Set on and around the breathtaking Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia (specifically on Baiyungu Country), Whale Shark Jack stars Abbie Cornish (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Robocop) and Michael Dorman (Territory, Joe Pickett) as husband and wife marine biologists Nita and Marcus, with Alyla Browne (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Sonic the Hedgehog 3) as their daughter, Sarah.
Invisible Boys on Stan from Feb 13th
The Stan Original Series Invisible Boys will premiere February 13, all episodes at once and only on Stan.
From creator/director Nicholas Verso, based on Holden Sheppard's multi-award winning novel, Invisible Boys is a 10-episode LGBTQIA+ drama series starring Joseph Zada (Total Control), Aydan Calafiore (The Voice 2018), Zach Blampied (New Gold Mountain), Joe Klocek (The Dry), Pia Miranda (the Stan Original Series Windcatcher), and David Lyons (Truth Be Told).
Produced by Tania Chambers for Feisty Dame Productions and Nicholas Verso for Asphodel Films, this emotional tale of individuality and sexuality is filming in Perth and Geraldton, Western Australia.
Set against the backdrop of the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite, Invisible Boys delves into the challenges faced by a group of gay teens in the remote coastal town of Geraldton, Western Australia.
After one of them is outed on social media following an encounter with a married man, they form a tight-knit friendship, finding solace and support in one another.
As they navigate the complexities of love, desire, and identity, they confront the harsh realities of a world that often renders them invisible, ultimately discovering the strength to embrace their true selves.
200% Wolf hits cinema August 8th
This week 200% Wolf" hits cinemas across Australia, August 8th.
We hope that audiences will appreciate the care and creativity that went into the sound design. We’re proud to have played a part in bringing Freddy Lupin’s sequel to life and can’t wait for you to experience the magic.
200% Wolf and Kid Snow to Premiere at Sydney Film Festival
200% Wolf and Kid Snow have been officially selected to make their world premieres at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival.
200% Wolf is the highly-anticipated sequel to animated feature film, 100% Wolf, in which Freddy Lupin had to grapple with the shock revelation that he is destined to be not a mighty werewolf like all of his family, but a tiny pink poodle! 200% Wolf will make its world premiere at Sydney Film Festival on June 9th and will then open in cinemas around Australia on August 8th.
Kid Snow is a film about breaking free from the cycle of loss and regret, set in a 1970s sweat-drenched world of tent boxing in outback Western Australia. The Film will make its world premiere at Sydney Film Festival on June 11th, and due to release theatrically across the country August 15th.
Also playing at Sydney Film Festival, is the animated short film My Jumper It Roars!
Sydney Film Festival runs 5 to 16 June across Sydney and tickets are on sale now at sff.org.au
Ningaloo Nyinggulu Nominated for ASSG Award
Ningaloo Nyinngul Has been nominated for Best Sound for a Documentary in the 2023 Australia Screen Sound Guild Awards. The winners will be announced on December 2nd in Sydney.
Congratulations to the team! Ric Curtin, Xoe Baird, Marcus Lorenz, Brett Stayt, Glenn Martin, and Liz Parer-Cook
Outback Farm premieres August 22nd on 7Mate
Outback Farm follows Danyelle & Anthony Haigh, with their 2 kids Heath & Theo - as they embark on their greatest Outback adventure. From Outback Trucking - to Outback Farming.
Watch it on 7Mate in Australia from August 22nd. UK Dates to come soon.
“This was an epic series to make in more ways than one! An unforgiving, remote landscape, extreme weather events, a family under enormous pressure and all shot in the observational style where you never know what’s going to happen next! Hugely exciting and hugely rewarding.” said Julia Redwood, Outback Farm Producer/Executive Producer.
Mine SOS gets Aussie Release!
In Aussie Gold Hunters Mine SOS the straight-shooting gold guru Paul Mackie is joined by master geologist, Aaron Raddock and expert trouble-shooter Mel Wood.
Together the team travel to Australia’s wildest frontiers to help rescue six failing gold mining operations from disaster.
With just six days to make mechanical fixes, locate new gold deposits, upgrade skills and overhaul broken down camp facilities, the team must transform the fortunes of struggling goldminers and save their broken-down dreams from ruin.
