Tomorrow, When the War Began Tells the Story of a Group of Young Friends 4 5 6 Whose Lives Are Changed Forever, When Their 4 5 6 Hometown Becomes a War Zone

6-PART DRAMA SERIES

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EPISODES: click on photo to jump to episode

Based on John Marsden’s 1 2 3 best-selling novel, 1 2 3 Tomorrow, When the War Began tells the story of a group of young friends 4 5 6 whose lives are changed forever, when their 4 5 6 hometown becomes a war zone. Separated from their families they battle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and discover that in order to save the things they hold most precious, they must be prepared to sacrifice everything.

WORKSHEETS: Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016), a six-part Australian children’s television

series, is an Ambience Entertainment © ATOM 2016 production in association with ABC3, Screen Australia and Film Victoria.

2 TOMORROW, WHEN THE WAR BEGAN IS A SIX PART TELEVISION SERIES. EACH EPISODE HAS A RUNNING TIME OF 45 MINUTES.

Curriculum links

Tomorrow, When the War Began is recommended The activities within this study guide provide opportunities viewing for students in Years 7 – 10. The television series for students to: is relevant to units of work in the learning areas of English and Media Arts. • analyse, explain and evaluate the structure of a text and how the features of the text influence audience The Australian Curriculum: English is built around the response; three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and • to develop and justify their own and other interpreta- Literacy. Together the strands focus on developing tions of a text; students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in • to create a wide range of texts, make presentations listening, reading, viewing, speaking, writing and creating. and contribute actively to class and group discussions. In English, students engage with a variety of texts for enjoyment. They read and view, and also interpret and The Australian Curriculum: Media Arts, engages students evaluate these texts in which the primary purpose is in critical discussion of contemporary film and television © ATOM 2016 aesthetic. As a classroom resource, Tomorrow, When the works. They analyse, interpret, and evaluate the stylistic, War Began allows students to respond to, examine and technical, expressive and aesthetic features of these works create texts. and the ways that the works communicate and challenge 3 ideas and meaning. As a classroom resource, Tomorrow, When the War Began is relevant to the teaching of how media texts engage audiences, draw on codes and conventions, and construct representations.

The activities within this study guide provide opportunities for students to:

• understand the aesthetic, style and format of a television series; The Tomorrow Series • use critical approaches to analyse and interpret a television series; First published in 1993, Tomorrow, When the War • understand how audiences participate in the construc- Began is a novel by Australian writer John Marsden. tion of the meaning of a television series and explain John Marsden was inspired to write Tomorrow, ways in which a television series reinforces or chal- When the War Began while watching an ANZAC Day lenges social, cultural and artistic values; march. A large number of teenagers were in attend- • use appropriate media terminology and personal ance, paying respect to the sacrifices made by the interpretations to describe the structure, content and past generations. He wondered how they might react aesthetic qualities of a television series. if they were placed in the same position that their grandparents were at their age. Tomorrow, When the War Began provides an opportunity for teachers to develop cross-curriculum units in these Tomorrow, When the War Began is the first instalment subjects. in the seven part Tomorrow Series, narrating the invasion and occupation of Australia by a foreign power. Narrated from the perspective of teenager Ellie Linton, the novels describe how Ellie and her friends struggle to survive in a new and dangerous world.

Ellie’s story was continued in the Ellie Chronicles; a trilogy of novels addressing Ellie’s attempts to return to a normal life while grappling with the psychologi- cal damage sustained during the war

Tomorrow, When the War Began (1993) is recommended reading for secondary students in Years 7 – 10.

• Use the Internet to learn about the personal, cultural, social and political contexts that may have influenced the construction of Tomorrow, When the War Began (1993). Share your findings with the class.

First Impressions

Share your answers to the following questions with others in the class.

• Did you enjoy Tomorrow, When the War Began? Why or why not? • What was your favourite episode? Why? • Who was your favourite character? Why? Which © ATOM 2016 character(s) did you dislike? Why? • What is the message of Tomorrow, When the War Began? 4 EPISODE 2

War has begun. In the aftermath of Ellie’s escape, the invading army swarms through the streets of Wirrawee. Lee is shot in the leg and Robyn is forced to carry him to the momentary safety of his house. On the other side of town and with Homer at her side, Fi returns home. Though she is briefly reunited with her brother Chris, a convoy holding their father arrives and Chris marches right into their wait- Episode synopses ing arms.

Meanwhile inside the prison camp, the families of the EPISODE 1 rebel teenagers try to band together. Nurse Kath, Corrie’s mother (Deborah Mailman), is singled out by the soldiers Country girl Ellie Linton (Molly Daniels) is at a turning point in and drafted into service at the local hospital, where civilian her life as she finishes high school and looks to an exciting, and soldier casualties are being treated. unknown future. Instead of celebrating at the annual Wirrawee Show on Commemoration Day, Ellie takes her friends on a Ellie’s father, Jack (Richard Young) and mother, Liz, decide trip they will never forget, to a nearby wilderness destination the only way to keep their children safe is to lie about their called ‘Hell’. existence. They spread the word to the other parents, including Fi’s mother Rachel (Sibylla Budd). Still separated A looming shadow of cyber attacks and military preparedness from his wife, and unaware of the plan, Rachel’s husband is just white noise for Ellie as traditional teenage angst takes Daniel Maxwell (Spencer McLaren) names his family charge. Her relationship with best friend Corrie (Madeleine members under the watchful eye of the mysterious Colonel Madden) is unravelling as Corrie abandons their plans for a gap (James Stewart). year together in favour of her own dreams and boyfriend Kevin (Andrew Creer). Though musician Lee (Jon Prasida) shows an As she is questioned, Rachel draws the Colonel’s atten- interest in Ellie, it is the aspiring social worker Robyn (Fantine tion. Noting the discrepancies between her story and that Banulski) who pines for him. Homer (Narek Arman), the resident of her husband, he threatens her family and demands she jokester and troublemaker, has his eyes set on the newly ar- point out her daughter’s accomplices from the local high rived Fi (Madeleine Clunies-Ross) but she has her own family school yearbook. troubles to contend with and ignores his advances. Robyn returns to her friends, without Lee, who remains While the overhead passing of unknown jets unnerves Ellie, critically injured in town. Ellie, Homer and a reluctant Kevin it does not sway the group from continuing their adventure. agree to rescue Lee. The plan is to meet up at Corrie’s Back in town, Fi’s troublesome brother Chris (Keith Purcell) house then proceed to the only safe destination they can watches as the jets scream overhead and violently explode think of – Hell. into Wirrawee.

As they arrive back at their homes, Ellie and her friends find their parents are missing, the phone network down, homes ran- sacked and farm animals dead. Ellie leads the group to town in search of answers though only one rings true. They are at war. Invading soldiers roam the streets, rounding people up. Despite Ellie’s protests, the group split apart, checking their homes and searching for their families with a plan to reunite.

Ellie, Corrie and Kevin brave the searchlights and heavily armed guards at the showgrounds to try and find their parents. It seems all of Wirrawee’s residents are being held captive. A revolt breaks out inside the camp, just as Ellie’s mother Liz (Alison

Bell), spots Ellie outside the barbwire fence. Liz screams at © ATOM 2016 her to escape. The soldiers give chase and a desperate attempt to survive ensues with Ellie making a decision that will change her life forever. 5 EPISODE 3

The hunt is on. As Ellie and her friends try to get some rest, a squad of soldiers close in around them. Surrounded by artillery fire that destroys Corrie’s home, the kids run for their lives, back to Hell.

In the wake of information from Rachel regarding the rebel teenagers, the Colonel marshals everyone inside the prison camp together. He offers the prisoners a second chance. Co-operate or suffer the consequences. Work groups are hastily organised and the families are split up. Rachel finds herself gaining the Colonel’s attention; he has set himself up in her home and invites her to work there as his maid.

The Colonel offers Rachel a deal, if she informs him about any prisoners planning an escape, he will agree to keep her family from harm.

Aerial searches continue over Hell, but for now, the group is able to survive. As Kevin and Corrie’s relationship tee- ters, Homer and Fi find themselves growing close. After hearing about his mother, an angry and upset Lee heads EPISODE 4 back to Wirrawee to exact revenge. With Lee and their only means of transport gone, Ellie and the others are forced to Though he struggles with wanting revenge for his mother’s make a difficult decision. Do they leave Hell for more sup- death, a conflicted Lee sneaks out of Wirrawee and returns plies or wait for Lee to possibly return. to his friends in Hell.

In town, Lee is briefly reunited with his father Umar (Alfred Work inside the prison camp is getting harder every day. Nicdao), who has been forced to cook for the enemy that Tension within the Maxwell family reaches breaking point murdered his wife. Like Lee, Umar is also plotting his own as Chris and father Daniel face unspoken issues of aban- plan for revenge. donment. Umar continues to press Rachel to help him poison the Colonel. Having taken the opportunity to scavenge Homer’s farm, the teenage rebels take advantage of two unprepared The teens are besieged with leaflets demanding their soldiers, freeing one of the work groups. Homer’s father surrender. Both Homer and Corrie want to know where George (Damien Fotiou), begs them to leave so that no one the soldiers are located. Kevin and Fi follow them, leaving back at the prison will be hurt in retaliation. The truth set- Robyn, Lee and Ellie alone. Robyn hurt by the noticeable tles in as the teenagers are once more forced to abandon relationship developing between their families. Ellie and Lee, decides to surrender to the enemy. But before she can, she befriends a soldier who has deserted and offers to help him.

Meanwhile at the camp, the Colonel forces the prisoners to construct an actual prison. Rachel, who now knows the truth about the Colonel, finally agrees to help Umar. It is not long before the opportunity to carry out their plan to kill the Colonel arises.

Homer and Corrie sneak into an enemy outpost and are almost caught stealing supplies. Kevin initially saves them but in a violent chase they barely escape with their lives. Their relief is short lived when the deserting sol- © ATOM 2016 dier who has been abandoned by Robyn spots them returning to Hell. He takes aim and fires with devastating consequences. 6 EPISODE 6

Despite begging the doctors for medicine and even the chance to see her daughter, Kath is refused on every count.

As he syphons supplies from the edge of town, Homer follows a convoy back to the showgrounds. He watches as the Maxwell and Linton families are locked inside the same cage as Kevin; destined for ‘relocation’.

After all they have suffered and lost, Homer returns to the rebel group, determined to take the fight back to the enemy. He plans to destroy Cobblers Bay Bridge, which is not only the key to the enemy’s supply chain in Wirrawee, but the only road out of town that they can use to relocate their families. Ellie watches as Homer and a determined and stronger Fi, leave to investigate a potential fuel source.

Umar is determined to kill the Colonel one way or another. In a moment of solitude, he steals an antenna from a nearby vehicle outside his restaurant; he has a plan. Meanwhile the Colonel has discovered the loca- tion of Hell. EPISODE 5 Having narrowly escaped capture, the group initiate the Corrie clings to life in the Wirrawee hospital. With Kevin plan to destroy Cobblers Bay Bridge. There is no time now in their custody, the enemy has one goal: find and to waste. If they wait any longer, their families will be destroy the remaining rebels. out of their reach for good.

Meanwhile Ellie enlists the help of the remaining group and puts a plan into action to rescue Corrie. Jack be- lieves escape from the prison might be possible and has identified a weakness in the fencing. Despite Rachel’s protests, everyone else is on board with his plan.

In order to gain his trust, Rachel offers the Colonel a deal. Give Corrie the medical treatment she needs and Rachel will inform him of an escape attempt. An immedi- ate crackdown on security at the prison reveals the weak spot. Though at first the others are furious about her ap- parent betrayal, Rachel gives Kath her daughter’s medical chart. Corrie is going to be ok.

