Investment & Support

FNQ Screen Industry Bootcamp


Closing Date: 5pm Friday 19 June 2020

Applications close 5.00pm Friday 19 June


Contact
Screenworks Project Coordinator
Louise Hodgson coord@screenworks.com.au
0415 092917

We are delighted to welcome applications for the FNQ Screen Industry Bootcamp, that we are running in partnership with Screenworks. This program will provide a total of two mentorship opportunities for emerging Far North Queensland screen industry practitioners, across games development and animation.

The selected mentees will connect with a professional from their industry, work on industry-real briefs, showcase their talents, build upon their experience and be exposed to career pathway opportunities.

The notable professional mentors for each discipline are Liz Ballantyne, Art Lead at Gameloft Australia and Chris Bennett, Animator at Ludo Studio (BlueyContent).

Each mentee will receive a weekly, bespoke industry-real brief and targeted feedback from their industry professional over the six-week ‘bootcamp’ period.  This will be capped off with the opportunity to travel to Brisbane and shadow their mentor in their professional environments for up 3 days

Guidelines
Program structure

This is an outcome-focused mentoring program for one emerging game developer and one emerging animator living in Far North Queensland.

Each professional mentor will assess the shortlist of applications to select their mentee. A video conference will be organised so that both parties can set expectations, logistics, timings and curate the content of the bootcamp to best suit the capabilities, skills and potential growth of the mentee.

Upon completion of the bootcamp and industry-immersion trip, each mentee will be required to deliver a report detailing the opportunities the bootcamp has presented and how this has influenced their career plans.

Who can apply?

Emerging screen industry practitioners across animation and games development, from Far North Queensland. Refer to this map to see eligible areas.

All applicants must meet the following criteria.

  • Demonstrate a high-level of gaming or animation skills by providing examples of your work.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career in gaming or animation.
  • Demonstrate that you have been living in Far North Queensland or the surrounding region (please see map of eligible areas here) for a minimum period of 6 months prior to submitting your application.
  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Complete all sections of the online application form and submit the application prior to the closing deadline.
  • Be available for a 6-week block of mentoring from early July 2020 (dates subject to change).

Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people living in regional or remote areas of Australia are strongly encouraged.

What can I apply for?
  • A games mentorship with Liz Ballantyne, Art Lead at Gameloft Australia, OR
  • An animation development mentorship with Chris Bennet, Animator at Ludo Studio (Bluey, Content)

The opportunities offered by the FNQ Screen Industry Bootcamp include the following activities.

  1. UNDERTAKE A 6-WEEK BOOTCAMP PROGRAM

Each week, the selected mentees will receive an industry-standard brief from their mentor, to be answered remotely within 7 days. The mentors will then issue their feedback before issuing a new brief. The 6-week bootcamp is currently scheduled to commence at the beginning of July 2020, depending on the availabilities of the mentor and mentees.

  1. INDUSTRY-IMMERSION WEEK

A multi-day trip to meet with the mentor and potentially other industry professionals. The mentor may offer the opportunity to attend meetings producers, undertake briefs, observe business skills and provide additional advice. This trip will be scheduled and booked by Screenworks at a mutually beneficial time for mentor and mentee after the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted.

Assessment Process
  • Screenworks will manage the online application process and will initially assess all applications for eligibility and quality.
  • Shortlisted applications will be sent to an independent assessment panel that will include Screen Queensland representatives and our chosen industry mentors.
  • The following selection criteria will be considered when assessing applicants for participation in the FNQ Screen Industry Bootcamp (all criteria areas are equally weighted).
    • The potential for the mentoring opportunity to help the applicant build relevant industry skills and potential to establish a career as a gaming or animation practitioner living and working regionally.
    • The skills, achievements, experience and track record of the applicant(s) and the quality of their previous work.
    • The potential of the applicant to contribute to and enhance the growth of screen production in Far North Queensland.
  • We are strongly committed to ensuring equal access to this project – if you require assistance with your application, please contact Screenworks Project Coordinator on coord@screenworks.com.au or 0415 092917

About the Mentors

Liz Ballantyne, Art Lead, Gameloft Australia

Liz is the Lead Artist at Gameloft Australia and Women in Games Ambassador. She has been creating video games for over 15 years and has worked with international brands including, Disney, Star Wars, Microsoft and Warner Brothers.

Liz is responsible for leading art teams in the creation and delivery for original IP’s and licensed games. Liz has expertise in user experience and interaction design, graphic design and brand strategy.

Chris Bennett, Animator, Ludo Studio

Chris has worked in the animation industry since 2013 when he created the popular web series Alfred & Poe in affiliation with YouTube pioneers Smosh. From there he went on to work with Smosh full time until 2017 when he joined Ludo Studio as an Animator for the Emmy award winning series Bluey. Chris also served as a writer for episode Fancy Restaurant.

Chris and his wife, Cassandra have two young boys together and love living in Brisbane. FInd out more about Chris.