Screen Producers Australia and Screen Australia are pleased to announce that Kristy O’Brien has secured a placement with WildBear Entertainment. Kristy was the 2014 recipient of the Screen Internship offered exclusively to participants in Screen Producers Australia’s Ones To Watch program.
The Screen Internship is a joint partnership initiative between Screen Producers Australia and Screen Australia providing an exclusive opportunity for a Ones To Watch participant with $20,000 to work with a domestic or international screen production company.
WildBear Entertainment is an integrated factual entertainment company and Kristy will be working across television, theatrical, corporate, educational and government communications. Recent projects include Hanging Australia, Save Your Life Tonight and in 2013 The Story of Australia, a six-part documentary series produced with China’s CCTV9, which was broadcast in China to a massive audience of more than 21 million people.
During her internship Kristy will focus on developing two projects. The first series will look at the remarkable life of Giovanna Webb and her crocodile park in Darwin and the second program plans to follow a team of Northern Territory news journalists out on the beat as they investigate the distinctive and often infamous stories from the Top End.
“We are delighted to support Kristy through the Screen Internship program – her strong background in journalism will be a huge asset to her as she progresses her development in independent documentary filmmaking. Kirsty will benefit from first-hand knowledge and experience from one of Australia’s leading factual entertainment makers – WildBear Entertainment,” said Sally Caplan, Screen Australia’s Head of Production.
“Ones To Watch and the Screen Internship facilitate partnerships between talented, early-career producers, such as Kristy, and experienced companies, such as WildBear, and provide a practical approach to ensuring the future growth of the Australian screen industry,” said Matthew Deaner, Screen Producers Australia’s CEO.
“Kristy is a promising producer and we are looking forward to having her on board for an intensive four-month internship program,” said Bettina Dalton, Executive Producer/Principal at WildBear Entertainment. “I think Kristy’s existing television experience, especially in regional and Top End news, and her obvious passion for quality storytelling will bring a unique depth and diversity to the WildBear projects she will be involved in.”
Screen Producers Australia’s Ones To Watch is a selective entry, mentor program for early-career producers from around Australia who create content for big and small screens. The program connects successful participants with a leading screen industry mentor and provides unparalleled career opportunities. Applications are now open for the 2015 program and close 8 April 2015. For more information on the program please contact Tessa Crozier: tessa.crozier@screenproducers.org.au