Applications close 4pm May 19.

Would you like to learn the fundamentals of creating viable and original TV drama and comedy series concepts in a ten-week 100% online course?  AFTRS (Australian Film and Television Radio School) and Wide Angle Tasmania are offering a scholarship to one Tasmanian member to attend this course.  You will be guided through the process of concept creation – from idea inception to concept presentation.

The scholarship includes the course fee (valued at $1,188)

More info and application pack available online here.

Writing a TV Series Scholarship

Applications close May 19 - click through for the guidelines and application form

Would you like to learn the fundamentals of creating viable and original TV drama and comedy series concepts in a ten-week 100% online course?  AFTRS (Australian Film and Television Radio School) and Wide Angle Tasmania are offering a scholarship to one Tasmanian member to attend this course.  You will be guided through the process of concept creation – from idea inception to concept presentation.

The scholarship includes the course fee (valued at $1,188).

Am I eligible?
This opportunity is only available to current financial WAT members.  Email us or call 6223 8344 to check your membership status before applying (and yes it’s perfectly fine to renew your membership to become eligible!)

Who will this course suit?
Do you have a great idea for a TV series? You should begin this course with the germ of an idea for a TV drama or comedy series – one that has not yet been developed into a concept or script, to work on during the course as an ongoing exercise.

You will not have completed scripts by the end of this course – the focus is on learning how to develop an idea that has a strong story engine, and characters that can keep a series alive and engaging. You will have the tools to develop other ideas after the course.

You don’t need to be an experienced writer to benefit from this course, but you do need to have a passion for storytelling and watching a lot of Television.

I’m interested – what do I do now?  

• Check out the course description online here – if you have questions about the course itself, please contact AFTRS
• To discuss the scholarship application and the activities/materials that the successful scholarship recipient would need to agree to, contact Wide Angle Tasmania on 6223 8344 or 0478 150 206 or via email 
• submit a completed application form by May 19, 2021 to [email protected] along with a brief bio (no more than 150 words) and a CV.

How will you decide who receives the scholarship?
Wide Angle Tasmania’s Executive Director will make a decision based on the applications that are received.  All applicants will be notified with 7 days of the closing date of the outcome.

Click here to download an Application Form (.docx)

Previous Scholarship recipients

Script Assessment Workshop

In July 2019 Briony Kidd was awarded a scholarship to attend a Script Assessment Workshop in Sydney.  Briony grew up in Tasmania and is a graduate of VCA School of Film & TV in Melbourne. Her best-known short Gothic melodrama,The Room at the Top of the Stairs, screen to acclaim on AMC’s Shudder platform. Her short thriller Watch Me will soon be released as part of an anthology feature from Megan Riakos’s Cedar & Hemlock, in association with Enzo Tedeschi of Deadhouse. Her feature screenplay,the ‘psychobiddy’ thriller The Motel at the End of the World, is currently in development supported by Screen Australia and Screen Tasmania. Most recently, Briony directed three music videos for the artist Costume. Briony is also a theatre-maker, freelance writer and reviewer, curator and script editor.  After completing the course Briony reflected:

“I am grateful to Wide Angle Tasmania for providing this fantastic opportunity! To spend the weekend learning from one of the country's top development executives was of huge benefit at this stage and will enable to me proceed with confidence as a script editor, as well as to seek work as a script assessor. The insights imparted were valuable to my own processes as a screenwriter as well. I found that Chris's approach was very clear, open and collegial. I particularly appreciated his sensitivity to the needs and intent of the writer, as central to a successful development process.”
Briony Kidd, July 2019

Legal Essentials Workshop

In 2020 Wide Angle was pleased to continue it’s partnership with Australian Film, Television and Radio School to provide scholarships for Tasmanians to travel to Sydney and attend industry short courses – with the additional support of Screen Tasmania’s Industry Development Program.  In March 2020 Martine Delaney was selected to attend a Legal Essentials workshop in Sydney. 

