CU BOOK REVIEWS
Body of OZ Film and TV References Grows
Albert Moran’s Guide to Austral series Embassy; or the impact of a sion Drama Series 1956-1981 (1989, ian TV Series, Australian Film, Tel series -Number 96 is a good example - also published by the AFTRS), a sur evision and Radio School Sydney 1993, in its contemporary social context. vey of government film since 1945 (Cur paperback with B&W photos, 672pp, For anyone whose life has coin rency Press 1991) and his film and indexed, $24.95. cided with the development of Aus broadcasting readers (Currency 1985 tralian television, reading this guide and Allen and Unwin 1992), essential Albert Moran’s compendious guide is an enjoyable exercise in nostalgia, resources for every serious student of - nearly 700 pages - comes with a and occasionally bemusement: how the Australian production industry. glowing introduction from Bruce many would now remember The Pri The funding of the research for this Gyngell and jacket raps from vate World of Miss Prim (1966), Frank book was shared between the AFTRS, Debbie Byrne (‘essential’) and Bill and Francesca 0-973), or No Thanks FACTS and Moran’s home base, Collins (‘significant’). But don’t Vm On a Diet (1976), for example? Griffith University’s Faculty of Hu be put off by the hype: it is both The checklist at the head of each manities. these things, and then some. entry does not indicate which network Moran - an academic whose writing first screened the programs, though ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ is refreshingly free of jargon - sets the this information is usually in the text. scene with a 30-page overview which CU felt that listing at the top would divides Australian television history have meant that important links be Simon Molloy and Barry Burgan, The into six stages, including Radio With tween say, Crawfords or Kennedy Economics of Film and Television Pictures (1956-64), Cops and A Kan Miller and the commercial networks, in Australia, South Australian Cen garoo (1964 -75) - presumably a refer or Roadshow, Coote and Carroll and tre for Economic Studies for the Aus ence to Skippy though the program is the ABC in recent years, were easily tralian Film Commission, 1993,133pp not mentioned in the accompanying indentifiable. This minor shortcom (other details, Policy File) text, and The Golden Years (1976-86). ing is more than compensated, how His view of the future for broadcast ever, by a section which describes the There is no doubt that the avail television is gloomy - it is likely to major drama packagers, including the ability of information resources ‘survive but in a marginal position’. networks themselves, and relation for the Australian production in Perhaps this reflects the outlook of ships between broadcasters and dustry has improved in recent FACTS, whose members seem ob packagers. This section would be a years, and for that the Australian sessed about the impact of pay TV, and particularly useful reference for over Film Commission must take con which was one of the sponsors of his seas producers looking for partners for siderable credit. research! co-productions and other co-operative The AFC’s regular surveys of film, Each entry in the detailed alpha arrangements. video and TV production in conjunc betical listings of drama series begins The book’s last section sets out tion with Entertainment Business Re with a checklist which covers genre (eg prime-time schedules on all networks view (the latest, 1992-93, has recently historical, family, children’s, comedy, (1957-93) for the first week of March been released) provide an invaluable political/social); number and length of (chosen for consistency and because it overview of the current scene as well episodes; producer; format (eg ‘series, is always a ratings week). While this as allowing analysis of trends and de shot on videotape, in colour’) ; date of can be only broadly indicative of pro velopments over the longer term. Its first screening; and key personnel - gramming policies, its value lies in its publication Get the Picture (of which production and direction, cast and presentation of consolidated informa there have now been two editions) gath crew. Moran’s synopses are lively and tion over this long period and the ers together a large amount of data informative, fair and not unduly opin insight it offers into changing tastes about production, distribution, financ ionated. Where relevant he mentions and programming policies. The book ing, marketing, box office and critical critical and audience reaction, prizes concludes with a comprehensive in reactions, and is virtually an encyclo and awards. He includes useful back dex. paedia of the Australian industry. ground: for example, the political prob Moran’s continuing work of docu The latest publication with AFC lems encountered during the filming menting Australian television is an involvement (along with the Austral in the Philippines of the series A Dan invaluable contribution in afield where ian Cultural Development Office and gerous Life, necessitating a relocation resources and reliable references have SPAA) is the work of Simon Molloy to Sri Lanka; and the diplomatic fra traditionally been sparse. His previ cas in Malaysia set off by the ABC ous works include Australian Televi Continued on page 1 7 ...
