netflix’s Heartbreak High offer insight into how international platforms approach local IP with cultural resonance.
Whereas one picks up the story of a family six years after their last outing, the other will reimagine a world from before the turn of the century, sharing only its title and young adult genre with the original.
The local and international popularity of both series – Heartbreak High was sold to more than 80 countries in the ’90s and Packed to the Rafters to a number of European and Asian territories, as well as South Africa – makes them appealing for platforms like Netflix and Amazon with global audiences. However, the process of bringing back an old favourite is not always a smooth one.
Five years ago, Foxtel commissioned a re-imagining of Joan Lindsay’s novel Picnic at Hanging Rock...
Whereas one picks up the story of a family six years after their last outing, the other will reimagine a world from before the turn of the century, sharing only its title and young adult genre with the original.
The local and international popularity of both series – Heartbreak High was sold to more than 80 countries in the ’90s and Packed to the Rafters to a number of European and Asian territories, as well as South Africa – makes them appealing for platforms like Netflix and Amazon with global audiences. However, the process of bringing back an old favourite is not always a smooth one.
Five years ago, Foxtel commissioned a re-imagining of Joan Lindsay’s novel Picnic at Hanging Rock...
- 10/6/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Six-part series Back to the Rafters, set to debut globally on Amazon Prime Video September 17, picks up six years on from when we last saw the Rafter family. Dave (Erik Thomson) and Julie (Rebecca Gibney) have created a new life in the country with youngest daughter Ruby (Willow Speers).
As everyone comes together in Sydney to celebrate Dave and Julie’s 35th Anniversary, history repeats and circumstances force them all to cram into Ben’s two-bedroom home – once again packed to the-you-know-what. During the visit it becomes apparent that the older Rafter children are facing new challenges with Ben (Hugh Sheridan) recently married to Cassie (HaiHa Le) and hoping to start a family, Nathan (Angus McLaren) trying to do it all as a single dad to Edward (Kaspar Frost) and Rachel (Georgina Haig) living a secret life in New York. Granddad Ted (Michael Caton) struggles to find his place, Julie...
As everyone comes together in Sydney to celebrate Dave and Julie’s 35th Anniversary, history repeats and circumstances force them all to cram into Ben’s two-bedroom home – once again packed to the-you-know-what. During the visit it becomes apparent that the older Rafter children are facing new challenges with Ben (Hugh Sheridan) recently married to Cassie (HaiHa Le) and hoping to start a family, Nathan (Angus McLaren) trying to do it all as a single dad to Edward (Kaspar Frost) and Rachel (Georgina Haig) living a secret life in New York. Granddad Ted (Michael Caton) struggles to find his place, Julie...
- 8/25/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Philip Quast and Hermione Norris in ‘Between Two Worlds’.
After creating five of Australia’s most popular dramas – Always Greener, All Saints, Packed to the Rafters, Winners & Losers and A Place to Call Home – in a stellar 37-year career, Bevan Lee felt he had reached a crossroad.
If he followed one path, he would simply rest on his laurels and be content with his legacy. The other, far more attractive and challenging option: Create a drama unlike anything he’d ever done and which breaks the traditional rules of the genre.
Hence was born Between Two Worlds, a 10-part Seven Studios production which premieres on Seven on Sunday.
The first episode depicts two disparate and seemingly disconnected worlds, typified by one family of extreme wealth and privilege, the other middleclass and suburban.
“I decided I wanted to do a twisty, turny narrative which breaks the rules,” says Lee, who created the show last year,...
After creating five of Australia’s most popular dramas – Always Greener, All Saints, Packed to the Rafters, Winners & Losers and A Place to Call Home – in a stellar 37-year career, Bevan Lee felt he had reached a crossroad.
If he followed one path, he would simply rest on his laurels and be content with his legacy. The other, far more attractive and challenging option: Create a drama unlike anything he’d ever done and which breaks the traditional rules of the genre.
Hence was born Between Two Worlds, a 10-part Seven Studios production which premieres on Seven on Sunday.
The first episode depicts two disparate and seemingly disconnected worlds, typified by one family of extreme wealth and privilege, the other middleclass and suburban.
“I decided I wanted to do a twisty, turny narrative which breaks the rules,” says Lee, who created the show last year,...
- 7/24/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Noel Mpofu and Anthony Ellis.
Seasoned writer and script executive Anthony Ellis has joined Screentime in the newly created role of head of scripted.
Ellis will work alongside head of production (scripted) Kerrie Mainwaring at the Banijay-owned production company headed by CEO Rory Callaghan.
Also at Screentime, chief financial officer Noel Mpofu has been promoted to chief operating officer. Earlier Screentime executive producer Johnny Lowry was upped to head of non-scripted.
These moves follow the retirement late last year of executive chairman Bob Campbell.
A former head of scripted content at Fremantle and Wentworth script executive, Ellis’ most recent credit was writing an episode of Breathless, Fremantle’s four-part thriller created by Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison for Network 10 and the UK’s Channel 5.
Ellis said: “I am delighted to join Screentime and look forward to helping secure and build on its legacy of innovative, compelling and hugely popular drama.
Seasoned writer and script executive Anthony Ellis has joined Screentime in the newly created role of head of scripted.
Ellis will work alongside head of production (scripted) Kerrie Mainwaring at the Banijay-owned production company headed by CEO Rory Callaghan.
Also at Screentime, chief financial officer Noel Mpofu has been promoted to chief operating officer. Earlier Screentime executive producer Johnny Lowry was upped to head of non-scripted.
These moves follow the retirement late last year of executive chairman Bob Campbell.
A former head of scripted content at Fremantle and Wentworth script executive, Ellis’ most recent credit was writing an episode of Breathless, Fremantle’s four-part thriller created by Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison for Network 10 and the UK’s Channel 5.
Ellis said: “I am delighted to join Screentime and look forward to helping secure and build on its legacy of innovative, compelling and hugely popular drama.
- 3/5/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r) Hugh Sheridan, Georgina Haig and Angus McLaren.
Georgina Haig has replaced Jessica Marais in Seven Studios’ Back to the Rafters, and HaiHa Le, Libby Tanner, Rose Riley, Aaron McGrath and Bruce Spence are among new additions to the cast.
Among the other fresh faces in the Packed to the Rafters reboot are Willow Speers as Ruby Rafter and Kaspar Frost.
Willow had a supporting role in Cjz’s Rocky and Me commissioned by ABC Me and Screen Australia as part of the DisRupted program, .
Haig, whose credits include Secret Bridesmaids Business and the Us ABC network’s sci-fi series The Crossing, is playing Rachel Rafter after Marais withdrew.
The first Australian drama commissioned by Amazon, the Bevan Lee-created series is shooting in Sydney, produced by Chris-Martin Jones and directed by Jeremy Sims, Lynn Hegarty and Catherine Millar.
Amazon Prime also acquired the streaming rights to the original Seven Network...
Georgina Haig has replaced Jessica Marais in Seven Studios’ Back to the Rafters, and HaiHa Le, Libby Tanner, Rose Riley, Aaron McGrath and Bruce Spence are among new additions to the cast.
Among the other fresh faces in the Packed to the Rafters reboot are Willow Speers as Ruby Rafter and Kaspar Frost.
Willow had a supporting role in Cjz’s Rocky and Me commissioned by ABC Me and Screen Australia as part of the DisRupted program, .
Haig, whose credits include Secret Bridesmaids Business and the Us ABC network’s sci-fi series The Crossing, is playing Rachel Rafter after Marais withdrew.
The first Australian drama commissioned by Amazon, the Bevan Lee-created series is shooting in Sydney, produced by Chris-Martin Jones and directed by Jeremy Sims, Lynn Hegarty and Catherine Millar.
Amazon Prime also acquired the streaming rights to the original Seven Network...
- 3/4/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Beverley McGarvey, Angus Ross and Michael Healy.
For Australia’s commercial free-to-air networks, arguably the biggest threat to losing eyeballs is not each other but the seemingly inexorable rise of streaming services led by Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and Amazon.
However executives at the Seven, Nine and 10 Networks are confident their hefty investment in broad slates of unique Australian programming and their increasingly popular BVoD services will retain viewers.
