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THEBOOMERANG AUSTRALIANS IN FILM
JUly 2011
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The Boomerang
THEMONTH
Editors Susie Dobson Michael Kelleher michael@australiansinfilm.com Designer Sam Kramer sam@kramerproductiondesign.com
AiF Volunteers | We would like thank the following people:
Sam Kramer, designer of the Boomerang and invitations Alin Pilkington for IT support Michael Kelleher for website design and IT support Jenifer Sorenson Greg Cook Ingrid Bloom Claudia Keech Sophie Scarf
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Board of Directors Paula Paizes Susie Dobson Rob Marsala Andrew Warne Tracey Vieira Michelle Day Ian Sutherland Cover | Griff the Invisible News Submissions Please email the Editor with any Australian or member film-related news or announcements. Australians in Film | 2800 28th St, Suite 320, Santa Monica CA 90405 Tel: 310 452-5939 | Fax: 323 446-8724 www.australiansinfilm.org | michael@australiansinfilm.com
CONTENTS From the President
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Reel Alerts
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Ryan Kwanten | Griff the Invisible
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Thanks Jenny Carrillo
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Palm Springs Film Fest
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Australia Rocks the Pier
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Member Profile | Ann Fay
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Pics | Breakthrough Awards
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Pics | The Beaver
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Pics | Monte Carlo
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THEPRESIDENT Dear Members & Friends, My term as President of AiF comes to an end this month. It has been an honor to hold this position for the past two years and lead such an incredible organization ensuring the effective implementation of AiF’s mission. It has been a time of growth and expansion with significant changes at Board level and in operations and I can confidently say that in its 10th year AIF has certainly come of age! I would like to thank those members of the Board of Directors who have served during my Presidency (both past and present) and also those committee members and volunteers who have all worked so hard to fulfill AiFs mission. You are all extremely dedicated and are to be commended for all that you do for this organization on a purely voluntary basis. When I started in this position two years ago I had two main goals. Firstly to ensure that as we continued to grow in stature our group would never lose its distinctive Aussie authenticity and culture, where the atmosphere is always relaxed and fun and sharing a few drinks and lots of laughs is paramount. And secondly to continue PRESS ESC TO EXIT
our reach into the wider Hollywood community and enhance our industry position as the pre - eminent Australian entertainment organization in Los Angeles and the USA. I am satisified that both these goals have definitely been achieved! We have over 800 members, a strong and dedicated Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, Executive Director and committed volunteers. We screen over 25 films a year, have now hosted seven successful Breakthrough Awards honoring Australia’s most up and coming in Hollywood and have established a much sought after scholarship in the name of the late Heath Ledger, which is a Hollywood launch pad for young actors. Underscoring all this is the continued support of our financial sponsors as well as almost every major Australian actor and filmmaker, whether living in LA or not, who each serve as an Ambassador of AiF and who consistently accept our invitations to attend our screenings and events and share their insight and success stories with all of us. I am very proud to be an Australian in Film!
move on to become Chairman of the Board. Andrew has served on AiF’s Board of directors for over five years as a member of the Programming and IT/ Marketing Committees. Andrew is a journalist and entertainment news producer and a dedicated member of our team. I wish Andrew the best of luck in his new role and am confident he will make a great President of AiF See you all at the next screening! Best always, Paula Paizes President Australians in Film
Andrew Warne takes over as AiF’s new President from August 1st and I
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REELALERTS Sony Pictures has acquired Shadow Runner, in a pitch for an action thriller that will star Chris Hemsworth. Judy Davis reunites with Woody Allen in his next film Bop Decameron, which he begins filming in Rome on July 11th. Davis has worked with the director on several films, and garnered a Best supporting Actress Oscar nod for her performance in Allen’s Husband and Wives.
Judy Davis
Marvel Studios, which is in production on the Joss Whedon-directed The Avengers, is making a full commitment to Thor 2, with Chris Hemsworth reprising his role as the title hero.
Ash Revell, also an Aussie, has been nominated for an Emmy for best sound design (team) on the show Nikita. Guy Pearce received an Emmy nomination for his performance in HBO’s Mildred Pierce
Barry Humphries, best known for his alter ego Dame Edna, will play the Goblin King in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit Chris Hemsworth will get behind the wheel to star in the role of British Formula One driver James Hunt in Rush, the Peter Morgan-scripted drama that shapes up as the next directing effort for Ron Howard. Cross Creek Pictures is the backer, with Imagine’s Brian Grazer and Howard producing alongside Brian Oliver and Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
Teresa Palmer
David Raines was nominated for an Emmy award today for “Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (one-hour)” for Burn Notice. This is David’s second nomination for Burn Notice.
