| Welcome to the Northern Rivers Screenworks Email News Bulletin
Issue Date: Thursday 9 March 2006
The next newsletter will be sent out on 7 April. The deadline for
contributions is 31 March. If you would like to have your information
included in the next newsletter, please assist us in the process by
sending no more than one paragraph to info@screenworks.com.au. We reserve the right to edit or omit information. We look forward to receiving your news and announcements.
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|  MEET SBSi COMMISSIONING EDITOR JENNIFER CRONE
Jennifer
Crone is the SBSi Documentary Commissioning Editor responsible for
documentary and factual commissions in all states except NSW. She
commissions half hour and one hour one-off documentaries and
documentary series for SBS's dedicated Australian documentary strands
"Inside Australia" and "Storyline Australia". She also commissions
larger scale documentary and factual series for SBS.
Jennifer will show some recent clips, talk about the SBS charter and
commissioning priorities and be available for discussion and questions
afterwards.
When: Tuesday 14 March
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Where: Screenworks office. 5/95 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Cost: FREE!
Before you come, it is a good idea to check out more information about SBS Independent by visiting the SBSi website. www.sbs.com.au/sbsi.
SCRIPTWRITING WORKSHOP WITH BELINDA CHAYKO
Screenworks
is pleased to present Belinda Chayko delivering, for the first time,
her workshop Middle of Somewhere - Some of the most common mistakes
made in writing a screenplay. This is a must-attend for all budding
screenwriters in the area.
Belinda has worked for over 10
years an assessor and analyser of screenplays, both as a consultant for
organisations such as NSWFTO, South Australian Film Corp and AFC and
for individual clients. During this time she has summarised several of
the most common problems encountered by screenwriters and has developed
a comprehensive workshop identifying and solving those problems.
In her workshop Belinda will use examples to demonstrate the key
problems including points such as: Whose story is it? Good beginning,
good end, lousy middle - the second act blues; Moralising instead of
storytelling; Low stakes for the protagonist, which leads to lack of
engagement in the story. The common problems are then discussed and
developed, giving participants direct insights into how to direct your
own script along a clearer path.
Under-development of scripts
in Australia is listed as one of our biggest problems in successfully
bringing stories to the screen. This workshop is strongly recommended
for writers to help better understand why it is important to take time
with your writing.
Belinda Chayko is a local resident of the
Tweed Shire and started her career with a number of successful short
films, including the internationally praised SWIMMING. Her feature film
debut as director was CITY LOOP, which screened at the Toronto
International Film Festival. Belinda has been editorial manager,
overseeing script development of the ABC-TV series FIREFLIES and has
taught screenwriting at the University of Technology, Sydney. Belinda
is currently working on two scripts one of which received development
funding and is now at financing stage. Belinda will also be directing
this feature.
When: Wednesday 22 March
Time: 10.30am - 1pm
Where: Screenworks office. 5/95 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Cost: $40
Limited places! You are encouraged to book and pay in advance to secure your place. Contact Deb McBride deb@screenworks.com.au
CLINICS
We
are also very fortunate to be able to offer 4 of the workshop
participants one-on-one clinics with script editor Belinda Chayko from
2pm on Wednesday March 22. Appointments are for 30 mins each and the
cost is $20 per session. There are only 4 appointments available. You
will need to submit a 1 page synopsis and book your place with Deb
McBride asap, email: deb@screenworks.com.au
Producer Anne Chesher is the woman to speak to if you have any
questions about your production, the development of your treatment,
creation of your team, budget matters, etc. Clinics with Anne are held
one day per month at the Screenworks office. Appointments are for 45
mins and the cost is $33. To make an appointment with Anne email her at
events@screenworks.com.au.
MAKING HISTORY WITH FILM AUSTRALIA
The Making History Initiative is Film Australia's major new history series for the ABC.
With the next round of development submissions due later in April, Alex
West, Executive Producer, History with Film Australia will give this
introductory seminar to the Making History scheme. Documentary makers
will hear about major trends in history documentaries internationally
and get to understand the scope of the Making History Initiative for
big bold intellectually rigorous and engaging programs.
