Workshop Dates – Early 2022 TBC

Applications are now open for early career regionally based Indigenous writers to apply to be part of a development lab in the Northern Territory as part of its third Regional Script Lab X initiative.

Screenworks has partnered with Darwin-based production company Tamarind Tree Pictures and leading animation house Flying Bark Productions to deliver the 4.5 day Development Lab for Yellow Water Billabong, a new children’s animation series set in Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park. The development lab is being supported by Screen Australia and Screen Territory.

Being held on dates in early 2022 to be confirmed, the Yellow Water Development Lab will provide invaluable hands-on experience of the writing and development process for early-career Indigenous screenwriters living across regional Australia. The lab is an extraordinary opportunity to work with experienced Indigenous writers including including Producer/Writer Danielle MacLean and Producer Anna Grieve from Tamarind Tree Pictures and Flying Bark’s Creative Director Alexs Stadermann and Head of Animation Alexia Gates-Foale.

A total of five regional early career Indigenous writers from across Australia will be selected to participate in the lab. Each selected participant will be paid a fee of $4,500 in addition to having travel to the Northern Territory and accommodation expenses covered. All applicants will also receive a complementary 12-month Screenworks membership (upon submitting your application, non-members will be sent a link to receive a complimentary 12-month Screenworks membership. Current Screenworks members will receive a free 12-month extension).

To be considered for the Yellow Water Development Lab, applicants must be able to demonstrate previous experience in screenwriting and be living in regional, rural or remote Australia (click here for regional areas definitions). Applicants also need to be potentially available to travel to the Northern Territory in early 2022 (travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by Screenworks).

Applications are now open and will close at 5pm AEST on Friday 10 September 2021, with applicants being notified by early October.

Terms and Conditions apply as set out in the application form.

Please note that in the current climate of ongoing and changing COVID restrictions, the original workshop dates of 27 September to 1st October have been postponed in the interests of the health and safety of all workshop participants. The application process will proceed as outlined above – successful applicants will be informed of the new dates for the workshop and will have the opportunity to confirm their availability for those revised dates. In the event that any selected participants are not able to make the new dates, places will be offered to those on the assessment panel’s runners-up list. 

The Screenworks, Tamarind Tree Pictures and Flying Bark Productions Yellow Water Development Lab is
supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Ideas funding program with investment from Screen Territory.

Yellow Water Billabong is a 26 x 12 minute animated TV series created by Indigenous Producer/Writer Danielle MacLean that centres around the life of two Aboriginal kids – 11-year old Tommy and his 8-year old sister Kenisha who live on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park. This is their traditional country and they have a special affinity and obligation to the land and animals here. They talk to the animals and the animals talk back, but this is their special secret.

The characters get up to all kinds of adventures with a cast of interesting characters, Mimi, Yawk Yawk, animals, family and visitors to the park, who all keep them on their toes.

This animated series will entertain children with unique animals and ancestral beings from the Top End of Australia. The Aboriginal culture will be intriguing not only for international audiences but also for Australian audiences many of whom rarely leave the city or coastal areas and have little to no contact with Aboriginal people. The series aims to be a comic and endearing celebration of Aboriginal culture as a thriving and important part of our national identity.

Tamarind Tree Pictures was co-founded in 2011 by Danielle MacLean, Steven McGregor, and Anna Grieve. The three are highly regarded production executives in demand across the Australian production sector as writers, directors and producers. With a focus on strong Indigenous voices in documentary, drama and animation the principals have worked on much loved Australian dramas including Sweet Country, Redfern Now, Little J & Big Cuz, Grace Beside Me, 8MMM Aboriginal Radio & Ready For This and produced documentaries Croker Island Exodus and Carry The Flag and soon to be released web series Kutcha’s Carpool Koorioke.

Tamarind Tree Pictures is the most experienced, and trusted majority-owned Indigenous Production Company in Darwin, Northern Territory.

https://www.tamarindtreepictures.com

Exceeding 350 artists across its Sydney and Los Angeles studios, Flying Bark Productions is one of the largest studios in Australia with plans for further expansion across both locations. The company has invested significantly in the development of its award winning original slate with creators from across the
globe, and has adopted a no-borders approach to its business. Our Creative Directors in the United States and Australia continue to search for creative partners to uphold the creator-driven ethos of the studio and the company has built a robust permanent senior staff for both 2D and GGI animation services.

In recent years the studio has expanded its original programming to provide full service production for both traditional hand-drawn 2D animation and CGI animation for international clients including Nickelodeon (Glitch Techs, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Marvel (What If…), Lego (Monkie Kid) and Disney + (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur).

Flying Bark’s most recent addition to its original slate, the independent animated feature 100% Wolf has enjoyed both worldwide theatrical and digital-platform success and the adapted TV series has been both a ratings and award hit.

www.flyingbark.com.au