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Why Australia continues to be a honeypot for local film and TV productions
Off the back of a record $1.9 billion spend last year on local and foreign film and television productions, it's time to reap the rewards and cash in via our screens to watch crafty, original series.
We are only two weeks into 2022, and we're seeing hit shows premiere on streaming services, filmed entirely on location in user-friendly states such as South Australia and New South Wales.
On January 13, award-winning Australian actor Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) stars alongside Josh Gad (the voice of Olaf in Frozen) in quirky drama Wolf Like Me, a six-part Stan series filmed entirely in New South Wales.
And mystery thriller The Tourist, starring British actor Jamie Dornan (The Fall), landed on January 3, mostly filmed in SA's Flinders Ranges.
According to a statement from Screen Australia to The New Daily, this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful year.
"There's a lot for audiences to look forward to, with Baz Luhrmann's latest film [the Elvis biopic] having wrapped, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart in production, season two of Upright on the way and plenty more to come.
"Australia has a strong reputation as a leading destination for international productions, thanks to our stunning and diverse physical locations, our talented and hard-working cast and crew, and our world-class facilities.
"On top of this, we have some of the most competitive support frameworks in the world for domestic and international production," the statement read.
A joint BBC production in association with the South Australian Film Corporation and HBO Max, director Christopher Sweeney said the "thrilling, funny and clever" script of The Tourist leant itself to being filmed remotely, and what better backdrop than the Australian outback.
"The visuals in Australia are remarkable," he said.
Queensland University of Technology associate professor in Film, Screen and Animation, Dr Mark Ryan told The New Daily the global pandemic has also played a starring role.
"We may not achieve 90-plus [productions] again next year as this was an unparalleled period of growth for the industry, but the industry is likely to have another bumper year," Dr Ryan said.
"The reason being that Australia, and specific states in the country including Queensland and to an extent New South Wales, were safe havens for film and TV production during the pandemic and both states have significant crews and production facilities capable of supporting high-end production.
"If the pandemic continues to rage it is highly likely that companies will continue to divert their production to these safe havens," he said, adding that insiders tell him studios who've already made content here have already locked in future production.
Dr Ryan also said "all indications are that the government will want to continue supporting the industry to cash in on this growth".
Isla Fisher, Josh Gad and star on the rise Ariel Donoghue. Photo: Stan
Bringing a 'world-class Australian story to life'
The official synopsis for Fisher's Wolf Like Me says it's a "gender-bending heartfelt drama" produced by the same team behind Nine Perfect Strangers (filmed in Byron Bay) and Big Little Lies.
Written and directed by three-time AACTA Award nominee Abe Forsythe (Little Monsters) and filmed across western Sydney and regional NSW, the story was inspired by his experiences searching for love as a single parent.
"Wolf Like Me is a very meaningful project for me. The stakes are extremely high but grounded by things we can all relate to," Forsythe said.
"I'm so excited to have Isla and Josh on board and I know the audience will be surprised seeing them in a different way as these characters."
Married to UK comedian and actor Sasha Baron Cohen (Borat), with whom she has three children, Fisher, 45, took to Instagram on Monday in a photo with her dog to remind people to set their clocks.
Stan's chief content officer Nick Forward said the production would shine a light on Australian content and expand on Stan's partnership with NBCUniversal and US streaming service Peacock.
He said he was looking forward to another "premium Australian-made drama", with the likes of Anthony Taufa (Mr Inbetween), Jake Ryan (Wolf Creek), Robyn Nevin (Stan Original Film Relic) and Nash Edgerton (The Invisible Man) filling out a mostly Australian cast.
Screen NSW says the production was expected to bring in $28.8 million in production expenditure to the NSW screen industry and support more than 160 jobs for local cast and crew.
Jamie Dornan in a very different role to that playing Belfast serial killer in The Fall. Photo: Stan
Meanwhile, Dornan, who finds himself in a "sleepy one-horse" South Australian town with no memory and no idea why he's there, stars alongside Australian actor Danielle Macdonald, a junior police officer trying to help him find his way.
Sweeney said it was "important that the show is set in the outback because there aren't that many places in the world that are as isolated as the Australian outback, both geographically and visually".
"This person, The Man, who wakes up in the middle of nowhere and doesn't remember who he is – the way to make that person feel most isolated is to set it somewhere like the Australian outback.
"Plus, it's not seen on film as much as places like Utah and big American deserts, so it felt like a really fresh and interesting way to do it.
As Sweeney reveals, he loved the script as the characters were "brilliantly unique, quirky
and strange".
"It reminded me a lot of films like No
Country for Old Men [Tommy Lee Jones] and Three Billboards Outside
Ebbing, Missouri [Frances McDormand]. It has this incredible, very specific quality that I just thought was very unique.
