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Mark Ruse. (Photo: Annie Beach)

Mark Ruse, who was partnered with Stephen Luby in Ruby Entertainment for 20 years, died unexpectedly on Saturday. He was 64.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, Ruse produced more than 250 hours of prime-time comedy and drama, more than 20 hours of documentaries and 300 hours of live television.

“Mark was a true gentleman; incredibly talented, understated and generous, he gave many lucky people a leg up in the industry,” Julie Marlow, screen industry consultant and former Film Victoria director, tells If. “He was a joy to deal with and will be sadly missed by so many.”

Luby said of his colleague and close friend: “Mark was a man of incredible integrity, kindness, creativity, intelligence, dedication, work ethic, humour and goodness.

“His express philosophy was to ‘enable other people’s talents to shine.’ He loved to support and nurture people’s creative journeys (including mine).

“Producer skills developed...

The inaugural Equity Awards will tonight celebrate achievements in ensemble perfomances for both drama and comedy.

In a ceremony at Sydney’s Ivy Penthouse, the Equity Awards are the only acting awards voted on by their performing peers, members of the Actors Equity.

The cast of Rake won the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in Drama Series, while The Librarians won for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in a comedy series.

Rake cast members to receive the award are: Richard Roxburgh, Kate Box, Caroline Brazier, Richard Carter, Danielle Cormack, Matt Day, Russell Dykstra, Keegan Joyce, Steve Le Marquand, Geoff Morrell and Adrienne Pickering.

Rake was nominated alongside Bed of Roses, Offspring, Packed to the Rafters and Underbelly: The Golden Mile.

Librarians cast members to receive the award are: Heidi Arena, Stephen Ballantyne, Keith Brockett, Robyn Butler, Victoria Eagger, Bob Franklin, Justin Hamilton, Roz Hammond, Fiona Harris, Wayne Hope,...

All writer Mick Connolly wants for Christmas is a producer:

Last month I won second prize in the Final Draft Big Break Screenplay Competition in L.A. with my comedy Crims, and I’m very keen to hear from producers who’d like to read the script.

In Crims, a small-time crook does a self-improvement course in an effort to win back the love of his estranged straight-laced daughter.

I’ve filmed the first page of the script as a ‘teaser’ in an effort to generate interest in the project. Chris Haywood, Steve Le Marquand and Bob Franklin are among the actors that participated. This one-minute teaser gives a clear indication of the tone of the film and my vision for it.

Mick can be contacted at connolly.mick@optusnet.com.au...

Sporting some of the sweetest horror of the year, the NYC Horror Film Fest has it's kick off party at the Don Hills Night Club on Wednesday, November 12th at 8pm and runs at the Tribeca Cinemas. There's a host of great shorts, including Eel Girl and Treevenge, and for the main program, films like Bad Biology, Daniel Myrick's The Objective (this is a good one), and How to be a serial killer are playing. You can check the full schedule of shorts and features after the break or at the official website.

Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick St. @ Canal)

Nov. 13th though the 16th

Program 1

Thursday, Nov. 13th 9:00pm

Antibody (Dir. Nathan Bezner / 20 min)

Resident Evil: Degeneration (Dir. by Makoto Kamiya / 96 min)

Program 2

Friday, Nov. 14th 7:30pm

Legend of Ol’Goldie (Dir. by Matthew Snyman / 8 min)

Martians Go Home (Dir. by Dan Moreno / 20 min)

Alien Raiders (Dir.

We just got the final lowdown from the guys behind this year’s New York City Horror Film Festival with the first look at their full schedule! The festival runs from November 12th–16th this year, and there’s some great stuff on the schedule. Check it out below, and then head to the official NYC Horror Film Festival site to get your tickets!

Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick St. @ Canal)

Thursday, Nov. 13th

9:00pm

"Antibody" (Dir. Nathan Bezner / 20 mins) Resident Evil: Degeneration (Dir. by Makoto Kamiya / 96 min)

The Resident Evil franchise gets a brand new addition this winter with Resident Evil: Degeneration. It's the first full CGI Resident Evil movie and picks up seven years after the destruction of Raccoon City by the Us government after the first zombie outbreak caused by the Umbrella Corporation. It's set in a Us airport where the T-Virus gets released once again...