Entertainment

Young, upcoming film makers The Macfarlane brothers selected as ambassadors for the AACTA Festival

Published

12 months ago

15 December 2023

Liam

Young upcoming film makers Austin and Lachlan Macfarlane will be ambassadors for the 2024 AACTA festival

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Young, upcoming film makers The Macfarlane brothers selected as ambassadors for the AACTA Festival

By Sarah Waters

They are described as ‘two bros who make videos’ on their social media accounts, but Lachlan and Austin Macfarlane’s work is catching the attention of some major players in the film industry.

The two brothers from Brisbane, have been chosen as ambassadors for the upcoming AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Art) Festival held at HOTA on the Gold Coast next year from February 8 – 11.

The four-day festival will run alongside the prestigious AACTA Awards ceremony for the first time, allowing the public to see what goes on behind the scenes of Australia’s vibrant screen industry.

Lachlan, 23, and Austin, 21, better known as The Macfarlane brothers, have amassed a huge international following on social media, including over 100 million views on Tik Tok, for their comedic, action-packed videos, with incredible visual effects.

Despite, being in their early twenties, the brothers have been honing their acting, directing and film making skills for more than 13 years.

It all started when they were young kids playing with lightsabers and they decided they wanted to ‘put themselves into’ a scene from StarWars.

After a few online tutorials on video making and special effects, the brothers realised they could – and haven’t stopped making digital content in the form of short video clips since.

They write, act, film, direct and edit every video, dedicating their weekends to filming, at often far-flung places, and during the week they do all the postproduction work.

Austin aptly describes their videos as ‘mini blockbusters.’

In their series of Harry Potter videos, the brothers pretend to go to Hogwarts for the day, which includes footage of them flying on broom sticks, walking through walls (and past ghosts), playing Quidditch and having wand fights.

Austin and Lachlan filmed at locations in Europe where the real Harry Potter movies were made, as well as different churches in Australia, to make it look like they were at a medieval castle.

They used every postproduction technique in the book to create the incredibly realistic content, including green screens and sophisticated special effects.

The Harry Potter clips are one of many of their video series that have racked up hundreds of thousands of likes, shares and comments.

Lachlan believes their success in the online sphere, is largely to do with their relatable content and the cinematic quality of their work.

Young upcoming film makers Austin and Lachlan Macfarlane will be ambassadors for the 2024 AACTA festival

“If you look at some of our content, you’ll see some of it is filmed with professional cameras, we have a level of colour grading and the visual effects also sets us apart,” he said.

“It also has this escapism nature that I think people are really attracted to.

“I think some of the best videos we’ve done is when it feels like we’re characters, who are in this world, and it feels limitless.

“I also think the visuals really stand out on a platform like Tik Tok which is usually the sort of stuff that is shot on your phone.

“But we find the ones that do really well always have a relatable component, because people connect with it and they’re more likely to share it.”

Austin agreed, adding most of their videos have a really fun nature, but there is a strong emphasis on visual effects.

“All of our videos come from a different idea – sometimes it’s a really interesting visual we want to do or effects we want to do that we haven’t tried or there will be something trending – a movie has just come out – and we want to do something along the theme of that movie.

“Next week, we’re going to do a Mad Max Video because the Mad Max trailer just came out.

“But our videos always stem from a real-life place – when we went camping our car was bogged, so we want to focus some of that video on Mad Max’s car getting bogged,” he said.

One of their most recent videos titled ‘How parents say they got to school’ generated a huge online response.

It features a hilarious parody of the brothers traversing through fields, climbing up rock faces and camping in the bush to finally reach a school situated on top of a mountain.

The video clip was enjoyed by people in all corners of the world, from Ireland to the Middle East, with people commenting ‘sounds just like what my parents say.’

The brothers’ videos have landed them numerous awards at major film festivals, including Trop Jr, ATOM, AiMCO and the Lift-Off Sydney Film Festival.

In June this year, they represented Australia in the film category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, after they won the film category at the Young Lions Australia competition.

They have also directed sponsored videos for brands including Fortnite, Boost Juice, Foxtel, Amazon Prime Video and Warner Bros.

Their TV & Cinema credits are also building with recent work for Australian Emu War (2023)

Last month, Warners Brothers flew the brothers to London to watch the world premiere of Wonka, allowing them to meet fellow creators and lead actor Timothée Chalamet.

Recently, the dynamic duo left their full-time jobs – Lachlan a content creator and Austin, an online editor – to focus on their film making business Macfarlane Bros.

Austin and Lachlan said their next goal is to transition into directing longer films or TV productions.

“Tik Tok has always just been a vehicle for us to do longer stuff,” Austin said.

“We want to try and become a brotherly directing duo and move into film and TV.

“Next year is about making that jump from online to traditional media.”

