This post is slighly off topic perhaps, but Bigpond is an internet provider – and the internet connects us all.  Even if for some that means Bigpond as an internet “service provider” (term used loosely).

Telstra’s latest marketing idea

The Australian reports:

TELSTRA, one of the nation’s biggest advertisers, plans to seek millions from taxpayers to make a film featuring the father-and-son characters from its BigPond “Rabbits” commercials.

That one statement should incite enough “WTFs?“!

Whilst the Telstra Bigpond “Emperor Nasi Goreng” and more recently “26 January cricket holiday” TV adverts are among my favourites, there’s no way Telstra Bigpond should be considered elligible for Government funding to produce a promotional movie.

Hear now the words of a wise man

Geoff Brown, Executive Director of independent producers body Screen Producers Association of Australia, who estimates a cost of about $5M for a well-scripted comedy, said,

“It’s appropriate for a corporate on that level to fund these things from their own resources.”

Mr Brown further noted that Government funding was intended to support independent creative projects that might otherwise not be made.

Yes – one would have thought..

So Bigpond – you want to make a movie?  Why not fund it from the profits of your overpriced internet plans.  Leave Australian film commission funding to independents.

Let’s put it to a vote.  All those in favour, say “I”.

(and climing down off my soapbox now…)

The Australian article: Telstra rabbit film hops into taxpapers