“The 8.30 pm-9 pm drama audiences are certainly under attack from streaming competition,” Angus Ross, Seven’s director of network programming, tells If.
“We concentrate investment in news, sport, Home and Away and year-round 7.30 pm stripped programming – all uniquely Australian content that differentiates us from the offerings of the SVoD players. All programming is also available on our 7plus service, so viewers can watch at any time.”
Michael Healy, Nine Entertainment’s director of television, says: “Australian content is at our heart and...
For Australia’s commercial free-to-air networks, arguably the biggest threat to losing eyeballs is not each other but the seemingly inexorable rise of streaming services led by Netflix, Stan, Disney+ and Amazon.
However executives at the Seven, Nine and 10 Networks are confident their hefty investment in broad slates of unique Australian programming and their increasingly popular BVoD services will retain viewers.
“The 8.30 pm-9 pm drama audiences are certainly under attack from streaming competition,” Angus Ross, Seven’s director of network programming, tells If.
“We concentrate investment in news, sport, Home and Away and year-round 7.30 pm stripped programming – all uniquely Australian content that differentiates us from the offerings of the SVoD players. All programming is also available on our 7plus service, so viewers can watch at any time.”
Michael Healy, Nine Entertainment’s director of television, says: “Australian content is at our heart and...
- 1/15/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Brian Walsh.
For Brian Walsh, 2020 shapes as the most competitive year for the broadcast and streaming sector since the inception of television in Australia in 1956.
There will be casualties among the new entrants but ultimately the viewers will be the winners, predicts Walsh, Foxtel’s executive director of TV, one of the few who were there when the pay TV company launched in 1995.
“The landscape will be the most competitive since the start of television as we see the new players consolidate their positions for consumers in Australia,” he says. “Like all competition, it will bring out the best in everyone. When you have robust competition the winner will be the customer.”
While he expects Disney+ to draw a sizable audience here, particularly among young families, he predicts: “There won’t be an endless array of Ott services that will have the same success as Netflix, Disney and Amazon. There...
For Brian Walsh, 2020 shapes as the most competitive year for the broadcast and streaming sector since the inception of television in Australia in 1956.
There will be casualties among the new entrants but ultimately the viewers will be the winners, predicts Walsh, Foxtel’s executive director of TV, one of the few who were there when the pay TV company launched in 1995.
“The landscape will be the most competitive since the start of television as we see the new players consolidate their positions for consumers in Australia,” he says. “Like all competition, it will bring out the best in everyone. When you have robust competition the winner will be the customer.”
While he expects Disney+ to draw a sizable audience here, particularly among young families, he predicts: “There won’t be an endless array of Ott services that will have the same success as Netflix, Disney and Amazon. There...
- 1/6/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Amazon Studios has commissioned its first Australian original scripted series, with a reboot of hit Seven Network family drama, Packed to the Rafters.
Back to the Rafters picks up six years after the original show’s final season on free to air TV network, Seven, and will be written by series creator Bevan Lee and made for Amazon Prime by Seven’s production arm, Seven Studios.
Following Dave and Julie Rafter, Back to the Rafters will feature the original principal cast members Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter), Erik Thomson (Dave Rafter), Jessica Marais(Rachel Rafter), Hugh Sheridan ...
Back to the Rafters picks up six years after the original show’s final season on free to air TV network, Seven, and will be written by series creator Bevan Lee and made for Amazon Prime by Seven’s production arm, Seven Studios.
Following Dave and Julie Rafter, Back to the Rafters will feature the original principal cast members Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter), Erik Thomson (Dave Rafter), Jessica Marais(Rachel Rafter), Hugh Sheridan ...
- 12/6/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Amazon has scheduled its first scripted Australian Amazon Original series, Back to the Rafters, which will launch on Prime Video in Australia and around the world. Production on the series is expected to start next year.
Back to the Rafters offers the next chapter in the story of the Rafter family, who appeared for six years in one of Australia’s most popular drama series, Packed to the Rafters. At its center were parents Dave and Julie, working to balance their own journey as a couple with the ups and downs of raising a family into adulthood.
Set to begin production in Sydney in 2020, Back to the Rafters is produced by Seven Studios and will feature original principal cast members Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter), Erik Thomson (Dave Rafter), Jessica Marais (Rachel Rafter), Hugh Sheridan (Ben Rafter), Angus McLaren (Nathan Rafter), Michael Caton (Ted Taylor) and George Houvardas (Nick “Carbo” Karandonis...
Back to the Rafters offers the next chapter in the story of the Rafter family, who appeared for six years in one of Australia’s most popular drama series, Packed to the Rafters. At its center were parents Dave and Julie, working to balance their own journey as a couple with the ups and downs of raising a family into adulthood.
Set to begin production in Sydney in 2020, Back to the Rafters is produced by Seven Studios and will feature original principal cast members Rebecca Gibney (Julie Rafter), Erik Thomson (Dave Rafter), Jessica Marais (Rachel Rafter), Hugh Sheridan (Ben Rafter), Angus McLaren (Nathan Rafter), Michael Caton (Ted Taylor) and George Houvardas (Nick “Carbo” Karandonis...
- 12/5/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Packed to the Rafters.’
Seven Studios is preparing to revive Packed to the Rafters, the first Australian drama commission by Amazon Prime Video.
Bevan Lee, who created the family comedy-drama which ran for six seasons on the Seven Network, is overseeing the reboot which is in pre-production.
Katherine Thomson is among the writing team and there will potentially be three series, each six episodes, If understands.
Virtually all members of the original cast including Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais, Ryan Corr, Jessica McNamee, Angus McLaren and James Stewart are returning, If believes.
Yet to be announced, the deal for the new series which has the working title Back to the Rafters was first mooted in September.
Amazon Prime has also acquired the streaming rights to the original series which was produced by Jo Porter for Seven Productions. The two hour finale in 2013, which saw Dave and Julie...
Seven Studios is preparing to revive Packed to the Rafters, the first Australian drama commission by Amazon Prime Video.
Bevan Lee, who created the family comedy-drama which ran for six seasons on the Seven Network, is overseeing the reboot which is in pre-production.
Katherine Thomson is among the writing team and there will potentially be three series, each six episodes, If understands.
Virtually all members of the original cast including Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais, Ryan Corr, Jessica McNamee, Angus McLaren and James Stewart are returning, If believes.
Yet to be announced, the deal for the new series which has the working title Back to the Rafters was first mooted in September.
Amazon Prime has also acquired the streaming rights to the original series which was produced by Jo Porter for Seven Productions. The two hour finale in 2013, which saw Dave and Julie...
- 10/31/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Between Two Worlds.’
When James Warburton was appointed CEO of Seven West Media succeeding Tim Worner he vowed to revitalise the Seven Network’s entertainment programming, focusing primarily on Sunday-Thursday primetime.
Warburton looks like delivering on that promise next year with a raft of initiatives including refreshes for My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, Endemol Shine Australia’s action-drama Rfds and Cjz’s four-part investigation of the disappearance of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
The line-up includes Esa’s revival of Big Brother, Screentime’s endurance competition Sas: Who Dares Wins, Eureka Productions’ extreme mini-golf competition Mega Mini Golf and Seven Studios’ Plate of Origin, billed as the “Olympics of cooking.”
Fremantle and Eureka will co-produce a new version of Farmer Wants a Wife, a format which previously aired on the Nine Network, while Fremantle’s Australia’s Got Talent has been renewed for a second season.
“I’ve been clear...
When James Warburton was appointed CEO of Seven West Media succeeding Tim Worner he vowed to revitalise the Seven Network’s entertainment programming, focusing primarily on Sunday-Thursday primetime.
Warburton looks like delivering on that promise next year with a raft of initiatives including refreshes for My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, Endemol Shine Australia’s action-drama Rfds and Cjz’s four-part investigation of the disappearance of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
The line-up includes Esa’s revival of Big Brother, Screentime’s endurance competition Sas: Who Dares Wins, Eureka Productions’ extreme mini-golf competition Mega Mini Golf and Seven Studios’ Plate of Origin, billed as the “Olympics of cooking.”
Fremantle and Eureka will co-produce a new version of Farmer Wants a Wife, a format which previously aired on the Nine Network, while Fremantle’s Australia’s Got Talent has been renewed for a second season.
