| Home > Law > Entertainment lawyer legend, Bryce Menzies, talks about the legal challenges facing the screen producing industries |
| Entertainment lawyer legend, Bryce Menzies, talks about the legal challenges facing the screen producing industries | | Date Created: Jul 26, 2005, 01:08 PM |
 Bryce Menzies says it is tough to get a film "up" today, but independent cinema is tough to finance worldwide, not just in Australia. He says well-known works such as Muriel's Wedding probably couldn't be financed today because it was originally financed primarily by a distribution guarantee for an overseas sale agent at a time when sales agents put up money. That doesn't happen very often now, especially when a film has no stars or pre-sales (a prerequisite of bank finance). This problem is magnified by the Hollywood system of releasing pictures, he says. Menzies explains that the Australian Government hasn't helped the situation by failing to increase the Film Finance Corporation's funding.
Meanwhile, he says there are arguments to level the playing field regarding the establishment of a fourth broadcasting network. "It is undeniable that a show like Lost, which costs $13m/hour, is dumped here,...you can't make Australian TV for the same price so there has to be something to help the TV industry [compete]," Menzies says. Menzies argues the skills that directors and other personnel acquire in the TV industry flow through into the feature film and new media industries so TV's health is crucial to our national screen production. "In Melbourne nobody is working" he laments. "It is catastrophic in that sense."
Menzies also comments on tax subsidies for the film industry and how it can attract better access to capital. He says a Screen Council would be a great idea to setup, galvanising the industry's ability to lobby effectively.
Bryce Menzies has acted as executive producer, producer and/or legal advisor on films including Malcolm, The Big Steal, Death in Brunswick, Proof, The Magistrate, Stark, Cosi, Muriels Wedding, Crackers, Strange Fits of Passion and Two Hands. He represents major international film companies in their negotiations with Australian film makers. He also advises computer games companies and internet content developers.
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