ScreenWest's priorities for project funding are in the areas of drama (including children's and animated drama) and documentary. Projects can be either series or one-off programs but must be designed for theatrical release or television transmission and normally be at least a commercial half hour in duration.

Preference is given to projects involving Western Australian writers, directors and/or producers.

While ScreenWest has no specific schemes of support for multimedia projects, ScreenWest acknowledges the importance of this developing area and will look at "cross-over" projects that fit within the funding guidelines.

Funding deadlines for each ScreenWest program are listed with the program application information and all funding deadlines are listed in the funding calendar.

ScreenWest will only provide support to cover a portion of the cost of any project or activity. Some expenses are usually covered by the applicant or other investors, as ScreenWest prefers to see others 'sharing the risk'. The amount ScreenWest will fund depends largely on the scheme under which you are applying, for example; under Production Investment ScreenWest is likely to only provide between 5 - 10% of the total production budget. For more detailed information, please refer to the specific funding guidelines for the relevant funding program/initiative. 

Any material that will support your application like letters of interest from a producer, distributor, exhibitor or other potential funding organisations. For more detailed information, please refer to the funding guidelines for the relevant funding program/initiative.

Yes, if your questions have not been addressed in the funding guidelines. ScreenWest is happy to provide feedback on projects prior to the formal application stage and can often provide advice to assist you in preparing an application so as to give it the best chance of success.

Applicants can formally appeal to the ScreenWest Board for reconsideration if they disagree with assessment decisions made by ScreenWest staff or Panels. Appeals should be directed in writing to the Chief Executive, and must be lodged within 10 business days of receiving notification of the assessment decision. All correspondence should be posted to ScreenWest, PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre, Western Australia 6849

Direct funding through ScreenWest will usually not be considered for the following:

1. Activities which are associated with a course of study or which take place predominantly in an educational institution

2. Purchase of equipment or capital works

3. Productions primarily intended for corporate, educational, training or promotional purposes productions for non-commercial outlets

4. Television programming (other than drama or documentary) such as commercials, infotainment, current affairs, light entertainment, and general children's programming publication costs of film journals, books or magazines.

5. Travel expenses for attending a festival at which the applicant's film is being screened.

First, carefully read the guidelines of the specific program you are interested in, along with the Terms of Trade, to ensure that you/your project is eligible for funding. Then check the application closing date, and that you have all the additional information required for your application. 

All funding guidelines and the Terms of Trade are available on the Funding Programs webpages.

ScreenWest prefers applicants to apply online, which is an easy process. You apply online by logging in with your ScreenXtra subscriber details. If you are unable to apply online you can download a PDF application form (found on each funding program webpage) and follow the delivery instructions.

Please read the specific program guidelines carefully as some funding programs have an alternate application procedure.

If you have any further questions please contact the relevant staff member at ScreenWest.

Grants may be subject to taxation in accordance with the provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act.  Grants may also affect any benefits you may receive from Centrelink.

So you are clear about your responsibilities, ScreenWest recommends that you seek professional advice from the Australian Taxation Office, Centrelink or a qualified tax agent.

•  Trading name
• ABN
•  Purchasing address
•  Payment address if different from purchasing address
•  Banking details
•  Remittance notification address which can be email or fax
•  Contact phone or fax number.

2. An invoice or tax invoice if you are registered for GST.
If you are unsure what information to include in your invoice / tax invoice refer to the Australian Tax Office publication entitled How to set out tax invoices and invoices (NAT 11675-08.2004 ) (www.ato.gov.au ‘Businesses / Your business situation / Recordkeeping and invoicing / Basic topics / A basic paper recordkeeping system).

Please note - it is important that you do not repeat invoice numbers. If an invoice number is duplicated OSS can not process your payment.

3. Forward your completed Supplier Creation / Maintenance Form and invoice / tax invoice to ScreenWest.
OSS will not accept this information directly from you.
Once the above information has been received by ScreenWest:

• If you are not set up in the finance system (or if your details have changed) ScreenWest will forward your Supplier Creation / Maintenance Form to OSS for processing.

Once OSS advises that processing is complete, ScreenWest will raise a purchase order in the finance system and forwards a copy of your invoice to OSS. OSS then takes over the payment process.

