The strength of the teams selected for the first intake of FilmLab indicates the depth of talent there is in the state.SAFC CEO, Richard Harris
Lab
FilmLab provides professional and career development opportunities for South Australian filmmakers through an intensive and bespoke development program, culminating in the production of eight low budget films.
FilmLab is a $4.2million development initiative of the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), funded by the South Australian Government. FilmLab is designed to develop filmmakers who have a track record in short form to take the next step into long form film production. Selected teams are provided with a cash budget of up to $350,000 for a feature length fiction film, feature animation or in exceptional circumstances, feature documentary, with participants selected primarily on the basis of the team members, their combined track record and the originality of their idea.
However, eligibility for the scheme is open so anyone with a strong creative track record and the skills to deliver a feature film is able to apply.
The SAFC's approach, through FilmLab, is to create a partnership with selected teams of filmmakers and to cultivate an atmosphere of collaboration and creative energy. Once selected for FilmLab the filmmakers are put through a rigorous creative' boot camp' involving a combination of lectures, seminars, improvisations and multimedia presentations, as well as working intensely with story developers, actors and other industry experts and mentors.
What happens each day in the lab is determined solely by the needs of the FilmLab participants and not by any preordained program.
The FilmLab website is designed to provide you with a unique insight into the journey of each FilmLab team as well as provide you with a heap of useful resources about low-budget filmmaking generally. For example, in the Lodown section you'll find notes, handouts, short screenings, links and references to explore. In the Best of Low you'll find the top five lo-bo films from the FilmLab mentors and advisors, plus in the screening room you can watch podcasts that explain what FilmLab is, plus a few fun bits showing what happens when you let producers loose with a camera.
You meet the teams and hear about their film's development as you follow them through the FilmLab journey from concept to final cut. Get the real story from their blogs. There's one for each film. You'll also meet the mentors and the advisors behind the lab as well as the SAFC staff supporting them.
FilmLab offers a secondary avenue into the program called 'SideDoor'. SideDoor is for teams with production ready projects that have not been developed through the FilmLab intensive workshop.
For more about SideDoor and the next FilmLab round visit the Lab section of the website where you'll find all the dates and deadlines, application forms and guidelines you'll need. Remember to chat with an SAFC project officer if you want to find out more.
Following on from the success of last year's public screening program, FilmLab will again screen another series of low budget films. More information about this program will be available from the website shortly.
FilmLab, launched in February 2009, is just one of many initiatives the SAFC offers through its funding program. For details of the full range of funding programs available to South Australian filmmakers visit www.safilm.com.au
SAFC FilmLab Blog
After a well deserved weekend break, the FilmLab teams are back in to begin week 2, which has some intensive project development in store! Being away from the physical space has probably allowed some form of rest from the routine, but no doubt everybody’s minds have still been churning away towards their next move, their [...]
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