Robyn Kershaw
| Robyn Kershaw | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Perth, Australia |
| Occupation | Film and television producer |
| Years active |
Theatre: 1989–1994 |
| Website |
RKP website: |
Robyn Kershaw is an Australian independent film and television producer, best known for her work on feature drama, Looking for Alibrandi (2000), musical-comedy, Bran Nue Dae (2009) and the hit TV series, Kath & Kim (original run: 2002–2005).[1]
Career
Though Kershaw is now known as one of Australia's most well respected film and television producers, her career in the arts began in theatre production.[2]
From 1989 to 1994, Kershaw acted as General Manager of Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney where she produced the projects of some of Australia's most well known film artists, including: Geoffrey Rush and Toni Collette.[3] The relationships she made during this time were invaluable to her future in the film and television industries. It was just four years later that she would start her own production company (see below: Robyn Kershaw Productions & RKPix for more information)
In 2001, Kershaw became the Head of Drama and Narrative Comedy for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) during which time she executive produced TV series such as situation comedy, Kath & Kim (series I, II & III). Created by and starring Jane Turner and Gina Riley, Kath & Kim, became the highest rated TV comedy in Australian history and the highest rated show on ABCTV from 2002–2004.
In 2004, Kershaw would end her time at ABC and began to focus her efforts on her own two companies.
Robyn Kershaw Productions & RKPix
In 1998, Kershaw founded and continues to act as both company director and producer for both Robyn Kershaw Productions Pty Ltd (RKP) and RKPix Pty Ltd based out of Australia.
Robyn Kershaw Productions Pty Ltd (website) is a film and television production company created to produce a slate of projects that promise to "enable people to laugh, think and celebrate life" (as the company slogan states).[4] It focuses on the development of a film, seeing it through each stage of production, from conception all the way to production and distribution.[5]
Robyn’s first feature was the adaptation of best selling novel Looking for Alibrandi (2000). Written by Melina Marchetta (adapted from her own novel), directed by Kate Woods and starring Anthony LaPaglia, Greta Scacchi and Pia Miranda, Looking for Alibrandi was a box office hit in Australia and won five Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Film and Best Actress. Kershaw then went on to produce box office hit, Bran Nue Dae (2009), directed by Rachel Perkins and starring Geoffrey Rush, Jessica Mauboy and Magda Szubanski. Bran Nue Dae screened at over 20 film festivals worldwide including; Toronto International Film Festival (2009), Dubai International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival (2010), the 60th Berlin International Film Festival (2010), the Cannes Cinephiles at the Festival de Cannes and Goa's International Film Festival of India and won the Audience Award at both the Melbourne International and the London Australian Film Festivals.[6]
In February 2013, Kershaw released Indian Australian cricket-comedy, Save Your Legs! in Australia through Madman Entertainment.[7] Save Your Legs! was directed by Boyd Hicklin and stars Stephen Curry, Brendan Cowell and Damon Gameau. The film premiered at the 2012 Melbourne International Film Festival, the BFI London Film Festival and the Mumbai Film Festival.[8]
In 2015 Robyn produced feature comedy Sucker [9] co-written by Ben Chessell and Lawrence Leung, starring Timothy Spall and YouTube sensation John Luc.
Organizations
While Kershaw was once on the board of both the Australian Film Finance Corporation (now known as Screen Australia) and ScreenWest, an Australian screen funding and development agency.[10]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Looking for Alibrandi (Feature) | Producer | Director – Kate Woods | Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards – 2000 – Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Editing |
| 2000 | Bondi Banquet (TV series) | Producer | Produced in association with SBS Independent | AWGIE Award – 2000 – Best Original TV Script |
| 2001 | Effie: Just Quietly (TV series) | Producer | Produced in association with SBS Independent | |
| 2001–2004 | Grass Roots (TV series) Secret Bridesmaids' Business (Telemovie) Loot (Telemovie) The Shark Net (Mini series) The Forest (Short Feature) MDA (TV series I & II) Marking Time (Mini series) Kath & Kim (TV series I, II & III) | Executive Producer | All produced at ABC | Marking Time – 2004 – Winner of 7 AFI's Kath & Kim – 2002 – Winner of 3 AFI's – Best Drama Series, Best Screenplay in a Television Drama Series, Best Supporting Actress in a Television Drama MDA – 2002 – Nominated for International Emmy |
| 2009 | Bran Nue Dae (Feature) | Producer | Director – Rachel Perkins | MIFF – 2010 – Audience Award London Australian Film Festival – 2010 – Audience Award |
| 2012 | Save Your Legs (Feature) | Producer | Director – Boyd Hicklin |
References
- ↑ "rkp15.". Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ↑ "Robyn Kershaw – X Media Lab". X Media Lab.
- ↑ "Robyn Kershaw – RKPix". Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ↑ "rkp15.". Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ↑ "rkp15.". Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- ↑ "Bran Nue Dae (2009) – IMDB". IMDB.com Inc. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ↑ "Save Your Legs! (2012) – IMDB". IMDB.com, Inc. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ↑ "Save Your Legs! (2012) – IMDB". IMDB.com, Inc. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ↑ "Sucker (2015) – IMDB". IMDB.com Inc. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ↑ "Robyn Kershaw – X Media Lab". X Media Lab.