Awards Season!
While The Men Are Away has been nominated for two AACTA Awards in 2024 - Best Miniseries and Best Costume Design, recognizing the amazing work of Nina Edwards.
We are also a finalist for Miniseries Production of the Year at the 22nd Screen Producers Australia Awards.
All this after being the #1 watched show on SBS On Demand!
And that's a wrap!
After a whirlwind 9 weeks (or was it 10?!) we have wrapped on principal photography on While The Men Are Away. The Director's Attachment has been more rewarding that I could ever have imagined. I am still processing the whole experience, and the insane amount of information and experience I gained from working so closely to support Elissa Down. Watching her work was an incredible opportunity and I learnt so much! Thanks Elissa!
WTMAA Director's Attachment
I'm thrilled to announce that I will be the director's attachment for the entirety of the shoot for While The Men Are Away, 2023. After working closely in the writing and development of this show, I am beyond thrilled to be able to be there for all the action as this world is brought to life. I will be shadowing the incredibly talented and accomplished Elissa Down (Ivy & Bean, The Black Balloon) for the course of the shoot and can't wait to watch and learn from her.
This is a photo I took whilst Zooming in from the UK to the final table read. I will start the day I get back!
Variety
The cast for upcoming SBS dramedy series “While the Men Are Away” has been revealed.
“While the Men Are Away” is a queer revisionist historical dramedy set in 1940s rural Australia while the men are off fighting in World War II. Two Women’s Land Army recruits from Sydney arrive in the country and undergo a heady course in race relations, rural politics, farming, spirituality, sexuality and personal growth.
Screen Australia Announces $12 million of Production Funding for 9 Projects
While the Men are Away: A queer, revisionist historical dramedy for SBS set in 1940's rural Australia. While the men are off fighting in WWII, the people who have been excluded from power suddenly find themselves running the show. Two Women’s Land Army recruits from Sydney arrive in the country and undergo a heady course in race relations, rural politics, spirituality, sex, and personal growth - oh, and farming. While the Men are Away is created by Alexandra Burke (Sissy), Kim Wilson (Wentworth) and Monica Zanetti (Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt)), and written by Wilson, Zanetti, Jada Alberts (Cleverman), Magda Wozniak (Bad Behaviour), Enoch Mailangi (All My Friends Are Racist) and Sam Icklow (The Moth). It is produced by Lisa Shaunessy of Arcadia, whose feature Sissy premiered at SXSW Film Festival this year. This series is financed with support from Screen NSW with Red Arrow Studios International managing international sales. This is the first 8 x 30 drama from SBS Scripted Originals.
New role at Arcadia
Excited to share that I will be covering for the inimitable Anna Dadic while she is on maternity leave, as Acting Head of Development at Arcadia in 2022.
Arcadia is an integrated film & television production and distribution house based in Orange, NSW. They have produced a suite of acclaimed and award-winning series and feature films including AACTA award-winning series Hipsters; Sundance Midnight favourite, Killing Ground; Netflix’s hit sci-fi 2067, and horror satire Sissy, premiering at SXSW and starring The Bold Type’s Aisha Dee.
Presenting Apricot at the Outfest Sundance Queer Brunch
I am completely obsessed with this picture of Jake and me, presenting Apricot to a room full of the most talented, fun queer artists at Sundance! Every year at Sundance, Outfest hosts a queer brunch celebrating the filmmakers showing work in Park City, 2020.
