Screenworks Business of Producing – 2019

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ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS / ROUND TABLES | GETTING THERE & VENUE
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Screenworks BUSINESS OF PRODUCING seminar is back in 2019 – bigger and better than ever.

Thursday 21 March – Saturday 23 March 2019
Ramada Hotel and Suites – 2 Martin Street, Ballina, NSW 2480

Held over three packed days, you will hear from some of Australia’s most successful producers, broadcast and distribution executives as well as representatives from the screen industry funding bodies. The information imparted and networks created could leverage your screen projects and your career.

The guest speakers will share advice on their best practice in producing successful global screen content and will be available for limited pre-booked one-on-one meetings (ticket holders will be sent instructions for booking one-on-one meetings in the week prior to the seminar).

Now in its fourth year, this not-to-be-missed seminar is ideal for screen producers at all stages of their career, content creators and anyone seeking a career in the film and television industry.  

PROGRAM:

Subject to change, here is the program for Screenworks Business of Producing 3-day seminar:

Screenworks Business of Producing Program

DAY 1 – Thursday March 21 – LAW CAMERA ACTION

DAY 2 – Friday March 22 – PRODUCING BEST PRACTICE

DAY 3 – Saturday March 23 – GETTING TO AUDIENCE

NOTE: EVENT PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO THE EVENT

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Rosemary Blight – Producer and Company Director, Goalpost Pictures

Sally Caplan – Head of Content Production, Screen Australia

Andrew Carroll – Manager of Client Services, Rights Trade

Matthew Deaner – CEO of Screen Producers Australia

Rob Gibson – Producer and CEO, Easy Tiger

Jamie Hilton – Producer and Principal, See Pictures

Steve Jaggi – Producer and Company Director, The Steve Jaggi Company

David Jowsey – Producer, Bunya Productions

Jenny Lalor– Lawyer, Lalor Law

Emma Madison – Head of Service Design, Screenrights

Rick Maier – Head of Drama, Network Ten

Kelrick Martin – Head of Indigenous, ABC

Sue Maslin AO – Producer, Film Art Media

Sally Regan – Acting Director, Investment, Engagement and Attraction Create NSW

Michael Robertson – Producer, Prodigy Movies

Jo Rooney – Co Head of Drama, Networks Nine

Catherine Scott – Producer, Infinity Films

Tracey Vieira – Chief Executive Officer, Screen Queensland

Note: guest speakers are subject to late notice changes.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM – 2019 BUSINESS OF PRODUCING

With the support from the inGrained Foundation and Stone & Wood Brewery, Screenworks is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Business Of Producing Scholarship Program.

What is the Scholarship Program?

Screenworks’ Business of Producing Scholarship Program has been created in acknowledgement of barriers that exist that prevent regional people being able to attend these types of events.

Each of the scholarships is designed to enable attendance and participation in the 3-day 2019 Business of Producing Seminar and to ensure the greatest possible diversity of event attendees.

NOTE: APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED.

For more info: Scholarship Opportunities

GETTING THERE:

To enquire about accommodation and flights, contact our Official Travel Partner TAG – Film & Media to take advantage of exclusive travel offers and secure your accommodation, including discounted rooms at Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina.

Contact the team at TAG via our special email – [email protected]

ABOUT THE VENUE:

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina Byron

Situated on the shores of the beautiful Richmond River with 115 stylishly appointed hotel rooms and suites featuring stunning water and hinterland views, we bring a new level of luxury to Ballina accommodation.

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina Byron also offer a choice of dining options and facilities to help you enjoy your stay. We also have all the facilities to make your next conference a success.

Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina Byron are offering Screenworks guests a discounted rate of $165 per night. Please contact them on 1800 826 181 or (02) 6618 1000 for more information.