In light of the escape attempt, the Colonel addresses the prison crowd, accusing them of being uncooperative. Wounded and barely able to stand, Kevin is dragged out before them. If the prisoners do not provide information about the rebels, the Colonel will punish Kevin.

Ellie and Lee sneak into the hospital and find Corrie. She is alive and conscious but she is heavily drugged. To their horror, Corrie flatlines and as the doctors rush in to try © ATOM 2016 and save her, Ellie and Lee are forced to run. The soldiers at the hospital give chase. The plan is falling apart.

7 Character guide

Ellie Linton [Molly Daniels]

CORRIE MACKENZIE ELLIE LINTON Corrie is clever, reserved and adventurous. She is Ellie’s best friend Ellie is smart, determined and fiercely loyal and a bit of a control having spent their childhood together. She has a relationship with freak. She is independent and hard-working, having been raised Kevin but is concerned it is holding her back from experiencing Ellie is smart, determined and fiercely as an only child on her parents’ cattle and sheep farm on the all the world has to offer. Pre-invasion she is thinking of busting outskirts of Wirrawee. up with Kevin as she is not ready to settle down with him and Ellie organised the camping trip to Hell and following the his carefully laid out plan for the future. She wants to experience loyal and a bit of a control freak. invasion, she reluctantly takes on the role as leader alongside life- more but for her these plans are cut brutally short. long friend, CorrieHomer. Mackenzie Corrie grew up on a farm in Wirrawee with her mother and Throughout the invasion, Ellie is torn between her inner moral nurse Kath. compass and her desire to protect her friends and family. She is independent and hard- MADELEINE MADDEN is Corrie Mackenzie MOLLY DANIELS[Madeleine is Ellie Linton Madden] With several key credits already to her name, Madeleine is fast Molly Daniels is a young Australian actress with an extensive becoming a familiar face to Australian television audiences. working, having been raised as an and diverse list of credits whose star is on the ascent. In 2009 she took the lead role of Laura in the award-winning Molly has starred in two seasons of the hit ABC3 show, YOU’RE MY PLACE, which related the story of one Sydney house as SKITTING ME. Additional television roles include: VERY SMALL told by generations of children who dwelled there throughout BUSINESS; PARTY TRICKS; THE LIBRARIANS and STORIES its 220-year history. only child on her parents’ cattle FROM THE GOLF.Corrie Molly has also appeared is in theclever, short film reserved and adven- Additional small-screen credits include notable productions such FANS FOREVER. as JACK IRISH: DEAD POINT, series 2 of REDFERN NOW, THE Molly’s multi-faceted talents extend into writing and directing. She MOODYS, THE CODE and the teen drama, READY FOR THIS. wrote for the sketch show, YOU’RE SKITTING ME and has written Madeleine has also appeared in several short films and had a and sheep farm on the outskirts of lyrics for songsturous. in ABC’s hit comedy UPPER SheMIDDLE BOGAN. is In Ellie’s best friend having key supporting role in the 2013 feature drama, AROUND THE 2015 she created, wrote, directed, produced, and featured in her BLOCK, written and directed by Sarah Spillane. eight-part web series YOUNG LOVE. Wirrawee. Ellie organised the camping Additionally, Mollyspent was drama coach fortheir the extremely successfulchildhood together. Corrie is ABC3 show LITTLE LUNCH, and also wrote and directed the behind-the-scenes featurette. trip to Hell and following the invasion, In 2015 Molly studiedin ata the iOrelationship Theatre in Chicago, USA. with Kevin but is concerned it is hold- CORRIE MACKENZIE she reluctantly takes on the role as lead-ELLIE LINTON er ing her back from experiencing all the world has to offer. alongside lifelong friend, Homer. Throughout the invasion, Pre-invasion, Corrie is thinking of breaking up with Kevin Ellie is torn between her inner moral compass and her as she is not ready to settle down with him and accept his desire to protect her friends and family. plan for the future. Corrie grew up on a farm in Wirrawee with her mother and nurse, Kath.

KEVIN HOLMES Kevin is cocky and arrogant. He is the eldest of the group and he has his life planned. He is the one who feels the most connected to the land that was taken by the invaders. Homer Yannos His vengeful nature causes rifts between him and the group however, his loyalty to Corrie is his redemption. ANDREW CREER is Kevin Holmes Kevin Holmes [Narek Arman] Andrew attended the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) after a gap year. In his year off he worked at a summer camp in the USA and attended workshops in Los Angeles. At WAAPA Andrew has achieved such roles as Macduff [Andrew Creer] HOMER YANNOS (MACBETH), Joe Keller (ALL MY SONS), George Wickham Homer is loud, confident and exuberant. He and his newly (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE), Bridegroom (BLOOD WEDDING), widowed father live and work on their farm in Wirrawee. Homer is loud, confident and Jimexuberant. Casey (GRAPES OF WRATH) and William He Carlile (PUNKand Homer’s reputation as town prankster has set him up to be an ROCK). Andrew was the recipient of the AVA (Australian asset to the group with his quick thinking and aptitude for risk Voice Association) Student Award in 2015. taking. His relationship with Ellie is strong due to growing up together and he develops feelings for Fi as the series progresses. his newly widowed father live Heand will next appear work as Wilco in the ABC on mini-series their Kevin is confident and arrogant. He is BARRACUDA. NAREK ARMAN is Homer Yannos Eighteen year-old Narek Arman is best known for his role as farm in Wirrawee. Homer’s reputation as town the eldest of the group and he has his life Jackson Radovic in one of Australia’s most watched and loved television dramas, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS. Narek hails from Sydney’s southern suburbs and began acting at age eleven. He has appeared in various theatre productions, - television commercials and television series. prankster has set him up to be an asset to the planned. His vengeful nature causes rifts be Between 2009 and 2012, Narek appeared in the critically acclaimed ABC TV children’s series, MY PLACE (producer Penny Chapman). He played the lead role of Ari Lieberman KEVIN HOLMES in DANCE ACADEMY (Series 1 and 2) for ABC TV and group with his quick thinking and aptitude for tween him and the group, however, his loyalty appeared in two episodes of EAST WEST 101, the landmark SBS television series. His stage credits include Sydney Theatre Company productions of THE WAR OF THE ROSES (Director Benedict Andrews), risk taking. His friendship with Ellie is strong to Corrie is his redemption. WOMEN OF TROY (Director Barry Kosky), THE SERPENT’S TEETH (Director Pamela Rabe) and Griffin Theatre’s Australian premiere of THE WAY TO HEAVEN. Most recently he starred in the SBS TV series THE PRINCIPAL, due to their having grown up together. During and appeared in SUGARLAND, staged by Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). HOMER YANNOStheir time in Hell, Homer develops feelings for Fi. Robyn Mathers [Fantine Banulski] Lee Takkam Robyn is passionate, logical and deeply moral. [Jon Prasida] ROBYN MATHERS LEE TAKKAM Robyn is passionate, logical and deeply moral. She is level- Lee is complex, skilful and intelligent. He has been raised to be headed and committed to her Christian faith. She is attracted responsibleShe and respectful is and level-headed when not studying, is helping his and committed to her to Lee but when it is obvious that Ellie and Lee are becoming parents by working part-time in their restaurant. A musical kid, a couple, although she is initially hurt, she ultimately accepts Lee wants to play in a band and would like to skip university and the situation. do his own thing. Lee is complex, skilful and intelligent. FamiliarityChristian of military occupation through faith. his father’s stories She is attracted to Lee FANTINE BANULSKI is Robyn Mathers makes him a solid sounding board for the inexperienced kids. Fantine has performed in productions staged by Red Stitch Actors Theatre and Theatre Works and appeared in over JON PRASIDA is Lee Takkam twenty short films, along with the 2015 feature, THE LEGEND He has been raised to be responsible but whenJon was born and it raised is in Sydney obvious after his that Ellie and Lee Known by most as JP, OF BEN HALL. parents emigrated from Indonesia. Fantine’s television credits to date include RUSH, UNDERBELLY Jon’s love for acting and performing first came to light when FILES: INFILTRATION, LOWDOWN, YOU’RE SKITTING ME and MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES. and respectful and when not studying, heare watched a moviebecoming about baby geniuses. Since then Jona has couple, although she is become a favourite with casting directors both locally and internationally. His light-hearted approach to his craft charms is helping his parents by working part- everyoneinitially he comes into contact hurt, with. she ultimately accepts the In 2014, Jon was cast in the role of Garys for the ABC original series HIDING (Garys is the outsider of the school with a ‘James Dean’ edge). Jon was then cast in director Sunday Emerson time in their restaurant. Lee is a talented situation.Gullifer’s acclaimed short film MEAT in the role of Byron. musician. He wants to play in a band and would prefer to skip university and do his own LEE TAKKAM ROBYN MATHERS thing. Familiarity of military occupation through his father’s Chris Maxwell stories makes him a solid sounding board for the inexperi- [Keith Purcell] enced kids. Chris is an angry, indulged young man, who takes his parents and privileged lifestyle for granted. In particular, Chris Fiona ‘Fi’ Maxwell harbours resentment towards his frequently absent father [Madeleine Clunies-Ross] with whom he shares a strained relationship and often appears indifferent towards

CHRIS MAXWELL FIONA “FI” MAXWELL Fi is kind-hearted, sensitive andChris privileged. is an angry, indulged young man, She who takes his isparents his mother and sister. Chris frequently Fi is kind-hearted, sensitive and privileged. She is the most and privileged lifestyle for granted. In particular, he harbours sheltered of the group, as she has been brought up in the ‘big resentment towards his frequently absent father with whom he smoke’ with her wealthy parents and younger brother, Chris. the most sheltered of the group,shares a strained as relationship she and oftenhas appears beenindifferent retreats into his own world and has no Fi is the calming force behind the group, she is surprisingly towards his mother and sister. Intelligent but a loner, Chris strong and willing to assist the fight against the invaders in any frequently retreats into his own world and has no particular way she can. Fi grows and develops into a solid member of brought up in the city with herambition wealthy in life, other than to be leftparents alone to enjoy himself. particular ambition in life, other than to the resistance group who can be relied upon. The invasion and his subsequent imprisonment come as a brutal shock to this irresponsible youth. Yet his time as a prisoner-of- war, harsh as it is, repairs his damaged parental relationship MADELEINE CLUNIES-ROSS is Fiona and younger brother, Chris. Fiand serves is to makethe him a bettercalming and stronger person. be left alone. “Fi” Maxwell Sydney-based Madeleine established her passion for KEITH PURCELL is Chris Maxwell performing at the age of eleven, when she was cast in her force behind the group. She is surprisingly Keith has been acting for several years with television credits school’s production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. including MAD AS HELL, THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES, During her time at school, she was involved in all student UNDERBELLY SQUIZZY and NEIGHBOURS, in which he had productions including ANNIE, GIRL WITH A STRING and strong and willing to assist thean ongoing fight role. against the THE WIZARD OF OZ, in which she played Dorothy. He has also taken the lead roles in three short films – TAKING Madeleine completed various workshops at the Australian FLIGHT, THE FIGHT and DOGS SWAMP - and has studied Theatre of Young People, and was cast in their 2013 critically invaders in any way she can. Fidrama grows both locally and the USA.and And was devel subsequently offered- acclaimed production SPUR OF THE MOMENT. In her final a scholarship, which he’ll be undertaking in 2017. year of high school, Madeleine was awarded her ATCL Acting Diploma from Trinity College. ops into a member of the resistance group who can

TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN marks Madeleine’s © ATOM 2016 first professional acting role. be relied upon. CHRIS MAXWELL FI MAXWELL

