Chris Roache Chris Roache i(A142320 works by)
Gender: Male
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BiographyHistory

Script-writer, producer, and script editor Chris Roache graduated from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in 1986, after majoring in screenwriting. Since then, he has worked extensively in both children's and adult television, including early recognition with an AWGIE Award for Best Episode of a Series (for his episode of Rafferty's Rules, 'Politburo') in 1989. The late 1980s also saw him write and direct his horror film The Thirteenth Floor, in which a young woman teams up with the ghost of one of her father's victims to right some old wrongs.

In 1993, he began what would be a five-year involvement as both script-writer and producer for Heartbreak High, after being approached by producer Ben Gannon. During this period, he also wrote scripts for Police Rescue, Search for Treasure Island, The Ferals, and Elly and Jools.

Roache's involvement with Ben Gannon's production company continued with his work as co-creator (thorugh his production company, Encroache Productions), script-writer, and producer for Gannon's post-Heartbreak High project, Head Start, in 2001. Over the next few years, he also wrote scripts for Outriders, MDA, and All Saints.

In 2004, Roache produced the young-adult science-fiction program Silversun, about the adolescent crew of a deep-space colony vessel, who are expected to take over the running of the ship as the adult crew ages over the course of the ninety-year journey.

In 2007, Roache began what would be a long association with Jonathan M. Shiff Productions, when he wrote scripts for Pirate Islands: The Lost Treasure of Fiji, followed by scripts for three subsequent Shiff productions: The Elephant Princess, H2O: Just Add Water, and Lightning Point. He is also associated with the forthcoming spin-off to H2O, Mako: Island of Secrets.

Roache's work as a producer includes not only Silversun, but also H20 (as associate story producer) and Head Start (as producer). His work as an editor includes The Saddle Club (script editor), H2O (script editor), Heartbreak High (supervising script editor), and Wicked!, the animated series based on Morris Gleitzman and Paul Jennings's children's books (story editor). He also acted as script consultant on Stephen Prime's 1999 thriller Powderburn.

Further Reference:

'Interview with Chris Roache'. Silversun Fan Pages, ABC, 2007.

http://www.abc.net.au/silversun/fanpages/chrisr/default.htm (Sighted: 6/9/2012)

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

form y separately published work icon Mako Mermaids Mako : Island of Secrets ( dir. Grant Brown et. al. )agent Australia : Jonathan M. Shiff Productions , 2013-2014 6897015 2013 series - publisher film/TV young adult fantasy

'When fifteen year-old Zac goes camping on Mako Island, he has no idea his every move is being monitored by real-life mermaids Sirena, Nixie and Lyla, whose job it is to ward off trespassers. When he comes into contact with the magical waters of the Moon Pool on the night of a full moon, Zac is given a taste of Mako's powers, waking the next day to discover he has been granted fin-like feet and the power to control water…causing all sorts of trouble for Sirena, Nixie and Lyla.'

Source: Screen Australia. (Sighted: 10/1/2014)

2015 winner Australian Teachers of Media Awards Best Children’s Television Program Season 2
form y separately published work icon The Elephant Princess ( dir. Grant Brown et. al. )agent Australia : Jonathan M. Shiff Productions , 2008-2009 Z1656784 2008-2009 series - publisher film/TV children's adventure fantasy

Alexandra Wilson is a normal girl living in an average suburb. She can sing brilliantly (she's a songwriter at heart). She's funny and driven. Alex's band is her life, and her band-mates, expressive Amanda Tucci and realist JB Deekes, are her closest friends. There's also Marcus, their lead guitarist: he's a year older, and, well, rather attractive. Alex has two grounded parents, Anita and Jim, and one very centre-stage younger sister, Zoe. Life is very normal. But ...

Since birth, Alex has caused a succession of strange, somewhat magical events. Fortunately, she's been able to conceal, ignore, or deny them all. But then Kuru, a young man dressed in exotic robes, and Anala, a decorated adult elephant who has a tendency to vanish now and again, arrive on Alex's doorstep. Kuru explains that Alex is actually Princess Liliuokalani Parasha Khaled Persphone Amanirenas of Manjipoor.

Alex is not so sure about that! But the magical effects she seems to cause have recently blossomed. It's scary. Alex asks Kuru and Anala to leave, but they won't go anywhere. They are under the royal command of Omar, Chief Advisor to the former Queen Nefari, to bring the princess home to rule.

Manjipoor is an exotic, mystical kingdom that exists very close to our world--but not in it. The nation was born six hundred years ago when 'gifted' people (sorcerers, oracles, and witches) fled persecution and created their own territory, and later, for their protection, moved it to a parallel location by magical means!

Kuru's mission is made easier when Alex's parents accept him as an 'exchange student' and he is invited to stay at their home. He does his best to fit in at Alex's school. Alex keeps her identity as a princess a secret from everybody but Amanda and JB, but it's an ongoing problem concealing a wilful, sometimes-invisible elephant in her backyard.

Omar's recent revelation of the existence of Manjipoor's secret princess shocks and threatens Vashan, the last royal relative in a conflicted and dying dynasty, who fully expected to rule. Aided by his skilful servant Diva, Vashan acts--first subtly, then overtly--to prevent his cousin Alex from claiming her inheritance.

Back in 'The Old World'--our world--Kuru's persistence with Alex starts to have an effect. Alex begins to practise and accept her magic--and it often goes awry. It's not easy being a teenager with magical powers! Alex uses her magic to rectify some very teenage-related issues, as well as to bend the occasional rule, but she draws the line at using magic in her music or for the band. They've got to prove they're good enough without it!

Following an encounter in Manjipoor where Alex learns some of the history of her real mother, Queen Nefari, and is introduced first hand to Vashan's enmity, she awakens to the strong qualities developing inside her and the need for her in Manjipoor as a princess.

Simultaneously, Alex, Amanda, Marcus, and JB improve as a band. They get gigs, and Alex's confidence as a singer increases. Alex finds the pull between both worlds conflicting. When Vashan becomes increasingly bold in his endeavours to undermine and overtake Alex, his actions precipitate a series of stunning revelations affecting the lives of Alex, Kuru, Anala, and Omar and the future of Manjipoor. Alex finds she must make a choice about where her real destiny lies ...

Source: Jonathan M Shiff Productions website, http://www.jonathan-m-shiff.com.au/
Sighted: 15/12/2009

2009 winner Australian Film Institute Awards Best Children's Television Drama
form y separately published work icon MDA Medical Defence Australia ( dir. Shawn Seet et. al. )agent Australia : Screentime Australian Broadcasting Corporation , 2002-2005 Z1881854 2002-2005 series - publisher film/TV crime

'Enter the world of Medical Defence Australia, a medico-legal organisation that exists to defend doctors and where necessary compensate patients. All cases at MDA combine elements of law and medicine so each case is managed by a doctor and a lawyer who agree on how to proceed. It's a unique organisation that delves into morally complex and emotion filled relationships between doctors and patients.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive (http://www.australiantelevision.net/mda/mda.html). (Sighted: 22/2/2013)

2006 nominated Logie Awards Most Outstanding Drama Series
2003 nominated Logie Awards Most Outstanding Drama Series
2003 nominated The International Emmy Awards Drama Series
2002 nominated Australian Film Institute Awards Best Television Drama Series
2004 nominated Australian Film Institute Awards Best Television Drama Series
2005 nominated Australian Film Institute Awards Best Television Drama Series
2005 nominated Australian Film Institute Awards Best Screenplay in Television
Last amended 6 Sep 2012 09:02:43
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