Yoram Gross
Encyclopedia
Yoram Gross is an Australia
n producer of children’s and family entertainment. The company is best known for producing Blinky Bill
and Dot and the Kangaroo
.
Yoram is known as a storyteller whose distinctive, non-violent films and series possess a contemporary charm that crosses all international barriers.
Yoram has a rich personal history and uses the mediums of film and television to share his life experiences. Born in Kraków, Poland to a Jewish family, Yoram endured World War II under the Nazi regime. His family was on Oskar Schindler’s infamous list, but chose to make their own risky escape, moving hiding places 72 times. Yoram looks back on these times as a valuable catalyst. He has a lot to say to children and everyone of his films contains a message, including loyalty, peaceful resolve and good winning over evil. “If you watch my films carefully you will see the history of my life,” he says.
Yoram studied music and musicology at Kraków University. His first love was music: "All I wanted to do was play Chopin", says Yoram. He first entered the film industry in 1947 in Kraków when, at the age of 20, Yoram became one of Jerzy Toeplitz’ first students. Jerzy Toeplitz founded the Polish Film Institute (he also founded the Swiss Film Institute and set up, at the invitation of the Federal Government, the Australian Film and Television School). Yoram commenced his career as an assistant to Polish directors Cenkalski and Buczowski, as well as the Dutch director, Yoris Ivens. He studied script writing under Carl Forman.
In 1950, Yoram moved from Poland to Israel, where he worked as a newsreel and documentary cameraman. He then became an independent film producer and director and began winning prizes at film festivals all over the world. His full-length feature, "Joseph the Dreamer" (1961), a biblical story, received special prizes in many countries all over the world. His world famous experimental film "Chansons sans Paroles" (1958) was selected by international film critics as "the most interesting film of 1959". Another comedy, "One Pound Only" (1964), set the box office record of the year. Yoram now holds more than 80 international awards for his various films.
In 1968 Yoram, his wife Sandra and young family migrated to Australia, and have since then lived in Sydney. They established Yoram Gross Film Studios – initially working from home. Yoram continued to make experimental films and to win awards. He produced film clips for the popular weekly television music program "Bandstand
". At the Sydney Film Festival in 1970 he was awarded second prize for "The Politicians
" in the category of best Australian-made film, and at the 1971 Australian Film Awards, his film "To Nefretiti" won the bronze award.
Since 1977 Yoram has devoted his energies to making feature-length animated films and series, but continues his interest in experimental films with awards to assist young filmmakers. Yoram strongly believes that it is his turn to continue the tradition from which he benefited so much in the early days of his career and established, amongst other annual prizes, the Yoram Gross Award for Best Animated Film at the Sydney Film Festival and the Yoram Gross Best Animation Award at the Flickerfest International Film Festival.
Yoram wrote a book on making animated films titled "The First Animated Step" (1975), and produced a film of the same title. These invaluable education materials aid in teaching the art of animation in schools and have been in constant use since their production.
The first animated feature film produced by the Yoram Gross Film Studio, called "Dot and the Kangaroo
" (1977), utilised a special aerial image technique of drawings over live action backgrounds. The film was based on an Australian classic best seller by Ethel Pedley, and was described by ABC film critic, John Hinde, as a "brilliant technical success and the best cartoon film originated in Australia". It won Best Children's Film in Tehran and also won a Sammy Award for the Best Animated Film at the 1978 Australian Film and Television Awards.
Since then, Yoram has produced, directed and scripted a total of sixteen feature films for children. Eight of these films continue the adventures of Dot from the original film "Dot and the Kangaroo
". "Dot and the Bunny" (1982) was the winner of the 1983 Best Animated Film at the 28th Asia Pacific Film Festival, and "Dot and Keeto" won the Red Ribbon Award at the 1986 American Film and Video Festival.
To co-ordinate with the release of his films, Yoram has also published books based on the films "Dot and the Kangaroo
", "The Little Convict" and "Save the Lady". In addition, ranges of merchandising products have been released.
Yoram's 1991 animated film, "The Magic Riddle
", has a more international flavour than his previous children's films made in Australia. It is based on an original story Yoram came up with, and is a mixture of fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and many other old time favourites.