Note: The actor’s name appears in brackets after the character’s name 8 Liz Linton [Alison Bell] DANIEL MAXWELL Charismatic, adaptable, strategic. Partner in a large corporate law firm. Daniel Maxwell is used to being in charge and having people hang off his every word. Daniel’s career has brought financial rewards for himself and his family, but little joy. Cemented to his career, he’s been almost a ghost to his wife and has missed much of his kids’ growing up. Liz is Ellie’s mother and Jack’s wife. Her no- Daniel doesn’t blame himself, but he knows his absence is more than a reason for his kids’ issues. The move to the country was to start a new life – he would commute and ‘scale down’. Five months into the move, Daniel has shown no signs of truly committing to the agreement and as a result his LIZ LINTON marriage is well and truly on the brink. nonsense approach is thrown off-balance Ellie’s mum, Jack’s wife. Capable, witty, she fell in love with Jack and became Although used to giving orders in his professional life, the war will remind a farmer. She has a natural practicality and lack of sentimentality. Daniel the loudest voice isn’t always the smartest and he will be forced to listen without ever being offered a right of reply. Liz’s no-nonsense approach is thrown off-balance by the invasion. It will also remind him how much he loves his wife. But will that realisation The rules have changed and coming from a life of day-to-day routine, she come too late? by the invasion. The rules have changed struggles to understand the chaos. What she does continue to do is be supportive to all those around her. SPENCER McLAREN is Daniel Maxwell Though she’s worried sick about Ellie being on the outside, she knows her and coming from a life of day-to-day spirited daughter has reserves that will see her through. Liz tells herself it’s her Spencer is an acting graduate of NIDA and has worked extensively Daniel- Maxwell in film, TV and theatre both here and in the UK. His most recent work job to stay focussed on surviving on the inside so that she can one day be includes the upcoming feature films THE SUBJECTS and SURVIVING reunited with Ellie. GEORGIA with Pia Miranda. The war will show Liz that even against an army of invaders, she is an His many television credits include CLIFFY, THE SECRET LIFE OF US, routine, she struggles to understand CITY HOMICIDE, ALL SAINTS, MACLEOD’S DAUGHTERS, GREEN unflinching survivor. [Spencer McLaren] WING II (UK), FAMILY AFFAIRS, HOME & AWAY, SO NOW YOU’RE FAMOUS and THE LOST WORLD. ALISON BELL is Liz Linton Spencer is also a seasoned theatrical performer and has starred in the chaos. What she does continue to numerous productions including STANDING ON CEREMONY, BEAUTY Alison has worked consistently in television and theatre since graduating from AND THE BEAST, FOOTLOOSE, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, TAKE the VCA in 2004. FLIGHT, CLOSER THAN EVER, CATS, WEST SIDE STORY, KISMET, CALL ME MADAM, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, BYE BYE BIRDIE She has appeared in many Australian television series, but is perhaps best and the BBC’s UK presentation of CAROUSEL. He was also involved in do is be supportive to all those around knownDaniel for her role as Roo inMaxwell the AACTA award winning comedy,is aLAID. partnerFor this in a large corpo- workshopping productions of HOLDING THE MAN and PRISCILLA. she received an IF (Out of the Box) nomination, an AACTA Award nomination Most recently, Spencer produced the new stage version of the hit comedy for Best Performance in a Television Comedy and a Best Actress in a Comedy DANIEL MAXWELL MOTHER & SON which toured nationally. her. Although she is worried about Ellie nominationrate at the 2012law Monte Carlofirm. International TV Festival.His Other career television has brought financial rewards for credits include DO GOODERS, HOUSE HUSBANDS, THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES, MR & MRS MURDER, MRS BIGGS, I ROCK, OFFSPRING, CITY HOMICIDE, RUSH, LAST MAN STANDING and PACKED TO THE RAFTERS. being on the outside, she knows her spirited Shehimself has recently co-written the and pilot for a series his in development family, with the ABC but has resulted him becoming a and Giant Dwarf. Alison’s theatre credits include BETRAYAL, THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING, daughter has reserves that will see her through. CONSTELLATIONS,ghost TRIBES, to THE his UGLY ONE, wife BLACKBIRD, WHO’Sand AFRAID children. The war reminds Daniel of OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, DOUBT and KING LEAR for the Melbourne Theatre Company; BETRAYAL and HEDDA GABLER for the State Theatre Company of South Australia; CONVERSATION PIECE, OLD MAN, AS YOU LIKE IT, The war will show Liz that even against an army of invad- THEhis BOOK OFlove EVERYTHING forand THE PROMISEhis for wifeBelvoir Street Theatre;and children. WHITE RABBIT, RED RABBIT, MOVING TARGET, SLEEPING BEAUTY and THE SPOOK for Malthouse Theatre; and RABBIT as well as DOUBT for Sydney Theatre Company. She also completed a New York season of THE BOOK OF ers, she is an unflinching survivor. EVERYTHING in 2012. Alison’s theatre work has earned her two Helpmann Awards, (DOUBT 2006 LIZ LINTON and HEDDA GABLER 2013) and a 2007 Green Room Award for her body of work that year. Further Best Actress nominations include: Sydney Theatre Award (OLD MAN); Green Room Awards (CONSTELLATIONS, TRIBES, BLACKBIRD, DOUBT); Helpmann Awards (BLACKBIRD) and in 2013 a double Georgenomination for Best Actress, for CONSTELLATIONS Yannos and HEDDA GABLER. Jack Linton [Damian Fotiou] [Richard Young] George is Homer’s father. Homer doesn’t GEORGE YANNOS Homer’s father. Crafty, unsentimental, realist. George inherited his farm but he’s always wondered if he is a farmer at heart. Instead, he Jack Linton is Ellie’s father and Liz’s husband.prefers the bustle of the city. So when times became tough, George understand why his father won’t became receptive to the idea of selling to the ‘mega-farm’ buying up land in the area; even if that meant alienating old friends and neighbours like Jack Linton. George is no hero, no tough guy, but unlike many of the other adults, He is tough and resilient, and has passedhe manages to survive, even on thrive in the strange atmosphere of the ‘lighten up’, George thinks Homer is camp. His craftiness allows him to cultivate a relationship with a JACK LINTON soldier that makes Jack think he has crossed the line and become a traitor. What Jack doesn’t see is the way George uses this friendship Father of Ellie, husband of Liz. Career farmer, tough, resilient, has with the soldier to save the kids when they clash with the army on the passed on some of his stubbornness to his daughter. Youngest of five, these qualities to his daughter. The war turns reckless. Neither recognise that they outside. Jack has another side; he grew up being indulged, is easily offended and can take things overly seriously when events don’t go his way. Homer and George have a complex relationship. Homer doesn’t understand why his father won’t ‘lighten up’, George thinks Homer Luckily, a combination of his hard work and passion has meant most is reckless – neither recognise they’re still in a knot of grief after the things have gone his way. Quick to make assessments, Jack isn’t Jack’s life upside down but he refusesdeath of Maria, George’s to wife andbe Homer’s mother. are still in a knot of grief after the always the best judge of character. The invasion will reveal George’s talent for survival at any cost. His The war throws Jack’s life upside down. But he soon decides he won’t actions will leave the audience wondering whose side he’s really on be broken. Jack can’t stand how powerless he feels inside the camp and will pose the question; does self-preservation justify any means? and plots to resist and escape at every opportunity. It sees him being broken. He plots to escape at every opportu- death of Maria, George’s wife and caught and punished, but it doesn’t dim his fighting instinct. DAMIEN FOTIOU is George Yannos The war will teach Jack he’s isn’t able to protect everyone but he can A familiar face to Australian television audiences through his many inspire people to find the courage to act. nity but his resistance sees him beingvaried roles in shows caught such as KICK and THUNDERSTONE. Damien Homer’s mother. The invasion will graduated from Victoria College of the Arts in the mid-nineties and is also a director of Melbourne’s renowned Brave Studios, a well- RICHARD YOUNG is Jack Linton established film and television school for fledgling actors. Melbourne-based Richard has been acting for many years, during and punished, but it doesn’t dim hisHis additionalfighting television credits range from RAW FM, GOOD GUYS reveal George’s talent for survival at which time he has amassed an impressive slate of credits, appearing BAD GUYS, HALIFAX F.P., SOMETHING IN THE AIR, INTERACTIVE in a host of seminal television productions. FLESH, BACKBERNER, THE SECRET LIFE OF US, AFTER THE DELUGE, STINGERS and BLUE HEELERS, to THE SADDLE CLUB, SCOOTER: His many small-screen credits, which span the last two decades, SECRET AGENT, the original series of UNDERBELLY, RUSH and the include LAW OF THE LAND, BLUE HEELERS, ROUND THE TWIST instinct. long-running NEIGHBOURS, in which he played the recurring role of any cost. (Series 2), SNOWY, RAW FM, GENIE DOWN UNDER (Series 2), Dr Petridis during 2015. BACKBERNER, STINGERS, SALEM’S LOT, ALL SAINTS, WILFRED, Damien has also appeared in several big-screen features including CITY HOMICIDE, RUSH (Series 3), OFFSPRING (Series 2) and the HEAD ON, BEWARE OF GREEKS BEARING GUNS, KANGAROO GEORGE YANNOS mini-series HOWZAT! JACK and THE BOOK OF REVELATION. Richard’s big screen credits include the 2009 drama, RED HILL. This versatile performer also took the lead role of Manning Clarke in MANNING CLARK’S HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA: THE MUSICAL during the show’s tour throughout the USA and Europe. JACKKath LINTON Mackenzie Umar Takkam [Deborah Mailman] [Alfred Nicdao] UMAR TAKKAM Umar is Lee’s lovable yet somewhat daggy dad and with his wife Therese, the family own the local Thai/Chinese restaurant. Although he KATH MACKENZIE can appear pushy and driven with Lee, Umar is a softie at heart. He’s Corrie’s mum. Kath is a single mum, passionate, wilful and caring. A Critical only pushy because he knows Lee is smart and he wants to get the best Care Nurse at the Wirrawee local hospital, Kath grew up in Wirrawee and out of him. Umar is generous to a fault and a great host. He adores swore she would never stay. But after years of travelling and working as a nurse Therese, the love of his life. Everyone loves coming to his restaurant; it’s Corrie’s mother, Kathin the UK and Ireland,is shea found shesingle missed the sun and so bookedmum a ticket Umar is Lee’s father and the social hub for the parents of Wirrawee High. home. It was the night before she was meant to go, at a farewell party; she met Umar is devastated by his wife’s death. She was his sun, his moon, his Geoff, who is Corrie’s father. anchor in the community, his partner in work and home. He wants to Kath and Geoff tried the long distance thing but it didn’t work for them so eventually murder, he wants to shed blood, but instead he swallows his pain and Geoff came to live in Australia. They were happy for a long time; at least she obeys the army order to cook for those who took his wife’s life. Umar, and a critical care nursethought he was happy… butat he wasn’t, Wirrawee so Kath suggested they have a break and Therese’s husband. The Takkam however, is biding his time, looking for the perfect opportunity to exact he head home. Kath was heartbroken when he didn’t come back but kept herself his revenge. together for Corrie, and moved on. The war will show Umar that staying alive is the best gift he can give his Kath notices the elderly and the mothers with small children who are lacking in son; that resistance to tyranny comes in many forms. Hospital. She is passionate,basic supplies like nappies and medications wilful and are more distressed and than she is. family own the local Thai restau- Kath’s natural instinct to protect sees her become an advocate for those who are less able than she is. ALFRED NICDAO is Umar Takkam Kath is strong-willed and resourceful, but the war will show her a face of brutality This seasoned professional has been acting from an early age and she could never have imagined. Will it break her or harden her? made his screen debut in 1979 as a Sumatran fisherman in the caring. Her natural instinct to protect rant. Devastated by his wife’s landmark Australian television drama, THE SULLIVANS. Throughout the decades that have followed, Alfred has rarely been DEBORAH MAILMAN is Kath Mackenzie absent from Australian television screens and has amassed an With multiple award winning credits to her name, Deborah Mailman is one of incredible body of work that boasts guest appearances in numerous sees her become anAustralia’s advocate most highly respected actors. for death, Umar plots to murder the high-profile television productions. Receiving national acclaim in 1998 for her portrayal of Nona in the film Notable television credits over the last twenty years include MERCURY, RADIANCE, with Deborah receiving both the AFI and Film Critics’ Circle Award STATE CORONER, STINGERS, MDA, THE GREAT RAID, BOOTLEG, for Most Outstanding Actress, her other film credits include MENTAL, BRAN NUE SCOOTER: SECRET AGENT, BLUE HEELERS, THE LINE, KICK, DAE, DEAR CLAUDIA, THE MONKEY’S MASK, RABBIT PROOF FENCE, THE FORENSIC INVESTIGATORS, THE ELEPHANT PRINCESS, CITY those who are less ableBOOK OF REVELATION, than LUCKY MILES andshe. the internationally is. celebrated and Colonel. He obeys the army order to HOMICIDE, UNDERBELLY: TELL THEM LUCIFER WAS HERE, SEA award winning feature THE SAPPHIRES.and ODDBALL Most recently Deborah appeared in the PAPER PLANES PATROL and BETTER MAN. feature films Most recently he appeared in Season 5 of OFFSPRING and starred as In television, Deborah has created some of Australia’s most enduring characters Judge Sirait in the mini-series, SCHAPPELLE. including her TV Week Silver Logie Award winning portrayals of Bonita Mabo The war shows Kathin MABO,a Kellybrutality in THE SECRET LIFE OF US, and Cherieshe in OFFSPRING, could as well cook for those who took his wife’s life Deborah was also a regular as roles in RUSH, THE ALICE, TWO TWISTED, JACK IRISH, REDFERN NOW UMAR TAKKAM (Series 1, 2 and Tele-movie) and BLACK COMEDY. television presenter, hosting PLAYSCHOOL and MESSAGE STICKS for the ABC never have imagined.and Lonely Planet’s GOING BUSH for SBS. Deborah will soon be seen in the and waits for the opportunity to exact his revenge. highly anticipated series CLEVERMAN and WOLF CREEK the television series. One of Australia’s most celebrated theatre actors, Deborah’s stage performances include Matilda Award winning performances in RADIANCE and THE SEVEN STAGES OF GRIEVING, the Helpmann Award Best Supporting Actress role in the STC production of THE LOST ECHO, and the Helpmann Award nominated KATH MACKENZIE role for Best Actress in the theatre productiondemy of THE of Cinema SAPPHIRES. and Television In 2015, Deb co-hosted the Australian Aca Awards (AACTA) ceremony alongside Cate Blanchett. Rachel Maxwell The Colonel [Sibylla Budd] [James Stewart]

