This newsletter features information about:
Screenworks seminars, clinics and masterclasses 
Script Incubator Scheme
Location news update 
New Screenworks Board 
Local news, including info about InDigo productions happening this year 
What's on
Deadlines
Tips for grant applications 
Funding opportunities
National news
What to do if this e-newsletter has not been sent to your preferred email address

The region is busy with projects and Screenworks has been out and about with film protocol presentations to local councils as well as finalising plans for our masterclass series, seminars and clinics for the forthcoming months. On this note - just a reminder that this year Screenworks will be doing a lot of outreach work and as we are all part-time and the office doesn’t have admin assistance please don’t expect to find us in the office all the time. If you want to talk with us or use the library please make an appointment or phone first.

Reminder
As a few projects are going into production this year please update your entry on the web site  as producers are using the Screenworks directory as a guideline for cast and crew. Any problems with your entry call Dallas at Screenworks.

Events for your diaries:

FREE SEMINARS
For all seminars please RSVP on 6680 9220 or email info@screenworks.com.au

Catching that Elusive Funding Dollar - Friday 16 April - 10-12.30am
Filmmaker Cathy Henkel, whose projects have been recently funded by the AFC, FFC, BBC and ABC, offers her guidance on how to approach the funding process and what not to do. We have found a number of practitioners applying for funding and making the classic mistakes. Remembering that once a funding body says “no”, there is no recourse. Take this opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade - before you put your applications in!

Digital Media with Virginia Barratt - 23 April - 10-12.30
Followed with clinic appointments from 1.30- 5.30pm
Virginia is an artist and multimedia producer. She is currently co-director of a local multimedia production company called vaimedia, and lectures in multimedia at the School of Arts, Southern Cross University. She has worked primarily as a new media artist over the
last decade, and was a founding member of the cyberfeminist collective VNS Matrix from 1991-1997. The VNS Matrix project was one of empowering women to use technology confidently and creatively, and they exhibited their girl-game prototype All New Gen/Bad Code over the world.

With deadlines approaching for the AFC and Australia Council digital media programs, this is a great opportunity to get some idea on how to approach digital media funding and discuss your projects with an accomplished digital media practitioner and artist.

Publicity and Distribution with Tracey Mair - 21 May - 10-12.30
Followed with clinic appointments from 1.30-5.30pm
This seminar will cover everything you need to know or wanted to ask about publicity and distribution matters small or large. Tracey's session at SPAA Fringe was a great success because having this knowledge is how you begin to understand how to place your project even before it is a film or short film or TV series. Learn who's who in the business and how you choose who you need to deal with and why. Tracey Mair has run her own publicity company with major clients including AFC, NSW FTO, Screentime and Film Australia. She
has been involved with publicising a huge number of film and television productions both large and small budget. This seminar will be followed by one-on-one clinics with Tracey. Please book ahead.

CLINICS
For all clinics please call 6680 9220 to make an appointment or email info@screenworks.com.au and include your contact phone numbers.

Scriptwriting with Roger Monk - 19 April
Roger’s credits include Writer and Co-producer of AFI award winning feature film, WALKING ON WATER, episode writer SECRET LIFE OF US, Writer of TRUST UP, pilot episode of LOVE BYTES series for Fox 8 and Head Writer and Executive Producer of FAT TUESDAY currently in development for SBS.

Roger will be available for hour long appointments to discuss your specific question or situation regarding your script and/or industry issues as they relate to screenwriters. Limited appointments are available. Once you have secured an appointment you will be requested to submit your script or treatment at least a week before to the Screenworks office.

Digital Media with Virginia Barrett - 23 April - 1.30 - 5.30pm
Once you have secured an appointment you will be requested to outline the parameters of your project prior to the session.

Publicity and Distribution with Tracey Mair - 21 May - 1.30-5.30pm
Make appointments with Tracey to discuss your marketing or promotion strategy for your project. An outline of the project and brief description of your marketing plan will be requested prior to this clinic.

