Ken Quinnell
Encyclopedia
Ken Quinnell is a screenwriter
and director
.
He has a background in publishing
and freelance journalism
including working for Screen International
and Rolling Stone
. He was a member of the WEA Film Study Group
in the 1960s where he met writers Michael Thornhill
and Frank Moorhouse
. From 1966-1968 Quinnell and Michael Thornhill
published SCJ : The Sydney cinema journal.
.
Ken Quinnell wrote the screenplays for Cathy's Child
(1979) (with Dick Wordley) adapted from Dick Wordley's novel; Hoodwink
(1981); and The City's Edge (1983) aka The Running Man. The City's Edge (1983) was co-written Robert J. Merritt and W.A. Harbison; adapted from W.A. Harbison's novel. This last film was made for television. Short Changed (1985) was also co-written Robert J. Merritt. As yet Ken Quinnell has only directed one film -- The City's Edge (1983)
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and director
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:...
.
He has a background in publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
and freelance journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
including working for Screen International
Screen International
Screen International is a multimedia film magazine covering the international film business. It is published by EMAP, a British b2b media company.The magazine is primarily aimed at those involved in the global movie business...
and Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
. He was a member of the WEA Film Study Group
WEA Film Study Group
The WEA Sydney Film Society is a non-profit film society based in Sydney, Australia.It is a club of WEA Sydney, which is part of the Workers' Educational Association .-History:...
in the 1960s where he met writers Michael Thornhill
Michael Thornhill
Michael Thornhill is a film producer, screenwriter, and director.He has a background in freelance journalism and publishing including working as a film critic....
and Frank Moorhouse
Frank Moorhouse
Frank Moorhouse is an acclaimed Australian writer with a growing international reputation. He has won major Australian national prizes for the short story, the novel, the essay, and for script writing....
. From 1966-1968 Quinnell and Michael Thornhill
Michael Thornhill
Michael Thornhill is a film producer, screenwriter, and director.He has a background in freelance journalism and publishing including working as a film critic....
published SCJ : The Sydney cinema journal.
Film and television
Since then both Michael Thornhill and Ken Quinnell have worked in the Australian film industryFilm industry
The film industry consists of the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking: i.e. film production companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, distribution; and actors, film directors and other film crew...
.
Ken Quinnell wrote the screenplays for Cathy's Child
Cathy's Child
Cathy's Child is a 1979 Australian film, directed by Donald Crombie and starring Michele Fawdon, Alan Cassell and Bryan Brown.-Plot:Cathy Baikas is a woman of Greek heritage who lives in Sydney, Australia with her three-year-old daughter. When her daughter's father kidnaps the child and takes her...
(1979) (with Dick Wordley) adapted from Dick Wordley's novel; Hoodwink
Hoodwink (1981 film)
Hoodwink is a 1981 Australian thriller film directed by Claude Whatham and written by Ken Quinnell. It stars John Hargreaves and Judy Davis. The film is based on the true story of a well-publicized Australian con artist...
(1981); and The City's Edge (1983) aka The Running Man. The City's Edge (1983) was co-written Robert J. Merritt and W.A. Harbison; adapted from W.A. Harbison's novel. This last film was made for television. Short Changed (1985) was also co-written Robert J. Merritt. As yet Ken Quinnell has only directed one film -- The City's Edge (1983)
Film awards
- In 1981 Ken Quinnell was nominated for the Australian Film InstituteAustralian Film InstituteThe Australian Film Institute was founded in 1958 as a non-profit organisation devoted to developing an active film culture in Australia and fostering engagement between the general public and the Australian film industry...
award for Best Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted for HoodwinkHoodwink (1981 film)Hoodwink is a 1981 Australian thriller film directed by Claude Whatham and written by Ken Quinnell. It stars John Hargreaves and Judy Davis. The film is based on the true story of a well-publicized Australian con artist...
.