“David Whealy has the most amazing mind. Over the two days of the AFTRS Legals Essentials short course, I was constantly blown away by his encyclopaedic knowledge of the legal and financial minefields of film production. Coupled with his relaxed and confident delivery style, it made for a course I’d heartily recommend to any emerging producer who wanted to gain the legal and financial knowledge and skills to deliver a completed screen story - without ending up in a legal mess and broke, perhaps even making some money.”
Martine Delaney, March 2020

Is your not-for-profit organisation interested in learning how to work with filmmakers, create in-house videos and host film screenings for your clients and other community stakeholders? Join the info session and discover how the 'Films Work' program can help you develop and implement a strategy to use film for social change within your organisation.

Applications are now open for this innovative program designed for Tasmanian small to medium sized not-for-profit organisations.  With support from the Tasmanian Community Fund, 6 organisations will attend a 2 day workshop and receive 6 months of mentorship to develop and implement a strategy for making films work in their organisation.  Read more about the 'Film Work' program here.

RSVP below to register. After registering, you'll receive the zoom meeting link in the confirmation email.

‘Films Work’ is a program that supports Tasmanian not-for-profits to use films for social change.  With support from the Tasmanian Community Fund, participants will work with Wide Angle Tasmania to learn;

• how to find and use high-quality films to support your organisation’s mission;
• how to create inhouse videos to document your impact and create more engagement on the web and social media; and
• how to work with professional filmmakers to develop compelling stories that connect and engage your stakeholders.

Applications are now open - click through to download the guidelines and application form: 
Application pack (word doc)
Application pack (pdf)

‘Films Work’ starts with a 2-day workshop in Hobart. This fast, fun and information-packed workshop covers all the basics for not for profit leaders to use film for social change. During the workshop you will start to formulate the strategy for using films within your organisation over the following 6 months.   

Following the workshop each organisation receives six mentoring meetings designed to create an action plan and stay on track to implement your film strategy (including hosting a film screening, creating video content and developing a brief to produce a professional short film). These sessions are provided each month by phone, zoom or in-person and are tailored to the needs of your organisation.

The ‘Films Work’ program requires an ongoing commitment from the participants – but it will produce outstanding results for organisations that are serious about using film to amplify their mission.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
Each organisation contributes $50 towards the cost of the program. Each organisation is required to cover any costs associated with attending the two day workshop in South Hobart (including travel and accommodation if required).  Participating organisations will need access to internet/phone to participate in the mentoring sessions.The Tasmanian Community Fund and Wide Angle Tasmania covers the remaining costs of the workshop and mentorship sessions.

WHO SHOULD ENROL?
This opportunity is open to any small or medium not-for-profit organisation operating in Tasmania.  (Using the ACNC definition - a small organisation has annual revenue under $250,000, a medium organisation has revenue $250,000 - $1 Million).  Each organisation is required to have two participants attend the workshop (this can include employees, board members or volunteers) who can commit time to develop and implement a strategy to use film in their organisation during 2021.

I’M INTERESTED – WHAT NOW?

• register for the online information session on May 20 here 
• contact Wide Angle Tasmania for more information on 6223 8344 or 0478 150 206
• submit a completed application form by June 10, 2021 to [email protected] 

KEY DATES

ABOUT THE PRESENTER WIDE ANGLE TASMANIA

Wide Angle Tasmania (WAT) is a not-for-profit organisation with a long history of supporting Tasmanians to make films that reflect and shape Tasmanian culture.  WAT bridges a dynamic space where our services are used for education, employment and creative expression with a strong track-record of partnering to deliver projects that leverage our resources and community. Their creative excellence has been recognised through international festival awards and screenings on ABC, SBS and online. 

SUPPORTED BY

How many ways can you think of to make money?

Creative businesses often need help to brainstorm all the possible ways to diversify their income streams and become more financially sustainable.

Diversify Your Creative Income is an interactive workshop that allows participants to discuss the various general ways that creatives can make money (including services, good, subscriptions and passive income), and includes practical exercises to help brainstorm and test those ideas. The workshops examines:

• Understanding Revenue
• The MVO (Minimum Viable Offering);
• Using a Skills Audit to inspire ideas;
• Understanding the Risks;
• What's a 'Good Idea'? Testing the Market;
• Practical Pitching Techniques;
• Helpful resources and more.

