Herald Sun
WED 01 FEB 1995, Page 083 
SHORTS JUST THE TICKET 
By MANSFIELD G 

GIVEN the popularity of cartoons and sitcoms, it is surprising that a similar concept, the short film, is a TV rarity.

Apart from SBS's late Saturday night Eat Carpet, the only other regular mini-drama meal comes in the form of the ABC's 
annual Australian Collection.

A third compilation of works by our young film-makers, six films introduced by Nell Schofield, airs tonight (8.30, Channel 
Two).

As is the nature of such collections, the content, style and accessibility of each film varies dramatically.

However, the ABC has wisely chosen to open with Roses Are Red, a light-hearted 12-minute drama with familiar faces in the 
leading roles.

Made two years ago by film school graduate Marcella Hayward, it stars Jacqueline McKenzie (Battlers) and Kris McQuade 
(Fields of Fire and many more) as late-night parking officers.

McKenzie is Joy, a wet-behind-the-ears romantic far more interested in the night life than in putting stickers on cars, a 
perfect foil to McQuade's tough, streetwise Di.

Joy's night suddenly takes on a tinge of excitement when she keeps crossing the path of Brian, a hard-sell merchant 
peddling roses to restaurant diners.

It's when she leaves a message on his windscreen - and he thinks it's a ticket - that the plot really thickens.

Roses Are Red is well-written, delightfully acted and excellently made. It will leave you wanting more, which prompts the 
thought that perhaps there's a sitcom pilot in there somewhere.

The five films that follow fail to live up to the all-round polish of Roses, although the atmospheric Sewing Room oozes 
menace and The Hero, at only 8+ minutes, is an all-too-brief comedy of errors.

END OF STORY 
Caption:  JACQUELINE MCKENZIE
Column:  TELEVISION EYE
Section:  NEWS