Development Attachment Scheme
Screen NSW is committed to supporting emerging NSW screenwriters as they grow their careers in the screen industry. From May 11, Screen NSW will be giving opportunities to these writers by providing attachments with production companies who have received development funding for a Television Writer’s Room through the Slate Development Program. These attachments will observe the writer’s room, free from the pressure of contributing or note-taking. The aim of the Development Attachment Scheme is to demystify the writer’s room for emerging screenwriters, establish relationships between emerging and experienced screenwriters, as well as forge connections between production companies and the fresh talent pool of emerging writers that NSW has to offer.
Development Attachments are mandatory for any applicant that receives development funding from Screen NSW through the Slate Development Program, for which the purpose is to conduct a Television Writer’s Room. Only Writer’s Rooms of 3 days or more will be required to take on an attachment. Development Attachments are to be contracted and paid directly by the production company. Applicants must budget for the attachment at the time of application – rates and agreements should be accordance with the AWG Note-Taker daily rates and agreements. Development Attachments are not to substitute or replace writers or note-takers within the room and should not be obligated to contribute creatively. Development Attachments must be approved by Screen NSW prior to contracting.
This register by Screen NSW will manage potential Development Attachments. Applicants are also welcome to put forward their own Development Attachment suggestions. Priority will be given to the following underrepresented groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CaLD backgrounds, people with a disability, LGBTQI+ people, people from Western Sydney and people from Regional NSW.
What support material is required for the expression of interest?
To apply for inclusion on the Screen NSW Development Attachment Scheme you will be asked to provide the following support material in the application form:
- CV outlining your experience. Please only include relevant experience to a maximum of 3 pages. CVs should be updated every 12 months.
- A one page statement of your career goals and why you’re interested in this scheme.
- Details of two industry referees.
- Sample of work, such as a writing sample.
What type of projects will be required to have attachments from the Development Attachment Scheme?
Any project applying to Screen NSW for Development Funding to run a Writer’s Room. Typically, writer’s rooms are held for plotting episodic TV, whether that be for a Limited Series or a Returnable Series. In some cases, Factual Series along with Factual and Scripted Feature Films will also hold Writer’s Rooms.
Great, I’m attached and ready to start! How will it work?
The attachee will become an employee or contractor of the production and the production will cover all necessary insurances. The production will pay the agreed fees and/or expenses to the attachee direct plus any associated fringes. They will be credited as a Screen NSW Development Attachment.
What reporting is required after the attachment?
Once the attachment is completed, an acquittal report from both the production company and the attachment will be required. The acquittal report templates will be provided by Screen NSW.
Screen NSW is committed to promoting diversity of opportunity in the screen industry as well as the diversity of screen stories and supporting increased participation in the industry of people from underrepresented groups including First Nations peoples, people from CaLD backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from western Sydney and people from regional NSW. Screen NSW is also committed to supporting gender balance for both above and below the line talent. Priority will be given to teams including people from under-represented groups and that reflect gender balance.
Feedback, review and formal complaints procedures
If you would like to provide us with feedback, or believe you have cause for complaint, the details of our Feedback, Review and Formal Complaints Procedures are available here.
Expressions of Interest will be assessed for inclusion on the register against a common set of criteria.
Those included on the register will have demonstrated:
- A demonstrated enthusiasm relevant to writing for the (big or small) screen (in your supplied CV or career statement);
- an understanding that the proposed role is that of an Observer in the Writer’s Room; and
- a commitment to pursuing a career as a screenwriter.
Preference will be given to applicants who have been shortlisted in previous Screen NSW and Australian Writer’s Guild screenwriting initiatives.
Who is the scheme for?
The scheme is specifically for those with a keen and demonstrated interest in writing for the screen. The attachee may be a recent University Graduate, or a career professional in a different field, such as a published author or journalist, who is looking to break into screenwriting. Or may be working in the film and television industry in a different discipline. The attachee will attend the room as an Observer, not active participant.
The key requirement is that the attachee has never attended a writer’s room previously
What type of projects will be required to have attachments from the Development Attachment Scheme?
Any project applying to Screen NSW for Development Funding to run a Writer’s Room. Typically, writer’s rooms are held for plotting episodic TV, whether that be for a Limited Series or a Returnable Series. In some cases, Factual Series along with Factual and Scripted Feature Films will also hold Writer’s Rooms.
Applications can be submitted through Smarty Grants here.
Great, I’m attached and ready to start! How will it work?
The attachee will become an employee or contractor of the production and the production will cover all necessary insurances. The production will pay the agreed fees and/or expenses to the attachee direct plus any associated fringes. They will be credited as a Screen NSW Development Attachment.
What reporting is required after the attachment?
Once the attachment is completed, an acquittal report from both the production company and the attachment will be required. The acquittal report templates will be provided by Screen NSW.
Screen NSW is committed to promoting diversity of opportunity in the screen industry as well as the diversity of screen stories and supporting increased participation in the industry of people from underrepresented groups including First Nations peoples, people from CaLD backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from western Sydney and people from regional NSW. Screen NSW is also committed to supporting gender balance for both above and below the line talent. Priority will be given to teams including people from under-represented groups and that reflect gender balance.
Assessment Criteria
Expressions of Interest will be assessed for inclusion on the register against a common set of criteria.
Those included on the register will have demonstrated:
• A demonstrated enthusiasm relevant to writing for the (big or small) screen (in your supplied CV or career statement);
• an understanding that the proposed role is that of an Observer in the Writer’s Room; and
• a commitment to pursuing a career as a screenwriter.
Preference will be given to applicants who have been shortlisted in previous Screen NSW and Australian Writer’s Guild screenwriting initiatives.
Feedback, review and formal complaints procedures
If you would like to provide us with feedback, or believe you have cause for complaint, the details of our Feedback, Review and Formal Complaints Procedures are available here.
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