Screen Queensland appoints new LA consultant

Screen Queensland (SQ) is delighted to announce Simonne Overend has joined the SQ team in the newly created position of LA consultant.

Simonne is tasked to facilitate strategic connections for Queensland practitioners and companies with Hollywood producers and financiers, and to drive more business to Queensland.

Simonne is the current Head of Scripted Content for Essential Media and Entertainment’s Los Angeles office and her appointment coincides with SQ’s recently announced workspace, LA-deSQ at Charlie’s.  LA-deSQ at Charlie’s, based at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, is in collaboration with Australians in Film for Queensland practitioners to utilise to develop projects and contacts in Hollywood.

‘We have created this new role to promote Queensland projects and talent and to capitalise on the momentum growth Queensland is experiencing on a global scale and the excellent reputation we are enjoying in the US,’ said SQ CEO Tracey Vieira.

‘Simonne has joined our SQ team as a tactical member to help individuals and sole company operators who want to forge professional relationships with US producers.  She will be in a position to provide valuable support and market feedback on SQ-supported projects from a US perspective.

‘Through our flagship LA creative base and personnel, we aim for increased co-productions and investors in Queensland screen productions.’

Simonne’s vast career includes positions held at RGM Artist Group, BBC4, IWC Media, December Films and Village Roadshow, and currently with Essential Media and Entertainment.  She is the Chair of Australians in Film, Chair of Gateway LA, a screenwriting program designed to support the development of commercially successful, Australian-created television and movie screenplays for US and international audiences and consults for Screen Producers Australia.

Ms Vieira said, ‘We operate in a global economy and therefore by focusing on attracting more international investment to Queensland and helping our practitioners on-ground in LA, we are giving our local industry the competitive advantage it needs.’

For more information on how to book LA-deSQ at Charlie’s and to engage the services of Simonne Overend, please email developmentandproduction@screenqld.com.au

About Simonne Overend:

Prior to her current role at Essential Media and Entertainment, Simonne held roles in film and television production and distribution in Australia, Singapore and Paris and London. She has also worked in development for a range of companies, including RGM Artist Group, BBC4, IWC Media, December Films and Village Roadshow.

Essential Media and Entertainment is one of Australia’s leading independent television producers, creating high-quality content for both local and international audiences out of offices in Sydney, Los Angeles and Toronto.  Recent productions include The Principal, which aired recently on SBS, Doctor, Doctor, currently in production for Nine, and new seasons of Rake and Jack Irish currently in development.

Simonne is also the Chair of Australians in Film, an LA-based organization for film and television professionals working in the US. AiF runs more than 40 programs and events a year, ranging from scholarships, labs and seminars to industry screenings and awards. Simonne is the chair of Gateway LA, a screenwriting program designed to support the development of commercially successful, Australian-created television and movie screenplays for US and international audiences.

Simonne also consults for Screen Producers Australia.

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For all SQ media enquiries: +61 7 3248 0500 | media@screenqld.com.au