To research more about the Making History initiative see the Film Australia website
http://www.filmaust.com.au/production/history.asp
Alex West joined Film Australia in 2005. Prior to that, Alex worked
with independent production company Wall to Wall in the United Kingdom,
executive producing factual formats and documentary series including
INSIDE THE MAFIA, ICE AGE COLUMBUS, EXTINCT and WHO DO YOU THINK YOU
ARE? A former Fulbright scholar in the United States, Alex has
previously worked as an independent filmmaker and producer for the
BBC's history and archaeology unit.
When: Wednesday, 5 April
Venue: tba
Cost: FREE!
For further details about venue and time please email Deb McBride at
Screenworks. Mark will also be available for one-on-one clinics. If you
would like to book for one of these FREE clinics please email: deb@screenworks.com.au
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|  UK'S #1 TELEVISION PRODUCER TELLS ALL
UK
producer Robert Thirkell presented his C.O.N.F.L.I.C.T . seminar
on Wednesday 1 March at the A&I Hall in Bangalow. With a proven
track record in making hit TV documentaries (Jamie's School Dinners,
The Baby Race, Back to the Floor, Blood on the Carpet, The Boy Whose
Skin Fell Off), it was a rare opportunity for local filmmakers to hear
from one of the top television producers in the world. We had an
excellent turn out on the day, with some practitioners travelling down
from Brisbane for the event. Here's what some of the attendees had to
say after this entertaining and inspirational seminar:
"Practical and interesting with concrete examples that can be applied to practice... excellent presentation skills."
"Fantastic, really clarifying technique that will help me a lot."
"Great, really entertaining!"
One of the Executive Producers at Film Australia, Penny Robbins, was
also in attendance. She was available for people to speak to during tea
and coffee. Penny made two one-on-one appointments while she was here
with local filmmakers Cynthia Connop and Jane Hankel.
The Robert Thirkell seminar was sponsored by Film Australia, Possum Creek Eco Lodge and the Bangalow A & I Hall.
HEART2HEART
 The
Heart 2 Heart project has now selected six young scriptwriters who will
have their projects developed and made ready for production. Those
budding scribes will now participate in an intensive script development
workshop with the objective of honing their concepts into a functional
script. From there they will receive individual mentoring from
some of the regions best scriptwriters, who will guide the Heart2Heart
crew as they craft their scripts to completion. By the end of
April we aim to have six polished scripts that are ready for
production. The Heart 2 Heart participants are:
CJ MacDonald of Murwillumbah - "My Life"
Darius Devas of Byron Bay - "George"
Johnny Abegg Byron Bay - "Drums of the Heart"
James White of Ocean Shores - "The Legend of the Glowing Cross"
Julia Ingall of Bangalow - "Hotel Exchange"
Jessica Woods of Alstonville - "Twilight"
Congratulations to all the successful applicants.
MENTORSHIPS
Following
on from the recent Scriptworks workshop, Screenworks has extended the
life of the program by giving four of the scriptwriters the opportunity
to be mentored by Charlie de Salis through to first draft stage.
The selection committee, (Charlie de Salis, Russell Burton, Tristan
Bancks), would like to note that all the scripts showed potential and
they hope to see all of them in production at some point in the future.
One of the characteristics the selected scripts share is that they are
ideas easily and naturally contained in the limited short film duration.
The four scripts selected for the mentoring process are:
"Birdsong" writer: John Campbell
"Wash" writer: Darius Devas
"The Desert" writer: Craig Hearps
"Bastard's Broth" writer: Anne Shepperson
Congratulations to these writers and thanks to all who submitted scripts for the program.
LOCATIONS
It's been a busy start to the year with pitching on several
productions, a low budget feature out of Melbourne another out of
Sydney, a reality program (Extreme homes UK) as well as 2 TVCs.
DIRECTORY
The
directory on the Screenworks website indicates a recent influx of
filmmakers and production people to the region. This is fantastic but
has also brought our attention to a problem we have with the listings:
Can practitioners please limit their skill categories to 4-5 per entry?
At the moment some listings have nominated way too many categories,
with some people nominating all of them!
Please review and update
your listing as soon as possible and limit the categories to no more
than 5. By listing everything you detract from your main skill. This
will also improve our ability to refer people to you.
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| WIN $1,000! PLUS FREE WORKSHOPS!
Byron
Youth Service have announced 'Reel Fest', the first Northern Rivers
Youth Short Film Festival, with a cool one thousand dollars prize money
for the best film, plus a stack of other great prizes for runners up
and category winners.
