An overview of Australian movie (film) history

An overview of Australian movie (film) history



An overview of Australian movie (film) history

Introduction

Technological advances in recent times have made it easier for movie makers to produce movies in different locations often know as the “runway” locations. As a result, runaway locations (hereafter referred to as "locations") produce on an average of 600-800 feature films which are shot worldwide each year. With an average budget of $64 million per film, film productions create significant economic benefits for host regions. Film production can also have a positive impact on tourism as viewers seek to visit locations they have seen on the big screen. Similarly, the Australian film industry came into the lime light in the 1900s where they capitalized on their scenic locations and attracted a lot of tourists also they were the pioneers in producing full length feature films (Barbour, 1999, p. 28).

Discussion In the Initial 1900s, the Australian film Industry struck gold as they produced their first full length feature film under the name of “the Story of the Kelly Gang”, which was produced by the Tait brothers. This was a stepping stone for the Australians and the British as their theatres bloomed and the genre of bushranger stories begun. This was the time the Australian Film makers saw an opportunity to excel.

Moreover, in the earlier days, the Australian film makers were producing films which reflected upon the natural surroundings of Australia such as the convicts and the bushrangers which were a part of Australia. This gave the Australian filmmakers a stepping stone which allowed them to experiment with the latter. By experimentation, these Australian Film makers were able to realize their potential and then further they excelled on what they were best at (Beeton, 2004, p.125).

However, when the Australian Filmmakers, produced stories regarding the bushrangers, the censorship boards really did not pay much heed but then later on the Southern Australia banned the screenings of such films in the 1911 and then the NSW (New South Wales) police department banned the production of bushranger films in 1912. The Kelly story, however, outlasted the ban and ever since that time there have been countless remakes of the movie and little original scripture still remains. These movies are still in the running as they are preserved by the many historians (Beeton, 2004, p.125).

Moreover, the Australian audiences were thrilled to see films being produced about their own country even though the industry as going downhill due to the ever expanding American and English production companies. The state of the industry was so dire that a Royal Commission was held into the film industry in 1928, but it did little to stop the decline.

The Silent Period (1890-1930)

After Australia embraced the technological advancement in the film category, the industry went through a rapid change and development. The major stepping stone for these Australian was when the produced the first ever full length feature film in 1906 which was titled “the Kelly gang” and ...