“I’ve been clear...
- 10/23/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Between Two Worlds’
The international sales campaign for Between Two Worlds, the Seven Studios drama created by Bevan Lee, kicks off this week at the Mipcom market in Cannes.
Entertainment One acquired the distribution rights to the series starring Cold Feet’s Hermione Norris, Philip Quast, Sara Wiseman and Aaron Jeffrey, in its first ever content deal with Seven Studios.
“Seven Studios is thrilled to partner with Entertainment One to take this extraordinary drama to the world,” CEO Therese Hegarty tells If.
“Between Two Worlds is a world class production by master storyteller Bevan Lee and we are looking forward to taking another fantastic Australian production to an international audience.”
The deal was brokered by Noel Hedges, eOne’s executive VP, acquisitions, international distribution, who said: “Between Two Worlds offers us a glimpse into the rare and privileged world of the super-rich and is a fantastically gripping saga presented by...
The international sales campaign for Between Two Worlds, the Seven Studios drama created by Bevan Lee, kicks off this week at the Mipcom market in Cannes.
Entertainment One acquired the distribution rights to the series starring Cold Feet’s Hermione Norris, Philip Quast, Sara Wiseman and Aaron Jeffrey, in its first ever content deal with Seven Studios.
“Seven Studios is thrilled to partner with Entertainment One to take this extraordinary drama to the world,” CEO Therese Hegarty tells If.
“Between Two Worlds is a world class production by master storyteller Bevan Lee and we are looking forward to taking another fantastic Australian production to an international audience.”
The deal was brokered by Noel Hedges, eOne’s executive VP, acquisitions, international distribution, who said: “Between Two Worlds offers us a glimpse into the rare and privileged world of the super-rich and is a fantastically gripping saga presented by...
- 10/7/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
In this week’s International TV Newswire, series look to outscale the opposition, eOne make a key acquisition before Mipcom, Red Arrow’s Snowman a play for international co-production and Viacom International Studio’s flagship series clicks in Argentina.
Size Matters: Amazon’s Cortés-Moctezuma Series
On Thursday, Amazon Prime Video announced that Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal will join the creative team of its upcoming series about conquistador Hernán Cortés and Aztec empire ruler Montezuma II. At Mipcom, A & E Networks Intl. will be selling “Hernán,” a portrait again of Cortes, described by Fidela Navarro, CEO at Dopamine, the series’ lead producer, as the “largest independent series ever made in the territory under a multi-platform model of simultaneous premieres and promotion. Meanwhile, in Spain, Movistar+ is marketing “The Plague” Season 2, which world premiers at Mipcom, as “the most ambitious series in the history of Spanish television,” quoting Javier Zurro of “El Español.
Size Matters: Amazon’s Cortés-Moctezuma Series
On Thursday, Amazon Prime Video announced that Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal will join the creative team of its upcoming series about conquistador Hernán Cortés and Aztec empire ruler Montezuma II. At Mipcom, A & E Networks Intl. will be selling “Hernán,” a portrait again of Cortes, described by Fidela Navarro, CEO at Dopamine, the series’ lead producer, as the “largest independent series ever made in the territory under a multi-platform model of simultaneous premieres and promotion. Meanwhile, in Spain, Movistar+ is marketing “The Plague” Season 2, which world premiers at Mipcom, as “the most ambitious series in the history of Spanish television,” quoting Javier Zurro of “El Español.
- 10/4/2019
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Melissa Lee Speyer (Photo credit: Darwin Morales).
Emerging screenwriter Melissa Lee Speyer is gratified by the advances in screen diversity in the past three years but worries that progress has been exaggerated and there is still a significant imbalance.
Born in the UK to Chinese-Malaysian parents, Speyer sometimes finds she is the only non-white writer in writers rooms.
“For every diverse show loudly championed there are a dozen more with representation issues that nobody notices,” she tells If.
“I know it feels like all the money and opportunities are going in a very specific direction. Trust me, that’s not where 100 per cent of it is going. It’s often just talked about the loudest.
“In the last three years there’s been a lot of loud mainstream talk about diversity, coming off the back of 50 years of virtual silence.
“It’s not just about ‘not being the only non-white writer in the room,...
Emerging screenwriter Melissa Lee Speyer is gratified by the advances in screen diversity in the past three years but worries that progress has been exaggerated and there is still a significant imbalance.
Born in the UK to Chinese-Malaysian parents, Speyer sometimes finds she is the only non-white writer in writers rooms.
“For every diverse show loudly championed there are a dozen more with representation issues that nobody notices,” she tells If.
“I know it feels like all the money and opportunities are going in a very specific direction. Trust me, that’s not where 100 per cent of it is going. It’s often just talked about the loudest.
“In the last three years there’s been a lot of loud mainstream talk about diversity, coming off the back of 50 years of virtual silence.
“It’s not just about ‘not being the only non-white writer in the room,...
- 7/3/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Beck Cole with Tessa Rose on the set of ‘Grace Beside Me’ (Photo credit: Magpie Picture/Julian Panetta).
As a proud woman from Warramungu/Luritja nations filmmaker Beck Cole has worked on numerous Indigenous-themed TV series and documentaries including First Australians, Redfern Now, Grace Beside Me and Black Comedy.
Two years ago she decided to embark on a wider range of projects, a strategy that’s paid off as she has directed two episodes of Fremantle/Foxtel’s Wentworth and is preparing to direct two episodes of Seven Studios’ drama Between Two Worlds.
Later this year she will resume her role as voice director on the third season of Ned Lander Media’s animated series Little J & Big Cuz for Sbs.
Cole and emerging writer/director Samuel Paynter are among eight Indigenous teams from Australia and New Zealand who are making the anthology feature Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply.
As a proud woman from Warramungu/Luritja nations filmmaker Beck Cole has worked on numerous Indigenous-themed TV series and documentaries including First Australians, Redfern Now, Grace Beside Me and Black Comedy.
Two years ago she decided to embark on a wider range of projects, a strategy that’s paid off as she has directed two episodes of Fremantle/Foxtel’s Wentworth and is preparing to direct two episodes of Seven Studios’ drama Between Two Worlds.
Later this year she will resume her role as voice director on the third season of Ned Lander Media’s animated series Little J & Big Cuz for Sbs.
Cole and emerging writer/director Samuel Paynter are among eight Indigenous teams from Australia and New Zealand who are making the anthology feature Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply.
- 5/21/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Therese Hegarty
Seven Studios has promoted Therese Hegarty to CEO and hired former Nine Network executive Andrew Backwell as director of production, responsible for non-scripted content.
As part of the reshuffle head of content sales Richard Henson moves up to director of content sales.
Formerly director, content distribution and rights, Hegarty’s promotion is a reward for the production division’s expansion, this year delivering the seventh consecutive growth in earnings before interest and tax.
Australia’s largest producer of long form premium content, Seven Studios last year produced more than 1,000 hours of content all genres, with 14 new commissions and more than 20 hit series returning or in production.
In the second half of last year, the division’s revenues from third-party sales jumped by 20 per cent to $45.7 million.
In March Seven launched non-scripted unit Seven Studios UK, strengthening its presence in that market and complementing its investment in London-based scripted specialists Slim Film + Television.
Seven Studios has promoted Therese Hegarty to CEO and hired former Nine Network executive Andrew Backwell as director of production, responsible for non-scripted content.
As part of the reshuffle head of content sales Richard Henson moves up to director of content sales.
Formerly director, content distribution and rights, Hegarty’s promotion is a reward for the production division’s expansion, this year delivering the seventh consecutive growth in earnings before interest and tax.
Australia’s largest producer of long form premium content, Seven Studios last year produced more than 1,000 hours of content all genres, with 14 new commissions and more than 20 hit series returning or in production.
In the second half of last year, the division’s revenues from third-party sales jumped by 20 per cent to $45.7 million.
In March Seven launched non-scripted unit Seven Studios UK, strengthening its presence in that market and complementing its investment in London-based scripted specialists Slim Film + Television.
- 5/2/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Megan Hajjar in ‘M4M’
Since graduating from Waapa in 2016 Megan Hajjar has built an impressive resume with roles in Breath, Love Child, The Secret Daughter, Harrow and the upcoming movies M4M and The Naked Wanderer.
