Development applications triple in NSW
According to Screen NSW, applications for the agency’s development programs have tripled in the last three financial years, while funding has doubled.
“More people are eligible, more applications are being received, more projects are being funded for development, more money is being spent on development, more feedback and support to shortlisted and funded projects is being provided, and greater access to high quality development expertise is being offered,” CEO Tania Chambers told Encore.
Chambers said applications for the Early Stage Development Program had increased from 94 in 2007/09 to 272 in 2009/10, while funding had increased from $540,880 in 2007/08 to $829,931 in 2009/10. In terms of the Advanced Development Program, launched in 2009, 18 out of 48 applicants have been approved ($145,575).
According to Chambers, the Screen NSW development process has been designed “in consultation with the industry and taking into account changes at Screen Australia and the introduction of the Enterprise Program”. The state agency’s programs include Aurora, the Early Stage Development program and the Advanced Development and Marketing Programs.
As part of these programs, the agency has both internal and external, domestic and international assessors with experience in various areas, formats and genres –factual series, documentaries, animation, children’s TV, television drama and feature films. NSW currently utilises 45 internal and external assessors – 11 of them are based overseas.
“When a project is shortlisted, under either the Early Stage Development or the Advanced Development and Marketing Programs, it is sent to one of a rotating panel of industry assessors. The panel is comprised of people with high-level producing, development and/or commissioning experience, and includes people based locally and internationally.
“When a project is submitted under the Aurora Program, it is initially read by at least two assessors from a rotating panel of internal and external industry assessors and a shortlist is prepared. The panel is similarly comprised of people with high-level producing, development and script editing experience and/or market/distribution experience. The final selection is then determined by Screen NSW, in consultation with the Aurora Assessment Panel,” explained Chambers.
An Australian filmmaker recently contacted Encore, concerned about the credentials of certain international assessors employed by Screen NSW. Chambers responded that the agency has looked at the merits of all assessors, and their names are available to the public.
“The goal is to bring the best of both worlds to NSW creatives – a local reader who knows the culture, plus an external reader who has current market intelligence and often high level development skills,” said Chambers. “The name of the industry assessor is made known to applicants at the time when their project is shortlisted, and there is generally at least one face to face discussion with the applicant during the assessment process. Detailed feedback is given in person to shortlisted applicants.
“The names of industry assessors that are used by Screen NSW during any financial year are published in the Annual Report,” she added.
The same filmmaker also brought up the potential copyright issues that could arise from the submission of projects to overseas assessors. According to Chambers, intellectual property is something the agency “takes very seriously”, and provided the following information about the measures it has in place:
External Assessors:
All external assessors used by Screen NSW are subject to a legally binding agreement that includes the following confidentiality clause.
3. Copyright and Confidentiality
3.1 The copyright in all Assessments submitted by you to Screen NSW, and all rights, title and interest in any other materials created, or brought into existence, by you in relation to the Projects assessed by you under this Agreement, shall be vested in Screen NSW. To the extent that you may hold such copyright and other rights as a first owner of the copyright you hereby assign to Screen NSW, as a present and future assignment of copyright, all copyright and other rights that may be held by you.
3.2 You agree to maintain and keep confidential the Projects, Assessments and any other information and material (of whatever nature) provided to you or which may come into or within your knowledge or possession in relation to the provision of the Services.
3.3 You agree that a copy of, or any part of, each Assessment may be supplied by Screen NSW to the applicable applicant or other parties at the discretion of Screen NSW.
Screen NSW Staff:
Screen NSW staff are required as part of their contract of employment to maintain and keep confidential to Screen NSW all confidential information which they receive in the course of their employment with Screen NSW relating to the affairs of Screen NSW, the affairs of clients of Screen NSW or any other party which has dealings with Screen NSW. This extends to information gained by employees, the confidentiality of which is not readily apparent. Specifically, staff of Screen NSW must not express or inadvertently disclose any confidential information relating to Screen NSW or its clients or any party dealing with Screen NSW to any third party without the prior approval of the Chief Executive.