December 1993 ♦ 16 ♦ Communications Update ... Continued from page 16 and Barry Burgan of the South Aus sentatives of commercial television ion (ourim k (t u t tm u m us. (iiiucri siov mi h u m tralian Centre for Economic Studies. coioi have questioned the accuracy of re This research paper makes an eco search on social issues such as televi nomic analysis of the audiovisual in mORBn S GUIDE TO BUSTRHLIfln sion’s portrayal (or non-portrayal) of dustry with particular emphasis on the realities of Australian society. The government intervention. The writers regulator itself was responsible for ^Significant** ^Marvellous** some of this research, conducted by express a hope that the report is ‘inter ★ Bill Collins ★ Bruce Gyngell esting and accessible to a wide range of ^Essential** ttTbp read** reputable consultants using tried and readers’ and in this, they have suc ★ Debbie Byrne ★ Bruce Samazan tested methodology. These critical ceeded. There is plenty of information comments have, strangely, drawn no presented here, some of it quite com public response from the ABA. plex, but the presentation is free of The research reported in the publi jargon and understandable by non cations under review drew no fire from economists. the networks. This was perhaps not The report relies fairly heavily for surprising, given that the first, which its material on other sources (egScreen analyses station performance over the Digest surveys, AFC/EBR surveys, Get first three years of the TPS 14 require the Picture) but what is useful is that ments for Australian content and chil it pulls this diverse material together dren’s programs, shows that all sta to form a comprehensive local indus tions met the transmission quota, the try overview. (In its reliance on sec total drama/diversity score, the C ondary sources some of its information drama minimum score, and the mini may be slightly dated. For example, mum drama score in each year. The Chapter 2 contains a survey, based on only jarring note was a decline in the a 1991 Coopers and Lybrand report, of average drama diversity score in both government involvement in film and ABA s Trends and Issues 1991 and 1992: from 2184 in 1990 to television in the US and European 2056 (1991) and 1846 (1992). countries, though the EC has seen Australian Broadcasting Authority, Readers will find some interest in major developments in this area over Trends and Issues No.2, Oct 1993: the list of qualifying programs for the the last couple of years). Australian Content on Television 1990- three year period. The points awarded It provides a good primer in the 92, 32pp; No.3, Oct 1993, Viewing for some programs are on the face of it, workings of distribution and exhibi Australia: audience views about Aus generous, and others - for example the tion, and in Chapter 5 sets out - simply tralian television programs and films ‘new concept’ classification of the tacky and without taking sides - the main in 1992, 15pp, ABA Sydney 1993. Graham Kennedy’s Home Video Show arguments for and against government - are open to question. No doubt the intervention, drawing on earlier ma The ABA released the second and regulator had its reasons. terial by Kirsten Schou, Throsby and third issues of its publication The other publication, Viewing Withers, and Ross Jones. Trends and Issues to coincide with Australia, contains a wealth of infor The chapter on film and television the Centre for Media and Telecom mation about viewing habits and pref financing notes that the Government munications Law and Policy’s erences, including some colourful and has spent ‘a little over $ 100m a year on Australian Content seminar in resonant quotes from actual viewers. film and television support in various Melbourne (reported in the last forms’. The writers do not attempt to issue o f CU). I think the Australian serials are estimate total support by including, While mourning the demise of the more down to earth and honest than for example, that proportion of ABC ABT’s Broadcasting in Australia se the American stuff. They're genu and SBS funding which could be re ries, it must be conceded that the ap ine and you can follow it and you garded as support for production. They pearance of these inexpensive ($5.00) can see what's happening. reach no firm conclusion on the desir papers suggest that the regulator in Light viewer, over ability of government intervention in tends to continue to provide a regular 50 years old, not retired, urban dweller. the Australian industry at this stage supply of data and research about de velopments in Australian radio and of its development, but their neutral The overall message is loud and clear: television which fall within its scope tone is a refreshing change from the Australians prefer Australian pro for broadcasters, the production in fundamentalist arguments put in re grams. There was a strong demand dustry, teachers and students and in cent years by Jones and others. (58 per cent) for more quality drama in deed anyone needing reliable informa This report has plenty to interest the form of mini-series, and the most tion. the lay reader, but for those concerned liked aspect of Australian films was CU uses the word ‘reliable’ advis with its economic credentials, CUplans their identifiable location. to carry an economist’s review of this edly, since on recent occasions (like publication in its next issue. the seminar mentioned above) repre Continued on page 18...