You may not recognise the name because, until recently, she was known as Megan Smart. The actor has decided to use Hajjar, her mother’s maiden name, to more closely identify with her Lebanese heritage.
“I wasn’t being considered for some Middle Eastern roles because the producers did not recognise my heritage,” she tells If.
While she does play a Lebanese woman in Paul Ireland’s M4M, she mostly portrays characters whose nationality is incidental. For example, she had fun playing a serial killer named Charlotte in the ABC/Hoodlum Entertainment’s Harrow and troublemaker Anna Hennessy in Screentime/Seven’s The Secret Daughter.
In Alan Lindsay’s romantic comedy The Naked Wanderer...
Since graduating from Waapa in 2016 Megan Hajjar has built an impressive resume with roles in Breath, Love Child, The Secret Daughter, Harrow and the upcoming movies M4M and The Naked Wanderer.
You may not recognise the name because, until recently, she was known as Megan Smart. The actor has decided to use Hajjar, her mother’s maiden name, to more closely identify with her Lebanese heritage.
“I wasn’t being considered for some Middle Eastern roles because the producers did not recognise my heritage,” she tells If.
While she does play a Lebanese woman in Paul Ireland’s M4M, she mostly portrays characters whose nationality is incidental. For example, she had fun playing a serial killer named Charlotte in the ABC/Hoodlum Entertainment’s Harrow and troublemaker Anna Hennessy in Screentime/Seven’s The Secret Daughter.
In Alan Lindsay’s romantic comedy The Naked Wanderer...
- 4/23/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Hermione Norris.
Best known for her roles in Cold Feet and Luther, Hermione Norris is playing the lead in Seven Studios’ drama Between Two Worlds.
Created by Bevan Lee, the series follows the English actress as Cate Walford, whose husband Phillip is a vicious, philandering business tycoon. With her marriage on the ropes, she is caught in a tangled web of lies and manipulation.
Through a shocking twist of fate, her world collides with the seemingly disparate and disconnected, warm and loving world of a widow and her footy star son and musical daughter.
Philip Quast plays Phillip with A Place to Call Home’s Sara Wiseman as the widow Sophia Grey. The cast includes Wentworth’s Aaron Jeffery as a football coach, Megan Hajjar as Sophia’s daughter Bella, Alex Cubis as her brother Danny, Tom Dalzell as the Walford’s son Bart and Melanie Jarnson as Bart’s girlfriend.
Best known for her roles in Cold Feet and Luther, Hermione Norris is playing the lead in Seven Studios’ drama Between Two Worlds.
Created by Bevan Lee, the series follows the English actress as Cate Walford, whose husband Phillip is a vicious, philandering business tycoon. With her marriage on the ropes, she is caught in a tangled web of lies and manipulation.
Through a shocking twist of fate, her world collides with the seemingly disparate and disconnected, warm and loving world of a widow and her footy star son and musical daughter.
Philip Quast plays Phillip with A Place to Call Home’s Sara Wiseman as the widow Sophia Grey. The cast includes Wentworth’s Aaron Jeffery as a football coach, Megan Hajjar as Sophia’s daughter Bella, Alex Cubis as her brother Danny, Tom Dalzell as the Walford’s son Bart and Melanie Jarnson as Bart’s girlfriend.
- 4/16/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Cold Feet and Luther star Hermione Norris is to front high-concept Australian thriller Between Two Worlds.
The series is being produced by Seven Studios for its parent network, commercial broadcaster Seven Network. It is the latest series from the Australian network as it bolsters its global ambitions and follows the hire of Damon Pattison as Creative Director of Seven Studios UK and its European adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days from Slim Film + TV, which it owns a stake in.
Filming has just begun in Sydney on Between Two Worlds, which sees Norris play Cate Walford, whose relationship with vicious, business tycoon husband, Phillip, is on the ropes and sees a tempestuous home life trapped in a tangled web of lies and manipulation. Through a shocking twist of fate, this dark and murky world collides with the seemingly disparate and disconnected, warm and loving world of a widow and...
The series is being produced by Seven Studios for its parent network, commercial broadcaster Seven Network. It is the latest series from the Australian network as it bolsters its global ambitions and follows the hire of Damon Pattison as Creative Director of Seven Studios UK and its European adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days from Slim Film + TV, which it owns a stake in.
Filming has just begun in Sydney on Between Two Worlds, which sees Norris play Cate Walford, whose relationship with vicious, business tycoon husband, Phillip, is on the ropes and sees a tempestuous home life trapped in a tangled web of lies and manipulation. Through a shocking twist of fate, this dark and murky world collides with the seemingly disparate and disconnected, warm and loving world of a widow and...
- 4/16/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Sue Maslin.
Producers Anita Jacoby and Sue Maslin, writers Ray Harding and Bevan Lee, and actor Magda Szubanski were among the screen professionals who received Australia Day honours on Saturday.
Jacoby, a former managing director of ITV Studios Australia and head of development and production at Zapruder’s Other Films, was named a Member of the Order of Australia (Am) for her significant service to the broadcast and print media, and to community mental health groups.
An authority member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) and a board director of AFI | Aacta, Jacoby has worked in the industry for more than 30 years. Her extensive list of credits include The Gruen Transfer, Enough Rope, Hungry Beast, Angels and Demons, 60 Minutes, and the Today Show. She is a member of Screen Producers Australia (Spa) and a supporter of the Documentary Australia Foundation. In 2013, she established the Jacoby Walkley Scholarship, which supports young journalists.
Producers Anita Jacoby and Sue Maslin, writers Ray Harding and Bevan Lee, and actor Magda Szubanski were among the screen professionals who received Australia Day honours on Saturday.
Jacoby, a former managing director of ITV Studios Australia and head of development and production at Zapruder’s Other Films, was named a Member of the Order of Australia (Am) for her significant service to the broadcast and print media, and to community mental health groups.
An authority member of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) and a board director of AFI | Aacta, Jacoby has worked in the industry for more than 30 years. Her extensive list of credits include The Gruen Transfer, Enough Rope, Hungry Beast, Angels and Demons, 60 Minutes, and the Today Show. She is a member of Screen Producers Australia (Spa) and a supporter of the Documentary Australia Foundation. In 2013, she established the Jacoby Walkley Scholarship, which supports young journalists.
- 1/29/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Geraldine Hakewill as Ms Fisher. (Photo: Ben King).
After proclaiming yesterday it had won the 2018 ratings for the 12th consecutive year, the Seven Network today unveiled an ambitious line-up for 2019 including four new local dramas and a slew of fresh reality shows.
At its AllFronts the broadcaster revealed the cast of Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, the spin-off of the popular ABC series from Every Cloud Productions’ Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox. Set in 1960s Melbourne, the show stars Wanted’s Geraldine Hakewill as Peregrine Fisher, who inherits a windfall when the famous aunt she never knew, Phryne Fisher, goes missing over the highlands of New Guinea.
Joel Jackson is Detective James Steed, a smart, ambitious cop who is instantly attracted to Peregrine and drawn into her mad plans. Catherine McClements is Birdie, an ex-member of WW2 Special Forces who is the president and mastermind of The Adventuresses’ club.
After proclaiming yesterday it had won the 2018 ratings for the 12th consecutive year, the Seven Network today unveiled an ambitious line-up for 2019 including four new local dramas and a slew of fresh reality shows.
At its AllFronts the broadcaster revealed the cast of Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, the spin-off of the popular ABC series from Every Cloud Productions’ Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox. Set in 1960s Melbourne, the show stars Wanted’s Geraldine Hakewill as Peregrine Fisher, who inherits a windfall when the famous aunt she never knew, Phryne Fisher, goes missing over the highlands of New Guinea.
Joel Jackson is Detective James Steed, a smart, ambitious cop who is instantly attracted to Peregrine and drawn into her mad plans. Catherine McClements is Birdie, an ex-member of WW2 Special Forces who is the president and mastermind of The Adventuresses’ club.
- 10/25/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The premiere of season 3 of A Place to Call Home on Foxtel's SoHo has attracted a a consolidated cumulative audience of 500,000 viewers.
