NEW JOB: Screen NSW

Click here for their website

It's been a back to back 2011 onto 2012 and I've just slipped into another exciting job in

regards to film and screen culture. It's has been a consistent move though, from community to mainstream and now funding applications and I believe everything is forwarding me in my developments as a serious filmmaker. Of course, I do enjoy the sensibility of the 'indie' producer but I don't want to be starving either so a little give and take will surely see me winning in this field.

So first day, what was it like? Well, honestly, overwhelming. The development and production finance team are super cool and supportive but today was a reality check for me.

I finally realized how much paper work and intricacies it is to get some buck back up for your project. Partnerships, deals, etc... really need to be though through and nothing is 'made up'. You literally cannot write any estimate fib amounts in terms of budgets as everything is thoroughly looked at, internally and externally.

Creatively, ideas need to be developed thoughtfully and you also have to think about your audiences and also which broadcaster/ network might pick it up.

Overall, I want to send my shout outs to the ever so helpful Donna Chang (Credits include "Happy Feet 2") who was the previous recipient. This girl was such a dynamo and took me through the A-Z of my position for the next 6 months.

I'm definitely looking forward to the team (overseen by the Development Executive - Nerida Moore) and soaking it as much as possible.

MEG LEFAUVE SEMINAR: SELLING YOUR IDEA - THE ESSENTIALS OF SHORT DOCUMENTS

This would have to be one of the highlight seminars I've been to date. Meg LeFauve high expertise in the industry in Hollywood was highly valuable for anyone wanting to ever make films that reach that niche international audience. Interestingly enough, it starts with a strong "Core Concept".

Screen NSW is delighted to announce that acclaimed US producer and development executive Meg LeFauve will present an exclusive daylong intensive seminar on the techniques of writing compelling short documents for feature films.

LeFauve’s expertise spans both studio and indie projects, and the seminar will focus on creating powerful short documents for pitching and as a key development tool.

Friday 23rd April, 11am - 5pm Screen NSW, Level 47, MLC Centre, Sydney The seminar is free, but places are limited.

The short document is an increasingly critical tool in the development and promotion of feature films. It is a concise distillation of story that illuminates the core concept and immediately brings to life the essence of a film. Filmmakers who can effectively present their projects in this form are able to cut through the competition in the market place. A well-crafted short document is also recognized internationally as a crucial development compass.

Powerful short documents enable filmmakers to present a fully-fledged vision of their idea to development financiers and accurately gauge market response from an early stage. They can also ensure a team are on the same page, highlight story areas that need work, lay out a blueprint for draft that leads to a more efficiently targeted scripting process, and capture the attention of marketplace, finance, and cast.

“The selling tools that communicate a film’s idea.”

This six-hour class will be broken down into 4 essential short documents - synopsis, beat
sheet, outline and treatment. Meg’s insights will reveal in detail industry expectations, how
different documents can be used, and how these short documents can unlock the filmmaking process, to ensure a solid film concept with thematic, character and plot all working together.
For any filmmaker or development executive wanting to capture the attention of agencies and the market place, this exclusive opportunity is an essential event.

The seminar is designed for high level as well as emerging producers, writers, developers, and directors.