New era for Prospero Productions

L-R: Orla Holland, Jules Fortune, Julia Redwood, Freya Brueschke, Natalie-Bell.

WA-based Prospero Productions has announced the departure of director Ed Punchard with Julia Redwood now sole owner.

The move marks the end of an era for Prospero Production, best known for long form observational documentary series including Outback Truckers, Outback Opal Hunters, Railroad Australia, plus SAS: The Search for Warriors, The Man Who Jumped, Change My Race, Paying for the Piper, Heartbreak Science and Death of the Megabeasts.

“Ed and I have achieved so much over three decades and I’m beyond enthusiastic about leading Prospero into the next great chapter of its story. The future shines bright for the company and the Australian screen industry.” said Ms Redwood.

The all-female management team now includes General Manager Jules Fortune; Head of Finance Orla Holland; Head of Post Production Freya Brueschke. Natalie Bell, who has over 20 years’ experience in the screen and live performance, becomes new Head of Production.

Julia Redwood added, “Our returnable, long running series such as Outback Truckers and Outback Opal Hunters have been the training ground for many screen practitioners over the years and moving forward, I want to find ways to make more of those unique opportunities.

“Season 5 of Outback Opal Hunters is in production; Season 9 of Outback Truckers is finalising post-production; and we have a new Fulldome film, Star Dreaming, directed by first time feature documentary maker Perun Bonser.”

Prospero Productions is Western Australia’s largest employer of factual personnel, with 50 staff currently engaged across three series and one feature length Fulldome film, which will culminate in the production of 42 hours of screen content this year alone.

Prospero has recently celebrated a number of milestones including the airing of the 100th episode of its long running series Outback Truckers on 7mate. Redwood was also awarded the 2021 West Australian of the Year Business Award, presented in celebration of excellence and outstanding ethics in business leadership, social entrepreneurship or innovation at a state, national or international level, resulting in major positive social or economic impact in Western Australia.