Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
Student Activities
The Arts
Junior Secondary
Adaptation
Q. 1
Adapting novels for the screen is a complex process. Watch the interview with author Kerry
Greenwood in which she describes why it's taken such a long time for her books to be made into a
television series. Kerry says, "These books have been optioned many times since they were written."
Define the meaning of ‘option’.
Write a list of three factors that were important to Kerry in choosing the right producers.
Name three ways in which the producers were willing to let Kerry be involved in the process
of adapting her novels to the screen.
Q. 2
Watch the interview with the series' producers, Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox.
What is the producer's role in a film production?
Write two of Fiona's reasons and two of Deb's for targeting Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher
book series for a television production.
Name three aspects of the television series that the producers think make Phryne different
from other crime programs.
Q. 3
Watch the interview with author Kerry Greenwood. Listen carefully to her opinion of the script for
the television series.
What does she mean when she says, "The voices are correct. Nobody says 'OK', nobody says,
'I'll check', there are no wrong words"?
Why are the words so important to this television series?
What is Kerry’s opinion of the script overall?
Q. 4
Read this excerpt from the script for Queen of the Flowers, episode 9, scene 32 of Miss Fisher's
Murder Mysteries, then answer the following questions:
32 INT. PHRYNE’S HOUSE/KITCHEN - NIGHT 3
PHRYNE, DOT, HUGH
Late night.
DOT sits at the table in her dressing gown. Her sewing basket is
at hand and she’s pasting the fragments of coaster onto the fine
gauze she’s been using to make her flowers. She’s almost completed
the puzzle.
HUGH - still in uniform - has fallen asleep on his arms.
DOT
Hugh - wake up. I’ve nearly finished.
Hugh stirs as Dot trims the fabric neatly away from the edges of
her reconstructed coaster.
HUGH
‘Whitten’s Pale Ale’? That’s a South
Australian beer. What’s on the other
side?
Dot turns the coaster over - exposing a list of names in pencil,
clearly visible through the gauze.
DOT
Just a whole lot of names...
He takes his hat from the table and he’s about to leave when
Phryne appears - wearing her silk kimono - unable to sleep.
DOT (CONT’D)
I didn’t know you were still up, Miss?
Can I make you a cocoa?
PHRYNE
I might need something stronger tonight,
Dot. (TAKING IN THE COASTER) Finished
your police work?
Hugh looks sheepish as Phryne examines the pencil writing and her
mind starts to whir...
PHRYNE (CONT’D)
Jane said Kitty fainted at the hall...and
didn’t you complain you had to let the
seams out on her frock?
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DOT
That’s right.
Dot is starting to put things together too.
DOT (CONT’D)
A couple of inches. Mostly around the
waist.
PHRYNE
(READING) ‘Edward... Teddy... Edwin...’
HUGH
(RELUCTANTLY) Gentlemen friends?
PHRYNE
But there are girls’ names
too...Edwina... Edie... All variants of
the same name - I’ll wager there’s an
Edward somewhere in Kitty’s family tree.
Phryne and Dot both look sadly at the coaster again.
DOT
Babies’ names.
HUGH
(BEHIND) What babies?
(Source: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, script, Scene 32, Episode 9: Queen of the Flowers)
Identify the two different components that make up the script and what percentage each of
them represents in this excerpt.
State whether the setting for this scene is inside or outside and quote the part of the script
that gives you this information.
List four props that are required for this scene.
Q. 5
Read the excerpt again to complete these tasks:
How does the atmosphere of this scene change as the story unfolds? Find three words or
phrases to support your answer.
Based on the information in the script, how would you light this scene? Explain your
reasoning.
Imagine you are directing this scene. What particular instructions would you give Phryne,
Dot, and Hugh to help their performance?
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Pre-production
Q. 1
A major challenge for producers is casting. In casting Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries the producers
had to find talented actors who not only display the physical characteristics of the roles, but who
would also portray the fast-paced action of the crime genre. The producers also wanted to ensure
that the author herself was pleased with their choice.
Watch the interviews with Kerry Greenwood and the producers to find answers to the following
questions:
How does the author view her characters?
Write a list of ten words or phrases used in the two interviews to describe Phryne.
Why did Kerry and the producers think Essie Davis was the right person to play Phryne?
Q. 2
In addition to casting the lead characters, minor characters and special guest performers, a number
of extras were also required. Watch the interview with third assistant director, Scooter Welbourn, to
help answer these questions:
Explain the meaning of an “extra” in relation to the film production industry.
Identify three special considerations that had to be given when choosing the extras for Miss
Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
Give two examples of physical characteristics that might prevent someone from being
chosen as an extra for this series and explain why.