In 1992, Yoram continued his interest in animating Australian children's classics, with the release of "Blinky Bill
", based upon the Australian children's classic by Dorothy Wall. This film introduced the popular Australian koala to the rest of the world as a "real personality", and Blinky Bill, already well loved by generations of Australians, has become Australia's Animated Ambassador to millions of children around the world. Blinky Bill has generated one of the most successful merchandising programs ever initiated in Australia, bringing in millions of dollars in export earnings to the country.
In 1993, Yoram Gross Film Studios diversified into making animated series for television. The first series, Blinky Bill, totaling 52 half hour episodes, achieved significant international success, both as a broadcasting and as a merchandising property and was a major licensing success in Europe.
Following Blinky Bill, Yoram Gross co-produced the series Tabaluga (26 half hours) with EM.TV & Merchandising AG, which in 1998 quickly became the top-rating children’s show in Germany. An animated series adapting Australia’s best-known kangaroo, Skippy, was completed in 1998, whereupon the studio commenced the animation of Flipper and Lopaka. Both series comprise 26 half hour episodes.
In March 1999, EM.TV acquired from Village Roadshow Limited, a 50% share ownership in Yoram Gross Film Studios. Thus, Yoram Gross-EM.TV Pty Ltd was created. This new partnership marked the transition for YGEM from a family business to a strong player on the world stage. EM.TV and YGEM committed to the production of 10 new series over the next 5 years.
The new millennium cemented Yoram Gross and EM.TV’s position as the number one family entertainment business in Australia and supplier of quality children’s content to the world. The studio completed a second series of both Flipper & Lopaka and Tabaluga as well as a brand new series, Old Tom.
The Seven Network currently programs a dedicated block of television produced by Yoram Gross - a fulfilment of its commitment to screen quality ‘C classified’ drama for the children of Australia. Yoram Gross and EM.TV also launched Junior in Germany.
Yoram’s films and series have been enjoyed all over the world and his audience continues to grow from day to day. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia for his outstanding achievements and for his contribution to the Australian film industry.
Yoram celebrated his 60th anniversary in the film industry in May 2007. To celebrate this incredible milestone, the New South Wales Film and Television Office honoured Yoram by hosting a special retrospective screening featuring highlights of his career – from his early days of experimental film making in Israel, through to excerpts from his box office successes. One of the highlights of the tribute was the screening of Yoram’s latest project, “Autumn in Krakow”, a poignant short film on his home town of Kraków, based on his late brother Nathan’s poetry.
Yoram Gross' autobiography 'My Animated Life' was released in April 2011.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n producer of children’s and family entertainment. The company is best known for producing Blinky Bill
Blinky Bill
Blinky Bill is an anthropomorphic koala and children's fictional character created by New Zealand-born Australian author Dorothy Wall. The character of Blinky first appeared in Brooke Nicholls' 1933 book, Jacko - the Broadcasting Kookaburra, which was illustrated by Wall...
and Dot and the Kangaroo
Dot and the Kangaroo
-Film adaptations:The book was adapted into a film in 1977 which featured a combination of animation and live-action. The main character, Dot, was voiced by Barbara Frawley. The film also featured Spike Milligan as the voice of Platypus. The movie featured an original soundtrack including several...
.
History
Yoram Gross is Australia’s leading animation producer and pirector. Internationally acclaimed for his films and television series, Yoram has established a worldwide reputation for the adaptation of children’s characters from books and films to animation that win the hearts of children worldwide.Yoram is known as a storyteller whose distinctive, non-violent films and series possess a contemporary charm that crosses all international barriers.
Yoram has a rich personal history and uses the mediums of film and television to share his life experiences. Born in Kraków, Poland to a Jewish family, Yoram endured World War II under the Nazi regime. His family was on Oskar Schindler’s infamous list, but chose to make their own risky escape, moving hiding places 72 times. Yoram looks back on these times as a valuable catalyst. He has a lot to say to children and everyone of his films contains a message, including loyalty, peaceful resolve and good winning over evil. “If you watch my films carefully you will see the history of my life,” he says.
Yoram studied music and musicology at Kraków University. His first love was music: "All I wanted to do was play Chopin", says Yoram. He first entered the film industry in 1947 in Kraków when, at the age of 20, Yoram became one of Jerzy Toeplitz’ first students. Jerzy Toeplitz founded the Polish Film Institute (he also founded the Swiss Film Institute and set up, at the invitation of the Federal Government, the Australian Film and Television School). Yoram commenced his career as an assistant to Polish directors Cenkalski and Buczowski, as well as the Dutch director, Yoris Ivens. He studied script writing under Carl Forman.
