ScreenWest's priorities for project funding are in the areas of drama (including children's and animated drama) and documentary. Projects can be either series or one-off programs but must be designed for theatrical release or television transmission and normally be at least a commercial half hour in duration.

Preference is given to projects involving Western Australian writers, directors and/or producers.

Direct funding through ScreenWest will usually not be considered for the following:

1. Activities which are associated with a course of study or which take place predominantly in an educational institution

2. Purchase of equipment or capital works

3. Productions primarily intended for corporate, educational, training or promotional purposes productions for non-commercial outlets

4. Television programming (other than drama or documentary) such as commercials, infotainment, current affairs, light entertainment, and general children's programming publication costs of film journals, books or magazines.

While ScreenWest has no specific schemes of support for multimedia projects, ScreenWest acknowledges the importance of this developing area and will look at "cross-over" projects that fit within the funding guidelines.

For detailed guidelines on ScreenWests Funding Program you can view them online or contact ScreenWest on (618) 9224 7340 for a copy. Most of your funding queries will be addressed in these guidelines .

Funding deadlines for each ScreenWest program are listed with the program application information and all funding deadlines are listed in the funding calendar.

ScreenWest will only provide support to cover a portion of the cost of any project or activity. Some expenses are usually covered by the applicant or other investors, as ScreenWest prefers to see others 'sharing the risk'. The amount ScreenWest will fund depends largely on the scheme under which you are applying, for example; under Production Investment ScreenWest is likely to only provide between 5 - 10% of the total production budget. For more detailed information, please refer to the specific funding guidelines for the relevant funding program/initiative. 

Any material that will support your application like letters of interest from a producer, distributor, exhibitor or other potential funding organisations. For more detailed information, please refer to the funding guidelines for the relevant funding program/initiative.

How do I get paid?

When your grant has been approved, you will receive a Payment Information Form with your Letter of Offer / Funding Agreement. In order to be paid you must:

1. Complete the Payment Information Form and return a signed copy to ScreenWest
2. Send an Invoice, or Tax Invoice if you are registered for GST, to ScreenWest for the first drawdown amount

A Payment Information Form is only required for the first drawdown of your funding, an Invoice is sufficient for all subsequent drawdowns (unless you need to change the bank account details for the project).

Payment of your Invoice is conditional on ScreenWest's approval of the drawdown or Invoice to be paid. Liaise with the ScreenWest Funding Team Leader to find out what is required for each drawdown.

When will I get paid?

Pay runs are made every Wednesday, with funds appearing in your account by Thursday afternoon. When you have been paid you will receive a remittance advice sent to the email address you provided on your Payment Information Form.

In order to make the Wednesday pay run the following must be received the week prior to the pay run:

1. Payment Information Forms must be received by 9AM Wednesday
2. Invoices must be received by 9AM Friday
3. If the drawdown is conditional on receipt of documents, deliveries or signed agreements, these must be received and approved by ScreenWest by 9AM Friday

If you have any questions or require a Payment Information Form please contact the Financial Administration Officer by email or phone 9244 7344.

Yes, if your questions have not been addressed in the funding guidelines. ScreenWest is happy to provide feedback on projects prior to the formal application stage and can often provide advice to assist you in preparing an application so as to give it the best chance of success.

Applicants can formally appeal to the ScreenWest Board for reconsideration if they disagree with assessment decisions made by ScreenWest staff or Panels. Appeals should be directed in writing to the Chief Executive, and must be lodged within 10 business days of receiving notification of the assessment decision. All correspondence should be posted to ScreenWest, PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre, Western Australia 6849

First, carefully read the General Guidelines and the specific program guidelines to ensure that you/your project is eligible for funding. Then check that you have all the additional information required for your application.

ScreenWest prefers applicants to apply online, which is a fast and easy process. You apply online by logging in with your ScreenXtra subscriber details.

