Sydney- Filming of Underbelly, a 13-part drama dramatizing Melbourne's infamous gangland wars, which broke out in 1998 and continue to this day, has started in Melbourne. Produced by Screentime for the Nine Network, Underbelly will also follow the rise and fall of notorious criminal Carl Williams, now incarcerated. Portman has international sales rights. The cast includes Rodger Corser (Last Man Standing) and Caroline Craig (Blue Heelers) as Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Owen and Detective … [Read more...] about Underbelly exposes Melbourne’s gangland wars
Co-Productions
Australia’s FFC to start co-financing with new producer rebate in December
Sydney- Australia’s major funding agency, Film Finance Corp., has indicated it will start co-investing in film and TV projects that are eligible for the new producer rebates from its December 2007 board meeting onwards. It will use the current guidelines for co-investment. For adult and children's TV dramas that are eligible for a 20% rebate, the FFC will put up the difference between the value of the rebate (which might be 18%) and the 35%-38% of the budget available under the FFC's TV … [Read more...] about Australia’s FFC to start co-financing with new producer rebate in December
More Erky Perky from Ambience and Canada’s CCI Entertainment
Sydney-A second season of 26 episodes of Erky Perky, an animated children’s series about two bickering bugs, is underway, a co-production between Australia’s Ambience Entertainment and Canada’s CCI Entertainment. The first series aired on Canada’s YTV and Australia’s Seven Network and was sold to Hong Kong’s ATV, Africa’s M-Net, Radio Television Brunei, France’s Ma Planete, the US’s Animania Company LLC, Middle East, Norway and Sweden. In … [Read more...] about More Erky Perky from Ambience and Canada’s CCI Entertainment
Fox series to air quickly on Foxtel
Sydney—Australian viewers can look forward to seeing more U.S. series on the heels of their U.S. debuts. Foxtel said it will screen 20th Century Fox series The Rules for Starting Over and K-Ville within days of their U.S. broadcast. This follows the Seven Network's recent announcement it would air the next series of Prison Break and Heroes later this year directly after their U.S. premieres. Foxtel was quick to point out it first flagged the “day and date” strategy in May 2006, when … [Read more...] about Fox series to air quickly on Foxtel
MediaCorp goes ‘Green’ with environmental awareness campaign
Singapore– On July 7 MediaCorp launched a month-long ‘Green Campaign’ across its television, news, radio and print businesses to raise environmental awareness. MediaCorp TV’s Channel 5 and Channel U aired Live Earth, a 24-hour concert performed on seven continents to raise awareness for climate change, non-stop from July 7 – 8. The concert featured musicians including Madonna, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Black Eyed Peas. Channel 5 also appealed to viewers to wear … [Read more...] about MediaCorp goes ‘Green’ with environmental awareness campaign
Celestial Movies channel localized for Indonesia
Hong Kong– Celestial Pictures localized its 24-hour Chinese movie channel Celestial Movies for Indonesia from July 1, 2007, with all movies subtitled and on-air promotions dubbed in Bahasa Indonesia. William Pfeiffer, Chief Executive Officer, Celestial Pictures, said Celestial Movies’ feed will continue to be upgraded with further investment in programming. Over 500 movies including 200 first-run and recent releases are exclusively premiered on Celestial Movies each year. The channel … [Read more...] about Celestial Movies channel localized for Indonesia