News

Bruce.

The team behind How to Talk Australians will launch their new black comedy, Bruce, exclusively online tomorrow..

The seven ep web-series is set in .an ordinary Aussie share-house that just happens to be a prison tent in Sydney Cove, 1788..

It follows Bruce Williamson (Offspring.s Richard Davies), whose plan of following his soulmate to Australia by getting arrested spectacularly backfires. Dave Lawson (Utopia, The Heckler) and Angus Sampson (The Mule, Fargo) also star..

Bruce was co-created and directed by Tony Rogers (Wilfred, How to Talk Australians), and produced by Jason Byrne (Sucker, How to Talk to Australians). Mat Blackwell (Good News Week, The Glass House) and Warwick Holt (The Project, Good News Week) wrote the script.

.Bruce has been a real labour of love,. said Byrne. .It.s so great to see the work come together on the online screen. It was a real pleasure working with Tony, Warwick and Mat.

Bruce.

The team behind How to Talk Australians will launch their new black comedy, Bruce, exclusively online tomorrow..

The seven ep web-series is set in .an ordinary Aussie share-house that just happens to be a prison tent in Sydney Cove, 1788..

It follows Bruce Williamson (Offspring.s Richard Davies), whose plan of following his soulmate to Australia by getting arrested spectacularly backfires. Dave Lawson (Utopia, The Heckler) and Angus Sampson (The Mule, Fargo) also star..

Bruce was co-created and directed by Tony Rogers (Wilfred, How to Talk Australians), and produced by Jason Byrne (Sucker, How to Talk to Australians). Mat Blackwell (Good News Week, The Glass House) and Warwick Holt (The Project, Good News Week) wrote the script.

.Bruce has been a real labour of love,. said Byrne. .It.s so great to see the work come together on the online screen. It was a real pleasure working with Tony, Warwick and Mat.

Azio - The Bogan Spy Agency, Crazy Bastards, I'm With Stupid, Fancy Boy, Food for Peasants and Pet Quarantine..judging by some of the titles and synopses , the ABC TV/Screen Australia Fresh Blood initiative will spawn some weird and wonderful comedies.

A mix of puppetry, animation, parodies, improv and absurdist humour, the 25 projects selected will each receive $10,000 to produce three short-form sketches.

The shows will air on ABC.s iView platform this year. ABC controller Brendan Dahill tells If that some may later screen on ABC2 after they premiere on the catch-up service.

The initiative is designed to unearth the next generation of comedy performers and producers. There were 492 applications, many of such a high calibre that the ABC and Screen Australia decided to commission 25, one more than originally planned.

Here are the recipients: Aunty Donna Mark Samual Bonanno, Adrian Dean, Broden Kelly, Zachary Ruane

Mentored by Tim Minchin,...

Kim Mordaunt won the Australian Writers. Guild best original screenplay award for his debut film The Rocket and Cate Shortland and Robin Mukherjee got the feature film adaptation prize for Lore at the Awgie awards held in Melbourne on Friday night.

David Roach and Warwick Ross.s Red Obsession took the award for public broadcast documentary screenplay.

Underbelly again won best original mini -series and Robert Connolly.s Underground: The Julian Assange Story was named best telemovie adaptation.

The $25,000 Foxtel prize for a significant and impressive body of work in television went to Jacquelin Perske, whose screenwriting credits include The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way, Spirited and Little Fish.

The Good News Week writing team received a ninth Awgie for the final season of the series.

Playwright Alana Valentine picked up three awards including most outstanding script of 2013 and the inaugural David Williamson Prize.

Australian Writers. Guild president Jan Sardi said,...

Tickets are selling fast for the 46th Annual Awgie Awards, to be held in Melbourne on October 4.

To be hosted by writer, comedian and singer Sammy J, the ceremony will honour the achievements made by Australian writers for performance. The Awgie Awards are the only Australian awards judged solely by writers on the basis of the script . the writer's intention . rather than the finished production.

