Werner Film Productions today called for writers to submit original new television concepts for its development initiative, The Story Lab.
Funded by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Stories, the lab is an initiative of WFP’s two-time Emmy nominated producer Joanna Werner.
WFP aims to take risks through The Story Lab and to cultivate innovative Australian stories with global audience appeal. The successful concepts will be challenged, debated and strengthened over a week of rigorous development in a workshop.
Each selected concept will be nurtured and enhanced through a high level and thorough “boot camp” of creativity.
“We see this as an incredibly exciting opportunity to support creators and work with them to help get their project on screen. We want to create and tell unique, intelligent and captivating stories," Werner said.
"We’re chasing those ideas from story-tellers prepared to take risks to make unforgettable television and we’re definitely focused on unearthing new talent and forging new relationships with writers we’ve not worked with before. We are looking for writers we can work with collaboratively through The Story Lab to evolve their concept into a high-quality, audience-focused television series, which will provide a foundation for the writer to then further develop and produce materials to take each series to market.
“We hope to see projects from writers at various stages of their careers, and we encourage writers with credits and experience from other disciplines, such as playwrights and novelists, to apply. We don’t mind what format stories originate in, we are interested in the ideas and bringing an incredible story to life. If funded into production, it is WFP’s intention that the selected writer will be engaged to work on the series in a leading creative role.”
The workshops will provide a foundation for the selected writer to develop market-ready materials, including a pitch bible and first draft pilot episode script. Concepts are invited for narrative television series treatments aimed at an adult audience in any genre.
WFP is developing a number of projects for children, teen and adult audiences, and is wrapping Ready For This, a joint venture with Blackfella Films for ABC3.
In July Werner and Matchbox Pictures will begin production on 6-part political thriller Secret City for Foxtel.
The Story Lab is open for submissions from Australian writers for projects in any narrative genre aimed at an adult audience. The deadline is 5pm Friday July 10.
A further call for concepts will be issued early next year.
The Story Lab overview, terms & conditions and application form can be found at www.wernerfilmproductions.com.au
For queries email info_thestorylab@wernerfilmproductions.com.au