In 1976, a young director set out to make a rock music take on the Wizard of Oz. John Safran speaks to those behind Oz: A Rock’n’Roll Road Movie about everything that went wrong
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Before the ABC ran commercials for Q&a and Bananas in Pyjamas between shows, they ran meditative interludes – waves crashing against rocks, hot air balloons drifting through the clouds, that sort of thing. This is how the director of Oz: A Rock’n’Roll Road Movie, Chris Löfvén, got his start. At 14 years old, he darted around Melbourne with his 16mm camera, licked a stamp and posted the footage to the television station. They liked it and ran it.
Chris’s first job out of high school was working for director Fred Schepisi (who’d go on to make The Devil’s Playground and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith...
Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email
Before the ABC ran commercials for Q&a and Bananas in Pyjamas between shows, they ran meditative interludes – waves crashing against rocks, hot air balloons drifting through the clouds, that sort of thing. This is how the director of Oz: A Rock’n’Roll Road Movie, Chris Löfvén, got his start. At 14 years old, he darted around Melbourne with his 16mm camera, licked a stamp and posted the footage to the television station. They liked it and ran it.
Chris’s first job out of high school was working for director Fred Schepisi (who’d go on to make The Devil’s Playground and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith...
- 8/13/2022
- by John Safran
- The Guardian - Film News
‘The Bowraville Murders’.
Sbs has selected to fund three productions as part of its Australia Uncovered partnership with the Documentary Australia Foundation (Daf), awarding a full commissioning budget to Mint Pictures and Jumping Dog Productions’ The Bowraville Murders and development funding for Northern Pictures’ A Strong Female Lead and Princess Pictures’ Why Do People Hate Jews?
The three projects were among six pitched live at the Australian International Documentary Festival (Aidc) on Wednesday.
Australia Uncovered is a new strand of one-off docs for the broadcaster, with a focus on uncovering unique stories of contemporary Australia, due to air in 2021.
Sbs head of documentaries Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries said: “Single documentaries are an effective way of exploring the reality of Australia today, through often untold stories from a diversity of voices. They remain an important part of Sbs’s documentary offering and we’d like to thank all of the...
Sbs has selected to fund three productions as part of its Australia Uncovered partnership with the Documentary Australia Foundation (Daf), awarding a full commissioning budget to Mint Pictures and Jumping Dog Productions’ The Bowraville Murders and development funding for Northern Pictures’ A Strong Female Lead and Princess Pictures’ Why Do People Hate Jews?
The three projects were among six pitched live at the Australian International Documentary Festival (Aidc) on Wednesday.
Australia Uncovered is a new strand of one-off docs for the broadcaster, with a focus on uncovering unique stories of contemporary Australia, due to air in 2021.
Sbs head of documentaries Joseph Maxwell, Head of Documentaries said: “Single documentaries are an effective way of exploring the reality of Australia today, through often untold stories from a diversity of voices. They remain an important part of Sbs’s documentary offering and we’d like to thank all of the...
- 3/6/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
The Chaser's Media Circus will return for a second season on September 10.
However, according to a statement from ABC TV, management has confirmed it hopes to replace the second series with cat videos.
.As soon as we can find enough left wing cats who instinctively hate Australia, they.ll be replaced,. said an ABC representative.
The game show about the news is hosted by Craig Reucassel with Fake Fact Checker Chas Licciardello.
It is produced by the creative team behind The Chaser and The Checkout, including Ben Jenkins, Zoë Norton Lodge, Scott Abbot, Andrew Hansen and Julian Morrow.
"ABC management confirmed that for the second series the show has been moved out of the news division to allow it to be more biased and have less rigorous vetting of the studio audience," according to a statement.
Filmed in front of a live audience each week shortly before broadcast, The Chaser...
However, according to a statement from ABC TV, management has confirmed it hopes to replace the second series with cat videos.
.As soon as we can find enough left wing cats who instinctively hate Australia, they.ll be replaced,. said an ABC representative.
The game show about the news is hosted by Craig Reucassel with Fake Fact Checker Chas Licciardello.
It is produced by the creative team behind The Chaser and The Checkout, including Ben Jenkins, Zoë Norton Lodge, Scott Abbot, Andrew Hansen and Julian Morrow.