•  If your current details are already in the finance system, upon receiving your invoice ScreenWest will raise a purchase order in the finance system and forwards a copy of your invoice to OSS. OSS then takes over the payment process.
  

For detailed guidelines on ScreenWests Funding Program you can view them online or contact ScreenWest on +61 8 6552 7700 for a copy. Most of your funding queries will be addressed in these guidelines.

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government agency that helps Australian companies win overseas business for their products and services by reducing the time, cost and risk involved in selecting, entering and developing international markets.

Austrade can assist Western Australian production companies/producers with investigating international production companies as well as offering practical advice, market intelligence and ongoing support (including financial) to Australian businesses looking to develop international markets.

There is national and State film safety legislation that producers must adhere to. These links will provide you with further information on film safety:

• WorkSafe: the Western Australian Government agency responsible for the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.
• Western Australian Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
• Australian Film Industry Recommended Safety Code
• WorkCover: the Western Australian statutory authority responsible for administering the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (the Act) on behalf of the State.
  

Yes. This Code applies to the use of animals in the production of films for cinemas, television, recreational or educational purposes, including features, documentaries, serials, videos and advertising commercials. The Department of Primary Industries website has more information.

Screenrights administers copyright royalties collected under provisions in the Australian and New Zealand Copyright Acts. The Audio-Visual Copyright Society Ltd, trading as Screenrights, was established in 1990 and operates on a non-profit basis as a copyright collecting society for copyright holders in film, television and radio programs, including film producers, film distributors, script writers, visual artists and music publishers and composers.

Screen industry regulatory authorities
Australian Broadcasting Authority 
Office of Film and Literature Classification

Tertiary institutions and research sites
Australian Film Television & Radio School 
Culture and Communication Reading Room  
Media and Communication Studies Site 
National Library of Australia 
Department of Communication & The Arts 
The Internet Movie Database 

Publications
Encore Directory 
The Production Book 

Broadcasters
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 
Seven Network 
Nine Network 
SBS 
Network Ten

Casting agents supervise the casting process, suggest actors for projects, negotiate contracts, ensure contracts are fulfilled, invoice the producer on behalf of the actor and promote the career of the actor.

Creative agents negotiate rates for their clients, monitor the contract, look for work for the clients and help them to package their project. They also offer clients creative feedback on their project.

The Encore Directory has a list of agents in Australia and the WA Production Directory has a list of local agents.

It can be very difficult to secure an agent unless you have a very strong resume and a broadcast/high profile festival credit for a production you have worked on. If you can get a recommendation from someone who already has an agent then this can help.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) website has award rates. Rates will vary dependent on the type and length of production as well as the cast/crew members level of experience. Often the rate will be negotiated with the producer.

The Australian Writers Guild (AWG) offers a confidential script assessment services including face-to-face 'script clinic' for members and non members. The Film and Television Institute (FTI) in Fremantle also offers assessment services.

First, you will need to find out if there is a market for your script. This information is available from distributors, exhibitors and funding bodies. If there is market interest your project should be original, different and fully developed before you release it.

The Screen Australia website has market intelligence reports that can assist you with your research.

Yes, unless you intend to produce the film by yourself. Producing is a specialised field and if you are a new filmmaker we suggest that you engage the services of an experienced producer. The producer should be approached in the early concept stage and they would expect a two to three page outline of your consolidated ideas. You can then concentrate on writing and let the producer worry about everything else!

You will find a list of local producers in the WA Production Directory or you can contact the Screen Producers of Australia Association (SPAA).

Contact details for Western Australian lawyers can be found in the WA Production Directory. The WA Production Directory is a comprehensive online resource with contact details and key information on WA production companies, facilities, crew, equipment rentals and much more 

You can also contact the Arts Law Centre of Australia or refer to the Encore Directory for contact details of lawyers in Australia.

The Screen Australia website has useful guides that provide an introduction to copyright issues.

Refer to the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and the School Education Act 1999 which are both available from the Department of Commerce Labour Relations website. The Children and Community Services Act 2004 prohibits the employment of children under 15 years of age however there are no prohibitions for children employed in the entertainment industry.

There is no mandatory code in Western Australia relating to the employment of children in the entertainment industry however you can reference the State of Victoria's code for more information.