The workshop is tailored specifically to creative businesses who are already self-employed, and the tips shared are relevant no matter what your profession – filmmakers, writers, musicians, designers, visual artists, performers - all are welcome!

Business advisor and creative industries guru Monica Davidson will deliver the workshops over one full day. Wide Angle Tasmania is pleased to provide this opportunity to the Tasmanian arts sector, supported by Screen Tasmania's Industry Development program.  The ticket includes lunch and refreshments.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:

• Catered lunch and refreshments
• A printed workbook to make the most of the practical exercises;
• Lifetime access to a dedicated Diversify Your Creative Income dropbox folder full of additional resources and help;
• Access to a dedicated webpage full of links and resources to help them get ahead in their creative business.

The workshop is relaxed and informal, you can ask all the questions you’ve never been able to ask before, and participants will also be given ample opportunity to network and get to know each other.

Where: Wide Angle Tasmania @ 6 Washington Street, South Hobart

Cost: $88 WAT members Early bird discount until June 14 / $110 WAT members after June 15 / $150 non-members
Tickets are for the 1-day workshop, include lunch each day and are GST inclusive. Payment can be made by instalment.

Bookings
Bookings are available via this page or contact the Wide Angle Office on 6223 8344 or 0478 150 206 or by email [email protected]

To register for the workshops, please complete the Workshop Registration Form, read the course fee refund policy and pay in full.

Travel support/financial support: If you are based outside of Hobart or require a discount to attend please contact us to discus how we can assist you.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER MONICA DAVIDSON

Business advisor and creative industries expert Monica Davidson from the Creative Plus Business Group. Monica is a writer and filmmaker by trade who learned how to run a successful creative business and now shares that knowledge with others. In her workshops Monica discusses her own experiences, and shares examples from the 500-plus people she has mentored through the process of starting and building their creative businesses.    

Screen Entrepreneurs is a workshop series for screen freelancers and business operators that focusses on the core entrepreneurial areas of business skills and planning, financial management and marketing. Workshops will be practical, interactive and fun!  Business advisor and creative industries guru Monica Davidson will deliver the workshops over three weekends. Wide Angle Tasmania is pleased to provide this opportunity to the Tasmanian screen sector, supported by Screen Tasmania's Industry Development program.

This is the third workshop of the series.

The Business of Marketing - Oct 16 & 17

Marketing is one of the most despised and least understood aspects of running a screen business or being a freelancer in the creative industries.  This fun and practical workshop explores the mystery behind the marketing magic: devising strategy, making measurements and meeting goals. we’ll also talk about websites, debunk your understanding of social media, help you recover from LinkedInPhobia, and debunk the myths of luck and word-of-mouth.   

More Info and Bookings

More information can be found by clicking through the links for each workshop below or calling Wide Angle on 6223 8344.
Bookings are available here or contact the Wide Angle Office on 6223 8344 or [email protected]

Venue: Wide Angle Tasmania @ 6 Washington Street, South Hobart

Who should enrol

Screen Entrepreneurs is designed for screen freelancers and small screen business operators.  Monica will cater for those with established businesses and those who are scoping a business opportunity or just starting out.

About the Presenter Monica Davidson

Business advisor and creative industries expert Monica Davidson from the Creative Plus Business Group. Monica is a writer and filmmaker by trade who learned how to run a successful creative business and now shares that knowledge with others. In her workshops Monica discusses her own experiences, and shares examples from the 500-plus people she has mentored through the process of starting and building their creative businesses.

Information about the other workshops in the series

Film Business Fundamentals - July 31 & August 1 

Ever wanted to turn your film dreams into a business reality? Are you already freelancing in screen and want to know if you're doing things properly? Running a film business and worried that you could be doing it better?

This fast, fun and information-packed workshop covers all the basics for screen practitioners who want to work for themselves. It covers all the business basics from ABN and ABLIS, and focusses on the practical elements of a business plan that actually works.

Click through for more information

Money is NOT a Dirty Word - Sept 16 & 17

The idea that you’ll never make any money from your screen practice (and be a ‘starving artist’) is pervasive, and lots of filmmakers struggle with money and self-employment. This isn’t always just due to lack of funds, however – sometimes you just need someone to explain the basics of money in a way that’s fun, practical, and transparent.  

