Screen Queensland has launched a new initiative, SQ Re-Told with Wendall Thomas, which will support three early to mid-career writers or writing teams with script and story development to fast-track feature film projects.
SQ Re-Told will be convened by story consultant Wendall Thomas and will take place across 2017 and 2018.
Since 1986, Thomas has worked in LA variously as a casting director, director’s assistant, script reader, development executive, entertainment reporter, script consultant and screenwriter. She’s developed projects for companies including Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Showtime, NBC and PBS.
Thomas is also an Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting at UCLA’s Graduate Film school, and consults for Film Victoria and the New Zealand Film Commission. In 2015 and 2016 she ran SQ’s Projector program for emerging feature filmmakers.
In line with SQ’s commitment to bring more diversity on and off screen, SQ Re-Told will focus on promoting diverse faces and stories – supporting gender equality, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and all cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations.
The initiative is specifically looking for imaginative projects that re-tell a popular public domain story and reimagine it to focus on diverse characters in fresh landscapes.
“We are so excited to be launching this initiative and supporting Queensland practitioners to take risks and be innovative by re-telling well-known stories without the stereotypical characters, points of view and narratives,’ said SQ CEO Tracey Vieira.
“Wendall has been working with Queensland practitioners for SQ Projector and is an incredible talent and mentor who can offer our early to mid-career writers fresh insights into how to write screen stories that can succeed in the global feature film market.”
Projects must be at conceptual stage and have the potential to connect with audiences both domestically and internationally.
The three writers or writing teams will attend four development workshops over an 18-month period commencing in late March. They will receive one-on-one development support from Thomas and pitch to producers in December 2017, with a view to taking the projects to market in mid-2018.
Eligible applications will be assessed by SQ executives and Wendall Thomas, and short-listed applicants will be asked to complete further work on their idea prior to interviewing with SQ and Wendall Thomas.
Applications close 9.00am (AEST) February 13, 2017.
Applications are through SmartyGrants via: http://screenqueensland.smartygrants.com.au