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User:Clarisworks86/John L. Simpson

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John L. Simpson (born 2nd September, 1963) is an Australian film and theatre producer and distributor. Since 1991, John L. has produced over 32 film and theatre productions. [1] He is the CEO and founder of Titan View. In 2010, he was listed as one of the top 26 most exciting and intriguing Australians working in film by Trespass Magazine. [2]

Career

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John L. Simpson has produced several short films, and was the Associate Producer on Razzle Dazzle, a 2007 Australian feature film. [3]

Simpson rose to prominence after picking up the The Jammed for distribution at the 2007 Dungog Film Festival. Simpson had never distributed a film, but had experience working with Palace Films during the release of Razzle Dazzle, in his role as Associate Producer. [4] In order to release the film and found his distribution company, Simpson mortgaged his house, earning him a reputation as a maverick filmmaker. [5] His strategy was to market the film from the ground up. He personally distributed flyers outside Greater Union's Russell Street complex in Melbourne in order to build an audience. [6]

The Jammed was a huge success and paved the way for Titan View's establishment. The Jammed went on to screen on over 40 screens in Australia, and during it’s first two weeks of release held the third highest grossing screen average for an Australian film of all time, beaten only by Crocodile Dundee and Lantana [7]. In 2008 The United Nations selected The Jammed to be screened at international conferences on human trafficking in Vienna, Geneva and New York. [8]

Following The Jammed, Simpson Produced and co-wrote Men's Group, which went onto win Inside Film Awards for Best Film, Best Script and Best Actor. [9] Simpson had started the production without finance secured, and was working unpaid full time on the project. In order to feed his family, Simpson approached the local fishmonger and butcher for food donations. [10]

Titan View

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Simpson founded Titan View in July 2007. Titan View traditionally has released films that touch on the human condition, and deal with confronting subject matters such as sex workers (Black & White & Sex, The Jammed), boat people (Mother Fish), and men's depression and suicide (Men's Group). Simpson's approach to independent film making is fierce. Quoting another filmmaker at Byron Bay Film Festival, John L. states: "Shut up about money. Steal the stock, steal a camera, borrow someone’s computer. If you’re not making a film, you’re not passionate enough and you shouldn’t be making films!’” [11]

Simpson has been known as an outspoken member of the Australian film industry, and appeared in Andrew Scarano’s documentary Into The Shadows, where he took the commercial cinema chains to task for their “dodgy distribution deals”. [12] He is a passionate advocate for independent cinemas, and in particular Australian cinema. [13] This is primarily due to Australian film's poor box office recoupment which accounts for less than 5% of the total Australian box office. [14]

AFI Fellowship

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In 2008, John L. Simpson was awarded the AFI Fellowship, to tour his film Men's Group around Australia. During this time he developed the Digital Screenings Map using Google Maps. [15] The map was intended to create a blueprint for future filmmakers to follow, listing various, non traditional locations independent filmmakers could use to screen their films. [16]

Screen Australia Innovative Distribution

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In 2010 Screen Australia announced John L. Simpson and Titan View as the recipient of their Innovative Distribution Funding for 2010 – 2012 [17] The funding was attributed to Titan View for it's low budget feature film model, which includes non-theatrical exhibition, VOD, DVD, and internet/mobile services. [18]

Filmography

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Year Title Role
2011 This is Roller Derby Mentor Producer
2011 Black & White & Sex Distributor
2011 33 Postcards Marketing Director & Distributor
2010 Mother Fish Distributor
2010 Who Wants to be a Terroist! Distribution Executive
2009 Into the Shadows Self
2008 Blind Company Distributor
2008 Three Blind Mice Distributor
2008 Men's Group Writer, Producer & Distributor
2007 The Jammed Distributor
2007 Razzle Dazzle Producer
2004 Thunderstruck Assistant to Producer, Post Production Coordinator

Awards

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  • 2007 Digispaa, Won Spaartan Award
  • 2008 Inside Film Award Won - Best Film (Men's Group)
  • 2008 Inside Film Award Won - Best script (Men's Group)

References

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  1. ^ http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/thelatesession/cast/detail/id/726
  2. ^ http://www.trespassmag.com/26-australians-in-film/
  3. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493160/fullcredits#cast
  4. ^ http://trentgriffiths.com/
  5. ^ http://parramatta-advertiser.whereilive.com.au/news/story/movie-future-secure-for-north-rocks-film-maker/
  6. ^ http://www.theworldgame.sbs.com.au/films/article/single/625177/The-last-picture-show-man/
  7. ^ http://www.afi.org.au/AM/ContentManagerNet/HTMLDisplay.aspx?ContentID=5426&Section=Independence_Days
  8. ^ http://www.advance.org/en/cev/555/
  9. ^ http://if.com.au/2008/11/14/article/Unfinished-Sky-Mens-Group-dominate-IF-Awards/GWDOHJKFWF.html
  10. ^ http://www.theworldgame.sbs.com.au/films/article/single/625177/The-last-picture-show-man/
  11. ^ http://www.theworldgame.sbs.com.au/films/article/single/625177/The-last-picture-show-man/
  12. ^ http://www.sbs.com.au/films/article/single/625177/The-last-picture-show-man-Producer-John-L.-Simpson
  13. ^ http://www.filmink.com.au/news/indie-gems/
  14. ^ http://www.encoremagazine.com.au/australian-films-take-4-5-of-local-box-office-6570
  15. ^ http://www.afi.org.au/AM/ContentManagerNet/HTMLDisplay.aspx?ContentID=11568&Section=John_L_Simpson_Interview
  16. ^ http://www.filmink.com.au/filmbiz/notice/198/
  17. ^ http://www.encoremagazine.com.au/innovative-scrine-and-simpson-receive-funding-5770
  18. ^ http://www.artshub.com.au/au/news-article/news/film-tv-radio/screen-australias-innovative-distribution-funding-182800
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