"ABC management confirmed that for the second series the show has been moved out of the news division to allow it to be more biased and have less rigorous vetting of the studio audience," according to a statement.
Filmed in front of a live audience each week shortly before broadcast, The Chaser...
- 8/18/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
Would the world be a better place if it were run by women? Not really, according to Sydney comic trio Skit Box.
The creative team of Adele Vuko, Sarah Bishop and Greta Lee Jackson will start shooting It.s a Woman.s World, a series of comedy sketches, at the end of next month.
It.s one of 25 projects, each budgeted at $10,000, commissioned by ABC-tv and Screen Australia.s Fresh Blood initiative designed to unearth the next generation of comedy writers and performers. All will premiere on the ABC.s iView platform.
.There will be three sketches in the series, each focusing on a different scenario that would exist in female-dominated reality,. Bishop tells If. .These will build on the themes of our Girls Harass Construction Worker video, a gender-reversal sketch that explores what happens when women prey on passing tradies..
The three members will write, produce and act in...
The creative team of Adele Vuko, Sarah Bishop and Greta Lee Jackson will start shooting It.s a Woman.s World, a series of comedy sketches, at the end of next month.
It.s one of 25 projects, each budgeted at $10,000, commissioned by ABC-tv and Screen Australia.s Fresh Blood initiative designed to unearth the next generation of comedy writers and performers. All will premiere on the ABC.s iView platform.
.There will be three sketches in the series, each focusing on a different scenario that would exist in female-dominated reality,. Bishop tells If. .These will build on the themes of our Girls Harass Construction Worker video, a gender-reversal sketch that explores what happens when women prey on passing tradies..
The three members will write, produce and act in...
- 2/16/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The team behind ABC1 comedies A Moody Christmas and Review with Myles Barlow has started production on a new sketch series: The Elegant Gentleman.s Guide to Knife Fighting.
The new 6 x 30 minute Jungleboys TV series.began as an experimental online comedy program and is being filmed in Sydney and Melbourne.
It stars Patrick Brammall (A Moody Christmas), Brendan Cowell (The Borgias, The Slap), Phil Lloyd (Review with Myles Barlow, A Moody Christmas), Jane Harber (A Moody Christmas), Georgina Haig (Fringe), Craig Anderson (Next Stop Hollywood), Helen Dalimore (Laid), Janis McGavin (The Urban Monkey) and standup comedian Dave Eastgate.
The series also features a strong line-up of directing talent: Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Redfern Now), Trent O.Donnell (A Moody Christmas, Review with Myles Barlow), Christiaan and Connor Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), Abe Forsythe (Mr & Mrs Murder, Laid), Craig Melville (John Safran.s Race Relations and John Safran Vs God...
The new 6 x 30 minute Jungleboys TV series.began as an experimental online comedy program and is being filmed in Sydney and Melbourne.
It stars Patrick Brammall (A Moody Christmas), Brendan Cowell (The Borgias, The Slap), Phil Lloyd (Review with Myles Barlow, A Moody Christmas), Jane Harber (A Moody Christmas), Georgina Haig (Fringe), Craig Anderson (Next Stop Hollywood), Helen Dalimore (Laid), Janis McGavin (The Urban Monkey) and standup comedian Dave Eastgate.
The series also features a strong line-up of directing talent: Wayne Blair (The Sapphires, Redfern Now), Trent O.Donnell (A Moody Christmas, Review with Myles Barlow), Christiaan and Connor Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters), Abe Forsythe (Mr & Mrs Murder, Laid), Craig Melville (John Safran.s Race Relations and John Safran Vs God...
- 2/10/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Former ABC head of comedy Debbie Lee has moved to production company Matchbox Pictures.
Lee moves to the production company behind The Slap and The Straits in the new position of director of scripted development.
In her role as head of comedy, and prior, as commissioning editor, entertainment and comedy Lee greenlit A Moody Christmas, Laid, Lowdown and Angry Boys.
Before that she was commissioning editor, drama and comedy for Sbs Independent, commissioning Wilfred and John Safran vs God.
Lee will report to Chris Oliver-Taylor, MD of Matchbox Pictures.