"The Awgies are the highlight of the year for us and a unique chance to celebrate the oft-unsung but stellar work created by Australian writers of the script," says Awg.s President and Academy Award nominee Jan Sardi..

.It.s a night that really just celebrates the importance of story and storytelling. And that.s what sets us apart from other animals in the end, the ability to tell stories..

Sardi says the slate of nominated work is once again a strong one.

.It.s...

The Australian Writers. Guild (Awg) released their first line-up announcement for the biennial National Screenwriters Conference, which will take place at Mornington Peninsula in Victoria from 20-22 February 2013. Shameless creator Paul Abbott, announced as international headliner last month, will be joined by a host of industry elite including John Collee (Happy Feet, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World), Craig Pearce (The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet, Strictly Ballroom), Stephan Elliott (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Easy Virtue), Jacquelin Perske (Spirited, Love My Way, Little Fish, The Secret Life of Us), Keith Thompson & Tony Briggs (The Sapphires), Ian Simmons (Good News World, Good News Week, The Sideshow) and Peter Moon (Fast Forward, Full Frontal). "We bring together an unrivalled number of preeminent writers at the top of their game for the Nsc, which is a not-for-profit event. The retreat-like setting creates a hothouse of ideas,...

The Australian Writers’ Guild held its annual awards ceremony on Friday 24 August. The Sapphires and screenwriters Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson won most outstanding script. Michael Lucas won two awards, in the feature film original category for Not Suitable For Children and in the TV series category for an episode of Offspring.

The announcement:

The 45th Annual Australian Writers’ Guild Awgie Awards were held on Friday 24th August at Doltone House in Sydney. The only Australian scriptwriting awards judged solely by writers on the basis of the script recognised a new crop of creative talent bringing Australian stories to our screens and stages.

The best of Australian performance writing across feature films, theatre, television, radio, interactive and animation were celebrated at a star-studded affair at Doltone House in Sydney last night as part of the golden 50-year anniversary of the Australian Writers’ Guild. The awards were hosted by iconic Australian...

The 45th annual Australian Writer.s Guild Awgie Awards, held at Doltone House in Sydney, have honoured local productions including The Sapphires, Not Suitable for Children and The Slap.

Hosted by Roy and Hg.s John Doyle, the event was attended by key industry figures and featured Australian writing talent from across film, theatre, television, radio and animation.

Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson work on The Sapphires earned them an Awgie Award for Most Outstanding Script of 2012 and another for best Feature Film Adaption. Up-and-comer Michael Lucas also collected two awards, for an episode of the television show Offspring and in the Feature Film Original category for Not Suitable For Children.

The teams behind The Slap and The Straits won AWGIEs for Best Mini Series Adaption and Television Mini Series . Original respectively. Brides of Christ and The Leaving of Liverpool scribe Susan Smith cemented her place as a Australian scriptwriting...

The finalists have been announced for the Australian Writers’ Guild awards – or Awgies.

Wish You Were Here is up for best feature film, along with Last Dance and Not Suitable For Children.

The Slap and Underbelly: Razor are up for best TV mini-series.

The short list in full:

Telemovie Original

Beaconsfield – Judi McCrossin

Mabo – Susan Smith

Television Mini-series – Adaptation

The Slap – Emily Ballou, Alice Bell, Brendan Cowell, Kris Mrksa with Cate Shortland

Underbelly: Razor – Peter Gawler, Michaeley O’Brien, Felicity Packard and Jeffrey Truman

Television Mini-series – Original

Only one nomination and the winner will be announced on the night.

Television – Series

Spirited: If You See Her Say Hello – Alice Bell

Offspring: Episode 206 – Michael Lucas

Spirited: Living In Oblivion – Ian Meadows

Spirited: I’ll Close My Eyes – Jacquelin Perske

Television – Serial

Home & Away 5437- Louise Bowes

Home & Away 5391 – Fiona Bozic

Neighbours 6231 (Jim’s Death) – Pete McTighe

Comedy...

