Research Project Summary
The Australian film industry is one of the oldest film industries and it has had a glorious past. The Story of the Kelly Gang is a perfect example, which was called the world’s first full-length feature film in 1906. It was a huge success in both the Australian and the British market. The Story of the Kelly Gang ended up launching a new genre of bushranger stories. Unlike every other film industry in the world, the Australian film industry had to go through a rough time in early 1920-1960s.
A new era of filmmaking started in Australia when the Australian Film Television and Radio school was established in 1972. The school boosted the level of confidence in many Australian artists, which was significant for the industry. As a result Australia produced nearly 400 films between 1970 and 1985. This is a substantial figure in the history of the Australian film industry. ? Why in 21st century, is the Australian film industry so fragile?
According to Australian Film Commission release of a record of successful Australian productions, we come to realize that the Australian film’s share of the box office went from 4 per cent in 1998 to 8 percent in 2001. The overall box office increased but attendance at local films slumped to an all-time low in 2004, which came as a big shock for Australian film makers. It is true that the Australian film industry is distinctively small, but it has the availability of high tech studios in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast. I would say these studios are no less resourced than any American studio, and already some American movies like Mission Impossible 2, Star Wars 2, The Matrix…were made in these sutdios through casually employing Australian artists and lots of crew.
According to Stephen Corvini from Film Victoria “There is no doubt that it is difficult to finance a feature film out of Australia. Part of the reason is the lack of box office success in the last few years, which made the international market less likely to provide pre sales internationally, which previously were there for Australian filmmakers to help finance a feature film”.
The Australian Government provided direct support, training and industry development and investment agencies (a total of A$136.4 million in 2004–05). If we can only create a proper platform for our exported and local Artists then they will return and love to work here in Australia and with that couple of box office success can raise a new wave for a shiny Australian film industry in future.