Barry Humphries
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to play one of the lead roles in the Vietnam era romantic drama indie based on a true story, AWOL. Also in negotiations to star alongside is Teresa Palmer. The film, which explores the anti-Vietnam war movement at the University of Michigan, is slated to shoot there this summer with helmer Danny Mooney, who will make his directorial debut.
Liam Hemsworth is in negotiations
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AUSTRALIANS IN THEATRES JULY| JULY 22 THE TREE, Australian French co-production ‘The Tree’ opens for a week only in Los Angeles at The Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd, West LA Starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and directed by Julie Bertucccelli it was the official selection as the closing night film at Cannes in 2010. The Tree is a mystical drama of loss and rebirth in the Australian countryside. JULY 22 CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, Hugo Weaving
George Byrne Photography Headshots & Portraiture in L.A.
646 309 3798 georgebyrne12@gmail.com georgebyrne.com
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GRIFFTHE INVISIBLE Australian actor Leon Ford’s first feature as director, Griff the Invisible opens in the United States on August 19. Dubbed a romantic, comedydrama, Griff is a unique take on the superhero genre, displaying not only the acting talents of AIF 2010 Breakthrough Award Winner Ryan Kwanten but Sydney as a neo Gothamlike location. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010, and uses Sydney and certain buildings such
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as Central Railway Station to create a backdrop at home in any comic book story By day Griff (Ryan Kwanten) is an everyday office worker, in an everyday town. He lives a secluded life, bullied by co-workers (Toby Schmitz) – his protective brother his only friend. By night Griff assumes his other identity, roaming the dark streets protecting the innocent and the vulnerable from the dangers that lurk in the shadows – he is the hero.
Increasingly concerned by Griff’s eccentric behaviour, his brother (Patrick Brammall) attempts to draw him back into the ‘real world’. In doing so he introduces Griff to Melody (Maeve Dermody) an equally eccentric and charming girl. Fascinated by Griff’s idiosyncrasies, which are equal only to her own, Melody begins to fall for Griff. As Griff is forced to face up to the realities of a mundane world, it is up to Melody to rescue him for the sake of herself,
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GRIFFTHE GRIFFTHEINVISIBLE INVISIBLE Griff and their love for each other. Director Leon Ford said the film is about the defenses we create as a child and how they can be carried into adulthood. “I think it’s about a guy who couldn’t cope with reality the way most of us do, so he created when he was a kid another world where he was in control – and as he grew up saw no reason to let that go”, said Ford. “So I suppose overall it’s saying when
we grow up why do we have to lose all the fun bits? And it doesn’t necessarily mean he is insane it just means he held onto his other identity”. For lead actor Ryan Kwanten, his attraction to the part was personal. “It was something that really went straight to the very core of what makes me, me. I’ve always been very much a sort of sociophobe myself. I haven’t been particularly good with talking to people or in social situations, so there was that immediate sort of
visceral connection that I had to Griff and to his plight,” said Kwamten Griff the Invisible opens in select theatres August 19
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THANKS JENNYCARRILLO Raise your glasses to Jenny Cooney Carrillo! By Claudia Keech
This month we farewell Jenny Cooney Carrillo a Founding Member and Director of Australians in Film. Jenny joined the AIF during its first year of operation in 2001 when members numbered just 50 and screenings were a rare event. In the past decade Jenny has worked alongside the Directors and Sponsors of AIF and played a huge role in seeing the organization expand to over 1,000 members and more than 24 screenings and special events each year. “Jenny’s contribution to AIF cannot be overestimated.” says AIF Chairman Susie Dobson. “Her passion and commitment to the organisation has been unfailing over the years. Through her deep connections in the industry we have attracted many of our current Ambassadors and the AIF has also been able to develop long term relationships with these well respected actors and leaders in the entertainment industry in the USA.” “Jenny has also promoted strong ties to the studio who provide many of our screenings”. adds Susie. PRESS ESC TO EXIT
Jenny leaves the Board of Directors to focus on her continuing career as one of Australia’s best know entertainment. In her time, Jenny has interviewed everyone from Angeline Jolie, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman to Oprah Winfrey and Robert Redford! Along the way she continues to follow, support and write about the wealth of Australian talent, which has of late made a significant impact in both television and in feature films produced in the USA. As a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association she is also a key member of the team staging the annual Golden Globes Awards Event. When not writing for major publications, Jenny enjoys a great family life with her husband Andrew and son Lucas.
only Aussie in that group, I was able to spotlight Aussie films going all the way back to Strictly Ballroom, which was nominated, and Toni Collette, who was nominated for Muriel’s Wedding, and I feel terribly proud of how many Australians we now have under awards consideration every year,” said Jenny.
Jenny remains a modest overachiever enjoying extreme success and will continue to fly the flag for Australian talent through her ongoing work in the industry. She will be sorely missed at AiF.
