Nelson Woss

Nelson Woss (born in Perth, Western Australia) is an Australian film producer who made the feature films Red Dog and Ned Kelly. After graduating from Christ Church Grammar School in Perth, Western Australia Nelson Woss completed his education in the United States. He first worked in the film industry at Village Roadshow in Los Angeles. Nelson then went on to work for director Ivan Reitman's company Northern Lights, which, at the time, was based at Universal Pictures. In 2000 Nelson set up his own independent production company, Endymion Films Inc., and executive produced the feature film Venus & Mars. Nelson also developed and produced the screenplay for the hit computer game Abuse, which was marketed around the world. In 2002 Nelson developed and produced the Australian feature film Ned Kelly for Universal Pictures. Nelson produced the successful Australian feature film Red Dog. As of 17 November 2011 the film made more than A$21 million at the Australian box office since opening in August 2011. Red Dog is the eighth-highest grossing Australian film of all time and 11 days after opening, Red Dog became the highest grossing Australian film of 2011. Red Dog was officially released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital download on 1 December 2011 in Australia. The Red Dog DVD is the biggest-selling Australian DVD of all time. The DVD is also the third-highest selling DVD of all time in Australia behind Avatar (first) and Finding Nemo (second). A deal with Roadshow Entertainment and Coles saw one dollar from the sale of every DVD sold in Coles during December 2011 donated to the RSPCA. More than $17,000 was raised for the animal charity and in February 2012 Nelson and KOKO, the canine star of Red Dog, visited RSPCA to present a cheque for the money raised. In March 2012 it was announced the Nelson was working with Australian theatre producer John Frost to adapt Red Dog into a stage musical. Nelson is president of Endymion Films Inc. and its Australian counterpart Woss Group Film Productions and continues to work with major studios to create successful commercial entertainment productions. Nelson lives in Perth, Western Australia. Up until his death in December 2012 KOKO, the canine star of Red Dog also lived with Nelson. Nelson and KOKO were the subject of a portrait by acclaimed Australian artist Adam Cullen, which was a finalist for the 2012 Archibald Prize.