Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Article - Herald Sun, Tuesday November 25th, 2008

Deborra-Lee Furness, Miranda Otto, Tasma Walton film in secret

THE most secretive film production in Melbourne has wrapped up shooting in rainy Coburg, with a host of well-known Aussie actors taking part in an emotional drama.

A rollcall of well-known Australian actors including Deborra-lee Furness, Miranda Otto, Tasma Walton, Frances O'Connor and William McInnes, have been put through their paces by the film's emotive and demanding storyline.

The movie, directed by Ana Kokkinos, interweaves four stories that follow the adventures of seven children and five mothers during a day and night in Melbourne.

The production company had issued a ban on any press during the shoot, because they said the topic was dark and sombre.

The 35-day shoot wrapped on Friday.

Producer Al Clark, who also produced Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Chopper, said the shoot had gone exceptionally well, despite being shot at 47 different locations within Melbourne.

"The characters all live very different lives, which is why we had to use so many locations, including Coburg, Yarraville, Ivanhoe, Richmond and Seddon," he said.

Clark said all the actors put in stellar performances, even when conditions were less than ideal.

"I wouldn't recommend anyone spend their time late at night outside in Coburg in the rain," he said.

Clark said he hoped the film would be ready to premiere at the Melbourne Film Festival in July.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Article: The Courier Mail, Tuesday 11th of November, 2008

William McInnes leads double life in The Informant
Erin McWhirter and Siobhan Duck

TO HIS children, Richard Button is just a daggy dad, trying to navigate his way through family life and financial worries the best he can.

He has an outspoken wife, two teenagers facing the usual coming-of-age torments but, generally speaking, Button's life appears as normal as those of the friends and family he mixes with at backyard barbecues.

But digging deeper we find someone much more enigmatic; a man whose life is under the microscope every second of every day as a secret informant for the Australian Serious Crime Agency (ASCA).

Button is living a double life – family man one minute, crime-stopper the next.

Logie winner William McInnes portrays Button in Channel 10 telemovie The Informant.

With a top-notch cast including the exceptionally gifted and witty Stephen Curry as "grumpy copper" Simon Ford, Anita Hegh as Button's wife, Christine, Colin Friels as a "strong, direct, cop" and Leeanna Walsman as surveillance agent Heidi Oliver, McInnes is in good company.

With intriguing twists, the fact is no one, not even his wife, knows the mystery behind Button.

"For all intents and purposes Richard Button and his wife, Christine, have got all the hassles of trying to pay off credit cards and make ends meet . . . as well as trying to solve major corporate crime and murders," says McInnes, 44, whose showbiz career began with a recurring part on A Country Practice in 1990 and later led to roles in SeaChange, Kath & Kim and Crashburn.

"As a piece of entertainment, I think it's a terrific concept."

Hegh, 36, says it's interesting to watch the secret life of her character's husband unravel but still remain so guarded to the point where Christine is shut out.

"She knows not to ask too much about what he does," the 1994 NIDA graduate says.
Inspired by true events

Written by Greg Haddrick, one of the masterminds behind critically acclaimed telemovie The Society Murders, The Informant is inspired by true events.

It was during Haddrick's digging for other crime television series over the years that he uncovered many international agencies have used civilians to infiltrate organised crime networks.

Legally and morally there are some things undercover police can't do that a member of the general public can.

From there The Informant was born.

Fans of Bryce Courtenay novel Jessica, which Ten adapted into a mini-series for the network in 2004, will remember Walsman in the title role.

Now, she's back on the box attempting to tackle crime and convincing her ASCA colleague Jim Sivilich (played by newcomer Don Christopher) that Button is a white hat.

Perhaps this has something to do with professional admiration for the agent bordering on a crush.

"I think Heidi thinks Richard is really good at what he does and ultimately her gut instinct is that he is one of the good guys – that maybe he has worked overseas as a special agent," Walsman explains. "There are conflicting views that maybe he is part of major crime.