Oliver-Taylor said of the appointment: “Debbie is one of the most gifted, creative people in the industry. She brings vast experience in scripted content and will allow Matchbox Pictures to continue to deliver the highest quality scripted productions to audiences in Australia and internationally. On behalf of the founders of Matchbox, we are thrilled to have Debbie join us at what...
Lee moves to the production company behind The Slap and The Straits in the new position of director of scripted development.
In her role as head of comedy, and prior, as commissioning editor, entertainment and comedy Lee greenlit A Moody Christmas, Laid, Lowdown and Angry Boys.
Before that she was commissioning editor, drama and comedy for Sbs Independent, commissioning Wilfred and John Safran vs God.
Lee will report to Chris Oliver-Taylor, MD of Matchbox Pictures.
Oliver-Taylor said of the appointment: “Debbie is one of the most gifted, creative people in the industry. She brings vast experience in scripted content and will allow Matchbox Pictures to continue to deliver the highest quality scripted productions to audiences in Australia and internationally. On behalf of the founders of Matchbox, we are thrilled to have Debbie join us at what...
- 12/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Watch out, "Good Wife" fans: Alicia's tree-hugging mom is headed to the CBS drama!
According to EW, "West Wing" alum Stockard Channing has been cast as Alicia's (Julianna Margulies) mom, described as "mercurial and influenced by her 1960s counterculture youth." Channing will appear in one episode of the upcoming season.
In addition to "The West Wing," Channing's other TV appearances include "Batman Beyond" and "Out of Practice."
In other casting news...
"Family Tree" gets a cast. Christopher Guest has officially enlisted Fred Willard, Michael McKean and Ed Begley Jr. to star on his new documentary-style series. [THR]
Bernadette Peters is on her way back to "Smash." Ivy's (Megan Hilty) mom will return to the NBC show as another Season 2 guest star. As for what trouble she'll brew up this time around, executive producer John Safran is keeping quiet. [Vulture]
Jane Kaczmarek is headed to "The Middle." The "Malcolm In The Middle" alum...
According to EW, "West Wing" alum Stockard Channing has been cast as Alicia's (Julianna Margulies) mom, described as "mercurial and influenced by her 1960s counterculture youth." Channing will appear in one episode of the upcoming season.
In addition to "The West Wing," Channing's other TV appearances include "Batman Beyond" and "Out of Practice."
In other casting news...
"Family Tree" gets a cast. Christopher Guest has officially enlisted Fred Willard, Michael McKean and Ed Begley Jr. to star on his new documentary-style series. [THR]
Bernadette Peters is on her way back to "Smash." Ivy's (Megan Hilty) mom will return to the NBC show as another Season 2 guest star. As for what trouble she'll brew up this time around, executive producer John Safran is keeping quiet. [Vulture]
Jane Kaczmarek is headed to "The Middle." The "Malcolm In The Middle" alum...
- 9/27/2012
- by Leigh Weingus
- Huffington Post
Last night I was at the latest of many discussions about the future of music streaming. And the more I hear, the more I come to the same conclusion: nobody knows how – or if – the business model will work.
As more and more music streaming sites vie for market share, the one thing music industry experts and utopian-minded music bloggers share is this: digital sales will continue to increase, and no one has yet fully figured out how music will be monetised in the future.
Host John Safran, Rdio's Dave Cain and Scott Bagby
I was at Rdio’s Future of Music roundtable, featuring some of Australia’s best brightest music industry people, and came away with the single clear thought: the role of brands will be paramount, but no one has anywhere near cracked how to play that role.
There’s no doubt that music streaming platforms like Rdio...
As more and more music streaming sites vie for market share, the one thing music industry experts and utopian-minded music bloggers share is this: digital sales will continue to increase, and no one has yet fully figured out how music will be monetised in the future.
Host John Safran, Rdio's Dave Cain and Scott Bagby
I was at Rdio’s Future of Music roundtable, featuring some of Australia’s best brightest music industry people, and came away with the single clear thought: the role of brands will be paramount, but no one has anywhere near cracked how to play that role.
There’s no doubt that music streaming platforms like Rdio...
- 6/20/2012
- by Cathie McGinn
- Encore Magazine
Radio presenter and TV personality John Safran has become a blogger for Vice.com, the alternative youth-orientated media brand.
