ABC

Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV today announced the resignation of ABC TV’s Head of Arts and Entertainment, Amanda Duthie, who will take up the position of CEO and Director of the Adelaide Film Festival in the new year.

Amanda will leave ABC TV at the end of January after eight years with the network, and begin her new position in February.

Kim Dalton said “I would like to congratulate Amanda on her new appointment to one of the most enterprising film festivals in the country. I also want to recognise her many successes during her eight years at the ABC, and in particular, the last four years as ABC TV’s Head of Arts and Entertainment.”

Recent entertainment programs under her stewardship include Spicks & Specks, Gruen Transfer and Gruen Planet, Judith Lucy’s Spiritual Journey, Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight, and The Chaser’s The Hamster Wheel.

Her arts programming includes Artscape, At the Movies, First Tuesday Book Club, an on-going series of ABC Live concerts, The Bazura Project, and blue ribbon documentaries such as Mrs. Carey’s Concert. She has developed programs such as the landmark Indigenous series Art & Soul, constructed a major arts on-line gateway, and worked closely with the Australia Council for the Arts and regional arts bodies.

 “Amanda leaves ABC TV with an exciting slate in both arts and entertainment programming for 2012 with programs such as Shaun Micallef”s Mad as Hell, Randling with Andrew Denton, Myf Warhurst’s Nice, Photo Finish and Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb,” said Kim Dalton.

ABC Director of News, Kate Torney, announced last week some changes to key hosting roles for 2012.

Ali Moore presented her last Lateline program last week, as she is moving overseas next year with her family.

Ali has more than 20 years experience in journalism and began her career with the ABC in 1987.

Since 2006, when Ali returned to the ABC to launch and host Lateline Business, she has also presented on Business Today on Australia Network, hosted the Morning Show on 774 ABC Local Radio in Melbourne for six months, anchored the Afternoon Live program when ABC News 24 launched, and for the last year has been sharing the hosting duties on Lateline on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights.  Earlier in her career, Ali was the ABC’s China Correspondent from 1992 to 1995.

Director of ABC News, Kate Torney, said: “Ali is an excellent journalist and presenter, and has been a key part of the ABC News team. She has demonstrated her ability to adapt to different formats, programs and platforms over the last few years and she’ll be greatly missed by colleagues at ABC News. We thank her for her contribution and wish Ali and her family the very best as they head off to Singapore”.

Tonight is the last Lateline for 2011 and the program will resume on January 30, 2012, with Emma Alberici joining Tony Jones as a program host.  Currently Europe Correspondent for the ABC, Emma will be returning to Australia after more than three years based in London.

Emma Alberici joined the ABC in 2002 as presenter of its new morning business television news program, Business Breakfast. Also during her time at the ABC Emma has presented the Midday news and The 7.30 Report, and reported and presented for ABC Radio Current Affairs programs and Lateline Business.

Karina Carvalho will be joining Michael Rowland on ABC News Breakfast in 2012 while Virginia Trioli is on maternity leave.  Karina is currently Western Australia’s 7pm News presenter and will be taking up the breakfast chair in Melbourne from February. Karina has been presenting the 7pm News in Perth since May 2008. A replacement for Karina is yet to be announced. 

Karina joins the breakfast team at an exciting time, with Weekend Breakfast hosted by Andrew Geoghegan and Miriam Corowa also launching in February.

Director of ABC News, Kate Torney, also confirmed that Chris Uhlmann will solo host 7.30 next year, while Leigh Sales is on maternity leave and Heather Ewart will step back into the role of Political Editor.

ABC TV has today announced its compelling, entertaining and intelligent programming slate for 2012. Offering a diversity of voices, perspectives and ideas captured and conveyed through content that is distinctive, across multiple platforms and available on multiple devices, ABC TV will give you plenty to LOVE in 2012…

Emmy award-winner Guy Pearce will star in two JACK IRISH telemovies; Essie Davis brings the dangerous detective world of Phryne Fisher to life in MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES; delve into an exotic and darkly humorous family crime story in THE STRAITS; and MABO will tell the story of how one man fought the system and won. REDFERN NOW is Australia’s first Indigenous primetime drama series; Richard Roxburgh returns in a second series of the hugely popular RAKE; and Geoffrey Rush stars in the critically acclaimed film adaptation THE EYE OF THE STORM. 

