Ross Jennings Explained

Ross James Jennings (13 November 1944 – 25 March 2016) was a New Zealand actor, becoming one of New Zealand's most experienced television producers and directors, whose credits included The Mad Dog Gang, Close to Home, Moynihan, Inside Straight, feature film I Live with Me Dad, Australian TV series Special Squad and Acropolis Now, NZ's soap Homeward Bound, New Zealand's first reality series, Police Ten 7, Middlemore, Strip Search, Heroes and Melody Rules.[1]

Early life

Born in Hāwera in 1944, Jennings was raised by his mother in Taihape and Hāwera, his father having died during World War II.[2]

Acting career

As a member of the NZ Players and Children's Art Theatre, Ross Jennings toured NZ as an actor before being granted a QE2 Arts Council Grant to study acting in England where he worked at Salisbury Theatre and took on minor television and film roles, before returning to New Zealand in 1971.

He joined the NZBC in 1973, and the Drama Department within 18 months, mentored by producer Tony Issac.

He was appointed Head of Drama for TVNZ in the late 70's and left for Australia to work with Grundy Productions and finally to head Crawford Production's Development Department in 1982. During this period he produced his first feature film, I Live with Me Dad.

His return to New Zealand in 1987, after having 2 children, saw him create and produce some of New Zealand's most successful television amongst which is NZ's longest running reality series, Police Ten 7, Heroes, which re-created everyday New Zealanders heroic stories and the hugely successful Strip Search.

He devised, created and produced TVNZ's highly successful 36 hr live to air Millenium Show as well as devising, creating and producing Māori Television's ANZAC Day show - a 17-hour, annual, live to air programme which played a large part in the resurgence of the ANZAC Day revitalisation in NZ, as well as becoming Māori Television's flagship programme.

In his final year, he wrote, co-directed, and produced the live, outdoor performance of The Passion Play staged at the Villa Maria winery in Māngere in 2015.

His final series, which he devised to demystify the running of NZ Parliament, Inside Parliament, was in production when he died.

Death and funeral

Jennings died on 25 March 2016, aged 71. His death was preceded by that of his mother-in-law, Edna Peters, 96, who died the same day. He left behind his wife, Carmel Jennings, whom he ran his production company, Just The Ticket Productions with, also a television and film producer, and six children.

The family held funerals on consecutive days the following week at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Pukekohe.[3] [4]

Filmography

Film

TitleYearCredited asNotes
DirectorProducerExecutive
producer
scope=rowThe Scarecrow1982
scope=rowI Live with Me Dad1988
scope=rowKahu & Maia1994
scope=rowOnce Were Warriors1994Script development

Television

The numbers in writing credits refer to the number of episodes.

TitleYearCredited asNetworkNotes
DirectorProducerExecutive
producer
scope=rowRichard John Seddon: Premier1973NZBCTelevision documentary film
Assistant to the producer
scope=rowClose to Home1975–76 (782)Television OneProducer
scope=rowThe Mad Dog Gang Meets Rotten Fred and Ratsguts1978Television film
scope=rowAll Things Being Equal1978
scope=rowSkyways1979 (4)Network 7
scope=rowThe Mad Dog Gang Spooks Wilkie, Wink Wink and the Wobbler1980Television OneTelevision film
Production assistant
scope=rowOpen File1981
scope=rowKingi's Story1981Television film
Associate producer
scope=rowJocko1981
scope=rowThe Monster's Christmas1981Television OneTelevision film
Associate producer
scope=rowLoose Enz1982
scope=rowCasualties of Peace1983Television film
scope=rowPrisoner1983–84 (12)Network Ten
scope=rowSpecial Squad1984Associate producer
scope=rowCarson's Law1984 (2)
scope=rowInside Straight1984 (1)Television One
scope=rowSpace Knights1989Channel 2
scope=rowBetty's Bunch1990
scope=rowHomeward Bound1992 (2)TV3
scope=rowMelody Rules1994–95
scope=rowCity Girls2004TV2
scope=rowAir Force2005TV OneDocuseries
scope=rowGhost Hunt2005–06TV2
scope=rowWayne Anderson: Singer of Songs2005Documentary film
scope=rowRedemption Hill2006
scope=rowWayne Anderson: Singer of Songs2006Mockumentary
scope=rowWayne Anderson: Glory Days2009PrimeMockumentary
scope=rowLife's a Riot2009TV OneTelevision film

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ross Jennings . 2016 . NZOnScreen . 23 April 2016.
  2. News: Kiwi TV producer Ross Jennings dies aged 71. 27 March 2016. New Zealand Herald. 23 April 2016.
  3. Web site: Renowned television and Passion play producer dies - NZ Catholic Newspaper. Michael. Otto. 9 May 2016. Nzcatholic.org.nz. 23 April 2018.
  4. News: Ross Jennings death notice. 28 March 2016. New Zealand Herald. 23 April 2016.