Jenny (right) interviewing Mia Wasikowska at an AIF screening of Jane Eyre
Jenny told Boomerang that it’s been an incredible time to be an Australian journalist living and working in Los Angeles, meeting young Aussies like Nicole, Naomi Watts and others and watching them become international stars. “Being a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the
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Palm SpringsFIlm Fest Shorts from Down Under at Palms Springs International Short Film Fest
The Palm Springs Short Film Fest is considered one of the more lucrative short festivals on the annual global calendar. Alongside Sundance, Aspen Shortfest, Palm Springs is known for launching careers in the North American market, despite a weekend that can see temperatures soar to 110 degrees. Due to its proximity to Los Angeles, agents, studio executives and managers flock to the desert locale to see what could be the next generation of feature talent. The 2011 event announced its Festival award winners on Sunday, June 26, 2011. 331 short films screened throughout the Festival along with more than 3,000 filmmaker submissions available in the film market. However, if one country dominated the screenings it was Australia with over 30 shorts screening in competition - nearly 10 percent of the total.
Given the plethora of Aussie shorts in competition, it should come as no surprise awards were numerous. Notably the doc Umoja: No Men Allowed scored the rich Panavision Grand Jury Award, worth $60,000USD. The film, about a group of Samburu tribeswomen who infuriate their jealous ex-husbands by creating a successful women’s only village in Kenya, also won the Human Rights Award at the Activist Festival, USA. Nullarbor ‘s co-director and writer Patrick Sarell and co-director Alistair Lockhart received a Jury Special Citation for Excellence in Filmic Storytelling, while Christopher Stollery’s dik was voted the Audience Favourite Live Action Short.
AWARD WINNERS PANAVISION GRAND JURY AWARD Umoja: No Men Allowed (Australia), Elizabeth Tadic JURY SPECIAL CITATION The jury presented a special citation for Excellence in Filmic Storytelling to Nullarbor (Australia) Patrick Sarell AUDIENCE FAVORITE LIVE ACTION SHORT dik (Australia), Christopher Stollery STUDENT CATEGORY 2nd Place - Kiss (Australia), Alex Murawski
Additionally, Alex Murawski’s Kiss took out second place behind Israeli film The Promised Land in the Best Student Live Action Short (15 minutes and under) category.
This author struggled to find another example where Australian shorts (outside of Australia) dominated a single festival’s lineup. PRESS ESC TO EXIT
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AUSTRALIAROCKS THE PIER
Australian Superstar Missy Higgins To Headline The Event FREE SUMMER CONCERT JULY 21ST Australia Rocks The Pier returns on Thursday, July 21st @ 7-10pm for a night of all-Australian music featuring Missy Higgins, Kim Churchill and Andy Clockwise. The concert, sponsored by the Australian Consulate-General, Cotton On, Tourism New South Wales (NSW), and V Australia is part of the Santa Monica Pier’s Twilight Dance Series of free Thursday night concerts throughout the summer.
Missy Higgins has enjoyed phenomenal success with her irresistible melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Missy is currently recording a new album scheduled for release in early 2012 with Nashville-based producer Brad Jones (Ron Sexsmith, Jill Sobule) and co-producer Australian musician Butterfly Boucher.
Clearly influenced by the likes of Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Prince and Tom Waits, Clockwise blends rock, pop, synth and punk into self-described “schizo pop.” His local success came after achieving national triumphs Down Under, including steady radio play and tours with bands like INXS and The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas.
Kim Churchill’s soulful voice and beautiful harmonica melodies are indicative of his explosive style. With his trademark intricate fingerpicking and percussive beats on the body of the guitar combined with twohanded tapping intertwined with an earthy stomp box, he is a musical powerhouse. His songwriting reflects his coastal lifestyle with the surf at his front door and his nomadic life on the road.
Australia Rocks the Pier is an exciting sampling of Australian contemporary music that will appeal, intrigue and broaden perspectives of Australia’s diversity, talent and culture. Last year beloved cult singer-songwriter Ben Lee headlined a memorable night of Australian music along with rising star Ry Cuming and celtic didgeridoo fusion band Brother for a crowd of over 10,000.
Andy Clockwise is a Los Angeles-based Australian indie-rock import whose electric and raucous live shows have become a staple on the indie-rock scene. Clockwise’s U.S. debut album The Socialite, released in April, has received critical acclaim. PRESS ESC TO EXIT
iconic location and we received such an overwhelmingly positive response from audience and industry alike last year that we were very keen to help celebrate Australian artists again this year. The Twilight Dance Series is a great opportunity to share Australian music talent and cultural diversity with the people of Santa Monica and the wider LA community.” Click here for event info
Attendees at Australia Rocks the Pier will have the opportunity to win an awesome 5-night vacation to Sydney, including a cruise on Sydney Harbour and a tour of the famed Sydney Opera House, courtesy of V Australia and Tourism NSW. Chris De Cure, the Australian ConsulGeneral in Los Angeles explains, “The Santa Monica Pier is a wonderful,
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memberprofile
ANNFAY What is your background in Australia and how often do you come to the United States? I visit each year for business as part of my role as judge on the Heath Ledger Scholarship. Also we do casting searches in Australia for American projects, as we all know the Americans love the Aussie actors! How did you get involved in film and casting in particular? I become involved through my late sister Maura Fay who started the company. I had trained as an actress and would sometimes read opposite the actors auditioning for her. From this, I moved into casting and in the process, I discovered I liked this side of the business more.
