Lucky Country Productions

Back home

Lucky Country Productions — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:54:10 +0000

Producer, Bill is back in the Sydney office after a successful trip to London and France for the MIP TV market, in Cannes.

The idea of a UK-Australian co production of CAROLINE’S WAR was well received by a number of London production companies who could see that a sweeping Australian saga set in 1895 Brisbane could work well with British Audiences.

Cannes for MIP TV is a different place than it becomes a month later once the red carpets are rolled out for big stars and world premieres. Its a strong marketplace however and the four day event is the perfect place for buying and selling TV product, from Period Drama mini series to Reality cooking shows. A place where one can present a project to different European broadcasters and production companies.

Caroline’s War (nee ‘Vale Valhalla’) To MIPTV, Cannes.

Lucky Country Productions — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:12:30 +0000

After five months, the treatments for the TV production, Vale Valhalla (now called CAROLINE’S WAR) are finished and now make a glossy new presentation booklet! They come hot off the printing press with brand spanking new graphics,which were designed by Ms Katerina Stratos (who also put together the wonderfully evocative Banjo & Matilda flyers).

Soon to be seen!

But we couldn’t have done it without our brilliant writing team , Vicki Madden and our Showrunner, Jeremy Sims, who worked tirelessly in breaking down the book to get it in shape for TV.

With the glossy presentation booklets in tow, Producer Bill Leimbach and head of Reg Grundy legal department, Kerry Wright, now take a ready-to-pitch product to London, to secure interest from UK broadcasters and co-producers, enroute to MIPTV held in Cannes, April 1-4.

Before Matilda, it was Bonnie Wood.

Lucky Country Productions — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:35:32 +0000

Exciting update for BANJO & MATILDA!

Our talented screenwriter, David Roach, has just finished his latest draft of the script for Screen Australia.

But guess what we dug out with our dusty music stands?

The inspiration behind the song, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ was from Scottish tune, Bonnie Wood of Craiglea.

Before there was Matilda, it was Bonnie Wood.

Click to see the original music score!

Bruce Beresford to direct Banjo & Matilda

Lucky Country Productions — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:19:37 +0000

This November 2011 at the American Film Market, Bill found there was no shortage of interest after meeting many potential patrons who are tracking the development of BANJO & MATILDA.

Mark Gooder, CEO of ICON, has vested the most interest, having read every draft we’ve churned out so far and still continues to be excited about the next instalment.

The fact that Academy Award winner, Bruce Beresford has lent his name to the project has really opened up a lot of interest. Bruce loves the story and watches out for every new draft that comes out of prize-winning scriptwriter, David Roach, writer of Beneath Hill 60.

BANJO & MATILDA is an action-romance based on a true story. David Roach has found it harder than ever anticipated in making this tale fit for cinema. But we believe he’s cracked it now.

Choosing the right Australian lead to play this quintessential role – Banjo Paterson – is our next big hurdle. Who is THE Banjo among our acting talent? Surely, we won’t need to go overseas for this role?

Joy Chambers-Grundy meets Jeremy Sims

Lucky Country Productions — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:06:50 +0000

Joy Chambers arrives in Miami, where she finally gets to meet her new SHOWRUNNER, Jeremy Sims. There, they set out to make some big decisions on how to adapt her book, VALE VALHALLA, into a TV mini series. Sims and Producer, Bill Leimbach, were already in the States for the American Film Market in LA, so a coast-to-coast hop couldn’t have been more perfectly timed.

With Jeremy as Showrunner, he guided the team into their first serious collaborative breakdown of the Book for TV.

It proved to be a wonderful collaboration, with many new advancements made, dramatisations visualised, and character relationships investigated. It looks like the mission will be to create 13 parts.

Now back in Australia, Sims and Script Editor, Vicki Madden will create 13 treatments, in time for Leimbach to take to MIP TV in April. The excitement builds as they start to imagine a truly great role for a leading lady.

The plan is to create a production for the 100th anniversary of World War 1 – in the style of Downton Abbey.

Stay tuned as the plot continues to thicken.

Singapore Sunset lands at the American Film Market

Lucky Country Productions — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:20:42 +0000

The development process marches on for Singapore Sunset in 3D.

