30 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2 Image courtesy: Screen Warriors
Screen Australia has announced 14 recipients selected for placement opportunities through the inaugural BTL: Next Step initiative. The initiative is designed to help mid-career practitioners gain a credit in the four key roles of Line Producer, Production Manager, Location Manager and Post Production Supervisor.
Launched in April 2023, the BTL: Next Step program was introduced as part of a suite of Industry Development initiatives to boost below-the-line (BTL) capacity across the country. The 14 recipients have been selected to undertake placements at 12 host companies, which were announced as part of Stage One in July.
Screen Australia's Head of Industry Development, Ken Crouch said, This latest group of recipients have already commenced their placements, marking an exciting step forward for the BTL: Next Step initiative. Screen Australia congratulates each recipient for their outstanding achievement and acknowledges the incredible array of host organisations they are working with, helping to strengthen our dynamic screen industry.
Screen Australia's Industry Development initiatives, including BTL: Next Step, Skills Development Fund and the Transferable Skills & Returning Crew Training Fund have all received an overwhelming response from the industry. We are thrilled to support the growth of the Australian screen workforce, and to support screen production companies in their training initiatives. Since its launch earlier this year, these programs have allocated almost $2 million, providing training and skills development to over 350 individuals. It is crucial that we continue to support the development of below-the-line roles to ensure we are addressing the evolving needs of the industry, said Crouch.
The recipients of BTL: Next Step Stage 2 are:
Arkeena Zepur Mouradian (NSW): A production manager with a background in screen and sound production and film studies. She recently worked as a production manager on the documentary feature, Married to the Music for London-based production company Rebel Republic Films and has worked on productions supported by the Sundance Institute and presented by IDFA and HotDocs. She has held positions as a post-production technician, producer at SBS Radio, and led on artist support initiatives for Documentary Australia. Mouradian will undertake her placement with WildBear Entertainment as a Post Production Supervisor in Canberra, ACT.
Cat Sanders (SA): Has production and post-production experience on award-winning television broadcasting shows, feature film and episodic, including Visual Effects Production on Marvel Studios' feature film Ant-Man and The Wasp Quantamania and TV series adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, and is now working on the production of an animated feature film set to be released in 2024. Sanders has a placement as a Visual Effects Production Manager at ModelFarm Studios in Adelaide, SA.
Chloe Taylor (VIC): A television production coordinator with four years' experience in television production with a number of production companies including Warner Brothers and Werner Film Productions. Taylor is undertaking a Junior Studio Production Manager placement with EndemolShine in Melbourne, VIC.
Deborah French (NSW): An international TV Producer and Production Manager who has developed a number of award-winning productions through from start to finish. From series producing to casting, French has been delivering award-winning content for over 15 years across a variety of genres. French is currently undertaking her placement with Cheeky Little Media as a Line Producer in Sydney, NSW.
Jeremy Woodcock (NSW): Starting in the film industry in South Australia working out of SAFC with Triptych Pictures, Woodcock is an experienced practitioner in overseeing production management, providing technical support and building client relationships. Woodcock gained experience working in technical roles with gear houses, becoming a post coordinator in the commercial space, and then as an Assistant Producer with Imagination. Woodcock is undertaking his placement with Cutting Edge Post as a Post Production Supervisor in Sydney, NSW.
John Macdonald (QLD): An experienced Production Manager who has worked on projects such as Scarygirl, Combat Wombat 2 and The Sloth Lane. He has worked at Like a Photon Creative as a Production Manager and the Head of Production at Robot Films. Macdonald is currently undertaking his placement with Like a Photon Creative as a Line Producer in Brisbane, QLD.
Karen Illesca (NSW): Currently working as a creative freelancer moving between Media Project Management and creative industry opportunities while developing a series of projects in partnership with Phillippa Webb at 2Kats Productions. Illesca is known for Whirld web series, Shot Open and Invisible. Illesca will be undertaking her placement with Jungle Entertainment as a Location Manager in Adelaide, SA.
Laura Faulkner (VIC): An experienced producer, production manager and production accountant, Faulkner is known for Blacklight, A Perfect Pairing and Shayda. Faulkner holds a Master of Film and Television (Producing) from the Victorian College of the Arts. Faulkner is currently undertaking her placement with Werner Film Productions as Line Producer on The Newsreader in Melbourne, VIC.
Melisa Daly (SA): Throughout her career in production, Daly alternates between various positions including Production Coordinator, Facilities Manager, Extras Coordinator, Covid Coordinator and Producer's Assistant. Daly continues to develop her slate and produce projects through her production company Kickass Chick Flicks, which she founded in 2018 together with writer/director Johan Bosma. Daly is undertaking her placement
