A packed day two of Screen Forever 38 started with speed networking bright and early before heading straight in to the sessions. 

I Wish I Had Known This Before…Global Differences in Production 

Moderator: Daniel Reisinger (director) 

Panellists: Julius Avery (filmmaker), Samantha McGrady (assistant director and producer), Schuyler Weiss (Bazmark) 

The panel of four Australian filmmakers (including honourary Australian Schuyler Weiss) have worked extensively internationally and discussed the notable differences and challenges of working overseas compared to home soil. Australian crews are celebrated for their sense of collaboration and willingness to step in and lend a hand, but there are different expectations for international crews which are sometimes determined by union rights and work culture. 

Taming the Global Streaming Tiger 

Moderator: Marta Dusseldorp (Archipelago Productions) 

Panellists: David Donoghue (Screen Producers Ireland), Jane Mulligan (Screen Producers Australia), Alain Strati (Canadian Media Producers Association) 

Retaining Intellectual Property was a recurrent theme throughout the week, with this panel exploring the responsibilities of producers, who are on the frontlines in rights negotiations. The panel also unpacked the flow on effects of rights retention across the ecosystem of a production, including actors and crew.

The Uncharted Waters of Feature Film 

Moderator: Aven Yap (Nimbus Creative) 

Panellists: Pauline Chan (Darkroom Films), Ari Harrison (Umbrella Entertainment), Jason Hernandez (Kismet Movies), Edwina Waddy (Roadshow Pictures) 

Attendees flooded the room for this popular panel which explored the place of feature films and cinemas in the current landscape of content creation and distribution. The panellists discussed the return to theatres, with patrons now becoming more intentional about what they go out to see in the cinema and the impacts of casting choices and word-of-mouth. 

“What does theatrical mean now? It’s about movies that are unique, moving and an escape. It’s about getting people off the couches,” said Jason Hernandez of Kismet Movies.  

“Films need to be great not just good,” Edwina Waddy of Roadshow Pictures agreed. 

Screen Access and Inclusion Masterclass with Bridie McKim 

In this brilliantly insightful and highly practical masterclass session actor and access coordinator Bridie McKim encouraged practitioners to ask first and not be afraid to make mistakes when it comes to inclusivity. Broadcasters across the United Kingdom have adopted the TV Access Project (TAP) model, based on the principals of anticipate, ask, assess, adjust, and advocate model.

Bridie set out examples of reasonable adjustments that any production can consider (in the same way dietary requirements are now standard) to ensure cast, crew and creatives can be supported to give their best work and that barriers to success can be set aside.  

Information to remember: 

• 80% of people with a disibility have invisibile disabilities. 
• Government programs such as the NDIS can assist in covering costs involved in providing greater accessibility. 
• People do not have to disclose their disability regardless of if adjustments are requested, and any disabilities disclosed to specific parties should be shared without express permission. 

Bridie also shared an invaluable free resource from Accessible Arts for practitioners to use.

Access coordinators are an emerging role worldwide invaluable resource to productions. They are available to work with productions to signpost, guide, advise and oversee access and adjustment requirements sitting alongside intimacy and stunt coordinators to ensure safe and productive shoots. Read more about access coordinator here. 

Online Creation: Where Stories Go Beyond the Screen 

Moderator: Jesse McCart (Screen Queensland) 

Panellists: Rita Artmann (ArtSpear Entertainment), Toby Hendy (Tibees), Joe Bauer (ArtSpear Entertainment), Wendy Locke (Actor & Writer) 

YouTube creators on this panel discussed the highs and lows of navigating an everchanging platform and maintaining an online community. Wendy Mocke emphasised the democratisation of online platforms like YouTube that can reach remote and regional communities—or really anywhere with internet—unlike traditional streamers who have territory restrictions.

The panel discussed the online space as a community-building space, it’s views not subscribers that ultimately matters and it’s important to maximise points of contact around new content — never forget there are people on the other end. The panel also considered the challenges of being a creator by balancing quality, frequency and team size and finding the right scale that works for you in order to build a sustainable practice.

“The topics I’m able to cover on YouTube are the projects that I’m interested in. They are all passion projects,” summarised Toby. 

The panel also gave some advice to new creators: 

• Find your niche and keep to the subject matter 
• Keep a strong schedule 
• YouTube Shorts is where the growth is at the moment. 

Queensland’s Rising Stars 

Moderator: Tanya Ellen (Screen Queensland) 

Panellists: Daniel Mulvihill (Roaring Entertainment), Steve Boyle (Formation Pictures), Jo-Anne Brechin (Director), Ally Muller (Formation Pictures) 

Four Queensland creatives sat down with Screen Queensland Head of Content Tanya Ellen to discuss maximising your funding, utilising industry opportunities and the changes they had seen to their careers in the wake of breakthrough projects. 

They also agreed on the importance of finding your team, which Daniel Mulvhill likened to being in a marriage—being honest and authentic, and not rushing into any partnerships. 

The day ended with the City of Gold Coast Mayor’s Sunset Drinks and more networking.

Screen Forever 38 is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Screen Culture Fund.

Images courtesy of Screen Producers Australia.