Ultrathread I: Thread of the Year - 2014

[Dragon2010]

Got to agree with t-ba here, Game of Thrones is basically as mainstream and pop culture centric as a show can get these days.

Spartacus not so much, but that's mostly because it isn't anywhere near as successful.

I wasn't saying it wasn't mainstream, I just wanted to know he saw it fit into mainstream. I know it's heavily watched and followed - I won't at all deny that.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Its mainstream in that it is considered 'ok', the media doesn't really pan it and it has a massive fan following.

 

[Red Bear]

Depends where you are in the world.

The yanks, for example, tend to have no problems with graphic violence but are still very sensitive to swearing, whereas swearing is very much accepted in english television.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

The sad thing is that so many high profile films/TV get made In Australia/NZ, but they can't seem to catch a clue and produce their own.

Granted the money isn't there for GOT Australia to get a run (All hail Kangaroo of the North) but there isn't even the willingness to try and create a concept that appeals to more than a tiny fraction of the world's population.

 

[whall15]

The sad thing is that so many high profile films/TV get made In Australia/NZ, but they can't seem to catch a clue and produce their own.

Granted the money isn't there for GOT Australia to get a run (All hail Kangaroo of the North) but there isn't even the willingness to try and create a concept that appeals to more than a tiny fraction of the world's population.

Scripted TV in Australia is generally made in order to be palatable for UK audiences so it can sold on over there.

 

[HowHigh]

I used to enjoy Neighbours and Home & Away when I was younger/school days but now if I catch a few minutes of it they both seem f**kin awful, terrible acting and such predictable story lines. Maybe it was always like that and only realised as I got older lol

 

[Misanthrope]

The sad thing is that so many high profile films/TV get made In Australia/NZ, but they can't seem to catch a clue and produce their own.

Granted the money isn't there for GOT Australia to get a run (All hail Kangaroo of the North) but there isn't even the willingness to try and create a concept that appeals to more than a tiny fraction of the world's population.

The government has no desire to fund it, and networks have no desire to risk their money on a chancy prospect when they can just pay for a US show that they can be pretty confident will be successful.

Really, the only chance we'll get more Australian productions on TV is if:

a). Funding increased. Won't happen with our current tyrant in power.
b). The requirement for Australian programming was lifted. Right now, it's easy for networks to just reach the minimum with tacky reality TV, shitty game shows, and asinine children's programming.

 

[Rhino_NQ]

i cant see hannibal being made the series it is now a few decades ago

 

[whall15]

In fairness the only US shows that still rate well in Australia appeal to the lowest common denominator who don't torrent and are happy to wait months for it to be shown in shitty standard definition.

The Big Bang Theory is the most obvious example of this.

 

[Misanthrope]

i cant see hannibal being made the series it is now a few decades ago

I'm sorry?

EDIT: Oh, I see, you're referring to the earlier line of conversation.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Scripted TV in Australia is generally made in order to be palatable for UK audiences so it can sold on over there.

Can script a concept however you like, it's the lack of genuine attention grabbing concepts (and then the ability to execute) that lets Australia down.

As Mis said, it's more about the unwillingness to fund or try anything out of the tried and true. Now with Abbott on the budget warpath and funding being threatened further I doubt that would change.

They've tried their best to rip off UK programs though with their Skins and Downton Abbey attempts.

 

[Misanthrope]

Do Australians lack creativity? I can't think of a great many ground-breaking, fascinating concepts (either written or filmed) to come out of Australia in a while now.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Do Australians lack creativity? I can't think of a great many ground-breaking, fascinating concepts (either written or filmed) to come out of Australia in a while now.

I just feel when we make shows it's either family drama or romantic comedies, ergo shows that have greater mass appeal. Your more risky shows just won't get on TV as they are looking for that big viewership number (or $$$, your choice).

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Creativity is one issue IMO, the other one being inclusiveness (or lack there of) and a willingness to take a risk.

The Australian film industry (or at least those in charge) need to stop treating themselves like art or an extension of the tourism industry. They bring big budget productions here (Star Wars, Terra Nova, Gadsby, San Andreas etc) and then pat themselves on the back for providing opportunity for locals.

Then when it comes to their own stuff it's either blatant rip offs or what they classify as "Australian stories" that only a small percentage of Australia would care about let alone the rest of the world.

Australia also has this fascination with "quirky" stories, something better saved for indies than mainstream. Especially when most of the "quirky" stories are comedies, and comedies are traditionally the worst travelling films internationally.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Also if all shows start to look and feel the same, just look at the credit list. Actors, directors, DOP's are usually recycled from show to show.

 

[RHCP]

Most good things Australians make wouldn't appeal to an American audience. On the rare occassion they try and pick something up (Kath & Kim, I think Summer Heights High?) they always have to re-jink it so bad it loses what made it succeed.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Do Australians lack creativity? I can't think of a great many ground-breaking, fascinating concepts (either written or filmed) to come out of Australia in a while now.

Mad Max, Gallipoli, Moulin Rouge, the first Underbelly, Around the Twist, Mr Squiggle, Two Hands, Looking for Alibrandi, Romper Stomper, Muriel's Wedding, The Castle, Priscilla Queen of the Desert - I don't think we're short of imagination. I think its commercial viability. Producers want American blockbusters, not meaningful cultural movies.

IMHO.

 

[Drew-Sta]

Missed Red Dog.

 

[whall15]

The last decent Australian TV Drama I can think of was The Straits, and whilst I liked it it was hardly successful.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Mad Max, Gallipoli, Moulin Rouge, the first Underbelly, Around the Twist, Mr Squiggle, Two Hands, Looking for Alibrandi, Romper Stomper, Muriel's Wedding, The Castle, Priscilla Queen of the Desert - I don't think we're short of imagination. I think its commercial viability. Producers want American blockbusters, not meaningful cultural movies.

IMHO.

Cross off anything made pre-2000 and see what's left on the list Drew. The industry changed significantly in the decade after where money was getting thrown around like paper.

In 2011 (maybe 2010) Australian films at the box office accounted for less than 4% gross and that was in a year where one film (Red Dog I think) was responsible for half the gross.

Comedies don't travel, which is why things like the shows RHCP mentioned about American trying to re-jink just didn't work. Even the big American comedies show a significant drop off in international revenue compared to the more traditional action, thriller, sci-fi etc