Peter Tammer
Encyclopedia
Peter Julian Tammer is an award-winning Australian film director
, and a former Senior Lecturer in the film and television department at Victorian College of the Arts
.
, who speaks highly of Tammer in his autobiography.
In the early 1970s, Tammer was a founding member of the Melbourne Film-maker's Co-op, an important group for independent filmmakers in Melbourne at the time. Prior to the formation of the Melbourne Co-op, together with his wife Monique, Tammer put together a very early programme of independent short films called "A Breath of Fresh Air". He was associated with other filmmakers such as Jim Wilson, Fred Harden, Bert Deling, James Clayden, many of whom were now showing films at the Piencotheca Gallery, a precursor to the Melbourne Film Co-op. He also had a productive association with Garry Patterson in the mid 1970s, for the films Here's To You, Mr. Robinson (1976, 52 mins) and How Willingly You Sing (1977, 90 mins, directed by Patterson, with cinematography by Tammer).
Tammer's teaching career began in 1973, when he was appointed a Tutor in a film course at Melbourne State College in Carlton. In 1979, he was appointed Lecturer in Film at Swinburne Film and Television School, Melbourne's main film course. In 1986, Tammer was appointed Senior Lecturer in Film, and in 1994 the film course became part of the Victorian College of the Arts
(VCA). Tammer was an inspirational teacher for many of the students, and he retired from the VCA in 1998.
Tammer continued making his own independent films all through this time, producing a series of award-winning films in the 1980s, including Mallacoota Stampede (1981, 60 mins), Journey to the End of Night (1982, 70 mins), and Hey Marcel ... (1984, 17 mins). A cherished project on the film scholar and actor John Flaus
, entitled Flausfilm, was begun in 1988 and finally completed in 2009.
Tammer now lives in country Victoria, in Kyneton, and involves himself with music and short story writing.
(note: these three above films are gathered as "Triptych")
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, and a former Senior Lecturer in the film and television department at Victorian College of the Arts
Victorian College of the Arts
The Faculty of the VCA and Music is a faculty of the University of Melbourne, in Victoria . VCAM is located near the Melbourne central business district, on two campuses, one - the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music - on the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne, and the other - the...
.
Biography
Peter Tammer began working in the film industry when he was 19 years old, in 1962. He worked as a film editor for film companies such as Eltham Films, with Tim Burstall, and later for government organisations such as the Commonwealth Film Unit. He started creating his own independent short films in 1964, such as And He Shall Rise Again (1964, 15 mins) and Beethoven and all that Jazz (1964, 2 mins). Through the 1960s, he connected with other Melbourne independent filmmakers such as Nigel Buesst and Tom Cowan, and also with the internationally acclaimed auteur Paul CoxPaul Cox
Paulus Henriqus Benedictus "Paul" Cox is an award-winning Australian film director.Cox was born in Venlo, Limburg, the Netherlands, the son of Else , a native of Germany, and Wim Cox, a documentary film producer. Cox emigrated to Australia in 1965...
, who speaks highly of Tammer in his autobiography.
In the early 1970s, Tammer was a founding member of the Melbourne Film-maker's Co-op, an important group for independent filmmakers in Melbourne at the time. Prior to the formation of the Melbourne Co-op, together with his wife Monique, Tammer put together a very early programme of independent short films called "A Breath of Fresh Air". He was associated with other filmmakers such as Jim Wilson, Fred Harden, Bert Deling, James Clayden, many of whom were now showing films at the Piencotheca Gallery, a precursor to the Melbourne Film Co-op. He also had a productive association with Garry Patterson in the mid 1970s, for the films Here's To You, Mr. Robinson (1976, 52 mins) and How Willingly You Sing (1977, 90 mins, directed by Patterson, with cinematography by Tammer).