Money is NOT a Dirty Word covers the fundamentals of financial literacy specifically for creatives, and answers some of the most compelling financial questions you might have. It also takes a tour through tax and record keeping, ways to make money, and stops briefly in the lands of “Should I work for free?” and “What Should I Charge?”. A must for anyone working in the screen industry.  

Click through for more information

Screen Entrepreneurs is a workshop series for screen freelancers and business operators that focusses on the core entrepreneurial areas of business skills and planning, financial management and marketing. Workshops will be practical, interactive and fun!  Business advisor and creative industries guru Monica Davidson will deliver the workshops over three weekends. Wide Angle Tasmania is pleased to provide this opportunity to the Tasmanian screen sector, supported by Screen Tasmania's Industry Development program.

This is the first workshop of the series.

Film Business Fundamentals - July 31 & August 1

Ever wanted to turn your film dreams into a business reality? Are you already freelancing in screen and want to know if you’re doing things properly? Running a film business and worried that you could be doing it better?
This fast, fun and information-packed workshop covers all the basics for screen practitioners who want to work for themselves. It covers all the business basics from ABN and ABLIS, and focusses on the practical elements of a business plan that actually works.

Tickets: Tickets are for the 3 x 2-day workshops, include lunch each day and are GST inclusive
$264 WAT members Early bird discount until June 14
$330 WAT members after June 15
$660 non-members

More Info and Bookings

More information can be found by clicking through the links for each workshop below or calling Wide Angle on 6223 8344.
Bookings are available here or contact the Wide Angle Office on 6223 8344 or [email protected]

Venue: Wide Angle Tasmania @ 6 Washington Street, South Hobart

Who should enrol

Screen Entrepreneurs is designed for screen freelancers and small screen business operators.  Monica will cater for those with established businesses and those who are scoping a business opportunity or just starting out.

About the Presenter Monica Davidson

Business advisor and creative industries expert Monica Davidson from the Creative Plus Business Group. Monica is a writer and filmmaker by trade who learned how to run a successful creative business and now shares that knowledge with others. In her workshops Monica discusses her own experiences, and shares examples from the 500-plus people she has mentored through the process of starting and building their creative businesses.

Information about the other workshops in the series

Money is NOT a Dirty Word - Sept 11 & 12

The idea that you’ll never make any money from your screen practice (and be a ‘starving artist’) is pervasive, and lots of filmmakers struggle with money and self-employment. This isn’t always just due to lack of funds, however – sometimes you just need someone to explain the basics of money in a way that’s fun, practical, and transparent.  

Money is NOT a Dirty Word covers the fundamentals of financial literacy specifically for creatives, and answers some of the most compelling financial questions you might have. It also takes a tour through tax and record keeping, ways to make money, and stops briefly in the lands of “Should I work for free?” and “What Should I Charge?”. A must for anyone working in the screen industry.  

Click through for more information

The Business of Marketing - Oct 16 & 17 

Marketing is one of the most despised and least understood aspects of running a screen business or being a freelancer in the creative industries.  This fun and practical workshop explores the mystery behind the marketing magic: devising strategy, making measurements and meeting goals. We’ll also talk about websites, debunk your understanding of social media, help you recover from LinkedInPhobia, and debunk the myths of luck and word-of-mouth.   

Click through for more information

Screen Entrepreneurs is a workshop series for screen freelancers and business operators that focusses on the core entrepreneurial areas of business skills and planning, financial management and marketing. Workshops will be practical, interactive and fun!  Business advisor and creative industries guru Monica Davidson will deliver the workshops over three weekends. Wide Angle Tasmania is pleased to provide this opportunity to the Tasmanian screen sector, supported by Screen Tasmania's Industry Development program.

This is the second workshop of the series.

Money is NOT a Dirty Word - September 11 & 12

The idea that you’ll never make any money from your screen practice (and be a ‘starving artist’) is pervasive, and lots of filmmakers struggle with money and self-employment. This isn’t always just due to lack of funds, however – sometimes you just need someone to explain the basics of money in a way that’s fun, practical, and transparent.  

