Tatiana Velasco and Mark George.
Tatiana Velasco and Mark George, two up-and-coming producers from northern NSW, have been selected to participate in Screenworks’ 2017 Regional Producer Elevator Program.
The program aims to provide tailored career development support for the participants, who will meet with key industry bodies and mentors.
Each producer will be allocated $3,500 to implement their prepared career plans and will have the opportunity attend the Screen Forever conference in Melbourne next month.
“As a regionally-based screen organisation, we understand the unique challenges that regional producers face in trying to access work opportunities and programs in order to advance their careers,” said Screenworks general manager Ken Crouch.
“We are very proud to be able to support Mark and Tatiana over the next twelve months as part of this program.”
Lennox Head based filmmaker Velasco has been building her career as a writer, director and producer. Following the international theatrical release of her first feature documentary El Mar, Mi Alma, Velasco has had various roles in a range of local productions.
Velasco has been a production assistant on the TV series The Gods of Wheat Street and production secretary for the short Nan and A Whole Lot of Trouble. She also recently completed a director’s attachment with Taika Waititi on Thor: Ragnarok.
“I was so thrilled to be selected for the Producer Elevator Program as it will help me to continue to connect with experienced mentors who can help me refine my craft and advise me on my current film projects,” she said.
Coffs Harbour-based George has a background in advertising. His feature film Thirst had a theatrical release in 2012, and he has co-directed and co-written a number of short films and corporates.
“Assistance with travel to the major cities to meet with fellow producers, different screen bodies, executive producers, networks, agents and distributors will be extremely helpful. I expect that face to face meetings with experienced professionals is the best way to get advice and support in developing my projects,” he said.
Screenworks Regional Producer Elevator Program was developed in consultation with Screen NSW and Screen Producers Australia.