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What are some of the secrets of casting?
What role are you most proud of being a part of?
I think having a very open mind when it comes to casting really helps. I try to start by casting ‘outside the box’, throwing mad ideas around and then finding a really good outcome with the producers and directors in agreement.
Overall, I am proud of giving actors opportunities to fulfill their dreams, helping producers and directors also realize a great outcome for their films and television series and commercials. I put my heart and soul into every job. Every casting project is different, every day offers up new challenges so it keeps me on my toes. Working across many projects and genres keeps me current, as there are always new actors to find along the way.
What advice would you give someone hoping to get into the casting industry today? Casting is a tough industry to say the least. As a business it has ups and downs and a successful casting agent requires patience, great instincts and a good overall vision. Furthermore, they must be very collaborative with the producers and directors and find out what they want to achieve. Along the way casting directors have to accumulate a mental database of actors and that takes a lot of time and energy. How important is the looks vs talent equation in a casting decision? It really depends on the role you are casting. The script determines the outcome as well as the vision of the director and producer.
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IN THENEWS
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pics | 2011 breakthroughawards David Mich么d, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton & Teresa Palmer
Luke Bracey
Rachel Griffiths
Tasma Walton & Rove McManus
Stephanie Jacobsen
Sharni Vinson & Friend Ben Lee
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pics | 2011 breakthroughawards AIF Board members Andrew Warne, Rob Marsala and Paula Paizes with Guests
Tobias Anderson, Spencer Susser & Drew Bailey
Arielle Kebbel, Lachlan Buchanan & Sal Morgan
Ben Mendelsohn & Margot Robbie Julia Stone, Joel Edgerton & Ben Lee Teresa Palmer
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David Mich么d
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pics | 2011 breakthroughawards Vito Anzelmi from V Australia
DJ’s EC Twins & V Australia girls
Pippa Black and the V Australia girls
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Ausfilm’s Vivien Flitton & Michelle Sandoval
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pics | THE BEAVER Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster & Ausfilm Guests
Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster & Friends Ken MacRae & Friends Sophie Scarf & Friends
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Lachlan Buchanan & Rob Marsala
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pics | THE BEAVER Mel Gibson & Friend
Alan Johnson, Wendy Wilkins & Rod Hardy
Jo Rosie, James Costello & Simon Bell
Noah Gonzalez & Friend
Georgian Whitford & Susie Dobson
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pics | MONTE CARLO
The AIF family joined rising star Luke Bracey at Fox Studios for the screening of Monte Carlo on June 28, 2011
Olivia Matthiessen, Kelly Sarkisian Miranda Nordling, Eileen Kwon, Lauren White, Kathleen Tor Amanda Matthiessen, Julia Matthiessen, Eloise Nordling
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pics | MONTE CARLO
The AIF family joined rising star Luke Bracey at Fox Studios for the screening of Monte Carlo on June 28, 2011 Neda Nazem from V Australia & Friends
Cindy Simon and Willie Simon
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backpAGE AiF Ambassadors
Don’t be left out in the cold...
Gillian Armstrong Simon Baker Eric Bana Cate Blanchett Bryan Brown Rose Byrne Toni Collette Abbie Cornish Russell Crowe Roger Donaldson Deborra Lee Furness Melissa George Mel Gibson Rachel Griffiths Scott Hicks Barry Humphries Hugh Jackman Nicole Kidman Anthony Lapaglia Baz Luhrmann Robert Luketic Jacqueline McKenzie Julian McMahon George Miller Kylie Minogue Radha Mitchell Poppy Montgomery Olivia Newton-John Phillip Noyce Frances O’Connor Miranda Otto Guy Pearce Richard Roxburgh Geoffrey Rush Fred Schepisi Naomi Watts Hugo Weaving David Wenham Sarah Wynter
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AiF Sponsors We greatly appreciate the involvement and support of our sponsors.
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You or your organization can become a sponsor of Australians in Film. We’d be happy to talk to you to see how we can tailor AiF to best benefit your company. Contact Michael Kelleher for more information. email | michael@australiansinfilm.com
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phone | 310 452 5939
THEBOOMERANG | JUly 2011