Digital TV

Launch for First Digital Terrestrial Datacasting Service

Consumers can now access more information services on free-to-air digital television with Broadcast Australia’s launch of Australia’s first full datacasting service.
The new service, ‘Digital Forty Four Datacast on 44’, showcases the potential of datacasting under a three-year, Federal Government-endorsed trial. Digital Forty Four, which is the generic name for a suite of datacasting services that can be found on a number of digital channels starting with the prefix ‘4’, was officially unveiled by Hon. John Della Bosca MLC, NSW Special Minister for State, Minister for Commerce and Minister for Industrial Relations.
Broadcast Australia is providing the technology and delivery platform for the Digital Forty Four service. Datacasting content is being provided by third parties.
“This trial will demonstrate that free-to-air digital television and datacasting provide a very effective way to deliver large amounts of information to anyone with a TV set and a digital set top box. Not only is digital datacasting free to receive, it can carry high definition signals and be tailored for local audiences,” said Graeme Barclay, Managing Director of Broadcast Australia.

For more, including coverage area map, click here.

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INSTALLATIONS

Global TV Launches New Digital OB Van

Global Television has announced the completion of the company’s latest digital outside broadcast production unit, DP6. Designed to provide smaller-scale sports coverage, it has been fully designed and constructed in Australia by Global Television at its Homebush, NSW, facility. Built on a 15-metre non-expanding trailer constructed by Starline Special Vehicles to Global’s design, the DP6 is a compact 12-camera / 8-VTR digital video production unit.
The DP 6 features a three-ME Kalypso vision mixer and a 64 x 64 Talia serial digital router, as well as a Calrec S2 36-channel audio mixer. The unit will be extensively used in Fox Sports’ football coverage.

For specs and pictures, click here.

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DISTRIBUTION

Mastatek Takes on Isis Group

The Isis Group has announced the appointment of Mastatek Pty Limited as its exclusive Australian/New Zealand Distributor.
Established in 1997 at Grass Valley, California, the ISIS Group product portfolio includes: Analogue and Digital Routing Switchers for Broadcast and Multimedia routing applications; Multi-Function Analogue or Digital A/V Switchers for ENG and fly-away systems; Protection Switchers for analogue, digital, ASI and ATSC critical path and changeover; Analogue and Digital Signal Distribution equipment; NTSC/PAL to SDI signal conversion systems.
Contact at Mastatek on +61-(0)3-9753 4300 or email frontdesk@mastatek.com.au

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Pay-TV

Foxtel Digital Takes Off

Sunday March 14 has seen the official launch of Foxtel's new Digital cable and satellite service.
"Consumers have shown enormous and growing interest in Foxtel Digital since we unveiled the revolutionary content and features that we will deliver - and the great value and choice for subscribers that our pricing and packaging offers," Foxtel Chief Executive Kim Williams said. See Foxtel Digital Media Launch
"Consumers will be able to experience liberating choice and a completely new way to watch television when they switch on Foxtel Digital.
"With key features never seen before in Australia, Foxtel Digital will deliver cable and satellite subscribers enhanced viewing through an exciting range of more than 130 channels, interactive services and expanded viewing options, all with DVD quality pictures and CD quality sound."
To view Foxtel Digital, consumers will not need to purchase a new TV. Foxtel will supply the necessary in-home receiving technology which will include a new digital set-top-unit and remote control as part of the service.

For more, click here.

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Post-Production

FSM Completes Controversial Documentary

FSM has recently completed post-production on The President Versus David Hicks, to air on SBS Television on March 18.
FSM’s Fire and Da Vinci compiled and graded the Australian documentary by AFI Award winning filmmaker Curtis Levy at their facilities in Northbridge.
The world premiere of the film about the 26 year old, who cannot be seen or heard, locked in the legal limbo that is Guantanamo Bay, will launch a new weekly Australian documentary strand, Storyline Australia, on SBS.

For details, click here.

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TVCs

Prodigy’s Nick Reynolds Runs with Don

Prodigy Director, Nick Reynolds, is responsible for the latest “Don Is Good” 15-second spot currently airing nationally. The amusing TVC was commissioned by Y&R Melbourne for George Weston Foods to promote their new “97% Fat Free” Range of smallgoods.
The spot demonstrates Reynolds characteristic flair for comedy, opening on a fleeing jogger holding tightly to a ham roll, then cutting back to a stunned man staring at his empty lunch box, then forlornly waving his sandwich goodbye with the tagline “Don … Is Gone.”