Money is NOT a Dirty Word covers the fundamentals of financial literary specifically for creatives, and answers some of the most compelling financial questions you might have. It also takes a tour through tax and record keeping, ways to make money, and stops briefly in the lands of “Should I work for free?” and “What Should I Charge?”. A must for anyone working in the screen industry.  

More Info and Bookings

More information can be found by clicking through the links for each workshop below or calling Wide Angle on 6223 8344.
Bookings are available here or contact the Wide Angle Office on 6223 8344 or [email protected]

Venue: Wide Angle Tasmania @ 6 Washington Street, South Hobart

Who should enrol

Screen Entrepreneurs is designed for screen freelancers and small screen business operators.  Monica will cater for those with established businesses and those who are scoping a business opportunity or just starting out.

About the Presenter Monica Davidson

Business advisor and creative industries expert Monica Davidson from the Creative Plus Business Group. Monica is a writer and filmmaker by trade who learned how to run a successful creative business and now shares that knowledge with others. In her workshops Monica discusses her own experiences, and shares examples from the 500-plus people she has mentored through the process of starting and building their creative businesses.

Information about the other workshops in the series

Film Business Fundamentals - July 31 & Aug 1 

Ever wanted to turn your film dreams into a business reality? Are you already freelancing in screen and want to know if you're doing things properly? Running a film business and worried that you could be doing it better?

This fast, fun and information-packed workshop covers all the basics for screen practitioners who want to work for themselves. It covers all the business basics from ABN and ABLIS, and focusses on the practical elements of a business plan that actually works.

Click through for more information

The Business of Marketing - Oct 16 & 17

Marketing is one of the most despised and least understood aspects of running a screen business or being a freelancer in the creative industries.  This fun and practical workshop explores the mystery behind the marketing magic: devising strategy, making measurements and meeting goals. We’ll also talk about websites, debunk your understanding of social media, help you recover from LinkedInPhobia, and debunk the myths of luck and word-of-mouth.   

Click through for more information

Wide Angle is currently recruiting for two new positions to support Wide Angle's slate of programmes;

• Impact Producer/Project Manager (download the application pack here)
• Project Officer (download the application pack here)

Wide Angle Tasmania has an extensive archive of films that have been produced in Tasmania over the last twenty years (with over 400 films on DVD in the library).  Our most recent project is to digitise the collection to archive, preserve and allow the films to be viewed at the Wide Angle Screen Centre.

We invite you to be part of this project and submit a digital version of the film that you own the copyright in to the collection.  You can do this by completing the google form here - or get in touch with us by email/call 6223 8344 or 0478 150 206.

Here is a list of the films currently available in the digital archive for viewing:

Media release issued Sept 22

The Arts Minister Elise Archer announced on Sept 18 that “The Cultural and Creative Industries Act 2017 includes an independent system of peer assessment and expert advice in all funding decisions under Screen Tasmania and Arts Tasmania. However, all grant recipients have a responsibility to ensure they use funding appropriately and within the guidelines of the law. Accordingly, to maintain the integrity of this independent process, I have asked for the assessment process to be reviewed to ensure that illegal activities are not promoted or endorsed.”

To lend your support to the media release - please add your signature.  Any questions please get in touch. The Minister’s full media release can be read here.

Thanks for making the time to complete our short survey - your answers will help Wide Angle to serve the Tasmanian screen community!

Respond by July 3 and you'll be in the running for cash prizes (2 x $100), equipment hire vouchers (3 x $100) and WAT membership (x 4) 

There are just 6 questions;

• What is life like for you right now?
• What have other organisations you interact with done during COVID-19 that you’ve found useful and why?
• What is Wide Angle doing or providing that gives you the most value right now and why?
• On the flip side, what services are of less value to you right now and why?
• What can we do to best serve you right now and why?
• What would you like to see us do differently post-COVID19?

We'll be using the info to help understand our community better - all responses will be used or share without identifying you. 

Thanks!

Brian Toggle is a self-proclaimed timekeeper and expert drummer who plays in Tasmanian art pop band, Sunset Thrills.

