| SCREEN QUEENSLAND and QUEENSLAND WRITERS CENTRE
LAUNCH NEW PROGRAM ‘ADAPTABLE’ – Turning the page to screen Screen Queensland (SQ) and the Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) are calling out to writers, publishers and agents to submit works for a new program, Adaptable, aiming to bring more book adaptations to the screen. The SQ/QWC Adaptable program is open for applications until 5.00pm Monday 3 December 2018 and will culminate in a market event whereby writers, agents and publishers will have an opportunity to pitch published and/or publication-ready novels, short stories, biographies, and non-fiction works with potential for screen adaptation to producers, showrunners, and screenwriters. “We are excited to be working with the QWC to discover new stories and unearth new voices to move from the page to the screen,” said SQ CEO, Tracey Vieira. “Box office records indicate that Australian audiences are drawn to the screen to watch re-imaginings of stories that have already won the hearts of readers. Some of the highest performing Australian films in recent years include Ladies in Black, Lion, Red Dog and The Dressmaker,” said Ms Vieira. “In television adaptations, The Handmaid’s Tale, Big Little Lies, and Game Of Thrones have not only sold internationally but dominated the recent awards’ seasons. Similar success in Australia has come to adaptations including Grace Beside Me, Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Slap, Barracuda, Jack Irish and Wake In Fright.” SQ and the QWC are launching the Adaptable initiative in part as response to data that shows that in Australia only 10 – 15 per cent of Australian films are adaptations (compared to 60 – 70 per cent in the U.S.). Research commissioned by the Publishers Association and produced by Frontier Economics has shown that films adapted from existing IP such as books perform consistently higher due to audience recognition. The research showed that film adaptions of books gross 53 per cent more worldwide than films from original screenplays. As part of the SQ/QWC Adaptable Program, QWC will also identify up to five early career writers to pitch their work to screen creatives, with these writers receiving mentorship and advice prior to the pitching sessions. “Adaptable isn’t just an opportunity to get your manuscript, short stories or published works in front of the industry-leading producers and showrunners, meet worthwhile industry contacts and undertake professional pitching development,” said Lori-Jay Ellis, CEO QWC, “there’s always a real potential that your books will be optioned and produced.” Once the QWC works have been selected, SQ will invite a group of established producers, showrunners and screenwriters to attend pitch meetings as part of the market to be held in early February 2019. The call-out for writers or publishers to submit works for Adaptable closes 5.00pm Monday 3 December and has a $55 entry fee. Successful Writers will be announced in January 2019. CONTACT INFORMATION: Screen Practitioners – contact Screen Queensland SQ Content team Writers – contact Queensland Writers Centre QWC About Queensland Writers Centre: Queensland Writers Centre supports the practise, development and recognition of writers and a vibrant culture of writing, reading and creating. |
SCREEN QUEENSLAND and QUEENSLAND WRITERS CENTRE LAUNCH NEW PROGRAM ‘ADAPTABLE’ – Turning the page to screen
October 30, 2018
