Flash Black Indigenous Short Drama Initiative

6 x 10-minute Indigenous short dramas

Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and the ABC are calling on emerging Indigenous filmmakers from across Australia to submit 10-minute dramatic story ideas.

Flash Black will comprise six 10-minute dramas designed to bring to the screen Indigenous stories, authored and crafted by Indigenous people.

The selected projects will be well-crafted, based on strong ideas, exhibit a high level of creative ambition and demonstrate the possibility of being financed for production.

No experience in screenwriting or production is required, but a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in this field is essential.

Initiative parameters

• Up to eight 10-minute projects will be selected for development. The initial stage of development includes a three-day writing workshop for writers and writer/directors, to be held in late March 2011.
  
• At first-draft stage applicants will attend a residential visual storytelling workshop, to be held in early May 2011.
  
• At second-draft stage up to six projects will be selected for production. At this stage producers must be attached and will be expected to provide a fully itemised A–Z budget.
  
• Successful teams must be available to attend both workshops.
  
• Each project must have Indigenous Australians in key creative roles (minimum writer and director). Indigenous producers are strongly encouraged to apply.
  
• Total development funding will be up to a maximum of $7,000 per project.
  
• Projects will be shot on HD Format and delivered on Digital Betacam.
  
• Successful projects will be programmed on ABC.
  

The ABC will be entitled to five runs over five years. The ABC will issue a presale agreement prior to production.

Eligibility

All applicants and projects must meet the general eligibility criteria on page 2 of the Screen Australia Program Guidelines – Indigenous Programs.

• Each project must have Indigenous Australians in key creative roles (minimum writer and director).
  
• Applications from new and emerging Indigenous writers and writer/directors will be accepted.
  
• Directors who have made two or more fully funded short dramas are not eligible to apply.
  
• Indigenous producers are encouraged to apply. Applications with a strong story idea from an Indigenous producer without a director attached will be accepted.
  
• Applications with a strong story idea, but no director or producer in place, will also be accepted.
  
• Each project must have a censorship rating no greater than M and should be no longer than 10 minutes, including titles and credits.

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, Screen Australia and the ABC will use the following selection criteria:

• The strength and distinctiveness of the idea and concept; the use of compelling characters; and the project’s ability to advance Australian Indigenous filmmaking and storytelling.
  
• The strategic benefit of the initiative to the applicant and demonstrated desire for a career in the film industry as evidenced by the written application and supporting materials.
  
• The skills and capacity of the team to undertake the project as evidenced by the written application and supporting materials.
  
• The practical viability of the project within the initiative parameters.

Assessment process

Applications will be accepted from any Australian state or territory.

The selection panel will be made up of a representative of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department; the ABC’s Head of Indigenous Content; and representatives of relevant state funding agencies.

Application materials

Applicants must submit TWO copies of the following:

• A completed Indigenous Department Flash Black application form.
  
• A one-line and one-paragraph synopsis of the idea (see the Screen Australia publication, What is a Synopsis? An Outline? A Treatment?).
  
• A detailed treatment or story outline (minimum two pages) or full draft script, detailing the major character’s screen journey (see the Screen Australia publication Suggested Script Layout).
  
• Script development notes that provide a detailed critical analysis of the project. They should identify current problems in the script, unresolved story issues, potential difficulties that may arise in the further development of the project, the project’s creative and conceptual strengths, and its potential.
  
• If a director or writer/director is attached, a director’s statement describing in detail the directorial approach to the project.
  
• If a producer is attached, a producer’s statement describing in detail the producer’s approach to the project.
  
• Professional development statement(s), outlining how this project would enhance the career aspirations of the principal creatives (writer, director, producer).
  
• CVs of the applicant(s) and any intended collaborators (eg writer, director, producer) in a yearly format including running time of any productions.
  
• Examples of applicant’s previous work on DVD.
  
• Any further documentation or supporting material that might assist in consideration of the application.
  

Deadline for applications: 14 January 2011

Enquiries and completed applications should be forwarded to:

Indigenous Department
Screen Australia
GPO Box 3984
SYDNEY NSW 2001

or delivered to:

Indigenous Department
Screen Australia
Level 4, 150 William Street
WOOLLOOMOOLOO NSW 2011

Ph: +61 2 8113 5974
Toll Free (available nationally, excludes mobiles): 1800 213 099
Fax: +61 2 9357 3672

Email: indigenous@screenaustralia.gov.au
Web: www.screenaustralia.gov.au/indigenous
(guidelines and application forms are available online)