Finding Ziggy Zen Podcast Writer
Finding Ziggy Zen
A podcaster serial centered around the life of Ross Renwick, told from the point of view of his daughter (Amalia), who after grieving his loss, tries to understand his many facets through the people who knew and loved him.
The serial is set up as a linear process of discovery, with three to four voices per episode, with Amalia acting as narrator and interviewer.
The Father — This serves as a beginning and can act as a pilot/preview of the series.
It focuses on Amalia, her memories of Ross as a child, setting up her quest to understand ‘the man who was many men’.
It has soundbites from the other episodes, hinting at what is to come.
The surfer — This Ross earned a reputation in his late teens as a stylish and gifted rider.
He loved the water and understood it profoundly.
In 1958 he featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and became a name to know (or claim to know).
Bruce Usher,
Barton Lynch
The bohemian — His fame soon spread to the creative crowd of Sydney and his parties, normally held at Windyridge, were the stuff of legend. 40-50 people arrived every weekend, where the young surfer charmed everyone with his charismatic and cheeky intelligence.
This Ross was full of big plans and world changing ideas.
Alex Popov, ( politely declined due to memory)
David Roffey
Tony Lunn
The writer — This Ross always had a knack for putting words together.
In Europe he made a living selling stories, travelling between London and Paris.
Meeting Bob Dylan over ice-cream and making observations of the creative crowd.
The publisher — Billy Blue magazine aimed to promote colloquial Australian stories.
In more than 100 editions, Billy Blue acted as an outlet for Ross’ writing and a launching pad for many aspiring writers and artists.
Ken Done,
Peter Carey,
Tony Edwards,
The designer — Richard Deutch described this Ross as having “a flat-out genius for graphic design”.
He won hundreds of national and international design awards and the company became one of the most highly regarded design firms in Sydney.
Mick Thorpe,
Graham Rendoth,
Mykl Pratt
The teacher — Disappointed by the standard of designers graduating from art schools, this Ross launched a one-year diploma design course.
Expecting 5, they got 50 students and the face of Australian graphic design changed forever.
Justin Smith,
Geordie Mckenzie,
Simon Pemberton,
The artist — Always uncomfortable with commercialism, this Ross searched for a way to communicate through simpler methods.
Whether it was a painted stick he’d found or something more complex, the story and narrative always remained strong in his work (he’d probably hate to hear it called ‘work’).
Adrian Lockhart
Tony Lunn
The mentor — This Ross cared deeply about Australian design and younger designers.
He was the elder statesman, the Godfather of Sydney design.
To those in the know he was deeply respected and his opinion sought after.
He never told you what to do but rewarded you when you backed and believed in yourself.
Matt Pike,
Tim Rigg,
The legacy — This is a series end and explores how Ross’ legacy continues in the designers, artists and writers of today.
It’s also Amalia's chance to reflect on what she has learnt through this project and whether she knows the man more than before.
Others
Tony Lunn