AFTRS CEO Neil Peplow speaks at the Step-Out Web 17 launch.
Wide Angle Tasmania (WAT) and AFTRS have announced they will collaborate on a new web series training initiative, Step-Out Web 17.
The new program is designed to provide structured development for Tasmanian screen practitioners to acquire audience engagement skills and develop pitch assets for web series projects.
After the development cycle, one team will be selected to produce their web series.
“This is the first collaboration between WAT and AFTRS and speaks to a new era of providing on-the-ground, innovative and relevant training and development to the screen sector in Tasmania,” said WAT General Manager Abi Binning.
“We see huge potential for Tasmanian screen creatives in the online space and we want to be certain that engagement with audience is front and centre of their thinking. This initiative ensures filmmakers test their web project concepts with audiences very early in the development cycle and it asks filmmakers to build their audience while they develop their project.”
The initiative will provide a framework for filmmakers to develop the skills they need for the online environment and allow them to identify and connect with an audience for original content.
The initiative plans to encourage filmmakers to develop a community – an audience that participates and invests in the web series that is being developed – and to appreciate that many of their audience members are creators themselves.
“AFTRS is excited to partner with WAT on this innovative training initiative to up-skill Tasmanian film makers in this increasingly significant but highly competitive online broadcast space,” said AFTRS CEO Neil Peplow said.
Registrations open in August 2016, with all activity happening online. Teams must include at least two resident Tasmanian filmmakers who are current members of Wide Angle Tasmania. Each week participating teams will be challenged to produce material about their web-series that engages and builds an online fan base.
Teams that need production or post-production equipment to create their challenge material can use Wide Angle Tasmania’s equipment at no cost. Audience engagement – such as votes, shares, likes and tweets – will determine which teams are short-listed to pitch to an industry panel for production investment and support to create their web series in 2017.
The live pitch will determine which team will be provided with a cash budget and a package of production support to take their concept through to compilation and distribution by July 2017.