Bigger and Better Productions: 2011

PRESS RELEASE - GHOST RIVER STATION

The Australian feature film industry is about to have another boost to its image as renowned historian and documentary maker, Dr Tony Matthews, gets set to put his screenplay Ghost River Station, onto the big screen. Although intended to be fiction, it is loosely based on the history of regions in South East Queensland, and encompasses many of the real life stories Dr Matthews has encountered during his life-time of historical research. The beautiful haunting tale is destined to be popular for both its cinematographic majesty and it’s haunting tale of love, murder, and ghostly intervention.

The story centers around a gracious homestead, “Ghost River Station”, so named because of the legends surrounding it following a terrible Aboriginal massacre in the 1860's, and an ongoing history of bloodshed that seems to be attracted to the property. It will be filming in the Kingaroy region, which has already offered support, and hopes to draw it’s indigenous cast from the local Cherbourg Community. Most of the extras will be sourced from the local theatre groups.

Ghost River Station Producer Ramona Rai is very positive about the future of Australian Film. “Australian cinema is finally being recognized internationally, and filmmakers are embracing the uniqueness of our landscapes. Investors are recognizing the salability of our talent, and as Red Dog clearly illustrates, the international audience is hungry for unique Australian stories. This is a great era for film in this country.”

Although highly experienced in other areas of film and television, producers Bigger and Better Productions are considered relative newcomers to the Australian Independent Film Industry. Within just 3 years they have already won short film awards and accolades, have a feature, “Alien Sons” scheduled for release at the end of 2011, and have completed a number of charity projects including a documentary for the Jay Larkins Paralympic Project. They have four features and a tv series in various stages of production, and Ramona has also recently been nominated for the ASIN (Australian Screen Industry Network Awards) in Qld, with a forthcoming feature “Lucky Valentine”, and Director of “Alien Sons” Ozzie Devrish, also receiving multiple nominations.

Ramona names Producer Ross Grayson Bell (Producer, Fightclub) as her inspiration. “Ross imparts his wisdom and experience freely and passionately. With such a positive introduction to the film industry, failure just isn’t an option, so when others complained work was dropping off, we went out and used our skills to develop what is proving to be a highly successful formula for the creation of successful films”.

Ghost River Station will be filming in October 2012 and will hit the big screen early 2013.

"JUMPING PUDDLES"

Bigger and Better Productions are thrilled to announce that the documentary "Jumping Puddles" is complete and ready for distribution. Jumping Puddles gives you a day in the life of the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program, a non profit, non government funded program developed and run by Jay Larkins to benefit children with physical disabilities.

Jay approached Bigger and Better Productions when they were helping out on another charity project giving a second christmas to children of flood ravaged Goodna. When producer Ramona Rai and Actor/Director Ozzie Devrish heard about the goals of the group and saw how much hope and self-respect Jay was giving to the participants, they immediately put up their hands and volunteered their services.

With the support of an incredible film team, including Rudi Testa, Graham and Louise Weston, Shelley Marshall, Amy Straughan, Lucas Keim, Jamie Murgatroyd and Chris Howard, Ramona and Ozzie put together a documentary which will now be used to help increase awareness and bring some much needed funds to the group.

To find out more about this amazing group, contact Jay Larkins via the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program Facebook Page or email Bigger and Better Productions at info@biggerandbetterproductions.com Also check out their YouTube Link

CAST AND CREW POSITIONS VACANT

THE HIGHWAYMAN: feature film

Location: Texas, USA
Date: March 2013

Casting Call: Gang Members - Paid

"Gunny" is a mean, cold hearted, and vindictive SOB, and head of a vicious gang. We are now casting gang members and are looking for actors with feature film experience in similar roles, age 30 years +.

Details on web site
www.highwayman-movie.com

Must have solid acting experience including relevant feature film or tv series roles, American accents preferred although we are happy to consider other accents. We are ideally looking for hard faced characters, not the "pretty faced" bad boys ...

Email cv, IMDb link and showreel to production@highwayman-movie.com

more roles to be announced shortly, see facebook page for regular updates https://www.facebook.com/highwayman.movie

GRIM'S CURSE: short film
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Date: June 2012

Casting Call: Youth - unpaid

Male 20-24 x 1
Male 18-20 x 1
Minimum Experience Level, short film lead role. English Accent Essential

Email cv and showreel to talent@biggerandbetterproductions.com

GHOST RIVER STATION: feature film
Location: SE Qld, Australia
Date: October 2012

Casting Call: Male Lead, Female Lead - paid

Male 30-35, a writer, tall and good looking, a little reclusive, Australian or English
Female 30-35, attractive, feminine, Australian

Solid acting experience including good feature film and / or television experience essential.

Crew Call: Lighting, Set Design - must have feature film experience

See the website www.ghostriverstation.com for film details.

Email cv, IMDb link (and showreel if applying for acting roles) to :

movie@ghostriverstation.com

Please note: We do no accept actor cv's without a show-reel. To qualify as experienced you must have 8 or more IMDb credits, excluding short films and single appearances in tv series OR have a major role in a recently released film or television series.

MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Production Company Options Hollywood Film

Dale K Pitman

Hollywood Screenwriters Dale K Pitman and Glenn M Benest have optioned their latest supernatural thriller, “The Highwayman”, and it is coming to Australian shores. Inspired by a recent talk given by “Fightclub” Producer, Ross Grayson Bell, a strong supporter of the Australian Film Industry, Ramona Rai from Bigger and Better Productions confidently accepted the challenge to bring a large scale Hollywood Production to Aussie shores, and has scheduled filming for early 2013.

With seven screenplays already produced, and boasting talent like Director Wes Craven and actress Sharon Stone in past film credits, award winning writer Glenn M Benest is quietly confident that “The Highwayman” has all the ingredients for box office success.

Incorporating the supernatural with intense action and the highly popular comic book genre, the film follows a reclusive writer who is forced to confront his own anti-hero creation when it sets out on a vigilante rampage. Although most of the leads roles have been set aside for well known USA actors, there will be some great opportunities for Australian Cast and Crew as well, and popular local actor Ozzie Devrish has already been approached by the USA writers to join the impressive line-up.

Glenn M Benest

This is the third feature collaboration by Dale and Glenn, who will be also joining Ramona as Producers. “We have full confidence in the Australian Film Industry” comments Dale, “and we are really excited to see what it can offer”.

The Highwayman currently has a director in negotiation, and will be casting early 2013.

Links:

The Highwayman

Cartoon anti heroes wreaking vengeance, intense action, drama and suspense ... if this is your idea of a good movie you are going to love the latest offering from Bigger and Better Productions.

Written by Dale K Pitman and award winning Hollywood screenwriter Glenn Bemest (think Wes Craven and Sharon Stone) .... this edge of your seat thriller delivers on the promise of a being a true blockbuster.

Casting some Hollywood and Australian favourite actors, it is worth following .. check out the facebook site and twitter for the latest on cast and crew

The Highwayman facebook The Highwayman twitter

UNDERGRADS TEASER TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 8TH

The Undergrads teaser is due to have an auspicious release, screening before feature film "Real Steel" in the writer's home town of Gympie.

Followed by an after-party, Gympie locals will get the opportunity to congratulate local writer and co-producer, Troy Spacie, and meet the producers, cast and crew of this unique Australian tv series heading into production in 2012.

Undergrads has recently decided to capitalise on the uniqueness of the series and self produce, rather than leave it in the hands of a television station. This will also give them the chance to syndicate in other countries, giving them exceptional profit potential.

A small share offer will be announced and launched on the same night.

For tickets, see Sovereign Cinemas, Gympie. For after-party tickets and further information please see the Undergrads website http://www.undergradstvseries.com/ or email management@biggerandbetterproductions.com

For investment enquiries please email production@biggerandbetterproductions.com

Production Company: Bigger and Better Productions, Producers Troy Spacie and Ramona Rai, Writer Troy Spacie, Director Ozzie Devrish, Starring Brendan Galinie, Brendan Cavanagh, Marco Naddei, Josh Whitten, Rebecca Lavindi, Tarah Carey and Emily Anderson

The Jay Larkins Project

Bigger and Better Productions are proud to announce the completion of the Short Film / Song Clip for the Jay Larkins Project. Jay Larkins is one of Australia's unsung heroes, who donates enormous amounts of time and his own money towards his non profit, non government funded program the Paraympic Football Program. The program helps young children with physical disabilities discover the excitement of sport and enables them to compete on a level playing field.

Nurtured in an environment where respect is the number one rule, Jay was desperate to get some media, corporate and government attention so he could get some sponsorship and keep this incredible program running, so Bigger and Better Productions stepped in and offered to help. Volunteer crew included Ramona Rai (Producer), Ozzie Devrish (Director / Producer/Editor), Rudi Testa (Production Co-ordinator), Shelley Marshall (Assistant to the Producer) Graham Marshall (DoP / Camera), Louise Marshall (Camera Assistant), Amy Straughan (Sound), Lucas Keim (Boom), Chris Howard (Runner) .

The end result is an amazing and heartwarming clip , now on youtube, and a documentary which is currently in post production.

(photo: Paralympic Athlete Ray Epstein OAM from Sporting Wheelies and Bruce Stadler from Brisbane Roar football Club with some of the children from Jay Larkins' Football Program)

SUCCEEDING IN THE FILM INDUSTRY

An Exclusive life changing one day seminar

It's hard enough to get in front of a casting director for a feature film, let alone be seen by the person at the top of the decision making tree- the Producer.

This is a rare chance to learn what can win or lose you that coveted role ... and get to meet a producer who has over $30m worth of feature films scheduled over the next 3 years

In an entertaining, information packed day, you will learn the secrets that successful actors have spent years learning ...

Where to find roles and how to apply for them

Do’s and don’ts of cv submissions

Impressing the Casting Director (and Producer)

Helping your agent help you (V Management will be there to give an insider’s view so it is a great opportunity if you don't already have an agent!)