GUEST SPEAKER BIOS:

Rosemary Blight –  Producer and Company Director, Goalpost Pictures

Rosemary Blight is one of Australia’s most experienced producers, known for making distinctive film and television including TOP END WEDDING, co-written and starring Miranda Tapsell and directed by Wayne Blair; THE SAPPHIRES, which premiered at Cannes; the internationally acclaimed drama series CLEVERMAN;  FELONY, directed by Matthew Saville and starring Joel Edgerton & Tom Wilkinson; CLUBLAND, starring Academy Award nominee Brenda Blethyn; and the Julien Temple-directed THE ETERNITY MAN. Rosemary Executive Produced Leigh Whannell’s UPGRADE, co-produced with US independent production powerhouse Blumhouse; the screen adaptation of Timothy Conigrave’s bestselling novel HOLDING THE MAN; THE TREE starring Charlotte Gainsbourg which was the closing night film at the Cannes Film Festival; and the drama series FIGHTING SEASON which aired on Foxtel in 2018.

Rosemary is currently producing I AM WOMAN, the story of Australian international singing superstar Helen Reddy, directed by Unjoo Moon.

Sally Caplan – Head of Content Production, Screen Australia

Sally has over 25 years of international experience in the screen production industry. She is a highly respected and seasoned senior executive whose roles have covered all aspects of financing, development, acquisition, production and distribution. Sally began her career as a solicitor specialising in entertainment law. In her most recent role before Screen Australia, Sally was Managing Director of eOne International (eOne), where she oversaw its international film sales operations out of the UK. Before joining eOne, Sally headed the Premiere Fund of the UK Film Council for five years, where she was responsible for funding and overseeing the production from script stage of over 45 films, including titles such as The King’s Speech, Miss Potter and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Prior to joining the UK Film Council, Sally was President of Icon Film Distribution UK and has held senior acquisition, distribution and production positions at PolyGram Filmed entertainment, Momentum Pictures and Universal Pictures International.

Sally has been Head of Content at Screen Australia since February 2014, during which time Screen Australia has funded films such as Lion and The Dressmaker; TV Dramas including Safe Harbour, Doctor Doctor, Sunshine and Seven Degrees of Ambiguity ; documentaries like War On Waste, That Sugar Film and on line projects such as Starting From Now and The Mighty Car Mods.

Matthew Deaner – CEO of Screen Producers Australia

Matthew Deaner is the Chief Executive Officer of Screen Producers Australia (SPA), a national organisation that unites the screen industry to campaign for a healthy commercial environment. SPA support the interests of businesses, large and small, in their production of feature films, television programs, interactive content and games across all genres and formats. Matthew oversees all aspects of SPA’s advocacy work, industrial negotiations, events and operational issues. He also works closely with SPA’s Council to set the strategic direction of the organisation as well as identify and execute new business development opportunities. Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge to SPA with his experience as a lawyer in both Sydney and London and in senior policy and strategy positions with Screen Australia and the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association.
In July 2015 Matthew was appointed to the board of Media Super.

Andrew Carroll – Manager of Client Services, Rights Trade

Andrew Carroll has worked in international film distribution for seven years, supporting executive level clients of FilmTrack and RightsTrade. He specialises in the development of Europe, Middle East and Asia client relationships.

Andrew’s clients include Protagonist Pictures (UK), Forum Film (Israel), Miramax (USA), SF Studios (Stockholm), Constantin (Munich), Lionsgate (USA), Lakeshore (USA), Film4 (UK), Sonar (USA), Mongrel Media (Canada), Multivision Plus (Mumbai), Picture Tree International (Berlin) and more.

As marketplace technology evolves, Andrew offers an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges faced by today’s buyers and sellers. He shares personal insights and professional expertise in a relaxed and friendly manner and always ensures client satisfaction is the highest priority.

Rob Gibson – CEO/Producer Easy Tiger Productions

Easy Tiger’s credits include the ABC hits Rake and Jack Irish, Nine’s top rating drama Doctor Doctor, and critically-lauded SBS dramas The Principal and Sunshine, among others. Rob Gibson is CEO/Producer at Easy Tiger Productions, the award-winning, talent-friendly Australian production company established in 2017 under the global Fremantle banner by producer Ian Collie, who previously ran the Drama division of Essential Media.

