This review of "Playing With Sharks" was published following the film's premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
"Playing With Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story" tells a tale right out of mythology, with the hunter becoming the protector, helping to save the animals whom she had previously helped to portray as monsters. In capturing the work of legendary filmmaker and conservationist Valerie Taylor, this Sundance premiere from director Sally Aitken also offers a front-row look at an extraordinary life.
It helps, of course, that Valerie makes the ideal documentary subject -- candid and outgoing in interviews, discussing a life that's not only exciting and full of purpose, but also one that took place, to a large extent, in front of cameras. Aitken and editor Adrian Rostirolla make wonderful use of a plethora of archival materials, from 1950s newsreels demonstrating teenage Valerie's prowess at spearfishing to footage shot by Valerie and her late husband Ron Taylor,...
"Playing With Sharks: The Valerie Taylor Story" tells a tale right out of mythology, with the hunter becoming the protector, helping to save the animals whom she had previously helped to portray as monsters. In capturing the work of legendary filmmaker and conservationist Valerie Taylor, this Sundance premiere from director Sally Aitken also offers a front-row look at an extraordinary life.
It helps, of course, that Valerie makes the ideal documentary subject -- candid and outgoing in interviews, discussing a life that's not only exciting and full of purpose, but also one that took place, to a large extent, in front of cameras. Aitken and editor Adrian Rostirolla make wonderful use of a plethora of archival materials, from 1950s newsreels demonstrating teenage Valerie's prowess at spearfishing to footage shot by Valerie and her late husband Ron Taylor,...
- 7/23/2021
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired the worldwide rights to Sally Aitken’s documentary about Australian diver and filmmaker Valerie Taylor following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Chosen as one of only 10 films from around the world for the World Cinema Documentary Competition section, Playing with Sharks charts Taylor’s transformation from a champion slayer to a passionate marine conservationist through remastered film footage taken across 50 years.
The film was created and produced by Bettina Dalton, WildBear Entertainment, and written and directed by Aitken. The executive producers include Alan Erson for WildBear; Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog; and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment.
Dalton tells If National Geographic Documentary Films is the “perfect home” for Playing with Sharks.
“National Geographic not only has a lot of gravitas, but also a lot of provenance and reach,” she says.
“They have the right ethos for this film, in...
Chosen as one of only 10 films from around the world for the World Cinema Documentary Competition section, Playing with Sharks charts Taylor’s transformation from a champion slayer to a passionate marine conservationist through remastered film footage taken across 50 years.
The film was created and produced by Bettina Dalton, WildBear Entertainment, and written and directed by Aitken. The executive producers include Alan Erson for WildBear; Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog; and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment.
Dalton tells If National Geographic Documentary Films is the “perfect home” for Playing with Sharks.
“National Geographic not only has a lot of gravitas, but also a lot of provenance and reach,” she says.
“They have the right ethos for this film, in...
- 2/3/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Andy Canny scooped Best Editing in a Feature Drama for The Invisible Man at the 2020 Ellie Awards yesterday, backing up his recent Aacta win.
Geoff Lamb took home Best Editing in Drama for The Commons, and Deborah Peart Best Editing in Comedy for Upright.
The annual awards, presented by Australian Screen Editors (Ase), were held online this year due to Covid, hosted by comedian Steph Tisdell.
In addition to the celebrations, the event also saw Ase president Fiona Strain announce after five years at the helm that she will be handing the reins to vice-president Danielle Boesenberg from February.
“She has been a calm, intelligent presence in the executive committee and will bring thoughtfulness and a commitment to diversity as we serve a very wide a range of members from students through assistants and others who have been in the industry over 40 years,” Strain told If.
In her speech at the event,...
Geoff Lamb took home Best Editing in Drama for The Commons, and Deborah Peart Best Editing in Comedy for Upright.
The annual awards, presented by Australian Screen Editors (Ase), were held online this year due to Covid, hosted by comedian Steph Tisdell.
In addition to the celebrations, the event also saw Ase president Fiona Strain announce after five years at the helm that she will be handing the reins to vice-president Danielle Boesenberg from February.
“She has been a calm, intelligent presence in the executive committee and will bring thoughtfulness and a commitment to diversity as we serve a very wide a range of members from students through assistants and others who have been in the industry over 40 years,” Strain told If.
In her speech at the event,...
- 12/7/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Isabel Lucas and Luke Ford have joined the cast of Shane Abbess. new sci-fi feature SFv1.
They join Kellan Lutz (Expendables 3, Hercules 3-D, The Twilight Saga) and Daniel MacPherson (Infini, Shannara Chronicles, The Cup).
The ensemble cast includes Temuera Morrison (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III . Revenge of the Sith, Once Were Warriors), Bren Foster (Infini, The Last Ship, Terminus, Days Of Our Lives), with Rachel Griffiths (Saving Mr Banks, Beautiful Kate, Brothers & Sisters, Six Feet Under, Muriel.s Wedding), Firass Dirani (House Husbands, Underbelly: The Golden Mile, The Combination, The Black Balloon) Dwaine Stevenson (Infini, Gabriel), Grace Huang (The Man with the Iron Fists 1 and 2, Infini, Hiding) and introduces Teagan Croft.
Currently filming in Sydney and outback South Australia, the film is set in the future in a time of interplanetary colonization, when Sy (Kellan Lutz), a drifter,...