According to OzTam figures, that ranks as the third most watched drama series in subscription TV history, trailing Game of Thrones and Wentworth.
The Sunday September 27 broadcast of A Place to Call Home scored. an overnight consolidated audience of 255,000, the most watched program ever on SoHo and the fourth most popular series on pay TV this year behind Game of Thrones, Selling Houses Australia and The Flash.
The figures vindicate the decision by Foxtel executive director of television Brian Walsh to commission two series of the Seven Productions show created by Bevan Lee after the Seven Network elected not to renew it..
Walsh said: .We are knocked out by this outstanding result. It is a timely reminder that Australians love great Australian story telling and quality drama which is well conceived,...
According to OzTam figures, that ranks as the third most watched drama series in subscription TV history, trailing Game of Thrones and Wentworth.
The Sunday September 27 broadcast of A Place to Call Home scored. an overnight consolidated audience of 255,000, the most watched program ever on SoHo and the fourth most popular series on pay TV this year behind Game of Thrones, Selling Houses Australia and The Flash.
The figures vindicate the decision by Foxtel executive director of television Brian Walsh to commission two series of the Seven Productions show created by Bevan Lee after the Seven Network elected not to renew it..
Walsh said: .We are knocked out by this outstanding result. It is a timely reminder that Australians love great Australian story telling and quality drama which is well conceived,...
- 10/15/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
The first three series of Seven Productions. A Place to Call Home will screen in the UK on BBC Two.
That follows a deal announced at Mipcom whereby the period drama is screening in the Us on streaming service Acorn TV, which will be followed by DVD and syndication on public TV stations.
The BBC deal was announced today by Seven and Endemol Worldwide Distribution.
Foxtel commissioned a further two series, each of 10 episodes, of the period drama after Seven announced in June it would not proceed after series 2 because the show skews to an older demographic.
Rlj Entertainment bought North American rights and the first season has launched on Acorn TV.
Created by Bevan Lee (Packed to the Rafters, Always Greener,. Winners & Losers), the show stars Marta Dusseldorp, Noni Hazlehurst, Brett Climo, Abby Earl, Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood, Aldo Mignone, Craig Hall, Frankie J. Holden and David Berry.
Seven.s director of production Brad Lyons said,...
That follows a deal announced at Mipcom whereby the period drama is screening in the Us on streaming service Acorn TV, which will be followed by DVD and syndication on public TV stations.
The BBC deal was announced today by Seven and Endemol Worldwide Distribution.
Foxtel commissioned a further two series, each of 10 episodes, of the period drama after Seven announced in June it would not proceed after series 2 because the show skews to an older demographic.
Rlj Entertainment bought North American rights and the first season has launched on Acorn TV.
Created by Bevan Lee (Packed to the Rafters, Always Greener,. Winners & Losers), the show stars Marta Dusseldorp, Noni Hazlehurst, Brett Climo, Abby Earl, Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood, Aldo Mignone, Craig Hall, Frankie J. Holden and David Berry.
Seven.s director of production Brad Lyons said,...
- 12/2/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The seemingly straightforward Australian melodrama "A Place to Call Home," from creator Bevan Lee, more closely resembles a collection of nesting dolls parceling out secrets one by one. Available to American viewers for the first time on December 1, via the streaming service Acorn TV, the series adapts the structure of the daytime soap to the tale of fearless nurse Sarah Adams (Marta Dusseldorp), as she tries to rebuild her life in the rural hamlet of Inverness, outside Sydney, in 1953. With lugubrious pacing and an aversion to salacious details, "A Place to Call Home" is, like Sarah herself, easy to dismiss but difficult to shake. "You misrepresented her," says town doctor Jack Duncan (Craig Hall). "She is a lot more than blandly efficient." Whereas primetime potboilers ("Scandal," "How to Get Away with Murder") turn melodrama's age-old tropes to new social ends, and today's period pieces ("Mad Men," "Masters...
- 11/24/2014
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Fans of Seven.s A Place to Call Home can breathe a sigh of relief. After Channel 7.s shock announcement earlier in the year that the popular romantic drama would not be returning for a third season, the show has been commissioned by Foxtel.
To be produced by Seven Productions, the show will be made exclusively for Foxtel, who have already made an order for two more seasons. It will premiere on Foxtel.s SoHo drama channel next year.
The agreement was announced this morning by Foxtel Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, and Seven.s Network Director of Production, Brad Lyons.
In a statement released to the media, Walsh said: "A Place to Call Home is Australia.s most loved drama series and has captured the hearts of millions of fans across the country. We are proud to partner with the Seven Network on this landmark deal and ensure...
To be produced by Seven Productions, the show will be made exclusively for Foxtel, who have already made an order for two more seasons. It will premiere on Foxtel.s SoHo drama channel next year.
The agreement was announced this morning by Foxtel Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, and Seven.s Network Director of Production, Brad Lyons.
In a statement released to the media, Walsh said: "A Place to Call Home is Australia.s most loved drama series and has captured the hearts of millions of fans across the country. We are proud to partner with the Seven Network on this landmark deal and ensure...
- 10/26/2014
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
The fragmentation of the media landscape could erode popular TV while generating .a lot of rubbish. that might otherwise not see the light of day, according to Seven Network script executive Bevan Lee.
Speaking at Google.s Big Tent forum at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Lee said, .There are some fantastic opportunities which new technologies are giving us. But if they are hijacked by trivia and facile creativity and facile debate, then potentially they are a bad thing..
The creator of A Place to Call Home and Always Greener and co-creator of All Saints continued, .Some good projects will have the chance to shine, which may not have happened in the commercial arena.
.But the strong central core of commercial television may be eroded while we see the opening up of a lot of rubbish that may not otherwise have seen the light of day.
.I worry there...
Speaking at Google.s Big Tent forum at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Lee said, .There are some fantastic opportunities which new technologies are giving us. But if they are hijacked by trivia and facile creativity and facile debate, then potentially they are a bad thing..
The creator of A Place to Call Home and Always Greener and co-creator of All Saints continued, .Some good projects will have the chance to shine, which may not have happened in the commercial arena.
.But the strong central core of commercial television may be eroded while we see the opening up of a lot of rubbish that may not otherwise have seen the light of day.
.I worry there...
- 11/1/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Home and Away on location.
Amusement always ripples through an audience at awards nights when episode 5000 or 6000-and-something is mentioned. It seems unimaginable that this many episodes of a show could have been made. In the cutthroat world of prime time television shouldn.t resilience be celebrated? Yet two of Australia.s most resilient programs, Neighbours and Home and Away, are often regarded with jocular disrespect in industry and public circles for little reason other than that they are serials or, using the disparaging term, soaps.
Even former Home and Away cast member Melissa George . who has gone on establish a strong Us TV career . created headlines in November after threatening to walk off an Australian breakfast show if the hosts mentioned her character Angel. The criticism seems particularly undeserved with Home and Away continuing to win plaudits for more than just its longevity: on production values relative to the shooting schedule,...
Amusement always ripples through an audience at awards nights when episode 5000 or 6000-and-something is mentioned. It seems unimaginable that this many episodes of a show could have been made. In the cutthroat world of prime time television shouldn.t resilience be celebrated? Yet two of Australia.s most resilient programs, Neighbours and Home and Away, are often regarded with jocular disrespect in industry and public circles for little reason other than that they are serials or, using the disparaging term, soaps.
Even former Home and Away cast member Melissa George . who has gone on establish a strong Us TV career . created headlines in November after threatening to walk off an Australian breakfast show if the hosts mentioned her character Angel. The criticism seems particularly undeserved with Home and Away continuing to win plaudits for more than just its longevity: on production values relative to the shooting schedule,...
- 1/17/2013
- by Sandy George
- IF.com.au
A Place To Call Home
During last night’s The X Factor episode, Seven gave its audience a first look at the network’s newest local production.
The period drama, A Place To Call Home is from Bevan Lee, the creator of Seven’s other flagship drama, Packed to the Rafters.
The series, set in a manor in Australia in 1953, is described by Seven’s head of drama, Julie McGauran as “a sweeping grand production and our most ambitious yet.”
The show will go out in 2013.
The cast was announced in July and includes Noni Hazlehurst, Frankie J Holden, Marta Dusseldorp of Crownies and Brett Climo.
