Fresh Start (TV series)

Fresh Start is an Australian television series created for 1990's International Literacy Year.

The series consists of two sections. One section is a series of six 10 minute documentaries while the other is 12 half hour dramas.[1] The documentaries feature a wide range of subjects talking about the effects of low literacy and programs in place to improve literacy.[2] The dramas follow an adult literacy teacher Kerry (Caz Lederman) who in each episode (named for the guest character) works with a new student who for different reasons are trying to improve their literacy.[3] These characters include Billy (Dean Love), a mechanic who needs to learn to advance his career prospects,[4] Linda (Anne Tenney), a country mother who can't read medicine labels, Mick (Denis Grosvenor), a prisoner who's cellmate has been writing for him[3] and Marcia (Judith Stratford), a housewife who wants to read in church.[5]

Episodes

  • Billy
written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes
cast: Dean Love, Caz Lederman
  • Marcia
written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Jacqui Sykes
cast: Judith Stafford, Caz Lederman, Alex Morcos, Barry Langrish
  • Tracey
written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
cast: Sascha Huckstep, Caz Lederman, Sonja Tallis, Sharon Tamlyn.
  • Frank
written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley.
  • Linda
written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
cast: Anne Tenney, Caz Lederman, Ritchie Singer
  • Kevin
written by Marion Ord. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
cast: Robert Noble, Caz Lederman, Mary-Lou Stewart, John Paramor
  • Mick
written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert
cast: Dennis Grosvenor, Caz Lederman, Ben Gabriel, Geoff Cartwright.
  • Chris
written by Peter Neale. directed by Tony Wickert
cast: Alex Morcos, Caz Lederman, Penny Pederson
  • Luisa
written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
cast: Carmel Cullen, Caz Lederman, David Weatherley
  • Elsie
written by Sylvia Johnson. produced and directed by Roger Bayley
cast: Lillian Crombie, John Blair, Caz Lederman, Sarah Lambert.
  • Steve
written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
cast: Gavin Harrison, Caz Lederman, Jane Ahlquist, John Allen
  • Dennis
written by Peter Neale. produced and directed by Paul Schneller
cast: Terry Serio, Caz Lederman, Karen Day

References

  1. ^ Hooks, Barbara (31 July 1990), "Splendid series helps people struggling for literacy", The Age
  2. ^ Totaro, Paola (30 July 1990), "FRESH START", The Sydney Morning Herald
  3. ^ a b Loos, Rachel (12 August 1990), "If you can't read this you need a fresh start", The Age
  4. ^ Anderson, Doug (13 August 1990), "FRESH START: Billy", The Sydney Morning Herald
  5. ^ "The guide", The Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1990