Mark DeFriest Mark DeFriest i(A142881 works by)
Gender: Male
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1 form y separately published work icon Stormworld Coral Drouyn , Victor Gentile , Robert Greenberg , Piers Hobson , Kelly Lefever , David Ogilvy , Vanessa Yardley , Bryan McQueen-Mason , Alex Burrows , Nikolas Barron , Paul Douglas Barron , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Western Australia Canada : Great Western Entertainment Brightlight Pictures , 2009 Z1844520 2009 series - publisher film/TV young adult science fiction

Best friends Jason and Lee, on a quiet boating trip in Vancouver, Canada, find themselves transported through a vortex to Stormworld, a mysterious world with three suns and mind-distorting storms. Since visitors are not uncommon in Stormworld, they find themselves incorporated into The Settlement, one of three principal settlements on Stormworld.

Stormworld is a complex example of world-building. For example, the program concentrates heavily on the effects of the ecosystem on the planet's inhabitants: as a hot-climate archipelago on a salt-water ocean, Stormworld has a dearth of fresh water, which subsequently becomes a highly valuable resource for the planet's inhabitants. Similarly, the program focuses strongly on the planet's economy (a barter system based on the rare and exotic artefacts that travellers bring through the vortexes with them), on inter-community rivalry among the three main settlements (the democratic Settlement, the patriarchal and hierarchical Arkoddians, and the piratical Drogue), and on the dangerous and mysterious weather patterns peculiar to Stormworld (such as the Winders--horizontal lightning--that are attracted to mental activity).


1 form y separately published work icon K9 Shayne Armstrong , S. P. Krause , Tim Pye , Ian McFadyen , Deborah Parsons , Everett de Roche , Graeme Farmer , Dave Warner , Chris Roache , John O'Brien , Anthony Morris , Lindsay James , Jim Noble , Jason Bourque , Bob Baker , Paul Tams , ( dir. David Caesar et. al. )agent Australia United Kingdom (UK) : Network Ten Disney XD , 2009-2010 Z1622411 2009-2010 series - publisher film/TV children's science fiction

This British/Australian co-production comedy/adventure series spins off the character of the robotic dog K9 from the British television series Doctor Who. Because the programme is not a BBC production, it cannot make direct references to Doctor Who. Similarly, K9 was radically redesigned for this show, because although Bob Baker (creator of K9 and co-creator of the original character) owns the character rights to K9, the BBC owns the rights to the original character design.

The concept for K9 was developed by Australian writers Shane Krause and Shayne Armstrong, who also serve as primary writers for the programme. Other Australian writers involved in the show include Queensland-based writer Jim Noble and comedian Ian McFadyen.

The programme is filmed and produced in Brisbane, Australia, but set in near-future London.

1 form y separately published work icon Wormwood Alex Burrows , Jutta Goetze , Piers Hobson , Sue Hore , David Rapsey , Maureen Sherlock , Meaghan Smith , James Beard , John Coulter , Elizabeth Huntley , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Western Australia : Great Western Entertainment , 2007 Z1845696 2007 series - publisher film/TV children's fantasy

Based on various short stories by Paul Jennings, Wormwood follows the happenings in the small town of Wormwood, where the fact that the town's economy is based on the production and sale of worm excrement is not the strangest thing about the place.

Previous television series based on Jennings's short stories were Driven Crazy and Round the Twist.

1 form y separately published work icon Streetsmartz Coral Drouyn , Vanessa Yardley , Bryan McQueen-Mason , Ron Elliott , Victor Gentile , Claire Bradshaw , Justin Cheek , Dave Warner , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Western Australia : Great Western Entertainment , 2005-2008 Z1896214 2005-2008 series - publisher film/TV

'STREETSMARTZ is an innovative kid’s drama series set on the streets of Fremantle. The stories of Vinnie and his friends are full of humour, emotional stakes, and the belief that, when all is said and done, family – no matter what form it takes – is what really counts.'

Source: Screen Australia. (Sighted: 28/11/2013)

1 form y separately published work icon Parallax Lynn Bayonas , Everett de Roche , Coral Drouyn , Ron Elliott , Annie Fox , Meg Mappin , Annie Beach , Sue-Ellen Block , Victor Gentile , Piers Hobson , Paul Douglas Barron , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Western Australia : Great Western Entertainment , 2004 Z1844427 2004 series - publisher film/TV science fiction children's

Fourteen-year-old Ben discovers that his seemingly staid country town of Werrinup, Western Australia, is actually the gateway to a number of parallel dimensions--where things are almost but not quite like his own world. Once he becomes aware of the parallel worlds, he also becomes aware that they are under threat, and he has to help protect them.

