Article on shooting 'The Combination' on RED

This full length article was published in the February issue of Digital Media World Magazine,  click here to download the .pdf from www.tobyoliver.com.au

I AM CUBA interview on Radio National website

I was on Radio National's Movietime show the other day with Jason Di Rosso, talking about the amazing 1964 Soviet-Cuban film 'I Am Cuba' on the 'Trash or Treasure' segment.

Please click here for internet download from the ABC website.

The Combination continues...

from Inside Film....

"For the second week in a row, The Combination topped the limited release charts, beating new releases The Secret Life of Bees ($121,677) and Dean Spanley ($78,565) which opened on 44 and 34 screens respectively. Both films had held sneaks the week before.

Distributed by the Australian Film Syndicate, The Combination took an average $4,483 on 34 screens, for a total second week taking of $152,406.

If the film had been released in 2008, its $420,724 total would already place it among the top 10 highest grossing Australian feature films of the year."

Segment on ABC Radio National this Friday

I will be featuring in Radio National's Movietime show with Jason Di Rosso, talking about the amazing 1964 Soviet-Cuban film 'I Am Cuba' on the 'Trash or Treasure' segment. It goes to air this Friday 13th from 8.30am.

RN is on 576AM in Sydney or click here for internet download.

'The Combination' releases to Good Reviews and Media Frenzy

The Combination was released last Thursday into Australian cinemas nationwide with great press reviews particularly from the ABC's David Stratton with a rating of 4 and a half stars. But by Saturday night the film had been pulled from Greater Union's four Sydney screens due to two incidents at the company's Parramatta cinema complex. The Police say that the violence was not related to the film and no arrests or charges were made, but the filmmakers including myself are very disappointed at the GU decision to pull the film, preventing up to 60% of the likely Sydney audience having access to screenings.

However, GU say the suspension could be temporary and screenings may resume if they feel staff and patrons will be 'safe'. I hope as many people as possible will be able to see this exciting Australian film in cinemas over the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

www.thecombination.com.au

The 'Cooke Look' arrives at Open Aperture

Open Aperture,  founded by myself and focus puller/cinematographer André Deubel, is proud to announce the arrival of our brand new set of Cooke S4i PL mount Lenses. A set of six of state of the art highest quality prime lens optics built in the UK, the set includes the 18mm, 25mm, 32mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm, all a true T2.

The lenses will be available on projects working with Toby or Andre, and also for 'dry hire' rental to other productions. Open Aperture is based in Sydney, Australia. The website will be online shortly - www.openaperture.com.au

'Bargain Coast' pilot now shooting

Currently i am shooting the pilot episode for a new Channel 7 comedy series 'Bargain Coast'. Based on the hit UK series 'Benidorm', the show  features a motley bunch of characters who are regular visitors to an 'el cheapo all-inclusive' coastal resort somewhere in Australia. For the first time I am shooting on the Sony PDW-700 XDCAM HD 2/3" optical disk camera which is providing some pretty nice pictures. Not to mention the non-linear instant playback of clips on set which is a boon compared to tape-based shooting.

'The Combination' poster

The new poster image for 'The Combination' is out. See www.thecombination.com.au

THE COMBINATION in cinemas February 2009

Australian Film Syndicate, distributor of powerful new Australian film 'The Combination', has released a corker new website and 1 min trailer online. I shot the film for director David Field on the RED camera system earlier this year in western Sydney. It is due for Australian cinema release 26 February 2009. See my earlier posts for plenty of info on the shoot.

Go to www.thecombination.com.au

GOLD Award at the ACS

Last saturday evening at the NSW Branch ACS Awards night i was the recipient of a Gold award for 'Minutes of a Separation' in the Corporate Educational category. The piece was shot on the Panasonic HDX 900 HD camera as the filmed component of a live gala production by the Sydney Theatre Company for watchmakers IWC staged in Geneva, and starring Cate Blanchett. See my site for a clip at www.tobyoliver.com.au

'The Combination' trailer #1

To see a early trailer clip for new Australian feature film 'The Combination' go to www.thecombination.com.au. I shot the film on location in western Sydney entirely on the RED digital cinema camera system earlier this year and it is looking to a cinema release early in 2009.

On the Road with the Toads

Currently i am two weeks into the documentary shoot 'Cane Toads 2' for director Mark Lewis, maker of the original Cane Toads film in 1988. We are shooting with a small crew in the Top End, from Darwin across to Kununarra until early December.