Eighteen Australian creators have been selected for BBC Studios’ inaugural Creator Lab Australia, with the program now underway in Sydney.
The creators are taking part in the first stage of the initiative, which was announced by BBC Studios last month and is designed to connect established YouTube creators with development expertise, established IP and opportunities to grow their ideas.
The Australian program builds on the success of BBC Studios’ existing Creator Lab in the UK and is supported by SBS, with Changer Studios and BBC Studios TalentWorks involved as delivery partners.
The 18 creators selected are Bridget Thomson, Dario Nadile, Dylan Bray, Ella Watkins, Jack Ovens, Jamie Perkins, Jay Harwood, Jordan Pena, Lee Constable, Maddie Massy, Mary McGillivray, Ming Dao Ting, Dr Naomi Koh Belic, Saksham Sharma, Thomas Ashton, Tilly Oddy-Black, Toby Hendy and Granny Flat Comedy.
The Sydney program features sessions led by industry figures including Haven’t You Done Well Productions Managing Director Georgia Mappin, Beast Games showrunner Matt Apps, Spawnpoint Media COO Mads Brown, Ludo Studio Assistant Digital Producer Joe van Vugt and Bondi Hipsters co-director Christiaan Van Vuuren.
Participants are exploring audience development, content strategy, format creation and long-form storytelling, while also working with commissioners and industry figures from across the screen sector.
Mappin, Managing Director of Haven’t You Done Well Productions, said the program provides an opportunity to bring together the strengths of digital creators and the traditional screen industry.
“Creator Lab Australia recognises that these are complementary skill sets, not separate worlds, and creates the relationships needed to build the next generation of Australian content businesses.”
SBS Director of Television Kathryn Fink said the broadcaster’s involvement was about supporting new voices and connecting with creators who are already building audiences and communities.
“For SBS, it’s an opportunity to support new voices, connect with creators who are building communities and engaging audiences and to explore different forms of storytelling.”
The initial Sprint will lead into an eight-week hybrid Accelerator, with a number of creators selected for one-on-one mentoring and further specialist workshops focused on content development, audience engagement, multi-platform growth and building globally relevant IP.
