ScreenACT Newsletter

Sunday, December 16, 2007

The ScreenACT 2008 Project Fund

ScreenACT is pleased to announce it has established a $45,000 fund, offering individual grants of up to $10,000 to help boost the local production industry.

The ScreenACT 2008 Project Fund will be offered early in the new year, and is geared towards film, television and digital media projects that have a business focus and are intended to eventually return a profit.

Applications for the ScreenACT Project Fund are now open, and the deadline is January 25th, 2008. The fund is open to ACT and Capital Region practitioners.

More information, application forms and eligibility criteria are available on the ScreenACT website.

For further enquiries please contact:

Brendan Walsh
Manager, ScreenACT

02-6247 4199
brendan.walsh@screenact.com.au

Local Film & Television Production Company launch under new brand of SilverSun Pictures.

Local Film & Television Company Images Online has now officially announced its new business name "Silver Sun Pictures". An exclusive preview launch was held recently to alert clients and friends to the changes behind the rebrand.

Managing Director - Andrew Marriott says "The name Images Online represented the last decade. Silver Sun Pictures represents the next decade and is a name we can grow intoﾅ a name that describes where we are heading and what we want to become."

Twelve years ago, the company focussed primarily on post-production. In the last 2 years their staff as they have built the 'front end' of the business.

"We now have producers, writers and directors to help shape a client's communication strategy and steer productions towards a successful outcome. This has been a huge factor in allowing Images Online to evolve into Silver Sun Pictures and to become a full 'concept to completion' production company. We're now able to confidently offer two types of services - "concept to completion" and "managed post-production" and this is really exciting." Says Marriott.

The launch was attended by over 200 people, with wait staff sporting extraordinary full prosthetic alien heads, life cast by Sharp FX.

For more information go to: www.silversunpictures.com.au

Local Film and Television production company subject of Apple website feature article.

Canberra's Bearcage Productions are currently the subject of a feature article in the Professional Profile section of Apple's website, examining their creative processes and digital workflow.

The article can be found at: http://www.apple.com/au/pro/profiles/bearcage/

AIE named Australian Small Training Provider of the Year

The Academy Of Interactive Entertainment was named as the Australian Small Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards, held last month by the Department of Education, Science and Training in Hobart. It was thier third nomination for the national awards and sees AIE as the first ACT training organisation to be a national winner in the award's history.

"It is fantastic recognition for the staff and students at AIE, our education partners CIT and the ACT as a whole. The award is also a celebration of the importance of the creative digital media industries to Australia's future and acknowledges the great careers that are possible in these areas" said AIE Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ian Gibson.

Producer offset seminar videos now available

Last month's visit to Canberra by the AFTRS Centre for Screen Business (CSB) as part of the national Producer Offset Seminar series was a big success.

It delivered practical advice about how to use the new producer offset (or rebate) as part of a finance plan for screen productions.

And the Centre For Screen Business has now posted online the first set of videos recorded at the producer offset seminar in Melbourne on 23 October 2007.

The videos feature CSB's David Court and the FFC's Brian Rosen and the FFC's Antonia Barnard: http://www.aftrsmedia.com/CSB/?p=206

They have also published all the documents and spreadsheets they put on the screen at the seminar: http://csb.aftrs.edu.au/go/news/producer-rebate-seminar

The CSB's site also has an offset news page at: http://csb.aftrs.edu.au/go/news/producer-rebate-news-summary

FFC News: Production funding increases with introduction of Producer Offset.

The final FFC board meeting for 2007 has approved a record number of 22 projects generating $72.94 million worth of production in film, television drama and documentary projects.

"With the introduction of the producers offset film makers are now empowered to get stronger deals together. This has led to many more projects being presented to the board than we can finance, but that is a sign of a healthy, dynamic and energised industry," said Brian Rosen today.

"The slate announced today reflects the boards desire to back strong creative teams, with box office potential and diversity."

Projects receiving funding today are feature films; both market place and evaluation, television drama and documentary.

See the FFC site for more details: http://www.ffc.gov.au/news/archive/ffc_int_fund_0712.asp

ABC TV & AFC offer more funding for young doco makers.

ABC Director of Television, Kim Dalton, has announced a further $300,000 will be provided for young documentary makers, under the jtv docs initiative.

The announcement was made in Brisbane at a special public screening of two jtv docs.

Program makers aged 35 and under can apply in a competitive round, until 10 March 2008.

Guidelines detailing eligibility and deadline a be available at: http://www.abc.net.au/jtv Web: http://www.afc.gov.au/jtvdocs

Saturday, December 15, 2007

NIDA on tour this summer- Canberra

NIDA returns to Canberra in the Summer Holidays, in association with the Canberra Theatre Centre, presenting the following courses:

Drama School
A comprehensive week developing performance skills for talented young people. A mini NIDA for the committed player. The course covers a range of performance skills development: improvisation, voice, movement, characterisation, acting technique, acting to camera, devising & rehearsing scenes, auditions and screen tests. Course participants will perform scenes at the end of the week.

Monday 7 to Friday 11 January. 10.00am - 5.00pm
$495 Course 08S1101. 12-15 years
Dramatic Writing
Great stories start with the writer, whether on film, TV or stage. Discover what makes effective characterisation and a good plot. Stretch your imagination, and test findings in short, original scripts.

Monday 7 to Friday 11 January. 10.00am - 5.00pm
$495 Course 08S1102. 16 years +

NIDA Acting Techniques
Identify and experience the essentials of acting. Develop skills in voice, movement, improvisation and characterisation. Respond to scripts and relate to others effectively and prepare to act with ease and skill.

