Janet Dimelow
Bio
Introduction
Janet Dimelow is a multi award winning producer, writer and director. She has worked in film television and theatre since the early 1970's in a wide range of roles including researcher, costumer, design and numerous production roles. in 2016 she won best documentary for her shortfilm ''mothers and daughters'', received 4 and a half stars for her two week production of ''the man of mode'' which she adapted/translated from the 17th century English play, and 5 awards and 2 nominations for her shortfilm ''Fatal Flame'' including winner of the audience spotlight award at the Idyllwild international festive 2018. She is pleased currently to be a part of production team for Jane Cafaella's excellent play ''d-baby'
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In the beginning
When Janet left school there was no film industry and she went to Swinburne with the intention of moving across to RMIT's fashion design course. Once at Swinburne she discovered there was an instant film industry, her dream industry and she was able to work as an intern on ''libido'' produced by the PDGA. She went on to work in movies and TV in the art department. During her time at Swinburne she made the short film ''heart connection'' included here.
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Early days
Like all crew in these early days , she found it hard to balance financial security with work
Consequently she was occasionally employed as a Law Clerk to get by , but kept her hand in : writing
the lyrics to the nightclub song ( uncredited ) in " Mad Max " , making costumes for various films ,
working as wardrobe mistress for the 1974-1977 Melbourne production of " The Rocky Horror Show "
starring the wonderful Max Phipps , moving away from the costumer design into a more general
experience .
As the years rolled on , Janet worked as a director and producer in festival theatre productions ; as
part of the production crew of " Nancy Wake " ; as Administrative Assistant to Ron Casey , the GM of
HSV7 , office manager for barristers'chambers and as a producer for the fabulous TV series
" Sportsnight'
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These days ...
Janet spent years caring for her frail mother, gradually cutting down on work as a consequence.
When her mother died, it was time for her to take on a leadership role in her profession where she
now knew she belonged. She produced and adapted a 17th Century play, produced, wrote and
directed a short documentary and produced and wrote a short film
There are more projects in the pipeline of course-a documentary on the plight of women at the
end of their lives, a short film based on her own struggle with her father, a feature film(noir) script
(or three). She is also enjoying working with Jane Caferella developing Jane's excellent script "d-baby''