Q. 3
Throughout the series, a significant portion of the action is filmed in Phryne Fisher's house. Join the
author, Kerry Greenwood, and listen to her comments as she tours the set.
Name the different rooms Kerry tours that are part of the set.
Kerry comments on specific items in each of the rooms. List five of these for each room.
What is it about the set that impresses Kerry the most? Give three examples, apart from
those you've already listed in the question above.
Q. 4
The production designer, in this case Robert Perkins, is in charge of creating sets. Watch the
interview with Robert to learn more about the set design for Phryne Fisher, then answer the
following questions:
What initial research did Robert do and what did he learn that was of utmost importance?
What creative constraints were placed on Phryne Fisher's house, and why?
How did Robert overcome these constraints?
Q. 5
As in life, each of the characters in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries dresses in a way that exhibits both
character and personality. Choosing clothing in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries was particularly
important. Colours were assigned to certain characters to enhance their attitude. The series’
costumes could suggest that in 1928 clothing worn by the rich differed considerably from clothing
worn by the working class.
Select a male and a female character. Choose one from a wealthy background and one from
a poor background. Describe the general appearance of their clothing.
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Closely examine the dress style of these two characters. Describe in as much detail as you
can – from top to bottom, including accessories, hair and makeup – the outfit each actor is
wearing.
Compare the fashion of 1928 with the fashion of today. Make a list of five differences.
Production
Q. 1
Watch the interview with director Tony Tilse before answering these questions:
What is the director's role in a film production?
Explain what is meant by occupational health and safety.
Does Tony consider it was an advantage to direct a television series that was based on a
series of books? Explain why.
Q. 2
Now watch the interview with third assistant director, Scooter Welbourn, and answer these
questions:
Identify which part of the cast Scooter takes care of and give two examples of the sorts of
aspects he is responsible for.
Give an example of direction Scooter gives this group.
What does Scooter need to be particularly careful of when filming a scene that also involves
the main characters?
Q. 3
Based on your comparison of these two clips:
What is the main difference between the roles of the director and the third assistant
director?
Write an example of the sort of comments the director might make to one of his lead
characters, and the sort of comments the third director makes.
Which of these two roles would you prefer to have and why?
Q. 4
Watch the interview with the series director of photography Roger Lanser. Answer the following
questions about his role.
What is the role of the DOP?
Name three elements he needed to co-ordinate as part of this shoot.
Of the elements you have chosen, which do you think is the most important and why?
Q. 5
In this clip, the DOP talks about the look of the series.
How does he describe the look?
Name two sources he used for visual reference material to help achieve the right look.
Identify two other departments the DOP worked closely with on the shoot to make sure the
look was consistent throughout the series.
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Post-Production
Q. 1
With recent innovations in technology, computer generated imagery (CGI) now plays a vital role in
many productions. Watch the interview with Scott Zero to learn about the use of visual effects in
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
Do some research to help write a definition of CGI and how it works.
Give two examples of effects created by CGI which were not part of the script, and two that
were.
Describe the opening scene of the first episode and how it was created.
Q. 2
Listen carefully to Scott Zero's interview to help find answers for these questions:
Name three features that were out of place in the background of the scene that was shot on
the banks of the Yarra.
What advice did Scott give the film crew in shooting this scene?
Describe how Scott and his team fixed the scene to suit the series.
Q. 3
Scott talks about safety concerns on the set and how CGI can help the production comply with OHS
requirements.
Which other department did CGI work most closely with to achieve these goals?
Give an example of a scene where Scott and his team helped the production in this way.
Now describe in detail how this was achieved.
Q. 4
Watch the interview with production designer, Robert Perkins. Answer the following questions:
Explain how and why the Art Department created Phryne's luggage.
Describe the role internet shopping played in this production and give two examples.
Why do you think Robert relied so heavily on internet shopping to help source props?
Q. 5
In creating the world for Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, many highly experienced people
contributed their skills and expertise. Bringing all of these talents together, and covering every
creative aspect, is the only way that a high quality production can succeed.
Draw up a two-columned table. Head the first column ROLES and the second
RESPONSIBILITY. Complete the table by listing five roles in the first column. Write their task
responsibility in the second column.
Choose the job in the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries production you would like to have and
explain why you this job appeals to you.
Write a 250-word technical review of the series in which you include a brief description of
five of the key components.
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Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Credits
Starring: Essie Davis, Nathan Page, Hugo Johnstone-Burt, Ashleigh Cummings and Miriam Margolyes
Based on the Phryne Fisher mystery series of books by Kerry Greenwood
Producers: Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation presents an Every Cloud Production “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries”, produced
in association with Screen Australia and Film Victoria
© 2011 Every Cloud Productions Pty Ltd, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Film Victoria and Screen Australia
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