The Early Career Writers Program is a collaboration between Endemol Shine Australia and Screen Australia.
This initiative aims to provide early to mid-career Australian writers who have the potential for a strong career trajectory in scripted episodic storytelling, with high-level training in a global calibre Script Department.
Up to four (4) early to mid-career writers will be selected to participate in a Script Department Program full time over eight (8) weeks. The Early Career Writers Program will be on-site in Sydney, NSW starting on Monday, 25 November 2024 and concluding on Friday, 31 January 2025.
This is a paid opportunity and, where required, support is available toward the relocation to Sydney for the duration of the program.
The program is funded by Screen Australia and delivered by Endemol Shine Australia, and supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild.
Successful applicants will be paired with experienced mentors who will guide them through the process and directly contribute to their learning and professional development. In addition to this, they will be immersed in all facets of script development and rotate through all the roles that make up a successful and well-functioning script department. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Experience as a writer’s assistant;
- Observing and contributing (where appropriate) to ideation and plotting sessions;
- Professional notetaking in writers’ rooms and script meetings;
- Training in skills pertaining to script coordinating, script producing and script editing, where they will work closely with professional script producers to gain practical skills and knowledge;
- Note collation and distribution (including from Executive Producers, Script Producers and Network, where/when appropriate)
- Script assessment and written critique
- Story researching
- Formatting scene breakdowns, draft scripts and revisions in established house style
Successful applicants will be paid at a rate of AUD $1,700 / week, plus on-costs like superannuation and holiday pay, for the duration of the program and their engagement in it. In addition, support will be afforded for relocation costs, ground transport and domestic economy flight costs, where applicable.
Successful applicants will be required to be present in Sydney from the program commencement date of Monday, 25 November 2024 to Friday, 31 January 2025, with a break for two weeks over the holiday period, Friday, 20 December 2024 to Monday, 6 January 2025.
inclusive storytelling
For Australian screen content to effectively deliver cultural and economic benefits it must speak to, and be for, all Australians. Ultimately a diversity of ideas and a diverse workforce will grow the Australian screen industry, make it more relevant to Australian audiences and more competitive internationally.
Screen Australia is committed to building diversity, equity and inclusion into its programs and into our engagement with the community. Authentic storytelling, from and about under-represented groups is a priority for Screen Australia.
Screen Australia therefore encourages applications from applicants from all backgrounds, cultures and experiences. In particular, the agency welcomes applications from applicants who are First Nations, d/Deaf and disabled, culturally and linguistically diverse, women or gender-diverse, LGBTIQ+, regionally based, or those from other under-represented groups.
eligibility
applicant eligibility
This program is designed for early to mid-career writers working in scripted drama and applicants must demonstrate relevant experience to be eligible. To be eligible for this program, applicants must:
- be Australian citizens or residents and meet Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade
- have a minimum of 20 cumulative minutes of scripted screenwriting credits as a sole or lead writer*. The credits** may be for any scripted platform and in any scripted genre including:
- online (i.e. YouTube);
- episodic TV;
- feature film
- short films
*A sole writer credit is one for which you are the only writer credited as “Writer”, “Written by” or equivalent.
**Credits may not include TV commercials, documentary or factual content, or sketches / segments from episodes. The credited work/s must have screened publicly in the last five years (from 2019) and by the announcement of this program (10 September 2024). Eligible screenwriting credits cannot be associated with course work completed as a student.
- Applicants must have an active ABN at time of application. If you do not have an ABN, please click here for information about how to apply for an ABN.
applicant availibility
Eligibile applicants must also:
applicant process
how to apply
Applicants need to create an account and submit an application via Screen Australia’s online Application Portal.
Applications close 5pm AEST on Thursday 3 October 2024.
application form
Through the application form, applicants must:
- provide all the information requested and answer the application questions;
- address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria;
- include all required supporting materials.
required materials
Applicants must upload the following materials with their application forms:
- CV/Bio (maximum 1 page) including writing credits applicable to the applicant eligibility criteria for the program
- A personal motivation statement (maximum 1 page) that includes:
- Why you wish to apply to this program;
- How the opportunity supports your career goals and trajectory;
- What you believe you will contribute by participating in this program.
- A letter of recommendation and/or support (maximum 1 page) from a professional engagement as a screenwriter
- One set of samples pages (maximum 10 pages) of your scripted writing (light drama/drama, any platform, in line with the applicant eligibility criteria) either produced or unproduced.
assessment
assessment process
Screen Australia’s Program Operations team will review each application to check eligibility and ensure the required application materials have been provided. Once confirmed, the applicant will receive an email advising that their application has moved to assessment and an estimated timeframe of the outcome.
Complete and eligible applications will be considered and reviewed by Screen Australia and Endemol Shine Australia against the assessment criteria, with Endemol Shine Australia making the final selection in consultation with Screen Australia.
assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed against the following equally weighted criteria:
-
Writer’s suitability for the opportunity. The strength of the applicant’s writing credits and suitability for the opportunity including quality and global readiness.
-
Motivation & goals. Appropriateness of motivation of the applicant for the opportunity.
- Evidence of support. The strength of the letter of recommendation/support and how it evidences suitability for the opportunity.
- Relevant experience. The experience and knowledge of the applicant pertinent to the activity.
Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed; any interview requests will be made ahead of time.
decision and notification
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by 5pm AEDT on Monday, 28 October 2024. The Early Career Writers Program has a commencement date one month later in Sydney, on Monday, 25 November 2024.
Screen Australia acknowledges and appreciates the time and effort that goes into preparing and submitting applications, but given the anticipated volume of applications, we will not be able to provide individual feedback on each application.
successful applicants
contracting
Screen Australia will send an approval via email to successful applicants. This will set out the conditions of support, and details about the contracting process.
Terms of funding
If you are successful, you will need to enter into an agreement issued by Endemol Shine Australia, and you will be required to provide two (2) reports on your progress to Screen Australia, and Endemol Shine Australia.
contact
For any enquiries, please contact the Screen Australia Program Operations team on 1800 507 901 or [email protected]. Please note that we are not able to provide creative advice or suggestions to strengthen your application.
privacy
Screen Australia collects personal information from individuals in different ways, including via funding applications, acquittal reports, or supporting material supplied with forms. Screen Australia will handle any personal information provided in connection with a funding application in accordance with its Privacy Notice relating to funding applications and its Privacy Policy.