The Australian Writers’ Guild has announced the nominations for the 45th annual Awgie Awards. Among the nominated is Michael Lucas for his feature film Not Suitable For Children, Kieran Darcy-Smith for Wish You Were Here, the writing teams behind The Slap and Underbelly: Razor and in the comedy division, the teams behind Laid 2, Agony Uncles and At Home With Julia.

The announcement:

The nominees this year reflect the abundance of high quality screenwriters Australia has produced.

“The Awgies are a unique opportunity to celebrate the writers whose stories have shaped our national culture including feature films, theatre, TV series and serials, mini-series, radio, interactive, animation and children’s programs,” says Awg’s President and Academy Award nominee Jan Sardi. “This rich crop of writers is a sure sign Australia can match it with the best from anywhere in the world when it comes to performance writing, and that’s something to celebrate in this,...

The nominees for this year's Awgie awards include the scribes behind local films such as The Sapphires, The Eye of the Storm, Wish You Were Here and TV programs such as Mabo, Beaconsfield, and Underbelly.

Battling in the feature film adaptation category will be Judy Morris. The Eye of the Storm, starring Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davies, and The Sapphires from Keith Thompson and Tony Briggs. Michael Lucas has also been nominated for his first original feature, Not Suitable for Children while Last Dance by Terence Hammond and David Pulbrook and drama Wish You Were Here, written by Kieran Darcy-Smith and Felicity Price, have also been nominated.

Among television nominees, the team of writers behind The Slap and Underbelly: Razor have been nominated as well as Susan Smith for indigenous telemovie Mabo, and Judi McCrossin for Beaconsfield. Michael Lucas was also nominated for the television series Offspring while three scripts...

The first winners of the newly renamed Kit Denton Disfellowship, previously the Kit Denton Fellowship, have been named as Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan whose writing credits have included Big Bite, Hamish & Andy and The Mansion.

The announcement was made at tonight’s Australian Writers Guild Awgie Awards held in Sydney.

Other winners included The Secret Life Of Us writer Kris Mrksa who picked up the Foxtel Fellowship, Chris Lilley who was recognised for his contribution to comedy and films Snow Town and Burning Man.

The Awgie winners:

2011 Kit Denton Fellowship

ForCourage and Excellence in Performance Writing

Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan

2011 Foxtel Fellowship

Fellowship awarded in recognition of a significant body of work in television.

Kris Mrksa

2011 Richard Lane Award

For Outstanding Service and Dedication to the Australian Writers’ Guild

Ian David

2011 Dorothy Crawford Award

For Outstanding Contribution to the Profession

Currency Press

2011 Fred Parsons Award

For Outstanding Contribution...

The Australian Writers’ Guild has announce the nominations for its 44th Awgie Awards.

The writers of Australia’s best stage, screen and radio scripts have been nominated across 23 awards, including Shaun Grant (Snowtown), Alice Addison (The Hunter), Jonathan Teplitzky (Burning Man) and Tony Krawitz

(The Tall Man) all screening at Tiff.

Awg President, Academy Award nominee Jan Sardi said in a statement, ‘The foundation of all great productions is the script. Each year the Awgie Awards recognise and celebrate the creators of those foundations, the writers. The nominations for this year’s Awgie awards clearly demonstrate the high standard of Australian performance writing. Some of the writers honoured today are familiar names, underscoring the consistent excellence of their work and ongoing contribution to our industry. Equally exciting are the new names and titles reflecting the breadth and vibrancy of Australian scriptwriting talent.”

As well as announcing the winners of the below categories,...

Channel Ten has announced a string of new, locally-produced programs for 2011 and 2012.

Looking to capture a youth market, chief programming officer David Mott said, “We are firmly focused on dominating in 18-49.”

Local light programming includes the much rumoured morning show to compete with Today and Sunrise. Simply called Breakfast, the program will be c0-hosted by 7Pm Project‘s Andrew Rochford. “Breakfast radio has taught me a great deal about how people want to start their day,” said Rochford. “They want the facts, but they want them in a light and entertaining way.” The show will run from 6am to 9am followed by a one hour news bulliten before The Circle begins at 11am.