Bevan Lee previously described it as “above all a ripping emotional yarn about a woman fighting to find a place to call home and a wealthy family being challenged by a changing Australia. In learning to live again, Sarah brings new life and inspiration to all around her,...
During last night’s The X Factor episode, Seven gave its audience a first look at the network’s newest local production.
The period drama, A Place To Call Home is from Bevan Lee, the creator of Seven’s other flagship drama, Packed to the Rafters.
The series, set in a manor in Australia in 1953, is described by Seven’s head of drama, Julie McGauran as “a sweeping grand production and our most ambitious yet.”
The show will go out in 2013.
The cast was announced in July and includes Noni Hazlehurst, Frankie J Holden, Marta Dusseldorp of Crownies and Brett Climo.
Bevan Lee previously described it as “above all a ripping emotional yarn about a woman fighting to find a place to call home and a wealthy family being challenged by a changing Australia. In learning to live again, Sarah brings new life and inspiration to all around her,...
- 11/20/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Seven Network Unveils New And Returning Lineup Australian Seven Network has commissioned Eyeworks to produce a local version of Celebrity Splash, a Dutch format that U.S. network ABC also has embraced, and it will co-produce The Mole-Culture Clash with FremantleMedia Australia. These were among the new shows for 2013 unveiled by Seven, the top-rated prime-time network for the past six years, on Tuesday night. Debutantes include A Place to Call Home, an Australian drama series about a woman whose privileged family is rocked by scandal, set in a rural town in the 1950s, created by Bevan Lee (who created Seven’s hit Packed to the Rafters); and Mrs. Biggs, a British drama series starring Sheridan Smith as the woman who married notorious train robber Ronnie Biggs, a co-production between ITV Studios, Seven and December Films. Among the fresh U.S. series will be Last Resort, Red Widow and Zero Hour.
- 10/26/2012
- by KINSEY LOWE
- Deadline TV
An Australian version of the Dutch format Celebrity Splash was among the highlights of Seven West Media’s upfront presentations in Sydney last night.
The reality show, which features celebrities competing in diving competitions to be judged by a panel of professional divers, was at the centre of an international bidding war at the TV sales market Mipcom recently.
Other new locally produced programs expected in the new year include House Rules, a home renovation program from the makers of My Kitchen Rules which will see teams from each state hand over the keys to their home to competing teams of renovators.
A surprising local production is the return of The Mole which Seven last aired in 2005. The reworked format titled The Mole: Culture Clash will see contestants from different socio-economic backgrounds compete to uncover a mole in their midst.
One notable local production is A Place To Call Home,...
The reality show, which features celebrities competing in diving competitions to be judged by a panel of professional divers, was at the centre of an international bidding war at the TV sales market Mipcom recently.
Other new locally produced programs expected in the new year include House Rules, a home renovation program from the makers of My Kitchen Rules which will see teams from each state hand over the keys to their home to competing teams of renovators.
A surprising local production is the return of The Mole which Seven last aired in 2005. The reworked format titled The Mole: Culture Clash will see contestants from different socio-economic backgrounds compete to uncover a mole in their midst.
One notable local production is A Place To Call Home,...
- 10/16/2012
- by Brooke Hemphill
- Encore Magazine
Seven has announced its cast for A Place to Call Home, the new 1950′s drama from the maker of Packed to the Rafters.
The cast will be led by Crownies star Marta Dusseldor, with Noni Hazlehurst, Brett Climo and Frankie J. Holden.
They will be joined by newcomers David Berry, Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood, Craig Hall, Abby Earl and Aldo Mignone.
Creator Bevan Lee said: “It is above all a ripping emotional yarn about a woman fighting to find a place to call home and a wealthy family being challenged by a changing Australia. In learning to live again, Sarah brings new life and inspiration to all around her, especially the Bligh family.”
Seven’s head of drama Julie McGauran added: “A Place to Call Home is a sweeping and grand production and our most ambitious yet. Casting has been a joy. We’ve assembled the most outstanding group of actors. The...
The cast will be led by Crownies star Marta Dusseldor, with Noni Hazlehurst, Brett Climo and Frankie J. Holden.
They will be joined by newcomers David Berry, Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood, Craig Hall, Abby Earl and Aldo Mignone.
Creator Bevan Lee said: “It is above all a ripping emotional yarn about a woman fighting to find a place to call home and a wealthy family being challenged by a changing Australia. In learning to live again, Sarah brings new life and inspiration to all around her, especially the Bligh family.”
Seven’s head of drama Julie McGauran added: “A Place to Call Home is a sweeping and grand production and our most ambitious yet. Casting has been a joy. We’ve assembled the most outstanding group of actors. The...
- 7/9/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
This article originally appeared in If Magazine issue #146 (April-May 2012).
Broadcasters, take heed. Science-fiction is no longer just the domain of socially-inept teenage boys and overgrown fans of Dungeons and Dragons. With shows like The Walking Dead attracting viewers in their millions and HBO developing a series based on Neil Gaiman's best-selling fantasy American Gods, it has never been more acceptable to prefer your entertainment with a touch of nerdiness.
As a television genre, sci-fi has a long history. The grandfather of all American science-fiction programming is Star Trek, while the United Kingdom has spent almost half a century watching the adventures of everyone's favourite timelord in Doctor Who. But try naming a similarly iconic Australian TV series and you'll find yourself struggling.
The science-fiction and fantasy genre has always been enormously popular with younger audiences across all mediums, a factor ABC3 is all too aware of. Last year the...
Broadcasters, take heed. Science-fiction is no longer just the domain of socially-inept teenage boys and overgrown fans of Dungeons and Dragons. With shows like The Walking Dead attracting viewers in their millions and HBO developing a series based on Neil Gaiman's best-selling fantasy American Gods, it has never been more acceptable to prefer your entertainment with a touch of nerdiness.
As a television genre, sci-fi has a long history. The grandfather of all American science-fiction programming is Star Trek, while the United Kingdom has spent almost half a century watching the adventures of everyone's favourite timelord in Doctor Who. But try naming a similarly iconic Australian TV series and you'll find yourself struggling.
The science-fiction and fantasy genre has always been enormously popular with younger audiences across all mediums, a factor ABC3 is all too aware of. Last year the...
- 6/21/2012
- by Amanda Diaz
- IF.com.au
Next week’s episode of the ABC’s zeitgeist-chasing pop culture show Common Knowledge will be recorded in front of the audience of Mumbrella360.
The episode will discuss modern Australian men.
Description:
Secrets, desires and the new Aussie male
Australians say they love nice guys, but are we secretly fascinated with the bad boys?
Hear the panel tackle the enduring appeal of wholesomeness versus the dangerous but lucrative cache of the bad boys in the media, advertising and TV.
See radio being made as Rn’s Cassie McCullagh and Jason Di Rosso record their pop culture show, Common Knowledge, live at Mumbrella360.
Common Knowledge’s guests will be Bevan Lee, creator and writer of Seven’s Packed to the Rafters; Paul Merrill, who was founding editor of lads’ mag Zoo Weekly and Brooke Hemphill, managing editor of Mumbrella’s sister magazine Encore.
Bevan Lee will also be joined by collaborator...
The episode will discuss modern Australian men.
Description:
Secrets, desires and the new Aussie male
Australians say they love nice guys, but are we secretly fascinated with the bad boys?
Hear the panel tackle the enduring appeal of wholesomeness versus the dangerous but lucrative cache of the bad boys in the media, advertising and TV.
See radio being made as Rn’s Cassie McCullagh and Jason Di Rosso record their pop culture show, Common Knowledge, live at Mumbrella360.
Common Knowledge’s guests will be Bevan Lee, creator and writer of Seven’s Packed to the Rafters; Paul Merrill, who was founding editor of lads’ mag Zoo Weekly and Brooke Hemphill, managing editor of Mumbrella’s sister magazine Encore.
Bevan Lee will also be joined by collaborator...
- 5/31/2012
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
So let me guess?
You really want to come to Mumbrella360, but you’ve got to justify the time and cost to your boss?
Good news! I think I can help.
Just use the parts of this pro forma letter that apply to you in a memo to your boss, and Bob’s your uncle.
