Thursday 29 March

Vasilli Joins "Chainsaw" Rove McManus as Channel 31 Television Alumni.

Melbourne’s premier television university, the University of Channel 31 Television (UC31) proudly announces, with its tongue firmly in its cheek, the graduation of its latest star pupil, Vasilli Kanidiadis. In April Kanidiadis’ TV show Vasilli’s Garden will move from C31, where it has gained cult status in Melbourne over the last 5 years, to SBS.
 
Vasilli joins a long list of UC31 alumni who tread the boards of Australian television and radio. The most recent star graduates are Hamish Blake and Andy Lee, who prove that a UC31 education can almost guarantee you a date with a famous model. Jo Stanley and John Safran graduated the class of 2000 magna cum laude and summa cum laude respectively. They have been trying to speak louder than each other ever since.  Then there is the whole gang from Rove: Corinne Grant, Peter Hellier and Gold Logie winner Rove McManus himself, who, upon graduating, celebrated before the assembled dons by throwing his hat in the air and chain-sawing his desk in half.
 
Seeing in Vasilli obvious potential and boundless enthusiasm, the UC31 faculty heads convinced benefactors to grant him a ‘green thumb’ scholarship in 2001. It took no time for his charisma and star quality to shine through, and Vasilli quickly became one of UC31’s most popular pupils.
 
He completed his undergraduate studies in Home Produce Management, with a major in sun-dried tomatoes, before taking a masters in Classical Studies; The Modern Greek in Traditional Greek Gardening. He then accepted an associate professorship in Advanced Backyard Technologies, during which he produced a doctoral thesis entitled Sustainability in the Suburban Back-yard; 12 steps to making your garden edible, which was critically acclaimed by peer-review. On top of all this, Vasilli completed a minor study in Piano Accordion for which he received the Zorba Prize, awarded to the most accomplished performer within the Music Faculty.
 
Greg Dee, Vice-Chancellor of UC31, was moved to praise Vasilli upon his graduation. ‘We’ve seen a lot of stars come through here, but few with the kind of dedication and passion shown by Vasilli. His ability to connect with his audience is second to none and comfortably puts him in the top echelon of current Australian TV performers. While we are sad to see him go, we are proud to launch another UC31 star into the mainstream.’
 
While his former classmates will miss his familiar cry of ‘Maressi,’ meaning ‘I like it!,’ in Greek, it is time the rest of Australia had the chance to open up their back-yards and their hearts to the horticultural hero that is Vasilli!
 
A 2 hour grand finale will be screened on C31 on Sunday April 1st at 6:30pm, after which Vasilli’s Garden can be seen on SBS.
 
Form more information contact Tracy Routledge
on 03 9523 6854 or 0412 223 221
Tracy Routledge Communications & Public Relations
MOBILE: 0412 223 221
PH: (03) 9523 6854
PO BOX 2022 Caulfield Junction
Victoria 3161

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Wednesday 28 March

REGISTER OF CONTROLLED MEDIA GROUPS

C31, Melbourne and Geelong’s community television station, welcomes the release by the Australian Communications and Media Authority of the Register of Controlled Media Groups.  Ensuring that there is a diversity of local media voices serving the community is vital to maintaining a healthy broadcasting landscape.

C31 is also pleased to hear that the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, is a supporter of diversity and local content in the media.

It is, then, unfortunate that community television is slowly being pushed out of the media spectrum due to the continued absence of any guarantee of digital transmission from the Minister.  C31 Melbourne and Geelong provides over ninety locally produced programs each week, covering a vastly diverse array of community groups and interests unrepresented in the commercial and national television sectors.

C31 finds it difficult to “adapt and prosper in the new digital environment” when we are denied even the most basic level of entry into digital broadcasting.

C31 company secretary, Matthew Sharp, said “C31 is a proven source of trained professionals to the commercial and national broadcasters.  It also gives a voice to many people who would otherwise remain unheard in the mainstream media.  It would be  a shame to squander the enthusiasm and hard work put in by all our producers because we cannot guarantee the future of this valuable community resource past the date of analogue TV switch-off in 2012.”

Whilst C31 applauds the implementation of the Register of Controlled Media Groups as a means of ensuring diversity and local voices in the media, it seems that one very easy method of achieving the same goal – guaranteeing a digital future for community television – is being continually overlooked.

For media comment, please call Matthew Sharp on 0433 225 929

CLICK HERE for further information regarding the ACMA Media Release.

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Tuesday 27 March

No Limits on High Beam

The national spotlight shines on the No Limits mob as they trek to Adelaide for a live shoot as part of High Beam Global.

‘Live shoot? Actual People? Wouldn’t miss it!’ so says Sara McQueenie host of TV show No Limits. High Beam Festival this year is going Global and No Limits will be shooting their first ever live studio audience shoot in the creation of two episode due to screen on Channel 31 in May. ‘Though we often get stopped in the street to discuss the show, this is going to be a new experience for us, actually seeing our audience, well mostly.’

‘We cover stories that challenge society’s views of us, that challenge the acceptance of prejudice and have a laugh at the same time, now we get to share that with a live audience, and get them to share with us too,’ says Stella Young, another host.

