Media Release: Thursday 1 May, 2014
South Australian Film Corporation’s (SAFC) new development initiative D-Lab: Pathways to Market commences this Friday 2nd of May with a full day of sessions presented by some of Australia’s leading market representatives, who will fly into Adelaide specially for the opening day.
“We are thrilled with the ensemble of industry experts who have agreed to contribute their knowledge to
D-Lab. They include some of Australia’s most prominent market representatives”, said SAFC CEO,
Richard Harris.
D-Lab has also garnered enormous interest locally with an unprecedented number of applications received and resulting in more than 60 participants selected for Stage 1. Lab participants will hear first-hand what the market wants and how best to collaborate with some of the country’s leading production companies. Internationally renowned writing and development expert Stephen Cleary will be key mentor of the Lab.
The list of D-Lab guest presenters include Michael Wrenn, Australian Operations – Arclight Films International, Rachel Okine, Head of Development for Hopscotch Features & Acquisitions, Executive for Entertainment One; Jo Bell, Development Manager – ABC TV (Fiction); Penny Win, Commissioning Editor of Drama – Foxtel and Paul Macionis, Senior Production & Business Affairs Manager – Foxtel; Neal Downward, Managing Editor of Comedy – SBS Television Online and John-Paul Marin, Executive Producer – SBS Online.
Market representatives previously announced include Seph McKenna, Head of Australian Production – Roadshow Films; Amanda Duthie, Festival Director and CEO – Adelaide Film Festival; Katrina Sedgwick, Head of Arts – ABC Television; and Joseph Maxwell, Commissioning Editor Documentaries – SBS.
Screen Australia is partnering with the SAFC on delivery of the Lab and will also have representatives in attendance on Friday, including Jo Dillon, Development Executive (Feature and Professional Development) along with Tim Phillips and Mike Cowap from the Interactive and Multi-platform team.
Representatives from two of Screen Australia’s Enterprise companies (Matchbox Pictures and Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder) will also be presenting, along with representatives from SAFC Seed Companies (Closer Productions, Southern Light Alliance and Triptych Pictures).
“It is nothing short of a coup for South Australia’s local writers, directors and producers to gain such unprecedented access to market experts, right here in Adelaide. We know they are up to the challenge and are keen to take advantage of the expertise that will be in the room”.
The opening day will be followed by a series of workshops facilitated by Stephen Cleary, who will take participants through their project development paces. Stage 2 will see select teams receive $1500 to develop market materials with the SAFC also offering match market development funding up to $25,000 per eligible project.
D-Lab: Pathways to Market follows on from the SAFC’s FilmLab and Digital30Lab initiatives.