Hi (Insert boss’s name),
As you probably already know, I really want to attend this year’s Mumbrella360, which is only a fortnight away now.
Not only will I learn a lot, but it’s a great chance to network with some key contacts and get some perspective on what our peers are up to. I think it may even make me a better person.
The ticket price may seem a bit hefty at first glance, but it’s significantly less than similar conferences, and the huge number of sessions to choose from over...
You really want to come to Mumbrella360, but you’ve got to justify the time and cost to your boss?
Good news! I think I can help.
Just use the parts of this pro forma letter that apply to you in a memo to your boss, and Bob’s your uncle.
Hi (Insert boss’s name),
As you probably already know, I really want to attend this year’s Mumbrella360, which is only a fortnight away now.
Not only will I learn a lot, but it’s a great chance to network with some key contacts and get some perspective on what our peers are up to. I think it may even make me a better person.
The ticket price may seem a bit hefty at first glance, but it’s significantly less than similar conferences, and the huge number of sessions to choose from over...
- 5/23/2012
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
Lee
Holmes
The creators of Packed To The Rafters are to share the story of how they created the drama juggernaut at Mumbrella360.
Writer Bevan Lee and Seven’s head of drama John Holmes will tell the story of how Packed To The Rafters, now in its fifth series, came together. They will explore the reasons for the show’s success, discuss what other TV networks and programs can learn from the model, and talk about what the future holds for the show.
As well as Packed To The Rafters, the duo’s other other recent creation is lottery drama Winners & Loser along with the forthcoming A Place To Call Home. Lee also wrote the first episode of Home & Away.
Holmes has executive produced series including Blue Heelers, Home and Away, All Saints, Packed to the Rafters and Winners & Losers.
Lee writes a monthly column for Encore magazine.
Although ratings...
Holmes
The creators of Packed To The Rafters are to share the story of how they created the drama juggernaut at Mumbrella360.
Writer Bevan Lee and Seven’s head of drama John Holmes will tell the story of how Packed To The Rafters, now in its fifth series, came together. They will explore the reasons for the show’s success, discuss what other TV networks and programs can learn from the model, and talk about what the future holds for the show.
As well as Packed To The Rafters, the duo’s other other recent creation is lottery drama Winners & Loser along with the forthcoming A Place To Call Home. Lee also wrote the first episode of Home & Away.
Holmes has executive produced series including Blue Heelers, Home and Away, All Saints, Packed to the Rafters and Winners & Losers.
Lee writes a monthly column for Encore magazine.
Although ratings...
- 5/8/2012
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
In this guest post, Bevan Lee observes what young talent seeking stardom overseas is doing to Australian TV
There seems to be a new disease sweeping the Australian acting fraternity and it presents problems for local series television drama. The disease is Hollywooditis. Among its causes are cultural cringe, the understandable feeling that success in America represents greater success than at home; financial remuneration, a chance of cracking a big payday; a wider variety of work on offer in the Us, which cannot be argued; and the chance of a fix of that most potent drug, true fame.
Blinkered to the multitude of wannabes sleeping on their friends’ couches or eking out meagre existences in roach-filled La apartments, our performers prefer to concentrate on being the next Chris Hemsworth, Sam Worthington or Cate Blanchett.
And who can blame them?
Most are young. And youth is the time for ambition and confidence.
There seems to be a new disease sweeping the Australian acting fraternity and it presents problems for local series television drama. The disease is Hollywooditis. Among its causes are cultural cringe, the understandable feeling that success in America represents greater success than at home; financial remuneration, a chance of cracking a big payday; a wider variety of work on offer in the Us, which cannot be argued; and the chance of a fix of that most potent drug, true fame.
Blinkered to the multitude of wannabes sleeping on their friends’ couches or eking out meagre existences in roach-filled La apartments, our performers prefer to concentrate on being the next Chris Hemsworth, Sam Worthington or Cate Blanchett.
And who can blame them?
Most are young. And youth is the time for ambition and confidence.
- 4/10/2012
- by Brooke Hemphill
- Encore Magazine
So today I’ve cleared my diary. As has my colleague Brooke.
You see, there’s something we want to talk to you about.
Here’s our numbers:
Tim Burrowes: 02 8296 0201
Brooke Hemphill: 02 8296 0237
We’re both going to be at our desks, all day.
We want to talk to you about Encore magazine.
Today sees the launch of our iPad app.
I must admit, I’ve had mixed feeling about the iPad in the two years since it launched. There was the initial feeling of excitement. Followed by a slight cynicism as newspapers seized upon it, a little desperately it seemed to me, as their saviour.
But in recent weeks my thinking changed again.
As you may remember, we relaunched Encore magazine late last year – at the same time we moved its focus much more closely to Mumbrella’s audience. After three years away from print, I found myself falling back in love with magazines.
You see, there’s something we want to talk to you about.
Here’s our numbers:
Tim Burrowes: 02 8296 0201
Brooke Hemphill: 02 8296 0237
We’re both going to be at our desks, all day.
We want to talk to you about Encore magazine.
Today sees the launch of our iPad app.
I must admit, I’ve had mixed feeling about the iPad in the two years since it launched. There was the initial feeling of excitement. Followed by a slight cynicism as newspapers seized upon it, a little desperately it seemed to me, as their saviour.
But in recent weeks my thinking changed again.
As you may remember, we relaunched Encore magazine late last year – at the same time we moved its focus much more closely to Mumbrella’s audience. After three years away from print, I found myself falling back in love with magazines.
- 4/5/2012
- by mumbrella
- Encore Magazine
Australia.s highest-rated TV drama series Packed To The Rafters is back to claim its crown.
The Seven series, which last year averaged 1.8 million viewers, returns next week with another 22 episodes.
It.s the nation.s favourite drama, having netted Best Australian Drama at the last three Logie Awards. Two weeks ago it also took out the Audience Choice Award for Best TV Program at the inaugural Aacta Awards.
Series producer Chris Martin-Jones, who occasionally sits in the director.s chair, puts the show's success down to it being so relatable. The drama focuses on the Rafter family . a family, which, like any, faces pressures of life and love while dealing with serious social issues.
.They can see the characters in their own lives. They can see the situation the character.s in,. Martin-Jones says from his Sydney office.
He says tackling serious issues such as abortion, drug abuse and...
The Seven series, which last year averaged 1.8 million viewers, returns next week with another 22 episodes.
It.s the nation.s favourite drama, having netted Best Australian Drama at the last three Logie Awards. Two weeks ago it also took out the Audience Choice Award for Best TV Program at the inaugural Aacta Awards.
Series producer Chris Martin-Jones, who occasionally sits in the director.s chair, puts the show's success down to it being so relatable. The drama focuses on the Rafter family . a family, which, like any, faces pressures of life and love while dealing with serious social issues.
.They can see the characters in their own lives. They can see the situation the character.s in,. Martin-Jones says from his Sydney office.
He says tackling serious issues such as abortion, drug abuse and...
- 2/8/2012
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
The first two series of Seven’s female-focused lottery winners drama Winners & Losers have been sold to British commercial broadcaster ITV to be aired on one of its digital channels.
The 22 episode deal was announced by Fremantle Media Enterprises on behalf of Seven at the Mipcom TV conference which is currently taking place in France.
The show is expected to air on ITV2 early next year.
The John Holmes and Bevan Lee created show has been a consistent ratings winner in Australia pulling in metro audiences in excess of 1.2m.
It follows the lives of four women who were seen as losers at school but find themselves winners with a joint lotto ticket.
Justin Hatfield, Fremantle’s senior vice president of sales in the UK said: “Winners and Losers has been a storming success in Australia, attracting fans, smashing ratings, and establishing its position as a leading drama.”
Angela Jain,...
The 22 episode deal was announced by Fremantle Media Enterprises on behalf of Seven at the Mipcom TV conference which is currently taking place in France.
The show is expected to air on ITV2 early next year.
The John Holmes and Bevan Lee created show has been a consistent ratings winner in Australia pulling in metro audiences in excess of 1.2m.
It follows the lives of four women who were seen as losers at school but find themselves winners with a joint lotto ticket.