MASTERCLASSES

Broken Bones & Bloody Battles: A Masterclass with Mark Muggeridge on Staging Events with Media at their heart - 30 April - 10am-4.30pm
Staging an event is about committing yourself. Committing to the fact that you as an Event Manager are going to deliver an event that satisfies your client and give a fantastic and remarkable experience to those attending.

In this masterclass Mark will recount stories of many of the events that he has produced and acted as creative director on. He will outline some of the issues that Event Managers face today. Mark will cover the four years he spent as head of production at Streamworks, the work he has delivered for clients with his own company Evil Genius Events, producing webcasts of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and producing screen media and handling logistics for the Opening Ceremony for the Gay Games in 2002.

Mark will cover:

• Producing for Corporate clients where the clients brand integrity must be maintained
• Events such as Awards Ceremony's where numerous stake-holders must be consulted
• Creating media at these events and how to distribute your media.
• The realities of distributing via the internet and traditional distribution channels
• Funding options - using the 'create the event and then sell the funding' model
• Technical issues related to webcasting, providing practical advice on how to and what is working in the market now.

“Through all this you have to deliver the event on time or preferably under budget and give the client and the public what they think they wanted. (Don't ever give them what they really want because they will hate you for it in the end.)” says Mark.

Mark Muggeridge has over 20 years experience spanning work in the film and television, live events and the Australian music industries. He currently runs his own Sydney based company Evil Genius that specializes in small, intimate high end events and very large events.

This masterclass is a must for anyone who manages or documents events or is interested in the staging of events. Mark is an inspiring presenter who questions many of our traditional assumptions on how to do things and finds often unorthodox answers.

Cost: $25 and $15 concession. For further information or to book a place please call Kate @ Screenworks on 6680 9220 or email kate@screenworks.com.au.

Open Script Editing Masterclass - 26 May - 6.30-9.30pm
Presented by Deb Cox and Roger Monk, this masterclass will occur on the evening of 26 May to be held at City of the Arts Space, Murwillumbah. 6.30 - 9.30pm. More information in the next Screenworks newsletter.

Screenworks Script Incubator & Matchmaker Scheme
Screenworks is offering writers an opportunity to develop their script under the supervision of an experienced screenwriter. Aimed at developing stronger scripts, increased industry and market awareness and structuring relationships with experienced producers, the Screenworks script incubator has been designed for features, television, or documentaries. Conducted over a five month period from May to September 2004, participants and their advisors will be contracted for the agreed number of hours to be used during that period. Thirty hours will be allocated for feature and TV (series or telemovie), with 15 hours for documentary. Four projects will be chosen and can have a single writer or writing team attached.

To apply, writers must supply a detailed treatment, demonstrating the following:

• An original, quality idea
• The level of the writer's(s') skill
• Feasibility of production. (This is not a commercial versus non-commercial or conventional prerequisite. We want to see an understanding of the realities of production and production costs in line with the Australian industry. This can include co-productions with international companies.)
• Any other written supporting material is welcome.
• A maximum of 20 pages per application.

Call for entries will close at 5pm on 20 April 2004.

The projects will be selected by a broad-based panel of professional practitioners and successful projects will be notified during the first week of May.

As part of the Incubator Scheme, The Matchmaker Scheme will be run in conjunction with the Australian Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) during its Conference on the Gold Coast in August. Meetings with experienced producers will be set up for the incubator writers to meet interested producers with a view to forming a writer/producer relationship.

For further information call Deb McBride at Screenworks on Wednesday and Thursdays 6680 9220 or 0412 455 512.

Screenworks has met with the following councils - Kyogle, Casino, Tweed and Lismore - while meetings with Byron, Ballina and Grafton are scheduled in the coming month to discuss the location protocol for the Northern Rivers area. Our aim is to achieve a unified protocol which serves both council and filmmakers needs.

