Screenworks Director Pathways Program 2020

ADVANCING THE CAREER PATHS OF 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 emerging and 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 25th NOVEMBER 2019

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PROGRAM STRUCTURE:

Two directors will undertake the following program:

1. A TAILOR-MADE CAREER PLAN

As part of the application process, applicants are required to submit a draft career plan with proposed activities to the value of $3,500 (excluding GST). Career plans may be made up of any combination of the following (or other relevant career enhancement opportunities):

• Professional development training and courses
• Attachment or mentorships with a recognised director
• Preparation of director’s notes and relevant documents to support funding applications for the project.

2. REPORTING & PRESENTATION TO LOCAL SCREENWORKS 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 local Screenworks members about the outcomes from their involvement in the program (at the completion of the program).

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ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA:

Screenworks, the Australian Directors Guild and professional screen directors will be involved in the assessment process to select the two early-career directors to take part in the project.

Once the two directors have been selected, Screen NSW, Screenworks, the Australian Directors Guild and a professional director will review, refine and approve the selected participants’ career plan.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To be eligible for Screenworks Director Pathways Program you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

1. A screen industry director that has achieved Initial Success* in the industry. (* refer to the definition below)
2. Demonstrate that you have been living in Regional NSW * for a minimum period of 6 months prior to submitting your application. (* refer to definitions below)
3. Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
4. Be a Screenworks member
5. Complete all sections of the application form and submit the application prior to 9am AEDST, Monday 25th November 2020.

SUPPORT MATERIALS AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:

1. A  completed online application form that includes:

• • An outline of your achievements as a director, as well as your creative and career goals for the next three years; and
  • A career plan that outlines the barriers you face in achieving your career goals and potential ways of overcoming the barriers for example, consider potential mentors, attendance at conferences/markets to help overcome the difficulty of access to highly experienced professionals and making industry connections; and
  • The career plan should identify your proposed activities up to the value of $3,500 (excluding GST).

2. A sample of your previous work (via URL)

3. Details on your current project (including title, short synopsis, format etc)

4. An up-to-date resume/CV

5. 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

6. Proof of your regional NSW residency

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SELECTION CRITERIA:

The following selection criteria will be considered when assessing applicants for participation in Screenworks Director Pathways Program (all criteria areas are equally weighted):

• The potential effectiveness of the career 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(s) 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.

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 & APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Assessment Process:

All applications will receive an initial eligibility, quality and relevance assessment by Screenworks staff.  Shortlisted applications will be sent the assessment panel comprised of ADG and Screen NSW

The assessment panel will consider how well the eligible applicants meet the selection criteria (see above).

Applicants will be notified by early December 2019 in writing of the outcome of their application.

Application Deadlines:

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.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 9AM MONDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2019

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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 500,000 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.

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PARTNERS:

Screenworks’ Director Pathways Program is supported by
 Screen NSW and the Australian Directors Guild