Published: 4th May 2022
ISBN: 9781920727826
Format: Paperback
AU: $32.99
eBook: $12.99
Also available as an ebook from Kobo, Apple or Amazon Kindle
About the Author
Anita Jacoby AM is one of Australia’s most distinguished television producers. During her stellar 40-year career, she rose to the top of the media industry as one of few women appointed Managing Director of an international production company, ITV Studios. Prior to this, Anita managed Zapruder’s Other Films alongside Andrew Denton, responsible for the highly successful Enough Rope, The Gruen Transfer, Elders, Country Town Rescue, AFP and Hungry Beast.
Anita has worked in senior production roles with all of Australia’s commercial networks, the ABC, SBS and Foxtel on programs such as 60 Minutes, Sunday, Witness, Today and LAWS. Her work has received ten nominations and four AFI/AACTA Awards, a Logie Award, an Order of Australia Media Award, a Human Rights Award and an Asia Broadcasting Union Award.
A leading advocate for women in media and leadership, Anita is currently Chair of the ABC Advisory Council, an Associate Member of the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA) and a Board member of Chief Executive Women, Documentary Australia and Women in Media. In 2019 she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia.
SECRETS BEYOND THE SCREEN
The award-winning TV producer’s compelling search for truth
By ANITA JACOBY
Secrets Beyond the Screen is the story of Anita’s quest to establish the truth beneath the shadows of her father, Phillip Jacoby’s secret life. Changing from daughter to investigative journalist, she’s determined to find everything that’s remained hidden from her family for more than seventy years.
The father Anita knew was a highly regarded pioneer of the Australian communications industry. Phillip Jacoby was at the forefront of the launch of television and radio technology in this country. He also became a mentor and associate of some of Australia’s greatest political, business and arts figures (John Howard, Dick Smith and Carla Zampatti to name a few) of the late twentieth century.
Along the course of writing this book Anita found herself sharing some of her own story. Anita shares stories from throughout her career in news, current affairs and program making that propelled her to the top of the broadcasting industry.
Starting out in commercial television at the age of 20, Anita was a young woman in a man’s world. Overcoming the barriers of entrenched misogyny in commercial television, she went on to become one of the few women in media to be appointed managing director of an international production company.
Behind the camera as a producer and journalist, Anita’s role was to stay as objective and impartial as she could. Turning the camera on her father she uncovers a story that made her question everything about him – and what she thought she knew about herself. The result is part her father’s story and part hers, their histories interwoven and reflecting back on each other.
Secrets Beyond the Screen is not just a tale of a girl and her dad, of how one life mirrors and parallels the other. It is a very Australian story: one of tragedy, rebirth and change. A story about love, grief and the sacrifices parents make for their children. A story that proves that children, no matter how old or wise they become, never truly know their parents.
Ultimately, it’s a testament to the power of resilience and a daughter’s love.
Secrets Beyond the Screen is also available from Book Depository, Amazon, or at your local bookstore.
Praise for Secrets beyond the screen
‘Legendary TV producer Anita Jacoby’s memoir is a fascinating exploration of ambition, courage, the love between fathers and daughters and what happens when world history collides with family secrets’ - JANE CARO AM
‘I laughed, I cried… A beautiful book’ - LIZ HAYES
‘One of Australia’s master television storytellers turns her sights on her own life and family to produce this heartfelt, heart-stopping account of a family life rich with secrets, intrigue, courage and drama’ - HAMISH MACDONALD
‘An incredible true-life story full of romance, tragedy, mystery, media and above all love. A sensational read’ - JANINE PERRETT
‘A surprising and stunning story only a good journo could dig up. It’s brave’ compelling and clear-eyed. You couldn’t make this up! I was brought to tears more than once… They say every family has a secret. Or two. But this is a startling revelation about a decent man who loved his daughter, no matter what’ - DI MORRISSEY AM