An expansive database of the region’s film locations is being compiled and put onto CD for national and international distribution to promote the region to directors, producers and location managers. The database will be available online in the coming weeks. We will be promoting the region, the depth of crew available here (please make sure your details are updated on the Screenwork’s database) and the availability of the NSW FTO’s regional film fund for filming in this region.

We wish to welcome Kerry Sunderland of Evolve Media and Andrew Bambach of In Your Face Productions to the board of Northern Rivers Screenworks. Our thanks to retiring board members Tracey Mair, Steve Garlick and Kym Gilham. The Screenworks board is:
Chair - Catherine Marciniak
Deputy Chair - John Weiley
Deputy Chair - Aliison Kelly
Secretary - Cathy Henkel
Treasurer - James Dods
Director - Deb Cox
Director - Roger Monk
Director - Kerry Sunderland
Director - Andrew Bambach

Local resident and long-time industry publicist, Tracey Mair, the principal of TM Publicity, will retire from the business in April. Tracey’s work within the industry over the years has been invaluable with major clients including AFC, NSW FTO, Screentime and Film Australia. Her expertise and tireless contribution to the industry will be greatly missed.

• Belinda Chayko (script editor ABC FIREFLIES)
• Brian McDuffie (Writer, Director and Lecturer in Film Production)
• Valerie Hardy (former Head of Drama Ch. 10)
• Deb Cox (writer, SEA CHANGE)
• Roger Monk (writer, WALKING ON WATER)
• Tristan Bancks (young international short-film award winner)

• CURTAIN CALL - by Blake Osborne
• FISHY FOLK - by Cheryl McMaster
• MIND FLUX - by Kamahl Druesne and Luke Reid
• SIKH WOMEN - by May O'Connell
• OUR BOAT - by Maureen Logan
• US DEADLY MOB - by Samia Goudie and James Mercy

Production is expected to commence in May when intensive script-writing will commence.

The remaining six story writers who did not get selected this time round will have the chance to develop their story for the screen in at least one further workshop scheduled for 23 May at the City Of The Arts Space.

CONGRATULATIONS

THE DEEP POOL - Congratulations to local Mullumbimby fimmaker Sharon Shostak and producer Noelene Hayes who received Special Prize for the Best Short Film at the New York Short Film Festival for the film THE DEEP POOL. The film is a mystical anecdote set in an evocative wilderness where a mysterious force comes to the aid of a man in crisis.

SOAR - Has been accepted into prestigious U.S. festival, Aspen Shortsfest. 70 films were selected out of 1700 international entries. Screening 31 March - 4 April in the Rocky Mountain town of Aspen, the festival has previously shown works by Australians, Steve Pasvolsky, Rachel Ward, Cate Shortland, Robert Luketic and Christina Andreef. The film also screens at Toronto's Worldwide Shortsfest in May.

THE MAN WHO STOLE MY MOTHER’S FACE
The Sundance Channel will be broadcasting the film in the US.

BYRON BAY FILM CLUB - 13 APRIL - COTTON CLUB
Selection of locally made short films. Contact byronbayfilmclub@yahoo.com

NORTH COAST CAMERA PRESENTS FACEUP - 3 APRIL - STAR COURT CINEMA LISMORE
CAMERA will present a collection of 10 short films by nine new writer/directors. The films, all shot on location throughout the Northern Rivers Region, are a result of a six months work for CAMERA's Work-for-the-Dole program FACE UP. There is no cover charge but a
gold coin donation would be appreciated. The films include:

• ROSA' SURPRISE by Peter Horodecki
• SKATE OR DIE by Brendan Drinkwater
• SUCCULENCE by Larissa Wallin
• DEMONICA by T.B.T
• THE 1% PROBLEM by John S Day
• HEADSOUND by Mirko Ritlop
• GEM 'N' I by Jodie Elfski
• FALLING THROUGH THE FOREST by Jeremiah Karme
• THE LONELY MAN by Rohan Walczak

DANCES OF ECSTASY BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - SUNDAY 27 MARCH - 8.30PM - DURRUMBUL HALL, MULLUMBIMBY
a Film by Michelle Mahrer and Nicole Ma & Dance Party Event
Tickets at the door only, from 7:15pm - $20
The event will commence with a screening of the 60 minute film with sensurround sound, followed by an Ecstatic Dance Party with special guests DJ Gemma (WOMADelaide, Club Arak, Big Day Out) and DJ Booth playing seductive arabic, african and global trance beats.

