13 WA screenwriters selected for AWG First Break

The Australian Writers’ Guild and Screenwest are pleased to announce that 13 Western Australian screenwriters have been selected to participate in First Break WA – a unique professional development program designed to give talented, aspiring screenwriters the opportunity to gain in-demand and practical skills, develop their understanding of the industry, and build industry connections.

Selected from a highly competitive field, the following 13 participants will take part in the program, starting in October 2022.

• Amanda Bridgeman
• Cody Cameron-Brown
• Catherine Gillard
• Mimi Helm
• Matt Hodgkinson
• Renee Kennedy
• Abbey King
• Jesse Laurie
• Luke Martin
• Nathan Mewett
• Luisa Mitchell
• Tahlia Norrish
• Emma Vickery

 “We know from extensive conversations with industry that there is a need for this type of training. The response to this initiative has left us in no doubt that emerging writers recognise the enormous value of a program like First Break. We look forward to rolling out similar opportunities in other states over the next 12 months.” said Susie Hamilton, AWG Professional Development Manager.

“It’s terrific to see so many WA screenwriters jump at this opportunity to upskill by participating in First Break. The AWG had an overwhelming number of high-quality applications, with 13 selected. All the participants will gain highly sought-after notetaking skills, and we look forward to seeing them in professional writers’ rooms in the near future.” said Martha Coleman, Screenwest Head of Creative: Content & Industry Development.

“The film and TV industry is notoriously hard to break into, but note-taking and script coordinating provide an incredible training ground and the chance to develop important industry relationships in scripted television. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to show these talented creatives the ropes.” said Chris Corbett and Catherine Kelleher, First Break Facilitators.

First Break is a series of three day-long online workshops run by highly experienced, working writers. Covering note-taking, script coordinating and the basics of a writers’ room, participants will come away with the skills required to get that first break and begin their career in the film and television industry.

Following the successful completion of these three workshops, each writer will be added to the Pathways website on the new First Break tab. They will join graduates from First Break NSW and First Break VIC who completed the program in 2022.

The cohort will then be promoted to industry using the AWG’s multiple databases including its 9,700 subscribers to the AWG newsletter, its 500+ registered users of the Pathways portal (producers, directors, writers and industry professionals) and the 1,000 subscribers to the Pathways Newsletter.

The Pathways First Break tab will be a permanent resource for industry looking for talented new writers who have valuable skills to offer in writers’ rooms.

For more information about First Break WA, contact the AWG at enquiries@awgpathways.com.au

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