This newsletter features information about:
Screenworks news
Local news
National news
Opportunities
What's on
Funding deadlines
For sale

Screenworks Announces Filmmakers Support Scheme
Screenworks announces a new scheme to assist low-budget, non commercial filmmakers from Grafton to Tweed Shires.

Screenworks with the support of TP Health and The Beach Hotel is making available public liability cover up to $10million for filmmakers of low budget films. The policy is held with Community Care Underwriting Agency and is available to volunteer or deferral-based projects.

The program will be available upon application to Screenworks for $60 to cover administration fees.

Screenworks is aware that many filmmakers are undertaking their projects with unnecessary risks or have to pay between $500 - $2000 a day for cover, making insurance unaffordable.

“With 90 members all actively pursuing their film projects, currently in back yards and living rooms, the Film Artists Coop is very appreciative of Screenwork’s initiative as it gives practitioners an opportunity to legitimately negotiate with councils and other venue owners to access a much broader range of locations which have not been available without public risk cover in the past” says Larry Larstead, co-ordinator Film Artists Co-op.

“Screenworks is very grateful to TP Health and The Beach Hotel for supporting this scheme – which we hope will encourage a diversity of projects whilst supporting the filmmakers duty of care to its community”, says Cathy Henkel, Chair of Screenworks.

Filmmakers should check www.screenworks.com.au/public_indemnity.php for further details and application form or contact the manager Kate Ingham at Screenworks for more information - phone 6680 9220, email kate@screenworks.com.au

George Whaley masterclass a hit
Scenes from the George Whaley masterclass on directing actors:

George Whaley in action	George Whaley with actors

Short and Sweet
Miles Bennett has been lured by production and has left Screenworks to work at Heliograph with John Weiley on his latest large format film HEART OF THE SUN. Kaye Blum is taking over as Events officer. She is a professional writer by trade; having worked as a journalist, copywriter, web content writer and technical editor for over twelve years in Melbourne, Sydney and London. She became involved with filmmaking and production through the London Filmmakers Co-op. She undertook a Post Graduate Diploma at VCA School of Film & Television and her two VCA films were screened at arts film festivals in Europe. She has also trained at the AFTRS as a First AD. She has worked at ScreenHub as head writer, then as a freelance contributor during 2003-4. Kaye recently first AD’d the TWINS production shoot.

Locations report
US feature AQUA MARINE shot a main street scene for two days (8 and 9 March) in Kingscliff. They employed 120 locals as extras and had two units shooting. Each shopfront received some remuneration and the children’s playground acquired a shade cloth cover as part of the location fee negotiations. Screenworks has assisted with council liaison for this shoot.

Screenworks provided location advice and crew referrals for Toyota TVC shot late February with 16 locals employed from our database. We have also recently provided images and referrals for a Nissan commercial and a whitegoods commercial.

Australian feature PATHFINDER, a privately funded $4M drama, will be shot in Tweed jungle locations in June. Screenworks has provided location support and referred the producer to our database. The shoot will be HD with a small crew. The producer is Roger Noland based in Nerang.

Screenworks assisted NSW Tourism with contacts for footage for a regional campaign to be aired in April and assisted Lismore Tourism with images for promotion of the shire and their web site.

The location database is now live online on the Screenworks web site, complete with 350 images, with more loading up each week. Check it out.

From June to December last year Screenworks provided crew and production services advice, images and general production advice to three music videos, three corporates, two documentaries, 27 commercials, two stills shoots, seven feature films, five television programs and series, one Chinese business delegation many of which ended up shooting in the region. We’ve been busy.

Georgina Symes as Ms Adventure and Petra Cremming as Lotus about to take a morning flight	Guy Mansfield directing Lous and Ms Adventure with Owen Cassidy on sound

Men’s Media
Grant McGifford has successfully attracted Regional Arts Fund support to run a 10 week video production course. Men’s Media is a project where young & mature aged men produce their own documentary/drama video about men within our community. A weekly men’s TV show series will also be produced. Grant is looking to national community television and possible national broadcaster release. There will be a screening of the video in 2 cinemas in the region. Contact Grant for any enquiries or if you are interested in attending the course. Grant McGifford Ph: 02 6622 0901 Email: gmcmedia@eml.cc

I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL: a doco on Spike Milligan
The Adelaide Film Festival hosted the world premiere of I TOLD YOU I WAS ILL: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SPIKE MILLIGAN and the accompanying web site at http://www.spikemilliganlegacy.com/.

