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First Contact (Australian TV series)

From Alfawiki
First Contact
Company typeTelevision series
IndustryTelevision production
FoundedNovember 2014; 12 years ago (2014-11)
FounderBlackfella Films
Headquarters
Australia
ProductsDocumentary reality television series
ParentBlackfella Films

First Contact is an Australian documentary reality television series that premiered on SBS One, SBS Two, and NITV in November 2014, followed by a second season in 2016. Created by Blackfella Films and hosted by Ray Martin, the program documents the experiences of six European Australian individuals undertaking a 28-day journey across Australia, confronting their assumptions about Indigenous Australians. The subsequent season includes prominent non-Indigenous Australian figures as participants.

Synopsis

This series delves into the cultural divide between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, emphasizing the significant lack of understanding among the latter regarding Indigenous traditions and ways of life. It is notable that approximately 60% of European Australians report never having interacted with Indigenous people, which contributes to ongoing stereotypes.

Throughout the series, participants engage firsthand with Aboriginal communities in both metropolitan and regional locations. One notable visit includes a regional correctional facility in Roebourne, an area marked by high Indigenous incarceration rates and tense relations between Indigenous inhabitants and law enforcement. This experience highlights the pressing social issues confronting Indigenous Australians.

Cast

(As themselves)

Participants 2014

The initial season featured the following participants:

  • Alice Lardner
  • Bo-Dene Steiler
  • Jasmine Johnston
  • Trent Giles
  • Sandy Clifford
  • Marcus Solomon

Key Indigenous Contributors 2014

Indigenous contributors featured in the first season included:

  • Sharyn Derschow – Co-founder of Linkidge Cross Communication Training Company
  • Margaret Gudumurrkuwuy – Elcho Island Arts
  • Marmingee Hand – Educator and Foster Carer specializing in F.A.S.D children
  • Marcus Lacey – Traditional owner, educator, and tourism business operator
  • Debra Maidment – Safe & Sober Support Service Program, Central Australia Aboriginal Congress
  • Victor Morgan – Senior educator at Education Centre Against Violence and Chair of Link-Up NSW
  • June Oscar AO – CEO of Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre
  • Emily Carter – Deputy CEO at Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre
  • Shane Phillips – CEO of Tribal Warrior and recipient of Local Australian of the Year 2013
  • Geraldine Stewart – HIPPY Coordinator at Yipirinya School
  • Tangentyere Council Night Patrol

Participants 2016

The second season's participants included:

  • Natalie Imbruglia
  • Ian Dickson
  • David Oldfield
  • Tom Ballard
  • Renae Ayris
  • Nicki Wendt

Production

Filming for First Contact took place across New South Wales, which hosts Australia's largest Indigenous population, as well as the Northern Territory, where Indigenous peoples constitute the highest proportion of residents, and Western Australia.

Both seasons were produced by Darren Dale from Blackfella Films, with Jacob Hickey serving as series producer and writer. Rachel Perkins acted as executive producer for the first season, while direction was handled by Ronan Sharkey and Dora Weekley. In the second season, Hickey assumed the role of executive producer, with David Grusovin and Bruce Permezel directing.

Broadcast

First Contact made its debut on SBS One, SBS Two, and NITV on 18 November 2014.[1]

Discussion

After the initial broadcast, First Contact was featured in an episode of Insight, presented by Stan Grant. This episode included a panel discussion with several participants from the series.[2][3]

Series overview

No. Original air Consolidated Australian viewers (Mainland Capitals)
1 18 November 2014 508,000[1]
2 19 November 2014 401,000Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
3 20 November 2014 452,000Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

The show reached an estimated total audience of around 1.85 million viewers across Australia.[4]

Season Episodes Originally aired DVD release DVD features
Season premiere Season finale Region 4 +
1 10 18 November 2014 20 November 2014 3 December 2014[5]
  • Single Disc
  • Running time: 156 minutes

Season 1 (2014)

No. Title Directed by Original air date

Template:Episode list/sublist Template:Episode list/sublist Template:Episode list/sublist


Season 2 (2016)

No. Title Directed by Original air date

Template:Episode list/sublist Template:Episode list/sublist Template:Episode list/sublist


Adaptations

The program was reimagined for Canadian audiences by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), launching the series First Contact in 2018.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 18th
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named abc
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