• A continuation of the Masterclass series covering topics such as financing and marketing your project, breaking down your script, writing for television, streaming video production and budgeting across multiple platforms.
• A partnership with the Screen Producers Association of Australia to deliver its legal and business workshop for producers.
• A partnership with the Australian Screen Directors Association to deliver a seminar on directing actors.
• Six producing and script-writing clinics. These will allow practitioners to meet one-to-one with a senior industry filmmaker.
• Two New Media clinics. Facilitated meetings with a producer with extensive multiple platform production experience to discuss conceptualisation, logistics and budgeting associated with multi-platfom delivery for documentary program-makers.
• Script Incubator. A 3-day intensive script workshop for writer/director/producer teams.
• Multiple Media workshop. An intensive hands-on workshop on how to deliver a project idea on multiple platforms.

Drinks
Held at the office on Friday 16 May, Screenworks was host to around 160 people from all over the region who dropped by for a drink and to hear about our new initiatives for the next six months.
Pictured (l-r): Tracey Mair, Charlie DeSalis and Michael Murray.

Clinics
Our next phase of Masterclasses will also be supported by a range of clinics where local practitioners can book for one-on-one sessions with the visiting industry professional. The first to kick off will be with Julia Overton, AFC representative, in July.

Stay tuned for more information in upcoming editions of Screenworks e-news.

Investigative journalist Mark Davis will present the next Masterclass, on 28 June. The Masterclass will begin with a screening of Mark’s latest documentary, SPIES OF THE PACIFIC, followed by an in-depth exploration of the genre of documentary journalism, a discussion of Mark Davis’ style, his career path and the inherent freedoms and restrictions involved in the one-man production.

Tickets for the Masterclass are available at the Screenworks office, 5/95 Jonson Street, Byron Bay.

Film and Masterclass: $25.00 Concession: $20.00 Film only: $10.00

RSVP or for more information: masterclass@screenworks.com.au or call MC coordinator Mishaela on 6680 9220.

Robert Connolly’s THE BANK masterclass received overwhelming response from participants. Feedback was excellent, with participants again voicing their appreciation of the calibre of expertise they are able to receive at the Masterclasses.

Granada doesn't want to get out of here
As many of you will know the Granada show I'M A CELEBRITY, GET ME OUT OF HERE was filmed outside Murwillumbah. After a successful UK run, the series has left their infrastructure in place - potentially for another series.

Michael Franti: all heart and soul
Lucky locals Barbie English (actor, MC, 'emerging' director & eco-terrorist surf bum) and Paul Tait (award winning cinematographer and producer) worked on a film shoot for a new Michael Franti - Spearhead music video clip over Easter, while Franti was in town for the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival.

Barbie reports: 'Nimbin local Paul Tait filmed the music clip on his 16mm camera. On the shoot there was only myself, Paul, Micheal Franti, his manager Gina, and record manager Simon – I worked as the runner. Micheal Franti is a very beautiful and kind man and everyone was so lovely on the shoot and lots of fun. I got to choose the beach location too - Broken Head, which was picturesque and unpopulated. Good surf too. I really love working on special things in this area, especially ones with heart, music and soul. It seems natural that the Northern Rivers attracts such creativity with spirit.'

Local doco conference delivers
Oren Siedler in Toronto reports: 'After the AIDC DocuMart pitch, I was offered an ABC pre-sale and was taken on by international distributor, Films Transit. My Canadian co-producer had already secured Canadian pre-sales. As a result of our success at AIDC we were accepted to pitch at the recent Hot Docs documentary forum. It went fantastically well and it seems that we will have the budget in place very soon.

'So thanks to AIDC and Screenworks, things are unfolding well.'

National and international screen industry news

Next round for the Young Filmmakers Fund closes 23 June. For further information email yff@fto.nsw.gov.au or go to http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/

Aussie wins Cannes Short Film Award
Melbourne-based filmmaker Glendyn Ivin faces a dilemma following his prestigious win of the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) for best short film at the Cannes International Film Festival. He admits he feels he's reached the pinnacle of his career, yet his winning film CRACKER BAG is only his first short film.

Woods exits Showtime
Acquisition and Investment manager Mark Woods has left the Pay TV channels, Showtime/Premium after almost three years in the role.

UK film productions get hit
UK producers are apparently in 'tax peril' with the rescinding of section 48 tax in 2005 likely to have a catastrophic effect on production.

FOR heaps of industry news including new dates for SPAA, update on free trade agreements, how to comment on new FFC investment guidelines, ABA news, What's on in Sydney and equipment for sale go to www.screenworks.com.au/index.php/page/news.html

Sites of interest
Screen Network Australia: www.sna.net.au/directory/dirframe.html

Federal Film Festival is looking for short films no more than 15 mins for their August screening. Contact Susanna Freymark. Tel: 6688 4357

Posters from films produced by practitioners in the region. We want to hang posters in the Screenworks office and show off the talents of the region to visitors and guests.

Experienced media marketing executive and experienced stage/television director needed for long term self funding community project. Free Range Media is producing a cross platform project, Bay Vista Motel by Ron Bay. A comedy stage show being shot for television and online, Bay Vista celebrates the Byron culture. For more info email sahaj@freerangemedia.com

Calling in to Screenworks office? We love to see everyone but to help us keep working and to avoid disappointment, make an appointment first. Tel: 02 6680 9220

We are looking for a volunteer to help establish the resource library in the Screenworks office. As part of our library we now have a production satchel. Produced by AFC/AFTRS the satchel covers all aspects of production, budget proformas etc and is an essential tool for anyone involved in production.

Call for young filmmakers to help curb road toll
The Transport Accident Commission is calling on young filmmakers to enter a competition to write and produce a short film. read more...

MARKET DATES
Ten major markets dedicated to television. read more...

Northern Rivers Screenworks is supported by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Sustainable Regions Program and the NSW Department of Regional Development, Developing Regional Resources Program.