In his blog In Peace Be Upon You With John Safran, he will answer questions from Vice readers on the topic of race, religion and ethics.
The first question is on whether a Greek Australian should be able to attend the white nationalist music festival Hammered in Brisbane.
Safran came to prominence as a contestant on the ABC show Race Around the World and has since had his own shows Race Relations, John Safran vs God and Music Jamoree.
He is also a Triple J presenter on Sunday Night Safran with Father Bob.
Vice recently relaunched its websites Viceland and video site Vbs.tv as Vice.com.
In his blog In Peace Be Upon You With John Safran, he will answer questions from Vice readers on the topic of race, religion and ethics.
The first question is on whether a Greek Australian should be able to attend the white nationalist music festival Hammered in Brisbane.
Safran came to prominence as a contestant on the ABC show Race Around the World and has since had his own shows Race Relations, John Safran vs God and Music Jamoree.
He is also a Triple J presenter on Sunday Night Safran with Father Bob.
Vice recently relaunched its websites Viceland and video site Vbs.tv as Vice.com.
- 3/13/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Upcoming Australian comedy Outland is set to have its World Premiere at the Seattle Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on October 18.
Based on the only short film to play both the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the World Science Fiction Convention, this six-part comedy series focuses on members of a gay science-fiction fan club and features Adam Richard, Christine Anu, Ben Gerrard, Paul Ireland, and Toby Truslove. It is produced by Laura Waters (Angry Boys, Summer Heights High, John Safran’s Race Relations) of Princess Pictures.
Open about their sexuality but not so much about their geekdom, each member takes a turn at hosting the meetings. They soon discover that even if you’re out of the closet, it doesn’t mean there aren’t still skeletons in there… Outland is a series about belonging, no matter who you are, and how everyone searches to find a place to fit in.
Based on the only short film to play both the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the World Science Fiction Convention, this six-part comedy series focuses on members of a gay science-fiction fan club and features Adam Richard, Christine Anu, Ben Gerrard, Paul Ireland, and Toby Truslove. It is produced by Laura Waters (Angry Boys, Summer Heights High, John Safran’s Race Relations) of Princess Pictures.
Open about their sexuality but not so much about their geekdom, each member takes a turn at hosting the meetings. They soon discover that even if you’re out of the closet, it doesn’t mean there aren’t still skeletons in there… Outland is a series about belonging, no matter who you are, and how everyone searches to find a place to fit in.
- 10/8/2011
- by The DoorQus Maximus
- doorQ.com
Documentary filmmaker and very Australian man John Safran was sick and tired of Mormons banging on his door. (Is this something that happens in Australia? Or is he just pissed off on behalf of all Salt Lake City residents? It is never fully explained.) Anyway, he bought himself a button down and tie, a ticket to Utah, and began his crusade as a door-to-door atheist. As you can imagine, the locals were not amused. But frankly, whom among us would be? A girl scout could knock on my door with free cookies and I’d probably still Home Alone a Bb gun through the dog flap to get her the f*ck off my porch. Door To Door Atheists Bother Mormons – Watch more Funny Videos (via Derek Hartley)...
- 12/7/2010
- by Michelle Collins
- BestWeekEver
Well, some gay portal already uses that name, but the show's characters can still talk about doorQ’s reboot.
Australia’s ABC1 has announced plans for Outland, a six-part comedy series with openly gay science fiction geeks. A show about “belonging and fitting in” will feature the gay characters Rae (Christine Anu), Toby (Ben Gerrard), Andy (Paul Ireland), Fab (Adam Richard) and Max (Toby Truslove). Kevin Carlin will direct. Princess Pictures, already known for the hits Summer Heights High and John Safran’s Race Relations, will produce.
They even need gay pride event extras for filming in Melbourne.
Photo: Adam Richard plays Fab.
Duane Simolke wrote the gay-themed novel Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.
Australia’s ABC1 has announced plans for Outland, a six-part comedy series with openly gay science fiction geeks. A show about “belonging and fitting in” will feature the gay characters Rae (Christine Anu), Toby (Ben Gerrard), Andy (Paul Ireland), Fab (Adam Richard) and Max (Toby Truslove). Kevin Carlin will direct. Princess Pictures, already known for the hits Summer Heights High and John Safran’s Race Relations, will produce.