Lachlan said the AACTA festival provided the middle ground to explore that transition with discussions hosted by online creators as well as Australian film directors, screenwriters, and cinematographers, such as Warwick Thornton, who directed the Australian drama film, The New Boy.

The brothers are particularly looking forward to an encounter with Australian twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou at the AACTA festival, who started out making online content, before moving into feature films.

The Philippou Brothers directed the hugely successful Australian supernatural horror film Talk to Me, which was released internationally in July this year.

Lachlan and Austin said they were thrilled to be selected as AACTA festival ambassadors and have the opportunity to meet and hear from the country’s leading creatives.

“It’s pretty amazing when you think of the other people who are ambassadors, that we’re side-by-side with like Chris (Alosio) Lincoln (Lewis) and Savannah (La Rain) they’re all really well established in the industry and they’ve been in some shows and movies that I love,” Lachlan said.

Austin said he had been talking about AACTA for a long time prior to finding out he was going to be an ambassador.

“I’m genuinely really excited for it.

“We’ve watched the AACTA awards, and the life streams, and I’ve been sending Lachlan stuff all year about the short film nominees.

“Hearing that it was at the Gold Coast was awesome and hearing that there was festival was even better, it makes the ACCTA awards quite accessible,” he said.

The AACTA festival will offer more than 70, mostly free, film, television, music, gaming, pop culture and family events will take place during the four-day event.

Attendees can attend screenings, live music, kids’ events, acting workshops, meet-and-greets and panel discussions held by the country’s best directors, writers and content creators.

More information can be found at: www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/2024-aacta-awards-information/

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Entertainment

Victoria launches gig fund and festivals grants to support challenging live music sector

Published

2 months ago

26 September 2024

Liam

Victoria Launches Gig Fund to Support Live Music

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Victoria launches gig fund and festivals grants to support challenging live music sector

By Ian Rogers

As live music venues and festival organisers adapt to rising costs and lower spending on alcohol than previous generations, the Victorian Government has announced a $3.9 million funding package to support the sector and musicians who rely on playing gigs to hone their craft and build fan followings.

The first round of 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund will fund 144 venues across the state to stage paid gigs by local artists, while the Live Music Festivals Fund will see 22 festivals receive grants of up to $50,000 to help them stage new or existing events.

Live music venues awarded grants include iconic Melbourne venues such as The Tote, The Jazzlab, Mamma Chen’s and Laundry, with regional venues like Ballarat’s Volta, Barwon Heads Hotel and Theatre Royal in Castlemaine all part of the mix, along with suburban venues like District 14 in Narre Warren.

Festival recipients include fan favourites Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and Riverboats Festival, alongside the return of Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, and new events including GROUNDED to be held at Dookie Quarry, and Yass Queens Park, a queer-focused festival in Moonee Ponds.

Also part of the package, $1 million of Music Works grants will support 92 music projects involving 600 music industry professionals, giving both emerging and established artists the opportunity to take the next step in their careers. Over the past nine years, the program has invested almost $13 million in more than 800 projects.

As part of the package, the GRID Series artist development program is back in Geelong for a second year helping local emerging musicians build and establish their careers, while The Push All Ages Grants will support live music venues, booking agents, artists, promoters and community organisations across Victoria to stage events for all ages.

Multicultural Arts Victoria will present its third iteration of its NEWPRINT program, offering professional development opportunities for artists and creative workers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

“We’re continuing to back our state’s live music industry at all levels, with funding for festivals and venues to stage great events and live performances, support for established artists and industry workers, and to help emerging musicians get their start in the industry,” says Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks.

“While the live music sector continues to face challenges across the country, this investment will help strengthen our local industry – a vital creative sector for our state.”

Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel says it would be “hard to be in Victoria and not experience the direct benefits of such an investment”.

“It’s great to see the Victorian Government continuing to champion local musical talent, showcasing original contemporary music from Victoria in live music venues across the state, alongside international acts at festivals, and supporting Victorian artists as they tour nationally and internationally,” Schinkel says.

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Entertainment

Everyone is invited to the CONVERGE Open Day

Published

2 months ago

25 September 2024

Liam

Everyone is invited to the CONVERGE Open Day

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Everyone is invited to the CONVERGE Open Day

Step into the heart of Lismore’s creative scene at the CONVERGE Open Day on Saturday, 28 September 2024, and meet the artists bringing this vibrant residency space to life!

CONVERGE is a temporary artist-in-residence and professional development program, transforming a prominent vacant space in the CBD into a thriving hub of creativity, community connection, and cultural revival. As part of Lismore’s disaster recovery initiative, CONVERGE aims to reignite the city as a cultural hub, highlighting its unique character and supporting its world-class creative industry.

For the past three months, CONVERGE has breathed new life into the CBD with its burst of colour, textures, and artistic exploration. Now, you’re invited to immerse yourself in this energetic space and connect with local creators during the CONVERGE Studio Open Day.

