in the archive
​Production investment approvals TV Drama 2009-2010

ADUlt DRAMA

OUTLAND
Princess Pictures
Producers Andrea Denholm, Laura Waters           
Writers Adam Richard, John Richards           
Director Kevin Carlin
Broadcaster & Sales ABC TV, ABC Commercial, Princess Publishing and Distribution
Synopsis Outland is a comedy about a gay science fiction fan club, and the lives, loves and never-ending dramas of its members.

PANIC AT ROCK ISLAND
Goalpost Pictures
Producers Rosemary Blight, Dave Gibson
Writer Matt Ford
Director/Co-producer Tony Tilse
Broadcaster & Sales ITV Global, Nine Network
Synopsis An island on spectacular Sydney Harbour. Summer sun. Top international artists. Tens of thousands of music fans from across the world. Idyllic… until unimaginable disaster strikes.

THE STRAITS
Pixa House Limited
Producers Helen Panckhurst, Penny Chapman
Writers Blake Ayshford, Nick Parsons, Jaime Browne and Louis Nowra (based on an idea by Aaron Fa’aoso)
Directors Peter Andrikidis, TBC
Broadcaster & Sales ABC TV, ABC Commercial, DCD Rights
Synopsis Set in the wild frontier of the Torres Strait and Far North Queensland, The Straits is an exotic, darkly humorous crime drama that follows the fortunes of a family who run a smuggling operation.

UNDERBELLY TV MOVIES
Screentime
Producers Peter Gawler, Elisa Argenzio
Writers Peter Gawler, Graeme Koetsveld, Kris Mrksa
Directors Shawn Seet, Grant Brown, Cherie Nowlan
Broadcaster & Sales Nine Network, Portmans
Synopsis Three telemovies: Russell ‘Mad Dog’ Cox, Australia’s most successful armed robber; the Silk & Miller murders and the Lorimer Taskforce; and Victorian policeman Colin McLaren’s infiltration of the Calabrian Mafia.

CREDENCE
Playmaker Media Pty Ltd
Producer David Maher and David Taylor
Writer Ellie Beaumont
Director Ian Watson
Sales and Distribution ITVG Global
Synopsis While Melbourne mother of two, Maria Korp, lay dying in the boot of her car, her husband, Joe Korp, pointed the finger of blame at his mistress Tania Herman. As the truth unravelled, a twisted tale of suburban swingers‚ grand scale deception and murder emerged, which shocked Australia. This is the shocking and macabre story of Maria: The Woman In The Boot.

HAWKE
The Film Company
Executive Producers Rick Maier, David Parker
Producer Richard Keddie
Writer Glen Dolman
Director Emma Freeman
Broadcaster Network Ten
Sales and Distribution ABC Commercial
Synopsis The story of Australia’s most-loved Prime Minister as he faces his greatest challenge: a battle within his own party. As he fights for his life, we discover his incredible transformation from the womanising but brilliant trade union president to a polished, egalitarian and visionary world leader.

SISTERS OF WAR
Pericles Film Productions Pty Ltd
Producer Andrew Wiseman
Writer John Misto
Sales and Distribution DCD Rights, ABC Commercial
Synopsis Sisters of War is inspired by the true story of a small group of Australian nurses and nuns who found themselves in the eye of the storm when the Japanese military made them prisoners of war on the remote island of New Britain in 1942. It is a tale of strength, survival and forgiveness.

SLIDE
Slide Films Pty Ltd
Producers David Maher, David Taylor, Nathan Mayfield, Tracey Robertson, Ross Crowley
Writers Keith Thompson, Michael Lucas
Broadcaster Foxtel
Sales and Distribution Fremantle Media Enterprises
Synopsis Slide is an exciting integrated multiplatform drama experience and tracks five teens as they smash their way into adulthood. When you’re 17, life can turn in 24 hours and for Bryan, Tammy, Luke, Linda and Eva this will be the transformative time of their lives. They’ve got 10 weeks, each other and a lift home from mum when they need it. Slide: survive your teenage years with a smile.

Children's Television

MY PLACE SERIES 1, PART 2
Matchbox Pictures
Producer Penny Chapman
Co-producer Helen Panckhurst
Writers Alice Addison, Blake Ayshford, Leah Purcell, John Alsop, Wayne Blair, Nicholas Parsons, Gina Roncoli, Greg Waters, Dallas Winmar
Directors Jessica Hobbs, Catriona McKenzie, Sam Lang, Michael James Rowland, Shawn Seet
Sales & Distribution ABC, ABC Commercial & ACTF
Synopsis Continues the story of 26 children who live in the one spot in Australia over 260 years. Part 2 tells their tales from 1878 to Beforetime (before white settlement). Based on the award-winning book for children by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins.

ELEPHANT PRINCESS SERIES 2
Jonathan M Shiff Productions Pty Ltd
Executive Producers Jonathan M Shiff, Julia Adams
Story Producers Chris Roache, Joss King
Writers Simon Butters, Sam Carroll, Max Dann, Joss King, Anthony Morris, Chris Roache
Directors Colin Budds, Grant Brown
Sales and Distribution Network Ten, Disney Channel, ZDF, ZDF Enterprises
Synopsis In an epic battle to defend her Kingdom from Dark Magic and the evil witch Diva, modern teenage girl Alex Wilson falls in love with Caleb, a strikingly handsome boy with a dangerous secret.