WRITER, DIRECTOR & PRODUCER: Ursula Woods
DURATION: 9mins, 52 secs
YEAR: 2019

Brian ‘Toggs’ Toggle is a seasoned drummer and self-proclaimed timekeeper from the town of Ulver-stone, Tasmania. Toggs talks to filmmaker Ursula Woods about dimensions of drumming and how the significant town clock influenced his rhythmic thinking as a child. Is time the most important element in the music we like to listen to? Clockumentary takes a look at life through a drummer’s lens. Playing with young art-pop group ‘Sunset Thrills’, Toggs encounters artistic differences with the band.

Screenings & Awards

Nerve 2019 Industry Screening - Hobart, February 2020
SNIFF (Southern Nomads International Film Festival) Queenstown Tasmania Feb 2020
Nominated for Best First-Time Film Director at ALTFF March 2020
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival - Vic, June-July, 2020
Brighton Rocks UK Film Festival (online due to Covid) August 2020
Semi-Finalist at Best Short Fest (Canada) September 2020

KEY CAST:
Mike Brooke – Brian Toggle
Michael Panton – Mick
Louisa Hogue - keyboardist
Oliver Gathercole - bassist

KEY CREW:
Writer/ Director/Producer - Ursula Woods
Executive Producer - Abi Binning
Mentor Producer & Script Editor - Troy Melville
DOP - Richard Williams & Mike Gissing
Sound Recording - Mike Gissing
Camera 2 - Jacob Collings
Assistant Director - Lucy Crispin
Editor / Associate Producer - Rose Vallentine
Composer - Jethro Pickett 
Sound Editing & Colour Grade - Mike Gissing, Digital City Studios

A young woman’s cross-town errand takes a dangerous turn when she encounters a dark figure from her past.

WRITER & DIRECTOR: Jeff Kirkland
PRODUCER: Tara Bufton
DURATION: 10mins 
YEAR: 2019

Red, a drug courier for a biker gang, is sent to deliver a bag of drugs to a local nightclub. On the way she encounters her possessive ex-boyfriend, Rafe, who wants her back in his life and won’t take “No” for an answer. She manages to escape and continue on her way but an angry and obsessed Rafe has no intention of letting her go that easily.

Screenings

Nerve 2019 Industry Screening - Hobart, February 2020

KEY CAST:
Mutha - Shane Rayner 
Red - Eleanore Knox 
George - Norman Alexander 
Rafe - Michael Gillan 
Tony - Stephen Ashton 

KEY CREW:

Writer & Director - Jeff Kirkland
Story By - Jeff Kirkland & Helen Kirkland
Producer - Tara Bufton
Executive Producer - Abi Binning
Mentor Producer - Emma Wilson
Script Editor & Mentor Director - Briony Kidd
Cinematographer - Andrew Walton 
Production Manager - Julia Hendy-Cartwright
Production Coordinator - Elise Stansfield
Assistant Director - Leisle Grant  
Sound Recordist - Stewart Mackay 
Production Designer - Ella Knight
Production Assistant - Emily Roberts
Location Manager - Julia Hendy-Cartwright 
Camera Assistants - Ben Nelan  & Emily Roberts 
Hair & Makeup - Hair & Makeup 
Stills - José Navarro & Mark Thomson
Fight Choreographer - Stephen Ashton
Catering - Henry East & Laura Hampton
Music - Gareth Dawson 
Editor - Jeff Kirkland
Sound Editing & Colour Grade - Mike Gissing, Digital City Studios

Wide Angle Tasmania is delighted to present the following screenings.  Please click through for more information about each screening and to reserve your seat.

Each year Wide Angle Tasmania runs special initiatives to help develop Tasmanian screen practitioners by learning and making.

Upcoming events can be found here.

Current opportunities are listed above as OPEN.

An ongoing initiative is WAT SHARES - a time bank for Tasmanian filmmakers to trade their skills and experience.  Check it out here.

END GAME is a 3 month programme of goal-setting, peer support, coaching and reflection designed to help you transform your great idea into action.  

The Wide Angle Residency provides Tasmanian screen practitioners with the opportunity to concentrate on their screen project or screen business for a period of between one and three months.  Applications for April residencies are open now.

