After finishing a bunch of website interfaces, I turn from my computer screen to daytime TV and there before me – was the legendary Barry Crocker. I know he’s getting on, but my personal disillusionment with the Australian Film & TV industry seems never-ending. There was THE infamous Barry McKenzie, dressed as an old wizard in an afternoon kids’ TV show called “Magic Tales”.
The only reason why we’re even seeing Australian TV shows is because the ABA enforces it. Without the Australian Broadcasting Authority, we wouldn’t be watching anything but news.
So why do we even bother to make Australian Television? And why does the Australian government finance our feature films for that matter? According to tradewatch.org.au
Local Content Rules in Australian TV and radio ensure that Australian stories and Australian voices are heard over the deluge of American programming. But the US, not content with this, has used the FTA to limit Australia’s right to regulate its film, TV and radio.
That was printed in 2004 and not much has changed. The US Government restricts the amount of US-made shows airing by having a foreign content policy. A small percentage of TV shows must be made in other countries. That way, US citizens get to see their shows in a world context. In Australia, our government enforces commercial stations to screen a certain amount of locally made drama (which can cost up to ten times the budget of cheaply imported US content). It’s all about face here and the Free Trade agreement didn’t help. The US wants us to cap the percentage of Australian content because their massive budgets require foreign sales to turn a profit. The last “Australian” films to make their budget back were Happy Feet (if you can call that Australian) and Kenny.
So – back to Barry Crocker.
I’m sure there was a lot of on-set respect for Barry during the filming of “Magic Tales”. I understand that an actor has to pay bills, but seeing Barry in a government-sponsored, government-enforced (via the ABA) show was kind of sad. He wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for the ABA.
So, are we deluding ourselves? What Australian Film and TV Industry? The 1970s, it would seem, were the Australian movie industry years.
I thought of the many American actors who, like Barry, had a similar time playing in the sunshine of youth. I thought of the many washed-up actors who, like John Travolta and Mickey Rourke, were lucky enough to find that second wind. Is such a thing even possible in Australia?
Maybe it’s just me. Or it’s just what happens when an actor grows old.