Watch the show on Discovery Plus from August 3rd
Ningaloo Nyinggulu premiering May 16th on ABC
Author Tim Winton presents a groundbreaking documentary series that takes viewers to Ningaloo (Nyinggulu), a remote and pristine region of the Western edge of Australia. Where the red desert meets turquoise waters, WA’s Ningaloo region is comprised of three entwined ecosystems: Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range and Exmouth Gulf.
Winton, in collaboration with Traditional Owners, scientists, and experts, explores the origins, interconnectedness, and conservation challenges of this little-known marvel. Watch the 3 part series on ABC or iView from May 16th.
Xoe Baird named as Inside Film's Rising Talent
Inside Film has recently named Xoe Baird as one of their Rising Talents, a title that is reserved for those who are making significant waves in the film industry. Baird, who is currently the Vice President of the ASSG (Australian Screen Sound Guild) and recently earned her ASSG accreditation, is making a name for herself as a passionate advocate for nurturing emerging talent and advocating for the needs and growth of the Western Australian film and television industry.
Baird's commitment to fostering young talent is a vital aspect of the industry's growth, as it ensures that the next generation of filmmakers, sound technicians, and other creatives are given the support they need to succeed. With her position at the ASSG and her drive to make a difference, Baird is positioning herself as a vital player in the industry's future.
Xoe Baird's inclusion in Inside Film's Rising Talents is well-deserved recognition for her hard work and dedication to the industry. As she continues to make strides in her career, it's clear that she will be someone to watch in the years ahead.
Facing Monsters Wins AACTA & ASSG Award
XB Studios is thrilled to announce that it has won two major awards this week for the documentary "Facing Monsters", which tells the story of Kerby Brown, a slab wave surfer, whose connection with the ocean runs as deep as his love for his family. Xoe Baird, along side Dialogue Editor and Mixer Ric Curtin and Location Sound Record Jeremy Ashton, was awarded Best Sound for a Documentary at both The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) Awards and The Australian Screen Sound Guild (ASSG) Awards.
The film, which explores the life of a surfer who faces the challenges of big wave surfing, was praised for its powerful storytelling and evocative sound design. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire sound team, who worked tirelessly to bring this exciting story to life.
"Facing Monsters" has already received critical acclaim and has been widely praised for its thrilling and emotional portrayal of the surfer's lifestyle and his relationship with the ocean. The film has been hailed as a powerful and important work that will help to showcase the beauty and danger of big wave surfing.
“It’s such an honour to receive such prestigious recognition for Facing Monsters. I think Kerby’s passion for the ocean really transcends through the film and I couldn’t have designed the waves without his amazing input. It’s a beautifully slow and meditated film that deals with some really dark subjects like addiction. “
Also winning sound awards at both the AACTA’s and ASSG’s was the TV series “Mystery Road” which XB Studios did ADR for.
Ric Curtin (Dialogue / Re-recording Mixer), Rick Rifici (Cinematographer), Jeremy Ashton (Location Sound Mixer & Drone Operator), Trevor Hope (Mystery Road - Production Mixer), Xoe Baird (Sound Effects Editor)
Ric Curtin, Jeremy Ashton, and Xoe Baird accepting the AACTA on stage
Xoe Baird accepting the award for Facing Monsters at the Australian Screen Sound Guild Awards
JOB: Post Sound Assistant Needed!
We are looking for a post sound assistant to start early December until mid April (dates may slightly change)
The job is for a 5-6 episodes. Each episode requires approximately 2-5hrs of work (just depends on how fast you work.) Payment is a flat rate/episode. Episodes are approx every 2-4 weeks.
You'll need Pro Tools (standard / studio or higher) and basic editing skills. The job is to be done on your own system. The work entails creating cues for voice record session. (You are not required to know how to do this before hand. )
Depending on the skill on the applicant, there may also be some additional editing (payment for this would be on top).
This is an entry-level job, so looking for someone who has just graduated or is a year out of uni/tafe. They need to have an interest in working in the post sound industry and be WA based.
Contact: hello @ xbstudios . com with a CV (link to a showreel or example of work if available, but not essential) by Dec 9th 2022
AACTA & ASSG Nominations for Facing Monsters
It's been a big week for industry award nominations, with the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) and the Australian Screen Sound Guild (ASSG).