The documentary is an intimate and deeply personal portrait of comic genius Spike Milligan through the eyes of his brother Desmond, his daughters Laura, Sile and Jane and his third wife, Shelagh. Each saw a very different side of this complex and multifaceted man who forever changed English comedy and trampled on the notions of decorum and deference. For the first time his family have opened up their personal archives to reveal Spike as a brilliant, tortured and visionary man who trod the thin line between genius and debilitating depression.

Director/writer/producer Cathy Henkel, producer Jeff Canin and many of the crew visited Adelaide for the first theatrical screening on 22 February as part of the Adelaide Film Festival. Joining them were Spike's brother Desmond, his eldest daughter Laura, his granddaughter Georga and Spikefest organisers from Woy Woy, where Spike's parents lived and where he wrote many of his books.

The web site, produced and written by Kerry Sunderland from Evolve Media and developed by Adelaide-based Katalyst Web Design, with illustrations and animation by Murray Debus (Rapt Animation), is also now officially launched.

There are two versions of the site: the 'still' version features on screen text and images only; the 'moving' version features animation, sound and video and has been designed for those with broadband internet connections. Some of the highlights include the Milligan family photo album, letters Spike wrote to his daughter Laura and Spike reading some of his own poetry. Visit the site now http://www.spikemilliganlegacy.com/.

Hermes and the Naked Flame
Local animator Nigel Haslam and writer Brendon Kennedy are developing an animation series which spans “the lickable outer-edge of the envelope of mystery and beyond”. Originally developed as a radio series and broadcast on Radio National’s Science Show, the series was commissioned through ABC Radio Production Fund. The interest generated in Hermes was significant and so the development of the animation series has been selected for profiling on ABC Online.

Accolades
Local short film NEW BOOTS will screen at the London Australian Film Festival at the Barbican, In the Realm of the Senses Outdoor Film Fest in Melbourne and Newport Beach Film Festival in LA in March-April. SOAR just won Best Short Film at Toronto World of Comedy Film Festival.

Arts Northern Rivers
Has a newsletter and practitioner database which provides comprehensive information about cross artform activity in the Northern Rivers. To subscribe email artsnorthernrivers@tpg.com.au

OZDOX
In March 2005, low-cost and professional High Definition cameras are due to explode into the rapidly evolving technology of Australian documentary production. The superior visual quality of HDV will shortly become mandatory for documentary filmmakers. To help prepare for the change, OZDOX is conducting a panel of top experts to share the results of recent tests, research and HD experiences on 10 March in Sydney.

Documentary Production
Rosemary Curtis, Research Manager spoke at the AIDC on key data related to documentary production in Australia. See www.afc.gov.au/gtp/docos/index.html

The FAQs Guide to the AFC's Resources for Documentary Filmmakers, I've Got a Great Idea for a Film, Box Office and Australian TV Ratings have been updated. You can download the PDFs, view the HTML version online or request a hard copy from publishing@afc.gov.au

Box Office & Awards
Updated lists of all-time top Australian films and the top 5 Australian films in 2004 – Strange Bedfellows at no. 1 earned $4.8m, Somersault $2.1m, and One Perfect Day $1.2m.

Australian Game Developers Awards for 2004, with Irrational Games’ TRIBES: VENGEANCE taking out the Best Game and Best PC Game, and the Best Handheld Game going to TY the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue from Krome Studios.

AIMIA Mobile Content Industry Development Group
A new group of AIMIA members has established MCIDG as a inclusive unifying voice for the mobile content industry (developers, providers, aggregators, publishers, handset manufacturers, carriers) working to remove barriers to industry opportunities and to grow the market for content, applications and services. To check this out see http://www.aimia.com.au/ or email Katherine Shields (aimia@aimia.com.au) or 02 9238 1915.

