Submission 101

Hi,

My name is Christine Cheung, and I've worked in the field of Post Production for 13 years. I started as an Assistant Editor working at Yoram Gross on a few kids shows. I got a break working on the film Happy Feet, and after that I've had a fairly long run working on large scale films such as , Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Great Gatsby and . I've also worked on smaller budget films such as Animal Kingdom and Bran Nue Dae. I am now moving from an Assistant Editor to work as an Editor.

It has been well documented that smaller Australian films are struggling with reduced budgets. We are constantly being asked to do more with less. It is a tough industry and not everyone stays. To know that Australian content quotas may be reduced brings about alarm to me.

I feel very strongly about telling Australian stories, and creating strong creative teams in our homeland. While offshore productions are great, and can generate work for a lot of us, I believe it is important for us as country to leave a legacy of work. For ourselves and future Australians.

I cite films like Last Days of Chez Nous, Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Castle, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and , as important films that are quintessentially Australian. While they serve to entertain us, and are able can impress audiences offshore, what I find most important is how they become part of our cultural psyche. It's the vibe...

I love seeing Asian Australians such as Poh Ling Yeow, Indigenous Australian such Jessica Mauboy and the cast of Cleverman on our Screens. I feel genuinely excited that these are well loved Australians and not just in their niches as Asian or Indigenous Australians, they are well loved by a broad spectrum of Australians. Especially since it has taken such a long time to see these types of faces on screen, I fear they may never come back if they go. I say this with a strong belief that this is one of the most powerful ways in which we can become a more united mutlicultural country. By bringing 'other' faces and 'other cultures' into the homes of everyday Australians it is far more effective than a lecture on racism. I would even say Gogglebox is doing a far greater job in promoting a diverse and multi-cultural Australia than most school systems, and certainly many of our Politicians!! They are all so thoroughly Australian, no matter what any outward appearance may have certain people believe - their humour is shared, dry and completely Aussie.

Thanks for reading. More Aussie content please.

Cheers, Christine