2021 Regional Producer Elevator Program

ADVANCING THE CAREER PATHS OF NSW REGIONALLY-BASED SCREEN PRODUCERS

APPLICATION DEADLINE MONDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2020

Screenworks’ Regional Producer Elevator Program annually supports talented early-career screen producers who are living in regional NSW, giving them the opportunity to pursue their career ambitions and implement a professional development program that could elevate their career.

The 2021 program is designed to increase the skills and industry experience for two NSW regionally based producers.  Each will be provided with $3,500 to support their bespoke career development plans, an opportunity to attend meetings with key industry stakeholders in metropolitan centres and supported to attend the Screenworks 2021 Business of Producing Seminar and other related opportunities, as well as receive career and project advice from a professional experienced producer.

Applicants must submit a 12-month career plan that steps out what they will put in place to increase their skills and further their career through Screenworks Regional Producer Elevator Program.  It is also recommended that you source a mentor who can commit to supporting you for at least 6 months of your professional development program, you can use money allocated to you through the RPEP budget to cover any fees a mentor may require.  For more details on the criteria and application process please see the Program Structure and Guidelines below.

Screenworks are delighted to once again partner with Screen Producers Australia for their 2021 Regional Producer Elevator Program. SPA will be supporting this program by providing assessors for the applications, discounted tickets to relevant events or opportunities provided by SPA and the opportunity for them to participate in relevant activities and opportunities specifically designed to support early-career producers.

With support from Screen NSW, Screen Producers Australia (SPA), Fremantle  and Screen ABC, Screenworks Regional Producer Elevator Program will provide two selected regional NSW producers with;

• $3,500 to go toward their professional/career development
• project, skills and career advice from a professional experienced producer
• attendance at relevant conferences or events being delivered by Screen Producers Australia
• attendance at the 2021 Screenworks Business of Producing Seminar in Ballina in March 2021 (subject to COVID-19 restrictions)

Screenworks’ Regional Producer Elevator Program is open to producers of all genres, including (but not limited to) TV drama producers, documentary producers and children’s television producers. This program would best suit early-career producers who have had initial success, are genuinely committed to building their skills as a professional producer and furthering their careers and are living in regional NSW

Through this program, participants will enhance their producing skills and career potential in order to contribute to the growth of the screen industry in regional Australia.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE & GUIDELINES:

Two producers 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 and SPA Business Essentials or Screen ABC Skills Labs
• Conference/event/market attendance (international and/or national)
• Mentorship/professional guidance with an experienced producer (you need to apply with a letter of commitment from your mentor)
• Development of early concept project materials (or slate of projects) that may include pitch documents, teasers (where relevant) or treatments (or ‘scriptments’)

Click here to view a sample career plan.

2. FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS WITH INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS

Up to 1 week (4 nights) trip to Sydney to have face-to-face meetings with Screen Producers Australia, Screen NSW and Screen Australia representatives and other identified stakeholders and key industry professionals who would provide benefit to the career development of the selected participants (flights, accommodation, per diems and transfers covered).

3. CONSULTATION WITH A PROFESSIONAL WORKING PRODUCER

With support from Fremantle, you will have the opportunity to receive professional production advice on advancing your production skills and techniques as well as career and project development.

With support from Screen ABC, you will have a consultation with an experienced professional producer who can advise you on how to achieve your personal goals and elevate your career potential as a screen producer.

4. ATTENDANCE AT THE SCREENWORKS 2021 BUSINESS OF PRODUCING SEMINAR

The successful participants will attend the Screenworks 2021 Business of Producing Seminar in March 2021. This component includes tickets for all participants, flights, accommodations (up to 4 nights), per diems and ground transfers included.

5. ATTENDANCE AT SCREEN PRODUCERS AUSTRALIA PRODUCED EVENTS OR OPPORTUNITIES

The successful participants will attend an opportunity or event being produced by Screen Producers Australia and undertaken relevant opportunities specifically designed to support early-career producers. This component includes any relevant registrations, flights, accommodations (up to 4 nights), per diems and ground transfers included.

6. REPORTING & PRESENTATION TO LOCAL PRODUCERS GROUP

Successful participants will be required to deliver a written report to Screenworks on their involvement in the Regional Producer Elevator 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).

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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.

1. A career plan outlining your short term and longer-term goals and the steps that you will take to achieve them.
2. A sample of your work – optional: Please provide a link to an online video of your work
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.
5. Or A letter of commitment from a working and experienced produced who will mentor you for at least 6 months

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SELECTION CRITERIA:

The following selection criteria will be considered when assessing applicants for participation in the Screenworks 2020 Regional Producer Elevator Program:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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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 an independent producer.

Applicants will be notified by mid-December 2020 by email of the outcome of their applications.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Applications to Screenworks’ Regional Producer Elevator 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 producer/production 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 producer/production 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 producer/production credit for a dramatic or factual film or screen work that has attracted an online audience of 5,000 or more views.

A producer 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 as defined on Screenworks website

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SUPPORTERS
Screenworks Regional Producer Elevator Program is made possible with support from Screen NSW and Screen Producers Australia, Fremantle and Screen ABC.