Portfolio - Shannon Ruddock

BIOISLAND

“See What You Made Me Do” (SBS)

Director and Series Producer: Tosca Looby

Producer: Karina Holden

Production Company: Northern Pictures

Nominated: Most Outstanding Factual/Documentary, Logie Awards, 2022

Jess Hill begins her exploration of the narratives around domestic and family violence by talking to Jessica, a victim of coercive control, to gain some understanding of the insidious and pervasive nature of this form of abuse.

Anna’s ex-partner is breaking into her house. He’s moving objects, writing messages and making his incursions known. Anna lives in terror of him entering the house with more sinister intentions. Jess speaks to Anna during a check a security check on her home.

Jess Hill meets with the Protective Group. They operate a service helping women escape from abusive relationships. Jess learns about the need to do a deep search for electronic devices so the victim can get to a shelter without being tracked to the doorstep.

Hard Cuddles is a support group run for perpetrators of violence, hosted by men who have, in the past, been abusers themselves. Workshops are held in the belief there needs to be increased mentoring of the perpetrators of family violence.

“The Family Court Murders” (ABC)

Director: Chris Thorburn

Producers: Madeleine Hetherton-Miau, Rebecca Barry.

Production Company: Media Stockade

Nominated: Best Factual/Documentary, AACTA, 2022

During the 1980’s, in NSW, an unknown suspect was committing a series of bombings and shootings that targeted the people and institution of the the Family Court. Four deaths, dozens wounded and years between crimes, it was a sustained campaign of domestic terrorism that was triggered by one marriage falling apart. At the beginning of the story, is the meeting of Andrea Blanchard and Leonard Warwick.

The scope of the investigation narrows around Leonard Warwick. He is placed under surveillance. He is a dangerous suspect with a proven record of making retaliation a fatally personal obsession.

Andrea and Leonard continue to fight each other through the courts. Leonard continues to ignore the decisions imposed upon him. Andrea’s brother, Stephen, intervenes with Leonard in her favour and, days later, his body is found in Cowan Creek. Likely having been murdered in the family home, beneath the roof where Andrea was sleeping at the time.

“Frozen Lies” (Foxtel)

Director: Chris Thorburn

Producers: Madeleine Hetherton-Miau, Rebecca Barry.

Production Company: Media Stockade

THE STORY: 1979, Adelaide. A body is found frozen, foetal position, in a freezer with the lid firmly superglued closed. The victim is identified as Derrance Stevenson, a prominent South Australian lawyer.

THE STORY: David Szach was Derrance’s much younger lover. Within hours of his murder, David drives Derrance’s sportscar to Coober Pedy. At night, at speed and on roads that become the surface of the moon. The next day, he walks into Coober Pedy Police station but that night, on the way, he stops at a fuel station in Port Wakefield.

THE STORY: Debi Marshall travels to Italy, looking for Gino Gambardelli, who was at the scene on the night of the murder. He has been missing for years but Debi tracks down his son, David, living in London.