Reel Fest will be presented in early
May 2006 by Byron Youth Service. The festival is targeted at
existing and aspiring young film makers aged under 25 years living in
the Northern Rivers region. To support the festival Byron Youth Service
are running a series of FREE WORKSHOPS to give young filmmakers a
leg up and the skills necessary to create their masterpiece. The
workshops are open to all youth aged 25 or under.
1. Sat March 11th Camera skills
2. Sat March 18th Editing Skills
3. Sat March 25th Stop Animation
The films must be 6 minutes or less and less than two years old.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 28th April, so get thinking, get
out there and get filming. To register for the workshops, contact
Di Mahoney on 6685 7777. For all other enquiries, guidelines and
application forms, check the website www.bys.org.au
NIMBIN'S 39 HOURS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL & COMPETITION
Over
the Australia Day weekend the Nimbin Film Industry Group (NFIG) managed
the inaugural 'Nimbin's 39 Hours Short Film Festival &
Competition'. The event culminated in a standing-room-only crowd packed
into Nimbin's Bush Theatre to view the completed works and to cheer the
presentation of awards to Nimbin's 'golden globers'.
All of
the submitted short films were by novice filmmakers doing their first
production, and there was considerable diversity and comedy in many of
the entries. Together with the major awards there were
encouragement awards given in both the youth and open categories. The
Best 39 Hour Short Film Award $1000 went to 'Plan "B" from Kicking
Horse Production which also won Best Male Actor for Simon Moore. Best
Production went to "The Good Housewife" by Shag Pile Productions, which
also picked up Best Female Actor for Suellen Howard. Best Youth 39 Hour
Award $500 went to "Judgement Day". Major sponsorship for this premier
event was generously provided by Lismore City Council, Thursday
Plantation and Nimbin Hemp Bar. Local filmmakers should dust off their
cameras for the award film event in September, with the next 'Nimbin's
39 Hours' planned for March 2007. For all info check out www.nimbinfilmindustry.org
BYRON FILM CLUB
27 March from 7.30pm at Byron Community Centre
Byron Film Club (BFC) has made the decision to hold its very popular
screenings bi-monthly, instead of monthly, starting in March. The first
screening of the year will be on March 27th at the Community
Centre, at 7.30pm. BFC is an informal network of people interested in
screening and promoting the work of North Coast filmmakers. The
non-profit co-operative is devoted to the production and exhibition of
art and cultural experiences in the form of short films and multimedia.
Visit www.channelbyron.com/forums for updates of the upcoming program. You can also check out their webpage at www.screenworks.com.au/bfc
FILM ARTISTS CO-OP
7.30pm, 6th April 2006 at Byron Bay Services Club
The Film Artists Cooperative (FAC), currently have their monthly
meetings from 7:30 to 10 pm on the 1st Thursday of each month at
the meeting rooms of the Byron Bay Services Club, Jonson Street, Byron
Bay. FAC is a participant run film makers and artists support group and
is a free Screenworks program inviting new members to participate. For
further info, contact coordinator Larry Larstead on 66803279 or email fac@screenworks.com.au
FEDERAL FILM SOCIETY
March 11 from 7pm
Reel Films hope you can make it to their March movie on Saturday
March 11 at Federal Hall. The movie is DON'T LOOK NOW - a beautifully
directed psychological thriller starring Donald Sutherland and
JulieChristie. The film is adapted from a story by Daphne du Maurier
about a couple who lose their daughter in a drowning accident. They
then move to Venice and meet a pair of elderly sisters who claim they
are in contact with the daughter. An absolute classic. Rated M 1973
Italy/UK. Everyone welcome - memberships available at the door -
Wonderful Food, Coffee & Cakes as usual. BYO alcohol and cushion.
Enquiries 66 849 313. reelfilmsoc@yahoo.com
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| AWGIE Awards Entries close Friday March 31.
The
AWGIE Awards (Australian Writers Guild) the national celebration of
excellence for performance writing is open for entries. Presented
annually since 1967, the AWGIEs are unique as they are the only
writers' awards judged solely by writers on the strength of the script
alone.
AWGIE winners include David Williamson, Fred Schepisi, Jan
Sardi, Geoffrey Atherden, Peter Carey, Ray Lawrence, Nick Enright,
Andrew Bovell, Katherine Thomson, Ian David, Rolf De Heer, Melissa
Reeves, Christos Tsiolkas, No'lle Janaczewska, Justin Monjo and Hannie
Rayson.
