Holly Phillips.
Screenworks and Matchbox Pictures today announced the five early-career writers who will work alongside UK creator/writer Holly Phillips and other consultants in a script development lab this month.
Supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Industry program and Create NSW’s early development funding, the script development workshop will take place in Lismore in regional NSW from November 12–16.
The aimn is to develop Best Medicine, an original concept for a TV series by Tim Williams about an an out-of-work actor who performs as a clown doctor in a teenage cancer ward and finds his life takes on unexpected new meaning through a ward of complex patients.
The writers selected by Matchbox Pictures are Sue McPherson from Eumundi, Queensland, Jane Hampson, Northern Territory, Meg Courtney-Hawke, Campbells Creek, Victoria, Tristan Bancks, Bangalow, NSW and Charlotte Brookes, Lismore.
Screen Australia head of development Nerida Moore said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for regional writers to develop their skills in TV, get noticed and launch their careers.”
Matchbox director of scripted development Debbie Lee added: “Partnering with Screenworks, Create NSW and Screen Australia to tap into Australia’s under-represented regions provides a rich opportunity to harness the creative power of fresh and distinctive writing talent and we are thrilled to be working with such an exciting team on Best Medicine.”
The lab will be guided by Phillips, the script development team at Matchbox and Tim Williams.
A public information night will be held on Wednesday November 14 at Lismore City Town Hall with the team from Matchbox, Screenworks and Screen Australia speaking about the development process for a TV series and the opportunities that developing regional content brings to regional centres. Tickets are available from Screenworks website.