in the archive
Enterprise Funding approvals 2011

Chocolate Liberation Front (VIC)

Dan Fill; Frank Verheggen
$850,000
www.givemechocolate.me

Chocolate Liberation Front (CLF) has built a strong reputation as a high-quality digital production company. CLF has produced a slate of award-winning interactive content, most recently Asylum: Exit Australia to complement SBS’s hit series Go Back to Where You Came From. The company is now in production on its first major children’s CGI-animated television series The Adventures of Figaro Pho.
As part of the Enterprise funding CLF is partnering with South Australian-based director Luke Jurevicius and art director Deane Taylor to co-develop a slate of original projects. 

Enterprise funding will enable CLF to further develop television, film, online and games properties and to move from service production to original content development. It will provide funding to bring on board a business development consultant and set up an in-house business affairs department to manage development and new corporate relations. An enhanced market presence will be aimed at generating private equity for new IP and securing merchandising and licensing deals.

December Media (VIC)

Tony Wright $750,000
www.decembermedia.com.au

Based in Melbourne, December Films is a highly regarded and experienced producer of factual and documentary one-off and series productions. It has also produced television drama and children’s animated and live-action series. Recent productions include blue-chip science and natural history documentaries and the popular series Chris Humfrey’s Wild Life. Projects currently in production include the three-part historical series Australia On Trial being co-produced with Essential Media.
With assistance from Enterprise funding, December Films will be restructured to become December Media, creating new positions, a non-executive board and expanded marketing initiatives to build on opportunities across documentaries, factual series, television drama series and telemovies. December Media will also expand its factual slate to include IMAX™ production.
 

Madman Entertainment (VIC)

Paul Wiegard, Tim Anderson, Nick Batzias
$600,000
www.madman.com.au

Madman Entertainment has 15 years' history as a distributor and has been involved with Australian film productions for the last eight years, usually from script through to distribution. It has released 80 films theatrically including 10 Australian titles, the most successful being Kenny, Animal Kingdom and Snowtown. This involvement has also included helping place films with international sales agents, sourcing private investors and helping to structure finance plans.
The company is now moving actively into developing and producing a varied slate of feature films and television entertainment programs, including music and comedy-based content. Enterprise funding will enable Madman to establish a new company for this purpose. New and emerging talent will be proactively identified and offered opportunities for collaboration, mentoring and skills development. Madman Productions is a natural evolution for Madman Entertainment and a logical response to the changing marketplace environment.
 

The Project Factory (NSW)

Guy Gadney, Jennifer Wilson
$770,000
www.theprojectfactory.com

The Project Factory is a commercially successful award-winning digital production company that creates transmedia entertainment across mobile, online, virtual and 3D worlds, social media and games platforms. Founded in 2005, the company has offices in Sydney and London and is headed by two leading transmedia and convergent technologies proponents. Producing interactive entertainment for movie, television, brands and digital media companies, its partners include the ABC, Accenture, Cordell Jigsaw, Hopscotch, Tiger Aspect and the RTL Group.
The Project Factory is now focusing on developing its own intellectual property in addition to engaging in joint venture projects and undertaking work for hire. Enterprise funding will assist the company over the next three years to move from a developer/producer model to operate as a producer/publisher on digital platforms, opening up new revenue streams. Production and technical staffing will be increased to enhance the company’s capacity to meet demand, also providing enhanced opportunities for student placements and internships as the company targets international expansion.