The industry standard A-Z budget is intended as a guide to preparing budgets in the format that is usually required by funding bodies. A-Z budgets for a feature, short film, documentary and interactive digital media can be downloaded from the Screen Australia website.

Further assistance with budgeting can be found in, The Production Budgeting and Film Management Manual ('the Satchel") published by Screen Australia or the book, Film Business: A Handbook for Film Producers published by Allen & Unwin.

Yes, there are protocols for working with Indigenous content and communities. Screen Australia has developed the document, Pathways and Protocols: A filmmaker's guide to working with Indigenous people, culture and concepts. This guide has been produced to provide advice about the ethical and legal issues involved in transferring Indigenous cultural material to the screen.

Please note that if you are filming on Indigenous lands you will need to obtain a permit, see the Fast Facts page for more information.

A press kit or an EPK (electronic press kit) is an essential tool to market your film to festivals and garner publicity. It is important to include a variety of information about the film while ensuring that the content is succinct and not too long.

ScreenWest has published a short film marketing guide with details on what to include in a press kit.

First you need to consider what area of the film and television industry you want to work in; production, direction, post production, catering, photography, the list goes on. Screen Australia has a downloadable guide, Getting Started in Film, TV and Interactive Digital Media , which may help you with making this decision.

In Western Australia there are film and television courses held at these tertiary institutions; Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University or Central Institute of Technology . The Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Western Australia also has a range of short and full-time courses.

The two main national media training schools are The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) School of Film and Television.

If you have just completed a course of study in film and television then it may be useful to volunteer on a local production to gain further experience and contacts. You can contact a local production company that has a project gearing into production to inquire about attachment or volunteer opportunities - the document What's in Production will inform you of the productions happening in the State and ScreenWest has a funding allocation for Professional Attachments and Mentorships. You can also contact FTI and find out if any of their productions require additional crew.

Once you have worked on a few productions this may then open up further paid or unpaid work opportunities and will increase your knowledge of the screen industry. Take advantage of many of the social networking opportunities that happen in WA to further increase your contacts - subscribe to receive ScreenWest's weekly e-newsletter ScreenOnline to find out what events are coming up.

Most importantly, don't miss any opportunity to ask questions to professional working filmmakers in the State - these are often your best resource to find out what work is coming up, how to get work and how to further your career in the screen industry.

There are no hard and fast answers to this question. You will want to ensure that the project is presented in the best possible shape to interest whoever you send it to. This may mean taking the project through several drafts, however you could be wasting time and effort if the project is not what they are looking for. We suggest you gauge the opinion of a script assessor or a producer before you submit your project.

A good place to start for further advice are the Screen Australia information guides.

It is difficult to protect an idea but the best way is to consolidate your ideas by putting them in writing, eg. in script form, treatment, synopses, scenarios or outline form.

Place your name and date on the front of the manuscript. The Australian Writers Guild on (61) 8 9201 1172 offers members a script registration service. Your material may be lodged with the AWG for a fee. The registration is valid for 10 years.

The Arts Law Centre of Australia publishes a copyright information sheet and Screen Australia has published useful guides about copyright issues for filmmakers.

The Screen Australia website , the Film and Television Institute (FTI) and the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) all have examples of these documents. The Production Budgeting and Film Management Manual ("the Satchel"), published by Screen Australia can also provide further information.

The WA Production Directory is a comprehensive online resource with contact details and key information on WA production companies, facilities, crew, equipment rentals and much more

Australian crew are also listed in the Encore Directory and the Production Book or you could contact one of the industry associations (ie Australian Directors Guild (ADG), Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA).

You need to contact the publisher or author to obtain the rights. There are various types of agreements that can be entered into and information is available in, The Production Budgeting and Film Management Manual ("the Satchel") published by Screen Australia. The Arts Law Centre has sample agreements available for download on their website.

National

Screen Australia
Australian Childrens Television Foundation
Ausfilm
Australian Film Institute

State

Film Victoria
Screen NSW
Screen Queensland
South Australian Film Corporation
Screen Tasmania
Film and Television Institute

You will need to develop it, either by writing it yourself or hiring someone to write it for you. Contact the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) for script formats or for a list of writers and their rates of pay. The Screen Australia website has a number of useful documents available for download and for further advice contact The Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Western Australia.