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EMERGING PRODUCER INTERNSHIP - call for submissions 2022


three images showing interns at work, actors reading scripts, and mentors giving feedback

Application Deadline: 5pm, Mon 25 July 2022

Write Room is returning in 2022/2023 and we are seeking this year’s Producer Intern to be part of the selection and development process on the program!

Write Room Wellington is a screenwriter residency program offered in partnership with POP Film, the Wellington City Council Aho Tini 2030 Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy, and Wellington’s Unesco City of Film Program.

Each year an emerging or mid-career Producer is selected to shadow the process of selecting a screenwriter to undertake the 12-week residency at the Toi Pōneke Arts Centre to develop a draft of their feature film screenplay with the support of a group of experienced industry mentors.

This year the Write Room Producer Internship will promote diversity in the industry by focusing on a producer who identifies with an under-represented community in film.

A stipend of $2500 will be awarded for the producer internship.

Mentors have included Robert Sarkies (Scarfies, Out of the Blue, Consent: The Louise Nicolas Story), Desray Armstrong (Juniper, Millie Lies Low, Coming Home in the Dark), Briar Grace Smith (Cousins, Waru) and Vicky Pope (Gardening with Soul, Savage).

Previous producer interns have included Thomas Coppell (Into the Pickle Jar, Little Apocalypse, Conspiraseries) and Jaimee Poipoi (He Kakano Ahau, Krystal, Conspiraseries).

Producer Intern Role

The producer intern joins the team throughout the process as follows:

  • reading writer applications and participation in the selection process

  • attendance at meetings with the mentors to share notes and strategies ahead of writer meetings

  • attendance at development meetings with the writer alongside the mentors

  • facilitation and attendance at the read-through workshop at the end of the program.

This is a chance for an early or mid-career producer wishing to deepen understanding and personal instincts in:

  • assessing the caliber of writing, genre, themes, budget, packaging/financing potential of dramatic film projects

  • the role of a producer in the creative process and tools for supporting script development.

  • collaborations with other producers or creative partners-how to harness the input of others in a way that is meaningful for writers.

  • insight into the read-through process and how it can inform development.

The producer intern will need to be available to spend a minimum of 25 hours on script selection from 24 October to 16 December, be present for at least 5 development meetings during the residency (Feb - April 2023) and assist with facilitating and coordinating the script read-through workshop at the end of the program (2023 - TBC.)

Hours for this internship are flexible and can be worked in and around other work commitments.

Timeline

  • Submissions due by 25 July 2022 at 5pm.

  • Successful producer announced 8 August 2022.

  • Selection process - 25 hours over Oct to Dec 2022

  • Residency dates: Feb to April 2023

  • Script Read Through workshop dates TBC in 2023

Hours are flexible and can be managed around other work commitments

Eligibility

Undergraduate students are ineligible to apply.

Producer Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Over the age of 18 years

  • emerging or mid-career producers with credits in theatre, film, TV, web series, TVC production, documentary or short films

  • Identify with an under-represented community in the NZ film industry such as Māori, Pasifika, Pan-Asian or other under-represented ethnicities, those from the LGBTQ+, d/Deaf and disabled communities

  • Wellington - based New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. You must have a current Wellington address at the time of application. If you are shortlisted you will be required to verify this address and your NZ residency status.

Please note: Toi Pōneke is a wheelchair accessible venue, though in-part due to its age, there are some challenges. To arrange a site visit before you apply, or for any access questions please contact the Toi Pōneke Public programmer at belinda.Campbell@wcc.govt.nz or 021 659 883.

How to apply

Please send all of the following in one PDF document to: Belinda.Campbell@wcc.govt.nz by Monday 25 July 2022 at 5pm.

PRODUCERS:

  1. PERSONAL STATEMENT: Introducing yourself, detailing recent projects, your ambitions as a producer and why you want to do this internship. (max 2 pages) -

  2. Please provide your CV

  3. Completed application and statistics form

Please send all documents together in a single PDF labeled with your name.


Lights beam from a hilltop overlooking the city.  The words Aho Tini 2030 Arts, culture and Creative Strategy, overlay the image.
 
Earlier Event: 29 June
learn te reo - NEXT next steps
Later Event: 1 July
call for submissions