in the archive
Enterprise Funding approvals 2010

Blackfella Films (NSW)

Rachel Perkins, Darren Dale
$583,000
www.blackfellafilms.com.au

Blackfella Films has built a substantial track record in producing Indigenous content, including the landmark seven-part series First Australians, winner of multiple awards including Logie and AFI Awards. Principals Darren Dale and Rachel Perkins have produced both documentaries and short dramas, and Rachel has directed features including Radiance, One Night the Moon and Bran Nue Dae, the second highest grossing Australian film of 2009/10. The company has first look arrangements with SBS and is currently producing The Tall Man, based on Chloe Hooper’s prize-winning book. The company recently announced commissioning of Redfern Now, a television series to be made in collaboration with renowned UK script consultant Jimmy McGovern.

Enterprise funding will enable Blackfella Films to broaden its slate by engaging Miranda Dear, previously head of drama at the ABC, to oversee project development as Creative Producer. The company’s slate contains a mix of documentary, features, mini-series and long-form television drama. The funding will also underpin increased activity in developing domestic and international financing and marketing relationships.
 

Electric Pictures (WA)

Andrew Ogilvie
$650,000
www.electricpictures.com.au

Based in Fremantle, Electric Pictures is one of Australia’s most successful factual television production houses with a reputation for producing high-quality, award-winning programming that resonates with audiences in Australia and internationally. Its factual output reflects a range of formats and genres from one-off specials to series in areas including science, history, politics, travel and adventure, the arts, and contemporary human interest. Most recently, Electric Pictures was nominated for two Emmy® Awards for its documentary Surviving Mumbai. Electric Pictures’ presence in the international and domestic market has enabled it to create a hub for supporting and developing new and established Australian talent.

Enterprise funds will accelerate the growth of the business and expand its capacity to access new opportunities in the factual market and to pursue opportunities presented by increased demand for international co-productions as a result of the global financial crisis. Electric Pictures plans to increase its production output and expand from its base in WA, establishing offices in Sydney and Toronto to assist in building new finance and production collaborations within Australia and internationally.
 

Great Wight Productions (NSW/VIC)

Andrew Wight, Peter Robinson, Monica Wight
$443,000
www.gwptv.com

Great Wight Productions specialises in 3D production. Over the past 20 years the company has produced a wide range of projects including documentary series for American cable TV, television specials in the US and Australia, and IMAX 3D features. Principal Andrew Wight has over 14 years’ experience making 3D documentaries with James Cameron, including the 3D IMAX features Ghosts of the Abyss and Aliens of the Deep, and two Emmy® Award–nominated TV specials for Discovery: Expedition Bismarck and Last Mysteries of the Titanic. Most recently Andrew has produced in Australia the first ever live-action 3D adventure feature, Sanctum, to be distributed by Universal Studios in 2011.

Andrew’s vision is to continue producing major 3D projects in Australia and developing Australia’s expertise and talent in 3D film production. He will use Enterprise funds to establish a dedicated 3D production and post base in Melbourne, drawing on the expert team he worked with on Sanctum. The company’s objective over the next three years is to produce 3D projects that are commercially viable for the international marketplace, and to build recognition for Australia as a leader in 3D production.
 

Playmaker Media (NSW)

David Maher, David Taylor
$600,000
www.playmakermedia.com.au

Playmaker Media is a young Australian media production company focused on
scripted television drama, comedy and multi-platform content. The principals have a combined 35 years of television network, US studio and independent production experience. Prior to establishing Playmaker, they headed Fox’s Australian TV production and development arm, Fox Television Studios Australia. David Taylor has worked in production for the Seven Network as well as Screentime, Southern Star and JNP films. David Maher worked in development and production for Tiger Aspect Productions in the UK. Playmaker produced the telemovie Wicked Love in 2009 for the Nine Network, and is currently co-producing Slide for Foxtel, a fully integrated long-form multi-platform drama series, and Blood Brother, a telemovie for the Nine Network.

With Enterprise funding, Playmaker intends to launch its Scribe Initiative – an Australian showrunner drama development program under the mentorship of industry leaders including NCIS/NCIS: Los Angeles executive producer Shane Brennan. The company will also expand its operation to support the development of the next generation of prime-time network drama. The company will also bring on board former Southern Star CFO Ross McCreath as a non-executive mentor to assist in implementing strategic goals for the company.
 

Wild Fury (QLD/NSW)

Tina Dalton, Veronica Fury, Hugh Marks
$750,000
www.absolutelywildvisuals.com
www.furyproductions.com

The merger between Fury Productions and Absolutely Wild Visuals to form Wild Fury will create a diversified factual and factual entertainment production business combining the complementary skills of producers Tina Dalton (wildlife, natural history and science), Veronica Fury (specialist factual and factual entertainment) and executive Hugh Marks (ex-CEO Southern Star). It includes an integrated footage licensing business, Absolutely Wild Visuals. Wild Fury has unique features that give it a competitive advantage both in Australia and internationally including the current momentum of a large forward production slate, ownership of a footage library, and a dual business base in Sydney and Brisbane.

Enterprise funding will enable Wild Fury to rapidly expand its capacity by engaging additional creative, production, technical and business personnel. It will also accelerate the digitisation, diversification and marketing of the company’s extensive footage library managed by Virginia Melrose. The addition of Hugh Marks creates an opportunity to attract and match more private and distribution finance with production opportunities. Ultimately, Wild Fury aims to become capable of supporting not only its own production base but also those of other independent producers.