Screen Australia has announced a $1.7 million injection into industry development, targeting production crew skills, skills training for career returnees and transferees, and boosting mid-career screen practitioners through BTL Next Step.
The funds will offer training and skills advancement for more than 350 individuals.
According to Ken Crouch, Head of Industry Development at Screen Australia, these three programs were conceived in response to the shortage of below-the-line personnel following the screen industry boom in Australia. Launched in April, these initiatives support various key areas within the industry:
- The Production Crew Skills Training Fund, aimed at encouraging work-based learning within productions.
- The Transferable Skills & Returning Crew Training Fund, which caters to individuals returning from career breaks and those transitioning from other industries to the screen industry.
- The BTL Next Step initiative, designed to enable mid-career practitioners to gain credits in four key roles: Line Producer, Production Manager, Location Manager, and Post Production Supervisor.
The initiatives have selected 12 companies to host the BTL Next Step, providing 14 placement opportunities. Of these, 12 are open for application through the second stage of the program.
Commenting on the funding, Crouch emphasised the commitment of Screen Australia to the sustainability and continued growth of the sector. “Our priority is to empower practitioners at all stages of their careers by equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in our flourishing screen industry. I am thrilled that this funding includes a range of professional development opportunities,” Crouch said.
Among the beneficiaries of the Production Crew Skills Training Fund are Australian Screen Editors (ASE), Bunya Entertainment and BBC Studios, Cheeky Little Media, and CJZ. Other recipients include Dreamscreen Australia, Entertainment Partners, Flying Bark Productions, Jungle Entertainment, Ludo Holdings, Media Mentors Australia, NEP Australia, and Screenworks.
Three companies, Media Mentors Australia, Screen Well, and the Veterans Film Festival, will benefit from the Transferable Skills & Returning Crew Training Fund. These will assist early-career and returning screen practitioners and introduce new entrants to the industry.
Placement opportunities for the BTL Next Step initiative will be hosted by Cheeky Little Media, Cutting Edge Post, EndemolShine Australia, Jungle Entertainment, Like A Photon Creative, Ludo Studio, ModelFarm Studio, Prospero Productions, Werner Film Productions, and WildBear Entertainment. Early placements have been made at Easy Tiger Productions and Magpie Pictures.
