- NATIONAL COLLECTION
- Search the Collection
- Accessing the Collection
- Collection Guides
- Building the Collection
- Managing the Collection
- Collection Spotlights
- PRESERVATION PROJECTS
- Kodak/Atlab Collection
- Deluxe/Kodak Collection
- National Film Preservation Foundation
- SPECIALISED COLLECTIONS
- NFVLS Collection
- Australian Jazz Archive
- National Registry of Audiovisual Collections
- Oral History Collection
Oral History
An oral history is an in-depth interview which focuses on a person's life or career, or an organisation's history or activities or part thereof. The Oral History Project aims to capture the stories of personalities from Australia's Screen and Sound Industries for the National Collection.
Oral History Feature - Geoffrey Atherden
The NFSA Oral History Program has recently added to the Collection an engaging career interview with award-winning screenwriter Geoffrey Atherden. Recorded by Susan Lever, the interview recounts Atherden's emergence as a writer beginning with Architecture Revues at the University of Sydney in the 1960s, then The Aunty Jack Show while still working as an architect; his decision to leave architecture in the mid-1970s; his early television writing for the ABC Anthology series, then One Day Miller and Mother and Son; the various international remakes of Mother and Son (including the Swedish and Turkish versions); the creation and reception of Babakiueria, The Jack Davey Show, Grass Roots and Stepfather of the Bride.
Atherden also talks about several projects, such as The Spratts that did not go into full production, and more recent work such as his creation of the characters for Marx and Venus. He then discusses the changing work arrangements for writers in Australia and the increasing restrictions on their work. The interview concludes with comments on his more current writing projects, including work on a film script for director Rachel Ward.
Geoffrey Atherden interviewed by Susan Lever - Excerpt 1
Geoffrey Atherden interviewed by Susan Lever - Excerpt 2
To search for specific oral history collections through the online catalogue follow the link below to the advanced search page. To ensure only oral histories (or interviews) are selected, go to the CLASS category, click on the down arrow and select 'Interviews and oral histories' from the drop down menu. Then enter the name (just last name) in the Title/Keyword field. Note that an abbreviation of a name can be used - for example if 'Thoms' is entered the Title/Keyword field, entries for Albie Thoms and any Thomsons or Thomsetts will also be found. Search the Collection»