Calling for Applications - SPARK
The feature film script development program from the AFC, in association with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, is now calling for applications for the next SPARK workshop, to be held 28 August - 4 September. See www.aftrs.edu.au/SPARK/

24 March - New Funding Strand AFC : Writer Fellowships
Fellowships will support the development of distinctive features at an early stage on the basis of the track record of the writer or writer/director and the strength of the story idea. Applicants must be writers or writer/directors of short drama, animation, short features, features and television drama which have received local and international awards and/or have had outstanding commercial success. Deadline 24 March 2005. Guidelines and application forms are now available on the AFC web site.

22 April - two Twisted
The AFC, in association with Bryan Brown, is seeking scripts for two Twisted, an anthology drama series to be produced for the Nine Network. Each story needs to surprise and intrigue, and end with a sting in the tail. Script submissions are encouraged as early as possible. Deadline 22 April. For guidelines and further information go to two Twisted on the ninemsn web site at http://www.ninemsn.com.au/.

29 April – Low Budget Features
The AFC supports the development of low-budget features with distinctive story ideas, inventive storytelling, emotional resonance and something to say, across all genres. This new program identifies promising low-budget feature projects at an early stage. An individual applicant must be a writer or writer/director with at least one produced drama credit (short films/features included). Teams must include a writer or writer/director with the above credits and may also include a producer and/or director. Deadline 29 April. Guidelines and application forms are now available on the AFC website http://www.afc.gov.au/

Hothouse Documentary Scheme
Film Australia, in partnership with the FTO announced at the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) the Hothouse scheme which will provide guaranteed $100,000 start up capital and additional on site production services, facilities, training and advice to an approximate value of $50,000. The scheme is designed to help talented and experienced filmmakers create a viable on-going business and is pivotal to the continued growth and success of the documentary sector and to the industry in general. For information on the Hothouse Scheme visit the FTO web site, email hothouse@filmaust.com.au
or call Alison Leigh (02) 9413 8757

31 March 2005 AWGIE Awards Call For Entries
The AWGIE Awards are the Australian Writers' Guild's annual awards for
excellence in screen, television, stage and radio writing. Presented annually since 1967, the AWGIES are the only Australian writing awards judged solely by writers. Awards and nominations are judged only on the written script- the writer's intention not the finished product. Entries close at 5pm on 31 March 2005. See www.awg.com.au/artman/publish/cat_index_17.shtml

15 April – Sept: Experimenta - Call For Entries
Experimenta is now calling for Short Films, Videos, Animations, and Interactive Projects. Step through the looking glass, unveil the extraordinary, and explore the enchanted moments hidden within the fabric of our everyday lives. Experimenta VANISHING POINT will include a major exhibition held at central Melbourne venues including Blackbox at the Arts Centre, and screening programs at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Experimenta is calling for completed interactive media projects, new media projects, and short films, videos, animations that embrace the theme of enchantment and illusion. For information and application forms, please email charity@experimenta.org

Mesh #18 Vanishing Point - Call For Papers
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein. Mesh #18 Vanishing Point is calling for papers from Australian and international writers and artists that explore these themes. MESH #18 Vanishing Point will be produced online and as a printed publication as part of the Experimenta Vanishing Point catalogue. For more information, contact Lisa Gye via email lgye@swin.edu.au

April 27 - Digital Fx Placement Scheme
Applications for Digital FX Placement Scheme, which gives aspiring digital artists a start in Sydney's top digital effects companies. They get a paid work placement, incredible experience, and skills that can only be learned on the job. To be part of the Scheme, you need to be highly visually creative, a good communicator, and able to work in a team. Film or television production experience is also an advantage. If you fit the description, you're a permanent NSW resident, and you're absolutely keen to start a career in digital visual effects, this Scheme could be your big break. See www.fto.nsw.gov.au. NSW Film & Television Office. Phone: (02) 9264 6400. Freecall: 1300 556 386. Email: fto@fto.nsw.gov.au

SCREEN CERT III now on offer at Grafton TAFE
The North Coast Institute of TAFE for the first time ever will be running a Certificate III in Screen at Grafton Campus. This course is designed to provide emerging filmmakers with the skills, knowledge, applications and attitudes to perform film and television production work.

