ADVANCING THE CAREER PATHS OF REGIONALLY-BASED SCREENWRITERS
Inside the Writers Room is a Screenworks’ professional development program supported by Create NSW designed to give four regional NSW screenwriters the opportunity to sit in and watch professional writers working on the story for a television script in a writers room environment.
Thanks to the ongoing support of some of Australia’s leading production companies, Screenworks is able to offer the selected participants the opportunity to observe writers rooms of highly respected companies:
- Matchbox Pictures (The Family Law, Glitch).
- Every Cloud Productions (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Newton’s Law)
- Goalpost Pictures (Cleverman, Holding the Man)
- Playmaker Media (Love Child, The Code)
These opportunities are most relevant to emerging or early-career writers of television content, and more specifically TV drama or comedy series. There may also be an opportunity for the participants to receive advice or a market appraisal on their own projects or scripts.
By delivering the program for a fourth year, Screenworks wants to build the capacity of emerging and early-career screenwriters, provide opportunity for people living and/or working in regional NSW, and improve our local industry’s capacity and sustainability.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED 5PM 8TH NOVEMBER
PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
Four emerging or early-career screenwriters will be offered the following opportunities:
1. OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE A WRITERS ROOM IN ACTION
Up to 1 week trip to Sydney or Melbourne to observe a professional writers room take place at one of four productions companies. This component includes flights, accommodation (up to 5 nights), per diems and ground transfers included.
2. PRESENTATION TO LOCAL SCREENWRITERS GROUP
Successful participants will be required to present to the local Screenwriters Group to discuss the outcomes from their involvement in the program (at the completion of the program).
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA:
Screenworks will conduct an online application process and will establish a panel of industry professionals to help select the four emerging or early-career screenwriters to take part in the project.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
To apply for Inside the Writers Room you must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Must be able to demonstrate a high-level writing ability by providing an example of writing for TV, especially drama or comedy and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a long-term career as a screenwriter;
- Demonstrate that you have been living in Regional NSW* for a minimum period of 12 months prior to submitting your application (* refer to definitions below);
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
- Complete all sections of the online application form and submit the application prior to 5pm Wednesday 8 Nov
SUPPORT MATERIALS AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:
1. Details on your current project (including title, short synopsis, potential format etc)
2. A sample of your work – a treatment or script extract (up to 5 pages maximum)
3. An up-to-date resume/CV
4. A letter of support from a screen industry professional who has known you for more than 12 months and/or is familiar with your work.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The following selection criteria will be considered when assessing applicants for participation in Screenworks Inside the Writers Room program (all criteria areas are equally weighted):
- The potential for the writers room opportunity to help the applicant build relevant industry skills and potential to establish a career as a screenwriter living and working regionally.
- The skills, achievements, experience and track record of the applicant(s) and the quality of their previous work.
- The potential of the applicant to contribute to and enhance the growth of screen production in regional Regional NSW demonstrated by the quality of sample works and support documentation provided with the application.
Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people living in remote areas of Australia are strongly encouraged.
Screenworks is strongly committed to ensuring equal access to this project – if you require assistance with your application, please contact Screenworks on:
Telephone: (02) 6687 1599.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED 5PM 8TH NOVEMBER
ASSESSMENT PROCESS & APPLICATION DEADLINES:
ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
All applications will receive an initial eligibility, quality and relevance assessment by Screenworks staff. Shortlisted applications will be sent to an assessment panel comprised of highly qualified and experienced screen industry professionals.
The assessment panel will consider how well the eligible applicants meet the selection criteria (listed above).
Applicants will be notified by late November/early December 2017 in writing of the outcome of their application.
Application Deadlines:
Applications to Screenworks’ Inside the Writers Room program will close 5pm Wednesday Nov 8 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Applications must be submitted using the online application form available via Screenworks website. No late entries will be accepted, no extensions will be granted. Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible.
Screenworks will advise all applicants in writing of application success or otherwise. No specific feedback will be given on individual applications.
Regional NSW – Regional NSW includes the Central Coast, Hunter and Illawarra and is defined as the areas or regions outside of Sydney and Western Sydney. Please refer to this document for clarification.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Create NSW
Create NSW is the statutory authority established to assist, promote and strengthen the screen industry in NSW so as to promote Australia’s cultural identity, encourage employment in all aspects of screen production, encourage investment in the industry, enhance the industry’s export potential, encourage innovation and enhance quality in the industry.
Matchbox Pictures
Matchbox Pictures is a film and television production company that makes world-class screen content for a global audience.
Matchbox produces a diverse slate of programming across television drama, children’s, factual & entertainment, animation and feature films. In 2011, NBCUniversal took a majority stake in Matchbox Pictures and later acquired full ownership of the company in 2014.
Matchbox is one of the most dynamic and innovative production houses in Australia. Since its inception in 2008, Matchbox has enjoyed continued domestic and international acclaim as a result of telling stories that inspire and entertain.
Goalpost Pictures
Goalpost Pictures are among Australia’s leading independent producers, we believe the key to our success is strong enduring relationships with distinct, creative voices. We are committed to providing a secure environment where unique producing, writing and directing voice can blossom.
The company is dedicated to producing the highest quality of work that will engage with audiences worldwide. We have major screen credits which have sold around the world and have screened at key international festivals including Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno and Toronto and we are proud recipients of Rose d’Or, BAFTA, AFI/AACTA, Crystal Bear and Logie awards and nominations for our film and television programs.
Every Cloud Productions
Every Cloud Productions is an independent, Australian production company producing distinctive, high-quality television drama for domestic and international markets. Masters of crime, mystery and female-led content, Every Cloud Productions know how to deliver finely crafted, high-quality scripted drama for the global market. We bring together key creatives with vivid imaginations to take audiences on adventures across contemporary spaces & historical timelines. Our characters are bold, entertaining, rebellious, charming, generous & vulnerable; igniting fan-bases globally.
Founded in 2009 by leading television industry creatives, Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, the company balances strong storytelling and high production values with astute producing expertise.
Every Cloud Productions is focused on fostering Australian talent, supporting co-operative alliances with creative producers across various media formats, and engaging with development opportunities within the industry.
Possessing established relationships with international sales agents and distributors, the company continues to focus on making exceptional drama productions for domestic and international audiences.
www.everycloudproductions.com.au
Playmaker Media
Founded 2009 by David Maher and David Taylor, Playmaker is an Australian television production company specialising in high-quality authored and contemporary primetime drama.
Playmaker’s credits include the AACTA and AWGIE winning political thriller The Code, The Wrong Girl, Love Child, Hiding, the TV Week Logie Award winning House Husbands, and the Emmy nominated SLiDE.
Playmaker recently produced the iconic story of Australia’s original rock group, The Easybeats, in the soon-to-premier Friday On My Mind for the ABC, as well as Chosen, a Mandarin language action-thriller for Chinese streaming platform iQIYI.
In December 2014, Playmaker was awarded the Media Super Production Business of the Year at the Screen Producers Australia Awards. David Taylor and David Maher now work with Sony to develop and produce content for both local and international markets.
Playmaker is committed to nurturing the original ideas and producer capabilities of Australia’s most talented established and emerging writers.
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