What to Expect

Time: 10am to 3pm
Date: Saturday, 28 September 2024
Location: 123 Woodlark St, Lismore

Join 11 talented local artists as they open their studios for a behind-the-scenes experience. Meet the makers, explore the creative process, and enjoy live performances, installations, and art in action.

Featured activities include:

Paul Walker performing Dance and Draw
Adrienne Kenafake presenting her latest performance piece, fresh from the Cementa Festival
Chris Lego showcasing his screen-printing skills while spinning tunes
Matt O’Brien offering a hands-on experience with mud mixing
Antoinette O’Brien leading a clay play session
Michelle Gilroy celebrating subtle textures in her work
Karenza Ebejer sharing her digital dreaming as a filmmaker
Stefanie Mirkilis creating vibrant mosaics

This Open Day is part of a broader weekend of cultural events, including the much-anticipated reopening of the Lismore Regional Gallery on Friday, 26 September 2024.

About CONVERGE

Located between Woodlark Street and Larkin Lane, CONVERGE sits at the core of Lismore’s “arts block,” nestled alongside the Lismore Regional Gallery, The Quad, Northern Rivers Conservatorium, Elevator ARI, and the brand-new Tinnie Army Mural on Larkin Lane.

This initiative is led by Lismore City Council and funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority to support the arts sector in its recovery following the devastating floods of 2022.

Support and Celebrate Lismore’s Artistic Community

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin praised the program, saying, “It’s exciting to see the results of CONVERGE. It’s important to support the artistic community in their flood recovery and watch them flourish again.”

Don’t Miss Out!

Come and be part of this celebration of art, creativity, and community at CONVERGE.

CONVERGE Studio Open Day

Date: Saturday, 28 September 2024
Time: 10am to 3pm
Location: 123 Woodlark St, Lismore

See you there!

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Entertainment

NSW Government Introduces Support Package for Music Festivals

Published

2 months ago

25 September 2024

Liam

NSW Government Introduces Support Package for Music Festivals

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NSW Government Introduces Support Package for Music Festivals

By Robert Heyward

The NSW Government has announced a comprehensive relief package to support struggling music festivals, aimed at addressing rising costs and improving the sustainability of the sector. The package follows the government’s commitment to review the Music Festivals Act, which identified the need for a stronger focus on harm reduction, industry sustainability, and more balanced costs for festivals in NSW compared to other states.

As part of the reforms, the government has allocated an initial $3 million for emergency funding assistance to help music festivals navigate financial pressures. Over the next two years, music festivals will benefit from financial aid and broader sector reforms designed to ease the challenges that have contributed to numerous event cancellations in recent years.

In addition, the government will introduce amendments to the Music Festivals Act aimed at improving the regulatory framework for festivals, with changes set to be in place before the upcoming summer festival season. These amendments will prioritise the health and safety of festival-goers while also focusing on the economic sustainability of NSW’s festival scene.

Key Amendments to the Music Festivals Act

Explicit objectives focused on government support for the festival sector.
Removal of the ‘subject’ festival designation from the Act.
Requirement for all festivals to have a Health and Medical Plan, with festivals that have had previous incidents needing to agree on their plan with NSW Health.
Liquor & Gaming NSW will become the main decision-maker, with advice from NSW Health and NSW Police. The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority will remain involved in appeals regarding health and medical plans.
Appeal rights for festivals on costs and conditions, with a cross-government panel established to handle appeals if a festival’s economic viability is under threat.
NSW Police will continue to have a role in recommending safety and enforcement measures for festivals where necessary.

The government has also introduced a two-year Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund to enhance the short-term viability of major contemporary music festivals. The fund, established by Sound NSW, will offer up to $500,000 per festival for large-scale events with a capacity of 15,000 or more. This fund will address financial pressures brought on by factors like rising costs, inflation, and currency exchange rates. Applications will be open from September 2024 to June 2026 on a needs basis.

Statements from Key Ministers

John Graham, Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy, acknowledged the struggles facing the festival sector, stating:
“NSW has had a strong music festival sector, but it has been under intense pressure. We have seen the chickens come home to roost after years of pressure, with major festivals failing. Festivals are an important place for music fans to experience the music they love together and form connections with artists and their community.”

He added, “We made a commitment to review the Music Festivals Act, and now that review is complete, we are introducing these reforms to strengthen our support for these vital live music events.”

Ryan Park, Minister for Health, emphasised the importance of safety, saying:

“We want people to be able to enjoy festivals safely. These reforms will ensure that health and safety become even more of a central focus in event planning. NSW Health continues to work closely with music festivals to implement harm reduction measures, including deploying NSW Ambulance personnel, peer-based harm reduction service providers, private medical providers onsite, as well as running awareness campaigns.”

The NSW Government’s reforms aim to revitalize the music festival sector, making it safer and more economically viable while promoting a thriving live music culture across the state.

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