21 11 2022 - Media release
Screen Australia and Australian Writers' Guild announce The Creators initiative
The Creators initiative
Screen Australia and the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) are pleased to announce The Creators, a new career acceleration program for high-calibre mid-career screenwriters to build toward the creation of their own shows. Through the initiative up to six writers with existing episodic slates will be selected to travel to Los Angeles to participate in training, industry meetings, networking events and attend Content LA in 2023.
The program will provide participants with high-level training from industry leaders, as well as project and pitching development and networking opportunities to sell their stories in domestic and international arenas. Jeff Melvoin, founder and Chair of the Writers Guild of America’s Showrunner Training Program, will lead the selected writers in a training workshop, and writer, director and executive producer Jeff Greenstein will lead the writers in pitching training while in the US.
The Creators is supported by industry partners Australians in Film and Scripted Ink.
Screen Australia’s CEO Graeme Mason said, “We’re delighted to partner with the AWG to provide Australian screenwriters with this unique opportunity to advance their original Australian stories and gain training and exposure to the US industry. The Creators aims to help creatives enhance their slates, pitching skills, business capability, forge important connections and reach market and audience. In an increasingly global market we’re committed to supporting Australian writers find pathways to audiences here and around the world.”
AWG President Shane Brennan said, “Australia produces outstanding television with highly skilled screenwriters at the core of the creative vision. The Guild is thrilled to partner with Screen Australia on The Creators, designed to equip Australia’s most in-demand writing talent with the industry knowledge and access to take our unique stories to the world and to drive opportunity and production on a local and global scale.”
Susie Hamilton, The Creators Program Director said, “Australia is home to many talented, established screenwriters who are ready, with the right support and access, to take their stories to a global audience. The Creators will identify six high-calibre screenwriters and provide them with the unique training, unmatched opportunities and exposure to enter the global industry as market-ready, pitch-ready and slate-ready creatives/writers. We couldn’t be more excited to deliver this program.”
To apply, writers must have sufficient recent credits across television, feature film and/or theatre; and existing interest from the global community. They must also have a slate of 3-5 scripted episodic projects currently in development including one lead project with a draft pilot script to focus on in the program. Applicants must be available from 6–19 May 2023 to attend.
For the full eligibility requirements and how to apply see the Guidelines here.
Applications are now open and close at 5pm AEDT Thursday 2 February 2023.
Successful applicants will be notified by Thursday 9 March 2023.
Information webinar
Those interested in applying can hear more about the program at an information session run by AWG. Please ensure you read the Guidelines before attending.
- Date: Thursday 8 December 2022
- Time: 7pm AEDT
- Click here to attend.
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Media enquiries
Maddie Walsh | Publicist
+ 61 2 8113 5915 | [email protected]
Ted Rose | Senior Publicist
+ 61 2 8113 1091 | + 61 456 558 679 | ted.rose@screenaustralia.gov.au
All other general/non-media enquiries
Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]