For details, click here

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Sportscasting

Gold for Telecast in SE Asian Games

US Company Telecast Fiber Systems, through PTC Ltd, its dealer in Vietnam supplied 130 Viper II 5122 modular fiber optic systems to the recent 22nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Telecast's Viper II systems were installed at more than 36 different venues to help capture the games in their entirety, including opening and closing ceremonies and competition in 32 categories.
This was the first time that Vietnam has hosted the SEA Games, which currently include participants from Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Competition included sports such as aquatics, billiards, boxing, canoeing, chess, fencing, judo, soccer, table tennis, traditional boat racing, and volleyball.
The Viper II systems were used to establish video, audio, and data connections between production crews stationed at the many SEA Games events.
The 5122 modules used during the SEA Games transmitted all analog video and audio signals, plus a data channel and GPI switch closure for control applications, on single fiber optic cables. The modules support both PAL and NTSC video formats and provide up to 10 MHz of video bandwidth.
Dual-line-level audio inputs were digitized using 24-bit sampling, multiplexed with the video signal, and transmitted via Telecast's proprietary laser technology. Once the signals reached the intended destination, the 5122 receivers converted the signals back into their original analog audio and video channels. Telecast offers the 5122 systems in rack-mountable or throw-down configurations.

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Festivals

Winners Announced for Sony Tropfest

Comedian and film-maker Gary Eck was awarded first prize at the rain-soaked Sony Tropfest 2004 on February 22 by a panel of celebrity judges including Salma Hayek and Josh Lucas for his comedy THE MONEY.
Audiences of over 130,000 saw 16 finalist films which were beamed live via satellite to venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Hobart and Brisbane.
The panel of six celebrity judges; Salma Hayek, Josh Lucas, Rowan Woods, Sacha Horler, Neal Moritz, and Sony Tropfest 2003 winner Tim Bullock, presented awards including best film, best actor and actress, best screenplay and best cinematography.

For details and pics, click here.

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Installations

Nine chooses generationQ

Australia's Nine Network has recently purchased Quantel’s QPaintbox Pro next generation PC-based graphics system. The box, which has already seen use on a reworking of Nine’s on-air branding, joins an extensive selection of Quantel equipment at Nine’s Sydney HQ.
The Nine Network is a long-term user of Quantel technology, having initially purchased a Quantel Paintbox Classic not long after the machine’s initial introduction in 1984. The services of the new QPaintbox Pro will be predominantly reserved for News and Current Affairs, where Paul Twyford-Jones, Manager of Post Production Services, claims “Its speed, ease of use and creative toolset will help raise the bar in the standard of the graphics we can produce in the short timeframe you have daily when dealing with a 6PM news producer.
“Quantel has always produced an extremely reliable product designed specifically for the broadcast industry,” he adds, “with the appropriate processing speed and creative interface for both text and painting. The QPaintbox Pro will compliment our existing Paintbox FXs in producing animated graphics in the time frame necessary to meet on-air news commitments.”

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Distribution

Quinto Takes on Omnibus

Omnibus Systems and Quinto Communications have signed a distribution agreement that will see Quinto assuming responsibility for all sales and service of OmniBus products in Australia and New Zealand.
According to Quinto’s Alan McIlwaine,“We are very pleased and excited to have the opportunity to work with OmniBus. We have long admired their expertise and their groundbreaking G3 architecture shows enormous potential in the Australian and New Zealand market.”
OmniBus is a developer of automation and asset management systems. A recent US$12.5 million capital injection from its major shareholder will enable the company to consolidate the roll out of its new G3 product range that shifts the emphasis of broadcast automation systems from applications to specific tasks.
“Quinto Communications is a well known and respected distributor of professional broadcast equipment," said Greg Hoskin, OmniBus’ Senior VP, Specialised Sales & Marketing. “When we talked to clients about local distributors, the name Quinto kept coming at the top of their recommendations. We are confident that, working together, we will ensure Australian and New Zealand customers receive the excellence of the OmniBus product range with strong local support.”
OmniBus recently launched the HeadLine Media Editor suite with support for Windows Media 9 Series in its multi-format editor, enabling high-speed, SD and HD editing in single or mixed formats, even on a laptop. The company also recently entered into an alliance with Omneon to combine that company's media servers with OmniBus’ automation software.

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Acquisition

Nine Goes Wireless with Link Research

Australia's Nine Network recently signed off on an another four LinkXP wireless camera systems from UK developer Link Research, with an encoder/modulator option built-in for satellite newsgathering and Flyaways.
The LinkXP units with this Flyaway option can be used with just a satellite dish and uplink. They are specified with an option board on the side of the unit giving an ASI output and Modulated 70Mhz output which means that they can also be used as a straight encoder with a DVB-S or DVB-T modulator output. This option board effectively replaces two additional rack units.
“For us, the most important attraction of the LinkXP system is the versatility of the on-board camera radio for D-SNG”, says Ian Wyles, Assistant Chief Engineer at Channel 9. “There is no re-encoding and low latency and the encoder/modulator unit is only the size of a match box.”
The LinkXP system can be used for flyaways because it offers both DVB-S modulation for satellite systems and and DVB-T modulation in its wireless camera systems. The order for Channel 9’s flyaway systems was placed through Link’s Australian distributor, Comsyst.