Rachel is Fi and Chris’ mother and Daniel’s wife. She is Although not sadistic by nature, the Colonel is a dedi- intelligent, patient and quietly determined. A former English cated soldier and takes his post as a representative of the teacher and now stay at home mum, Rachel invading army as a life or death mission. He

RACHEL MAXWELL THE COLONEL is strugglingFi and Chris’to mum. find Daniel’s wife. Intelligent,contentment patient,Educated quietly and multi-lingual,determined. the Colonel and is a career officer and highly does not hesitate to use violence against A former English teacher, swiftly wooed by Danielintelligent. and married Although not sadistic by nature, he is a dedicated soldier quickly, her career ended once she became a andmum. takes Though his post a great as a representative of the invading army as a life mother, motherhood and parenting didn’t still orher death restless mission, mind. so will not hesitate to use violence or torture against purpose. When the warthose whocomes, would seek to cause unrest Rachel or rebel against the invaders. those who would seek to cause unrest Rachel realised she was suffering a deep existential loneliness. She did charity work, took creative writing classes, butA nothing family man,filled who the invoid. his privateNow moments enjoys the finer things her kids are older, Rachel’s worried she will soonin life, become such as superfluous classical music, good wine, food and comfortable discoversto them. Shea alsocourage suspects Daniel is having anshesurroundings, affair and, dancing neverhis warmer around side will ultimatelyknew always be subservient to or rebel against the invaders. While he the issue, they’ve had many fights, often in frontthe ruthlessnessof the kids. required by his position. She knows she should confront Daniel head on with her suspicions she had.of his infidelity, but is worried about the outcomeJAMES because STEWART she’s is The Colonel is capable of compassion, the ruthless- desperate to keep her family together. James Stewart most recently starred in ABC’s series HIDING When the war comes, Rachel discovers a courageand the she Nine never Network’s knew she mini-series GALLIPOLI. had. She plays with fire in the form of the Army’sJames isCommander well known andfor his role as Jake Barton in the hit series, comes close to having her life destroyed. PACKED TO THE RAFTERS and made his television debut in ness required by his position rules his BREAKERS before appearing in the US series BEASTMASTER. His other television credits include SEA PATROL, MONARCH COVE, SIBYLLA BUDD is Rachel MaxwellH20: JUST ADD WATER, MORTIFIED and THE LOST WORLD. actions. Since graduating from the prestigious VictoriaHis College feature filmof the credits Arts, include Di Drew’s HILDEGARDE with Richard E. Sibylla Budd has enjoyed a successful careerGrant, in film, Nick television Cohen’s VOODOOand LAGOON, THE CONDEMNED and © ATOM 2016 theatre. Sibylla is best known for her role inSue the Brooks’multi award SUBDIVISION. winning drama series THE SECRET LIFE OF US, playingJames’ Gabrielle numerous and theatre credits range from COSI, THE NARCISSIST capturing the hearts and minds of the Australianand SVETLANA viewing public IN SLINGBACKS over for La Boite, THE NARCISSIST three successful seasons. for Sydney Theatre Company, CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE and Sibylla’s other performances for television includeLOVE’S WINNERSLABOUR LOST AND for the Harvest Rain Theatre Company to THE CRUCIBLE, RICHARD II and THE GLASS MENAGERIE for Queensland LOSERS, MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES (Series 2), RAKE (Series Theatre Company. 3), THE DOCTOR BLAKE MYSTERIES (Series 2), REDFERN NOW (Series 2), IT’S A DATE, CANAL ROAD, SEA PATROL,His performance ALL SAINTS, in KATH THE GLASS AND MENAGERIE earned him a Matilda KIM, THE FARM (Mini-series) and SOMETHINGAward IN for THE Best AIR. Supporting Actor and a Helpmann Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Sibylla has also enjoyed a flourishing film career and has appeared in the features SEPTEMBER, THE BOOK OF REVELATION, THE BANK and THE BET, with her performance in the latter garnering an AFI nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Film. THE COLONEL Sibylla has performed with many major theatre companies and her performances include THE LONESOME WEST, YIBIYUNG, RAY’S TEMPEST with Company B Belvoir, BETRAYAL with Queensland Theatre RACHEL MAXWELL Company, THE MEMORY OF WATER with Melbourne Theatre Company 9 and with Griffin Theatre Company, THE EMPEROR OF SYDNEY. their relationships with their parents? Are their parents supportive of the teenagers’ trip to Hell? Would your parents let you go camping with your friends? What do the scenes set on the trip to Tailor’s Stitch and the walk into Hell suggest about the friendships between the teenagers? A sociogram is a visual representation of the relationships of a group of people. Draw and annotate a sociogram that describes and explains the relationships between the teenagers, as well as each teenager’s relationship with his or her family. As you watch each episode of Tomorrow, When the War Began, add to your descriptions of character relationships. • It is Commemoration Day. While the teenagers head to Hell, the rest of Wirrawee’s population are heading to the Wirrawee Showgrounds to celebrate. Drawing on scenes in Episode 1, write a description of the Wirrawee Showgrounds before the invasion and a description of the Wirrawee Showgrounds after the invasion. Episode 1 • Newsreader: ... has confirmed Australia’s radar defences were compromised overnight, during multinational war games in the Northern Territory. In a statement the Department said an accidental cyber violation ‘My name is Ellie Linton. Three weeks ago, my bestie, had effectively crashed the sophisticated Jindalee Over Corrie, and I decided to go camping with our pals. I loved Horizon Radar System. Australia relies on the Jindalee my life, but I always wanted something more. Then it system for early warning of military activity or attack. happened. The future. The future. Sudden. And fast. And I The television is on at Fi’s house but the breaking news knew nothing would ever be the same again. Because one about Operation Komodo Dragon is ignored by the day, the war began.’ – Ellie members of the Maxwell family. Why? How does the news bulletin portray the threat to * Teachers may choose to provide students with the Australia’s security? episode synopsis or ask students to complete What other evidence is there of imminent danger in the Worksheet 1: Episode summary scenes that follow? Does it go unnoticed? Is anybody alarmed? Instructions to students: Before you begin discussing • Fi: It’s so beautiful. Why’s it called Hell? Episode 1, create a Tomorrow, When the War Began blog. Corrie: The Hermit. Guy goes psycho, kills his family. Your blog is a space to record your responses to the following questions and activities. You will be required to update your blog episode by episode. When you have finished watching the series, your blog will be submitted and assessed.

• Watch the title sequence. Explain how the title sequence establishes the plot, characters, setting and genre of Tomorrow, When the War Began. Your response should refer to the way the title sequence uses images, sound and typography. • The teenagers are heading to Hell for a five-day camping trip. Ellie: It’s called Hell. Umar: Why’s it called Hell? Lee: It’s irony, Dad. It’s actually really safe. Ellie: And beautiful. © ATOM 2016 The teenagers say goodbye to their families and head to Hell to enjoy the last days of the summer holidays. What do these scenes reveal about the teenagers and 10 Lee: Then he went bush, where the campsite is. Fi: When? Corrie: Before we were born. Robyn: But they reckon he’s still out there. Fi: Shut up. Really? Corrie: Sometimes at night, you can hear him sharpen- ing his axe. Lee: They’re messing with you. He’s long gone. Compile notes about the Hermit as you watch each episode of Tomorrow, When the War Began. Use this conversation to begin your notes about the Hermit’s significance to the story told by Tomorrow, When the War Began. - A. a cabbage farmer like the old man. Robyn: Five days of goofing off before we have to get Lee: I wanna be in a band, and when that makes me serious. famous, or broke, I’m going to build a mixing studio Corrie: Jobs. Study. Grind. and produce stuff. Kevin: Life. Robyn: I want to get into social work. Maybe help Ellie: Travelling. homeless kids. Lee: Who needs Schoolies? Ellie: Corrie and I are doing a gap year in the US. Work - B. as camp counsellors for the summer, then maybe go Fi: Oh, I don’t know what I’m going to do next year. travelling. Depends on my results. There’s a stack of stuff I’m Corrie: I’m probably volunteering at this hospital in interested in, which is code for I have no clue what I Kenya. should be doing. What does the quoted dialogue reveal about the teen- Homer: Yeah, I definitely know what I’m not gonna be, agers and their priorities in life? • Ellie has broken up with Steve. Corrie is with Kevin. Lee is interested in being more than just Ellie’s friend. Robyn likes Lee and Homer likes Fi. As you watch each episode of Tomorrow, When the War Began, make notes about the portrayal of teenage love. Why do relationships begin? Why do relationships end? Why are these relationships important? • In this episode and the others that follow the director Brendan Maher uses flashbacks to provide an insight into the characters’ lives. In this flashback scene, Maher depicts the Ellie-Corrie pact. What is the Ellie-Corrie pact or (ECP for short)? What comment does this flashback scene make about the teenage girls’ view of the future? Like Ellie and Corrie have you made plans for your future with your friends? How does Ellie react to Corrie’s revelation that she is planning to go to Kenya? • Ellie: This place is great, isn’t it? Lee: So cool. We shouldn’t tell anyone about this when we get home. How is the Australian bush portrayed? Is it a place of danger? Is it a place of beauty? Is it a haven? Is it a hideaway? • Ellie: What’s going on? Robyn: Something terrible has happened, hasn’t it? Kevin: What are you saying? All we need to do is find someone and ask them. © ATOM 2016 Homer: Open your eyes! There’s no one around. Lee: Remember the planes Ellie saw? Ellie: We should go into town. 11 WORD MEANING