Young Talent Time, the ’80s favourite that launched Danni Minogue, Tina Arena and Debbie Byrne will return in 2012. Co-produced by the show’s original creator, Johnny Young, it will be hosted by Rob Mills with a restructured,...

Good News Week has been cancelled. The Australian comedy current affairs show, which is currently hosted by Paul McDermott, was recently axed by Channel Ten and will soon be replaced with the "new and improved" Good News World. A spokesperson for Ten told the Herald Sun: "Good News Week will be back with a new and improved facelift, Good News World, including cast members from the series with a few extras." McDermott will reportedly still host the programme. Various sources have claimed that TV bosses wanted to take a break and "freshen up" Good News Week (more)...

Warner Brothers Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures released the theatrical trailer for the upcoming animation “Happy Feet 2” on Yahoo! Movies. The film stars Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams, Sofia Vergara and Hank Azaria. Here is the synopsis provided on Yahoo! Movies: Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreophobic. Reluctant to dance, Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven—a penguin who can fly! Mumble has no hope of competing with this charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces. Erik learns of his father’s “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures—from tiny Krill to giant Elephant Seals—to put things right. The animation is directed by George Miller (“Happy Feet,” “Mad Max”). The screenplay is written by Miller, Warren Coleman (“Happy Feet”), Gary Eck (“The Nation,...

Robert Pattinson talks with Paul McDermott from Good News Week about his film “Water for Elephants” by director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Constantine) starring Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, Bel Ami, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2) and Reese Witherspoon (This Means War, Pharm Girl). Click Here for more photos, news and movie trailers from Water for Elephants. Synopsis: “When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student...

Paul McDermott has revealed that no topic is off limits on Good News Week. The Australian comedian, who presents the funny news-based television show, said that even the most traumatic events can be talked about on TV if the topic is approached in the right way. McDermott told Aap: "It depends on how well you approach them. Communication is the most validation humans can have. If you make fun of things (more)...

The Australian Writers’ Guild has announced the nominations for the Awgie Awards.

Beneath Hill 60, Lou, Animal Kingdom and the still unreleased Griff the Invisible compete for best original feature screenplay, while Rush dominated the TV series category with three of its episodes going against one of Spirited. Underbelly’s second and third series monopolised the mini-series adaptation category.

The ceremony will take place at Peninsula, Melbourne, on August 20.

The nominees are:

Television: Series

Rush Ep 210 – Armoured Car by David Caesar and Adam Todd Rush Ep 208 – Boy in the Bush by Michelle Offen Spirited – The Man Who Fell To Earth by Jacquelin Perske Rush Ep 222 – Water by Adam Todd

Television: Mini Series Adaptation

Underbelly: The Golden Mile by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick, Kris Mrksa and Felicity Packard Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities by Peter Gawler, Greg Haddrick, Kris Mrksa and Felicity Packard

Television: Serial

Home and Away Ep...

Ian Thorpe has been given a role in a theatre production. The former Olympic swimmer will play a serial killer in a one-off performance of David Williamson's play One Night Only In Emerald City to raise money for his chosen charity. Other celebrities taking part in the event include Good News Week presenter Mikey Robins, entrepreneur John Singleton, actress Robyn Nevin, City Homicide's David Field and comedian Fiona O'Loughlin. Robins told Aap: "I'm looking (more)...

Gold Logie

Ray Meagher (Home and Away) - Winner!

Esther Anderson (Home and Away)

Wil Anderson (The Gruen Transfer)

Rebecca Gibney (Packed To The Rafters)

Adam Hills (Spicks And Specks)

Paul McDermott (Good News Week)

Rove McManus (Rove)

Shaun Micallef (Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation) Most Popular Actor

Hugh Sheridan (Packed To The Rafters) - Winner!