Rob is a dynamic leader with both local and international production and financing experience. As CEO of Easy Tiger, Rob is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the company, and overseeing its diverse development slate alongside Founder/Producer Ian Collie.

Rob’s trusted experience across the creative, production and deal-making of television, combined with a deep understanding of audience and marketing, give him a sophisticated understanding of the global television landscape. His ability to deliver quality drama is exemplary. Prior to Easy Tiger, Rob was the Head of Originals at Stan, where he oversaw the commission and production of No Activity, Wolf Creek and Stan’s most recent success, Bloom, among others.

Rob previously worked as a film and television producer both in the US and Australia, and was formerly a media and entertainment lawyer, working for Allens Linklaters, Foxtel, Festival Records and Fairfax Media.

Jamie Hilton – Producer and Principal, See PicturesJ

His theatrical debut was Claire McCarthy’s THE WAITING CITY (Joel Edgerton, Radha Mitchell).

Recent projects include Tim Winton’s BREATH, alongside Mark Johnson (THE NOTEBOOK, BREAKING BAD) and actor/director Simon Baker; FLAMMABLE CHILDREN (Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Julian McMahon, Radha Mitchell) for writer/director Stephan Elliott (PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT); sci-fi OTHERLIFE for director Ben C Lucas (premiering at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival); and 1% (Matt Nable, Abbey Lee, Ryan Corr) directed by Stephen McCallum.

Other projects include supernatural thriller BACKTRACK (Adrien Brody, Sam Neill) for writer/director Michael Petroni (THE BOOK THIEF, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER) and hit comedy THE LITTLE DEATH for writer/director/actor Josh Lawson (which won the SxSW Audience Award in 2015).   Jamie was also executive producer on Julia Leigh’s SLEEPING BEAUTY (Cannes Official Competition) and WYRMWOOD for the Roache-Turner brothers.

Jamies was recently featured in Screen International’s ‘Future Leaders’ showcase, has lectured production at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and the University of Technology Sydney, and runs a mentoring program for emerging producers.

Steve Jaggi – Producer and Company Director, The Steve Jaggi Company

After 8 years of producing in the UK, Jaggi returned to Australia where he established his own company and has since Produced and Executive Produced a number of films including the Netflix trending “Rip Tide” starring Debby Ryan; “Chocolate Oyster” which premiered to sold out screenings at the 2018 Sydney Film Festival (he also directed); Festival darling “Zelos”, and the New Zealand based family film “Find Your Voice” starring Academy Award Nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes which opened the 2018 Maui Film Festival. Most recently, Jaggi produced tween film “Back of the Net” starring Sofia Wylie from Disney Channel’s “Andi Mack”.

David Jowsey – Producer, Bunya Productions

David Jowsey has had an extensive career as a film and television producer.  In 2009 David formed BUNYA Productions with award winning filmmaker Ivan Sen.

Bunya is a boutique feature and television production company based out of Sydney and Brisbane. David is producer of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival World Cinema selected feature film Mad Bastards directed by Brendan Fletcher. The same year David produced Toomelah by Ivan Sen. The film was selected for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival – in Un Certain Regard. David also produced the Toronto Film Festival 2012 selection, Satellite Boy, directed by Catriona McKenzie. Satellite Boy received a Special Mention at its European Premiere in the Generation section of the 2013 Berlin Film Festival.

In 2013, David produced and self-distributed Mystery Road by Ivan Sen. The film had its premiere with a Special Presentation at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival. This was followed by Ivan Sen’s Goldstone, a sequel to the film Mystery Road, which premiered In Competition in Platform at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival and in 2015 David produced Jasper Jones based on the best-selling novel, directed by Rachel Perkins and starring Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving which premiered at the 2017 Shanghai Film Festival.