Andrew Denton makes a much-anticipated return to our screens in a unique game show RANDLING; Shaun Micallef joins ABC TV to dissect the news that’s making the world turn in SHAUN MICALLEF IS MAD AS HELL; Myf Warhurst will take us on a cultural crusade in her own show MYF WARHURST’S NICE; and Andrew Günsberg presents PHOTO FINISH – a unique art series about photographic challenges. Adam Zwar chats to some of Australia’s funniest and wisest celebrities about love and relationships in AGONY UNCLES and AGONY AUNTS; and Adam Hills brings us another series of his unique take on the tonight show ADAM HILLS IN GORDON ST TONIGHT.

Comedian Josh Thomas grows up quickly, and realises his parents aren’t heroes in PLEASE LIKE ME; the creators of the AFI Award-winning comedy Review with Myles Barlow bring us THIS CHRISTMAS; meet the desperate, dateless and the downright delusional in LOVE.SICK; OUTLAND follows the dramas of the members of a gay science fiction fan club; Frank Woodley stars in a comedy about the chaotic and accident-prone WOODLEY; LOWDOWN will again delve in to the murky world of tabloid journalism; while LAID returns with the comical motives of sex and death.

Outstanding documentaries include John Clarke’s three-part SPORTING NATION; a major new history series AUSTRALIA ON TRIAL; the six-part OLYMPIC DREAMS; Richard Smith’s spectacular AUSTRALIA: A TIME TRAVELLER’S GUIDE; and take a fresh look at the most divisive issue of our times in CAN I CHANGE YOUR MIND… ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?

William McInnes satisfies his curiosity about the history of objects in AUCTION ROOM; Annabel Crabb serves up a delectable combination of politics and food in KITCHEN CABINET; Chas Liccardello teams up with News Radio’s John Barron to scrutinise the race to the White House in PLANET AMERICA; and travel back in time 50,000 years in FIRST FOOTPRINTS.

Bindi Irwin hosts a thrilling new wildlife game show BINDI’S BOOT CAMP; catch the new dance craze sweeping Australia in DANCING DOWN UNDER; child actor Brandon Walters takes Studio 3’s Kayne Tremills on the adventure of a lifetime in BUSHWHACKED!; there’s a new character called Hootabelle on the popular series GIGGLE & HOOT; and a new series of the iconic BANANAS IN PYJAMAS and PLAYSCHOOL.

Kim Dalton, Director of Television says, “In 2012 we will continue to work with Australia’s best creative talent to deliver relevant, distinctive, agenda-setting, entertaining programs across more platforms and devices than any other broadcaster in Australia.

“With a diversity of voices, perspectives and ideas captured and conveyed through content that is distinctive, there will be lots to love on ABC TV in 2012.”

A trade mission of Australia’s leading producers of children’s animation for television will visit South Korea this week to promote Australian expertise in children’s television production.

The mission follows successful industry missions in 2006, 2008 and 2009, and reflects a growing engagement between the Korean and Australian children’s television markets. 

The visit to Korea comes at a time when a Co-production Treaty for Film and TV is currently being negotiated between the governments of Australia and Korea. This is in addition to on-going negotiations towards a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

The Australian delegation will be led by Professor Mike Miller, a board member of the Australia-Korea Foundation (AKF), along with AKF Board member, Kim Dalton, Director of ABC TV, and comprises ten leading producers of animation for the international children’s television market, plus representatives of ABC TV and Screen Australia.

The objective of the mission is to create opportunities for collaboration and co-production between Korean and Australian producers of animation, and to promote Australian TV animation to Korean broadcasters.

The Australian delegation will meet over two days (Sept 27 & 28) with 14 leading Korean animation producers, and with key Korean broadcasters of children’s animation as well as the Korean government’s creative content agency, KOCCA.

Mission leader Mike Miller said South Korea is a high-tech nation with a strong animation sector which means there are big opportunities for Australian children’s digital content production.

“Australian companies have a strong track record in children’s television programs with acclaimed international success from animated series such as Bananas in Pyjamas, Figaro Pho and dirtgirlworld.

“The quality and style of Australia’s animation productions has ensured that they can successfully cross boundaries of culture and language.”

Director of ABC TV Kim Dalton said Australia’s talented children’s animation content producers are benefitting from closer interaction with key players in South Korea.

“The success of this sector has always relied on Australian producers’ capacity to develop international co-funding and co-production relationships.”

“Helping foster links between Australia and South Korea’s production sectors and public broadcasters will also help build partnerships and create opportunities to reach a wider audience,” he said.

ABC TV is planning widespread coverage to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

As well as ABC TV News and Current Affairs’ comprehensive coverage from New York, Washington and Kabul throughout the week, other special programming includes:

Lateline

Monday to Friday at 10.30pm AEST on ABC1.