FACING MONSTERS has been nominated for both an AACTA and an ASSG award for Best Sound in a Documentary.
PIECES has been nominated in the ASSG awards for Best Sound in an Independent Feature Film.
Also nominated was MYSTERY ROAD: ORIGIN has been nominated for both an AACTA and an ASSG for Best Sound in a Television Series - where XB Studios recorded the WA ADR for the show.
How To Please A Woman - Australia and New Zealand Cinema Release May 19th
HOW TO PLEASE A WOMAN is a precarious, often hilarious and revealing journey into the vulnerable world of what women really want and how hard it can be to get it right. As Gina (Sally Phillips) faces the highs and lows, the joys and struggles of maintaining such a unique business, she learns to stand up for herself, to look out for her own happiness and pleasure, and to take control of her life.
Find a cinema near you: https://www.madmanfilms.com.au/how-to-please-a-woman/
Facing Monsters hits cinemas March 10th
Facing Monsters digs deep into the psyche of enigmatic West Australian ‘slab wave’ surfer Kerby Brown, a man whose connection with the ocean runs as deep as his love for his family.
Directed by Bentley Dean (Contact, Tanna) and produced by Chris Veerhuis (Red Dog: True Blue, Breath) along with executive producers Frank Chidiac, Susanne Morrison and co-producer Sonya Rifici, this suspenseful, action-packed drama unravels Kerby’s inner demons whilst confronting the real-world consequences that his death-defying passion could have on his family.
Find a cinema here: https://www.madmanfilms.com.au/garage-home-page/facing-monsters/
JOB: Post Sound Assistant Needed!
Looking for a sound assistant starting mid-January until early April (dates may slightly change)
The job is for a 6 episode series. Each episode requires approximately 2-5hrs of work (just depends on how fast you work. Payment is a flat rate/episode. Episodes are approx every fortnight)
You'll need Pro Tools (or higher) and basic editing skills. The job is to be done on your own system.
This is an entry-level job, so looking for someone who is a year or two out of uni/college who is emerging in the post sound industry (WA based).
Contact: hello @ xbstudios . com with a CV (and showreel or example of work if available) by Jan 7th 2022
Carmentis takes out Sound Award at St Kilda Film Festival
Carmentis scored the Best Achievement in Sound Post-Production at the 2021 St Kilda Film Festival. Carmentis had the 7 nominations of the night and also won the craft award and Best Actor (Ben Mortley).
https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/films/carmentis
100% Wolf: Legend Of The Moonstone continues on ABC ME
100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone, Season 1 part 2 premiere’s on ABC ME May 23rd 2021.
Freddy Lupin is a were-poodle, who comes from a long line of werewolves. His mission is to get into Howling Academy, the legendary werewolf finishing school and prove he is wolf enough to join the infamous night patrol.
The series continues from part 1 of the series which it available to watch in ABC iView
When: From May 23rd, Daily
Time: 7:30am
Channel: ABC ME
Audioplay releases new title Sun Runners
Sun Runners is an 6 episode audio game for kids. Follow the adventures of Olli & Gamma as they head to the most daring, dangerous, stopping intergalactic race to become the youngest Sun Runners in the galaxy. But just days before the big race trouble brews. Your mission is to make your way back to enter the race!
Sun Runners is available via Google Play & the App Store.
See more details here
100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone airs on ABC ME
100% Wolf: Legend of the Moonstone, Season 1 part 1 premiere’s on ABC ME Dec 27th.
Freddy Lupin is a were-poodle, who comes from a long line of werewolves. His mission is to get into Howling Academy, the legendary werewolf finishing school and prove he is wolf enough to join the infamous night patrol.
The series follows on from the feature film released earlier this year (find it here).
When: From Dec 27th, Daily
Time: 5:30pm
Channel: ABC ME
Carmentis nominated for 2020 Australian Screen Sound Guild Award
Carmentis has been nominated for Best Sound for a Live-Action Short Film and this years Australian Screen Sound Guild (ASSG) Awards.
Xoe Baird - Sound Editor & Re-recording Mixer
Trevor Hope ASSG - Location Sound Recordist
Lucy Messenger - Foley Artist