NERVE 2019 DOCS... for your first shot at production  
Express your interest by July 17, 2019

Download the Guidelines, EOI and Application forms here (pdf)

Download the Guidelines, EOI and Application forms here (word)

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

NERVE 2019 DOCS is a delivered by Wide Angle Tasmania for Tasmanian filmmakers. If selected, you’ll receive a package valued at over $20,000 - including:

• have an experienced documentary maker mentor you throughout - from honing your story through to distribution  
• You’ll receive $3,000 cash to fund the production of a short documentary (3 – 7minutes) that will play well to festival audiences 
• $5 000 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

What’s the timeline?

If you’re selected for NERVE 2019 DOCS 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. Dates in RED are those that you MUST attend/submit if you want to apply.  Read below for more info about each requirement.

Am I eligible for NERVE 2019 DOCS?

This initiative is designed to support early career Tasmanian filmmakers who are seeking a mentored approach to developing and producing their short documentary.  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 documentary director. We define this as a director who has never had any documentary work commissioned for television, nor received screen project 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 will my application be assessed?

Once you’ve completed each of the steps, the industry panel you met during the pitch on Aug 12 will decide which team will be selected to make their film through NERVE 2019 DOCS. After one team is selected Wide Angle will provide you with 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.

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 documentary style/structure(eg. Is the proposal bold/innovative/compelling? Does the team have good access? Have they got a handle on tone? Is it achievable on a micro-budget?)
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 understand what they need to be stronger? Have they integrated ideas from the story feedback session? 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?)

I have more questions!

Excellent – here’s how you get some answers:
1.  Download the Application pack for all the information about this initiative.
2.  Come to the Documentary Showcase & info session
3.  Post a question in the facebook event
4.  Call us on 6223 8344

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