Parallax was created and produced by Paul D. Barron, who is also responsible for such programs as Wormwood, Stormworld, and Ship to Shore.

1 form y separately published work icon The Sleepover Club Ellie Beaumont , Chris Kunz , Meg Mappin , Kirsty Fisher , Fiona Wood , Marieke Hardy , David Hannam , Meaghan Smith , David Phillips , Louise Le Nay , Piers Hobson , Sue Hore , Anthony Morris , Sarah Rosetti , Shirley Van Sanden , Annie Fox , Vanessa Yardley , John Thomson , Phil Thomson , ( dir. Arnie Custo et. al. )agent Australia : Burberry Productions Nine Network , 2003-2007 Z1883334 2003-2007 series - publisher film/TV

'Based on the popular books by Rose Impey, this comedy-drama series features five 12-year-old girls on their quest for identity, individuality, belonging, family, friendship and how to have the most fun while trying to deny the existence of boys.'

Source: Screen Australia. (Sighted: 3/12/2013)

1 form y separately published work icon Southern Cross Ron Elliott , ( dir. Mark DeFriest ) Australia : Taylor Media , 2002 7496985 2002 single work film/TV children's

'Two illegal immigrant children escape from a detention centre to travel overland to find their last remaining relatives.'

Source: Screen Australia.

1 form y separately published work icon The Saddle Club Graeme Farmer , John Reeves , Sam Carroll , Jutta Goetze , Shirley Pierce , Piers Hobson , Annie Beach , Kris Mrksa , Ian David , Everett de Roche , Helen Steel , Chris Roache , Giula Sandler , Gwenda Marsh , Barbara Bishop , Piers Hobson , ( dir. Arnie Custo et. al. )agent Australia Canada : Australian Broadcasting Corporation Nine Network Crawford Productions Protocol Entertainment , 2001-2009 Z1881784 2001-2009 series - publisher film/TV children's

A Canadian-Australian co-production.

'Amid the excitement and thrill of the horse world growing up seems harder than ever … Stevie, Carole and Lisa are strong, dynamic young women. Each has very distinct and personal dreams for the future. All have one thing in common - a passion for horses. In forming the Saddle Club the girls promise to remain loyal to each other no matter what, but that promise may not prove to be as easy to keep as they think.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 20/8/2013)

1 form y separately published work icon Wild Kat John Armstrong , Coral Drouyn , Ron Elliott , Marieke Hardy , Peter Neale , Alicia Walsh , Paul Douglas Barron , David Ogilvy , ( dir. Steve Peddie et. al. )agent Perth : Barron Entertainment , 2001 Z1849072 2001 series - publisher film/TV children's young adult science fiction

When fifteen-year-old Katrina moves to Perth to live with her mother, a veterinary scientist at the local zoo, she begins acting oddly. Realising she can 'mind-meld' with Garang, the zoo's ferocious female tiger, she finds her senses of smell, hearing, and sight improving, including her night vision. Upset and bewildered by his sister's odd behaviour, her eleven-year-old brother Jamie teams up with the youngest daughter of the zoo manager to try and solve the mystery. But not everyone's intentions are honorable, as one of the zoo's scientists plans to manipulate the genetic quirk that Kat and the tiger share, hoping to use it to recreate extinct species.

1 form y separately published work icon Cybergirl Barbara Bishop , Everett de Roche , Peter A. Kinloch , David Phillips , Charlie Strachan , Helen MacWhirter , Annie Fox , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Australia : Jonathan M. Shiff Productions , 2001-2002 Z1842760 2001-2002 series - publisher film/TV science fiction children's

A prototype cybernetic human from a distant planet crash-lands on Earth in order to explore the species from which she was developed. To move safely around the city, she disguises herself as the human cousin of a local boy. But two evil replicants are sent after her.

In positioning this program for the media, Jonathan M. Shiff emphasised both similarities to and differences from his previous programs:

'With CYBERGIRL, I set out asking myself how to create a series which has a teenage girl as a principal lead star, in a hip and modern way for the 21st century. Whereas OCEAN GIRL dealt with environmental themes, CYBERGIRL deals with the balance between humans and technology. In a world where millions of our audience are comfortable with the Internet, I thought it would be fun to have our hero as a walking computer!'

Indeed, Shiff placed great emphasis on his choice of a young female protagonist:

'I believe it has been many years since young children had a female superhero - the last was probably WONDER WOMAN. The recent trend for children, especially girls, to identify with characters like CHARLIE'S ANGELS indicates a strong desire for them to see themselves in the media as quite proactive, intelligent and strong, whilst still being emotionally sensitive'.

