Romantic Comedy Short Film: Proper Loved Up (Australia)

Proper Loved Up is a new program combining previous short film and producer initiatives. This will enable practical experience for the producer, gaining knowledge in story, development, business, drama production and local & global markets.

This is a great opportunity for emerging filmmakers (writers and directors) to launch their careers and for mid-career producers to gain further practical experience, producing a short film in the Romantic Comedy genre, and grow their slate with at least one pitch-ready film (not the short film) to take to both local and international markets.

Stories should incorporate:

• A maximum of two main characters with minimal extra/support characters;
• No more than two locations.

Program Structure

• Stage One: Short Film Component
  • Workshops & Development: The producer will apply to participate in workshops and to receive $5000 from Screen Australia for development of a short film script. The writer and director or writer/director must be included in the application.
  • Production: Selected teams then need to apply for production funding. These teams will receive information about the application process for production funding at the end of the second workshop. Successful teams will have the opportunity to access up to $152,500 for each project (from SA, ABC, NITV, and their applicable screen agency) for production and delivery of a short film with a 12-month festival holdback before broadcast on the commissioning platforms.
• Stage Two: Slate Development
  • Stage Two: Slate Development 3. Slate Development. At end of the third workshop, producers will submit applications for slate development to Screen Australia ($10,000) and if applicable, their state or territory screen agency ($5,000).

What support is available?

• Support for the initiative includes:
  • Workshops and online masterclass
  • Development of short film
  • Production of short film (selected projects)
  • Slate development
  • Local travel
  • International travel

Eligible Projects

• The project must be between 8 and 10 minutes including titles and credits.
• Genre must be Romantic Comedy.
• All stories must be conceived by a First Nations creative.
• Stories should incorporate a maximum of two characters with minimal extra/support characters and no more than two locations.
• Stories in First Nations Language or that include First Nations Language are encouraged.

Eligibility Criteria

• Mid-career First Nations producers must apply with an emerging to midcareer First Nations writer and director team and/or writer/director.
• First Nations producers who are not mid-career but who have a demonstrated interest or experience in the industry, or writers who have strong projects but do not yet have a producer attached, are still encouraged to apply however should be aware that their applications are more likely to be successful with a mid-career producer attached.
• Applicant key creative producers, writers and directors must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• All applications must meet the criteria below as well as Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade, in order to be eligible for this program.
• Applicants must have an active ABN at time of application; the applicant can be an individual or a company as per Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.

Assessment Criteria

• Applications will be considered against the following equally weighted criteria:
  • Stage One: Workshop & Development of the Short Film
    • Producer Experience: Evidence of proven track record of the mid-career producer.
    • Producer Commitment: Evidence of the producer’s commitment to the program.
    • Concept: The strength and distinctiveness of the idea and concept; the use of compelling characters; and the project’s ability to advance Australian First Nations filmmaking and storytelling.
    • Career Development: The strategic benefit of the initiative to the applicant and demonstrated desire for a career in the screen industry as evidenced by the written application and supporting materials.
    • Team Experience: The skills and capacity of the team to undertake the project as evidenced by the written application and supporting materials.
    • Viability: The practical viability of the project within the initiative parameters.
  • Stage One: Production of the Short Film
    • Story & Voice: The originality and distinctiveness of the story, and strength of the directorial voice in embracing the parameters of the initiative.
    • Team’s Experience: The skills, experience and track record of each of the key principals and the potential to advance key creative careers.
    • Viability: The viability of the budget and schedule in relation to the script, and a production approach that embraces the budget parameters of the initiative.

Application Requirements

• Stage One: Workshops & Development of the Short Film
  • Applicants for the Stage One: Workshops and Development of the Short Film must upload the following materials with their application form:
    • A two-page statement outlining your reasons for wanting to be a part of, and your commitment to the role of producer and the program
    • Example of project slate (minimum 2-3 drama projects)
    • Two professional/industry referee contacts
    • A 500-word summary of your short film’s creative details including; logline, short synopsis, and why you think this idea would be of interest to an audience
    • A first draft script, or scriptment detailing the major character’s screen journey (no more than 9 pages) CVs for all key creatives
    • A producer’s statement (maximum 2 pages) describing in detail the producer’s approach to the project and how they believe this can be made within budget limitations.
    • If a writer or writer/director is attached, script development notes (maximum 2 pages) that provide detailed critical analysis of the project. They should identify current problems in the script, potential difficulties that may arise in the further development of the project, the project’s creative and conceptual strengths, and its potential to reach an audience
    • If a director or writer/director is attached, a director’s statement (maximum 2 pages) describing in detail the directorial approach to the project. Notes on style, tone and other film references are always helpful
    • Professional development statement(s) (maximum 2 pages) outlining how this project would enhance the career aspirations of the principal creatives (writer, director, producer)
• Stage One: Production of the Short Film
  • Applicants for Stage One: Production of the Short Film must upload the following materials with their application form:
    • A one-line and one-paragraph synopsis of the idea
    • A third draft script
    • A revised producer’s statement maximum 2 pages
    • A fully itemized A-Z budget and production schedule
    • A director’s statement maximum 2 pages
    • A visual look book
    • All Chain of Title documentation, including a director’s agreement and writer’s agreement Screen Australia may request additional documentation when required.

For more information, visit Screen Australia.