Metro Screen Weekly Newsletter

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8 November

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HISTORY IN THE MAKING: BATTLE OF BROKEN HEARTS

History is defined as the study of past events, particularly those of human affairs and at this point in time we have a unique opportunity to represent the full diversity of perspectives through storytelling. Kuranda Seyit, a former graduate of the Certificate IV in TV Production and former Metro staffer, has recently completed a film titled ‘Battle of Broken Hearts: History of Australia’s Muslim Cameleers’.

The Battle of Broken Hearts retraces the steps of the early Afghan cameleers, and explores the amazing lives of some of these men and the many years of discrimination and injustice that many of the cameleers had to endure in a white Australia. The story is told through the words of historians and descendants of the cameleers. The film evokes what life was like for a Cameleer - their survival instincts, their religion, their relationship with Europeans and Aboriginal Australians, and the eventual decline of the industry.

For three decades Metro Screen has supported a diverse community of emerging talent, it’s always exciting to catch up with past alumni and hear their latest stories.

Industry News

ABC Fresh Blood

The ABC and Screen Australia are inviting submissions for a new digital initiative Fresh Blood, which aims to provide a screening opportunity and funds for the next generation of comedic talent. Individuals or groups can submit their idea to be in with a chance of getting one of the twenty-four short form commissions up for grabs plus a $10,000 budget.

My Queer Career Entries

The 2014 My Queer Career competition is seeking entries, one of the world’s most prestigious awards for queer short filmmakers. The major prize includes $3,000 cash and automatic inclusion in the international queer shorts competition, the IRIS PRIZE, submissions close 22 November.

Screen NSW Producer Extension Placement Program

The deadline for expressions of interest has been extended to 20 November for two successful applicants to spend time in Screen NSW's Development and Production Unit, as well as being supported to attend key industry events.

Theatre Owners Might Kill Movies

Variety Magazine reported on Netflix’s Sarandos speech that came with a warning “the industry Content chief calls for big movies to bow on Netflix day and date with theaters”. It’s a fascinating speech worth watching in case you missed it.

EVENTS

Join us at the Coasties Film Festival at Avoca Beach Saturday 23 November for the screening of the Central Coast on Screen projects developed at Metro Screen in partnership with ABC Open.

Don’t forget Freelance Fridays networking drinks Friday 15 November and get your registration in for the Kino Kabaret filmmaking weekends coming up in November and December at the Metro Screen Studios.

COURSES

Matthew Taylor has wanted to make films since he was 13 years old, a dream he’s now putting in to action with the making of his first short film ‘Big Duck’. Starting a career as a writer and director is a daunting undertaking, made a little easier with industry training, a network of filmmakers and a supportive professional studio environment. Watch some of the filmmakers currently in production on their first films talking about the experience. If you’re interested in making film and television as a career, applications for the Diploma of Screen and Media are now open.

Watch Interview | Apply

HIRE

Machete Girl – The Hacker Chronicles is a local Sydney production that has put the Metro Screen green screen studio to the test in this scifi series currently in production. Join the 11,000+ people following their journey on Facebook and watch the green screen compositing in action. To take a tour of the Metro Screen studios and talk to the team about green screen options and virtual sets,
make appointment with the team hire.post@metroscreen.org.au or get a quote online anytime.

FUNDING

$87,500 Breaks Funding is available for short narrative works in 2014. Download the application, start writing your script and put your team together now. Applications need to be submitted online by 2 December 2013.

Watch 2013 Breaks filmmaker, Samuel Leighton-Dore, talk about his experiences making the short drama Showboy, currently in post production.

Metro Screen in collaboration with Screen Australia and ABC TV are looking to commission three NSW filmmaking teams (producer, director, writer) to produce Raw Nerve short films around a theme in 2014.

WATCH

And now for something completely different. Click the button and take a channel hop through decades of television without context. It’s a surreal meander through slices of television history.