Experienced screenwriter Roger Monk has been appointed scripted development producer at Essential Media and Entertainment’s new Brisbane office.
Monk is working with development assistant Emily Avila, formerly with See-Saw Films and now an audience engagement officer at Ipswich Art Gallery.
The mandate is to source Queensland-originated stories and storytellers, develop and foster existing relationships with Queensland practitioners and provide a conduit to emerging talent within the Queensland production sector.
The office is funded by Screen Queensland's Enterprise program, which is also supporting Ludo Studio, Bunya Productions, Matchbox Pictures, Two Little Indians and Hoodlum.
Monk’s credits include Nowhere Boys, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, East Of Everything and Tony Ayres’ 2002 movie Walking on Water, for which he won best screenplay at the AFI Awards.
Essential Media Queensland will assist with the ongoing development of Queensland writers by offering mentorships with leading scripted development and production talent and support a yearly internship program. Details of the internship program will be announced in March.
Essential’s head of children’s entertainment Carmel Travers is co-developing with Carbon Media Camp Crazy, a teen comedy drama series set in Queensland which will follow the adventures of six misfit teens who are thrown together in a remote destination to solve the ultimate mystery.
Essential head of scripted Ian Collie said, “Roger is a huge asset to our Queensland operation going forward and brings a solid knowledge of scripted entertainment writing and development to the local industry.”
Collie tells IF he hopes the Brisbane branch will unearth new talent drawn from playwrights, authors and journalists.
Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said, “Our Enterprise Queensland Program is an initiative designed to support the expansion of Queensland companies and build a strong base of producers developing local stories.
“Essential Media’s new team and Queensland office will help unearth and develop local talent and with their track record and existing relationships with broadcasters, this is a way to help invigorate local production and stories."