In 1950, Yoram moved from Poland to Israel, where he worked as a newsreel and documentary cameraman. He then became an independent film producer and director and began winning prizes at film festivals all over the world. His full-length feature, "Joseph the Dreamer" (1961), a biblical story, received special prizes in many countries all over the world. His world famous experimental film "Chansons sans Paroles" (1958) was selected by international film critics as "the most interesting film of 1959". Another comedy, "One Pound Only" (1964), set the box office record of the year. Yoram now holds more than 80 international awards for his various films.
In 1968 Yoram, his wife Sandra and young family migrated to Australia, and have since then lived in Sydney. They established Yoram Gross Film Studios – initially working from home. Yoram continued to make experimental films and to win awards. He produced film clips for the popular weekly television music program "Bandstand
Bandstand (Australia)
Bandstand was an Australian musical/variety television show which screened from November 1958 to 1972. It was produced at the studios of TCN-9 in Sydney and eventually became a national program as Nine Network expanded into other Australian cities in the early 1960s.Bandstand was created by Nine...
". At the Sydney Film Festival in 1970 he was awarded second prize for "The Politicians
The Politicians
The Politicians were a rock/new wave/reggae band formed in Tokoroa, New Zealand in March 1981. Originally writing and performing their own songs with such titles as Shift worker,Teacher Teacher, Can't write a love song, Arabian girl, 5 Years time......
" in the category of best Australian-made film, and at the 1971 Australian Film Awards, his film "To Nefretiti" won the bronze award.
Since 1977 Yoram has devoted his energies to making feature-length animated films and series, but continues his interest in experimental films with awards to assist young filmmakers. Yoram strongly believes that it is his turn to continue the tradition from which he benefited so much in the early days of his career and established, amongst other annual prizes, the Yoram Gross Award for Best Animated Film at the Sydney Film Festival and the Yoram Gross Best Animation Award at the Flickerfest International Film Festival.
Yoram wrote a book on making animated films titled "The First Animated Step" (1975), and produced a film of the same title. These invaluable education materials aid in teaching the art of animation in schools and have been in constant use since their production.
The first animated feature film produced by the Yoram Gross Film Studio, called "Dot and the Kangaroo
Dot and the Kangaroo
-Film adaptations:The book was adapted into a film in 1977 which featured a combination of animation and live-action. The main character, Dot, was voiced by Barbara Frawley. The film also featured Spike Milligan as the voice of Platypus. The movie featured an original soundtrack including several...
" (1977), utilised a special aerial image technique of drawings over live action backgrounds. The film was based on an Australian classic best seller by Ethel Pedley, and was described by ABC film critic, John Hinde, as a "brilliant technical success and the best cartoon film originated in Australia". It won Best Children's Film in Tehran and also won a Sammy Award for the Best Animated Film at the 1978 Australian Film and Television Awards.
Since then, Yoram has produced, directed and scripted a total of sixteen feature films for children. Eight of these films continue the adventures of Dot from the original film "Dot and the Kangaroo
Dot and the Kangaroo
-Film adaptations:The book was adapted into a film in 1977 which featured a combination of animation and live-action. The main character, Dot, was voiced by Barbara Frawley. The film also featured Spike Milligan as the voice of Platypus. The movie featured an original soundtrack including several...
". "Dot and the Bunny" (1982) was the winner of the 1983 Best Animated Film at the 28th Asia Pacific Film Festival, and "Dot and Keeto" won the Red Ribbon Award at the 1986 American Film and Video Festival.
To co-ordinate with the release of his films, Yoram has also published books based on the films "Dot and the Kangaroo
Dot and the Kangaroo
-Film adaptations:The book was adapted into a film in 1977 which featured a combination of animation and live-action. The main character, Dot, was voiced by Barbara Frawley. The film also featured Spike Milligan as the voice of Platypus. The movie featured an original soundtrack including several...
", "The Little Convict" and "Save the Lady". In addition, ranges of merchandising products have been released.
Yoram's 1991 animated film, "The Magic Riddle
The Magic Riddle
The Magic Riddle is a 1991 Australian animated feature film directed and written by Yoram Gross. The film's plot features elements of famous fairytales including Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio...
", has a more international flavour than his previous children's films made in Australia. It is based on an original story Yoram came up with, and is a mixture of fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and many other old time favourites.
