Calling emerging, underrepresented Western Australian writers for SBS national Emerging Writers’ Incubator
SBS and Screenwest have opened applications for emerging WA writers to be involved in the Emerging Writers’ Incubator Program.
SBS, in partnership with Screen Australia, Screenwest and other State and Territory screen agencies have now opened applications for emerging WA writers to be involved in the Emerging Writers’ Incubator Program.
All Western Australian writers will apply directly through their State screen agency, Screenwest. Applications close Monday, 31 May 2021 at 5:00pm AWST.
With a focus on drama, the Emerging Writers’ Incubator is a new, nationwide, industry- led initiative has been created to support the development of emerging writers from diverse backgrounds, and with lived experiences presently underrepresented in the Australian screen sector.
Working with some of Australia’s leading production companies, the Emerging Writers’ Incubator will bring the industry together to contribute to greater inclusion among Australian screenwriting talent, by providing significant work experience placements within drama production companies.
Each year for the next three years, six successful candidates will be employed for 12 months in production companies around the country acclaimed for their delivery of Australian drama.
If you are a screenwriter and you identify as a First Nations Australian; you are from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background; you are living with disability; are female or trans/gender diverse; identify as LGBTQIA+; or you are located in a regional and remote area, this initiative is for you!
Funded by Incubator partners SBS, Screen Australia and the Selected Writer’s local Screen Agency, each successful placement will receive a fixed 12-month salary of $80,000 (inclusive of superannuation and other benefits).
Please note: the production company will be ultimately responsible for ensuring that the Selected Writer is paid according to all applicable legislation and industrial awards including the superannuation guarantee and workplace insurance.
Selected Writers will work across the production company’s entire fiction slate (irrespective of commissioning network / platform) performing some or all of the following roles in this indicative list below:
Indicative role description
- Attending writers’ rooms (as deemed appropriate by the production company – as participant, note taker, or observer);
- Participating in the production company’s development slate meetings;
- Shadowing the production company’s development producers and/or producers (as appropriate), building capacity, knowledge, and honing industry / craft skills;
- Assisting with devising and writing pitches;
- Assisting with assessing creative material (e.g.: pitches);
- Assisting with creative feedback (e.g.: script notes, script feedback meetings);
- Attending pitch meetings (as appropriate); and
- Drafting funding applications for script development.
Applications close Monday, 31 May 2021 at 5:00pm AWST.
The initiative was launched by SBS, in partnership with Screen Australia, state and territory agencies Screen NSW, Screen Canberra, Screen Queensland, Screenwest and the South Australian Film Corporation, and with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild and Film Victoria through its Key Placements Scheme.
How to Apply
The full guidelines, application materials and eligibility criteria are available on the Capability Development Page of the Screenwest website.
You can access the SmartyGrants application form here.
All program guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the Screenwest Terms of Trade.
An application receipt will be forwarded to the applicant within two working days to confirm that Screenwest has received the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact Screenwest if an application receipt has not been received within this timeframe.
Applications close Monday, 31 May 2021 at 5:00pm AWST.
Program Contact
For more information about this program, please contact:
Dr. Jonathan Messer, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Screenwest
T: + 61 8 6169 2109
E: jonathan.messer@screenwest.com.au
Devina McPherson, Indigenous Program Manager
Screenwest
T: + 61 8 6169 2112
E: devina.mcpherson@screenwest.com.au
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
www.screenwest.com.au
www.filminwesternaustralia.com.au
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