ADVANCING THE CAREER PATHS OF NSW REGIONALLY-BASED SCREEN DIRECTORS
Screenworks Director Pathways Program is a professional development program, delivered in partnership with the Australian Directors Guild (ADG) and with the support of Screen NSW and Fremantle. The program provides bespoke career development opportunities to two early-career directors living in regional NSW.
It is designed to increase the participating directors’ skills and industry experience by supporting a tailor-made career plan and providing relevant screen industry introductions, that will ultimately assist the participating directors to build viable and successful careers. Screenworks will invest $3,500 in implementing each of the selected participants’ career plans.
The program is open to directors of all genres, including (but not limited to) TV drama, documentary and children’s television. This program would best suit early-career directors who are genuinely committed to building their skills as a professional director and need support and opportunities to further their career. Through this program, as participants enhance their directing skills they contribute to the growth of the screen industry in regional NSW.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 9AM AEDST, MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2020
PROGRAM STRUCTURE & GUIDELINES:
Two directors from regional NSW will be selected to undertake the following program:
1. TAILOR-MADE CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit a detailed career development plan where proposed activities are to the value of $3,500 (excluding GST). The plans may be made up of any combination of the following (or other opportunities):
- Training or professional development courses eg AFTRS Screen directing courses
- Conference/event/market attendance (international and/or national)
- Mentorship/ professional guidance with an experienced director (you need to apply with a letter of commitment from your mentor)
- Australian Directors Guild membership or relevant industry and association subscriptions
Click here to view a sample career plan.
1. MEETING WITH THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECTORS GUILD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A one on one meeting with the Australian Directors Guild Executive Director to refine your career plan and explore professional development opportunities and industry introductions. You will receive advice on how to achieve your personal goals and elevate your career potential as a screen director
2. CONSULTATION WITH A PROFESSIONAL WORKING DIRECTOR
With support from Fremantle, you will have the opportunity to meet with a working director to receive directing and career advice.
3. REPORTING & PRESENTATION TO SCREENWORKS AND MEMBERS
Successful participants will be required to deliver a written report to Screenworks on their involvement in the Director Pathways Program and to present to their state funding body and a local group of members about the outcomes from their involvement in the program (at the completion of the program).
HOW TO APPLY, SUPPORT MATERIALS AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:
Use the “Apply Now” button below to access the online application form.
Below is a list of support material and documentation required to complete the application.
- A career plan outlining your short term and longer-term goals and the steps that you will take to achieve them.
- A sample of your work – optional but recommended: Please provide a link to an online video of your work
- An up-to-date resume/CV
- 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.
- Or A letter of commitment from a working and experienced produced who will mentor you for at least 6 months
SELECTION CRITERIA:
The following selection criteria will be considered when assessing applicants for participation in the Screenworks 2021 Director Pathways Program:
- The potential effectiveness of the professional development plan to help the applicant build relevant industry skills, overcome identified career barriers to living and working regionally with defined outcomes that help achieve future creative and career goals.
- The skills, achievements, experience and track record of the applicant and the quality of their previous work. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the Initial Success eligibility criteria.
- The potential of the applicant to contribute to and enhance the growth of screen production in regional NSW demonstrated by the quality of current projects, previous works and letter of support provided and/or mentor commitment.
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) 6681 1188.
ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
All applications will receive initial eligibility and quality 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).
A final shortlist will be interviewed by Screenworks and a representative from the Australian Directors Guild.
Applicants will be notified by mid-December 2020 by email of the outcome of their applications.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Applications to Screenworks’ Director Pathways Program close 9am AEDST, Monday 2nd November 2019.
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.
DEFINITIONS/GLOSSARY OF TERMS:
“Initial Success” – To demonstrate Initial Success, applicants are asked to identify one of the following:
- a director credit for a dramatic or factual film or screen work that has achieved broadcast, theatrical release or been commissioned or acquired by a major online content provider; or
- a director credit for a dramatic or factual film or screen work that has been included in a curated festival, with preference given to the festivals profiled on the Screen Australia website
(http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/connect-with- audiences/festival-profiles) or on the 88th (2016) Academy Awards Short Films Qualifying Festivals List (https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/88aa_shorts_festival_list.pdf). - a director credit for a dramatic or factual film or screen work that has attracted an online audience of 5,000 or more views.
A director may also be considered eligible if they have had recent success in projects currently in development that may meet one of the above criteria.
“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.
PARTNERS:
Screenworks’ Director Pathways Program is supported by
Screen NSW, Fremantle and the Australian Directors Guild
Screen NSW
Screen 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.
Australian Directors Guild
The Australian Directors Guild (ADG) is a registered industry association representing the interests of film, television and digital media directors, documentary makers and animators throughout Australia.
ADG works to promote excellence in screen direction, to encourage communication and collaboration between directors and others in the industry and to provide professional support for its members.
ADG is proud to represent the key creative elements of the Australian independent production sector and maintains its high profile in a cultural and policy role by addressing issues affecting the industry from a broad perspective.
Fremantle
Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. A global entertainment powerhouse, Fremantle has an outstanding international network of production teams, companies and labels in over 30 countries. We produce in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming, roll out more than 70 formats and air 400 programmes a year worldwide. The group distributes over 20,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. We are also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 370 million subscribers across 1,500 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms.
In Australia, Fremantle are leaders in original drama such as Wentworth, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Neighbours. It produces the hugely successful Australia’s Got Talent, Celebrity Name Game, Great Australian Bake Off, Grand Designs Australia, Escape from the City, The Recording Studio and Restoration Australia. Fremantle is also at the forefront in the creation and production of digital media content, brand integration and brand extensions including the popular Grand Designs Magazine and Australia’s number one selling board game, Family Feud.
We are part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, content and digital, itself a division of the international media giant Bertelsmann.
For more information, visit www.fremantle.com, or follow us @FremantleHQ and visit our LinkedIn and Facebook pages