bestie

irony

street cred

commemoration

compromised What do the teenagers discover when they return from Hell? When do they realise that something is wrong? What explanations do they provide for what they discover as they move from one house to the next? multinational • Lee: I think we might be at war. Writing from the perspective of one of the teenagers, describe what you see when you reach town. Begin your description with your reaction to the abandoned schoolies car on the Wirrawee Bridge that has the warning ‘RUN’ painted on its exterior. • Kevin: Who the hell are these guys? How does Maher portray the invaders? • Ellie: I told myself not to think about what I’d done, be- hermit cause deep down I knew I didn’t have a choice. It was us or them. I was saving my life, saving Kevin, saving Corrie. I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I just wanted to be safe. I’m still trying to figure out what’s right and what’s invincible wrong. But in the end, this is how it is. I’ve had to teach myself not to think about a lot of things. Maybe that’s why it’s hard to remember how it was, what it was like, the time before all this. Before the war began. Ellie, Corrie and Kevin head to the Wirrawee gap year Showgrounds. The Wirrawee Showgrounds is now a prisoner of war camp. Ellie comforts Mrs Takkam, who she finds dying by the fence of the Showgrounds. Ellie sees her mother but she is spotted by the soldiers as they make contact. A pursuit begins. How does the pursuit end? Why is this a life-changing moment for Ellie? • The words in the table, right, are part of the dialogue of Episode 1. Write a definition of each word in the space provided. There is room for you to add other words to the grid. • What will happen next? Finish your Episode 1 blog entries by predicting what you think will happen in © ATOM 2016 Episode 2.

Coming soon: Episodes 2 – 6 12 me in. Thanks. You know you have to leave me. It’s too dangerous. Writing from either Robyn or Lee’s perspective, describe what happens after Lee is shot. Your description should focus on the danger they face; Robyn’s courage and resourcefulness; and Lee’s gratitude, as well as concern for Robyn’s safety. • At Fi’s house, Fi and Homer fail in their attempt to con- vince Chris that Wirrawee has been invaded: Fi: We’ve been invaded. The Army, they’re all over the place. Chris: We’re out of milk. How does Fi respond to her brother’s complaints? Why does Chris surrender? How does Homer protect Fi in this scene? Is he right to tell Fi that there is nothing that she can do to protect her father and her brother? • Soldier: Main Street’s locked down. Patrols remain on duty. Kevin: The whole town’s trashed. There’s guards eve- rywhere. Guns, armoured trucks, helicopters, the lot. And the showground’s a prison. How has Wirrawee been transformed by the occupation? • Ellie: Homer. Corrie: I can’t hear anything. Episode 2 Ellie: He’s been creeping up on me since we were kids. Homer and Fi reunite with Ellie, Corrie and Kevin on the foreshore opposite Robyn’s house. Ellie knows Homer ‘Fiona Maxwell. 8 Federation Street. is nearby before the others do. Robyn Mathers. 98 Waratah Drive. How does this episode shape the audience’s under- Lee Takkam. 33 Main Street. standing of Ellie and Homer’s friendship? Eleanor Linton. 7 Valley View Road. Ellie and Homer have grown up together; they have Homer Yannos. 140 Waratah Drive. known each other forever. Corrie MacKenzie. 9 Ironbark Road. Do you have a friend that you have known forever? Kill them.’ Do you have a friend that you know as well as you know yourself? * Teachers may choose to provide students with the Write a personal narrative about your longest and/or episode synopsis or ask students to complete your closest friendship. Worksheet 1: Episode summary. • Fi: Did you see my Mum? Corrie: I saw my Mum, and Ellie’s. There were other Instructions to students: Post your responses to the follow- people but I didn’t get time to see. ing questions and activities on your Tomorrow, When the War Began blog.

Episode 2 begins by revisiting the explosion of the lawnmower bomb that occurred in Episode 1. Ellie, Kevin and Corrie make their escape. For Robyn and Lee, the explosion also proves timely. They run from the soldiers on the main street of Wirrawee and for their lives but Lee is shot and wounded. Robyn drags Lee along the street on a boo- gie board to the relative safety of Takkam Thai.

• Lee: How’s it look? Robyn: It’s stopped bleeding. Not too bad. I took an advanced first aid course last year. You’ll be okay. You’re lucky. © ATOM 2016 Lee: Don’t know if I call getting shot being lucky. Robyn: They were trying to kill you. Lee: They would have got to me if you hadn’t dragged 13 What actions do the teenagers’ parents take to protect their children? How do scenes in this episode portray their love for their children? • Read what Colonel Lee tells Rachel just before he opens the school yearbook and asks her to identify the rebels: Colonel: I’ll take over from here, Sergeant. Mrs Maxwell, I am Colonel Lee. I’m in command of this operation. This, ah, change in the status quo is difficult for you…I do understand, and if I was in your position, I would protect my family as well. However, choosing not to cooperate is not the wisest course of action. You have alternatives, for the moment. Your husband is safe. As is your son. But your daughter, Fiona, is in very grave danger. As long as she remains out there, I cannot protect her. Or anyone she’s with. For the safety of these children, I need you to tell me who they are. Why does the Colonel choose Rachel? How does Rachel respond to the Colonel’s threat? • Jack: I’m gonna get us out of here. Jack’s escape plan relies on convincing the guards that a work party should be deployed to the abattoir to slaughter the cattle. Why is Jack’s plan unsuccessful? Why is George reluctant to become involved in the escape attempt? Imagine that you are imprisoned in the Wirrawee Showgrounds. Working with an accomplice, draw and annotate a foolproof escape plan. Drawing on scenes in this episode in which the teen- • Robyn: We have to go now. age rebels make contact with their parents and/or their Kevin: I can’t believe we’re talking about going back in friends’ parents, write an analysis of the significance of there to rescue someone who might already be dead. the parent-child relationships. Homer: Well it’s about numbers. The more we have, • Ellie: They were our age. Homer: This is a war. They tried to kill you. They’re the ones that tore up the rule book, not us. When Homer asks what happened when Corrie, Fi and Kevin were in town, Corrie and Kevin boast about how Ellie made a lawnmower bomb. What evidence in this episode suggests that Ellie’s conscience is troubled by her decision to use violent means to secure her and her friend’s safety? • Liz: You’re wasting battery. Jack: They’re not going to let us keep them. Liz: There’s no signal. Jack: We don’t even know if Ellie’s alive. Ellie’s father, Jack, attempts to make contact with his daughter via a text message that reads, ‘Are you safe?’ What if the text message sent? Write the text message conversation between Jack and Ellie. • Kath: They’re going to ask if we have children. We have to say no. Right now they don’t know who they are. But when they get names, addresses – Liz: When they ask if you have children, you have to lie. It’s the only way we can protect them right now. Kath is taken from the prisoner of war camp to work at the hospital. She is expected to tend to the soldiers injured in the lawnmower bomb explosion. When she © ATOM 2016 returns to the camp, she informs Liz and Jack that the descriptions of the rebels suggest that their children are responsible. 14 WORD MEANING rebel

designated

shrapnel the stronger we are. The teenagers discuss Lee’s predicament. Is Robyn right to call Kevin selfish? Is Kevin actually being sensible? dependents Is Homer’s position logical? After all, the rescue attempt may diminish their numbers. • Lee: Should I feel nervous? Homer: Hey bro, have a little faith. status quo A decision is made. Ellie, Homer and Kevin will rescue Lee. Robyn, Fi and Corrie will hide out at Corrie’s house. When the teenagers are reunited, the plan is to go to Hell. On a scale from 1 to 10, how ingenious is the mission grave to rescue Lee? • Robyn: This is all so awful. When we were riding and it was so beautiful, and the bike was so nice. I forgot to be sad. thoroughfare Robyn’s emotions get the better of her. Unable to make sense of what is a senseless situation she lashes out. Were you shocked by Robyn’s violent outburst? Is she the only one who is scared? Which of the teenagers is proving most able to control his or her fears? ration • Therese: Give this to Umar. Tell Lee – Kath: No. You’re going to be fine. I promise. Therese, Lee’s mother and Umar’s wife, does not re- cover from her injuries. abattoir Why does Kath take Therese’s wedding ring? • The words in the table, left, are part of the dialogue of Episode 2. Write a definition of each word in the space provided. There is room for you to add other words to the grid. gurney • What will happen next? Finish your Episode 2 blog entries by predicting what you think will happen in Episode 3. © ATOM 2016

15 • Lee: Dad used to tell us about the coups in Bangkok when he was a kid. He said you only got hurt if you pretended life was normal. Homer: This is a war. We need to start acting like soldiers. What does Homer mean when he makes this claim? Were the teenagers acting like soldiers in Episodes 1 and 2 or were they acting like fugitives? When does the audience see the teenagers acting like soldiers in this episode? • The decision is made to return to Hell. Why is Hell the safest place for the teenagers? • Ellie: Other countries won’t get involved. Kevin: Don’t we have treaties? Lee: I can’t really see them rushing in and dying to save us. Can you? Fi: Why were we even invaded? What do they want? Robyn: They think we have too much for so few people. We have all this land and resources, and there are people not too far away, in countries, packed in so tight. Kevin: That’s not our fault. Robyn: You can’t blame them for resenting us. Kevin: You reckon fair enough, do you? Let them walk in and take whatever they want, everything that our parents have worked for. Spend time as a class, identifying and discussing the teenagers’ differing perspectives of the invasion. Which Episode 3 character do you find yourself agreeing with most of all and why? • Daniel: They’re not animals. Colonel: Life is full of surprises. Some better than others. Jack: Really? Look at the way they’re treating us. Daniel: We’ve just got to work out what they want. * Teachers may choose to provide students with the Why’s Wirrawee so important? episode synopsis or ask students to complete Jack: My guess is Cobblers Bay. It’s a deep water port. Worksheet 1: Episode summary Bring their men and their ammo in by ship to Cobblers, then down the Wirrawee Highway and into the guts of Instructions to students: Post your responses to the follow- the country by truck. ing questions and activities on your Tomorrow, When the Daniel and Jack disagree about the humanity of War Began blog. their captors. Which of the men is right? Drawing