Hosted by Tony Jones and Ali Moore, Lateline presents special 9/11 reports throughout the week.

Tonight (Tuesday, September 6 at 10.30pm on ABC1) Lateline features an interview with Lt. General William Caldwell, NATO’s head of training in Afghanistan; tomorrow night an interview with former Prime Minister John Howard; on Thursday night, an interview with Edit Lutnick, who lost her family on 9/11 and now runs a support network for some 600 plus families in a similar position; and Friday night, an interview with Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s Bin Laden unit.

Rebirth

Sunday, September 11 at 8.30pm AEST on ABC1.

Currently screening at cinemas in the U.S and a hit at the recent Sundance Film Festival, this feature-length documentary chronicles the lives of five people profoundly affected by the 9/11 attacks. As a decade passes, we witness the progress of a student whose mother perished, a widow of a first responder, a woman who survived above the impact zone, a man who oversees Ground Zero construction, and a fire-fighter who lost his closest friends. As they cope with the excruciating and evolving pain of loss, time helps them refashion the scaffolding of their lives. Meanwhile, amazingly, 14 time-lapse cameras chart the entire multi-year rebuilding of 7 World Trade Center – the first structure to rise to completion after the tragedy. Rebirth is directed by Jim Whitaker and produced by David Solomon.

ABC News Special: 9/11 Remembered

Sunday, September 11 from 9pm AEST on ABC News 24 and simulcast on ABC1.

ABC News 24 will provide coverage of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in the US, starting with a special edition of The World at 9pm AEST.

The commemorations from New York, Washington and Pennsylvania continue on ABC News 24 at 10.30pm AEST with ABC1 joining the broadcast just before the first minute’s silence.

The program will include live coverage of the anniversary memorial events at Ground Zero in New York and at the Pentagon in Washington, live crosses, reporter packages and feature material on the day of the attacks, and the war on terror and other events that followed.

The memorial events at Ground Zero and at the Pentagon will include the reading of the names of those killed in the attacks by family members of the victims of 9/11 and the ringing of a bell to mark key events on the day. Participating in the commemorative ceremony at the World Trade Center site will be US President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush. Attending the ceremony for the first time, each president will read a poem or a quote. There will be no speeches. Also attending are; Governors Andrew Cuomo, Chris Christie and George Pataki, as well as Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Studio Host: Ali Moore, New York Anchor: Scott Bevan, Reporter live crosses: Craig McMurtrie (NY), Lisa Millar (NY), Jane Cowan (Washington), Sally Sara (Afghanistan.)

Compass: 9/11 10 Years On

Sunday September 11 at 10pm AEST on ABC1.

Sleeping in saved Ben Mathews life on September 11, 2001… Peter Gyulavary was at his desk on the 91st floor of the Twin Tower…

Compass examines the deep and enduring social, religious and cultural implications of 9/11 from an Australian perspective through the eyes of those directly affected. Ten years ago we watched in disbelief as the Twin Towers collapsed before our eyes. Even as it was happening we were told the ‘world had changed’ and a decade on, it’s evident many things have: from terrorism to heightened security and suspicion toward many things Muslim. 

Two powerful personal stories propel this documentary. Paul Gyulavar’s twin brother Peter was one of the Australians killed in the attacks. He was an architect working in the South Tower on Level 91. Ben Matthews was in New York staying in a hotel next door to the Twin Towers. Sleeping in saved Ben’s live, but he got caught up in the chaotic aftermath. His photographs provide an intensely personal and never-before-seen perspective on the moments after the attacks. The legacy of 9/11 vacillates between personal loss and the collective experience of tragedy. Religion has come under the spotlight too, while ‘Islamophobia’ and moral panic about values have led some to claim that Multiculturalism has failed. But has 9/11 really changed us a society? What about our faith, values and perceptions?

Guy Pearce, one of Australia’s most high profile and successful actors, will play Jack Irish – former criminal lawyer now part-time private investigator and debt collector – in ABC1’s two telemovies, adapted from the award-winning novels by Peter Temple.

Pearce returns to Australia after recently completing production on Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and is known for his roles in the Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech, the Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker, and the highly-acclaimed Australian movie Animal Kingdom, for which he received an Australian Film Institute nomination for Best Supporting Actor. 

Guy is currently nominated for a 2011 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries for his outstanding performance as Monty Beragon in Mildred Pierce.

