Screenwest re-launches the Crew Attachment Program as the Below-the-Line Crew Capacity Program
Screenwest is re-launching its Crew Attachment Program to respond to current workforce demands in the Western Australian screen industry.
Renamed the Below-the-Line (BTL) Crew Capacity Program, the program provides paid, on-the-job experience to below-the-line (BTL) screen practitioners on professional productions made in Western Australia. The objectives of the program are to:
- Address priority BTL skills gaps that exist in Western Australia.
- Support the growth of local BTL talent.
- Build a sustainable screen industry in Western Australia.
Productions that receive Screenwest Production Funding over $100,000 must budget for BTL Crew Capacity opportunities in consultation with Screenwest.
A summary of key changes is below.
Opportunities
A production may now offer BTL Mentorship and/or Attachment opportunities.
- Mentorships are negotiated between the Production Company and Screenwest and generally do not have an application process.
- Mentorships are aimed at mid-career and established BTL industry practitioners.
- Mentorships can only be for Head of Department roles, 2 IC roles or roles that require specialist BTL skills.
- The Mentee must be supported to undertake a new role by a paid, suitably experienced external mentor.
- Attachment opportunities are advertised by Screenwest. Individuals are selected by the production company following a competitive assessment process.
- Attachees must not have full responsibility for a role.
- The Attachee must shadow an experienced BTL industry practitioner on a professional production.
- Attachment durations have been streamlined across scripted and documentary to a minimum of six weeks.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for Attachments has been updated to include:
- Attachees must be 18 years or older (in line with Screenwest’s Professional Development – Placements Fund and industry standards).
- Specific ways of demonstrating a commitment to a professional career, i.e.:
- Graduation from a relevant tertiary course (e.g., Film, Media, Animation).
- Production Credit on at least 30 minutes of screen content (outside of secondary or tertiary education).
- Significant experience in the parallel industry that qualifies the applicant for a specific role (e.g. accountant, make-up artist, electrician, rigger).
Attachment wages
Updated wage requirements to align with the relevant minimum Award Rate for a 50-hour week.
Q&A webinar
Screenwest is holding a Q&A webinar on the new BTL Crew Capacity Program and the changes to the Scripted and Footloose Production Funds. WA creatives are encouraged to attend.
Date: Friday, 11 October 2024
Time: 12:00pm – 12:30pm AWST
Where: Online via Zoom – register here to attend.
The new BTL Crew Capacity Program will be rolled out in line with the next Scripted, Footloose and Documentary Production Funds. The new guidelines are available now on the Industry Skills & Business Development page of the Screenwest website.
Program Contact
To talk to someone about this opportunity, applicants should contact:
Gabrielle Cole, Production Attraction & Services Manager
Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2117
E: gabrielle.cole@screenwest.com.au
Caroline Middleton, Production Attraction & Services Officer
T: +61 8 6169 2120
E: caroline.middleton@screenwest.com.au
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