• Most of the teenagers are asleep, exhausted by all that has happened since they returned from their camping trip to Hell. Ellie and Corrie are awake. Corrie: What are you thinking about? Dumb question. Ellie: It’s all so messed up. Corrie: Yeah I know. Being in my own house kinda makes me feel a bit better, though. Ellie and Corrie reminisce about the innocence of childhood. What do they remember? What are your fondest memories of your childhood? Do your adolescent responsibilities ever make you yearn for the innocence of your childhood? • Ellie: We need to get going. Homer: Once everyone’s awake, we fill the Landie. Food, clothes, petrol, any rifles, tools, everything. Then go back to Hell. © ATOM 2016 Explain Ellie and Homer’s authority within the group. Why do they take charge? How do the others respond to their authority? 16 How does Fi’s relationship with Homer change in this episode? Is there any other evidence that Fi is changing for the better despite the challenging circumstances? • Lee: You never said much about what happened at the showground. Ellie: Well, it was hard to see. There were searchlights … Lee: But you saw Corrie’s Mum. You didn’t see my Mum? Ellie! Ellie: I didn’t want to leave her there, but she couldn’t move. She was bleeding. Lee, she’d been shot. I didn’t see it happen. Does Lee behave irrationally when he learns of his mother’s injury? • Colonel: I’m not a stranger to this country. I studied here. I had very good teachers…My father was born here. I like your countrymen. They’re brave, and loyal. But sometimes, they’re foolish. Colonel Lee invites Rachel to have lunch with him. Explain the significance of their conversation. • Umar and Lee are reunited at Takkam Thai but only for a moment. Lee steals a moment to write a note to his father on a menu. He hides the note where his father will be certain to find it. If you were Lee, what would you write? • Ellie, Homer, Fi and Kevin are at Homer’s farm. Homer ventures inside the house. Despite the urgency of their mission, Homer finds himself lost in thought. on evidence from Episodes 1, 2 and 3, explain your What does the flashback reveal about Homer’s past? position. • Colonel: My name is Colonel Lee. I’m in charge of this operation. I’ve been informed of activity amongst some of you that is not in the best interest of those involved and not useful to the success of this operation. I am prepared to give offenders a second chance. But in order for this undertaking to run smoothly, I urge all of you to work with us, not against us. Once our duty is done here you may go back to your homes. What does Colonel Lee’s introduction reveal about his sense of his authority? How would you describe his leadership style? Do you think he is a man of his word? • The prisoners are put to work. Liz and George’s names are called. When Rachel hears Chris’ name she panics. The three of them are to tend to the crops at Yannos’ farm. Umar is sent to his restaurant to prepare food for the soldiers. Rachel is put to work in her own home, now Colonel Lee’s temporary home, as a maid. Describe the experiences of the prisoners beyond the wire fence of the Wirrawee Showgrounds. • Homer: I can look for yams. Kevin: Good luck with that. Homer: Well, it’s called having a crack. You should try it sometime. Kevin may be the eldest but is he the least mature? Does he have an attitude problem? • Fi: I over analyse things sometimes. At least this whole © ATOM 2016 war thing’s made me stop thinking about myself so much. You know, if this hadn’t have happened, we probably wouldn’t have even spoken to each other. 17 WORD MEANING

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How does this flashback shape the audience’s relationship with Homer? Instagrammable. • While the teenagers are at Homer’s farm, a truck pulls up. The teenagers watch as Wirrawee residents are put to work in the fields: Homer: There’s only two of them. They could totally deep water port take him out. Ellie: Or we could. Robyn: What do you mean, ‘take him out’? What happens next? Were you worried that the teenagers were taking too great a risk? Were you surprised by ammo George’s intervention? • Mr Morgan: What happened to you? Ellie: We’ve changed. Mr Morgan, the Wirrawee postmaster, does not rec- maintenance ognise the teenagers. Ellie introduces herself and the others to jog Mr Morgan’s memory. Use this exchange to initiate a class discussion about what has happened to the teenagers and how the teen- yams agers have changed. • Umar: I’m going to kill the Colonel and you’re going to help me do it. Why has Umar decided to kill Colonel Lee? How does Rachel respond to his request for her assistance? generator • The following words are part of the dialogue of Episode 3. Write a definition of each word in the space provided. There is room for you to add other words to the grid. artillery • What will happen next? Finish your Episode 3 blog entries by predicting what you think will happen in Episode 4. © ATOM 2016

18 • Corrie: If we can hear their gunfire it means they’re getting closer. Much closer. Fi: They know where we are? Homer: No, if they knew they’d be on us already. The teenagers can hear gunfire. What do they decide to do? Do they make the right decisions? • Homer: You never get over it. It changes you. You find things that make you think of other stuff. Episode 4 Lee: Like a war. Homer: Perfect medicine. Not. Lee in an attempt to make sense of his grief confides Robyn: People shouldn’t kill each other. That’s what I in Homer. believe. That’s what I’ll always believe. Does Homer provide Lee with the counsel he needs at this difficult point in his life? How do Homer’s re- * Teachers may choose to provide students with the sponses to Lee add to the audience’s understanding of episode synopsis or ask students to complete Homer’s character qualities? Worksheet 1: Episode summary • Rachel: I can’t help you. Umar: You can. I want you to get me the poison. Instructions to students: Post your responses to the follow- Rachel: You’re joking. ing questions and activities on your Tomorrow, When the Umar: There’s always someone in my kitchen. They War Began blog. watch me, but they’re not watching you. My wife meant something to me. I hope your family means something • Lee wakes at dawn in his own bed. He limps to the window of his bedroom and looks out. Soldiers patrol the street below. Despite the risk, Lee leaves his home and makes his way along the street, ducking behind cars as trucks drive past. He eventually reaches the land rover. Why does Lee return to Hell without seeking retribution for his mother’s death? • Back in Hell, Ellie has found the Hermit’s Hut. Ellie reads from the Hermit’s diary: ‘I’m Ben Christie and this is my story. It seems so long ago when my wife and I started a new life together.’ What does Ellie learn about Ben Christie? How © ATOM 2016 does this knowledge change her perspective of the man? Does Ben’s story help Ellie make sense of her situation? 19 Robyn: I’m going to surrender. Ellie: Robyn, no, that’s crazy! Robyn: You don’t care what happens to me. Ellie: Of course I do! If this is about Lee – Robyn: Not everything is about you, Ellie. Is Robyn’s behaviour irrational? • Deserter: I left my group. I was ordered to do things I didn’t want to do. Robyn: It’s important to do what you believe in. Sometimes that means leaving people behind. Deserter: I cannot go back. They will punish me. Robyn’s path crosses that of a soldier who has deserted. Why do Robyn and the deserter find common ground? Explain the significance of Robyn reaching out and taking the deserter’s hand. Did you expect the deserter to betray Robyn? • Colonel: You know in peacetime it’s a little easier to delude yourself, but the rules are very different in a war, as I’m sure you now understand. We’re no longer free to choose, to define our own destiny. Who we were to you. before is not who we can be now. We have to adjust to Why is Umar so determined to murder the Colonel? Is survive. the way Therese died an excuse for violence? How is Spend time as a class, discussing the truth of the the audience of Tomorrow, When the War Began posi- Colonel’s view of how conflict defines individuals. tioned to view his intention? Is Umar right to threaten Do the actions of characters in this episode endorse or Rachel into helping him? Does Rachel yield to Umar’s challenge the Colonel’s view? threat? • Kath: I still watch Corrie sleep. She doesn’t know I do • Fi wakes and heads to the creek for fresh water. A it. piece of paper bearing the word ‘SURRENDER’ drifts Rachel: Chris caught me checking in on him at home past. The teenagers discuss the danger that they may one night. Told me to go away. be in: Kath: I don’t think he’d do that now. This war, it’s steal- Ellie: They could have dropped these all over the place ing our kids’ childhoods, teaching them to be scared. from planes. It doesn’t mean they’re close. Rachel: We’ll never stop feeling their pain, will we? Homer: Or they could be on foot and very close. Kath: Why would we want to? Kevin: We don’t know where they are. That’s the Rachel: I’m going crazy without Fi. You must be about problem. Corrie, too. Imagine you are one of the teenagers; you decide to Kath: I am. I mean Corrie ... she’s the reason for leave a return message to the soldiers on the note. Make a surrender note and on the reverse side write your message. • Colonel: I understood you were a farmer, Mr Linton. You would be used to hard work. Jack: This isn’t hard work. This is hard labour. Daniel: Perhaps we could take short breaks, one at a time. So progress continues on whatever this is. Colonel: What you are building, Mr Maxwell, is a prison. What does the Colonel’s revelation suggest about the likely future of the Wirrawee residents? What does the flashback to Chris blindfolded in the interrogation room reveal about the Colonel’s character qualities? • Lee made Ellie aware of his feelings when they met at the Hermit’s hut. © ATOM 2016 What reasons does Ellie give Lee in this episode for hesitating to begin a romantic relationship? • Ellie: What are you doing? 20 WORD MEANING antibiotic

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everything. julienne What does this conversation tell the audience about a mother’s love? How does this conversation foreshadow the scenes that follow? interrogated • Corrie: I don’t need you to protect me! While Homer and Fi and Lee and Ellie have become couples, Corrie and Kevin have drifted apart. Why is Corrie and Kevin’s relationship over? Is either character handling the break up all that well? How hallowed does Corrie’s being shot change Kevin? Why does he take responsibility for getting her to the hospital? • Umar discovers Lee’s note in the tub of rice. The note reads: ‘I love you dad’. delude How does Umar react when he discovers the note from his son? Imagine Umar writes back. What does he tell his son? • Write an analysis of the hospital scene. Use the following questions to help you analyse the destiny scene: What did you see? What did you hear? What did you think? Landie What did you feel? • The words in the table, left, are part of the dialogue of Episode 4. Write a definition of each word in the space provided. There is room for you to add other words to the grid. • What will happen next? Finish your Episode 4 blog entries by predicting what you think will happen in Episode 5. © ATOM 2016

21 behaviour when she is denied the chance to see Corrie understandable? • Sergeant: Tell us where your friends are. Tell us where they are and all this stops. Kevin: Go to hell. In this episode Kevin is interrogated and tortured by his captors. What does Kevin’s behaviour suggest about his sense of loyalty? Did his behaviour in this episode change your opinion of him? • Back in Hell, the remaining teenagers discuss their situation: Homer: So you hid in a water tank and nearly got shot? Lee: But we still have no idea about Corrie or Kevin. Ellie: You weren’t there. Lee: It’s much tougher than you think. They’ve got more patrols. They’re more organised. What are the teenagers’ fears? Why is the decision made to rescue Corrie from the hospital? Does everybody think it is a wise idea? • Daniel: We can get out of here. Jack’s found a blind spot. Jack: From there, the spotlights don’t reach. Jack explains his latest escape plan. Who approves of the plan and why? Who disapproves of the plan and why? • Ellie: I was so scared today. I’m glad you were with me. Lee: I want to be with you. How and why does Ellie and Lee’s relationship change in this episode? • Read the following conversation: Ellie: You don’t have to come to the hospital if you Episode 5

Rachel: One day we might all be at someone’s mercy. I’d like to think there’d be someone in my corner. This war will end, and when it does you’ll have to live with what you’ve done here. We all will. I don’t believe you’re a bad man. You’re only doing a job.

* Teachers may choose to provide students with the episode synopsis or ask students to complete Worksheet 1: Episode summary

Instructions to students: Post your responses to the following questions and activities on your Tomorrow, When the War Began blog.