"What was interesting about The Informant is that Heidi is the only female but also that idea of listening in to someone's life and being part of it and not being part of it – being a bit removed."

The Informant, Ten, November 14, 8.30pm

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Sunday, November 09, 2008

Article: Jetstar Magazine, November 2008

10 mins with… William McInnes

He’s just authored That’d Be Right, and stars in Channel Ten’s telemovie The Informant, and feature films Prime Mover and Blessed. Meet Renaissance Man William McInnes

WORDS KYLIE MILLER

People know you as an actor, yet you’ve written three books in three years. How do you see yourself?
I guess writing is up there with acting now, it’s not my sideline anymore. With acting, I’m lucky in that I can be more selective. The last four or five jobs I’ve done have been really good.

What is That’d Be Right about?
It’s sort of a memoir but it’s not a straight memoir – it ties in major sporting events and political events like elections, because I think that sport and politics have become intertwined. It’s what was actually happening in my life when some major events were happening. It’s a very Australian story. It’s a fairly true history of modern Australia, which is the subtitle. It’s a bit like The Life and Times of a Boofhead. That’s what it should be called!

How do you choose your projects?
I like movies or stories with a point to them. I loved working on Sarah’s film Look Both Ways, I liked ABC telemovie Curtin. I liked Unfinished Sky where we had enough time to make it and it’s saying something about Australia.

Who do you play in The Informant?
It’s about this guy who works for this crime authority because he’s very skilled. He finds himself involved in high-end crime from a low-level existence. I learned how to say a line in Russian but it sounded like Martian, and I got a lot of spray tans!

Is this the life you had imagined for yourself when you were younger?
I don’t know what I expected to be doing but I didn’t think I’d be here talking about my third book! Before the first book came out I was invited to sit on a panel at the writers’ festival in Brisbane with people like the Go- Betweens singer and songwriter Grant McLennan and author John Birmingham – the cultural milieu of Brisbane. In my youth I was probably the antithesis of those sorts of people. I was part rugger and moron. It’s amusing to think where you end up.

What will you do next?
I’ll write another book. Writing is a nice adjunct to acting. As the writer you’re the architect and as the actor, you’re the builder. I tend to write about things in my life because you write about what you know. I haven’t ruled out working overseas but you’ve got to stay there and I’m not interested in that. But it’s only a plane ride away, as they say in the classics.

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Article: TV.com, Wednesday 5th November, 2008

Spy in Our Midst
David Knox

Photobucket

A new Channel TEN telemovie stars William McInnes as a man of mystery.

It's been a while since we've seen any locally-produced telemovies. This year just Emerald Falls (TEN), Scorched (Nine), Valentine's Day (ABC) and Make or Break (UK TV) hit our screens.
TEN has one more for us before the year is out, The Informant, starring William McInnes.

Written by Greg Haddrick (Underbelly, The Society Murders, My Husband My Killer), the mystery drama is inspired by true events.

It features McInnes as "Richard Button", a civilian who provides information for the Australian Serious Crimes Agency. Button seeks out leads on murder, fraud, terrorism, money-laundering, illegal gambling, arms dealing and more. Quite a job description.

He doubles in a "normal" suburban life as a family man and a struggling importer of outdoor furniture. That's slightly more covert than Maxwell Smart's "greeting card salesman" cover!
But the government agency suspects he is hiding a past, especially with the Russian tones in his accent.

Also featuring in the telemovie are Colin Friels, Stephen Curry, Anita Hegh, Leeanna Walsman and Matt Day. Directing is Peter Andrikidis (East West 101, The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant, Jessica, BlackJack).

The FOX Network has also picked up the rights for an American adaptation.

Given the interest, it's somewhat surprising TEN has slated the telemovie for a Friday night.

Still, McInnes is always worth watching. You can check it out at 8:30pm, November 14.