In 1992, Yoram continued his interest in animating Australian children's classics, with the release of "Blinky Bill
Blinky Bill
Blinky Bill is an anthropomorphic koala and children's fictional character created by New Zealand-born Australian author Dorothy Wall. The character of Blinky first appeared in Brooke Nicholls' 1933 book, Jacko - the Broadcasting Kookaburra, which was illustrated by Wall...
", based upon the Australian children's classic by Dorothy Wall. This film introduced the popular Australian koala to the rest of the world as a "real personality", and Blinky Bill, already well loved by generations of Australians, has become Australia's Animated Ambassador to millions of children around the world. Blinky Bill has generated one of the most successful merchandising programs ever initiated in Australia, bringing in millions of dollars in export earnings to the country.
In 1993, Yoram Gross Film Studios diversified into making animated series for television. The first series, Blinky Bill, totaling 52 half hour episodes, achieved significant international success, both as a broadcasting and as a merchandising property and was a major licensing success in Europe.
Following Blinky Bill, Yoram Gross co-produced the series Tabaluga (26 half hours) with EM.TV & Merchandising AG, which in 1998 quickly became the top-rating children’s show in Germany. An animated series adapting Australia’s best-known kangaroo, Skippy, was completed in 1998, whereupon the studio commenced the animation of Flipper and Lopaka. Both series comprise 26 half hour episodes.
In March 1999, EM.TV acquired from Village Roadshow Limited, a 50% share ownership in Yoram Gross Film Studios. Thus, Yoram Gross-EM.TV Pty Ltd was created. This new partnership marked the transition for YGEM from a family business to a strong player on the world stage. EM.TV and YGEM committed to the production of 10 new series over the next 5 years.
The new millennium cemented Yoram Gross and EM.TV’s position as the number one family entertainment business in Australia and supplier of quality children’s content to the world. The studio completed a second series of both Flipper & Lopaka and Tabaluga as well as a brand new series, Old Tom.
The Seven Network currently programs a dedicated block of television produced by Yoram Gross - a fulfilment of its commitment to screen quality ‘C classified’ drama for the children of Australia. Yoram Gross and EM.TV also launched Junior in Germany.
Yoram’s films and series have been enjoyed all over the world and his audience continues to grow from day to day. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia for his outstanding achievements and for his contribution to the Australian film industry.
Yoram celebrated his 60th anniversary in the film industry in May 2007. To celebrate this incredible milestone, the New South Wales Film and Television Office honoured Yoram by hosting a special retrospective screening featuring highlights of his career – from his early days of experimental film making in Israel, through to excerpts from his box office successes. One of the highlights of the tribute was the screening of Yoram’s latest project, “Autumn in Krakow”, a poignant short film on his home town of Kraków, based on his late brother Nathan’s poetry.
Yoram Gross' autobiography 'My Animated Life' was released in April 2011.
Filmography
- The Adventures of Blinky BillThe Adventures of Blinky BillThe Adventures Of Blinky Bill is an animated television series based on Dorothy Wall's books about Blinky Bill. The series is produced by Yoram Gross...
(1993) - Around the World with Dot (1981)
- Art Alive (2003–2006)
- BambalooBambalooBambaloo is a children's television program formerly shown on the Seven Network. More recently it has been shown on the ABC and is suitable for 3 to 5 year olds. The show focuses on song repetition to help children anticipate the next activity...
(2004) - Blinky BillBlinky Bill (film)Blinky Bill is a 1992 animated movie animated by Sydney-based Yoham Gross Films Studios. It was released in Australia on 17 September 1992.-Plot:...
(1992)- Blinky BillBlinky Bill (film)Blinky Bill is a 1992 animated movie animated by Sydney-based Yoham Gross Films Studios. It was released in Australia on 17 September 1992.-Plot:...
remake (2012)
- Blinky Bill
- Blinky Bill's Extraordinary Excursion (1995)
- Blinky Bill’s Extraordinary Balloon Adventure (2004)
- Blinky Bill’s White Christmas
- The Camel Boy (1984)
- Dive Olly Dive! (2006–2009)
- Dot and Keeto (1985)
- DeadlyDeadly (TV series)Deadly was an Australian children's television cartoon series which first screened on the Nine Network in 2006. It was produced by Yoram Gross Productions and financed by the Film Finance Corporation Australia....
- Dot and the Bunny (1982)
- Dot and the KangarooDot and the Kangaroo-Film adaptations:The book was adapted into a film in 1977 which featured a combination of animation and live-action. The main character, Dot, was voiced by Barbara Frawley. The film also featured Spike Milligan as the voice of Platypus. The movie featured an original soundtrack including several...
