Screen agencies, guilds and broadcasters make formal commitment to diversity – IF – 01 Aug.2017

diversity-typography_adj.jpg

Key organisations from across the screen industry have made a united and formal commitment to work towards building a more inclusive sector.

The Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), Foxtel, ABC, SBS, Network Ten, Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG), Screen Producers’ Australia (SPA), FreeTV Australia, ASTRA, the Australian Screen Industry Group, MediaRING, Screen Australia and each of the state screen agencies this week joined together to form the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN).
To join the SDIN, all of the organisations have had to officially commit to a charterthat enshrines equal opportunities, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, disability or geographic location.

(more…)

Advertisements

The terrifying film about racism topping the US box office

The number one film at the United States box office is a low-budget indie horror film that’s being described as modern-day Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with a sinister twist.

Despite having a budget of only $US4.5 million, Get Out grossed more than $US33 million last weekend, beating blockbusters such as Fifty Shades Darker, The LEGO Batman Movie and Hidden Figures for top spot.

A blend of horror and comedy written by comedian Jordan Peele in his directorial debut, the film has received a rare 99 per cent score on critics site Rotten Tomatoes.

Get Out tells the story of a young black man named Chris (played by Daniel Kaluuya), who goes to meet the parents of his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) at their remote, suburban home. (more…)

Joy Hruby dies aged 89

Joy was born in Dubbo and during the Second World War she was part of an all-girl singing troupe which entertained the troops from the local army camp. Those wartime experiences would form the basis of a hit novel called The Dubbo Dazzlers which she wrote in 2003.

After the war, Joy went on to train as an actress with the Whitehall Academy of Dramatic Art, and also studied at the Hector Crawford School of Radio. She soon found herself touring Australia after being signed up by the legendary J.C. Williamson company, although her career was temporarily put on hold after she fell for the Czechoslovakian born pianist Denny Hruby, the pair would marry and would enjoy many happy years of marriage until his death.

Joy enjoyed an extensive stage career. In 1973 she won the Theatre Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Half in Earnest, toured with A Little Night Music, and appeared in other sell out productions including The Lady’s Not for Burning, and The Crucible. She became a familiar face to television viewers appearing in programmes includingCertain Women, Patrol Boat, Waterloo Station, The Restless Years, Bellamy, Sons & Daughters, A Country Practice, Possession, A Fortunate Life, The Two Ronnies in Australia, The Outsiders, the telemovie No Room to Run, Brides of Christ, GP, Above the Law, All Saints, and Home & Away. On the big screen she appeared in movies including Caddie, Love Letters from Teralba Road, Winter of our Dreams, Kitty and the Bagman, and Rough Diamonds. (more…)