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Distribution

AV Central Adelaide Launches High-Tech Showroom

AV Central Adelaide has recently undergone a total renovation and now offers the South Australian Video industry the opportunity to experience the complete range of DVCAM camcorders, Avid XpressDV NLE systems, Miller tripods, as well as a vast range of complementary products and accessories on show at their George Street Thebarton premises.
AV Central is a joint venture between seven professional video production and audio visual dealers across Australia, who recognised the need to provide nation-wide specialist sales, service and advice and most importantly, total integrated solutions for the customer.

For details, click here.

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Outside Broadcast

Gearhouse Given the 'Finger at Ent Cent

Gearhouse Broadcast rocked up to the Sydney Entertainment Centre in December to cover the Powderfinger concert. Gearhouse was appointed as broadcast facilitator by one of Australia’s leading DVD production companies, Elastic Wit Studios.
Elastic Wit were commissioned by Powderfinger's Management to concept, design and produce the DVD requiring 16:9 digital footage of the concert for their editing process and production.
Gearhouse Broadcast provided a full outside broadcast including 14 digital camera channels, 14 isolated VTR feeds and production communications for both the OB and production team. The coverage also included a compliment of specialty cameras with remote hot heads in the ceiling rig - track & dolly as well as sweeping Jimmy Jib shots. The crew consisted of 29 talented Engineering and Operational people, sourced from within Gearhouse and the freelance market.
According to Gearhouse's Graham Elliot, "It was a great opportunity to work on such a high profile concert, supporting industry professionals such as Alex Begetis from Elastic Wit and Mark Adamson, one of Australia’s leading variety/entertainment directors.
"Integrating with Chameleon who managed the lighting & James Cadsky who managed the audio recording with Johnston Audio providing front of house also had us placed amongst the best. For the likes of our Broadcast Engineers Chris Davies and Peter Salter, the business staple is predominately sport coverage, so the chance to break the mould and take a more creative approach to the coverage was a welcomed challenge."

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Distribution

Avid Australia and Edit Solutions Form Reseller Partnership

Avid Australia has signed a reseller agreement with Perth-based editing systems and services provider Edit Solutions. Under the terms of the agreement Edit Solutions becomes a reseller of the Avid Xpress family of editing systems.
“With their broad base of customers and high level of specialist expertise in the media production technology and services arena, Edit Solutions is ideally qualified to increase our share of the video editing systems market in Perth”, said Garrick Simeon, Marketing Manager, Avid Australia.
The line of Avid Xpress products to be represented by Edit Solutions includes the recently-released Avid Xpress Pro with Avid Mojo.
Commenting on the reseller agreement Bob Glover, Product Specialist at Edit Solutions, said: “This partnership with Avid allows us to provide a range of world-class DV editing products from entry-level through to complete professional systems. Avid’s editing software is recognised as the finest video editing interface on the market and we are confident that the addition of the Avid Xpress family to our product portfolio will be well-received by our existing and prospective customers.”
Contact Avid Australia on (02) 8977 4804. Edit Solutions can be contacted on (08) 9228 2150 or via email at support@editsolutions.com.au

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Pay-TV

Foxtel Unveils Digital Content, Set-Top

Australian pay-TV provider, Foxtel, has released plans for the content of its soon to be launched Foxtel Digital service, including an array of new channels and key interactive features. The company also presented its new set-top box and remote control, but has left announcements on pricing until February.
Announced at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art, features of the new servies will include new channels, expanded news, choice of camera angles in sports coverage, and a range of widescreen channels with AC-3 sound.
Viewers will not need to purchase a new TV set to receive Foxtel Digital, but can access all available features through their existing TV, via a new digital set-top unit and remote control supplied and installed by Foxtel.
The company is now in the final stages of operational and technical testing and says it is committed to launching the new service in the first half of 2004.

For more details and set-top pics, click here.