"This felt a bit like a
western, but it has its own quality of also being
set in Australia and the visuals in Australia are
remarkable, so that came to life. We asked, what
would it be like if we did that western look but put it in Australia?" he said.
Dr Ryan said series such as The Tourist and Wolf Like Me "are an attempt to produce quality television or prestige television that combine cinema and television genres, that have high production values, star high-calibre actors that are internationalised for product global audiences".
He said the main studio facilities on Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide also offered up unique locations that are iconic landscapes.
"And also a diverse range of locations that can be made to appear as universal landscapes."
The Stan Original Series Wolf Like Me premieres on January 13
The post Why Australia continues to be a honeypot for local film and TV productions appeared first on The New Daily.
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United and Spirit Airlines announce temporary pay bumps for pilots and flight attendants in effort to alleviate labor shortages


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Rachel Serafin
Megan Zimmerer
Tiffany Campbell
Sydney Chuen
Ellen Florek
Emily Tatum
Kate Hanley
Olivia Vandervoort
Kaylie Schunk
Heather Burich
Daniel McClurkin
Keiko Wilkins
Ellen Florek (Class of 2019)
honors junior Pre-Law student with Political Science major
minors in Special Education and Social Justice Studies
from Brunswick, OH
Bridges Program participant
University Academic Scholars Program (Law and Public Policy Scholar)
studying abroad on the Miami University Dolibois European Center campus in Luxembourg (Fall 2017)
"The experiences I've had at Miami, from undergraduate research to study abroad, have been overwhelmingly good. The combined effect of all these factors has guided me towards a career after graduation in something that I have a genuine passion for: serving for Teach for America and becoming an advocate for special education."
Why Miami?
"From the moment I stepped on Miami's campus, I felt at home. As a participant in the Bridges Program, I remember getting off the bus and initially being overwhelmed by the beautiful fall leaves and red brick. On top of that, the people I met were incredibly genuine and kind. Miami has a kind of warmth that has truly made me feel like it is where I belong.
"During my first year at Miami I was already interested in law and politics, but I did not have a specific type of law in mind. Because of the service work I did in high school, I was involved in special education and decided to take disability studies classes at Miami. These courses have truly shaped my career aspirations and my two minors in Special Education and Social Justice Studies.
"For my future career, I've chosen the rather niche field of special education advocacy law. By fusing my Political Science major with my two minors, I feel that I have been able to harmoniously combine all of my interests together into a clear path forward."
Best Miami Experiences
"This semester, I'm participating in the Miami University Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) program in Luxembourg. Even during these first few weeks, I know that this will become one of the most exciting experiences I've ever had. The MUDEC program's flexibility and design allows me to study abroad for a whole semester, seeing a new part of the world, all while still graduating on time.
Ellen Florek (2nd from left) poses with friends at the Miami Homecoming Football Game (2015).
"As a Political Science major, I've been fortunate to find an instrumental influence and support system at Miami. All of my professors have been incredibly passionate about their work and their students. In particular, associate professor of political science Monica Schneider has gone above and beyond with providing opportunities beyond the classroom for me. After I took her Gender Politics and Policy class [POL 348] in the spring of my freshman year, she invited me to assist her with her research on gender bias in US congressional campaigns. Next spring, when I return to Oxford, I will also be a TA for her intro level class. Her help has truly aided in making my collegiate experience great.
"Additionally, Maria Vitullo, the director of the Sue J. Henry Center for Pre-Law Education, has been a constant source of guidance. It's been an absolute pleasure working with her both in the office and as a divisional representative in the Law and Public Policy Scholars Program. She provides so much support and insight to undergraduates aiming on going to law school and is an excellent resource for anyone interested in law."
Miami and the Liberal Arts
Ellen Florek (right) and a friend at the Political Science Awards Banquet (2017).
"As an undergraduate liberal arts major, I feel I've been given a great edge when it comes time to find a job or graduate school. Many law and medical schools are more interested in accepting more well-rounded candidates because they can offer new and dynamic perspectives. I can discover new and interesting topics that not only benefit me in my future career, but as a person.
"But the benefits of a liberal arts education go beyond these professional advantages. Recently, I took a comparative religion class, Global Militant Islamisms [REL 376], which pushed me outside of my intellectual comfort zone. This class was one of the most challenging courses I have ever taken, and I feel I've come out as a more informed world citizen because of it.