In 2016 David produced the period western Sweet Country directed by Warwick Thornton which received its world premiere In Competition at the 2017 Venice Film Festival winning the Special Jury Prize and its North American premiere In Competition as the Closing Night Film of Platform at the Toronto Film Festival where it won the Platform Prize.

He recently produced the AACTA Award-winning series Mystery Road for ABC TV, the documentary-drama series Blue Water Empire and the feature film High Ground. He is currently producing Ivan Sen’s Loveland and the second series of Mystery Road.

Jenny Lalor – Principal, Lalor Law

Jenny Lalor has been working in legal and business affairs in film and television for more years than she cares to admit. Whilst living in London between 1990 and 2000, she worked for the BBC, Carlton Television and Tiger Aspect Productions (including on Billy Elliot and The Animated Mr. Bean). Returning to Melbourne in late 2000, she has worked on a variety of film and television projects, including Jindabyne, Rise of the Eco Warriors, Crawlspace, Get Ace, RocKwiz, Wilfred, 52 Tuesdays, The Space Between.  She now has her own practice specialising in entertainment law and provides executive producing services on a range of projects, including The Space Between, Rise of the Eco Warriors, the indigenous animation series Little J & Big Cuz,  and the pre-school animation series “DirtGirlWorld”, winner of the 2013 Digital Program: Children and Young People International Emmy.  She was a Television Councillor on the Screen Producers Association of Australia for over five years, and is currently on the board of Open Channel. Her practice was the winner of the 2013 SPA Services and Facilities Business of the Year Award, and she was named as one of the most influential people in Australian television (The Age and SMH 28 September 2015).

Emma Madison – Head of Service Design, Screenrights

Emma Madison is a screen industry executive with more than 15 years experience in royalty distribution. In her roles at Screenrights she has overseen payment of more than $300 million in royalties to companies and individuals in Australia and around the world. She is also the architect of Screenrights’ disbursement service which now reports returns to more than 400 producers, investors and other revenue share participants across 100+ titles.

In her current role as Head of Service Design, Emma is leading a co-creation initiative with local industry to discover new ways for Screenrights to support the growth and longevity of screen businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Rick Maier – Head of Drama Network Ten

Rick Maier spent over 20 years writing, script editing and consulting on adult and children’s series before taking up a position at TEN firstly as Executive Producer in Development and Drama, and for the last ten years as Head of Drama.

Rick’s writing credits include The Young Doctors, E-Street, Prisoner, Bellamy, Big Sky, Carson’s Law, The Restless Years, Neighbours, Mission: Impossible, Murder Call, Cody, G.P., Snowy River, Pirates Island, Fallen Angels, Prime Time, Secret Valley, Sweat and Police Rescue.

As Head of Drama he has been responsible for The Secret She Keeps, My Life is Murder, Five Bedrooms, Playing for Keeps, Wake in Fright, Sisters, The Wrong Girl, Brock, Mary: The Making Of A Princess, Party Tricks, Secrets & Lies, Wonderland, Reef Doctors, Mr & Mrs Murder, Puberty Blues, Underground – The Julian Assange Story, Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms, Offspring, Hawke, A Model Daughter – The Killing of Caroline Byrne, Rush and, of course, Neighbours.

He is also the Network EP for Masterchef Australia (2012 – 2019).

Kelrick Martin – Head of Indigenous, ABC

Kelrick Martin is Head of Indigenous, ABC TV, and was formerly responsible for managing all Indigenous funding programs, initiatives, and projects for ScreenWest. He has more than 20 years media experience within the screen industry including as CEO Spear Point Productions, Commissioning Editor National Indigenous Television (NITV), Producer ABC Television and Producer/Presenter with ABC Radio National. He directed and co-produced the award-winning SBS documentary musical Prison Songs, as well as the documentary series Outside Chance and documentary Yagan.

