Australian TV
'The Slap' producers "fascinated" by show's success
Published Wednesday, Nov 16 2011, 07:20 GMT | By Rebecca Davies | 4 comments
The Slap's producers have revealed that they find its success "fascinating".
The Australian television drama starring Sophie Okonedo, Jonathan LaPaglia and Melissa George - which looks into the repercussions for a group of friends after one of them slaps another's child at a barbecue - has now been picked up by a US television network.
Producer Helen Bowden told The ABC: "The Slap is selling everywhere, right around the world. There's been a huge interest in it. It's a fascinating idea that something so Australian is translating so well."
Around 700 producers - including Bowden - are currently gathering in Sydney for the SPAA Conference 2011, hoping to help the Aussie television industry evolve further.
Brian Rosen from the Screen Producers Association said: "If we want to have an Australian voice, if we want an Australian audience, if we want to find Australian content, then we need to support [the industry] stronger than we do."
Screen producers are reportedly fighting for the support of the government and for increased tax offsets for all screen content, to bring it into line with the 40% available only to movies.
Bowden said of the move: "It would bring a lot more money into the industry, generate productivity and result in a lot more content."
Although independent financing of Australian screen content has been scarce in the past few years, it is believed that private investors are gradually returning and producers are talking of an industry turnaround.
The Slap is currently being aired on BBC Four in the UK and has been a huge ratings success in Australia.
> 'The Slap' Sophie Okenedo interview: 'There's no moral compass in the show'
The Australian television drama starring Sophie Okonedo, Jonathan LaPaglia and Melissa George - which looks into the repercussions for a group of friends after one of them slaps another's child at a barbecue - has now been picked up by a US television network.
Producer Helen Bowden told The ABC: "The Slap is selling everywhere, right around the world. There's been a huge interest in it. It's a fascinating idea that something so Australian is translating so well."
© BBC / Matchbox Pictures
Around 700 producers - including Bowden - are currently gathering in Sydney for the SPAA Conference 2011, hoping to help the Aussie television industry evolve further.
Brian Rosen from the Screen Producers Association said: "If we want to have an Australian voice, if we want an Australian audience, if we want to find Australian content, then we need to support [the industry] stronger than we do."
Screen producers are reportedly fighting for the support of the government and for increased tax offsets for all screen content, to bring it into line with the 40% available only to movies.
Bowden said of the move: "It would bring a lot more money into the industry, generate productivity and result in a lot more content."
Although independent financing of Australian screen content has been scarce in the past few years, it is believed that private investors are gradually returning and producers are talking of an industry turnaround.
The Slap is currently being aired on BBC Four in the UK and has been a huge ratings success in Australia.
> 'The Slap' Sophie Okenedo interview: 'There's no moral compass in the show'
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