Looking for filmmakers with drive, ambition and the commitment to produce a short screen project. Drama, documentary, animation, experimental or cross platform. Breakout is for those who want to make a high quality short film to showcase their storytelling and filmmaking talent. Two projects of up to 15 minutes duration will be selected. for team applicants only. Minimum of two applicants must apply where one must be the producer and the second and third either the writer and/or director. Breakout is generously supported by Screen NSW [formerly the NSW Film and Television Office].

For all experienced filmmakers including Indigenous Australians and those with a non-English speaking background who want to write/direct a project. [Metro Screen defines “experienced” as those with a screened credit in the crew role they will undertake on this project. ‘Screened’ means TV broadcast or festival/exhibition acceptance.]

Applicants must a be a resident of New South Wales. Applications are assessed by Metro Screen’s Projects Manager and a panel of industry representatives.

2010 FUNDED PROJECTS ARE:
SHELLING PEAS - Cath Moore [Writer/director], Diana Ward [Producer] 

PURPLE FLOWERS - Julian Ryan [Writer/director], Drew Bailey [Producer] news
 
200 local filmmakers submitted applications to First Break, Breakout and Indigenous Breakthrough. A selection committee comprising industry professionals and representatives from state and national screen agencies rigorously assessed the suitability of each application.

Watch our BREAKS filmmakers video journals:
KRISTY BEST
JULIAN RYAN
ERIN GOOD
CENET SERCE

“We are continually amazed and encouraged by the depth and talent of those who want to make their mark in the Australian screen industry.” David Opitz BREAKS Manager at Metro Screen
FIRST BREAK PROVIDES

• a cash budget of $15,000 for production and crew fees.  
• production equipment and postproduction facilities to the value of $1,200.
• a Supervising Producer to support and advise your team
• one place in a Metro Screen short course of your choosing to the value of $600  
• a joint cast and crew theatrical screening event with other similarly funded Metro Screen projects within two months of the deliverables date.
• 12 months free membership with Metro Screen

TIMELINE/SCHEDULE FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Deadline for applications:             Feb 02, 2010
Successful applicants notified:     Mar 01, 2010
Production and post:                    Apr – Oct
Deliverables date:                         25th Oct 2010

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES
Successful applicants MUST;

• Attend a pre production meeting at Metro Screen.
• produce a finished film of up to 15 minutes by the deliverables date.

APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED
[Detailed explanations of the below available here]

• Completed application form
•  A completed script [does not need to be at final draft]
•  Treatment, including synopsis, character breakdowns [two pages max]
•  Marketing plan [one page max]
•  Director Statement [half page max]
•  Producer Statement [half page max]
•  Bio / CV for producer, director, writer where relevant [one page each]
•  Short bio of for key crew if known [half page max]
•  Three DVD copies containing at least one screened work from either the individual applicant OR joint projects.
•  Budget [must use template provided available here]
•  Name and contact details of two industry referees

ASSESSMENT
Applications are assessed by Metro Screen’s Projects Manager and a panel of industry representatives.
For an application pack please contact us on 02 9356 1818 or email Projects Manager David Opitz

METRO SCREEN’S PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Metro Screen in partnership with Screen NSW and Screen Australia provides 14 emerging and experienced filmmakers the opportunity to develop their stories and skills. In 2010 Metro Screen offers film funding and support through three development initiatives.

FIRST BREAK | 11 first time filmmakers | projects up to 8 min | $3,000 cash budget | open to all filmmakers with three places reserved for Indigenous Australians and four places for those with a non-English speaking background

BREAKOUT | Two experienced filmmakers | projects up to 15 min | $15,000 cash budget | open to all filmmakers

INDIGENOUS BREAKTHROUGH | One experienced Indigenous filmmaker | projects up to 20 min | $22,000 cash budget

"In providing opportunities and support to new and emerging filmmakers from culturally diverse backgrounds, I think Metro Screen’s program represents a commitment to changing the monoculture and monolingual state of film in Australia.”  Paula Abood made OF MIDDLE EASTERN APPEARANCE.
Note: Metro Screen’s Lester Bostock Indigenous Mentorship, Multicultural Mentorship and Raw Nerve programs are now being run as First Break.

Breakout filmmaker also receives Springboard.
Drew Bailey who successfully gained Metro Screen’s Breakout funding with PURPLE FLOWERS [Writer/director: Julian Ryan, Producer: Drew Bailey] has been selected as one of the four teams to gain Screen Australia’s Springboard with sci-fi thriller Cyro, in support of the feature film Cargo [Writer: Matthew Dabner, Director: Luke Doolan and Producer: Drew Bailey].