"Two other courses that have really influenced my life so far are Disability Allies and Activists [DST 375] with Elisa Abes and Gender Politics and Policy [POL 348] with Dr. Schneider. DST 375 was transformative in terms of how I viewed my role as an ally for those with disabilities. The course challenged me personally, and I appreciate that it was a space in which difficult and uncomfortable discourse was able to thrive. POL 348 was influential because not only did it give me an excellent mentor, but it also fed my interest in politics. At a time when I was unsure if I wanted to remain in political science, that course reignited my love for politics and showed me how policy can also be used to influence lives, whether it be women, minorities, or people with disabilities."
Studying Special Education Programs in Europe
Watch Ellen talk about her research on special education systems as well as her study abroad experiences.
Enjoy Every Moment Video Transcript
Advice to Students
"The experiences I've had at Miami, from undergraduate research to study abroad, have been overwhelmingly good. Very few of my friends at other institutions have been given the amount or variety of enriching experiences as I've had! The combined effect of all these factors has guided me towards a career after graduation in something that I have a genuine passion for: serving for Teach for America and becoming an advocate for special education.
"If you are interested in any kind of extra opportunity at Miami, you should go after it, despite the perceived obstacles."
As the center of Miami's diverse liberal arts curriculum, the College of Arts and Science (CAS) fosters a rigorous intellectual climate that promotes learning and discovery. CAS offers more than 60 undergraduate majors, 11 co-majors, and dozens of minors, as well as about 30 masters and 10 doctoral programs.
143 Upham Hall
General Inquiries: 513-529-1234 (cas@MiamiOH.edu)
Advising: 513-529-3031 (casadvising@MiamiOH.edu)
Diversity: 513-529-1234 (casdiversity@MiamiOH.edu)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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All New Stand Up for Betsy Ross Items!
RUSH: I've had a bunch of people over the last three weeks to a month… You know, we haven't talked about the Betsy Ross campaign in a while, and I've had people ask, "Rush, what's going on with that? You didn't just drop it, did you?" (chuckles) Drop it? No way. So, I thought I would take a minute here to update you on the Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign that was started right here on the Fourth of July of this year. You remember Colin Kaepernick caused this whole controversy.
Nike came out with a Fourth of July special brand of tennis shoes. They had the Betsy Ross flag on the heel, the original flag of the United States of America. Colin Kaepernick comes out, says, "I don't like that flag! That flag is representative of racism and racist cops and bigotry, and I don't think Nike should sell 'em." So what did Nike do? Nike pulled 'em. Nike pulled them, just because Colin Kaepernick didn't like 'em.
Now, I think there's a 50-50 chance this whole thing was an orchestrated publicity stunt.
If it was, I don't mind falling for it because we have done — you have done — such wonderful things for people as a result of this. See, Betsy Ross isn't political. The Betsy Ross flag is not political. It doesn't stand for anything about the greatness of the founding of the United States of America, the original 13 colonies. So Nike pulls the Betsy Ross flag sneakers. We were just sick and tired of one-offs, like Kaepernick belittling the flag, politicizing the flag.
For crying out loud! Go ahead and politicize the NFL if you want to and try to destroy that, and go ahead and politicize everything else you touch, but leave the flag alone. Betsy Ross isn't political, and the flag should not be political. The flag represents unity. The flag represents the founding and the unity of the states of the greatest country in the history of humanity. So we set out on a mission to stand up for Betsy Ross. Betsy Ross was an American heroine.
She was an early leader in business and design, maybe one of the early feminists. The early American flag is the most fundamental symbol of our country and its miraculous history. Our flag represents independence from tyranny. It represents freedom for everybody. It represents ingenuity. It represents strength and perseverance. It's not political. It's not discriminatory. It's not racist or bigoted or pro-cop or anything of the sort.
So the Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign began with the sale of a beautiful white T-shirt. It had a large Betsy Ross flag on the front. It was a very simple way for people to push back, a very simple way. A $27 item, a very simple way for people to push back and say that enough is enough, that we love and believe in our flag. Proceeds from the sale of that T-shirt were donated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
This is a great organization started by Frank Siller, Stephen's brother. He lost his brother, a firefighter in New York killed while responding to the most vicious terrorist attack on our country, 9/11. Stephen Siller was a firefighter who went back in the Towers to try to save people. Tunnel to Towers pays off mortgages in full for families whose father or mother was injured or lost serving our country. Tunnel to Towers provides a home and stability in a horrific time for these families.
It turned out, folks, we could not source or print these T-shirts fast enough.
Hundreds of thousands of original T-shirts sold. It was incredible. It was overwhelming. It was wonderful to be part of. Now to date — thanks to you, this phenomenal audience — over $4 million and counting has been donated to Tunnel to Towers. Get this: Over 50 mortgages will be paid off this year because of your purchase of these shirts! A $27 item has generated $4 million and counting. Fifty mortgages paid off this year for the families of heroes lost or injured defending our country.
The Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign has been so incredibly successful, over 100 American jobs were created right here to source, to print, to pack, and fulfill these orders. These shirts come from a small town in Pennsylvania to our warehouse here in Florida, and we had to staff up a hundred people to get this all done. We had no idea. We would have been happy if 50,000 T-shirts had been sold. Well, we're way north of 300,000 now.
Folks, when we started, we didn't have the ability to fulfill tens of thousands of orders a day. We just didn't. We had to staff up, we had to upscale because we have a commitment at the RushLimbaugh.com store that if you order something we get it out to you ASAP. We try to get it out the same day. Then it got to the point we hope we get it out the same week. Then we said, gee, we hope we can get it out the same month! We were just overwhelmed.
So a hundred jobs have been created. And we still have 'em because we are still kicking butt here. So here's the deal. We are thrilled to announce today the Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign continues to roar on in response — Frank, could you come in and grab me those two things off the sofa over there? We are unveiling new Stand Up for Betsy Ross gear that is absolutely perfect for the cooler weather in the fall and, of course, for Christmas, holiday presents.
We're gonna have a new section of the Rush Limbaugh Show Store dedicated specifically for the ladies. We have had so many requests, "You need to do T-shirts with V-necks and long sleeves. You need to do a pink one, you need to do that." We've tried to respond to as many of the requests that we have gotten. There is a stunning Betsy Ross zip-down fleece in a light gray. Hand me that one. Look at this baby, folks. I'm holding it up here now on the Dittocam. This is a zip-down fleece, light gray, embroidered flag on the chest, and, of course, if you go to the sleeve, what do you see there? You see my signature. I don't have it displayed. Trust me, it is there. I need four hands to — take that off my hand if you would.
We've also heard from the cotton crowd. "Hey, it's a great T-shirt, but where's the cotton?" It was unique. It was unlike any T-shirt anybody ever had, but of course the cotton textile crowd, "What about us, we're great Americans, too, what about our stuff?" So we now have a 100 percent cotton, or nearly 100 percent cotton option.
This is a hoodie. This is the Bill Belichick Stand Up for Betsy Ross – (laughing) See the hoodie here in the back, and that's the Stand Up for Betsy Ross flag on the left side, and again, my signature there on the lower left. These are just two of the samples that I brought in today. And, folks, this is top quality, top gear stuff. It's gonna last a long time. We don't sell junk. We don't sell knockoffs. We don't sell anything cheap. We get the best price point for the highest quality we can because you matter more to us than the dollars that come in from this.
Now, keep in mind the proceeds here go to Tunnel to Towers. This is not a profit endeavor for the RushLimbaugh.com store. The Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign is indeed just that. And the partner here, the charitable partner is the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. So go to RushLimbaugh.com, click on the "Store" tab to see all of the new exclusive Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign gear.
And there are other items. There's stuff that doesn't have the Betsy Ross flag. We have stocked this store up. I mean, we're rivaling Amazon here. And you'll see when you visit RushLimbaugh.com and click on the "Store" tab. Now, this is not a sales pitch, this is 100 percent true. There are only limited quantities.
So I encourage you to hurry and get yours today, especially if you're buying for the holidays or if you're buying because it's getting chilly, fall is coming for many parts of the country, because our experience is that these items go quickly. This is not a sales pitch. We do not like having to put up "Out of Stock." We don't like having to say that under items pictured on our website. We have to when it happens. We don't like to.
Things sell out quickly, we do our best to restock, but remember, we're scaling up here, and this is a massive effort to find the tens of thousands of items that are the same fabric, the same design, the same print job, the same everything, because everything must be uniform. You see it pictured there. That is what you're going to get.
Now, we do sell out. We don't want to get a bunch of hate mail saying, "Where's my fleece?" So I'm just telling you, quantities are limited. They're not unlimited. We got a decent stock. Don't misunderstand. Not trying to panic you. But these things, if history is any guide, are going to jump off of our shelves and off of our Web page.
Proceeds of the Stand Up for Betsy Ross campaign, again, go to Tunnel to Towers. We hope to announce an even higher donation number in the near future. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts because we haven't done anything here except make this stuff available. You have made that $4 million and counting, the 50 mortgages that have been paid off for families where the head of household was killed or severely wounded in service to the country, you have done this.
And note also not a single word about any of this in the Drive-By Media. Yet if Geraldo Rivera takes his staff to lunch and spends $8,000 on it, it makes Page Six. But that's not why we do it. It's not why we do anything. We do everything we do here for the substance, for the reality and for the decency of it. So at the RushLimbaugh.com website, find the "Store" tab, and you'll see exactly what I've been talking about. We've ramped up, we've stocked up, and we are ready to go to continue the campaign.
The Rush Limbaugh Show Store