Opportunities rough Low Budget Scheme

The proposal was presented by Screen Producers Australia to industry stakeholders in Canberra today, following the organisation's annual Screen Stories breakfast. The primary aim of the scheme is to create work that is additional to the status quo. It is designed to increase production levels and the number of opportunities for filmmakers and performers. The scheme is not designed to erode existing pay and conditions across the industry but ultimately to increase the overall health of the sector, said Matthew Deaner, Executive Director of Screen Producers Australia.

The aims of the scheme are:

To increase the number of Australian feature films produced each year.

To increase the development opportunities for the next generation of talent both behind and in front of the camera.

To increase the quality of low budget films through the use of professional actors and mentors behind the camera.

To establish a new distribution and exhibition channel for Australian feature films.

Mr Deaner said that the successful implementation of the scheme will require adjustments to be made by all stakeholders including some reinvestment of fees by cast and crew, including producers; revision of recoupment positions for government investment, and revision of the guidelines for eligibility of the 40% Producer Offset.

Screen Producers Australia is proposing that a joint review panel made up of representatives from MEAA and Screen Producers Australia be established to assess applications for certification under the scheme.

Producers would package their films in the usual way but reinvestment of fees could only be guaranteed by registration. Producers would be required to budget to Australian professional standards and all those re-investing a portion of their fees would be entitled to recoup those fees from any returns the film makes as well as entitlement to a percentage of net profits, Mr Deaner said.

The budget threshold under the scheme is proposed to be $500,000 for very low budget productions and up to $1.5m for low budget features, with differing levels of fee re-investment for each.

Importantly, we believe such a scheme can help to build audiences for Australian films. We want to work with the industry to look at alternative distribution models, such as the development of a complementary cinema circuit that could involve a mix of specialist venues and some mainstream cinemas, opportunities with non-traditional delivery systems and reconsideration of traditional holdbacks or windows. A revised definition of acceptable distribution arrangements is needed if any growth is to occur in the sector at all, Mr Deaner said.

The UK, US and Canada each operate successful low budget feature schemes so it's difficult to understand why we wouldn't embrace the opportunities a carefully considered scheme would offer here in Australia.

LINK:	http://screenproducersaustralia.org.au/news/screen-producers-propose-b...
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