(Pictured: from left to right from top row: Inside the Writers Room 2024 participants; Tamika Bowditch-Clarke, Charlie Clausen, Holly Trenaman, Karen Jackson & Michelle La. Director Pathways Program 2024 participants; Garth Edwards, Kara-Lee Chandler, Duncan Ragg & Ben Southwell. Regional Producer Elevator Program 2024 participants; Tamera Simpson, Oumi Karenga-Hewitt, Joshua Koske & Shontell Ketchell. Screen Composing Bootcamp 2024 participants Artemis Bishop & Emma Waters)
December 14, 2023 – Screenworks today announced fifteen regional practitioners who will be supported in 2024 through their flagship Career Pathways Programs and Screen Composing Mentorship.
As part of the four programs — Inside The Writers Room, Director Pathways Program, Regional Producer Elevator Program, and Screen Composing Mentorship — the selected participants will receive invaluable support and guidance over the next 12 months from some of Australia’s most respected writers, directors, producers and composers.
“We continue to be impressed by the volume and calibre of applications received for these above-the-line programs,” said Screenworks CEO Lisa O’Meara. “Since they were first introduced in 2015, we’ve seen how these programs can change the participant’s careers, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the 2024 recipients use these opportunities to make an impact in the industry.”
Screen Queensland and Screen NSW have funded this year’s Career Pathways Programs to support regional practitioners in their states. Inside the Writers’ Room opportunities are being provided by BBC Studios Productions, Easy Tiger Productions, Hoodlum Entertainment, Jungle Entertainment, and Unless Pictures.
The Director Pathways Program is supported by the Australian Directors’ Guild, with Screen Producers Australia supporting the Regional Producer Elevator Program. APRA AMCOS has supported the Screen Composing Mentorship along with the assistance of the Australian Guild Of Screen Composers.
Oumi Karenga Hewitt from Griffith, NSW, and Joshua Koske from Googong, NSW join Shontell Ketchell and Tamera Simpson, both based in Cairns, Queensland as the four regional producers selected for Screenworks’ Regional Producer Elevator Program. They will each receive $3,500 to support their professional development, as well as attendance at the Screenworks Regional to Global Screen Forum in 2024 and the 38th SCREEN FOREVER to be held on the Gold Coast in May 2024.
For Screenworks’ Director Pathways Program, Mittagong-based Kara Lee Chandler and Wollongong-based Duncan Ragg have been selected from regional NSW, as well as Ben Southwell from Townsville and Garth Edwards from Innisfail in regional Queensland. Each will receive $3,500 to implement their career development goals and attendance at the Screenworks 2024 Regional to Global Screen Forum. They will also be supported by the Australian Directors’ Guild through advice and industry introductions.
Five emerging screenwriters from across regional NSW and Queensland have been selected for the ever-popular Inside the Writers’ Room program. Charlie Clausen from Bangalow, Holly Trenaman from Woonona, and Tamika Bowditch-Clarke from Newcastle comprise the regional NSW writers. Karen Jackson from Cairns and Michelle La from Mareeba are the regional Queensland writers. They will be supported to travel to observe a writer’s room at one of the 2024 partner production company’s premises; BBC Studios Productions, Easy Tiger Productions, Hoodlum Entertainment, Jungle Entertainment, or Unless Pictures.
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said: “Screen NSW is dedicated to supporting its emerging talent across the state, and we’re delighted to partner with Screenworks to identify and elevate these talented regional voices. It’s an exciting opportunity for the seven NSW practitioners across the producing, directing, and writing pathways programs – and we wish them every success.”
“Queensland is a vast state, so providing equitable opportunities to uplift our regional screen talent lies at the centre of our commitment to state-wide support,” said Jacqui Feeney, CEO of Screen Queensland. “This partnership with Screenworks will enable the six Queensland participants to build industry contacts and gain invaluable insights to reach the next level in their careers.”
Artemis Bishop from South Australia and Emma Waters from Tasmania have been selected for the Screen Composing Mentorship and will receive mentoring from Bryony Marks and Adam Gock respectively. Each of the participants will receive a bursary of $3000 to aid them in advancing their screen composing careers.
The selection panels for all the programs were made up of representatives from program partners, industry bodies, guilds, and independent assessors. Further details on Screenworks Career Pathways Programs and other programs and opportunities can be found on their website www.screenworks.com.au
MEDIA ASSETS
Screenworks Career Pathways Program 2024 are supported by Screen NSW and Screen Queensland and delivered in collaboration with The Australian Directors Guild and Screen Producers Australia. This initiative is part of Screen Queensland’s North Queensland Regional Program.
Screenworks is thankful for the support of 2024 Inside The Writers Room partners, BBC Studios Productions, Easy Tiger Productions, Hoodlum Entertainment, Jungle Entertainment and Unless Pictures
Screenworks’ Screen Composing Mentorship 2023 is a targeted mentorship program supported by APRA AMCOS along with the assistance of the Australian Guild Of Screen Composers
