Press release from Screen Australia
Screen Australia today announced Susan Boehm, Mike Cowap and Veronica Gleeson as Development Managers. They will be responsible for Screen Australia’s feature film project development as well the agency’s Talent Escalator, Innovation, short film and short animation programs.
“We are thrilled that Susan, Mike and Veronica will be joining Screen Australia. Susan brings excellent taste and creative judgement to the role, and her international network will be a huge asset to Australian filmmakers. Mike is extremely qualified to run Screen Australia’s Innovation program and will also be responsible for our short film and short animation programs. Veronica has established a reputation as being one of the smartest script developers in the country, and her keen understanding of the craft of scriptwriting in all genres will be of enormous value to practitioners,” said Martha Coleman, Head of Development. “Together they are a world-class team who will contribute a level of expertise that will make practitioners want to work with Screen Australia – not just because of the funding support we offer, but because we are able to provide the individualised attention each project needs, and because working with us is a positive experience that allows both the project and the practitioners to reach their potential.”
Susan Boehm has been the Managing Director International of Independent Feature Project (IFP) since 2005, the largest and oldest filmmaker organisation in the United States. In this role, Susan was responsible for IFP’s international programs including the No Borders International Co-Production Market for narrative projects in New York. Prior to this, Susan was involved with project selection and strategy for film sales and financing at Cinetic Media and worked in the Literary Department at the William Morris Agency. Susan has worked as a marketing consultant for Broadway productions, producer of off-Broadway plays, and actor on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in regional theatres. Susan studied at Oxford University and graduated from Brown University.
Mike Cowap has been a Development Manager with Screen Australia and a Project Manager with the Australian Film Commission since 2005, with responsibilities across animation, digital media, feature film, television series and documentary. Prior to this, Mike worked with the animation studio Monkeystack, where he produced 2D/3D animation and VFX for television commercials and shorts, and mobile phone content, documentary, websites and games. As Manager of Industry Development at the South Australian Film Corporation, Mike was responsible for programs and initiatives designed to strengthen South Australia’s film, television and digital media industries. Prior to emigrating from the UK in early 2003, Mike was coordinator of the short film initiatives and related training at the UK Film Council. Mike took this position after working for a number of years in independent feature film and television production in the UK.
Veronica Gleeson is a well-established Australian script developer, writer and script assessor. Her experience includes being a project analyst at Icon Shanahan Films, development executive at the NSW Film and Television Office (FTO), and regular consultant roles for the FTO, Screen Tasmania, Film Victoria and Screen Australia. She has also worked for several high profile independent producers, screenwriters and directors. Most recently Veronica has worked for the Australian Writers’ Guild where she was instrumental in reconfiguring their script assessment principles and practices. Veronica is the recipient of the Rotterdam Film Festival Young Critics Traineeship and an Australia Council award for emerging talent. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing from UTS and has also worked as a film reviewer and journalist.
Veronica will join Mike on Monday 27 April 2009, with Susan commencing in May. They will be joined by a fourth Development Manager at a later date. Veronica and Susan will be based in Screen Australia’s Sydney office and Mike will work out of the Melbourne office.