You can also check out the previous initiatives that have been offered by Wide Angle Tasmania here.

In 2019 Wide Angle provided Tasmanian screen practitioners with their first shot at production through our annual initiative NERVE.  Teams received a cash budget and Wide Angle support to go through the full process of making a short screen project. Previously called Raw Nerve, this model of mentoring, training and support aims to provide screen practitioners with their first experience of an industry standard production that will progress their career, educational and/or creative aspirations.

In 2019, the filmmakers and films supported included:
Jeff Kirkland - RED
Ursula Woods - Clockumentary
Sam Tooker - Dennis & Shake

Since 2008, Wide Angle Tasmania has helped dozens of Tasmanian screen practitioners to create their first funded short film through this highly successful model of mentoring, training and support. Opportunities to learn through doing are vital for directors, contributing to strong career outcomes.  Shaun Wilson (currently directing Rosehaven series 3) directed his first funded short film Henry Finn through this initiative in 2008.  Other alumni include Vivien Mason (now studying an MA in ‘Digital Storytelling’ at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London) and Rebecca Thomson (award winning director of the webseries Women of the Island).

The three films produced in 2018 are between 5 and 10 minutes in length. Wide Angle Tasmania helps filmmakers take their idea from script, through each stage of production, to a finished film ready for national and international festival release by December 2018.

Each filmmaker receives a package valued at over $30 000 that includes;
• mentoring from an experienced screen industry practitioner 
• advice through the script editing process 
• $3 000 cash budget
• free enrolment in relevant WAT training
• $7 500 value of production and post production equipment hire from WAT
• insurances for the film and volunteer cast and crew
• a colour grade and sound mix provided by a post-production studio
• a gala launch of the films

State Growth supported NERVE by contributing funds to employ nationally recognized script editors and mentor producers for Red, Clockumentary and Dennis & Shake

Download the Guidelines and Application pack here (pdf)

Download the Guidelines and Application pack here (word)

Have you got a killer idea for a short film that you know audiences will love?  Need some funds to make it? In 2019 three short films will be produced through Nerve 2019 – and this is your chance to be selected.

NERVE 2019 is  delivered by Wide Angle Tasmania for Tasmanian filmmakers. If selected, you’ll have an experienced  filmmaker mentor you throughout - from honing your story through to distribution. You’ll receive $3,000 cash to fund the production of a short film (3 – 7minutes) that will play well to festival audiences.  You’ll also receive access to equipment, facilities, insurances and a professional colour grade and sound mix… and we’ll launch your film at a gala industry event.

What’s the timeline?
If you’re selected for NERVE 2019 it’ll consume most of your thoughts and time from September to November.  If you have a great team around you, you’ll be able to share the load, but make sure you can balance the demands of the programme with your other obligations – the timeline below isn’t flexible. 

Am I eligible for NERVE 2019?

This initiative is designed to support early career Tasmanian filmmakers who are seeking a mentored approach to developing and producing their screen project.  Read below to make sure that you and your team meet all of the following eligibility criteria.  If you have any questions about whether or not you are eligible, get in touch.

• You and your key team members must be permanent residents of Tasmania who are financial WAT members.
• You must hold the rights to make the film and/or be able to demonstrate access.
• The team must include an early career director. We define this as a director who has never had any work commissioned for television, nor received production funding from any state or federal agency.  Teams may include experienced producers/editors/cinematographers.  We strongly encourage teams with a track record of collaboration to apply.
• You and your core team have a history of engaging with WAT and the Tasmanian screen community.
• The project must be an independent production - projects cannot be produced as part of any coursework.

How do I apply to NERVE 2019?

1. We are here to help – make a time to come and discuss your project or ask for help if there are any barriers we can help you to overcome in preparing your application, including chain of title queries.Contact us during office hours on 6223 8344 or email [email protected]. 
2. Copies of Raw Nerve films produced in previous years can be borrowed from the WAT resource library for free.
3. Application Form and Attachments must be emailed by 4pm August 5. You will receive an email to confirm the receipt of your application no later than 4pm Aug 6
4. Shortlisted applicantsmay be invited to attend an interview with the selection panel
5. 5.  All applicants will be notified of the outcome no later than Aug 31. This email will include a summary of the panel’s feedback about the strong points and the weaknesses across all the applications that were received.  We can’t provide feedback on individual applications, and the panel’s decision is final.