Ian Collie of Essential Media and Entertainment, the producer behind ABC1’s highly acclaimed series Rake and documentary series The Making of Modern Australia, will produce the two telemovies – Jack Irish: Bad Debts and Jack Irish: Black Tide.

Peter Temple, the 2007 winner of the prestigious UK Crime Writer Award for The Broken Shore and last year’s winner of the Miles Franklin Award for Truth, has created this complex character Jack Irish, who is an expert at finding people that don’t want to be found and discovering people’s dark and deadly secrets, as well as having to face his own demons.

Highly credentialed screenwriters Andrew Knight (Rake, After the Deluge, Seachange) and Matt Cameron (Crashburn, Seachange) have adapted the novels for both telemovies and Jeffrey Walker (Rake, Angry Boys, Small Time Gangster) will direct both.

Both will be produced in Melbourne going into production in October and will air on ABC1 in 2012.

Carole Sklan, ABC TV’s Head of Fiction said, “ABC TV is bringing to the screen one of Australia’s finest contemporary writers, Peter Temple, and to bring one of his most famous characters to life, we are thrilled to have one of Australia’s leading actors, Guy Pearce.”

Ian Collie, Essential Media, said “It’s a perfect match to have one of Australia’s finest actors, Guy Pearce, to play the lead in the two telemovies based on the books by one of Australia’s finest writers, Peter Temple. Not only is Guy perfect for the role of Jack Irish, but his participation reflects the growing international reputation and respect for Australian television drama”.

Jack Irish is financed with the support of Film Victoria, Screen Australia, ABC Commercial and ZDF Enterprises.

ZDF Enterprises is co-producer of the telemovies for the German-speaking territories and holds the worldwide distribution rights outside of Australia and New Zealand.

Susanne Müller, head of co-productions at ZDF Enterprises, said “We have a long and very successful history of co-productions with Australia in the kids genre, and we look forward to continuing this now in the drama genre. Peter Temple’s Jack Irish has a great international potential, and we are thrilled that Guy Pearce will play this interesting character. We look forward to working with the ABC and Essential Media on a truly promising project.”

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced six appointments to the ABC and SBS boards under the government’s merit-based system.

The new ABC non-executive directors are Professor Fiona Stanley AC and Ms Jane Bennett.

The new SBS non-executive directors are Ms Jacqueline Hey and Ms Daryl Karp. In addition, Dr Bulent Hass Dellal OAM has been appointed as deputy Chairperson of SBS and Ms Patricia Azarias has been reappointed to the SBS Board for a second five-year term.

Senator Conroy said the appointments will strengthen Australia’s national broadcasters. 

“I congratulate Professor Stanley, Ms Bennett, Ms Hey, Ms Karp, Dr Dellal and Ms Azarias on their appointments,” Senator Conroy said.

“Each of these appointees brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and skill to the boards of the ABC and SBS.”

This is the third recruitment round for the ABC and SBS boards since the government’s merit-based appointment process was implemented in 2008.

“These merit-based appointments demonstrate our resolve to remove political interference and to promote independence in the ABC and SBS boards,” said Senator Conroy.

“The Government has made a strong commitment to ensure the future strength and independence of our national broadcasters.”

Each of the new appointments and the reappointment of Ms Azarias is for a period of five years from 30 June 2011. The appointment of Dr Dellal as deputy chair is effective until the end of his current term as a non-executive director on 2 June 2015.

Applications for positions on each board were open to all Australians and more than 300 expressions of interest were received.

A four-member independent nomination panel, consisting of Mr Ric Smith AO PSM, Professor Allan Fels AO, Ms Leneen Forde AC and Mr David Gonski AC, assessed applications, interviewed selected candidates and provided the Minister with a short-list of candidates for each board. The four new directors were selected from this short-list.

Legislation to entrench the merit-based appointment process is currently before Parliament.

Professor Fiona Stanley AC – ABC non-executive director

Professor Stanley is an outstanding Australian with expertise in maternal and child health research and a strong ongoing commitment to improving aboriginal and community health. Professor Stanley is a former Australian of the Year and was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia in 1996.

“Professor Stanley’s technical expertise, her broad involvement in and knowledge of children’s, youth and Indigenous cultural issues, as well as her experience in the management of large organisations will be invaluable to the ABC in fulfilling its charter obligations’, Senator Conroy said.

