Producer placements, workshops & other professional development opportunities - drama

Screen Australia recognises the value of practitioners gaining exposure to high-level practice in their chosen field. Such experience, whether in Australia or overseas, can help broaden outlook, hone specific skills and advance marketplace awareness as well as benefit the Australian industry more broadly.  This program provides support for industry internships, producer placements, attendance at international script workshops, or other high-level professional development activities.

Applicants must have a clear strategic plan for their proposed funding, and applications will be looked at closely for the benefits not only to the recipient but to the industry as a whole. In the case of internships and producer placements the program is not intended to be a form of salary subsidy for the host company. In the case of international workshops it's important to note that acceptance into the workshop does not guarantee Screen Australia support. Successful applicants are only eligible for one high-level internship in their career.

This program does not cover documentary.

Available funding

Screen Australia will fund:

• up to two Screen Australia international producer placements per year, and up to three industry internships of up to $30,000 each per year if they are international or up to $15,000 each per year if they are domestic (Australia/New Zealand)
  [Note: as of 10 February 2012, funding for these activities had been exhausted.]
  
  
• up to four international workshop placements of up to $25,000 each per year
  
  
• other activities as proposed by applicants, supported by a detailed budget.
  

An individual may only receive one high-level industry internship (including any separately offered specific internships) from Screen Australia during their career.

Funding is for

Support for writers, producers, directors, script editors, development executives and animators who have a significant professional development opportunity in their area of expertise, such as a domestic or international internship with a high-level company or highly experienced practitioner; or to assist with costs during the internship.

Applicants may use the funds to do work overseas or within Australia.
Support for the writer, writer/director, producer, or writer/producer who is participating in an international script workshop. Funding may cover the cost of registration, airfares, accommodation and other travel/living costs.

Support for other high-level professional development opportunities which will provide clear strategic career benefits.

Eligibility

• Only individuals may apply.
  
  
• Applicants must be a writer, producer, director, script editor, development executive or animator who has at least one significant key creative drama credit in their chosen field of the attachment or opportunity, and related success must be demonstrated.
  
  
• Internship or attachment applications must include a written invitation from the host individual or organisation confirming the intern’s duties during the internship and expected outcomes. Where the host is an individual and a production company is involved, the company’s written consent is also required.
  
  
• Internships are not available for script development proposals.
  
  
• International script workshop applications must:
  - have a draft or treatment (writers only) for a narrative feature film
  - have a written invitation from the workshop
  - be available to undertake the workshop.
  
  
• Previous development funding from Screen Australia or its predecessor agencies does not make the project ineligible for international script workshop support. However, a project can only be funded once through this program.
  
  
• Funding cannot be retrospective.
  
  
• For international internships, confirmation of your eligibility for the appropriate visa will be required.
  

Where the application relates to a project, Screen Australia expects the option or rights to be held by the applicant, or by them in conjunction with other key creatives.

Successful interns, together with their host company, may request Screen Australia funds be paid to the applicant through the company for insurance and liability purposes such as work cover. Conversely, applicants may be paid directly; however, they will need to pay their own insurance costs and include such costs in their internship budget.

Applicants must also meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia's Terms of Trade.

Assessment process

Applications will be assessed by a combination of Screen Australia executives and industry specialists/peers as required. We will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application. Where an application is unsuccessful, the reasons will be conveyed to the applicant, with a written statement of reasons provided on request.

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, Screen Australia uses the following criteria:

• The skills, experience and track record of the applicant, and the quality of their previous work
  
  
• The quality of the proposed program of work, study or attachment
  
  
• Where relevant, the reputation and track record of the host individual, company, or the quality and reputation of the international workshop
  
  
• The strategic career benefit to the applicant, and, where relevant, to the project
  
  
• The potential wider benefits to the Australian industry
  
  
• In the case of international script workshops or other project-related opportunities:
  - the quality of the writing and cinematic story telling evident in the project
  - the potential of the project to reach its target audience
  - the development notes, and the degree to which they articulate the issue faced by the next stage of development – the viability of the development plan.

Application materials

Applications must be made using the relevant Screen Australia application form, and include all supporting material listed in the checklist on that form.

Terms of funding

Funding is in the form of a grant.

Funding recipients must deliver

• A written report on completion of the internship, workshop or other activity.
  
  
• An expenditure report accounting for the funding received.
  
  
• In the case of international script workshops, a further draft of the screenplay incorporating development from the workshop.
  

Recipients may also be asked to participate in seminars or workshops to share their knowledge and experience with other practitioners.

[Updated 15 February 2012 - application timing only]