The course will run three days a week and course tutors include Marie Carruthers (previously at SBS) and Rebecca Cole (Channel 7 Home & Away & 9 Sydney Olympics). There are still three places left. Contact Bruce Vickery for more information on 02 66411600 or email Bruce.Vickery@det.nsw.edu.au

2 May applications close - Introduction to Screenwriting – AFTRS course online
This comprehensive, fully online 13-week course will introduce participants to the fundamentals of creating an industry-standard feature film script. Covers: basic technical proficiency in storytelling for the screen; a toolbox of proven techniques and exercises; basic fluency in film language and structural analysis and confidence in your abilities to conceive and write screenplay materials. Course Dates: Monday 9 May - Friday 29 July 2005. To enrol call the Melbourne AFTRS on (03) 9690 7111 for further information or visit the AFTRS web site.

Introducing Indigenous Film Services
Indigenous Film Services is a film, video and multimedia resource centre offering production support to the mainstream and Indigenous communities. IFS scouts Indigenous actors, artists and technicians to production companies, casting agents and television networks regarding Indigenous specific considerations. IFS was launched in 2004 with the assistance of the NSW Department of Education & Training. Log on to http://www.indigenousfilmservices.com/ or contact - Daniel Syron Coordinator - Indigenous Film Services Ph: 02 9332 2777.

15 March Byron Cinema: 7:00 p.m. One night only!
The Pushkar camel fair in India’s Rajasthan welcomes more that 250,000 people, 60,000 camels, horses and cattle every year on the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartika. Pilgrims, fakirs, gypsy dancers, musicians, traders, tourists and bathers to the holy lake make for a fabulous, frenetic mix. Young filmmaker Kamahl has documented the Pushkar experience and is showing it, one night only in Byron Cinema: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday March 15.

The program is proudly supported by Byron Youth Enterprise, the Byron Cinema and Byron’s own Bollywood dancers.

Kamahl “are you someone famous sir?” Druesne is a young filmmaker who has been an inspiration to many aspiring filmmakers in this area. His above the line movie making courses for Byron Youth Service have been very popular and productive. Some of his students have gone on to seriously pursue a career in the industry.

15 March Controversial Film Event - Byron Film Club & Airtime Productions
Byron Bay Community Cultural Centre

Also at :
Southern Cross University - Union Auditorium

Fri 18 March at 8pm: FOR WE ARE YOUNG AND FREE
This documentary explores major inconsistencies within the Australian Legal System and its foundation under British and International law. It exposes information the Australian Government and the Australian Tax Office do not want you to know, and much of the Australian media has refused to report. It is a controversial look at the basis of our legal system and the Constitution, and what they mean to us today.
Media Inquiries Contact : Scott Nathan Ph: 0411 357 252
mailto:scott@airtimeproductions.com
www.airtimeproductions.com/
Byron Film Club: Contact: Frank Coorey 66809 220
byronbayfilmclub@yahoo.com.au
www.screenworks.com.au/bfc

Thursday 17 March: LINC TV AGM
All positions are declared vacant at the AGM and new representatives elected or re-elected. Nominations and applications to become a voting member (accompanied by $20) need to be forwarded to Dave Hannaford at NRG, phone 6622 3488 for directions or e-mail Dave at director@nrg.com.au. Dave will be doing a presentation on behalf of the former board regarding the proposed restructuring and extension to the current broadcast footprint, and current ABA negotiations on these issues. Enthusiastic new members willing to help pilot Regional Community Television as happening event for the rainbow region are welcome and needed.

Wed 6 April: Digital Content Industry Action Agenda Industry forums
Northern Rivers participants are invited to attend an Australian Government initiated forum aimed at helping the industry and government identify opportunities for growth.

Digital content industry members are invited to attend a forum in Byron Bay and meet members of the Strategic Industry Leaders Group leading the Action Agenda. Industry representatives will present their views on the major challenges and opportunities for this sector and will seek the views of attendees.