WHAT'S ON IN BRISBANE

A-Z Budgeting for Documentary Producers with AFC - 1 April - AFTRS Brisbane
Costs $50. To apply call 3257 7647 or email charlottec@aftrs.edu.au

FREE seminar with Helen Carmichael - Surviving as a Writer - Friday 26 March from 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Sponsored by the AFC at AFTRS Brisbane
For information on both courses phone Charlotte on 3257 7646 or email charlottec@aftrs.edu.au

Directing course - The Mike Leigh Method - Brisbane, 14 - 18 April
AFTRS. See www.aftrs.edu.au/index.cfm?objectID=30982202-2A54-23A3-6006C9E3813502E3

Prime 04: art+music+video - 28 March to 2 April - Queensland Art Gallery
'Prime 04: art+music+video' highlights the intersections between music and the
moving image, and featured young Queensland artists working in video and across
a range of other artforms. The event features live, outdoor performances by
Australian bands, delivering everything from performance art and satire (the
Kingpins), electronica (The Bird, Ponyloaf), rock (Nightstick, Master Jargo),
and hip-hop (Indigenous Intrudaz). For more information on Prime 04 visit http://www.prime04.com/

WHAT'S ON IN SYDNEY

Introduction to Strategic Company Development for Film, Television and New Media Producers with Jonathan Olsberg - Tuesday 20 April 2004, 9.30am to 5.00pm
This intensive one-day program will examine strategies to assist producers to build a sustainable business and avoid a 'hand to mouth' existence between productions. The aim of the course is to introduce participants to the key aspects of developing a strategic company plan for a sustainable media business. Limited places.
Closing date: Friday 26 March, 5pm
Venue: Australian Film Commission
Level 4, 150 William Street, Woolloomooloo, NSW
Cost is free. Email applications only to info_vic@aftrs.edu.au (Please do not post or fax)

NATIONAL WHAT'S ON

Seriously Funny - 2004 National Screenwriters' Conference - Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April 2004
Rydges on Exhibition Street, Melbourne
As part of the 18th Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the National
Screenwriters' Conference will focus on the Art of Screen Comedy.

SPAAmart and the SPAA Conference - August
SPAAmart and the SPAA Conference will be held at the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast, Queensland. Dates: SPAAmart 7 - 9 August; SPAA Conference 7 - 10 August
The Australian International Movie Convention will take place following the SPAA Conference from 10-14 August. For further information about SPAA Conference, email Katie Fagan at spaa@spaa.org.au

AFC:
16 April. General Development Investment for experienced practitioners
7 May. Internships and Fellowships
2 April. Seed Funding for drama development
16 April. Draft Funding for drama development
21 May. Documentary Seed Funding
21 May. Documentary Project Development
4 June. Fully funded documentary
12 April. Short Animation Production
12 April. Animation Series
7 May. Dearly Development Funding or Digital Media Development
See: www.afc.gov.au

FTO:
27 April. Digital Visual FX Scheme. Contact: iad@fto.nsw.gov.au
10 May. Industry & Audience Development.
21 June. Young Filmmakers Fund. Round 15.
See: www.fto.nsw.gov.au

Australia Council
1 May. New Media Arts. Deadlines for the funding of:
· Fellowships
· New Work – creation of new media art.
· New Work – research & development
· Presentation and Promotion
· Skills and development
See http://www.ozco.gov.au/

Lots of people have approached us about funding applications recently and there are a couple of things you can check out easily for yourself before starting:

• Check the rear of the annual report of the agency to see what was funded through the program before. What kind of projects were funded, by which filmmakers (established or new) and what funding levels were provided? Don’t put in unrealistic dollar requests or projects that aren’t suitable or are similar to what has been recently funded.
• “No” from a funding body generally means “never” for that project - make sure you have pursued all avenues to put your best effort forward - i.e. consulted a script editor, had your budgets professionally checked, consulted Screenworks networks (with sufficient time). We want to support your project to succeed!

