Andrew Denton on the Kit Denton Disfellowship

June 6, 2011 5:00

Andrew Denton, in conjunction with the Australian Writers Guild, has launched the Kit Denton Disfellowship, a $30,000 grant for a challenging idea written for screen production.

Previously known as the Kit Denton Fellowship, the competition is being relaunched as a Disfellowship, because winning it may mean that “your nan disowns you, your neighbours shun you and the shock jocks call for you to be locked up”.

Andrew Denton spoke to Mumbrella editor Tim Burrowes at the launch about:

Previous winners of the fellowship;
What Zapruder’s Other Films have on the slate;
How Channel Nine’s AFP fell foul of two ratings monsters;
Dicko’s bold step in Can of Worms.

Applicants can apply for the Disfellowship at the Australian Writer’s Guild website.

Brooke Hemphill

topics Andrew Denton, australian writers guild, awg, fellowship, grant, writer, writing, Zapruder's Other Films

Comments: 10 Add Comment

the next simon fuller 6 Jun 11

To a cynical eye, it might be a cheap way of buying the rights to an idea potentially worth millions. Or am I wrong? Does the recipient keep IP rights?

andrew denton 7 Jun 11

This is a grant, pure and simple. One supported by some of Australia’s leading production companies – Animal Logic, Fremantle Media, GNW TV, Hopscotch, Princess Pictures and Shine Australia, as well as Zapruders. None of us are laying claim to any rights. All of us are interested in encouraging a strong voice, with a powerful idea, to step forward and be heard, be it in drama, comedy or non-fiction screenwriting. All the details are at http://www.awg.com.au

Cynicism, in this case, is in the eye of the beholder.

Oscar 7 Jun 11

Its absolutely a cheap way of buying an idea worth millions and it’s been done before by everyone from the Comedy Channel locally to Turners Entertainment Network internationally. “Winners” definitely don’t keep IP rights, they don’t even get producer’s fees.

But I’d wager Spiffington Manse that the difference between them and Denton’s fellowship is that Denton wholeheartedly believes in developing talent, whereas most of the other “pitch your story idea” competitions are little more than PR stunts that allow them to sit on ideas so their competitors can’t use them.

Mike 7 Jun 11

Channenging indeed! You should hire some Fairfax ex-subs!

Oscar 7 Jun 11

I stand corrected on the Kit Denton Fellowship; letting the applicant keep their rights is a great way to actually develop talent, unlike most other “pitch your story idea” that simply say that’s what they’re about.

Mike 7 Jun 11

Hey do your moderators read these comments before posting them?

Thomas Dodson 7 Jun 11

channenging?

Mike 7 Jun 11

Dear moderator…

READ THIS!

If you look at the first paragraph of this story, there is a word.

‘CHANNENGING”.

This is not a real word.

Suggest you replace with “challenging”.

I’ve tried to point this out to you twice, and Thomas Dodson has joined in, but you’re just not getting it.

mumbrella 8 Jun 11

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your note. We’ve been somewhat in conference mode this week, so have been even slow than usual to fix our many typos…

Cheers,

Tim – Mumbrella

Samsonator 8 Jun 11

You’re so clever mike. Good on you for spotting the spelling mistake, and following up! Great work

Andrew Denton on the Kit Denton Disfellowship

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