The Step-Up Film Initiative was designed to assist early career filmmakers to keep building on their film successes, recognising that making high quality films is very difficult without access to equipment, mentors and cash.  The Step-Up Initiative was designed to provide talented filmmakers with the means to make their next defining film.

Over 100 Tasmanians and major sponsors Crowe Horwath and Blue Rocket Productions contributed $23,000 to the Step-Up Film Initiative.  Through Creative Partnerships, all donations to the fund were matched, providing Wide Angle with much needed funds in 2016 when government funding of the not-for-profit organisation ceases.

The competition for Step-Up was fierce, with 8 very strong teams applying.  The prestigious selection panel included internationally renowned writer director Rolf de Heer, Flickerfest International Film Festival director Bronwyn Kidd and acclaimed documentary producer Julia Overton.  The panel selected:

Letitia Lamb and Vivien Mason were selected to produce a 3 minute animated documentary Bikey Face – the story of Clara who has the unusual job of sharing the gift of independence through teaching girls the joy of riding a bike in rural Ghana.  

Bloodgurgler is a 10 minute dark comedy/thriller by writer Adam Ransley and directed by Daniel James.  In this short film, a naïve young office worker defeats his opponents in an online role-play game, and must fight for his life as his opponents take revenge in the real world.  

Each team received a package valued at over $30,000 including;

• script editing and attachment of a mentor filmmaker
• $10,000 cash budget
• $5,000 value of production and post-production equipment hire from WAT
• insurances for the film (public liability, workers’ compensation cover and volunteer accident insurance for cast and crew)
• a colour grade and sound mix provided by a post-production studio
• a gala launch of the film
 
The films were shot over summer and premiered in Tasmania in June 2016.

Step-Up Film Initiative 2016

A Girl Needs a Bike - Directed and Produced Viven Mason & Letitia Lamb

Bloodgurgler - Written by Adam Ransley, Directed by Daniel James & produced by Rogan Brown

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