When: 4.00 – 6.00 pm, Wednesday 6 April 2005
Where: Upstairs Studio, Byron Cultural and Community Centre. 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay

To register send your details to stephen.cassidy@dcita.gov.au by Friday 1 April 2005.
For more information visit the DCITA web site or www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/cics

April 7-8 - Ozeculture 2005: Magic, Money And Myth
The fourth OZeCulture Conference of culture, digital content and ebusiness is on at the Byron Community and Cultural Centre, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, NSW. Delegate Registrations now open. Full details are on the conference web site.

7 April. Film Artists Cooperative. 7.30pm.
If you wish to ‘pitch’ an idea, or ‘front-up’ a performance piece, or screen a work to the group next meeting, please send Larry Larstead an email or phone and book your spot. FAC can usually handle 5 or 6 five minute spots on the night. Larry requests that you email a copy of your synopsis of the pitch, no more than one page, prior to the meeting night. FAC meetings are the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Screenwork’s office.

30 April - Expressions of Interest close for New Creative -The Northern Rivers Creative Industries Showcase
Are you one of the top 200 creative small businesses in the Northern Rivers Region?
Would you like to take part in a unique event to showcase the region's creativity?
Would a potential 10,000 customers passing your stall in two days interest you?

On the weekend of September 10-11 the best of the region's film, digital media, literature, performing arts, design, music, visual arts and dance will be showcased at the Byron Bay Beach Resort.

At the same time some of Australia's leading technology companies will be demonstrating the latest in computers, music and games software, digital video and graphics equipment, business systems and desktop publishing.

And then there is your business!

A feature of New Creative will be the Creative Marketplace offering the best that our regional artists, artisans, designers, innovative food producers and creative leisure suppliers have to sell. This will not be "just another market". The products and services in the Creative Marketplace will be presented in four themed clusters of stalls - adornment, habitat, taste and creative leisure. Individual sites will measure 4m x 4m and the basic cost per site will be $120 for the two day event.

New Creative will be widely promoted in the media from Tweed Heads to Coffs Harbour and throughout South East Queensland. It will also be publicised nationally.

New Creative has been initiated by a coalition of regional organisations including Arts Northern Rivers, CLIC Network, Northern Rivers Development Board, Northern Rivers Writers Centre, Northern Rivers Screenworks and Southern Cross University.

Closing date for Expressions of Interest is April 30. If you require further information or would like an application form please call Barrie Peters at barmar@mullumonline.net or telephone him on 6684 0424

AFC
Australian Film Commission – see www.afc.gov.au
18 Mar: Strand L - Shooting Time-Critical Material; Strand X - Experimental Digital Production
29 Mar: Strand S - Animation Development
15 Apr: Strand B - Seed Funding
22 Apr: Strand L - Shooting Time-Critical Material
29 Apr: Strand D - Draft Funding; Strand J - Seed Funding; Strand K - Project Development; Strand F2 - IndiVision Low-budget Feature Development
26 Apr: National Touring Exhibition Fund- Industry and Cultural Development
29 Apr: Documentary Development - Indigenous Unit

Ongoing - ABC RADIO Regional Production Fund
The ABC Radio Regional Production Fund commissions work from experienced radio producers and talented content providers who live outside the major capital cities. They look for documentary features or series, music segments, drama, comedy, serials, short stories, history, poetry, discussion programs or creative broadcast events. Contact Deb Leavitt on (08) 9220 2781, email leavitt.deborah@abc.net.au or check the web at www.abc.net.au/radio/rpf/default.htm.

Two cameras - Sony VXl000 three chip Mini DV digital camera with light metal carry case. Good condition, not a lot of work done with it. $l200. Other camera is a three chip Sony TRV900 three chip Mini DV camera $l,500 plus carry case. Call David on 0409 925 469.

Contact Kate at Screenworks on 6680 9220.

If you have received a copy of Screenworks' e-news from a friend, and want to subscribe yourself, please go to http://www.screenworks.com.au

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.