Esben Storm

Career

Film making Together with Haydn Keenan, Storm began making a series of award-winning films, under their production company, Smart Street Films. The film won the 1978 AFI Award for Best Screenplay. and 2003 sci-fi horror film Subterano, starring Alex Dimitriades and Tasma Walton. He also made several documentaries including The Tasty Bust Reunion and America.

Most notably, Storm put Australian children’s drama on the map with Round the Twist, ACTF's most successful children's series, in which he brought Paul Jennings' short stories to life. Working with Jennings on the scripts, he directed more than half of the episodes of the first two seasons, and also played the part of Mr Snapper. Since its release, the series has been translated into countless languages and screened around the world including on the BBC and on Fox in the US.

Further ACTF titles Storm worked on included More Winners (1990), The Genie from Down Under (1995–1998) and Crash Zone (1998–1999).

Acting In 1976, Storm acted in Hanging About, a short film by Carol Jerrems. He later played the part of a record producer in 1982 drama film Monkey Grip and the following year he appeared in Going Down, playing the role of Michael, a codeine-addicted loner-writer. drama film Wrong World and TV movie I Live with Me Dad. The following year he then played the role of Raymond 'Frog' Gardiner in miniseries Alice to Nowhere.

In 1987, Storm featured in comedy film Les Patterson Saves the World, playing a Russian scientist, alongside Barry Humphries and Pandemonium in the role of E.B. De Woolf. The following year, he played Wilbur Wright in comedy film Young Einstein starring Yahoo Serious and appeared in biographical TV movie The Riddle of the Stinson with Jack Thompson and Richard Roxburgh. He also performed opposite Steve Bisley in 1988 post-apocalyptic TV movie Hard Knuckle. crime drama Phoenix, period drama Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Good Guys, Bad Guys

Personal life In the 1970s, Storm was in a relationship with photographer and filmmaker Carol Jerrems, who lived with him in Willoughby. His contribution to ABC biographical documentary film Girl in a Mirror became the foundation for a story honouring Jerrems,

After returning from Cannes screenings for his 1978 film In Search of Anna, he met and then married the film's assistant editor, Pamela Barnetta.

Storm's first marriage broke down and he later married costume designer Lisa Meagher, whom he met on the set of Round the Twist.

Death Storm died, aged 60, on 28 March 2011 from a heart attack. Numerous directors, producers, actors and screen industry leaders attended his funeral at Clovelly Bowling Club in Sydney, which was MC'd by longtime friend, collaborator and producer Allan Hogan. Storm's partner Lisa Meagher, delivered his eulogy, revealing it was the same one Esben had written for his father's funeral.

As actor Year Title Role Ref. 1969 Doors 1971 One Man Bike 1982 Last Breakfast in Paradise 1982 Greetings from Wollongong

Feature film

As crew Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Notes Ref. 1973 Avengers of the Reef Production manager 1974 27A 1992 de Vil's tas Mania (aka Three Cornered Island) Also script advisor 2003 Subterano 2004 The Tasty Bust Reunion Documentary film America Documentary film 2008 Goodbye Revolution Documentary film;Also director of photography 2012 Aspects of a Life: Working with Indigenous Australians Video documentary

As actor Year Title Role Notes Ref.1982 Monkey Grip Record Producer 1988 Touch the Sun: Devil’s Hill TV movie 1990 More Winners Episode: "The Big Wish" 1989-2001 Round the Twist 32 episodes (director);30 episodes (writer); Also script consultant 1994 Sky Trackers 26 episodes The Bob Morrison Show Season 1 1995 Blue Heelers 4 episodes 1996; 1998 The Genie from Down Under 6 episodes (director);15 episodes (writer) 1998 Li'l Elvis and the Truckstoppers Episode: "Caught in a Trap";Also creator, scriptwriter & dialogue director 1999 Crash Zone Season 1, 4 episodes 2000 Pig's Breakfast Seasons 1–2 2001 The Lost World Episode: "True Spirit" 2007 Kick Also creator 1986 Alice to Nowhere Raymond 'Frog' Gardiner Miniseries, 2 episodes 1989–2000 Round the Twist Mr Snapper 36 episodes Snowy River: The McGregor Saga Frobisher Episode: "In Duty Bound" 2002 Don't Blame the Koalas (aka Don't Blame Me) First AD Episode: "A Star is Born" 2007 Kick Jeff Abbott (soccer referee) Episode: "You Can't Stop the Music" All Saints Laszlo Shucs Episode: "Echoes"

Awards and nominations Year Title Award Category Result Ref.1979In Search of AnnaAustralian Film Institute Awards Best Screenplay Best Director Winners: The Big WishAustralian Film Institute Awards Best Achievement in Direction in a TV Drama 1993 Round the Twist: Little Squirt Best Screenplay in a TV Drama 1999 Crash Zone: The Dream Team Best Direction in a TV Drama