Queensland production company DMA Creative, led by Mick Angus and Daniel Marsden, will produce a thought-provoking and entertaining ABC TV series called Big Weather (and how to survive it) that follows the weather cycle over the 2019-20 summer season.
The three-part documentary series explores the devastating effects of Australia’s extreme weather and aims to empower communities, families and individuals to prepare, survive and recover from them. The series will consider how Australia’s climate tears us apart… and brings us together.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said Big Weather was a great example of Queensland producers listening to the market and creating brave and thought provoking content that Australian and global audiences want to watch.
“DMA Creative know that audiences are looking for content that connects with the broader conversation on climate change but also speaks to how we adapt, change, cope and respond as communities.
“We are proud to invest in this series that we hope will drive behavioural change but also celebrate the human spirit and our sense of community that comes to the fore in the face of adversity,” said Ms Munnich.
“Big Weather is also providing three Queensland training attachments for early to mid-career screen industry professionals across production, research and editing so we are delighted to have such a significant production giving back to our local industry to develop the next wave of talent in our state.”
Presented by Craig Reucassel, the series will share stories from communities, frontline disaster crews and experts who are dealing with the effects of our changing climate. Big Weather (and how to survive it) seeks to answer the big questions: How have extreme weather events shaped our nation’s story? Why are these events becoming less predictable and more intense? And what can we do to adapt, survive and thrive into the future?
Big Weather will challenge and potentially change the way we think about the weather. Throughout the series, Mr Reucassel will undertake confronting re-enactments and ‘worst-case-scenarios’. The aim? To experience extreme weather first-hand and learn, along with viewers, what actions we can take to endure this new era of climate extremes.
Series Producer Mick Angus said they are thrilled to be making this series for ABC TV with the support of Screen Australia and Screen Queensland.
“The summer has yet to begin and already we are seeing record-breaking weather events. With our camera teams on the frontline following stories of our communities and emergency crews, we can expect Big Weather will be unprecedented and timely programming,” said Mr Angus.
Big Weather (and how to survive it) is a DMA Creative production in association with Northern Pictures. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the ABC. Developed and produced with investment from Screen Queensland. Other Queenslanders involved include Polly Kate Marsden who developed the original concept and is the Series Writer, Daniel Marsden, Series Director and Mark Broadbent, Director of Photography.
To apply for the attachment opportunities on Big Weather visit https://screenqueensland.com.au/news/sq-news/attachment-call-out-big-weather/
-ENDS-
Screen Queensland contact:
Bronwyn Phone, Screen Queensland
07 3248 0535, 0414 327 576 |bfardon@screenqld.com.au
ABC please contact:
Yasmin Kentera, ABC TV Publicity
0418 813 071 | kentera.yasmin@abc.net.au
