Sydney-based production company Jungleboys has decided the time is right to lose the 'boys' and change its name to Jungle.
Says
Jason Burrows, MD: "The timing is a coincidence given what's been in
the press the last week but the name Jungle is more representative of
who we are now, and with our film and TV business incorporating in the
US, we should, at the very least, try and pretend to be grown ups."
What started as the modest pursuit of a couple of friends, some camera
equipment and an edit suite has swelled to a production company creating
some of Australia's best and most awarded comedy commercials, TV series
and documentaries.
Jungle currently employs upward of 15 full
time staff, half of whom do not identify as 'boys' including Chloe
Rickard who has just been promoted to partner / head of production - film and television.
Says Rickard: "The current industry
statistics do not match the female talent on offer, and it's great to be
part of rectifying that inequality. I'm very excited about the two
female creative led films we already have in development with Screen
Australia, as well as a new female led TV series which is just around
the corner."
Jungle's important next step is to increase
representation of female creatives in the business by launching
Operation Sheena, an initiative co-funded by Screen NSW.
Sheena
will kick off with one female writer and one female director being given
access to Jungle's resources, including mentoring on Jungle
productions, access to technical resources and workshops to foster and
encourage writer contributions.
Says Nick Simkins, EP of TV commercials: "The lack of female directors on our roster bothers us so we're
putting systems in place that ultimately lead to the nurturing and
elevation of female directors. This name change, and Operation Sheena,
reflects our growth and our company ethos."
Says Courtney Gibson, CEO
of Screen NSW: "For Screen NSW, contributing to Operation Sheena is
about leveling the playing field. We are actively looking for
opportunities to work with the industry to ensure that women get the
same opportunities as men and that the strongest work gets supported.
This is a great first example."