The blog

Marcus Gillezeau inspires the next generation of filmmakers as part of the SPAA Fringe commitment to industry education

July 9th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

Emmy award winning Director/ Writer and Producer Marcus Gillezeau visited VCA, RMIT and Open Channel this week as part of SPAA Fringe’s commitment to the next generation of filmmakers. Speaking to students about his own career success, and the importance of networks and building real industry connections, Marcus’ visit was described by Professor Stephen Skok of RMIT as “lively, informative and inspiring for students and staff alike.” SPAA Fringe will be held at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney on October 22 and 23. 

Edweana Wenkart speaks on the 'business' of being you

June 24th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

On Tuesday 29 June, Tsuki’s founder and director, Edweana Wenkart will speak at an industry networking event in Melbourne, on the ‘business’ of being you. Drawing on her experience as Unit Publicist for Baz Luhrmann’s 'Australia’, and national publicist for Isabel Lucas, Edweana will introduce the concept of a personal brand to an audience of emerging actors, and explain how to engage with traditional and online media to build their brand and profile. 

Tsuki goes through to full entry stage in PRIA Golden Target Awards for Excellence

June 23rd, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

Tsuki's media relations and grassroots campaign for the 2009 Ian Potter Cultural Trust Music Commissions has been selected to proceed through to the full entry stage, in the PRIA Golden Target Awards for Excellence, Arts. State winners will be announced in September, followed by the announcement of National Golden Target Award winners on 25 October.  

Mobile Screenfest director Avi Ratnanesan talks global 'shot-on-mobile' content phenomenon on 2SER tonight

June 16th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

Tune in to 2SER tonight at 7pm and listen to Avi Ratnanesan, director of Mobile Screenfest, Australia’s first mobile phone film and photography festival, talking about the growing global phenomenon of ‘shot-on-mobile’ content. There are over 21 million mobile phone handsets in Australia, in excess of 1 per person, and now there is a competition to match – one that lets anyone with a mobile phone tell their story.

Hackett joins Creative Sydney panel discussion on Sydney as the world's studio

June 11th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

As part of Creative Sydney this week, James Hackett (Hackett Films) joined panelists Sean Ashby (AussieBum), Marty Wirth and Axel Moline (Modular Records) and Rob Belgiovane (BWM) for a thought-provoking panel discussion about Sydney as the world’s studio. Held as part of Vivid Sydney and moderated by Creative Sydney director Jess Scully, ‘Local Talent / Global Market’ explored what makes Sydney a good base (and tough place) for global business. You can view this discussion and others online at Creative Sydney. 

Sixty40 join prestigious line up of 10x10 Project Curators for Creative Sydney

June 2nd, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

Founders Matt Taylor and Mark Simpson of Sixty40 were invited to join ten iconic industry leaders to introduce Sydney’s next generation of creative talent. Simpson and Taylor join some of Sydney’s most respected minds, including Sass & Bide’s Sarah Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton, Dinosaur Designs co-founder Liane Rossler and film critic Margaret Pomeranz.  Each curator will share their ‘top ten local creatives’ on June 4 at the launch of Creative Sydney at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.

SPAA Fringe partners with SDA in nationwide search for best new projects

May 26th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

SPAA Fringe, alongside Screen Development Australia (SDA) have joined forces to help filmmakers 'perfect their pitch' though a series of state-based competitions and workshops. In addition to the $1,500 prize package, semi-finalists from each state will pitch their projects at SPAA Fringe, with the top two finalists then going head-to-head in the career-defining Holding Redlich Pitching competition at SPAA Conference. 

Recent success stories include Cate McQuillen, who travelled to Kidscreen Summit in New York after winning the Holding Redlich Pitching Competition, where she pitched the now internationally acclaimed children’s TV series, dirtgirlworld. Feature film Secret of Moonacre, helmed by award-winning Hungarian director Gabor Csupo was also picked up after it was pitched and went into production in 2007. 

Sixty40’s new music act, Wootonia, created for Sony Music Australia gets picked up as McDonalds Happy Meal

May 14th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

Creative design specialists Sixty40, in collaboration with Sony Music Australia have created a spectacular new music act Wootonia. This animated sensation is made up of four characters, ‘Woots’, who each embody a different style of music – Pop (Vim), Rock (Rok), Emo (Zac) and Hip Hop (Boom). Set to ignite the imaginations of the younger generations, the highly anticipated release of Wootonia’s first single ‘bounce’ premiered on Nikelodeon earlier this month. It can now also be collected through McDonalds Happy Meals, creating opportunities for fans to build their own collection of 'Wootonia' tracks.

Calling all filmmakers - DigiSPAA 2010 launches!

April 27th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

The search for Australia's finest digital film maker has begun, with the official launch of entries for the 2010 DigiSPAA digital feature film competition. Announced on Wednesday 21 April at a dedicated event in Sydney with some of the industry's finest movers and shakers, the race is now on to see who will take home the $50,000 plus in prizes this year. 

Green with envy: Volvo launches its eco-warrior, the DRIVe C30

April 14th, 2010 by Joy Leaper.

Tune in to ABC radio's Tony Eastley and the 7pm TV news tomorrow to find out more about Volvo's latest addition to the family: the eco-warrior, DRIVe C30. Best in class with a fuel efficiency of just 3.8l/100km and CO2 emissions of only 99g/km, this story by Sarah Clarke looks at how the Swedish manufacturer is changing the way we think about green motoring.