Arenamedia makes 3 new appointments

Arenamedia (The Warriors, Paper Planes) has announced three appointments as part of a production company expansion.

Robert Patterson will take charge as Executive Producer over the full slate of productions, Louise Gough (pictured) joins as Head of Development overseeing commissions and London-based Rachel Connors will produce and oversee projects in the UK.

Producer Robert Connolly said: “Arenamedia has a reputation for creating landmark content of the highest quality. With the demand for innovative content greater now than it has ever been, the appointment of Robert, Louise and Rachel to these key roles will position us to increase our capacity whilst maintaining the standards of excellence for which we are known.”

Patterson and Gough will be based in new Arenamedia offices in Sydney, supplementing head office operations in Melbourne.

Robert Patterson has an extensive background in content creation, distribution and marketing. Beginning his career in the music industry, he then held a number of roles at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, most recently as Director of the Commercial division​.

Connolly continued: “Robert’s unique skill-set, impeccable creative instinct, commercial acumen and global network of contacts will be a huge asset to Arenamedia. In this role he will facilitate a greater capacity for Arenamedia to increase the number of productions in development including co-productions and partnerships. Robert’s background in music also represents the opportunity for Arenamedia to develop a range of music-rich content for global platforms.”

Of his appointment Patterson said: “I am delighted to join Arenamedia to work with such a great team and amazing content. With so many incredible projects in development it is a privilege to work alongside the wonderful creatives, production partners, platforms and funding bodies behind each of them. I’m excited and honoured to assist Arenamedia in taking these projects to the world.”

Louise Gough has 20 years’ experience in development, beginning in theatre as a dramaturg and extending into screen story development 15 years ago. In Australia, Louise was Editorial Manager at ABC TV Drama and Narrative Comedy, Script Manager at Film Victoria, in the development team at Madman Production Company and most recently Louise was Development Executive (Story) at Screen Australia.

Connolly continued: “Louise possesses an extraordinary range of development experience built over two decades working with leading creative organisations in Australia and internationally. She will bring a level of expertise that will benefit all of our projects, enhancing Arenamedia’s reputation for the creation of world-class, distinctive screen content. She is such a respected development practitioner I am sure that her appointment will be welcomed across the screen content industry.”

Of her appointment Gough said: “I am thrilled to be joining Arenamedia as Head of Development. I have a deep and long-held regard for Robert Connolly as a writer/director/producer but also for his work in partnering with and supporting tremendous talent and projects. I relish the opportunity to work alongside Robert and the Arenamedia team, to continue to build projects with distinct voices, visionary artists and compelling stories that speak to a domestic and global audience.”

Rachel Connors is a UK-based Australian producer whose films have screened in Official Selection at many international film festivals including Berlin, Edinburgh and South By South West. Rachel co-founded Slingshot, the UK’s first digital film studio where she produced the feature films The Tormented, French Film, Sugarhouse and Faintheart with financing partners including BBC Films, Film 4, Creative England and UK Film Council. She has also produced four music documentaries including Bananaz featuring multi-platinum, animated supergroup, Gorillaz.

Connolly continued: “We are very fortunate to have a producer of Rachel’s calibre representing Arenamedia in the UK. In addition to overseeing our UK-based activities, Rachel’s skills are of enormous benefit to our entire development and production slate. We also look forward to working with Rachel on a number of her own projects which will be produced with the support of Arenamedia.”

Of her appointment Connors said: “I am really excited to be given the opportunity to represent Arenamedia in the UK and to collaborate with the wonderful team of storytellers, producers and executives assembled by Robert Connolly. It is a privilege to be a part of this new structure that will not only open doors to new creative and commercial partnerships in Europe, it will also strengthen Arenamedia’s ability to deliver great stories to global audiences.”

Arenamedia is supported by Screen Victoria through its Screen Business Ventures program.