(1977) - Dot and the Koala (1984)
- Dot and the Smugglers (1987)
- Dot and the WhaleDot and the WhaleDot and the Whale is an Australian animated film from 1986. It is based on the character Dot from the animated film Dot and the Kangaroo , which in turn was based on the children's book of the same name by Ethel Pedley.-Plot:...
(1986) - Dot Goes to HollywoodDot Goes to HollywoodDot Goes to Hollywood is a 1987 Australian film directed by Yoram Gross.-Plot:Yoram Gross's eighth Dot movie finds us in Australia with Dot and a koala named Gumley dancing and singing in the streets. There are signs that tell of an epidemic that is going around. It is an eye disease and it is...
(1991) - Dot in Outer Space (1994)
- Dumb BunniesDumb BunniesThe Dumb Bunnies are a series of books created by Dav Pilkey under the pseudonym "Sue Denim". They involve the adventures of a dumb family of bunnies...
(1998–1999) - Epic (1985)
- Fairy Tale Police Department (2001)
- Flipper and LopakaFlipper and LopakaFlipper and Lopaka is an animated series produced by the Australian production company Yoram Gross. It previously aired on Australia's Seven Network at various times. It currently airs on Australia's ABC3, a channel dedicated to children's television programs.- Setting :The series takes place on...
(1999–2001) - Gumnutz (2007)
- Joesph the Dreamer (1961)
- Junior TV (establishment, 1996-)
- Master RaindropMaster RaindropMaster Raindrop is a children's animated television program produced jointly by Australian, New Zealand and Singaporean companies that first screened on the Australian Seven Network in 2008...
(2006) - Old TomOld TomOld Tom was the name given to an orca by whalers in the port of Eden on the southeast coast of Australia. Old Tom measured 22 feet and weighed 6 tons. The skull measured 1.02 m and the teeth measured about 5.31 inches. Old Tom was thought to be the leader of a pod of killer whales who helped the...
(2000–2001) - One Pound Only (1964)
- Samuel and NinaBig BagBig Bag was a live action television puppet program for preschoolers that was produced by The Jim Henson Company and aired from 1996 to 1998 on the Cartoon Network. There were also localized versions for Canal J in France and Yorkshire Television in the UK.-Plot:The principle Muppet character was...
(1996–1997) - Santa's Apparentice
- The Seventh MatchSarah (film)Sarah is a 1982 Australian animated film. It was written by Elizabeth Kata and directed by Yoram Gross. Unlike Yoram Gross's other works, this film deals with more mature subjects.-Plot:...
(1980) - Seaside Hotel (2002)
- Skippy: Adventures in BushtownSkippy: Adventures in BushtownSkippy: Adventures in Bushtown is an animated children's series created by Yoram Gross of Blinky Bill fame. It is set around a fictionalised Australian town.It differs from the other Skippy series as it is animated and features anthropomorphic characters...
(1998) - Staines Down DrainsStaines Down DrainsStaines Down Drains is an Australia/New Zealand co-produced children's television series created by Jim Mora. The series was premiered on the Seven Network in October 2006 and broadcast in New Zealand on TV2 beginning on 28 February 2007...
(2006) - TabalugaTabalugaThe little green Dragon Tabaluga is a cartoon character, who lives in the fictional place of Greenland. He is around 7 dragon-years old . He is the creation of the German Rock musician Peter Maffay, children's song writer Rolf Zuckowski and the author Gregor Rottschalk...
(1998–2000) - The Legend of Enyo
- The Magic RiddleThe Magic RiddleThe Magic Riddle is a 1991 Australian animated feature film directed and written by Yoram Gross. The film's plot features elements of famous fairytales including Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood and Pinocchio...
(1991) - The Little Convict (1979)
- The Woodlies (2007)
- ZigbyZigbyZigby the zebra is an anthropomorphic children's fictional character created by Scottish-born English author Brian Paterson. Zigby appears in a series of picture books and board books as well as in a 3D animated television series....
(2006–2008) - Zeke's PadZeke's PadZeke's Pad created by Liz Scully is an animated TV show produced by Bardel Entertainment and Leaping Lizard Productions in 2008. It is currently airing on YTV on Saturdays at 7pm. Past episodes of the show can also be streamed on the YTV website...