Luke Jacobz (Home and Away)

Todd Lasance (Home and Away)

Ray Meagher (Home and Away)

Erik Thomson (Packed To The Rafters) Most Popular Actress

Rebecca Gibney - (Packed To The Rafters) - Winner!

Esther Anderson (Home and Away)

Rebecca Breeds (Home and Away)

Jessica Marais (Packed To The Rafters)

Jessica Tovey (Home and Away) Most Popular Presenter

Shaun Micallef (Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation) - Winner!

Natalie (more)...

Channel Ten has apologised for a series of jokes targeting children with autism. The Australian network's TV show Good News Week, which is hosted by Paul McDermott, caused outrage when comedian Russell Kane made fun of children with the disorder, which affects communication skills. Kane told McDermott on the show that his comedy festival team "went at you like an autistic kid on a drum, we destroyed you". After the comments, many parents contacted the network to demand an explanation and an apology. A spokesperson for the television channel told the (more)...

Ben Elton has apologised for several derogatory comments he made about the British Royal Family, insisting that his remarks were "taken entirely out of context". The comedian attracted criticism after an appearance on Australian TV show Good News Week on Monday night, in which he called Queen Elizabeth II a "sad, old lady" and branded her husband Prince Philip a "mad, old bigot". According (more)...

Moviemaker/author Ben Elton has apologised for his unflattering comments about the British Royal family, insisting his remarks were "taken entirely out of context".

The funnyman sparked outrage in his native country after an appearance on Australian TV show Good News Week on Monday night, in which he called Queen Elizabeth II a "sad, old lady" and branded her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a "mad old bigot".

Elton's remark sparked a flurry of complaints from furious viewers, and he's now apologised for his outburst.

A representative for the star says in a statement, "Ben Elton apologises for any offence which may have been caused. The quotes attributed to him have been taken entirely out of context."...

Ben Elton has apologised to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II after calling her "a sad little old lady". The 50-year-old comedian claims his foul-mouthed tirade about the British royal family - which also included calling Prince Philip "a mad old bigot" - was taken out of context, despite them being part of Australia's 'Good News Week's life show. His spokesperson said: "Ben Elton apologises for any offence which may have been caused. The quotes attributed to him have been taken entirely out of context. "He was making a joke about Australian republicanism, pointing out on a comedy show that the Queen and her family were far more reflective of the modern rainbow population they represented than any other." He then claimed...

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been branded "a sad little old lady" by comedian Ben Elton. The 50-year-old comic stunned fans with a tirade against the British royal family on Australian television that also saw him hint the monarch's son Prince Edward was homosexual and her other child, Prince Charles was branded a "dillusioned ex-hippy." Speaking on comedy quiz show 'Good News Week', Ben - who was given the word 'queen' in a word association game - said: "She's a sad little old lady who lives in state-sponsored accommodation. "Her husband is a mad old bigot who wishes it was still the war, three out of four of her kids' marriages have failed - that's very common. The eldest one...

Director Ben Elton has come under fire for launching a foul-mouthed attack against the British Royal family.

The funnyman was a guest on Australian TV show Good News Week on Monday night when he began the shocking tirade.

He branded Queen Elizabeth II a "sad, old lady" and continued his tirade by attacking her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and her four children's personal lives.

Elton added, “Her husband is a mad old bigot who wishes it was still the war, three out of four of her kids’ marriages have failed - that’s very common. The eldest one is a disillusioned ­ex-hippie, the middle one a bit of a yob, the youngest lad we used to think took it from behind."

But his comments have sparked outrage Down Under, with viewers complaining in their droves.

One, Michelle Astley, from Melbourne, says, “He was disgusting. He came across as an out of control egomaniac.”...

Magda Szubanski has been forced to apologise for making "thoughtless" jokes about cyclists on TV after being bombarded with criticism on Twitter. The Kath and Kim star, who encouraged drivers to "take out" annoying cyclists during a sketch on comedy show Good News Week, even offered to take part in National Ride to Work Day next month. According to The Daily Telegraph, Szubanski said: "The way I expressed myself was appalling and thoughtless. (more)...