How will my application be assessed?

The panel assesses each application against theses criteria:

1. The strength of the story(eg. Is it actually a story or just an issue/character sketch? Does the story excite or inspire the panel? Is it likely to resonate with an audience?  Is it best told as a short film?)
2. The strength of the style/structure(eg. Is the proposal or story told in a bold/innovative/compelling way? How strong is the visual storytelling?)
3. The strength of the team(eg. is this the right team to tell this story?Does the team have the skills to manage, shoot, edit and distribute the film? Does the team recognise their weaknesses? Have they collaborated previously? With the support provided by the initiative, will the team be able to manage the production effectively?  Is this team contributing to a vibrant, diverse and renewable Tasmanian screen culture?)
4. The benefit to the team (eg. will this project help the team achieve their screen aspirations? Will this project help build collaborative partnerships?)
5. The level of engagement the team has had with WAT and the Tasmanian screen community
6. The value of allocating resources to THIS project and team ( Is the project and team a good fit for the initiative? Are all elements of the initiative likely to be valued by the team? Is it likely to be realised effectively through the initiative? How does this project/team align with Wide Angle’s strategic objectives? How does this project and team rate against other applications? Can the project be funded elsewhere?)

More info found in the guidelines.

We are grateful for the support of State Growth – their support provides funds for the attachment of mentors to the team and project.

When a country football team loses its sponsor, the homophobic team captain enters a drag pageant to raise the money.

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Mick Lowenstein
PRODUCER: Mick Lowenstein & Tracey Cosgrove
DURATION: 8mins 17secs
YEAR: 2018

After winning the country football grand final, Jade the team captain, finds out that the club’s major sponsor has pulled out. The team manager, Russell, tries to convince Jade to enter the “You Little Beauty” Pageant to help raise funds. In an op shop, Jade and his mates run into Matthew, a young gay man and tease him. Matthew stands up for himself, inflaming Jade’s aggression. Matthew compares Jade’s violence to his father, which forces Jade to reflect on his actions. Jade reluctantly takes part in the pageant but the event is upstaged by Matthew appearing in stunning drag. The player’s taunting becomes violent. Jade finds the courage to stand up for the person he’d previously abused and points out Matthew’s courage to the rest of the town.

Screenings

Nerve 2018 Industry screening - Hobart, January 2019
Flickerfest 2019 - Cygnet, May 2019

KEY CAST:
Jade - Connor Carthy
Matthew - Joshua Scott
Russell - Matthew Stolp
Bender - Jared Goldsmith

KEY CREW

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Mick Lowenstein
PRODUCER: Mick Lowenstein & Tracey Cosgrove 
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Abi Binning
MENTOR PRODUCER: Dick Marks
Script Editor - Ranald Allen
Director of Photography - Aaron Luke Wilson
Production Manager - Cathy Allen
Assistant Director - Cathy Allen
Sound Recordist - Frederic Moll
Boom Operator - Tom Roberts
Continuity - Victoria Woodfall
Camera Assistant/B camera operator - Atak Ngor
Gaffer - Richard Williams
Gaffer - Ralph Williams
Best Boy - Brad Harris
Production Designer - Nicole Winspear
Art Assistant - Eleanor Stancombe
Costume Designer - Nicole Winspear
Make-up Artist -Matthew Stolp
Make-up Artist - Jane Howard
Specialised make-up - Andrew Michael
Stills Photographers - Ken McColl and Brad Harris
Unit Manager - Ruby Grant
Unit Assistant - Tom Roberts
Catering - Tracey Cosgrove and Ruby Grant
Production Assistants - Oliver Potter and Felicity Wilkinson
Casting Director - Cathy Allen
Graphic Design and VFX - Aaron Luke Wilson
Editor - Justin “Pyrate” Smith
Sound Editor and Colour grade– Mike Gissing, Digital City Studios