Jetting off to Adelaide on Saturday 31st the cast and crew are pumped about the shows and the guest they have lined up, including international festival guests, Adelaide talent and of course themselves!! It’s all going down on April 1st at 5pm at Deaf SA Hall, 262 South Terrace, Adelaide when the No Limits cast and crew, with help from Arts Access South Australia, will set up and shoot two episodes for their upcoming Channel 31 season. Guest Producer Quentin Kenihan is excited by the prospect ‘I’ve been shooting my a*** off, this is going to be GREAT.’

No Limits is an award winning community television project that aims to bring the world of disability into people’s living rooms in an informative and entertaining way. Since the broadcast of its first episode in 2003 No Limits has rapidly evolved. We currently produce between 13 and 26 half hour episodes per year and broadcast on Channel 31 in Melbourne and Geelong, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Sydney. 

No Limits works well because its basic philosophy is to challenge and entertain at the same time. We work to ensure the quality and the integrity of the shows are extremely high; we do not shy away from difficult issues and revel in the discussion of all things controversial, however we do so with humour where possible.

The purpose of No Limits is to build awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities and support the development of understanding of difference among audience members.  No Limits aims to increase the participation of people with a disability in broadcast television production and the development of other media, both in front of the camera and behind the camera.

We aim to impact positively on mainstream media in their storylines about people with disabilities and in the accurate reflection of our society and its 20% of people with disabilities. Currently mainstream and other media lack the presence of people with disabilities and where they are represented it is in a stereotypical way, usually ‘Super-cripple’ (outstanding achievement in overcoming the drawback of a disability), Tragic victim (horror stories and acquired disabilities) or The Angel (un-belonging beings that are special).

Click Here to download a PDF of this Press Release.

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Tuesday 6 March 2007

Channel 31 Fishcam Swims with the Fishes

On Sunday night an iconic image of the Melbourne television landscape was put out to pasture. The Channel 31 Fishcam was aired for the last time on Saturday Morning, the fish are now free to follow dreams of their own.
‘The fish’ enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame in the mid 90’s when they were broadcast live into the living rooms of Melbournians from 11.30pm to 8am Monday to Friday, and whilst the rest of us relaxed on our weekends, the fish performed all day Saturday and Sunday.

Although a large part of the fan base were teenagers in a late night haze with an unusual urge for Twistees and chocolate, the fish made it into the hearts of people from all walks of life. After a hard day in question time Premier Steve Bracks was known to slip of his shoes, grab a relaxing glass of something nice and wind down in front of the C31 fish.

So popular were the fish in TV land that C31 staffers often had to console viewers who would call in asking after their favourite finned friend. The explanation was always that he/she was on annual leave in the great big fish bowl in the sky. Even fish need a holiday.

In the late 90’s, by popular demand, C31 started selling episodes of Fishcam on tape. These episodes had an unerring ability to illuminate the drama of life, clearly demonstrated in the most famous of these which became a discussion point on another iconic Melbourne television show The Panel. The episode in question showed several fish cannibalising one of their fallen comrades as it floated lifelessly toward the surface. Reality TV can be dramatic.

However, like all reality TV should, Fishcam had an expiration date. As C31 local content increased and improved, the fish stepped back from the limelight, ultimately filling just 2 hours a day between 3 and 5 in the morning. The channel now has over 90 locally produced shows to fit into its schedule and a growing audience of 1.44 million tuning in each month. With so much new content bursting the seams of the program grid, something had to give. So the antics of the fish will be now confined to the history books of the growing legacy of C31 Melbourne.

Although the move has been met by much sadness, C31 General Manager Greg Dee believes the channel’s dedication to all sections of the community dictates the need for change.

“Melbourne’s Insomniac Community deserves quality programming in the middle of the night”, he says.

C31 will now broadcast locally produced programs around the clock, with a focus on quality community produced content.
So, whilst they elegantly graced our screens for the last time on the weekend, the fish will swim on in the hearts and minds of a million Melbournians.

For further information see www.c31.org.au
Or contact Fishmaster Greg Dee on (03) 9660 3131.

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Monday 22 January 2007

C31 PROGRAM CELEBRATES ITS 500TH EPISODE

Tune into C31 Melbourne on Sunday 28th January at 4:30pm, and you will see history in the making.

In a milestone celebration, Hungarian Television will be airing its 500th episode, making it one of C31’s longest running and successful programs. “This is an amazing milestone for anyone in the television industry. For any program to be able to produce 500 episodes shows an immense capacity to adapt to an ever changing audience. We offer our heartiest congratulations to the team.” said Programming Manager Nathanael Oliver.

Hungarian Television provides a valuable service to Melbourne’s Hungarian community, by reporting on local news and community events.
C31 is proud of its diverse programming, and currently broadcasts in over 17 languages.

The station provides a genuine alternative to mainstream media, and provides a platform to under-represented communities.

C31 now attracts 1.3 million viewers per month, and broadcasts over 90 first-run locally made programs every week.

“The MHTV is a non profit association and a full member of C31. We are sincerely grateful to C31 for enabling us to present Hungarian events to Melbourne's Multicultural community through C31's transmissions. Without the co-operation of all of the members of C31, multicultural television would not be possible here in Melbourne” says Program Producer, Joe Varga.

Switch on to C31 to find out why more of Melbourne is tuning into community
television.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: JOE VARGA
MHTV PRODUCER
0407 097 050

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