Sue Maslin AO – Producer, Film Art Media

Sue Maslin AO is one of Australia’s most successful film, television and digital content producers with a track record of creating award winning feature and documentary films. Her most recent is the smash hit The Dressmaker, starring Kate Winslet and Judy Davis. It grossed more than $20 million at the box office and garnered the highest number of nominations at the 2015 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards, winning five including the coveted People’s Choice Award for Favourite Australian Film.

Feature credits include Road To Nhill, winner of 2003 Best Feature Film at Thessaloniki International Film Festival; Japanese Story, winner of 2003 AFI Award for Best Feature Film, IF Award for Best Feature Film, Film Critics Circle of Australia Best Feature Film; Celebrity: Dominick Dunne; and Hunt Angels, winner of the 2006 AFI Award for Best Feature Documentary Film. Sue and business partner Daryl Dellora established their innovative company, Film Art Media in 2008 and distribute screen content across many platforms with a focus on blue-chip documentaries including Harry Seidler: Modernistand The Edge of The Possible: Jorn Utzon and the Sydney Opera House, winner of the Golden Plaque at the Chicago International Television Competition.

Sue’s outstanding 35-year contribution to the Australian screen industry has been recognised in numerous ways. She was appointed Adjunct Professor of the School of Media & Communication at RMIT University and in 2012 received the inaugural Jill Robb Award for Outstanding Leadership, Achievement and Service to the Victorian Screen Industry. Reflecting her commitment to advocacy for women, Sue is currently a Patron of Women In Film and Television and the President of the Natalie Miller Fellowship, an organisation dedicated to inspiring leadership and increasing the participation of women in the screen industry. In 2019 Sue was appointed as an Officer (AO) of the Order of Australia for her outstanding contribution to the Australian screen industry.

Sally Regan – Acting Director, Investment, Engagement and Attraction

Sally Regan is Acting Director, Investment, Engagement and Attraction at Create NSW and has over 30 years experience working in the screen production sector.  She has produced film and television in Australia, Europe, Asia and America and was Drama Investment Manager at Screen Australia.

Previously, Sally worked as a Development and Production Executive at Screen NSW working across documentary, features and television drama and she was, from 1999 to 2003, Business Affairs Manager of Documentary Production at Film Australia, responsible for over production of over $6 million a year.

Her producer credits include the multi-award winning theatrical feature documentary thriller Forbidden Lie$ and she also co-produced the international Russell Crowe-featured series The Colour Of War, and produced the ABC documentaries National Treasures, Korean ANZAC, Peter Berner’s Loaded Brush, Road To Tokyo and Nerves of Steel, amongst others.

In 2007 Sally was awarded The Screen Producers Association Independent Documentary Producer of the Year Award and she was also awarded the Kenneth Myer Fellowship upon graduation from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (BA 1994).

Michael Robertson – Producer and Managing Director Prodigy Movies

Michael is a leading producer of Australian genre films – they include Black Water, Road Train, The Reef and The Pack – animal horror films that have garnered a cult fan-base worldwide. These films have cemented his international reputation as the producer of “Aussie creature features”

A graduate of University NSW and University of Southern California film school; his career includes directing tv commercials winning Cannes Lion, CLIO, Mobius and NY Festivals Awards and the Australian movies The Best of Friends, Going Sane and Back of Beyond,

Michael specialises in alternative film financing with UK and US production groups; and is a member of the Amsterdam-based producer’s network, Ateliers du Cinéma Européen

He recently set up the Thrills & Spills label with Cornerstone Pictures to expand their genre output – the crocodile sequel Black Water: Abyss and the shark thriller, Great White commence principal photography in Queensland this year.

Jo Rooney – Co Head of Drama, Network Nine

Jo Rooney was appointed Co-Head of Drama for the Nine Network in September 2011, a position she jointly holds with Andy Ryan.

She has been involved in the development, production and commissioning of the hugely successful mini-series Love Child, House of Hancock, Here Come the Habibs, HOWZAT! Kerry Packer’s War, the telemovies Beaconsfield and The Great Mint Swindle, and the series House Husbands, Underbelly: Badness and Tricky Business.

