Welcome to Behind The Screen, a new SPA series putting the spotlight on the producers behind Australian screen stories. Each edition will take you behind the scenes with a SPA member to discover more about their journey as a producer, the realities of bringing stories to the screen, and the projects they’re working on now.
In our second edition, we hear from Dianna La Grassa, COO & Head of Screen for Bus Stop Films, who shares what they find most rewarding and challenging about producing, the story behind Boss Cat, and their perspective on the future of Australia’s screen industry.
1. What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
It is hard to pick just one thing that is the most rewarding about my job. I have the honour and privilege of working with extremely talented filmmakers at all stages of their career and the ability to produce content that truly reflects the diversity of Australians made with inclusion front and centre. Being able to continue to elevate different voices and to advocate for change in the industry is what keeps me grounded to a purpose in filmmaking.
2. What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Consistently having to demonstrate worth, value and capacity of the incredible people from the Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse community to production companies and crew members who may be uncomfortable with changing up the status quo or who are holding onto myths and outdated assumptions. This is starting to shift and whilst it remains a challenge we’ve seen through the Driving Change Impact report and across that last two years of our employment arm being in existence that productions are willing to do things differently, be leaders in this space and think outside the box.
3. Tell us about your latest production. What makes this story one you wanted to bring to the screen?
For a female disability led not for profit organisation we are one of the biggest producers of short film content delivering over 25 short films a year. After 17 years we’ve now put all of those learnings behind our first ever feature film Boss Cat. The film is more than just a reflection on how to integrate inclusion at every stage of production, its fresh take on real family issues and the drive for all of us to have independence is powerful, dynamic and delivered in a way that starts a conversation. We knew that when we met Olivia Hargroder and the script of Boss Cat came to fruition, it was a perfect match.
4. Looking back on your career, what's made the biggest difference in helping you get your productions to the screen?
It has and continues to be the kindness and generosity of the people in the industry. There is a real desire at every stage of people’s careers to give back, share knowledge and help build the next generation of filmmakers. The shift from ‘every person for themselves’ is no longer the norm and recognition that true collaboration really does generate better content that authentically resonates with an evolving audience.
5. If you could see one positive change for Australia's screen industry over the next five years, what would it be?
People with disability face a participation crisis that has not improved in two decades and higher unemployment rates than any other marginalised community. What we are starting to see now is a shift in attitudes towards employing people from the Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse community and providing genuine meaningful employment. What I’d love to see is that inclusion isn’t still a conversation in terms of whether we are doing it or not, it is just embedded into every facet of our productions, with Bus Stop Employment continuing to lead the charge.
Stay tuned for the next Behind The Screen, as we continue to spotlight the producers and stories shaping Australia’s screen industry.