They join Kellan Lutz (Expendables 3, Hercules 3-D, The Twilight Saga) and Daniel MacPherson (Infini, Shannara Chronicles, The Cup).
The ensemble cast includes Temuera Morrison (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III . Revenge of the Sith, Once Were Warriors), Bren Foster (Infini, The Last Ship, Terminus, Days Of Our Lives), with Rachel Griffiths (Saving Mr Banks, Beautiful Kate, Brothers & Sisters, Six Feet Under, Muriel.s Wedding), Firass Dirani (House Husbands, Underbelly: The Golden Mile, The Combination, The Black Balloon) Dwaine Stevenson (Infini, Gabriel), Grace Huang (The Man with the Iron Fists 1 and 2, Infini, Hiding) and introduces Teagan Croft.
Currently filming in Sydney and outback South Australia, the film is set in the future in a time of interplanetary colonization, when Sy (Kellan Lutz), a drifter,...
- 9/2/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Kellan Lutz, Daniel MacPherson, Temuera Morrison, Rachel Griffiths and newcomer Teagan Croft are starring in Shane Abbess. futuristic sci-fi feature SFv1.
Set during a period of interplanetary colonization, the film is Abbess. follow-up to Infini, which has been sold to every major market and was released on digital platforms by eOne in Australia and by Vertical Entertainment in the Us.
It.s shooting for nine weeks in Sydney, the outskirts of Sydney and outback South Australia.
.This is a bigger film with a lot more action than Infini,. says Eclectik Vision.s Brett Thornquest, who is producing with Abbess and Sidonie Abbene.s Storm Alley Entertainment and Matthew Graham.s Phonetic Images.
Xyz Films, which sold Infini to North America and repped Marc Furmie.s Terminus (produced by Thornquest and Tim Maddocks. Maddfilms) is handling worldwide sales.
Lutz (The Expendables 3, Hercules 3D, The Twilight Saga) plays Sy, a mysterious...
Set during a period of interplanetary colonization, the film is Abbess. follow-up to Infini, which has been sold to every major market and was released on digital platforms by eOne in Australia and by Vertical Entertainment in the Us.
It.s shooting for nine weeks in Sydney, the outskirts of Sydney and outback South Australia.
.This is a bigger film with a lot more action than Infini,. says Eclectik Vision.s Brett Thornquest, who is producing with Abbess and Sidonie Abbene.s Storm Alley Entertainment and Matthew Graham.s Phonetic Images.
Xyz Films, which sold Infini to North America and repped Marc Furmie.s Terminus (produced by Thornquest and Tim Maddocks. Maddfilms) is handling worldwide sales.
Lutz (The Expendables 3, Hercules 3D, The Twilight Saga) plays Sy, a mysterious...
- 8/5/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Taking place December 5, the Australian Screen Editors Guild Awards is a ceremony which recognises the achievements of editors in the art of filmmaking. This year the contenders for Best Editing in a Feature Film include Luke Doolan (Animal Kingdom), Nick Meyers (Balibo), Dany Cooper (Beneath Hill 60), Alexandre de Franceschi (Bright Star) and Adrian Rostirolla (Coffin Rock). Previous winner of the award for his work on the highly acclaimed Samson and Delilah, Roland Gallois (pictured), understands better than anyone the essential contribution an editor makes to a film. It's a role that's often not given its due.
- 12/3/2010
- FilmInk.com.au
The Australian Screen Editors Guild has nominated Animal Kingdom, Bright Star and Beneath Hill 60 for Best Editing in a Feature, alongside 2009 releases Balibo and – surprisingly – Coffin Rock.
This is the first and only award nomination the David Lightfoot production has received since its release in November 2009.
The TV drama category sees the telemovie A Model Daughter competing against All Saints, Packed to the Rafters and Wilfred.
The nominees are:
Avid Award for Best Editing in a Feature Film
Animal Kingdom – Luke Doolan
Balibo - Nick Meyers Ase
Beneath Hill 60 – Dany Cooper Ase
Bright Star – Alexandre de Franceschi Ase
Coffin Rock - Adrian Rostirolla
The Lab Award for Best Editing in a Television Drama
A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne – Deborah Peart
All Saints, Episode 478 – Nicholas Holmes Ase
Packed to the Rafters, Episode 44 – James Manche Ase
Wilfred Series 2, Episode 8 – Richard Hamer
Best Editing in a Documentary
Catching Cancer...
This is the first and only award nomination the David Lightfoot production has received since its release in November 2009.
The TV drama category sees the telemovie A Model Daughter competing against All Saints, Packed to the Rafters and Wilfred.
The nominees are:
Avid Award for Best Editing in a Feature Film
Animal Kingdom – Luke Doolan
Balibo - Nick Meyers Ase
Beneath Hill 60 – Dany Cooper Ase
Bright Star – Alexandre de Franceschi Ase
Coffin Rock - Adrian Rostirolla
The Lab Award for Best Editing in a Television Drama
A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne – Deborah Peart
All Saints, Episode 478 – Nicholas Holmes Ase
Packed to the Rafters, Episode 44 – James Manche Ase
Wilfred Series 2, Episode 8 – Richard Hamer
Best Editing in a Documentary
Catching Cancer...
- 11/18/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
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