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Industry Scheme

Atlab Short Film Initiative

Atlab Australia has recognised the importance of helping emerging Australian filmmaking talent to develop their craft by providing the chance to access Atlab’s digital post-production services for a vastly reduced rate. This will allow filmmakers to create short films of the highest possible print quality, whilst at same time introducing them to the latest digital equipment.
The initiative will see Atlab, Australia’s offer use of its digital intermediate facilities for the special sponsored rate of $1000 per minute, dramatically reducing the cost of digitally post producing a short by more than a third. The sponsored rate will cover the material costs of the process, including film scanning, digital post (conform, digital grade, opticals, titles), Laser film recording and Film Post (including sound negative, answer print). Atlab's time, expertise, and technical support will be provided at no cost. To date, six short films have already been completed under the scheme.
According to Atlab NSW General Manager, Anthos Simon, “An incredible amount of interest has been registered in the scheme so far. There is a great deal of passion out there for film making, and we were surprised at how many people are eager to finish their short films digitally, now that Atlab has made it affordable. Finishing a short film digitally has always been cost prohibitive, until now. This is another way Atlab can further support the industry at all levels.”
Short Filmmakers can apply to Atlab for the special sponsored rate, which is open to anyone who is interested in a digital post finish on 35mm film.

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Australian Technology

Evolution's Nexus on Trial at Australian Open

Sydney-based technology developer Evolution Broadcast has announced that its Nexus production control system has been undergoing trials with international sportscaster ESPN at the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne.
Using touchscreen technology and Thomson Grass Valley protocols, the system is comprised of:

• Nexus Display - Evolution-developed electronics which enable the user-configurable display of up to 16 high-resolution scaled video images on a single LCD screen.
• Nexus Engineer - a module that integrates the diagnostic monitoring of all system
  devices into a single PC-based package.
• Nexus Director - eliminates the Vision Switcher role and allows the Director to switch complex productions using two touch screens. With unique near-field split-screen vision monitoring, a custom control panel and a graphical user interface, the user controls automation features to simplify complex transitions and video effects. The automation controls other devices including the video servers, graphics and audio.

Nexus RFX (Replay & Effects) - Using disk server technology from Thomson Grass Valley, the Nexus RFX eliminates up to four videotape operators and allows a single operator to deliver packaged replays complete with effects.

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Post-production

New Expansions for Frame Set & Match

As part of a natural extension to its post production facility, FSM is significantly expanding its Design, 3D and VFX capabilities in 2004.
Key new staff have been appointed as part of the company’s growth strategy, including Brendan Savage (Design Director), Fleur Hollis-Gleave (Senior VFX Producer), Mike Wynd (Senior 3D animator) and Emile Rademeyer (Senior Designer). All new recruits bring a wealth of experience and creative talent to FSM.
Company owner Rick Schweikert says, “Some time ago we recognised the increased interest in 2D and 3D design and the need to incorporate it more fully as part of our core business. We see clients becoming more and more sophisticated with their requests. Their desire is to have people working in a post production environment who can help to create a look, solve a problem or design an idea. With the already powerful resources and talented staff at our disposal, it was a simple decision to expand the design and 3D area and open the doors to a wider variety of production styles.”
As part of the expansion a second flame is being installed and will be operational in February. The flame will be suitable for both standard and high definition productions and will compliment the existing flame and fire suites at the facility. Another senior flame designer to work alongside Stuart Cadzow will be announced soon.
FSM has continued to grow since relocating to its purpose designed building in Northbridge. The focus remains on a mixture of commercial and long format work and the expanded design and 3D department is expected to compliment these and other styles of production.

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Sportcasting

Telex Goes to the Australian Open

International sports channel ESPN has broadcast this year's Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne to ESPN HQ in Connecticut (USA) with the help of the Telex RVON IP (RTS Voice Over Network) card.
The intercom system, rented from Charter Broadcast in Melbourne, is a Adam 136 x 136 which has 2 Telex RVON i/p cards installed with the same system running in Connecticut USA. The result, any one user in Melbourne can talk directly to one or more persons in Connecticut USA via Telex's Trunking system.
This gives total flexibility to the person in Melbourne who can scroll the list of people in ESPN Connecticut and either copy across to a key or push a key to talk or communicate with that person. Delay is negligible due to the Codec used which gives 64Kbit per channel at near CD Quality. The trunking IP signal is routed back on a Gigabit Ethernet connection via a T1 circuit back to ESPN Connecticut.

