Revised guidelines help writers, directors

Screen Australia has revised its development programs, changing its experience criteria for writers and directors wanting to apply for funding without a producer.

The federal agency has also modified its production financing, indigenous and marketing support programs, postponing the reduction of its investment cap for features until July 2010.

In feature development, the experience that writers, writer/directors and directors need to be eligible to apply for one draft of funding without a producer has been redefined: only two credits (features, mini-series or tele-movies, or six broadcast hours of primetime series) are now required  instead of three.

Another addition is time-critical development funding, for producers that need to take advantage of opportunities to secure an option.