As the first step in developing a stronger screen industry in Far North Queensland, local filmmakers and digital creatives are being asked to complete an online survey to help regional film industry specialist Screenworks establish the current needs of the local industry and its practitioners.
Screen Queensland has engaged Screenworks to undertake a range of work for Far North Queensland, working with the industry and Cairns Regional Council to develop opportunities and networks for the Cairns region.
Screenworks General Manager Ken Crouch said he was looking forward to hearing from anyone who is already a part of, or would like to be part of the screen industry and supporting industries in the region.
“The first step is to discover who is already working in or interested in the industry and to find out where people are at professionally – what training they need, what type of help is most needed and how we can best share our resources. That includes all sectors of the screen industry including the often overlooked areas such as wardrobe, set design, hair, makeup and catering.”
Screenworks is also currently planning a local industry workshop, a networking event and one-on-one consultations which will take place in Cairns in late February 2018. The events will provide local practitioners with information about career and project development opportunities as well as funding programs. Most importantly, it will provide a chance for locals to help shape the future of the screen industry in Far North Queensland.
“For more than 15 years we have been running initiatives, workshops and programs aimed at developing skills, creating opportunities and increasing the number of screen-related jobs in regional NSW.
“Far North Queensland and its local screen practitioners face similar opportunities and challenges to those we face working our in our region and we’re looking forward to emulating the success we have had to help build upon what is already a long history of quality film and TV productions in Far North Queensland,” Mr Crouch said.
Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said the region’s unique natural beauty and experienced local practitioners attracted production across television and film.
“There is so much potential for Far North Queensland in the screen industry, and I look forward to the survey results and other outcomes from Screenworks’ engagement to help move the industry forward,” Ms Vieira said.
The survey can be completed online here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FNQScreen. It will be available to complete until the end of November.
Anyone wanting to know more or get involved can contact Screenworks on (02) 6687 1599 via email – [email protected].
ABOUT SCREENWORKS:
Screenworks is a not-for- profit social enterprise that supports and advances the screen industry in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Based near Byron Bay NSW, Screenworks provides industry and professional development initiatives, networking opportunities and services for screen content creators, producers and workers. It regularly promotes regional-based screen projects, events and filmmakers to the NSW, national and international industry.
Screenworks’ recent highlights include: “The Athena Project” (funded by Screen Australia’s Gender Matters initiative), “Deadlock Script Lab” and “Deadlock Attachment Program” in partnership with Every Cloud Productions, and “Createability” supported by Create NSW and delivered in partnership with the ABC.