Source: Cybergirl media kit: http://www.jonathan-m-shiff.com.au/downloads/cg_media_kit.pdf. (Sighted: 17/2/2012)

1 form y separately published work icon Thunderstone Barbara Bishop , Lois Booton , Annie Fox , Marieke Hardy , Everett de Roche , Roger Dunn , Michael Joshua , Peter A. Kinloch , Helen MacWhirter , Alison Nisselle , David Phillips , Jenny Sharp , Victoria Osbourne , ( dir. Colin Budds et. al. )agent Australia : Jonathan M. Shiff Productions , 1999-2000 Z1847286 1999-2000 series - publisher film/TV children's young adult science fiction

Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, Thunderstone follows Noah Daniels who, with his family, lives in the underground colony of North Col, after all life on the surface of the Earth is destroyed by the impact of the Nemesis Comet. Fascinated with the holographic animals that the North Col colonists use to teach their children about the Earth's extinct species, Noah is accidentally transported forward in time, to the colony of Haven. 'Thunderstone' is the name given to the remnants of the Nemesis Comet, which allow Noah to travel through time.

Season one involves Noah's travels through time, in company with Arushka (a nomadic girl from Haven), in an attempt to repopulate the Earth with animals. Season two revolves around Noah's attempts to completely destroy the Nemesis Comet before it strikes the Earth, thereby preventing the apocalypse. Season three involves Noah's experiments in wormhole technology, his plans to set up a space colony, and the attempts of guerillas from the future to assassinate Noah before he can (allegedly) murder his own parents.

Season one has been released in its entirety on DVD, but neither season two nor season three have been made commerically available.

1 form y separately published work icon The Gift John Coulter , Piers Hobson , Barbara Bishop , Jenny Lewis , Ysabelle Dean , Annie Fox , Ron Elliott , David Ogilvy , Ingle Knight , Philip Jeng Kane , Nine Network , Victoria Osbourne , Geraldine Mellet , Annie Beach , David Ogilvy , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Perth : Barron Entertainment , 1997 Z1851732 1997 series - publisher film/TV children's fantasy

The gift has the power to grant you anything you desire, but once you realise what it does, you must pass it on.

1 form y separately published work icon The Bob Morrison Show Pino Amenta , Philip Dalkin , Alan Hardy , Jon Stephens , Stig Wemyss , Jan Sardi , Kate Langbroek , Anthony Morris , Philip Dalkin , Galia Hardy , Alan Hardy , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Australia : Telltale Films Nine Network , 1994 Z1886929 1994 series - publisher film/TV humour fantasy

'Life in the suburbs as seen through the eyes of the family dog.'

Source: Screen Australia

1 form y separately published work icon Ocean Girl Barbara Bishop , Shane Brennan , Colin Budds , Ian Coughlan , Everett de Roche , Annie Fox , Graham Hartley , Peter Hepworth , Peter A. Kinloch , Helen MacWhirter , Maureen McCarthy , Alison Nisselle , David Phillips , Carole Wilkinson , Linden Wilkinson , Jenny Sharp , Lois Booton , Judith Colquhoun , Kate Henderson , Michael Joshua , Neil Luxmoore , ( dir. Colin Budds et. al. )agent Australia : Jonathan M. Shiff Productions , 1994-1998 Z1844402 1994-1998 series - publisher film/TV science fiction children's

Ocean Girl follows the adventures of Jason and Brett Bates, who move with their mother (a reasearch scientist studying whale song) to an underwater research station near Port Douglas. There, they accidentally meet Neri, a young girl with super-human strength, the ability to breathe underwater, and an affinity for communicating with whales. As the series progresses through four seasons, the Bateses (and the audience) learn more about Neri's arrival on Earth, her home planet, and the ecosystem of their own home planet.

Ocean Girl, one of the earliest productions to come out of Jonathan M. Shiff Productions, is creator Jonathan Shiff's first science-fiction program; his name has subsequently become synonymous with children's science-fiction and fantasy television programs, through such shows as Cybergirl and H2O.

Ocean Girl is ecological science fiction, in that it uses the genre of science fiction to explore the consequences of exploiting Earth's resources. For example, as the program progresses, Dr Dianne Bates (mother of protagonists Jason and Brett) shifts from her early role as cetologist to a more active role as environmental protectionist, in response to the increasing threat of building large underwater constructions in the delicate ecosystem around ORCA. Similarly, season four shows the devastating effects of a 'Red Virus' on the oceans of Neri's home world.

1 form y separately published work icon Deepwater Haven Port Cook Linden Wilkinson , Liddy Holloway , David Allen , Michael McGennan , Rick Maier , Ken Catran , David Phillips , Debra Oswald , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Australia New Zealand France : Beyond Productions South Pacific Pictures F Productions , 1993 Z1890766 1993 series - publisher film/TV humour adventure crime children's

Australia-France-New Zealand co-production, set in New Zealand.

