Jungleboys Changes Name to Jungle; Launches Female Creative Talent Initiative via Screen NSW

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."