Paul Nichola Paul Nichola i(A145092 works by)
Gender: Male
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1 1 form y separately published work icon Noah and Saskia Chris Anastassiades , Sam Carroll , Patricia Edgar , Chris Anastassiades , Paul Nichola , ( dir. Pino Amenta ) Fitzroy United Kingdom (UK) : Australian Children's Television Foundation Australian Broadcasting Corporation British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) , 2004 Z1839807 2004 series - publisher film/TV young adult science fiction fantasy

Saskia (living in Australia) has on online friendship with Noah (living in the UK). Each 'deceives' the other with their online personas, Indy (for Saskia) and Max Hammer (for Noah): Indy and Max allow Saskia and Noah to be the people they hope to be, without any of their own anxieties and uncertainties. Despite this element of deceit, the friendship between the two is presented as genuine and strong. The program received much praise when it first aired for offering a counter-argument to the anxiety that often marks debates about online friendships.

According to Patricia Edgar's account of the creation of this program,

To take such an abstract philosophical concept and create involving stories with appealing characters was a difficult task for any writer. Elaine and I needed smart observers of people and situations who understood the world Noah and Saskia inhabit, who had a flair for sharp, witty dialogue for a modern, pacy story. With the different components in the United Kingdom, Australia and cyberspace, it could be structurally confusing. Chris Anastassiades, who had written the Yolngu Boy script and worked for several other ACTF projects, was the answer, along with Sam Carroll, a young woman who had not yet been spoiled by the demands of writing formulaic drama. She brought her youth and vitality to Saskia; Chris would write Noah.

(Source: Patricia Edgar, Bloodbath: A Memoir of Australian Television, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 2006, p.401.)

Further Reference:

'Interview with Paul Nichola'. The Making of Noah and Saskia. ABC.(http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/noahandsaskia/behind_the_scenes/making_of/paul_interview.htm). (Sighted: 12/9/2012).

'Interview with Pino Amenta'. The Making of Noah and Saskia. ABC. (http://www.abc.net.au/rollercoaster/noahandsaskia/behind_the_scenes/making_of/pino_interview.htm). (Sighted: 12/9/2012).

1 form y separately published work icon Lift Off Chris Anastassiades , Josephine Barcelon , Garth Boomer , Ray Boseley , Shane Brennan , Anne Brooksbank , Tony Cavanaugh , Cameron Clarke , Elizabeth Coleman , Bruce Currie , Terry Denton , Roger Dunn , Bob Ellis , Sue Giles , Barbara Gliddon , Jutta Goetze , Robert Greenberg , Mac Gudgeon , Glenda Hambly , Mandy Hampson , Jennifer Hill , Sue Hore , Graham Hartley , John Hepworth , P. J. Hogan , Sally Irwin , Paul Jennings , Anthony Lucas , Neil Luxmoore , Christine Madafferi , Rick Maier , Maureen McCarthy , Narelle McRobbie , Stephen Measday , John Misto , Jocelyn Moorhouse , Paul Nichola , Jeff Peck , Rod Quantock , Ian Pidd , Penny Robenstone Harris , Pamela Rushby , Jan Sardi , Leon Saunders , Moya Sayer-Jones , Steve J. Spears , Peter Viska , Judy Zavos , Jo Wilkie , Julian Wigley , Tony Watts , Mark Trounce , Jeremy Parker , Ross Noble , Anne Joliffe , John Harding , Maurice Giacomini , Sue Edgar , Mark A. Eady , Nancy Black , ( dir. Mario Andreacchio et. al. )agent Melbourne : Australian Children's Television Foundation , 1992-1996 Z1855640 1992-1996 series - publisher film/TV children's fantasy science fiction

A mixture of live-action, puppetry, animation, and documentary, Lift Off centred on a group of children who lived in the same neighbourhood and whose imaginations made their environment a world of fun and excitement. However, the program also explored issues such as pain, loneliness, jealousy, and anger. The program was aimed at three-year-old to eight-year-old viewers (as defined by Harvard University developmental psychologist Howard Gardner), and was linked to school curricula through the Curriculum Corporation of Australia.

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