Australian programming: comic, tragic and real

Australia… Diverse Australian submissions at Input 2008 use documentary, fiction, music and comedy to tell stories of our obsessions with body image, the absurdities of growing up and the search for love in a cross-cultural and same-sex context.

Searching 4 Sandeep was the recipient of the highest audience vote at its premiere at the 2007 Sydney Film Festival. The film can be seen at Input 2008 on 8 May.

Airport Transfers for Input 2008

The company SoWhere2 is the preferred airport transport company for Input 2008 that offers Input delegates an efficient and reliable airport transfer, taxi and chauffeur booking service to and from the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

This is for registered Input 2008 delegates only. If you still have to register for Input, you can do so on the website by clicking this link.

For more information and to book your airport transfers now visit: www.sowhere2.co.za or email transfers@sowhere2.co.za

SoWhere2 offers an excellent fleet of safe and comfortable cars with outstanding drivers and the latest technologies to ensure clients are satisfied, safe and secure. Their services are backed by sophisticated databases offering secure online bookings, credit card payments, efficient scheduling and co-ordinated customer relations.

As an Input delegate you can be assured of:

* A meet and greet service at the airport

* 100% dependability with safe, reliable and comfortable vehicles

* Full insurance cover and legal protection

* Friendly, safety-conscious and well-informed staff.

All the best with your travel plans! – the Input 2008 organising team.

A Forgotten Audience

‘..Television is now a part of nearly every child’s earliest experience and a considerable force in shaping the way nearly all children and adults think about the human condition and human relationships.

In some respects, television shows promise as a positive influence on viewers’ perceptions of people with exceptionalities. Network programming and commercial messages are today breaking some of the old stereotypes of people with special abilities and dis­abilities, showing them in a more balanced and positive light.

More realistic and positive portrayals of exceptional children and adults might promote more hu­mane attitudes that could foster acceptance and inclusion of individuals who are in some way(s) not typical.

Regardless of changes in television programming, including increasing avail­ability of programs designed to stimulate more prosocial behavior in viewers, exceptional children will remain television’s forgotten audience until their caretakers exercise their responsibility to control the programs exceptional chil­dren watch.

Television, like all other mass media, is inherently designed around the modal characteristics of its audience; it is by nature the antithesis of attention to the individual. The authors’ concluding suggestions for the adult who may choose to control what an exceptional child watches are therefore of utmost importance.’

Excerpt from the foreward by James M. Kauffman, Professor of Education – University of Virginia ‘Television and the Exceptional Child: A Forgotten Audience’

Reality TV

BBC Worldwide has wrapped a co-production deal with France 5 for a 5-part series ‘Human Journey’. The series undertakes five epic journeys across the planet tracing the ancient roots of our early ancestors. The series (5 x 50) is being filmed in HD and will be shown on BBC2 next year.

And you thought that food programmes were over? Nippon Television Corporation launched a new show, Gochi, where six contestants are invited to a lavish meal prepared by a five-star chef.

The contestant who spends more than his allocated target has to pay everyone else’s bill from his or her own pocket! Over 145 episodes have been produced to date and have proved a great hit in Japan.

Well-known photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand presented his new short-form series, 6 Billion Others. He aims to create a portrait of ordinary people across the globe, asking questions about the meaning of life. The 150 x 2 mins series has already sold to RTVE in Spain, YLE in Finland, ERT in Greece, TVB in Hong Kong and to Planete in Germany and Poland.

Showtime Arabia, Infinity (Middle East) and Real Estate TV (UK) have bought a new business reality show from GRB Entertainment. ‘HYDRA Executives’ (13 x 60 mins) pitches US executives against British ones. Piers Morgan is not thought to be taking part!

This information was sourced from ‘MIPTV by Marianne Malonne. Go to www.rapidtvnews.com for more.