Ted Otton

From the past:

“I desperately wanted to make movies. But I had a bit of trouble initially (basically because, there was no film industry.)”

2004

I also wish to thank Stig for initiating this wonderful reunion and Dr. Jeremy Cahill for suggesting these quick (let’s get it out of the way) bio’s. It’s not common knowledge that Jeremy was the inventor of the; reverse, eyes-wide-shut, bum first, flying head tackle in under 18’s soccer. (I’ve never seen it attempted since those heady days back at Gordon oval...and I don’t think I really want to!) It’s also not common knowledge that Jeremy helped many of his mates who were struggling to establish their careers by forgetting to ask for payment on late night cab trips from Pymble station to their homes in St Ives, Gordon and West Pymble. Hmmn ...I wonder if that rule still applies at his Westleigh practice? After leaving school, I desperately wanted to make movies. But I had a bit of trouble initially ( basically because, there was no film industry.)

The closest I could find was advertising. I started out as a junior copywriter and had a spectacularly unsuccessful year writing rubbish. Although I did pen the famous line “Tummy tested” for Tip Top bread ... but a nasty account executive stole the kudos. The only trick I learned from advertising was how to go to expensive restaurants and have someone else pay. I hated that industry and eventually weaselled my way in to a film studio in North Sydney where I discovered I had a great talent for editing. At the same time the Australian film industry was undergoing a renaissance and I quickly talked my way onto some of those early feature films as an assistant editor.

Over the following years I became an editor and found myself working on many Australian, English and American features films, TV series and documentaries.

I married young and divorced ten years later with nothing but two beautiful children. I married for a second time to Sandra - and twenty years later I have two more beautiful children, a house up on the Central Coast near the beach where we live a very happy and comfortable existence. Sandra works as an executive for a television network. My first boy; Cody, has a science degree but is pursuing his love of designing and building wooden sailing boats. (He has just had a child ... and I’m still trying to get used to the title: Grandpa.) The other children, Zanthie, Charlotte and Jarryd are still at school. Right now I am putting the finishing touches to my third feature film screenplay (the first two were utter crap) and I am also editing and producing a variety TV show on the ABC called “Strictly Dancing” Now that’s a lot of fun...the only male amongst thirty women. So, that’s my life so far...it doesn’t seem like forty years and it has been one hell of a roller coaster ride - but I wouldn’t change a thing.

I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone - although some of those names on the list are an Alzheimer’s mystery to me.