They even need gay pride event extras for filming in Melbourne.
Photo: Adam Richard plays Fab.
Duane Simolke wrote the gay-themed novel Degranon: A Science Fiction Adventure.
- 11/11/2010
- doorQ.com
Film Victoria will invest $495,000 on a children’s TV series, a new John Safran project, and a documentary about Rowland S. Howard.
The recipients of this Production Investment support are Shezow, Rowland S. Howard: Autoluminiscent and Made Up Religions: Your Census Guide.
Shezow
Moody Street Kids Pty Ltd
Gillian Carr, Producer; Ray Boseley, Brendan Luno, Writers. A children’s TV series about a 12-year-old boy who thinks he’s all that, until he finds a power ring that will transform him into a mighty superhero. The problem? The ring was meant to be worn by a girl.
Rowland S Howard: Autoluminescent
Ghost Pictures
Richard Lowenstein, Andrew De Groot, Lynn-Maree Milburn, Producers; Lynn-Maree Milburn, Writer; Richard Lowenstein, Lynn-Maree Milburn Directors. A documentary about the turbulent life of one of the most influential and multi-faceted Australian rock-guitarists and songwriters of all time, Rowland S. Howard. Using a combination of contemporary and archival footage,...
The recipients of this Production Investment support are Shezow, Rowland S. Howard: Autoluminiscent and Made Up Religions: Your Census Guide.
Shezow
Moody Street Kids Pty Ltd
Gillian Carr, Producer; Ray Boseley, Brendan Luno, Writers. A children’s TV series about a 12-year-old boy who thinks he’s all that, until he finds a power ring that will transform him into a mighty superhero. The problem? The ring was meant to be worn by a girl.
Rowland S Howard: Autoluminescent
Ghost Pictures
Richard Lowenstein, Andrew De Groot, Lynn-Maree Milburn, Producers; Lynn-Maree Milburn, Writer; Richard Lowenstein, Lynn-Maree Milburn Directors. A documentary about the turbulent life of one of the most influential and multi-faceted Australian rock-guitarists and songwriters of all time, Rowland S. Howard. Using a combination of contemporary and archival footage,...
- 11/5/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The Australian Directors Guild has published its list of nominees for this year’s awards, with Jeremy Sims, Rachel Perkins, David Michod, Claire McCarthy and Robert Connolly competing in the feature film category.
Television nominees include Tony Tilse for Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 and Amanda Brotchie for Lowdown; there are also nominations for environmental efforts and online projects.The wiinners will be announced on September 23 at Star City, Sydney.
This is the full list of nominees:
Feature Film
Beneath Hill 60 Jeremy Sims Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins Animal Kingdom David Michôd The Waiting City Claire McCarthy Balibo Robert Connolly
Television Mini series
East West 101: Atonement Peter Andrikidis The Circuit II: Sorry Business Steve Jodrell The Circuit II: Of Mice and Men James Bogle
Documentary Feature
Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia John Hughes Three Boys Dreaming Michael Cordell The Burning Season...
Television nominees include Tony Tilse for Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 and Amanda Brotchie for Lowdown; there are also nominations for environmental efforts and online projects.The wiinners will be announced on September 23 at Star City, Sydney.
This is the full list of nominees:
Feature Film
Beneath Hill 60 Jeremy Sims Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins Animal Kingdom David Michôd The Waiting City Claire McCarthy Balibo Robert Connolly
Television Mini series
East West 101: Atonement Peter Andrikidis The Circuit II: Sorry Business Steve Jodrell The Circuit II: Of Mice and Men James Bogle
Documentary Feature
Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia John Hughes Three Boys Dreaming Michael Cordell The Burning Season...
- 8/30/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly halted an interview she gave for a comedy show from being aired on TV. The Pussycat Dolls star was interviewed by Australian comedian John Safran for his Race Relations series, but the scene was later edited as a spoof sketch that showed him entering Scherzinger's dressing room in order to steal her underwear. According to a report in the Herald Sun, the singer subsequently (more)...
- 10/26/2009
- by By Oli Simpson
- Digital Spy
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