New Kids on the Block Alumni

Michelle is a screenwriter living in Mareeba, Far North Queensland. After creating her TV drama pilot, LEVERAGE, she was selected for the New Kids on the Block program. In 2023, she was part of Inside the Writers Room, with a placement at BBC Studios. Most recently, her web series, CHOPSTICKS & CHIPPIES, won the 2024 NQ Discovering New Online Voices Program, earning her $10,000 in development funding from Screen Queensland. 

“Screenworks has been a game-changer for regional creatives like myself. The team provides incredible support and countless opportunities, which have truly elevated my career. Thanks to their guidance and connections, I’ve been able to open doors that would have otherwise remained closed. I owe much of my success to the fantastic staff and resources at Screenworks — they’ve made all the difference!”

Since joining TikTok in mid-2021, Ella has amassed a combined following across social media platforms of over three million people. She works regularly with brands such as Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime, and Paramount+.

Ella has worked on three Screen Australia funded series for which she is the writer, director and lead/co-lead performer – THE DOWN UNDER (a ten-part comedy series on TikTok, winner of #GotAMinute with Screen Aus, TikTok, and SPA; BAD LOCALS (another ten-part TikTok series, recipient of the #everyvoice initiative; and YOU MAY THINK I’M JOKING (a five-part series on Youtube, recipient of 2023 Skip Ahead initiative).

One of those projects, HARD AS PUCK, is close to closing finance and we’re aiming to be shooting in 2025. 

Screenworks has continued to champion me by providing letters of support and a valuable community to bounce off. 

I was selected by Screen Australia to be trained as an Access Coordinator in 2023 and have now worked on several projects advocating for disability access and inclusion. 2024 has opened up a world of collaboration through participating in the For Films Sake Platform Lab at Sydney Film Festival, attending MIFF 37 South and AIDC and Screen Forever for a second time. I’ve formally launched my own production company, Norfolk Pictures, which focuses on stories and practitioners from the disabled, regional and female communities. 

My earliest supporters in my producing journey were Screenworks and Screenwest. They continue to have my back. I really wouldn’t be where I am now without people recognising the importance of helping regional practitioners with a hand up into the industry. Often, the”right place, right time” doesn’t apply to us (or the disabled community for that matter!), so the support of Screenworks has been invaluable as to my successes as a producer to date.”