Make It In FNQ: XR Mentorship Program

This initiative is part of Screen Queensland’s Far North Queensland Screen Production Strategic Plan. Delivered by Screenworks.

Screen Queensland and Screenworks’ Make it FNQ: XR Mentorship Program is for anyone interested in learning more about medium of XR industry and is keen to engage and learn from Queensland-based XR professionals to build and kickstart their careers. No experience is necessary and you don’t need to be technical to apply, its open to storytellers, animators, artists, producers and writers too.

The XR program launched with an online webinar on Tuesday 23rd August where  three  XR professionals shared their creative projects and insights through discussion and case studies of their work.

Nathan Anderson, CEO and EP of New Canvas – an XR Studio for immersive narrative media- facilitated the conversation with two award-winning Brisbane-based XR creatives and program mentors , Georgie Pinn and Michelle Brown.

A webinar recording is available to watch below, so you can meet the mentors and their work before applying.

Applications for the XR Mentorships are now open

There will be two mentorships awarded, one person per mentor. 

Mentorships will comprise of:

• 2 x 45 mins zoom calls with your mentor. 
• 1 x working week trip down to Brisbane to meet with your mentor and potentially other industry professionals. The mentor may offer the opportunity to attend meetings, events, observe business skills and provide additional advice. Travel, accommodation and per diems will be covered.
• Upon completion, each mentee must deliver a report detailing the opportunities presented and how these have influenced their career.

Schedule:

• Applications open following the launch webinar on Tuesday 23rd August 2022.
• Applications close at 11.59pm Tuesday 27th September 2022.
• Successful candidates will be notified by Tuesday 4th October 2022.
• Zoom calls and the trip to Brisbane will be arranged at a mutually beneficial time for mentor and mentee after that (but must be completed by the end of November 2022).

The mentorships are aimed at emerging FNQ practitioners, and all applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate an interest in XR.
• Demonstrate that you have been living in Far North Queensland for six months before submitting your application.
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Complete all sections of the online application form and apply before the closing deadline.

The mentees will select their mentee from the materials submitted.

If you require assistance with your application, please contact Screenworks Project Coordinator Louise Hodgson at [email protected] or on 0415 092917.

• Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people are strongly encouraged.
• Screenworks will manage the online application process and will initially assess all applications for eligibility and quality.
• Shortlisted applications will be assessed by Screen Queensland representatives and our XR mentors.
• The following selection criteria will be considered when assessing applications:
  1. The potential for the mentoring opportunity to help the applicant build relevant industry skills.
  2. The skills, achievements, experience and track record of the applicant.
  3. The applicant’s potential to contribute to and enhance the growth of screen production in Far North Queensland.