Monday 7 to Friday 11 January. 10.00am - 5.00pm
$495 16 years+
TV Presenting
Gain an awareness of your natural screen presence and learn how to apply this to presenting on-screen, particularly in the context of television and documentaries. Practise as a TV presenter for lifestyle, game and chat shows.

Monday 7 to Friday 11 January. 10.00am - 5.00pm
$495 16 years+
For full details see: http://www.nida.edu.au/NidaCustomisation/CourseList.aspx?TYP=326

AIDC 2008 (Perth, 20-22 February 2008): Early Bird Registration – One week left

AIDC earlybird registration has been extended to Friday December 21st, 2007.
To register go to: http://www.aidc.com.au

AIDC 2008: Updates.

ABC TV Arts & Science Documentary Pitching Competition
ABC TV Documentaries and National Geographic Television International (NGTI) are offering a total of $AUS40,000 development funding to the winner of a Natural History pitching competition to be held at AIDC 2008.

The deadline for applications is January 14, 2008.

For more information see: http://aidc.cmail4.com/l/288734/jl44t644/www.abc.net.au/tv/aidc/nathistpitch/

2ND Round Discovery Ignite
Producers are invited to submit original "Distinctly Australian or New Zealand" programming proposals to Discovery Networks by January 4, 2008.

Short-listed entrants will be notified on January 21 that they have the opportunity to pitch a Discovery Networks panel at AIDC. For further details and all terms and conditions http://www.discoverychannel.com.au/ignite/

Tropfest 2008. Entries are open.

Entries are now open for Tropfest 2008. This year all entries are submitted online (although not the actual film).

Films must still be no longer than seven minutes, and must include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), which for 2008 is the number '8'. Anyone can enter regardless of their background or filmmaking experience. Filmmakers will compete for one of 16 Finalist spots, more than $80,000 worth of prizes, and a chance to premiere their films at the world's largest short film festival.

Sony Tropfest 2008 will take place on Sunday 17th February 2008. Now in its 16th year, Sony Tropfest is broadcast nationally via simultaneous satellite screenings in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and a host of regional Australian locations - attracting an audience of more than 150,000 people on a single night.

Deadline for submissions is Thursday 10th January 2008.

Entry guidelines are now available for download at http://www.tropfest.com/

Underscore: a unique opportunity for emerging screen composers

The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and ABC TV are proud to present Underscore: a unique opportunity for talented, young screen composers.

APRA and ABC TV are offering emerging composers a commission to write original music for an ABC production or to write a package of screen music for use by ABC producers.
To enter applicants must score a 30 second opening titles theme for a fictional youth program and two minutes of incidental music from The Silence. The vision for both segments are available on the website http://www.abc.net.au/tv/underscore/

Screen composer Antony Partos, who has composed music for feature films including Home Song Stories, Walking on Water and Monkey Mask will mentor the successful composer.

Entry is only open to APRA members who are Australian permanent residents or citizens, aged between 18 and 26 years. Membership of APRA is free to all songwriters and composers (visit www.apra.com.au to find out more about APRA and to submit a membership application).

Deadline for applications is 5pm, Friday 15th February 2008.

For more information see: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/underscore/

Monday, December 03, 2007

REMINDER: AIDC ScreenACT Travel Assistance deadline this Thursday & AIDC early bird registration extended

A reminder that applications close this Thursday for ScreenACT's AIDC travel assistance of $750 each to 4 suitable applicants to attend the Australian International Documentary Conference in Fremantle, WA 20-22 February 2008.

The AIDC is one of the largest screen industry conferences in Australia. It provides a market place for documentary product for national and international buyers and distributors, showcases the work of Australian and international documentary makers, and creates a forum to discuss content, craft, technology and future directions.

In providing this travel assistance, ScreenACT wishes to assist ACT and Capital Region screen industry practitioners in their professional development and/or to raise investment funds for their productions.

Funding will be at a set amount of $750 per person as a contribution towards travel costs.

In addition ScreenACT will provide a group information session for the 4 successful applicants with Andrew Pike of Ronin Films to gain some insights into the workings of AIDC and suggestions of how best to utilise the experience of attending. This will take place in Mid January and will be a one hour session

Applications close this Thursday Dec 6th, 2008 at 5pm.

You can download the application form here.

***ALSO, AIDC have announced they are extending their earlybird registration to December 21st. Which means successful ScreenACT applicants that have not yet registered, will still be eligible for the discount!
To learn more about AIDC see http://www.aidc.com.au

The ScreenACT 2008 Project Fund

ScreenACT is pleased to announce it has established a $45,000 fund, offering individual grants of up to $10,000 to help boost the local production industry.

The ScreenACT 2008 Project Fund will be offered early in the new year, and is geared towards film, television and digital media projects that have a business focus and are intended to eventually return a profit.

Applications for the ScreenACT Project Fund are now open, and the deadline is January 25th, 2008. The fund is open to ACT and Capital Region practitioners.

ScreenACT will be holding an information session for interested applicants at Canberra Museum & Gallery "Public Meeting Room" on Friday December 7th at 12 midday.

More information, application forms and eligibility criteria are available on the ScreenACT website.

Producer Offset Guidelines now available on FFC Website

The Film Finance Corporation has now formally released the new Production Offset Guidelines on their website.

The Offset is a tax based incentive and is principally relative to goods and services provided in Australia. It is available to feature films at 40% of qualifying expenditure and for all other formats at 20% of qualifying expenditure as set out in the legislation and guidelines.

See the ffc's website at: http://www.ffc.gov.au/producer_offset/