• Episode 5 begins with a flashback to the abandoned orchard – where the lawnmower bomb exploded. Why do you think Episode 5 begins with this flashback? • Novak: Nurse! You try it again, you’ll be locked up. Kath: Just five minutes. Corrie lies unconscious in a hospital bed while Kath © ATOM 2016 folds towels in the corridor near Corrie’s room. She is so close to her daughter but forbidden from seeing her. Does Novak have any sympathy for Kath? Is Kath’s 22 • Rachel: I understand this all can’t be easy for you. Colonel: Do not patronise me. You have something to say? Rachel: If you want to keep order at the showgrounds, it doesn’t help to separate parents from their children. There was a local girl, Corrie McKenzie, who was brought into the hospital with a gunshot wound a few days ago. I’m friends with her mother, a nurse, at the hospital. And yet she hasn’t been allowed to see her daughter. It seems incredibly cruel. Colonel: This does not concern me. A wounded civilian is not a priority. Rachel: There’s a weak spot in your camp security. Your men haven’t found it, but some of the prisoners don’t want to. have. Get me some details on Corrie’s condition, make Lee: I just don’t think you should guilt trip people like that. Ellie: Guilt trip? Lee: They’re your friends. Of course they were never going to let you do this on your own. Ellie: I said it was their decision. They can think for themselves. Lee: We’re all angry about what happened to Corrie. But it’s dangerous for her and for us. Ellie: What if we hadn’t rescued you? Lee: That was before we knew what was really going on out there. Is Ellie thinking more with her heart than her head? Is Lee right to challenge Ellie? • Fi: Why’d you come back? Robyn: When I saw Corrie was hurt ... leaving was selfish. I’m more of a help here. Fi: More than me, anyway. Robyn: Come on. You haven’t exactly been sitting on your bum. Fi: Oh, you know what I mean. Those guys are practi- cally warriors. What am I? Homer’s girlfriend. Robyn: At least you’ve got a boyfriend. None of us saw this coming. We’re all still working out where we fit. What does Robyn and Fi’s conversation reveal about each girl’s sense of identity and sense of belonging? • Ellie: So are we all clear on the plan? Homer: Yeah, we’ve got it. We all know what we need to do. Robyn: And we’ll meet you behind the hospital. Ellie: Okay. Homer: But if it does hit the fan, we don’t go to the rendezvous point. We meet back here, okay? Ellie: Nothing will go wrong. Write a detailed analysis of the scenes that tell the story of Corrie’s rescue. - What goes right? What goes wrong? - What do these scenes reveal about the individual characters? - What do these scenes suggest about the relation- © ATOM 2016 ships between the characters? - How are production elements used in these scenes? 23 WORD MEANING

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resistance sure your Doctor cares for her, and I’ll tell you where it is. Why does Rachel attempt to reason with the Colonel? Is her attempt to persuade him to let Kath see Corrie patronise brave? Is her action a show of loyalty? Is the deal she proposes a betrayal of the other prisoners, her husband and son included, who are planning to escape? • Colonel: Some of you know this man. As well as his fellow rebels, you also know their whereabouts yet you priority have chosen to remain silent. We need to know where they are. If we do not have the information by tomorrow morning, this man will be punished. Jack: You say nothing. penicillin Kath: We can’t leave Kevin at their mercy. Liz: Yes we can. Kath: We need to save him. Liz: No we don’t. Like you said, we’d walk through fire perimeter to save our kids. What does this scene suggest about loyalty and betrayal? • The words in the table, right, are part of the dialogue of Episode 5. Write a definition of each word in the space rendezvous provided. There is room for you to add other words to the grid. • What will happen next? Finish your Episode 5 blog entries by predicting what you think will happen in subordinate Episode 6. © ATOM 2016

24 Episode 6

Ellie: All we have is now, and this is what we have to do Kath: I need to see her. She’s my daughter. Corrie’s still now. Let’s stop their supplies, stop our parents leaving. We a child and she’s all I’ve got. can worry about ‘then what’ tomorrow. Novak: I understand but I don’t have a say in this. At Wirrawee Hospital, Kath remains worried about * Teachers may choose to provide students with the Corrie’s condition. episode synopsis or ask students to complete What does Kath fear? Is Novak without sympathy for Worksheet 1: Episode summary Kath?

Instructions to students: Post your responses to the follow- Jack, Daniel and Chris are to be relocated. Homer who ing questions and activities on your Tomorrow, When the is in town stealing petrol, overhears the order while he is War Began blog. hiding near the fence of the showgrounds. When Homer returns to Hell, he tells the others the news. He is unaware • Episode 6 begins with Ellie flicking through photo- that Ellie’s mum has deliberately disobeyed the soldiers to graphs on her phone. ensure that she would not be separated from her husband. Explain the significance of this scene. What do Ellie’s photos mean to her? • Homer: There is another way to stop people from leav- Why do you value the photographs of family and ing. We blow up the bridge. friends that you have stored on your phone? Ellie: You’re kidding. • Kath: I’ve heard she’s worse. That her wounds are Fi: That’s so dangerous. septic. Homer: Well think about it. The soldiers are still bring- Novak: I can’t give you any information. ing in supplies from Cobbler’s Bay, using the bridge Kath: Sir, we don’t have an ICU. We don’t have the right antibiotics. She needs to be moved to a proper hospital. Novak: It’s impossible. There is no priority given to civilian patients. Kath: Oh, especially ones that have fought against you. © ATOM 2016 Novak: And those who have rebels trying to break them out. You have a good job here. You have privi- leges. You really want to jeopardise all of that? 25 every day, right? they get back, no one leaves here alive. The order is Lee: It’s the only way south. given to burn the Hermit’s Hut. Ellie: And it’s over that bridge that they have to take Explain the dramatic irony of this order? our parents. Watch the scenes that are about the plan to blow up Aware that Corrie’s condition is not only critical but dete- the bridge. riorating, Novak allows Kath to be with her daughter. Imagine you are Homer. Working with a partner, draw and annotate a diagram that provides an overview of • Kath: Remember your favourite game, Cor? Pick a the plan to blow up the bridge. Provide a description country? Make a plan? of the role that each individual must play. Provide an What did you think and how did you feel as you insight into how the teenagers must work together as a watched those scenes that portrayed Kath’s final mo- team to ensure the success of the plan. ments with her daughter? Is Homer’s plan a work of genius? • Lee: Wirrawee is our home. We can’t let them destroy What are the risks? what’s ours. What part do the teenagers’ parents play in the plan? Umar: I’ll find a way to get us together. • Deserter: I did not run away! Despite the risk, Lee ventures into town to make con- Colonel: You’re a deserter. You know the penalty. tact with his father. They pray together. Deserter: No, no! No please, please! Would a deserter What does the conversation between father and son shoot a rebel? reveal about their relationship? Are they closer now Is it understandable that the deserter chooses to save than they were in Episode 1? his life by endangering the lives of others? What are the When Umar snapped the aerial from the car did you outcomes of the interrogation? know what would happen next? • Why is Homer’s father, George, excited by the order that Having learnt that Hell exists, the Colonel sends a patrol he is being returned to his farm? Why does this excite- © ATOM 2016 into the bush in search of the rebels. ment turn to disappointment when he arrives home? • Why does Robyn give Homer her crucifix necklace? • Sergeant: Halt! Looks deserted. Let’s secure it. When What do Robyn’s actions in this episode reveal about 26 WORD MEANING septic

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her strengths? deserter • Write a detailed analysis of the scenes involving the execution of Homer’s plan. - What goes right? What goes wrong? - What do these scenes reveal about the individual assume characters? - What do these scenes suggest about the relationships between the characters? - How are production elements used in these scenes? theory • After the explosion, the teenagers regroup at Satan Steps ready to make their way back to Hell. The teenagers discuss their next move: Homer: I can smell smoke. We’ve gotta get out of here. parentals Lee: Ellie, we need to go. Ellie: When we first arrived here, this was meant to be the beginning of something really great. Lee: We’re still alive, at least. Ellie: Mum and Dad mightn’t be, and your Dad. What ninja they did to Corrie, and your Mum. Lee: But they haven’t got us yet. We’ve come this far. We need to keep going. Ellie: All the stuff that I’ve seen, that I can’t unsee. pageant None of us can. Explain the inclusion of the flashback scene in this sequence. How have the teenagers been damaged by the invasion? What decisions do they make? What does this sequence suggest about the teenagers’ resilience? • The words in the table, left, are part of the dialogue of Episode 6. Write a definition of each word in the space provided. There is room for you to add other words to the grid. • A pitch is a presentation of an idea for a film or television series. Your task is to pitch Tomorrow, When the War Began Season 2 to the class. Work in a team of 3 – 4 students to prepare the pitch. Your pitch should include: an overview of the season; a brief synopsis of each episode; a list of characters and a brief description of their significance to the narrative; and a listing of the key themes. Like Season 1 of Tomorrow, When the War Began, your pitch for Season © ATOM 2016 2 should be based on John Marsden’s Tomorrow series. You will need to research the story told by the second novel in the Tomorrow series – The Dead of the Night. 27 Analysis

1: Narrative • Working as a class, make a list of the key sequences of the series. The list should be representative of the six Narrative is a word to describe the story and the way it episodes. is told. A narrative arc is the continuous progression or line of development in a narrative. What does the list reveal • Working as a group present an informative and enter- about the narrative arc of the series? taining account of an episode of Tomorrow, When the • Working in a small group, make a detailed analysis of War Began. Your presentation must explain the what, one of the series’ key sequences. where, when, who and why of the episode. Use the following questions to make notes about the WHAT: You will need to describe what happens. sequence that you have selected. WHERE: You will need to name the settings and com- What is the sequence about? ment on the significance of the settings. Why is the sequence significant? WHEN: You will need to identify when the action How do the filmmakers use production elements to occurs. convey meaning? WHO: You will need to identify the characters that • Write an analysis of the closing scene of Episode 6 of are featured and what the audience learns about the Tomorrow, When the War Began. characters. How does this sequence compare to the opening WHY: You will need to identify the themes that are fea- sequence of Episode 1? How have the characters tured and what the audience learns about the themes. developed or changed? Are all aspects of the narrative You must make sure that your audience will remain resolved satisfactorily? interested and that they will learn something. Keep in mind everyone has watched Tomorrow, When the War Began. Try to do more than tell us what we already know. You must set a homework task for the students in the audience to complete. • Write an analysis of the opening sequence of Episode 1 of Tomorrow, When the War Began. © ATOM 2016 How does the opening sequence foreshadow the ideas of Tomorrow, When the War Began, introduce characters and establish audience expectations? 28 should draw on direct and indirect evidence from the novel. • Write a detailed profile for each of the main characters by drawing on the notes made using Worksheet 2: Characters.

A protagonist is the main character of a narrative. The events of the plot revolve around the protagonist. The audience is meant to identify with the protagonist.

An antagonist is the principal opponent of the protagonist. The antagonist represents or creates obstacles that the protagonist must overcome. There may be more than one antagonist in a story.

• Which characters are the protagonists of Tomorrow, When the War Began? Which characters are the antagonists of Tomorrow, When the War Began? • Which characters are the audience encouraged to identify with? Which characters are represented in a positive way? Which characters are represented in a negative way? • In what ways do the characters change? 2: Themes Who or what causes characters to change? Make timelines that show the development of the main • What can Tomorrow, When the War Began teach you characters. Your timelines should describe, explain and about your life? prove the changes evident in the main characters. • Many of the characters in Tomorrow, When the War Themes are the messages of a story. Themes are often Began are teenagers. timeless and universal ideas. Themes are always implied Complete Worksheet 3: Teenage identity. rather than stated explicitly. Did you find the teenage characters believable? In what ways do the teenagers differ from each other? • Working as a class, make a list of the themes explored Do the teenagers have anything other than their age in in Tomorrow, When the War Began. common? Alternatively teachers may choose to provide students What comment does Tomorrow, When the War Began with a list of themes, such as the one provided below: make about teenage identity? • Survival • Independence • Extension activity - Representations • Loyalty • Fear Drawing on the collective knowledge of the class, what • Courage • Conflict are the codes and conventions associated with the • Change • Power • Friendship • Choose a theme and prepare a multimedia analysis of the series’ exploration of the theme. Make sure that your analysis considers how the theme is made evident through plot, characters, setting and language.

3: Characters

• If you were a character from Tomorrow, When the War Began, who would you be and why? • Make a list of the characters of Tomorrow, When the War Began. Next to each character’s name, provide a one-sentence explanation of the character’s role/function in the narrative. • Working first as an individual, then with a partner and © ATOM 2016 then as a class, compile a wordle (http://www.wordle. net) for each character. When you have finished, use the wordles to write character profiles. Your profiles 29 SYMBOL ILLUSTRATION MEANING

representation of teenagers in television dramas? tell the story. Write a description of each setting. Why Codes are objects or symbols used to convey mean- is each setting significant to the story? ing. In addition, less obvious things such as lighting • Draw a map of Wirrawee. Show the town, the homes and camera angles qualify as codes because they too of the teenage protagonists and Hell. Your map should have a dominant meaning. have a title and a border. Label the map and provide a Conventions are well-established ways of constructing detailed legend. a media text. Conventions are the meanings derived from codes. They give us more information about how we are supposed to read the image to gain meaning. 5: Symbols Make a class list of ‘rules of representation’ for teenagers in television dramas. Symbolism is when something is used to represent some- Does Tomorrow, When the War Began conform to or thing else. Symbols are used in Tomorrow, When the War subvert these ‘rules of representation’? Began to add to the audience’s understanding of the plot, themes, characters and setting.

