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Call for applicants to Aurora 2010

Press release from TM Publicity

Screen NSW (former the NSW Film and Television Office) is calling for applications for the 2010 Aurora program, its intensive professional script development program. Closing Date for Applications is November 30, 2009.  Four to six projects will be selected.

In 2010, Screen NSW will again open up the program nationally.  Aurora is supported by Screen Australia and Screen NSW will work with other state agencies that wish to participate.  Non NSW applicants should apply through their respective, participating state agencies.

Stand alone writers and writer/directors will be considered in addition to writer, director and producer teams.  Where there is no producer and/or director attached, Aurora will endeavour to partner with key creative talent to match the project with a compatible producer and/or director.

Aurora consists of two key high-level workshops with a funded script development period between them. There is also provision for an additional script development period in the months following the second workshop to produce a further draft.

The first workshop is held at a residential retreat. This professional workshop offers focused discussions of the script in one-on-one sessions with at least four professional and experienced international and Australian advisors. The emphasis is on creativity rather than technique, and addressing specific script issues in a non-formulaic manner, to assist the filmmakers in refining their vision for the next draft.

After the completion of this workshop projects are given development funding to write two drafts within the period leading up to the second main workshop. As part of this process, projects will continue to be mentored by advisors from the residential workshop.  This period will also include intensive sessions working with marketing, sales and distribution practitioners.

The second key stage of Aurora takes place in Sydney in November. At this workshop participants will work with casting directors, editors, and other industry specialists, receiving international and local marketplace feedback. There will also be a read-through of each script, as well as an opportunity for teams to work with some of Australia’s most eminent actors. 

The November workshop for the 2009 intake will take place in Sydney in mid-November.  Confirmed advisors are Producer Jan Chapman, Writer/Director Rachel Ward, Executive Vice President International Sales and Acquisitions for E1, Charlotte Mickie, Producer Liz Watts, Theatrical Distribution Manager for Madman Entertainment, James Hewison, Executive Producer, Fandango Australia and consultant to filmmarketing, Sue Murray, and Roland Gallois, editor of Samson and Delilah and Accidents Happen, plus representatives from Screen Australia and Screen NSW.  More advisors are to be confirmed.

Following this second workshop, feedback generated from the reading will be incorporated in the development of a further draft, taking the Aurora process to a full twelve months. Targeted support and advice is also offered to assist the projects in financing, and Aurora-selected projects are eligible for production investment from Screen NSW.