L-R: ‘Wanted’ producer Tom Hoffie, Rebecca Gibney, Paul Vagnarelli and Mark Wareham.
The South Australian Film Corporation today launched Full Tilt, an initiative designed to provide opportunities for filmmakers with disability to undertake paid attachments in SAFC-supported productions.
As part of the program the SAFC and SBS will fund three stand-alone short screen works created by SA filmmakers with disability, which will premiere on SBS on Demand next year.
Gaelle Mellis, a former creative director of Access2Arts SA and vice chair of Arts Access Australia, has been appointed as SAFC disability strategy executive.
Mellis said: “For too long our stories have been told by others and non-disabled actors continue to win awards for ‘cripping up’. This has to stop. We want to tell our own stories and see ourselves represented authentically. Disability is a normal part of life. Disabled people can shed light on different aspects of the lived human experience with our stories adding to the richness and diversity of our cultural landscape.”
Full Tilt is part of the Delivering Diversity umbrella of programs announced by SAFC CEO Courtney Gibson in April, joining the Gender Agenda and the Aboriginal Screen Strategy.
Gibson said: “Delivering Diversity is all about removing barriers to careers in the screen sector for a wide range of under-represented voices. SAFC is committed to working with industry to deliver positive change and enrich our working environments, to grow the industry and audiences alike.”
Now shooting in Adelaide with Jocelyn Moorhouse directing, Matchbox Pictures/R&R Productions’ Seven Network series Wanted is the first production to employ a Full Tilt attachment. Cinematographer Paul Vagnarelli, who is profoundly deaf, is working as a camera attachment to DOP Mark Wareham (Mystery Road, Cleverman, Secret City).
Vagnarelli is a graduate of Adelaide College of the Arts, Adelaide City TAFE with an advanced diploma in screen and media and has worked as a gaffer’s assistant on a number of local film productions. “This experience is invaluable in the development of my skills which will help my future cinematography goals,” he said.
Wanted producer Tom Hoffie said: “If Paul’s significant contribution to the set of Wanted is any indication the Full Tilt initiative is sure to be an important driver to greater inclusion and diversity in our industry.”
The Full Tilt short documentary initiative will give priority to diverse filmmakers, with two out of the three key creatives in each team (writer, director, producer) coming from under-represented communities and at least one being deaf or with disability. If there are only two key creatives, one must fit that criteria.
SBS director of TV and online content Marshall Heald said: “The short-form content initiative further strengthens SBS’s commitment to growing diversity in the screen sector, encourages greater collaboration with screen agencies to support the local creative industry and ultimately, will influence how we tell stories on screen.”
Development funding and a development workshop will be provided for up to five shortlisted teams. The SAFC and SBS will then co-fund three teams to go into production. Submissions close August 13.
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