13 12 2017 - Media release Over $2.9 million in Enterprise funding allocated Bruna Papandrea and Jodi Matterson from Made Up Stories
From 122 applications, Screen Australia has revealed the 19 companies that will share in over $2.9 million through the Enterprise Ideas and People funding streams.
Following a two-stage application process, Enterprise Ideas will provide $1.5 million in funding for proposals from the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA), CuriousWorks, Film Outreach Australia, Guesswork Distribution, Made Up Stories, Screenworks and Start VR.
Through the Enterprise People stream, $1.4 million will go towards 12 salaried positions within companies located around Australia. Three are based in Victoria, two each from Western Australia, NSW, Queensland and Tasmania, and one from South Australia.
Screen Australia's Head of Business & Audience Richard Harris commented: We were extremely pleased by the highly competitive response to the inaugural Enterprise Ideas round, and by the strength of the successful proposals. These will benefit the broader industry by targeting the development of diverse screen voices, looking into untapped sources of international finance, and seeking new audiences for Australian content.
Similarly, the revised People program saw a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of applications from across the country, and we have no doubt these successful individuals will make an impact on the future of the sector.
The seven successful Enterprise Ideas proposals are:
Alice Springs-based CAAMA, who will be supported to produce an organisational direction and plan, to prepare for the next phase of development for this 35-year-old company that specialises in developing Indigenous voices and talent.
The Guesswork Global Development and Distribution Strategy' from Guesswork Television's distribution arm, designed to increase the level of offshore finance available for Australian production. They will achieve this by accelerating the company's globally led approach to commissioning and co-producing, and by increasing their capacity to distribute content for global audiences.
Made Up Stories, led by one of Australia's most successful producing exports, Bruna Papandrea and her local producing partner Jodi Matterson. They will be supported to build commercial partnerships between Australia and the US industry and develop a slate of six to eight projects by optioning content with international potential from female Australian authors, with a focus on complex female leads.
Community-based company CuriousWorks' Behind Closed Doors' initiative, which will connect exciting and culturally diverse storytellers from Western Sydney with experienced industry professionals, including screenwriter Blake Ayshford and Emerald Productions, to develop their stories and careers.
The VR Artist Residency' pilot program from interactive cinematic VR production company Start VR, who will be supported to invite two leading practitioners from traditional screen media and creative industries to develop a VR project over a 12-month period at its Sydney studio. The residents will be immersed in the latest VR technology, production techniques and creative processes in order to develop a new VR property, and will be provided with assistance to pitch and secure production finance.
Film Outreach Australia's Regional Screen Activation Program', which will take their curated film festivals and events model developed in regional NSW to other areas around Australia, ensuring that Australian content reaches regional audiences who have not had easy access to conventional cinemas.
Regional screen industry service provider Screenworks' Evolution' proposal, which will expand their successful model of working with city-based production companies to deliver script development workshops for three new projects that are regional in location. This will create opportunities for local talent and broaden Screenworks connections with regional communities across Australia.
The 12 Enterprise People placements are:
Creative producer Melissa Sawyer who will be mentored by Tim McGahan at Queensland-based production company Black Lab Entertainment Pty Ltd.
Paul Moran who will join Tasmanian animation company Blue Rocket where he will be mentored as a creative producer by principals Alicia Rackett and David Gurney.
Creative producer Kristy Fuller, who will further her professional career development working with Barry Hennessey at Bunim/Murray Productions.
Rachele Wiggins, who will be mentored by Enzo Tedeschi at NSW-based production company Deadhouse Films.
Writer Ben Crisp, who will join Kirsty Stark's South Australian company Epic Films Pty Ltd where he will be mentored by experienced creatives Stuart Beattie, Louise Fox and Ian Collie.
Creative producer Samantha Dinning, who will be mentored by Philippa Campey at her Victorian-based production company Film Camp.
Award-winning company Ludo Studio in Brisbane, who will be supported to employ Daniel Schultz as Business Affairs Manager.
Writer/director Tosca Looby, who will work alongside mentor Karina Holden at NSW-based Northern Pictures where she will be developed into a creative producing talent.
Producer Jodie Bell, who will be supported through the capacity building stream of this program to develop the independent production company Ramu Productions, based in Broome, WA.
Writer Martine Delaney, who will join Tasmanian company Roar Films Pty Ltd where she will be mentored by Steve Thomas.
Briege Whitehead, who will undergo a placement at commercial, factual and entertainment company Blizzard Road Productions where she will be mentored by Ray Pedretti.
Charlotte McConaghy, who will join highly experienced writer/producer Kris Wyld at Victorian-based Wyl