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Production

Prodigy's Bullock Creates Tropfest Trailer

Prodigy Films Director and 2003 Tropfest winner, Tim Bullock, has directed three 30 second trailers for Sony Tropfest 2004. Entitled “Alien,” “Flames,” and “Robot,” the trailers were written and directed by Tim Bullock, and produced through Prodigy. Jonathan Samway (Prodigy) and Serena Paull (Sony Tropfest), were Executive Producers and Kate Menzies (also from Prodigy) produced the spots.
Bullock’s black comedy short about two shady characters trying to bury a body, “Buried”, won last year’s prestigious competition. Since joining Prodigy last year, he has been recognised by the commercials industry for his comedic bent, directing some stand out spots for Cricket Australia, Fox Sports, Vicks, Fly Buys and MIAA amongst other clients.
The three 30 second spots take that comedic bent to new extremes, depicting the very amusing onset disasters that beset an amateur film crew attempting to make a science fiction Sony Tropfest film.
The spots feature a very strong cast, including Jason Gann, two time Best Actor winner at Sony Tropfest, as the overconfident yet dangerously inept stunt and pyrotechnics co-ordinator and stand up comedian Anthony Mir as the misguided director. CGI elements, blue screen effects, dangerous stunts and high powered explosive effects all feature.
The trailer was sponsored by Song Zu, The LaB Sydney, Kodak, Atlab, Panavision, Prototype Casting and Images Post, and will screen in Dendy and Palace cinemas nationally and on Network Ten throughout February. The full-length one and a half minute version will be revealed at Sony Tropfest 2004 on Sunday February 22.

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Distribution

TwinHan Appoints Lako for DTV Tuners

TwinHan Technology has appointed Lako Pacific as exclusive Australian distributors for its DTV Tuner products. TwinHan, is known for their VisionPlus brand of digital TV & satellite/cable TV tuner products for the PC look to provide desktop & notebook PC users with the very latest digital TV tuners that are also capable of receiving HDTV.
TwinHan products will be available from Lako from January 2004 onwards.
Contact:
LAKO PACIFIC (formerly Pineapplehead Distribution)
Suite 3, No.3, Wellington St,
Kew, Victoria. 3101.
Phone: +61 3 9852 7444
Fax: +61 3 9852 7400
www.lakopacific.com

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Pay-TV

Foxtel Denies Interactive Betting Report

Contrary to a recent report in The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Foxtel will not offer digital interactive wagering services when it launches new digital television services later in this year.
According to statement released by the subscription TV service provider, it "... has no agreements with Sky Racing Channel or Two Way TV in relation to interactive wagering services. Foxtel is not in negotiations with either organisation in relation to interactive wagering.
"Foxtel will not provide interactive wagering services when it launches new digital cable and satellite services in the first half of 2004."
The statement follows an announcement that the pay-TV operator has secured a $550 million bank facility from ABN AMRO and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) to fund its full digital conversion and the launch of new digital services in the first half of 2004. The facility has been fully underwritten by ABN AMRO and the CBA, which signed a mandate with FOXTEL in October 2003 to raise the funds. The banks will syndicate the loan.
According to Foxtel's Chief Executive, Kim Williams, "This financing completes another landmark step along Foxtel's path to digital launch. We are extremely pleased that ABN AMRO and the Commonwealth Bank have supported our vision and our plans to take Australian television into an exciting new era for consumers."
ABN AMRO's Head of Financial Markets in Australia, Col McKeith, said: "Foxtel's digital launch will lead subscription television into a fresh growth period and ABN AMRO is excited to be involved."
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia's Head of Technology Industries, Scott Hawker, said: "The Commonwealth Bank greatly looks forward to participating in the digital future of subscription television through Foxtel."
The network is due to provide further details of its new digital service on Wednesday 21 January, 2004.

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Animation

Ambience Adds Pep to Pop Pups

Following the success of Ambience Entertainment and A Stark Production's animated series, The "Pop Pups", which have been screening on the ABC during 2003, the Australian National Broadcaster has purchased a further 19 episodes.
The one-minute episodes, created for pre-schoolers are based on the three balloon puppies that originally appeared on the 'ABC Kids' commercials. The new episodes will air on The ABC immediately.
"We are really delighted to have the Pop Pups again screening on the ABC, who have been strong supporters of the series since the very inception of the idea." said Avrill Stark, Producer of the series.

For more, click here

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Competition

Rexel Launches Digital Film Quest

Australian Panasonic distributor, Rexel Video, is seeking script submissions from cinematographers for an original 25P video production of 8-10 minutes duration.
The prize includes one day free rental of a Panasonic AJ-SDX900 DVCPRO50 Camcorder plus three days free editing on an Apple Final Cut Pro 4 System.
The project should be no longer than 10 minutes completed duration and shot as 25fps
progressive. An Apple FCP4 suite is available for 3 days to complete the editing and colour grade.
The winner will be selected by a Panel of Rexel Video Staff in conjunction with Ben Allan ACS, and Jan Kenny, Head of Cinematogrophy at the Australian Film, Television & Radio School.
For conditions and entry form, click here.

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