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Funding
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A1.2 Project Development Investment Funding (Doco & TV only)
| Type: Investment |
| Funds Available: Up to $25,000 (per application) |
| Assessed: By panel |
Purpose and Scope:
Television drama production (including children's, animated and primetime series), low-budget features and telemovies, and factual programs (primarily documentaries) are eligible to apply. Project Development Investment Funding is an investment of funds to further develop the project. Funding is available, for example, for producer fees, writer’s fees, script editor fees etc.
Project Development Investment Funding rounds are held every two months for projects which are being developed for production in Western Australia. General Development Investment Funding is generally provided as an investment to be recouped with 10% interest once the project goes into production. Funding is capped at $25,000, except under very exceptional circumstances, when Board approval is required. As development funding is competitive, lower amounts are often more easily obtained.
Documentary (Single, Feature and Series) Development Funding Eligibility:
In order to maximize investment in projects that are likely to proceed to Production, ScreenWest generally requires a strong letter of interest from a broadcaster or distributor. Submissions with no support from a broadcaster or distributor will on occasion be accepted, depending on the track record of the production team and the market strength of the project. Factual (including documentary) projects will generally only receive one stage of development funding. Development for factual programs is available for Western Australian-resident companies only.
TV Drama (Telemovies and Adult Series, Animation and Children's Series) Development Funding Eligibility:
As the costs of development are considerable, one or more strong expressions of interest from broadcasters or distributors to provide production finance by way of pre-sales or distribution guarantees is required before funding will be committed. A basic pitch document is sufficient to garner market interest on most occasions. In principle, ScreenWest will only consider funding the development of a Series Bible (inclusive of storylines and a maximum of one episode) where substantial interest from the market has been established.
Eligibility:
ScreenWest will give priority to projects that have a local producer as an active part of the team.
New writers without a track record or credits must submit a completed first draft before they can be considered for funding. Experienced writers with a strong track record of completed work and/or production credits will be considered for first draft funding, but would be required to submit a full treatment (approx. 10 to 25 pages) for assessment.
Projects will be assessed on:
- The quality of the idea
- The key creative team
- Market potential or interest and likely audience appeal
- The likely chance of the project being realized in WA (e.g. in terms of budget, locations, etc)
- The participation of a local producer
- Potential benefits to the WA Industry
How to Apply:
All Development Fund applications must include:
- A completed Application Form, including a Development Budget ;
- A one page detailed synopsis;
- The latest draft script or full treatment;
- An extended outline or preliminary treatment (in the case of documentaries);
- A clear development strategy outlining the objectives and tasks to be undertaken (e.g. writers' notes on the direction of the next draft). If applying for Emergency Funding a clear rationale for why the project should be considered under Emergency Funding Guidelines;
- CVs of the project principals and, if applicable, a company profile indicating past success in producing and pre-marketing projects;
- Letters of intent or other documentation giving proof of market place interest. If applying under Matched Development Investment Guidelines, proof of broadcaster or distributor funding must be provided;
- A marketing/production financing strategy.
You can submit your application online or via email, post or hand delivery. If you are submitting your application in hardcopy, please ensure it is UNBOUND (do not use staples or binders as all material will be photocopied).
For further information on how to apply please contact the ScreenWest Funding Team.
Notification of Decisions:
Applicants seeking funding of less than $25,000 will be notified in writing of the funding decision within five business days of the Panel meeting.
Funding exceeding $25,000 will require additional approvals. Funding between $25,000 and $50,000 requires Board approval and applicants will be advised in writing of the Board's decision within five business days of the ScreenWest Board's approval.
Where funding in excess of $50,000 is sought, decisions are made by the Minister for Culture and the Arts. Applicants will be notified of the Minister's decision within five working days of notification of that decision to ScreenWest.
These guidelines must be read in conjunction with the General Guidelines.
Apply for this Program
It is easy and fast to apply online to ScreenWest funding programs. Login with your ScreenXtra subscriber details. ScreenWest prefers applicants to submit online.
- 27 January 2009
- 25 May 2009
If you are unable to apply online, please download this PDF and follow the delivery instructions.
Click to download PDF application form.
