Metro Screen succumbs to funding crisis as not-for-profit organisation prepares to close
Not for profit film and TV training and development organisation, Metro Screen, will close at the end of the year after admitting defeat in its battle to raise funds.
The body, founded in 1981, said it has been unable to find alternative funding after learning it will lose its $240,000 grant from Screen Australia, which itself has faced government budget cuts.
The Metro Screen board said the decision was made with “deep regret and considerable sadness” but was the only responsible course of action.
“Every effort has been made by Metro Screen to secure additional funding but to no avail,” chairwoman Kath Shelper said. “We need to be responsible to our staff and ensure we are able to meet our obligations to them, and therefore it is with regret that the Board has made the decision to close Metro Screen in December 2015.”
I’d like to congratulate MetroScreen for the contribution they’ve made to the production industry. I hired a camera and sound gear from them for my first ever paying production gig 15 years ago. The hire guy was super nice and showed me how to use the camera and connect the sound. I’ve shot in their green screen too as well as taking a couple of courses. I salute you MetroScreen and it’s sad that you won’t be around for other budding production professionals.
A very sad day indeed.
A sad day indeed and thank you Metro for assisting a raft of emerging practitioners. Does anybody know what other resources will be available now to these people?
Ten years ago Metro Screen partnered with the University of Western Sydney in the formation of Television Sydney – TVS. It is very sad to hear of the imminent closure of Metro, and even more so as TVS will also close its doors as a free to air broadcaster in much the same way – due to the withdrawal of funding from its major benefactor UWS. Many thanks to all those at Metro who helped with TVS, and who helped usher in so many wonderfully talented producers and directors.
Very sad to see this happen but there is always North Sydney Tafe or AFTRS.
So we live in a world that increasingly demands video content across so many platforms and what do we do? Close down the primary community based training centre that teaches people how to provide quality content. Another inspired move from the government of this clever country.