About The Screen Blog
The Screen Blog is a celebration of Australian film and TV. Here we’ll celebrate amazing people, blow the trumpet for some unsung heroes, and delve into the creative inspirations behind scripts and stories.
You won’t find box office results or celebrity news on our blog. There are plenty of places to read about those already. And while we may love TMZ and the odd bit of star spotting, we’re more interested in how Aussie filmmakers are turning plays into movies, creating unforgettable characters and generally showing the world how to spin a good yarn!
So here we’ll pay tribute to the craftsmanship and the artistry that makes Australian film and TV something special.
We’ll look at how characters grow, how special effects are made, how creatives collaborate and how talent is born.
We’ll take you on location as the cameras are rolling, and find out what’s cooking away in studios from animation to drama to comedy.
We hope you’ll enjoy our chats with fascinating filmy types and our tributes to success stories of the silver screen.
Join us as we raise the curtain to reveal a bit of life beyond the razzle dazzle.
About Screen Intel
Screen Intel is an initiative of Screen Australia that provides working practitioners with market intelligence, how-to information and robust insights into the business of making content for the film, television and online environment.
Producing content is a high-risk multi-million dollar business. No two deals are ever the same and sourcing and securing the finance takes nous, contacts, knowledge and determination. Sometimes even serendipity. Screen Intel’s attitude is this: the more information that is available to the Australian industry, the more it is possible to close commercially advantageous deals.
That information will come from drilling down into the data held by Screen Australia, and from the agency staff, producers, distributors, lawyers and others who use the platform to share their experience and expertise.
Expect Screen Intel to develop into an invaluable resource not just for the industry but for anybody genuinely interested in understanding the numbers and the complexities behind the business, including potential investors, academics and the media. Hopefully it will also help to get more great Aussie content into production and in front of audiences.
Editorial Policy: The Screen Blog
Purpose
The Screen Blog’s purpose is to provide a platform for stories that
* advocate for Australian screen projects and talent
* profile specific trends, challenges and shifts in filmmaking, for the industry
* generate a sense of pride among Australian film lovers and promote advocacy
* put some context and narrative around Screen Australia’s policy and program initiatives
* are shared through social media and EDMs, as a way of communicating accessibly
* Screen Intel is a sub-section within The Screen Blog. Its purpose is to provide working practitioners with market intelligence on all aspects of current financing in the film, television and online environment.
Content commissioning
* Content for The Screen Blog is commissioned and edited by Communications Manager. Planning is done in collaboration with the wider team, and content is linked to time-specific moments such as the release of films/TV series; film festivals/markets; awards; agency announcements and current media topics
* Written content is by Writer, Caris Bizzaca
* Video content is by Multimedia Producer, David Fanner
* On occasion, external contributors are commissioned to create specific pieces beyond the scope of in-house staff
* Content for the Screen Intel section of The Screen Blog is written by Sandy George and Screen Australia’s Research Unit.
Process
* Once a Screen Blog piece is added to the editorial plan, the Communications Manager briefs the Writer or Multimedia Producer about the story. They workshop interview opportunities, angles, key messages and any additional material that can be incorporated.
* The writer/producer set up interviews and location visits with publicists and producers. They also source video and image material through Screen Australia’s approved assets.
* Screen Australia branding is built into all video material.
* All written material will soon be published under a Creative Commons licence.
* Final drafts for The Screen Blog are submitted to the Communications Manager for editing and approval ahead of publication.
* The content for Screen Intel is initiated by Sandy George and the Research Manager identifying industry-wide knowledge and information gaps relating to financing, deal-making and revenue.
* Screen Intel content is developed through investigation of data sources and potential case studies, in consultation with industry practitioners and relevant Screen Australia staff.
* Final drafts for Screen Intel are submitted to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for consideration.
* Any content deemed significant or controversial will be bought to the attention of the COO before publication. The COO will determine whether significant or controversial content is published in consultation with the CEO.
* Approved stories are uploaded to The Screen Blog (via Vimeo for video content) as completed. They are then promoted through individual social media posts and as items in the weekly E:Newsletter (Wednesdays).