Communications Update ♦ 174 December 1993 ... Continued from page 17 The top four genres of Australian Policy File program for predominantly commer cial viewers were serials/soaps, cur rent affairs, comedy and infotainment. A Monthly Round-Up of Press Releases, Reports, Publications Predominantly ABC/SBS viewers and Conferences..... rated serials and current affairs al most equally and put documentaries ahead of infotainment and comedy. The highest proportion of those who Media Releases preferred Australian films and serials to their American counterparts did so Australian Broadcasting Authority because they felt that Australian pro ductions were ‘more down to earth/ ABA to Meet With the People of Griffith and the MIA/Darwin 3/11/93 realistic'. ABA to Meet With the People of Mildura/ the Riverland Area 9 and 10/11/ While the results of these two stud 93 ies are encouraging, they could also Refers Pay TV Licence B to TPC 18/11/93 provide ammunition for opponents of ABA To Visit Central and South West Western Australia 23/11/93 Australian content regulation. The fact that the networks are easily meet Australian Broadcasting Corporation ing TPS 14 requirements, along with Statement by the Managing Director David Hill [on his remarks about an demonstrable viewer support for Aus Australian republic] 3/11/93 tralian programs, could be used to sup New Directions for 7.30 Report [Victoria] 5/11/93 port arguments that regulation - even ABC's Middle East Bureau [moves from Nicosia to Jerusalem] 5/11/93 self-regulation - is no longer required. Triennial Funding for the ABC 11/11/93 Nevertheless, the information they contain makes them an essential addi Australian Film Commission tion to any library of broadcasting re The Economics of Film and Television in Australia 18/11/93 sources. A word of praise is also due for the Minister for Communications (Beddall) regulator's monthly newsletter ABA Mainstream Radio Access for Print Handicapped 4/11/93 Update . This is no dry record of facts [Telecom's Announcement on its FMO] (Future Mode of Operations) Will and statistics, but now contains much Accelerate Industry Growth 11/11/93 useful material in the form of reprinted Pay Television Update [Australis Media will acquire 100% of New World papers by the Chairman and others, Telecommunications, successful tenderer for Licence B] 18/11/93 and articles on important develop Monday Deadline for Pay Television Bid 24/11/93 ments such as digital technology. Great value at $36.00 for 12 issues. □ Optus Optus Long Distance Celebrates First Birthday 15/11/93 Optus Breaks New Ground with New Mobile Phone Features, Incentives 15/11/93 Tasmania to Get Optus Choice for Long Distance Calls 25/11/93
Telecom Free Call Service Offered to Families by Telecom 3/11/93 Telecom Break through to Give Customers Echo-free International Calls 8/ 11/93 Telecom Reduces International Switched Digital Charges 15/11/93 Telecom Launches Interactive Services in Asia via Australia Television 18/ 11/93 Telecom's New International Network Centre to Enhance Customer Serv ice 30/11/93
Continued on page 19...
December 1993 ♦ 18 ♦ Communications Update