The AWGIE Awards are for excellence in screen, television,
stage and radio writing and are open to all performance writers who
have had work performed, principal photography completed or broadcast
between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2005. All entrants must be
financial members of the AWG. Entries close at 5.00pm on March 31.
All entry enquiries to the Australian Writers Guild National Office on 1300 552 228 or 02 9281 1554 or email admin@awg.com.au. For entry forms and conditions of entry go to: www.awg.com.au.
SBS Independent Drama Series - Call for scripts.
SBS Independent is calling for scripts for their ground-breaking new
drama series Marx And Venus, an innovative joint venture with
ScreenWest. Marx And Venus will be a series of short television
situation dramas based around two characters developed by Geoffrey
Atherden of Mother and Son and Grassroots fame. Marx And Venus will be
shown five nights a week in primetime, and each episode will be only
five minutes long. SBS is looking for 25 scripts. Submissions are open
to everyone, professional and amateur. Successful writers will each
receive $2,000 for their script. Once the scripts are selected the
entire series will be produced by a WA production company and directed
by WA resident directors. Marx And Venus is scheduled to go to air
early 2007. Information on character profiles and how to submit your
script online at www.marxandvenus.com.au.
2006 National Young Writers Festival - Writers sought.
28 September - 2 October, Newcastle
Australia's largest gathering of young and innovative writers working
in both new and traditional forms including zines, comics, electronic
writing, writing for stage, screen, radio and street, poetry, spoken
word, journalism, auto/biography, comedy, songwriting and prose. Fresh
and experimental, NYWF presents 'writing' in its broadest sense through
panels, discussions, workshops, launches, performances and readings.
NYWF gives young writers a place to present their work and share ideas,
to learn about the industry in which they write and to meet with
like-minded people in a friendly festival atmosphere. Submissions are
now open for fresh, young writers from all walks of life, for the 2006
program. Activities and may be of any genre or topic relevant to
today's young writers'. Contact Email katrina@octapod.org.
Closing 15 March
JTV Docs call for proposals from emerging filmmakers.
May 12: Deadline.
ABC TV and the Australian Film Commission (AFC) are calling for
proposals from emerging filmmakers who are 35 years and under for their
jtv docs initiative. Seeking fresh approaches to half-hour and one-hour
documentaries that explore music, ideas, culture and contemporary
issues through the eyes of generations X, Y and Z. JTV docs are taking
a cue from triple j's mantra - enemy of average - we are looking for
fresh work with a new perspective on the world around us, be it
historical, political, social or just plain personal. Tell us your
tales, from the country or the city, with respect or irreverence,
authority and attitude, so we can launch your jtv doc on the telly. The
ABC and AFC are committing a total of $300,000 to this initiative. See
the website: www.afc.gov.au/funding/fd/docos/fund_75.aspx
Free Score for your short film
Mark
Raetzer is nearing the end of his Bachelor of Music/Composition Degree
at SCU in Lismore. He is focusing on Film and TV Composition and would
like to offer the following opportunity to a local filmmaker: Mark will
compose a professional score for a 5-10 minute short film. He is
offering this for free as it will benefit both parties. Contact Mark at
oldmate_mhr@hotmail.com or call him on 0424 012 035 to discuss.
JTV Docs call for proposals from emerging filmmakers.
May 12: Deadline.
ABC TV and the Australian Film Commission (AFC) are calling for
proposals from emerging filmmakers who are 35 years and under for their
jtv docs initiative. Seeking fresh approaches to half-hour and one-hour
documentaries that explore music, ideas, culture and contemporary
issues through the eyes of generations X, Y and Z. JTV docs are taking
a cue from triple j's mantra - enemy of average - we are looking for
fresh work with a new perspective on the world around us, be it
historical, political, social or just plain personal. Tell us your
tales, from the country or the city, with respect or irreverence,
authority and attitude, so we can launch your jtv doc on the telly. The
ABC and AFC are committing a total of $300,000 to this initiative. See
the website: www.afc.gov.au/funding/fd/docos/fund_75.aspx
A GREAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Radio
Pictures, a documentary production company headed by award-winning
filmmaker Mark Lewis, is seeking an assistant at its production office
in Mullumbimby throughout the production of a documentary series this
year.