If you are unable to apply online you can download a PDF application form (found on each funding program webpage) and follow the delivery instructions.

Please read the specific program guidelines carefully as some funding programs have an alternate application procedure.

If you have any further questions please contact the relevant staff member at ScreenWest.

Yes, unless you intend to produce the film by yourself. Producing is a specialised field and if you are a new filmmaker we suggest that you engage the services of an experienced producer. The producer should be approached in the early concept stage and they would expect a two to three page outline of your consolidated ideas. You can then concentrate on writing and let the producer worry about everything else!

You will find a list of local producers in the WA Production Directory or you can contact the Screen Producers of Australia Association (SPAA).

The book Film Business: A Handbook for Producers, is also a useful guide to the production process.

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government agency that helps Australian companies win overseas business for their products and services by reducing the time, cost and risk involved in selecting, entering and developing international markets.

Austrade can assist Western Australian production companies/producers with investigating international production companies as well as offering practical advice, market intelligence and ongoing support (including financial) to Australian businesses looking to develop international markets.

Contact details for Western Australian lawyers can be found in the WA Production Directory. The WA Production Directory is a comprehensive online resource with contact details and key information on WA production companies, facilities, crew, equipment rentals and much more 

You can also contact the Arts Law Centre of Australia or refer to the Encore Directory for contact details of lawyers in Australia.

There is national and State film safety legislation that producers must adhere to. These links will provide you with further information on film safety:

• WorkSafe: the Western Australian Government agency responsible for the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.
• Western Australian Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984
• Australian Film Industry Recommended Safety Code
• WorkCover: the Western Australian statutory authority responsible for administering the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 (the Act) on behalf of the State.
  

Casting agents supervise the casting process, suggest actors for projects, negotiate contracts, ensure contracts are fulfilled, invoice the producer on behalf of the actor and promote the career of the actor.

Creative agents negotiate rates for their clients, monitor the contract, look for work for the clients and help them to package their project. They also offer clients creative feedback on their project.

The Encore Directory has a list of agents in Australia and the WA Production Directory has a list of local agents.

Yes. This Code applies to the use of animals in the production of films for cinemas, television, recreational or educational purposes, including features, documentaries, serials, videos and advertising commercials. The Department of Primary Industries website has more information.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) website has this information.

The Australian Writers Guild (AWG) offers a confidential script assessment service to members for a fee of $137.50 for a written assesment and $192.50 for a face-to-face 'script clinic'. The Film and Television Institute (FTI) in Fremantle also offers assessment services.

Screenrights administers copyright royalties collected under provisions in the Australian and New Zealand Copyright Acts. The Audio-Visual Copyright Society Ltd, trading as Screenrights, was established in 1990 and operates on a non-profit basis as a copyright collecting society for copyright holders in film, television and radio programs, including film producers, film distributors, script writers, visual artists and music publishers and composers.

Refer to the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and the School Education Act 1999 which are both available from the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (DOCEP) Labour Relations website. The Children and Community Services Act 2004 prohibits the employment of children under 15 years of age however there are no prohibitions for children employed in the entertainment industry.

There is no mandatory code in Western Australia relating to the employment of children in the entertainment industry however you can reference the State of Victoria's code for more information.

Screen industry regulatory authorities
Australian Broadcasting Authority 
Office of Film and Literature Classification

Tertiary institutions and research sites
Australian Film Television & Radio School 
Culture and Communication Reading Room  
Media and Communication Studies Site 
National Library of Australia 
Department of Communication & The Arts 
The Internet Movie Database 

Publications
Encore Directory 
The Production Book 

Broadcasters
Australian Broadcasting Corporation 
Seven Network 
Nine Network 
SBS 
Network Ten

Screen Australia is the Commonwealth Government's new screen agency replacing the Australian Film Commision, Film Australia and the Film Finance Corporation. Screen Australia provides support to Australian film, television, documentary and digital media makers. There are a number of other national and state agencies that also support the Australian screen industry. You may also want to read the 'Finance' section of the book Film Business: A Handbook for Producers.