Secrets to securing the role

This course is about marketing yourself, meeting the right people, and securing those coveted places in film, not acting coaching, so is also suitable for film crew

YOUR PRESENTER:

Ramona Rai, Producer at Bigger and Better Productions, has over $30m worth of feature films coming up over the next 3 years, and will be working with some of the biggest names in the industry ... This is your opportunity to be a part of it too !

Ian Jones—Dead Calm, Rabbit Proof Fence, The Piano

Andrew Conder—Scooby Doo, Peter Pan, Jindabyne

Glenn Benest—Deadly Blessing, Stranger in the House (Director Wes Craven, Nightmare on Elm Street)

Roger Ward—Mad Max, Turkey Shoot (admired by Producers like Quentin Tarantino)

Cuba Gooding Junior, Val Lehman ...

Her upcoming films include Ghost River Station, Lucky Valentine, The Laundryman, TV series Undergrads, and currently in negotiation “The Highwayman”

“Ramona has the qualities everyone should strive for in the entertainment world” Acting Icon Roger Ward

“Her innovative ideas, myriad of connections and resources make her a formidable match in the entertainment world” Delson Armstrong

“Having skills like this as an actor is like racing in a V8 when everyone else has pedal cars. Highly recommended” Actor Ozzie Devrish

BOOK NOW : Numbers strictly limited.

Date: Sunday 11th September, 9am - 5pm

Location: Mermaid Waters Resort Hotel, Gold Coast

Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea included
go to the Bigger and Better Productions web site to register

GHOST RIVER STATION FEATURE FILM

Bigger and Better Productions are proud to announce they have acquired the rights for Ghost River Station, written by well known historian Dr Tony Matthews. Loosely based on the history of that region, the story is a hauntingly beautiful saga that combines love lost and love regained with a history of tragedy.

The story dates back to the Aboriginal massacres of the 1860's and continues on through a history of bloodshed that seemed to be attracted to the homestead. Ethan, a writer who is desperate to escape from what he feels is the calustrophobic conditions of modern life, decides the homestead is the perfect setting to focus on his latest novel. His appearance however disturbs and awakens the fragile balance, and he finds himself inter-twined in a story where fact is much stranger than fiction.

The production is currently in development, and is scheduled to start filming March 2013, which is neatly slotted between The Laundryman and Lucky Valentine. It will be filming in northern Queensland. Production Company: Bigger and Better Productions, Producer: Ramona Rai, Consultant Producer: Dr Tony Matthews, contact Bigger and Better Productions for more information. Positions are now open for key crew submissions.

LUCKY VALENTINE Feature Film

Bigger and Better Productions are proud to announce the acquisition of the feature film Lucky Valentine, which is set to star some of Australia's best known iconic actors as well as some acclaimed US stars.

The story is guaranteed to have even the toughest critics wiping away tears and brings back the lovable Australian larrikin image that has been neglected in recent film history...

On one side of the world, an American Baseball player faces losing his coveted team position because of his over inflated ego and womanising ways. On the other side of the world, in a tiny outback Australian town, a little girl is dying and they need a way to help her family stay by her side. He needs redemption, at least in the eyes of the press, and they need money. A 20/20 cricket match appears to solve both their problems, and the worlds collide with hilarious and heart-warming consequences.

Lucky Valentine is currently in development, with filming scheduled to begin early 2013.

"THE SET" BY ROGER WARD

Described in glowing terms by film industry greats like Quentin Tarrantino and Brian Trenchard Smith, Australian actor Roger Ward is an icon in both film and television.

Probably best known as "Fifi" the chrome domed shirtless police chief in the original Mad Max, his career includes television favourites Homicide, Matlock Police and Division 4, and cult movies like Turkey Shoot and Man from Hong Kong. His film, "The Set" was a cult hit of the early 70's, the first non exploitive look at the gay community.

Now the long awaited novel by the same name has finally hit the bookshelves, and it is rumoured to be in the hands of Hollywood executives with George Clooney as a possible lead.

The enigmatic Roger Ward is going to be in Brisbane August 25/26th to personally autograph copies of the book and talk about his amazing career, starting with a meet and greet party on the 25th and a luncheon on the 26th. Both events are raising money for charity.

Numbers are strictly limited. For further details email theset@biggerandbetterproductions.com or info@biggerandbetterproductions.com

UNDERGRADS

SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION

Bigger and Better Productions have recently signed a co-production agreement for "Undergrads”, a new half-hour television comedy / drama series that gives you an honest look into the lives of modern day university students. It’s a culture where classes and grades aren’t necessarily the number one priority. Written by Troy Spacie, it is designed to be a 6 part half hour mini series.

Producers: Ramona Rai, Troy Spacie, Director Ozzie Devrish. Teaser filming August 2010 in Brisbane QLD, pilot filming February 2012 in Sydney NSW. For cast and crew information email info@biggerandbetterproductions.com