Primary responsibilities will include accounting,
office administration, reception and research. The position will
commence in late March and be full time after a period of probation,
for the duration of the current production period (approximately 1
year). The successful applicant will demonstrate proficient
research skills, an understanding of basic accounting, an understanding
of production budgets and schedules, a pleasant phone manner and an
exceptional work ethic. Knowledge of Lexis Nexis, Boolean search
techniques and MYOB will be advantageous.
This is an
excellent opportunity for a graduate whose ambitions lie in producing
or documentary filmmaking. Please submit your resume along with a
cover letter to Peta at
payers@iinet.net.au by Monday 13th March.
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| Australian Film Commission (AFC)
www.afc.gov.au
10 Mar - Strand H - Short Shorts Production- Short (under 15 mins)
10 Mar - Writer Fellowships- Features
10 Mar - Podlove- Documentary - multiplatform delivery
17 Mar - Strand X - Experimental Digital Production- Digital Media
24 Mar - Strand L - Shooting Time-Critical Material- Documentary, Documentary Series
07 Apr - Strand B - Seed Feature Funding - Feature
07 Apr - Strand T1 - Short Animation Production- Animation
07 Apr - Strand T2 - Pilot/Trailer Production - Animation Pilot, Animation Trailer
07 Mar - ICD Interactive Media Fund
07 Mar -New Projects Fund
07 Mar - Events and Activities Fund
10 Mar Indigenous Unit - Drama Development - Feature, Short Feature
28 Apr Indigenous Unit - Documentary Development, Documentaries
NSW Film And Television Office (FTO)
Visit the website: www.fto.nsw.gov.au
No deadline: Development assistance. Contact: devfin@fto.nsw.gov.au
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| Fourteen NSW Government Agencies to Amalgamate
The NSW Ministry for the Arts will be merged into a new Department of
the Arts, Sport and Recreation under a plan announced by the NSW
Premier, Morris Iemma, to merge fourteen Government agencies into
two larger Departments as part of the Government's plan to cut jobs and
balance the State budget. The Department of State and Regional
Development will be expanded to include the Ministry for Science and
Medical Research and the Tourism Ministry and a new Department of the
Arts, Sport and Recreation will combine the functions of twelve
existing agencies including:
- Department of Gaming and Racing
- Sport and Recreation Division of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation
- NSW Ministry for the Arts
- Australian Museum
- Historic Houses Trust
- Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences
- State Library
- Film and Television Office
- State Records Authority
- State Sports Centre Trust
- Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust and parts of the Heritage Office
The timetable for the implementation of the changes will be announced
in May. More departmental mergers are also planned for the next two
years.
SPAA Conference in Qld till 2009. IF Awards to join.
The Qld government has announced its continued support for the Screen
Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) Conference till 2009.
Executive Director of SPAA, Geoff Brown, also welcomed the IF Awards to
the conference week, stating it will add glamour and anticipation to
what is proving to be the industry's major business week of the year.
The IF awards will join SPAA on the Gold Coast from 2006 as the final
night event for the SPAA Conference. "We're very pleased to welcome the
IF Awards onboard" said Mr Brown, "They will bring an additional sense
of anticipation and inspiration to a frenetic business week. The
conference is the single largest national industry event, and the IF
Awards offer the chance for the industry to celebrate the creative
talent and hard work that has gone before as it continues to work on
the year ahead.
"The conference profile locally and overseas
continues to grow", Mr Brown added. "We've worked hard to ensure the
conference remains fresh and relevant, offering real opportunities for
the industry to do business, develop new talent and alliances. Previous
initiatives have included; Fringe Conference - for upcoming industry
practitioners, roundtables allowing intimate meeting opportunities with
international guests, SPAAMart - the Australasian premiere feature film
finance market, DigiSPAA, -Australia's first competitive film festival
for digital features shot without government production assistance and
now the IF Awards. There's more to come with further announcements to
be made later in the year.
SPAA Conference 2006 will be will be held from 14-17 November in Queensland on the Gold Coast at the Sheraton Mirage.
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Northern Rivers Screenworks is supported by the NSW Department of Regional Development, Developing Regional Resources Program.
The Masterclass and Clinic programs are supported by:
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