Drama commissions for 2016 include Hyde & Seek, House of Bond, Doctor Doctor, Here Come the Habibs (seasons one and two) and House Husbands (season five).

In 2015, Rooney was Executive Producer of the mini-series Gallipoli, House of Hancock, Love Child (season two) and House Husbands (season four). She was also Executive Producer for the STAN original drama series Wolf Creek and No Activity.

From 2012-2014, she was Executive Producer of the mini-series Love Child, Fat Tony & Co, HOWZAT! Kerry Packer’s War, Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story, Underbelly: Squizzy, Underbelly Badness, as well as the series House Husbands (seasons one and two) and Tricky Business, and three telemovies: Schapelle, The Great Mint Swindle and Beaconsfield.

Rooney was formerly Drama Executive and Executive Producer of Children’s Drama at Nine, involved in ground-breaking projects such as the Underbelly series, Sea Patrol, Rescue Special Ops, The Strip, and the telemovies Wicked Love, Blood Brothers and Underbelly: Files.

She has also commissioned several Australian children’s dramas, including gURLs wURLD, Dennis & Gnasher, Gasp!, Lockie Leonard, Dogstar, Flea Bitten, The Day My Butt Went Psycho, Buzz Bumble, Skinner Boys Heidi, Pirate Express and Captain Flynn and The Pirate Dinosaurs.

Before joining the Nine Network, Rooney was an Associate Producer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation where she was involved in such award-winning productions as Brides of Christ, The Leaving of Liverpool, Police Rescue, Wildside and Seven Deadly Sins, to name a few.

After the ABC she worked at Southern Star for several years as producer on Water Rats, Young Lions and The Alice, and co-producer with John Edwards on Fireflies and Marking Time.

Rooney was also part of the award-winning team that created Love My Way.

Catherine Scott – Producer, Infinity Films

Catherine has worked as a documentary filmmaker for over 20 years. She was Senior Producer SBS Dateline and more recently as a freelance video journalist for the program.

Catherine has been a director and producer on documentaries broadcast internationally including SBS TV, ABC TV, CBC Canada, PBS Television, Channel 4, Arte and France 2. Her credits include Producer – Unconquered – The Invictus Games (ABC TV) Shooter Producer – Not everyone Wants a Goat –Foreign Correspondent (ABC TV) Producer, Being Me – Four Corners (ABC TV), Director/Co-producer of Scarlet Road(SBS TV) Director/Co-writer of Selling Sickness (SBS TV) and Director/Co-producer of the Walkley Award-winning Business Behind Bars and Profits of Punishment (SBS TV).

Catherine was a member of the Paper Tiger TV collective co-producing over 30 productions including Breathless and Drawing the Line at Pittston. Catherine was also co-producer/director for Deep Dish TV including Who’s Afraid of the Little Yellow School Bus?, The Last Graduation, Lock Down USA and The Gulf Crisis TV Project

TRACEY VIEIRA – CEO of Screen Queensland

Tracey Vieira was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Screen Queensland in 2014, the latest role in a stellar career promoting the Australian screen industry in Queensland and the United States. Tracey worked with the Pacific Film and Television Commission and then moved to Los Angeles in 2004 where for the next ten years she took on senior roles at Ausfilm, the industry-government partnership that connects the international screen industry with Australia’s screen incentives, talent and facilities.

At Ausfilm and later Screen Queensland she has played an integral role in attracting more than $1.5 billion in production investment in Australia, including Warner Bros. Aquaman, Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and Disney’s, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Since returning Tracey has launched new initiatives for the industry including the first feature film with SVOD company Stan, a creative partnership initiative with YouTube, a business building program, Australia’s first VR series with a broadcaster and led significant cultural change within the organisation. Tracey also introduced the organisations first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Plan and a Gender Equity Policy to drive change both behind and in front of the screen.

More to be announced and program released shortly.