Screenwest CEO Wrap – June

Kate Walsh on Channel 7’s Flashpoint, Cassidy Ricketts in Outback Opal Hunters Season 3 and promotional image for the Below the Line Crew Conversations episode featuring David Dare Parker for Below the Line supported by the Bright Ideas program.

Screenwest CEO Wrap – June

In an unprecedented time for the Western Australian screen industry, we sincerely thank our partners the State Government of Western Australia, Lotterywest for their continued support.

 

Western Australian Screen Industry Sustainability Package

The Western Australian Screen Industry Sustainability Package was created by the repurposing two and a half million dollars of Lotterywest funding provided to Screenwest. The initiative was the one of the first of its kind in Australia, with Screenwest leading the way for the screen industry in the nation.

The package was designed to sustain and develop the WA Screen Industry, through the COVID crisis, for up to six months.

The Taking Care of Business funding initiative injected over $1.5 million of Lotterywest funding into supporting 60 production and post-production companies and producers to sustain and develop their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bright Ideas Crew Capacity Initiative targeted at below-the-line crew and directors, supported 27 practitioners to deliver 25 projects with $126,000 of Lotterywest funding.

We have already seen the WA Screen Industry Sustainability Package is working as intended and we are hopeful that, as a result of this package, our production companies and crews will weather the COVID storm through to September.

We understand that key challenges arising from the pandemic include substantial increases in production costs due to the implementation of necessary COVID-safe shooting protocols, and decreased ability to leverage funds from broadcasters, distributors and sales companies, who have suffered the unprecedented financial impacts of the downturn. We are also working closely with our state and national agency colleagues to navigate outstanding issues regarding insurance for productions.

We were heartened to see the innovative, creative and adaptable nature of our local screen industry witnessing continuity of development of some impressive screen projects. Throughout the crisis, our impressive documentary sector remained nimble and adapted to changes quickly, with some projects including Electric Pictures’ Aussie Gold Hunters and Prospero Productions’ Outback Opal Hunters and Outback Truckers continuing to shoot in a limited capacity under restrictive circumstances.

The bright light at the end of this period is that Screenwest supported some significant projects prior to COVID-19 and had a solid slate of upcoming drama and documentary production in the second half of 2020. We have also adapted funding initiatives to meet local industry need and global market evolutions, including the introduction of a development period for three projects within the West Coast Visions program.

Additionally, WA is also uniquely well positioned to service local and international productions. Screenwest has received unprecedented enquiries from international producers about shooting in WA and we hope to be able to bolster the growing pipeline of work for our local crews.

 

Studio Advocacy

As many will know, the Western Australian Industry and Screenwest have been advocating for studio infrastructure for WA for a number of years. Having Hollywood actress Kate Walsh in Perth during the global pandemic has been fortuitous for the WA Screen Industry, and Screenwest have worked closely with her to reignite the discussion around infrastructure for the state. Screenwest understands that studio infrastructure is an important next step for the industry, not only servicing existing local companies and their projects, but enabling us to attract bigger budget projects to WA. The primary objective of advocacy for a studio is to ensure there is a continuous pipeline of work for our local crews and practitioners. This, in turn, can only be beneficial for the local economy.

If you missed it, you can watch the appearance on Channel 7’s Flashpoint program.

Buy Local – Promotion of Local Advertising Production

Recently, Screenwest reached out to a number of Western Australian organisations, Government Departments and Commissions to encourage them to support local film practitioners, specifically those in the post-production and advertising sectors. We received positive responses and will continue engaging with these stakeholders on an ongoing basis to advocate for spending their advertising budgets locally and assisting the development of the WA screen industry.

Screenwest is also looking to the WA industry for expressions of interest to create its new trailer. Details to submit proposals can be found on the Screenwest website.

 

Strategic Direction

Post – COVID, the Screenwest Board have recently commenced the strategic planning process for the Screenwest from 2021 – 2023. The Industry Advisory Group will be an integral part of this process which will also be take into account key information from the WA Screen Industry Health Check in which so many of you participated.

Screenwest is also looking closely at its fund guidelines to ensure they meet the needs of both Screenwest and the industry. Small updates will be completed to these and the Screenwest Terms of Trade in line with Screenwest’s strategic direction, from consultation with the IAG and industry, and ample notice given to industry before changes come into effect.

The announcement that the Western Australian Screen Fund will be renewed with sixteen million dollars over four years will buoy the WA screen industry into the future, in addition to providing fantastic economic and community benefit to the regions.

We thank the industry for your support resolve during this period and look forward to working with you and our partners to develop a vibrant and sustainable screen industry in WA.

Willie Rowe,
CEO, Screenwest

Contact Screenwest

T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au

www.screenwest.com.au
www.filminwesternaustralia.com.au

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