National

Screen Australia
Australian Childrens Television Foundation 
Ausfilm
Australian Film Institute 

State

Film Victoria 
NSW Film and Television Office 
Pacific Film and Television Commission 
South Australian Film Corporation 
Screen Tasmania
Film and Television Institute 

The industry standard A-Z budget is intended as a guide to preparing budgets in the format that is usually required by funding bodies. A-Z budgets for a feature, short film, documentary and interactive digital media can be downloaded from the Screen Australia website. 

The Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Western Australia provide budget information to the industry and The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) publish a useful guide, The Production, Budgeting and Film Management Manual, which can assist you with preparing a production budget. The book, Film Business: A Handbook for Film Producers, also contains useful budget information.

The WA Production Directory is a comprehensive online resource with contact details and key information on WA production companies, facilities, crew, equipment rentals and much more

Australian filmmakers are also listed in the Encore Directory or you could contact one of industry associations (ie Australian Directors Guild (ADG), Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA).

Screen Australia has developed the document, A Guide to protocols for filmmakers working with Indigenous content and Indigenous communities. This guide has been produced to provide advice about the ethical and legal issues involved in transferring Indigenous cultural material to the screen.

Please note that if you are filming on Indigenous lands you will need to have obtained a permit, see the Fast Facts page for more information.

First, you will need to find out if there is a market for your script. This information is available from distributors, exhibitors and funding bodies. If there is market interest your project should be original, different and fully developed before you release it.

The Marketing and Distribution booklet available from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is a useful guide and Screen Australia website has useful information guides.

The Screen Australia website, the Film and Television Institute (FTI) and the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) all have examples of these documents. The book, Film Business: A Handbook for Producers, from the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is also a useful guide.

There are no hard and fast answers to this question. You will want to ensure that the project is presented in the best possible shape to interest whoever you send it to. This may mean taking the project through several drafts, however you could be wasting time and effort if the project is not what they are looking for. We suggest you gauge the opinion of a script assessor or a producer before you submit your project.

A good place to start for further advice is the Screen Australia information guide, I've got a great idea for a film, available on their website.

First you need to consider what area of the film and television industry you want to work in; production, direction, post production, catering, photography, the list goes on. Screen Australia has a downloadable information document, Getting Started in Film, TV and Interactive Digital Media, which may help you with making this decision.

In Western Australia there are film and television courses held at these tertiary institutions; Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University or Central Metropolitan College of TAFE. The Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Western Australia also has a range of short and full-time courses.

The two main national media training schools are The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) School of Film and Television.

If you want to gain experience you could also contact a local production company or television station and enquire if there are vacancies or traineeships available.

You need to contact the publisher or author to obtain the rights. There are various types of agreements that can be entered into and information is available in the book, Film Business: A Handbook for Producers, or from the Arts Law Centre.

It is difficult to protect an idea but the best way is to consolidate your ideas by putting them in writing, eg. in script form, treatment, synopses, scenarios or outline form.

Place your name and date on the front of the manuscript. The Australian Writers Guild on (618) 9201 1172 offers members a script registration service. Your material may be lodged with the AWG for a fee of $13.20 (inc. GST) for new members registering for the first time, after which registration costs $27.50 (inc. GST). The registration is valid for 10 years.

The Arts Law Centre of Australia publishes a copyright information sheet and you can download a documentary filmmaking copyright paper from the Screen Australia website.

You will need to develop it, either by writing it yourself or hiring someone to write it for you. Contact the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) for script formats or for a list of writers and their rates of pay. The Screen Australia website has a number of useful documents available for download including; Accepted Script Layout, I've got a great idea for a film and Low Means Low: Collected Papers from the Low Budget Feature Film Seminar. The Film and Television Institute (FTI) of Western Australia will also be able to assist you.