The Greg Coote Scholarship enables writers and creators to take the next big step in their career with international writers’ room experience.
Applications have now closed. The writers have been announced HERE
Now in its fourth year, the Greg Coote Scholarship – established by Screen Queensland and Australians in Film – honours the work of one of Australia’s most prolific industry figures and continues his extraordinary legacy of opening doors for Australian talent in the global screen industry.
The Scholarship – launched by actor Hugh Jackman in late 2014 – offers a writer or creator working in narrative fiction (drama and genre) the opportunity to spend a minimum of 6-8 weeks in an established series writers’ room. Worth approximately $30,000 (AUD), the Scholarship will fund the costs of the placement, including travel and visas, and provide a small weekly wage to the recipient.
This year, a pool of approximately five writers/creators will be shortlisted for the Scholarship. These writers will be presented to established international writers’ rooms for consideration and at least one will be selected to take part in the 2020 program.
Previous recipients of the Greg Coote Scholarship include:
- Darren Paul Fisher – Ransom, eOne, Canada
- Lucas Taylor – Various shows in development, FremantleMedia, UK and Europe
- Megan Doneman – NCIS: Los Angeles, CBS, United States
The Greg Coote Committee, including the Coote family, as well as Australians in Film and Screen Queensland, will select the pool of shortlisted writers/creators based on the following criteria:
- Talent demonstrated through the quality of their previous work and their screenwriting sample
- Demonstrated passion and potential for creating and writing series television such as scripts in development or past credits
- Readiness to take part in an international writers room and impact this experience will have on the career of the writer/creator and the state screen sector more broadly?
Queensland writers and creators who are building a career in scripted content are eligible to apply
While this opportunity is best suited to mid-career writers/creators who have some experience in screenwriting such as broadcast, feature film, short film or web series, your application will be assessed first and foremost on the strength of your talent and potential.
If you’re unsure if this opportunity is right for you, give us a call on 07 3248 0500 or email content@screenqld.com.au.
ABOUT GREG COOTE
Greg Coote was one of Australia’s most prolific industry figures. Greg ran LA-based Larrikin Entertainment with David Calvert-Jones; he was a producer and financier of theatrical movies, television programs and digital entertainment content. He was also a non-executive director of Bollywood distributor Eros International, chairman of US distributor China Lion, chairman of the ScreenSingapore convention and a member of the advisory board of the Singapore Government’s Media Development Authority. Previously Greg was chairman and CEO of Dune Entertainment, which co-financed more than 60 movies with 20th Century Fox, including Avatar.
Born in Australia, Greg started his career in the mailroom, working his way from the ground up to become Managing Director of Roadshow Films. He left Village Roadshow to head the Rupert Murdoch-owned Network Ten as Managing Director before joining Columbia Pictures in Los Angeles as President, International Theatrical. He re-joined Village Roadshow when it became publicly listed and was appointed to the parent board. As the founding president and CEO of Village Roadshow Pictures in Los Angeles, he steered the company through 10 consecutive years of profits and forged a multi-million-dollar production deal with Warner Bros, including The Matrix franchise.
Not only was Greg prolific in business, he was also an extraordinary leader and advocate for the arts in the public schools. Greg founded an arts endowment campaign to fund arts programs in perpetuity and to create a model for other school districts around the state and country. He was a generous and strong individual who was able to bring people along with him when it came to making sure that the arts remained part of the public school curriculum.
ABOUT AUSTRALIANS IN FILM (AIF)
Founded in 2001, Australians in Film (AiF) is a Los Angeles based non-profit organisation made up largely of Australians who work in the film and television industry.
AiF host monthly screenings and special events to celebrate the work of Australian film and television makers. Many of the AiF members are also active voting members of other prestigious groups such as: Academy of Motion Picture, Arts & Sciences; Screen Actors Guild; Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Director’s Guild.
AiF has the support of the Australian Government and claim some of the biggest companies in Australia as active sponsors as well as boasting more than 600 members, mixing antipodean actors and filmmakers with key American industry members. AiF proudly acknowledges their Ambassadors who have pledged their support to their mission, and frequently attend Q&A screenings of their films for members including Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts and Mel Gibson.