Ms Jane Bennett – ABC non-executive director

Ms Bennett has been managing director of Ashgrove Cheese Pty Ltd since 2001. In this role she was honoured as ABC Radio Australian Rural Woman of the Year (1997), National Regional Development Award-Young Australian of the Year Awards (1998) and 2010 Tasmanian Telstra Business Woman of the Year. Ms Bennett is currently chair of the Tasmanian State Government Food Industry Advisory Committee and a member of the Brand Tasmania Council.  Ms Bennett has previously been a member of the Telecommunications Industry Inquiry, the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry and the Productivity Group of the Australian government’s 2020 Summit.

“Ms Bennett has made a valuable contribution to a range of government boards and inquiries. Her strong background in commerce, management and understanding of the provision of communications services, particularly in regional areas, will provide a valuable perspective to the ABC board,” Senator Conroy said.

Ms Jacqueline Hey – SBS non-executive director

Ms Hey was Chief Executive Officer of Ericsson Australia and New Zealand from 2008-10 and has 23 years experience in the local and international communications industry. Previously she was CEO Ericsson UK & Ireland (2004-08) including Saudi Arabia (2005-06). Ms Hey was a member of Ericsson Global Management Team and a member of Ericsson Steering Boards for Global Hutchison, Global Vodafone and Global IT.

“Ms Hey’s comprehensive expertise in telecommunications services, digital rights management and online services at both the management and board level will balance the skills of the existing board. She will also bring an understanding of Australia’s multicultural society and the needs and interests of SBS’s culturally diverse audience, based on her international experience,” Senator Conroy said.

Ms Daryl Karp – SBS non-executive director

Ms Karp is a senior consultant with RPR Consulting, specialising in industry analysis, growth and innovation in the creative industries and Managing Director of Tattooed Media Pty Ltd. She is also a director of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. Her previous positions include CEO and Managing Director, Film Australia, Head of Factual Programs (Television), Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and Head of Science and Documentaries/Science and Features at the ABC.

“Ms Karp’s extensive experience in Australian broadcasting and media and her understanding of the needs and interests of SBS’s culturally diverse audience will bring value to the SBS board,” Senator Conroy said.

Dr Bulent (Hass) Dellal – SBS deputy chairperson

Dr Dellal was appointed as a non-executive Director to the SBS board on 3 June 2010. He has made a significant contribution to the board in the last year, including as a member of the Community Engagement Sub-committee.

“Dr Dellal’s active involvement in the cultural sector, his extensive business experience, service on the SBS board and high-level skills in governance and leadership make him particularly suitable to undertake the responsibilities of deputy Chairperson of the board,” Senator Conroy said.

Ms Patricia Azarias – SBS non-executive director

Ms Azarias is currently Regional General Manager for Business and Organisational Performance at the National Australia Bank. She is also Deputy Chair of the NSW Community Relations Commission and a member of the board of the Australian Government’s Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation. She has served one five year term as a non-executive director of the SBS board and is a member of the SBS Community Advisory and Audit and Finance sub-committees.

“Ms Azarias’ reappointment ensures continuity for the board’s deliberations and enables the SBS to continue to benefit from her considerable experience in the finance industry” Senator Conroy said.

Sky News has recruited a former top adviser to Kevin Rudd as part of the network’s bid to poach from ABC the $220m government contract to run Australia’s official TV network in the Asia Pacific.

Annie O’Rourke was a member of Rudd’s staff when he was in office, controlling staffing and later directing online media for the PM.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will be in charge of making a decision as to which broadcaster runs the Australia Network for the next 10 years.

O’Rourke has confirmed that she has been contracted to work on the bid to win the rights and said that she had had no contact with Rudd since last year.

Source: The Age

Screen Australia and ABC TV Documentaries today announced the launch of OPENING SHOT, a $400,000 initiative that aims to encourage emerging documentary makers and create a prime time series for ABC2.

ABC TV is looking to commission up to six one-off films to form an insightful and entertaining series that will look at contemporary Australian life and appeal to a broad audience.

ABC TV Head of Documentaries Alan Erson says, “ABC TV has a strong track record in spotting and nurturing talent and I look forward to working with the next group of emerging documentary makers on this series. ABC2 offers a great opportunity to curate a cohesive body of work while also allowing documentary makers set the creative agenda.”

Screen Australia’s Documentary Manager Liz Stevens says, “Screen Australia has a strong focus on bringing through the next generation of creative storytellers. We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with the ABC in giving opportunities to young Australian talent to tell contemporary stories in their own voices.”

Applicants can apply for up to $80,000 for each half-hour documentary. ‘Emerging’ is defined as the director being 35 or under at 1st July 2011.

Guidelines and application forms can be found online from today at www.abc.net.au/independent and www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding/documentary/openingshot.aspx. 

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 1st July 2011.