'Cooks Haven is a small community on the shores of the beautiful Waitemata Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand. Life working on the waterfront is filled with excitement and danger – runaways, illegal immigrants, smuggling, even modern day piracy.'

Source: South Pacific Picture. (Sighted: 25/6/2013)

2 form y separately published work icon Ship to Shore John Rapsey , Glenda Hambly , Mary Morris , Everett de Roche , Jon Stephens , John Cundill , Judi McCrossin , David Phillips , Craig Wilkins , Geoffrey Nottage , Barbara Bishop , David Marsh , Peter A. Kinloch , Lynn Bayonas , Patrick Edgeworth , Sheila Sibley , Graham Foreman , Anthony Ellis , Stephen Measday , Ysabelle Dean , Nicholas Flanagan , Ron Elliott , Alison Nisselle , Trevor Todd , Sarah Smith , Philip Jeng Kane , ABC Television (publisher), Nine Network (publisher), ( dir. Karl Zwicky et. al. )agent Perth Australia : Barron Entertainment ABC Television Nine Network , 1993-1996 Z845012 1993 series - publisher film/TV children's adventure

Children's adventure television series about children who live on fictional Circe Island, a fishing community and communications base off the coast of Western Australia. The first series featured episodes in which the children outwitted adults, particularly the character Hermes Endakis. The series later emphasised environmental issues, particularly in the second series, where the children try to stop a big corporation from destroying their island.

1 form y separately published work icon Cluedo Vince Moran , Karin Altmann , Vicki Madden , Graeme Farmer , Ray Boseley , Tony Cavanaugh , Elizabeth Coleman , Michael Harvey , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Melbourne : Crawford Productions Nine Network , 1992-1993 Z1937233 1992-1993 series - publisher film/TV crime mystery

'There are strange goings on at Brindabella Homestead. Every time someone visits the house, they seem to come to a sticky end. Who is committing these horrible murders?

'Could it be glamorous socialite Mrs Peacock, owner of Brindabella? Perhaps it is her step-daughter, the lovely Miss Scarlet? Scarlet's boyfriend, Professor Plum, has charm but is he to be trusted? The family cook, Mrs White, seems a kindly old soul. But looks can deceive! Colonel Mustard's fine war record would suggest an upright gentleman. But is he? And the good Reverend Green? Surely a man of the cloth couldn't be a killer ... or could he?

'The answer is that any of them could be the killer and the task of finding out who is the criminal rests with you, the audience. In your investigations you will be assisted by the local sleuth, Detective Sergeant Bogong. Help will also come from a studio audience who are able to quiz the characters about their movements and their alibis.'

Source: Crawford Productions publicity material (held in the Crawford Collection at the AFI Research Collection).

1 form y separately published work icon Kelly Denise Morgan , Judith Colquhoun , Sheila Sibley , Ysabelle Dean , Shane Brennan , Peter A. Kinloch , Andrew Kennedy , Peter Hepworth , David Phillips , Alison Nisselle , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Australia : Westbridge Entertainment Jonathan M. Shiff Productions Network Ten , 1991-1992 Z1888821 1991-1992 series - publisher film/TV children's crime

The first television program from prolific children's television producer Jonathan M. Shiff, Kelly follows the adventures of a police dog who, after being injured at work, is sent to recuperate in the country; here, Kelly becomes the constant companion of Jo Patterson and her friend Danny Foster, and manages to ferret out some criminals even in the country.

1 form y separately published work icon Animal Park Kate Henderson , Ken Methold , Roger Moulton , ( dir. Mark DeFriest et. al. )agent Australia : Sunshine Films Seven Network , 1991 7385773 1991 series - publisher film/TV children's

'Three children against all odds rebuild a run-down animal park on the central Queensland coast.'

Source: Screen Australia. (Sighted: 21/5/2014)

1 form y separately published work icon Starting Out John Misto , Cheredith Mok , Bill Searle , ( dir. Colin Budds et. al. )agent Melbourne : Reg Grundy Enterprises , 1983 Z1827315 1983 series - publisher film/TV

A soap opera set, according to Moran in his Guide to Australian TV Series, 'in a boarding house/university college called Thornleigh. It is populated by medical students, the inevitable good-hearted housekeeper, and a professor in charge'.

Starting Out replaced The Young Doctors in the slot immediately prior to the Nine Network's main evening news broadcast, where it did so poorly that it affected the latter's ratings and was rapidly pulled, to run out the remainder of its eipsodes in a later timeslot. However, as Moran points out, 'This fate was not deserved. The pre-news slot is very difficult to fill with a drama series, and The Young Doctors was one of the very few such fillers to succeed. Starting Out was not worse (or better) than the latter'.

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