Justin Hatfield, Fremantle’s senior vice president of sales in the UK said: “Winners and Losers has been a storming success in Australia, attracting fans, smashing ratings, and establishing its position as a leading drama.”
Angela Jain,...
- 10/5/2011
- by Tim Burrowes
- Encore Magazine
It may only be September, but with Seven’s 2012 upfronts launch on Wednesday night and Ten’s back in August, only Nine is yet to declare its hand for next year.
And it’s already clear that what will separate the winning network from the others is the proportion of successful local content that succeeds.
It may even come down to the local drama content. In a close year, it often does.
Seven has arguably the most reliable slate. Packed To The Rafters remains rock solid. Winners & Losers has some life left in it yet.
And yet another new show from Bevan Lee, A Place To Call Home, was also announced, although details on tat one were sketchy.
Plus, Seven’s current dip into historical drama, Wild Boys looks to have plenty of life left in its next season.
For Ten, there are fewer certainties. Certainly there wil be interest...
And it’s already clear that what will separate the winning network from the others is the proportion of successful local content that succeeds.
It may even come down to the local drama content. In a close year, it often does.
Seven has arguably the most reliable slate. Packed To The Rafters remains rock solid. Winners & Losers has some life left in it yet.
And yet another new show from Bevan Lee, A Place To Call Home, was also announced, although details on tat one were sketchy.
Plus, Seven’s current dip into historical drama, Wild Boys looks to have plenty of life left in its next season.
For Ten, there are fewer certainties. Certainly there wil be interest...
- 9/23/2011
- by Tim Burrowes
- Encore Magazine
Channel Seven is shaking up its drama department as of next year with Southern Star Entertainment.s Julie McGauran taking over from veteran John Holmes as Head of Drama. Announced by Seven, McGauran . co-creator and co-producer of the latest series Wild Boys . will assist in the creation and development of new titles, while Holmes will take on a new role within the network, which will see him relieved of his day-to-day management duties. Seven said it would allow him to focus more on making TV drama. Head of Creative, Bevan Lee, will continue his role after signing an extended contract. Holmes, who has been head of drama at Seven for almost two decades, has executive produced such shows as Home and Away, Blue Heelers and All Saints, while most recently overseeing...
- 9/7/2011
- by Sam Dallas
- IF.com.au
Winners and Losers will return for a second series in 2012. The Australian television drama, which stars Melissa Bergland, Virginia Gay, Zoe Tuckwell-Smith and Melanie Vallejo, premiered earlier this year and has had an average audience of 1.36 million viewers each week. Seven Network bosses have confirmed that pre-production for the next season is about to start in Melbourne, with all the leading cast members poised to return. Winners and Losers creator Bevan Lee said: "I'm delighted we are able to continue exploring the lives of Bec, Frances, (more)...
- 7/6/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
For the second consecutive year, Encore has chosen a select group of screen professionals who have achieved new heights in 2010/2011, whose decisions influence and shape Australia’s audiovisual industry, and whose work has stood out from the crowd. These are our Power 50.
1. Emile Sherman – Producer
Last February, Sherman became the first Australian producer to receive an Academy Award for Best Picture, alongside his See-Saw Films partner Iain Canning, and Bedlam Productions’ Gareth Unwin. It also won at the BAFTAs and the Producers Guild of America, in addition to the many other honours for its cast and crew.
While technically a UK production, the Australianness of the film is undeniable – and so is its success; with a modest U$15m budget, The King’s Speech has grossed more than $405m worldwide – one of the most successful independent films of all time. Read Emile Sherman interview
2. Baz Luhrmann – Director, writer, producer
There...
1. Emile Sherman – Producer
Last February, Sherman became the first Australian producer to receive an Academy Award for Best Picture, alongside his See-Saw Films partner Iain Canning, and Bedlam Productions’ Gareth Unwin. It also won at the BAFTAs and the Producers Guild of America, in addition to the many other honours for its cast and crew.
While technically a UK production, the Australianness of the film is undeniable – and so is its success; with a modest U$15m budget, The King’s Speech has grossed more than $405m worldwide – one of the most successful independent films of all time. Read Emile Sherman interview
2. Baz Luhrmann – Director, writer, producer
There...
- 6/9/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Predicting the future of a film or television program and avoiding a financial disaster doesn’t necessarily require clairvoyant powers; testing your project with an audience at different stages of the production process can make a huge difference. Aravind Balasubramaniam reports.
“Nobody wants others to tell them their baby is ugly,” says the founder and CEO of Audience Development Australia (Ada) David Castran. “But it’s very important that producers listen with two ears and try to challenge their strongly-held views. Testing empowers producers by giving them information about the audience’s relationship with the pilot or program. I know at times that can be controversial.”
Drama has the highest production cost per hour of all TV programming, so well-executed testing can inform producers and broadcasters about the potential response to their shows.
Castran’s company was founded in the early 90s to provide comprehensive audience study services to the industry.
“Nobody wants others to tell them their baby is ugly,” says the founder and CEO of Audience Development Australia (Ada) David Castran. “But it’s very important that producers listen with two ears and try to challenge their strongly-held views. Testing empowers producers by giving them information about the audience’s relationship with the pilot or program. I know at times that can be controversial.”
Drama has the highest production cost per hour of all TV programming, so well-executed testing can inform producers and broadcasters about the potential response to their shows.
Castran’s company was founded in the early 90s to provide comprehensive audience study services to the industry.
- 2/22/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Now entering its third year, Packed to the Rafters has become the Seven Network’s flagship drama. Its creators told Eleeza Hooker that making a hit TV show might be difficult, but maintaining it over the years is even harder.
The series, about a couple whose adult children come back to live at the family home, has been a hit with audiences, averaging 1.9m viewers in 2008 and 2009 – with a peak of 2.07m for Episode 41, a number surpassed only by Nine’s Underbelly.
The concept was developed by series creator and network script executive Bevan Lee, producer Jo Porter and script producer Anthony Ellis. Together, they’re in charge of keeping the series going.
“It’s a nice problem to have to maintain a hit show. As you keep going through stories, it becomes harder and harder,” said Porter.
According to Porter, Rafters is a valuable property for the network, and...
The series, about a couple whose adult children come back to live at the family home, has been a hit with audiences, averaging 1.9m viewers in 2008 and 2009 – with a peak of 2.07m for Episode 41, a number surpassed only by Nine’s Underbelly.
The concept was developed by series creator and network script executive Bevan Lee, producer Jo Porter and script producer Anthony Ellis. Together, they’re in charge of keeping the series going.
“It’s a nice problem to have to maintain a hit show. As you keep going through stories, it becomes harder and harder,” said Porter.
According to Porter, Rafters is a valuable property for the network, and...
- 8/4/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Packed To The Rafters creator Bevan Lee has defended himself after recent storylines were met with public outrage. Many viewers complained after an episode of the Aussie TV show featured an affair, a masturbation scene and three sex fantasies, but Lee has said that fans have to get used to the fact that he doesn't want to create a squeaky-clean show. Lee told The Daily Telegraph: "I think we've created a family and everyone has so identified with that family, that they've said to themselves 'they're us' (more)...
- 10/19/2009
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
The co-creator of Packed to the Rafters has apologised to viewers offended by Tuesday night's episode, which featured sexually-themed fantasy sequences and a masturbation scene. Bevan Lee said he was surprised at the reaction to Tuesday night's instalment and added the episode was intended as a "cautionary tale" to highlight that "blurring the line between fantasy, desire and real action can lead to wrong and potentially disastrous choices". "Nathan (Angus McLaren) chooses to betray his wife, but it is made quite clear it is the wrong choice and (more)...
- 9/25/2009
- by By Darren Rowe
- Digital Spy
Home and Away will proceed with screening a second lesbian kiss, defying outraged parent and conservative groups, reports the Herald Sun. The controversial storyline, which sees policewoman Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) embark on a romance with local deck hand Joey Collins (Kate Bell), has caused outrage in Australia among conservatives who have blasted the plot as sexualised and inappropriate for the show's 7pm PG-rated timeslot. Speaking to gay website samesame.com.au, Channel Seven head of creative drama Bevan Lee said: "There'll be another one in a few episodes' (more)...
- 4/8/2009
- by By Darren Rowe
- Digital Spy
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