Redfern Now

Six households, one street…

The Indigenous Department of Screen Australia and ABC TV are calling for Indigenous screenwriters from across Australia to submit episode ideas for a
6 x 1-hour drama series to be set in inner-city Sydney.

To be produced by Blackfella Films, REDFERN NOW will be the first drama series written, directed and produced by Indigenous Australians. It will screen on ABC1.

Jimmy McGovern, internationally acclaimed creator and writer of The Street, Cracker and The Lakes, will collaborate with the team on the development of the series.

REDFERN NOW will focus on six households on one street, revealing elements of contemporary inner-city Indigenous life.

Each story will be one we know and understand but have never seen on TV before – how we love, care, fight, argue and live our lives day to day – funny, heartbreaking, sexy, human, truthful.

Hard-hitting, emotionally engaging story ideas that centre on diverse individuals and talk of their strengths, flaws and resilience are what we are looking for. So don’t hold back.

Indigenous writers with ideas that have a straight-forward plot but complex characters are strongly encouraged to apply. We want to hear from both experienced and emerging screenwriters, including those who would like to develop their skills in TV drama writing, We need people who are passionate, motivated to work alone but who also enjoy working in a creative team.

You must be able to commit to a story workshop in late January 2011.

Initiative parameters

Each episode must have Indigenous Australians in the writing role.

Ten story ideas will be selected for the first stage of development. For this stage, successful applicants must be able to start work in November and be available to attend a story workshop with Jimmy McGovern in the second half of January 2011. Successful applicants will be assisted to travel to the workshop location.

Six outstanding story ideas will then be selected and taken to final draft for inclusion in the series. 

At each stage, writers of the selected story ideas will be contracted by Blackfella Films.

REDFERN NOW will go into production in late 2011.

Directors for the series will be engaged closer to production.

Eligibility

All applicants must meet the general Screen Australia Indigenous Department eligibility requirements. The following specific requirements apply to this initiative:

• Applications are open to both emerging and experienced Indigenous writers from any Australian state or territory (individual writers may apply).
  
• Applicants must be available for a workshop in January 2011.
  
• Each story idea must have a censorship rating no greater than MA and should be no longe than 52 minutes including titles and end credits.

Assessment process

Applications will be selected by a panel made up of representatives of the Indigenous Department of Screen Australia, ABC TV’s Head of Indigenous, Blackfella Films and Jimmy McGovern. 

When assessing applications, Screen Australia will use the following criteria:

• The strength and distinctiveness of the story idea and major characters. In particular, the writer’s use of complex characters in a straighforward plot.
  
• The ability of the concept and characters to fit within the overall series.
  
• The potential for the writer to benefit from the development process.
  
• The skills and experience of the applicant and their ability to work individually and as part of a team.

Application process

Applications should include TWO copies of the following:

• A completed Indigenous Department REDFERN NOW application form
  
• A story outline of up to three pages that details the key dramatic events and relationships within a family or household
  
• Detailed notes on the major characters
  
• Curriculum vitae of the applicant
  
• Examples of the applicant’s previous work
  
• Any further documentation or supporting material that might assist in consideration of the application.