| Media | No end in sight to film industry troubles, August 2006 |

Reporter: Karen Barlow

TONY EASTLEY: The film and television industry is on the surface a glamorous world but behind the bright lights and grease paint there's a sad underbelly.

The current downturn in the Australian entertainment industry has now been going on for more than five years and insiders say there's no end in sight.

AM's Karen Barlow has this report.

(Sound of a film premier)

KAREN BARLOW: A completed, polished and well-received Australian feature film is a rare cause for celebration these days.

(Sound of cheers and laughing)

KAREN BARLOW: And the quality and quantity of homegrown television drama has been in decline for years.

(Sound of television program)

KAREN BARLOW: Insiders say they have never seen the entertainment industry so out of sorts.

PHIL BALSDEN: It is probably now in the worst state since it has even been in since the 1960S. There is nothing major being shot anymore.

KAREN BARLOW: Phil Balsden is a cinematographer who stopped working on feature films three years ago. His last television drama finished shooting a year ago. He's re-evaluating his role in the industry.

PHIL BALSDEN: At 55 years old, I don't think the industry will come back again in my working lifetime.

KAREN BARLOW: A dearth of acting work has lead Tony Martin and his wife Rachael Blake to London. They are planning to spend the next five years in the UK.

Tony Martin says the Australian industry's downturn has taken its toll on many people.

TONY MARTIN: A lot of crews I have worked with have actually given up the industry. They are bus-driving, taxi driving, doing whatever they can to keep their families running. Also a couple of cases of attempted suicides, another case of a particular suicide, which was pretty tragic.

KAREN BARLOW: To lobby governments for help, film and TV technicians formed the New South Wales Film Makers Group. Spokeswoman Michi Marosszeky.

MICHI MAROSSZEKY: We don't have the support that we need. I think it is sort of globally recognised that all film industries require incentives, tax incentives for them to survive.

KAREN BARLOW: So you are not just requesting more money from the Federal Government?

MICHI MAROSSZEKY: No the proper mechanism and the proper tax incentives that attract private investment.

KAREN BARLOW: The Federal Government is reviewing its assistance to the film industry. The Federal Arts Minister Rod Kemp says the industry has great potential.

ROD KEMP: I think the word crisis probably would be too tough a word. I think it has had a number of difficult years but there are signs of some recovery taking place.

KAREN BARLOW: But Senator Kemp expects the review will lead to some changes.

ROD KEMP: You'd have to say looking at the flows of private investment into the film industry you'd have to say that at least for the domestic production those tax incentives are less than effective.

KAREN BARLOW: That prospect may be too late for cinematographer Matthew Temple. He's been trying his luck in London for the past five months but now he's headed home to be with his family.

MATTHEW TEMPLE: I really don't know that I can continue to work in the film and television industry in Australia the way it is. So I will certainly be looking at other options.

KAREN BARLOW: Matthew Temple hopes the government will give the entertainment industry a fair hearing.

MATTHEW TEMPLE: I think it's perceived as a glamour industry and therefore its not that important if it lives or dies, but I think it's much more important that that. I think it's about our cultural wellbeing as a country.

TONY EASTLEY: Cinematographer Matthew Temple, ending that report from Karen Barlow.

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