In November, Bill brought the project to two big events in LA: Ausfilm and American Film Market - where it was well received at both.

Ausfilm’s event provided a ‘speed dating’ environment whereby Aussie producers would each get 30 minutes with a Hollywood high flyer to pitch reasons for why they should come to Australia to make your film. Then the bell would ring and you’d move on to another and do it all over again. It was an intense week, but when you’re at the London Hotel – right at the heart of downtown Hollywood – who can complain? And AUSFILM put it all together so seamlessly.

The next week was AFM, or the American Film Market, down at Santa Monica.

AFM helped to platform some more very successful speed dating with sales agents, distributors and investors – many whom will be instrumental in furthering our three projects: Singapore Sunset in 3D, Banjo & Matilda and Vale Valhalla.

While in LA, Bill was invited to see the future – to see what’s in store for the next generation of 3D. He travelled out to Burbank to meet the heads of James Cameron’s own 3D company: Cameron Pace Group.

These guys are the world’s most respected innovators of 3D technology. After our personal tour, we felt even more confident that 3D will continue to pioneer its way to success in the film industry.

Peter Jackson also couldn’t be more enthusiastic about 3D – this much was clear judging from his astounding investment of 50 Red Epics for The Hobbit 3D. You can click here and see what he’s up to in NZ.

‘Vale Valhalla’ at American Film Market 2011

Lucky Country Productions — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 03:18:26 +0000

This Joy Chambers (wife of Reg Grundy) production will be one of the 3 projects that Lucky Country Productions will take to this year’s American Film Market , held Nov 2-9.

A week long event where we will be looking to attract sales agents, talent, and possible co-production partners.

THE TEAM (L-R)

Show runner: Jeremy Sims ; Author: Joy Chambers ; Script Editor: Vicki Madden

Beneath Hill 60: The Making Of released

Lucky Country Productions — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:21:27 +0000

Two years ago we were getting close to the end of the shooting of BENEATH HILL 60, in the trenches of North Queensland. To commemorate the coming Fathers’ Day new release of the DVD, we have uploaded the “making of” for all those who worked so hard on it and for those who’d like to see they WERE really working.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

JUST RELEASED – LIME CORDIALE’S SECOND SINGLE DIRECTED BY MATILDA BROWN

Lucky Country Productions — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:06:50 +0000

After the loud splash release of the debut single, SAY IT, which topped the famous TRIPLE J Indie unearthed charts, Lime Cordiale now present their second single in a fresh new video clip, with Matilda Brown returning to direct.

The new song: “BONNE NUIT, JE SUIS” will be launched officially at the FUTURE SHORTS gig, at Trackdown Studios Nightclub but catch it LIVE at any Lime Cordiale show that’s lined up for the coming Spring/Summer festivals.

Matilda Brown’s clip is currently featuring on the front page of the Lime Cordiale their YOUTUBE channel www.youtube.com/limecordiale. Visit to watch exclusive extras!

Keep up to date with where the boys are by liking them on Facebook.

Singapore Sunset – the 3D issue.

Lucky Country Productions — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:38:35 +0000

People keep asking me why would I want to shoot SS in 3D? Personally I love it. And professionally I think its here to stay. One has to keep seeing the many different attempts at 3D, to find bits and pieces that work in each one – most recently Wim Wenders with his doco on Pina. And GLEE in 3D had very good use of the 3rd dimension. Justin Bieber concert film made you feel like you were in da house. No one since Cameron has done 3D justice. Not the Lanterns nor the Thors not even Harry Potter. One has to shoot it for 3D and focus on that 3rd dimension, for depth of field. Another reason I’m sticking with 3d – because its here to stay, cause the infrastructure has been put there for it, celluloid to digital, at great expense. But it wont be long before you dont have to spend 26 dollars to see THE GREEN LANTERN, with NO concessions on 3D. Now thats a contradiction – they want to get the oldies to learn to wear the glasses but they wont give concessions to 3D films. What a silly rule. And the price is so high the kids dont care enough about the extra dimension to pay so they stay with the 2D. How many kids did you hear say they woulnt pay to see Harry in 3D. 2D was enough for that film. We need to make film that work FOR 3D. Like Sanctum for example. The depth in the clear water in the underground caves. Awesome.