Resource Key
When accessing content use the numbers below to guide you:
LEVEL 1
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
LEVEL 2
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
LEVEL 3
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Australian Feature Films and Distribution
- Screen Australia. (2016). Screen Australia. Retrieved from http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/infographicsScreen Australia was established under the Screen Australia Act 2008 and from 1 July 2008 took over the functions and appropriations of its predecessor agencies, the Australian Film Commission (AFC), the Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC) and Film Australia Limited.
Effects of budgets on production - technologies, casting, special effects
- Ryan , Mark David (2010) Film, cinema, screen. Media International Australia: Incorporating Culture and Policy, 136. pp. 85-89.Throughout the 1990s and much of the 2000s, most Australian movies were low-to-mid budget productions securing limited or speciality release. The Australian film industry has been heavily criticised in recent years for its failure to reach large audiences, although the reality is that many Australian flicks during this period were produced for niche art-house audiences, rather than mass multiplex audiences. Since Screen Australia’s inception – although forces were in play during the Film Finance Corporation’s tenure – there has been a marked shift towards fostering large scale Australian movies produced for wide release.
- Zachariah, L. (2015). The Hollywood Invasion: Foreign actors in Australian films. Metro, (184), 112-117.Is it in Australia’s best interests to let big-name Hollywood stars headline local productions?
Producers argue that it is, while the MEAA contends that it’s not – though both believe they’re fighting to protect Australian actors’ jobs. Lee Zachariah surveys the debate and considers whether our film industry should open the floodgates to foreign actors. - Hoskin, D. (2009). 'Micro-budget Aussie flick makes no money'. Overland, (194), 23-27.The article explores the state of the Australian film industry in 2009. It questions the validity of the belief that the industry is not doing well, pointing out that the press tends to over-dramatize the situation. It also notes that, because Australian films receive state funding, conservative politicians often speak negatively about them. It concludes that the industry needs to make films that people want to see and market them globally.
- Wendy, F. (2011, May 12). Budget's best special effect is funding boost. Sydney Morning Herald, The. p. 14.Visual and digital effects companies, which helped make movies such as Happy Feet and The Matrix so successful, are the big winners from the federal budget arts handout, with increased industry incentives likely to lure more Hollywood post-production work to Australia.
Film Finances
- Screen Australia. (2016, March). Australian feature film production activity. Retrieved from http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/production-trends/feature-production/australian-feature-filmsThis Screen Australia fact finder page includes the number of Australian films produced, total production budgets and average budget per film 1970/71–2014/15.
- Screen Australia (2016). Box office in Australia for Australian films. Retrieved from http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/cinema/industry-trends/box-office/australian-box-officeFeature films under Australian or shared creative control earned $88.1 million or 7.2 per cent of the total Australian box office in 2015 (which includes any film earning box office in 2015, irrespective of its original year of release). This is up on the previous year, when the share was 2.4 per cent, and above the 10-year average of 4.3 per cent.
- Screen Australia. (2016). Top 100 Australian feature films of all time. Retrieved from http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/cinema/australian-films/top-films-at-the-box-officeThe no. 1 Australian film at the Australian box office is Crocodile Dundee (1986), with earnings of $47,707,045. Crocodile Dundee is also no. 10 on the list of top films at the Australian box office from any country, not just Australia; no. 1 on that list is Avatar, which has taken over $115 million at the Australian box office since its release in December 2009.
- Screen Australia. (2016). Source of finance. Retrieved from http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/production-trends/feature-production/australian-feature-films/sources-of-financeDistribution and production companies are the main sources of finance from the Australian film/TV industry, although broadcasters and subscription TV channels are also included.