09 09 2017 - Media release

Skip Ahead turns four: $500K for online creators from Google and Screen Australia

Skip Ahead alumni (clockwise from top left) Superwog, Charli's Crafty Kitchen, The RackaRacka and BrainCraft

Today at VidCon Australia, Screen Australia and Google Australia announced a fourth instalment of Skip Ahead, the joint initiative which helps the next generation of YouTube storytellers to expand their vision and the ambition of the content they create.

Since 2014, Skip Ahead has supported 14 creative teams, including Aunty Donna, Mighty Car Mods, The RackaRacka, SketchShe and Superwog, to work towards building sustainable careers in the screen industry.

In July this year, Superwog’s series pilot was the most successful Skip Ahead premiere to date, amassing one million views in just three days and reaching the #1 trending spot on YouTube Australia. In total, the videos made from the Skip Ahead program have reached a combined global audience of more than 27 million views on YouTube.

For the fourth instalment of the Skip Ahead program, Screen Australia and Google Australia will provide a 50/50 joint funding pool of up to $500,000. A maximum of $100,000 will be available per project, with up to six projects to be funded.

Australian online content creators who have YouTube channels with a substantial existing subscriber base and/or content which has reached significant viewership are eligible to apply. Collaborations between YouTube creators, as well as collaborations with established production companies, are encouraged.

Screen Australia and Google Australia are particularly interested in supporting content creators from diverse backgrounds in terms of culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, people with disability, geographic and/or socio-economic circumstance.

Eligible applicants can propose the format of the project, including episodic series, a standalone piece of entertainment, or an alternative that is appropriate for their creative concept. The project must premiere on the content creator’s YouTube Channel by the end of August 2018.

Mike Cowap, Screen Australia’s Online Investment Manager said: “Skip Ahead rewards the efforts of self-starting filmmakers who have proven themselves to be able to entertain an audience, but may not have had the budget to fully realise their ideas. This is their opportunity to push themselves and their audience, take some risks, and take an all-important step towards a sustainable career.”

Daniel Stephenson, YouTube Content Partnerships Manager, Australia and New Zealand said: “Skip Ahead aims to help amplify the voices of our next generation of online storytellers, both at home and abroad. Australia has no shortage of amazing content creators, including Skip Ahead alum like RackaRacka, Draw with Jazza and SketchShe. We look forward to seeing more great applications for the fourth round of Skip Ahead.”

Successful applicants will be announced in December 2017.

Screen Australia has been investing in online stories since its inception, with a significant increase in titles funded from 2012.

Skip Ahead alumni

Channel	Title	Class of	Episodes	Total views
Axis of Awesome	Axis All Areas	2014	4	145,192
Mighty Car Mods	Lend Us A Ride: Australia	2014	6 + trailer	4,991,686
Sexual Lobster	Fernando's Legitimate Business Enterprise	2014	7	4,969,846
Veritasium	This Will Revolutionise Education	2014	1	1,575,368
Neighbours	Neighbours vs Zombies	2014	5 + trailer	531,469
The Roundabout Crew	The Australiana Hostel	2015	3 + trailer	145,861
Aunty Donna	1999	2015	10 + trailer and outtakes	5,780,798
SketchShe	Traffic Jam - The Musical	2015	4	709,760
Draw with Jazza	The Tale Teller	2015	1 + trailer, BTS and mini doco	1,272,749
How to Cook That	The Sweetest Thing	2015	4	5,280,049
Superwog	The Superwog Show	2016	1	1,779,857
Charli's Crafty Kitchen	Crafty Kingdom	2016	3 + BTS	337,309
Racka Racka	Live	2016	TBC	TBC
BrainCraft	Mutant Menu	2016	1 + trailer	100,648
				27,620,592