High drama as Australian scripted shows break record

The industry spent $2.34 billion on a record 213 scripted shows in 2022/23, with Total Control series 3, RFDS series 2 and dramedy While the Men are Away among the titles.

Spending fell from the peak reached in the 2022 financial year, but 2022/23 was still the second highest year on record, said Screen Australia chief executive Graeme Mason.

"It has been remarkable witnessing the unprecedented surge in production in Australia in recent years," he said.

There were fewer big-budget feature films in the works, but spending on children's drama has increased.

Australian titles accounted for just under half of the total spend, with free to air networks putting more money towards scripted productions.

This was offset by a drop in expenditure by subscription services, although Heartbreak High series 2, High Country and Prosper remained on the production slate.

The likes of Neighbours are experimenting with hybrid distribution models, releasing on both free-to-air and subscription in a short time frame.

Spending for overseas titles also hit record levels at $1.22 billion, with money from foreign productions shooting in Australia jumping 83 per cent following the pandemic.

These included big-budget productions such as The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, and The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, both due for release in 2024.

Overseas titles carried out post-production and digital and visual effects work in Australia too, according to the report.

All this has meant more experience for Australian cast and crew, and global confidence in the talent and technology of the local industry, Mason said.

Arts Screen

Australian Associated Press