4: Settings • The Hermit’s diary, the leaflet that tells the teenage rebels to surrender and Robyn’s crucifix necklace are Tomorrow, When the War Began is set in an Australian three examples of symbols. country town called Wirrawee. The temporal setting of the What other symbols can you add to this list? narrative is the present. The events depicted are fictional. Use the table to make an analysis of five significant symbols. The filmmakers use a variety of settings to tell the story of SYMBOL: Listing the symbols and match each sym- © ATOM 2016 Tomorrow, When the War Began. bol with a quotation from the film. ILLUSTRATION: Provide an illustration of the symbol. • Working as a class make a list of the settings used to MEANING: Explain what each symbol represents. 30 6: genre

• Do you like stories like Tomorrow, When the War Began? • Tomorrow, When the War Began is screening on ABC3. It can be labelled as a children’s television series. Do you think that Tomorrow, When the War Began is only for children? Does the program have broader appeal?

Genre is a term used to describe the style or category of a text. Each genre has its own conventions. Some texts can be easily labelled as belonging to one genre. Other texts fit into multiple genres. Tomorrow, When the War Began is best labelled dystopian drama. Dystopian drama imagines a nightmare world that is the opposite of a utopia.

• What are the features of dystopian drama? Can you think of other examples of this genre? Drawing on the From novel to list of features, write an analysis of Tomorrow, When television series the War Began as an example of dystopian drama. • Despite the seriousness of the teenagers’ predicament An adaptation of a text occurs when some or all of its their story is told with humour. Identify examples of plot, characters and language are transferred to another humorous scenes and dialogue. What function does form. An adaptation alters the reader’s experience of the humour serve in Tomorrow, When the War Began? original text.

Tomorrow, When the War Began is a television adaptation 7: Production values of John Marsden’s novel.

• Do you like the way the television series looks? What • Have you read Tomorrow, When the War Began? Did elements of the production did you find appealing? you enjoy the novel? • In John Marsden’s novel, the story is told from When we watch a television drama like Tomorrow, When the perspective of Ellie. The first person narrative the War Began we are caught up in the story that it is tell- viewpoint establishes Ellie as the novel’s protagonist. ing and accept everything that happens on the screen as Is Ellie the protagonist of the television series? How is natural. In fact, everything that we see has been carefully her voice made evident in the series? chosen and arranged, on the screen and within the story, • Do you think the director Brendan Maher has made to have a specific effect on the audience watching. an effective adaptation of John Marsden’s Tomorrow, When the War Began? Understanding Tomorrow, When the War Began involves To help you decide the answer to this question, an investigation of the production elements employed in complete the following activity. telling the story. Divide an A3 page into four equal sections. Use the headings: same, different, in and out to make notes Production elements that compare the texts. - camera techniques, technologies and qualities for film In the same section of the page list the similarities. - lighting In the different section of the page list the differences. - mise-en-scene In the in section of the page list features of the - acting adaptation that are not included in the original text. - sound In the out section of the page list features of the - editing of vision and sound original text that have been omitted from the adaptation. • Working with a partner, describe the way the director of Making your notes in this way will allow you to Tomorrow, When the War Began has used one produc- develop an informed and credible evaluation of tion element. Your analysis should provide a detailed the adaptation. Take this task one step further by description of how meaning is constructed through discussing why some of these decisions may have this production element. Use PowerPoint to present been made. It is important to acknowledge that your description to the class. Limit your presentation modifications can at times be explained by the use of to five slides. Your presentation should use words and the medium of television. Discussing what has been © ATOM 2016 images. You may incorporate video and audio clips. added and what has been omitted is also a way to generate an understanding of bias and the director’s purpose. 31 When the War Began. Your board game should draw Text response topics on the plot, setting, characters, themes and symbols of Tomorrow, When the War Began. Make sure that It is important that students in Years 7 – 10 have the oppor- your game pieces are well made and the packaging is tunity to write extended interpretations about texts. The top- sturdy. Don’t forget to write instructions. ics listed below require students to draw on their knowledge • Imagine you are a teenage rebel. What is your name? and understanding of Tomorrow, When the War Began. Are you alone? Are you a friend of the other teenage Students are expected to take a position and to then justify rebels? You must muster all your strength, tenacity and that position by using direct and indirect evidence. courage to stay alive. Write a series of diary entries about your life before and after the invasion. You may Text response topics can also be used to generate online incorporate images into your final response. forums, debates and panel discussions. Teachers may also • Imagine you are a soldier in the invading army, write choose to use some of the questions featured in other sec- about your experience of fighting a war in Wirrawee. tions of the study guide as text response topics. • Compile the storyboard and write the script of a scene to add to any episode of Tomorrow, When the War Began. 1. ‘Teenagers are capable of showing courage.’ How is this statement true of the teenage characters in Tomorrow, When the War Began? Vlogging your view 2. ‘Tomorrow, When the War Began explores how war changes everything.’ Discuss. Did you enjoy Tomorrow, When the War Began? Share 3. ‘In order to survive, the characters in Tomorrow, When your thoughts about the series with others in the class. the War Began must accept the consequences of their decisions.’ Do you agree? Your task is to make a 30 second vlog that offers a review 4. ‘Tomorrow, When the War Began is about how ordinary of Tomorrow, When the War Began. When you have fin- people deal with extraordinary challenges.’ Discuss. ished post your vlog to the class’ YouTube account. 5. ‘I loved my life, but I always wanted something more. Then it happened. The future.’ Just like a film trailer has to sell the film to an audience, How does the invasion change Ellie’s view of the future? your review should demand the attention of your audience. The opinions expressed in your review are yours. You can express your love, hate or ambivalence for the series. You Creative response topics can offer one-word assessments of the series. You can introduce the plot (but don’t give away the ending). You can Your challenge is to complete an individual creative project name your favourite scene, perhaps one that best sums up based on Tomorrow, When the War Began. Options for what the series is about. You can tell your audience about projects are listed below. You may design your own pro- a character that you liked or loathed. You can evaluate the ject. All projects must be discussed with and approved by way the series uses a production element. You can share your teacher. how you felt or what you thought as you watched the series. You can suggest who’ll love it and who won’t. And © ATOM 2016 • Use iMovie to make a trailer for Tomorrow, When the finally, you can rate it. How many stars does Tomorrow, War Began. When the War Began deserve out of five? • Devise an original board game based on Tomorrow, 32 KSH OR EE W T 1 Episode summary

KEY SCENES CHARACTERS SETTINGS THEMES

Make a list of key scenes. Name the characters that Identify the settings and write Use a word to identify the Write a brief synopsis for each appear in each key scene. a brief description of the most important theme of each key scene that you have listed. setting for each key scene. key scene. © ATOM 2016

33 KSH OR EE W T 2 Characters Format

• Use the character charts to make notes about the main In the column labelled ‘Views’ identify views held by the characters character. In the column labelled ‘Personality’ describe the charac- In the column labelled ‘Values’ identify the values enter’s personality traits. dorsed by the character. In the column labelled ‘Motivation’ explain what moti- In the column labelled ‘Changes’ identify the way that vates the character’s actions. the character changes because of the invasion.

PERSONALITY MOTIVATION VIEWS VALUES CHANGES

ELLIE

HOMER

LEE

CORRIE

FIONA

ROBYN

KEVIN

34 KSH OR EE W T 2

PERSONALITY MOTIVATION VIEWS VALUES CHANGES

LIZ

JACK

KATH

UMAR

GEORGE

RACHEL

DANIEL

THE COLONEL

35 KSH OR EE W T 3 Teenage identity

The teenagers express their identity in very different ways. Some are more certain of who they are than others. Some find it easy to conform to norms and expectations, while others question and challenge the views and values of their family and friends.

RESPOND

Are the teenagers individuals or are they just stereotypes?

What five words best describe Fiona’s teenage identity? DEFINE

Finish the following sentence.

Identity is

EXAMINE

For the following questions Use direct and indirect evidence from Tomorrow, When the War Began to endorse your choices. What three words best describe Robyn’s teenage identity?

What three words best describe Ellie’s teenage identity?

What three words best describe Kevin’s teenage identity? What three words best describe Homer’s teenage identity?

What three words best describe Chris’ teenage identity?

What three words best describe Lee’s teenage identity?

What three words best describe your teenage identity? Use experiences from your life to endorse your choices.

36 KSH OR EE W T 4 Dilemmas and decisions

Use the chart to document the dilemmas that the characters face during the narrative. Do not limit your listing of dilemmas to those faced by the teenage characters. You should also document the dilemmas facing their parents and the invading army. In the column labelled ‘Decision’, explain the decision that the characters make and the reason why. In the column labelled ‘Consequence’, describe the consequence of the decision.

37 Brendan Maher | Director

Online resources Brendan Maher is a highly accomplished director with a body of work spanning more than thirty years. His strong Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016) official creative vision and commitment to story have resulted website in three Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards for Best http://www.tomorrowwhenthewarbegan.com/ Director. His career in the UK is equally stellar having Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016) – Ambience directed for top rating series such as Upstairs Downstairs, Entertainment Identity, Spooks, Spooks: Code 9, Silent Witness, http://www.ambienceenter- Kidnapped and the telemovie Wide Sargasso Sea. Maher’s tainment.com/films/2016/4/6/ other international credits include Spartacus: Gods of tomorrow-when-the-war-began-the-series the Arena, Spartacus: Vengeance, Farscape, Lost World Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016) – ABC3 and Flipper. His Australian credits include Sisters of War, http://www.abc.net.au/abc3/microsites/TWTWB/ Dirt Game, The Cooks, White Collar Blue and The Secret index.htm Life of Us. Maher also directed the AFI Award-winning Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016) on mini-series, The Road from Coorain and After the Deluge. Facebook Other credits include the telefeatures, Society Murders and https://www.facebook.com/TWTWBtheseries/ Halifax FP: Swimming with Sharks and the feature film, Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016) on Nim’s Island 2. Maher’s most recent credits are the Sky1 Instagram action series, Strike Back, and the BBC World War One https://www.instagram.com/twtwbtheseries/ drama series The Passing Bells. Tomorrow, When the War Began (2016) on Twitter https://twitter.com/twtwb Tomorrow Series fan site Ambience Entertainment http://tomorrow-series.eu/en/ Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010) official Ambience Entertainment was founded in 1989 and is website an award winning production company and industry http://www.paramountpicturesintl.com/intl/uk/ leader specialising in entertainment content. Ambience tomorrow/ Entertainment has feature film, television drama and chil- John Marsden official website dren’s live action focused divisions with a highly expe- http://www.johnmarsden.com.au/ rienced team who bring the qualifications and specialty backgrounds with the ability to be able to create, finance, *Teachers are advised to preview online material to produce and distribute entertainment content that is cut- assess its suitability for use as a student resource. ting edge and of the highest quality. This reputation has earned Ambience Entertainment recognition as an industry leader. http://www.ambienceentertainment.com/

This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2016) ISBN: 978-1-74295-950-4 [email protected] For information on SCREEN EDUCATION magazine, or to download other study guides for assessment, visit . Join ATOM’s email broadcast list for invitations to free screenings, conferences,

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