SPAAmart 2004 - FEATURE FINANCE MARKET - DEADLINE: FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2004
The Screen Producers Association of Australia is looking for market ready projects, or highly advanced projects with exceptional teams attached, for its 2004 SPAAmart feature finance market. SPAAmart 2004 Guidelines and Applications are available on mailto:www.spaa.org.au/conference.
SPAAmart contact: Duncan Thompson, Market Director, spaamart@iprimus.com.au

MINI-DOCS - CLOSING DATE 25 MARCH
miniDOCS is open again! QPIX is calling for 5 minute documentary concepts (Queensland residents only) for their new production sequence 'Odd Jobs'. Odd Jobs like a demolitionist, Foley Artist, Master Sniffer, Vermiculturist, High Rise WIndow Waher, Bondage Mistress, Pet Therapist, Elvis Impersonator, Astrologer, Taxidermist etc. Visit http://www.qpix.org.au/ for more info.

AWGIE AWARDS FOR SCRIPT WRITERS - CLOSING 26 MARCH
For excellence in screen, television, stage and radio writing. The only writers' awards judged solely by writers. Contact Sarah Odillo Maher Tel 02 9281 1554 ext 223 or visit http://www.awg.com.au/

Cinema closures and movements
Movie Trader: The Mermaid Cinemas on the Gold Coast have closed and will be demolished. An apartment blockwill be built on the site.

DVD on the rise in Europe
LONDON: More than two-thirds of western European homes will have a DVD player by 2007, according to a report by U.K.-based Screen Digest.
Full report at www.encoremagazine.com.au/article_view.asp?id=6147

Production in Australia
http://www.afc.gov.au/gtp/docos/
Get the Picture’s survey on production and release found:
- of the 255 filmmakers with at least 2 credits as a documentary producer over the past six years, 44% were women
- of the 198 filmmakers with at least 2 credits as a documentary director, 36% were women
- 2002/03 saw the lowest level of Australian feature production since 1994/95, with 19 films made worth a total of $49 million
- TV co-production activity also fell sharply, with spending in Australia dropping from more than $100 million in 2001/02 to just $27 million in 2002/03
- Of the 42 foreign features made in Australia since 1990, 29 originated from US companies; six from India, three from Japan, two from Hong Kong and India; and one each from Korea and the UK
- 79% of foreign TV productions shot in Australia since 1990 were US programs
- 17% of crew listed in the 2001 Production Book have a foreign drama credit
- Box office admission numbers fell slightly in 2003, from 92.5m to 90.0m, but gross box office grew from $845m to $866m
- The 2003 Australian share was $30.3m (3.5%)
- The top film in 2003 was FINDING NEMO ($37.1m)
- As at 31 Dec 2003, the top five films of all time include the first two films from the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (no. 3), THE TWO TOWERS (no. 4).
- The top Australian film in 2003 was the Aust/UK co-production NED KELLY ($8.4m).

New Community TV license issued
The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated a community television licence for Perth. The successful applicant, Channel 31 Community Educational Television Ltd (Access 31), will provide the service on channel 31. See www.aba.gov.au/abanews/news_releases/2004/19nr04.htm

New US digital networks
Two new digital cable channels are set to launch in the United States, providing programming possibilities for documentary and lifestyle program makers. See www.pdgv.com.au/news/2004-02-26_01.html

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.