Tammer's teaching career began in 1973, when he was appointed a Tutor in a film course at Melbourne State College in Carlton. In 1979, he was appointed Lecturer in Film at Swinburne Film and Television School, Melbourne's main film course. In 1986, Tammer was appointed Senior Lecturer in Film, and in 1994 the film course became part of the Victorian College of the Arts
Victorian College of the Arts
The Faculty of the VCA and Music is a faculty of the University of Melbourne, in Victoria . VCAM is located near the Melbourne central business district, on two campuses, one - the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music - on the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne, and the other - the...
(VCA). Tammer was an inspirational teacher for many of the students, and he retired from the VCA in 1998.
Tammer continued making his own independent films all through this time, producing a series of award-winning films in the 1980s, including Mallacoota Stampede (1981, 60 mins), Journey to the End of Night (1982, 70 mins), and Hey Marcel ... (1984, 17 mins). A cherished project on the film scholar and actor John Flaus
John Flaus
John Flaus is an Australian broadcaster, actor, voice talent, anarchist and raconteur. He was formerly a prominent film academic and theorist. He was born in Maroubra, Sydney....
, entitled Flausfilm, was begun in 1988 and finally completed in 2009.
Tammer now lives in country Victoria, in Kyneton, and involves himself with music and short story writing.
Filmography
Titles directed by Peter Tammer:- And He Shall Rise Again (1964, 15 mins, 16mm, Narrative)
- On The Ball (1964, 4 mins, 16mm, Experimental)
- Beethoven and all that Jazz (1964, 2 mins, 16mm, Experimental)
- Pisces Dying (1966, 15 mins, 16mm, Narrative)
- Our Luke (1970, 10 mins, 16mm, Experimental)
- Journey to a Broken Heart (1970, 50 mins, 16mm, Doco)
- Flux (1970, 40 mins, 16mm, Experimental)
- A Woman of our Time (1972, 26 mins, 16mm, Biog. Doco)
- The Curse of Laradjongran (1972, 30 mins, 16mm, Doco)(Co-production With Monique Schwarz)
- Struttin' the Mutton (1975, 17 mins, 16mm, Observational)
- Here's To You, Mr. Robinson (1976, 52 mins, 16mm, Biog. Doco)(Co-Production With Garry Patterson)
- Mallacoota Stampede (1981, 60 mins, 16mm, Narrative)
- Journey to the End of Night (1982, 70 mins, 16mm, Biog. Doco)
- My Belle (1983, 20 mins, 16mm, Portrait)
- Hey Marcel... (1984, 17 mins, 16mm, Experimental)
- Queen of the Night (1985, 20 mins, 35mm, Experimental.)
(note: these three above films are gathered as "Triptych")
- Fear of the Dark (1985, 59 mins, 16mm, Doco/Narrative)
- Hi Jim (1990, 20 mins, S/Vhs)
- Flausfilm (99 mins, video) Filmed between 1988 and 1991. Completed in 2009.
- Just the Two of Us (1994, 60 mins, uncompleted)
- Our World Trip (1950/51) (currently in post-production)
Awards
- Best Editing, A.F.I. AwardsAustralian Film Institute AwardsThe Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
, 1969 - And Then There was Glass - "ERWIN RADO" Prize, Melbourne Film FestivalMelbourne International Film FestivalThe Melbourne International Film Festival is an acclaimed annual film festival held over three weeks in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1951, making it one of the oldest in the World....
1981 - Mallacoota Stampede - "TEN AWARD" For Documentary Excellence, Melbourne Film FestivalMelbourne International Film FestivalThe Melbourne International Film Festival is an acclaimed annual film festival held over three weeks in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1951, making it one of the oldest in the World....
1982 - Journey to the End of Night - "JURY PRIZE", A.F.I. AwardsAustralian Film Institute AwardsThe Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
, 1982 - Journey to the End of Night - Finalist Greater Union Awards, Sydney Film FestivalSydney Film FestivalThe Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
- Hey Marcel ... - Finalist Greater Union Awards, Sydney Film FestivalSydney Film FestivalThe Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
- Queen of the Night - Finalist, TOKYO Video Festival, "Video-Letter" Competition, Minor Prize - Hi Jim
External links
- Peter Tammer on Melbourne Independent Filmmakers