film, video & TV training | professional development

Discipline/s:	production |writing & directing
Level:	Intermediate / Advanced
Course code Date/s & times:	Contact us to register your interest. (Courses will run when we reach minimum numbers)
Contact hours:	3
Places:	30
Fee:	$120.00 (Open Channel members) $180.00 (non Open Channel members) + GST (Membership: $55 / $44 concession - join Open Channel here) The Open Channel member discount rate may also be available for credited Producers/Production Companies with the support of the International Specialised Skills Institute. Enquire within for details.
Prerequisites:	Prior industry knowledge preferable.

In early 2012, Roslyn Walker (Independent Producer and Co-ordinator of Open Channel's year long script development program) traveled to LA to examine how the most successful TV industry in the world develops television series. This trip was made possible on a Skills Victoria Fellowship through the International Specialised Skills Institute. Roslyn met with heavyweights such as Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing), Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad) and Mike Reiss (The Simpsons).

She gathered information directly from industry practitioners and more than a dozen showrunners of series, including The Simpsons, Breaking Bad, Family Guy, 24, The Kennedys, The West Wing and NCIS; producers and network and cable development executives of shows such as Two and a Half Men, Mad Men and Homeland; and financiers, agents, casting and music supervisors.

Roslyn also attended the Variety TV Summit about the industry's direction over the next five years.

In July, Roslyn delivers an industry forum discussing why US TV series work, how they do it and the secrets behind their success.

In this Masterclass, Roslyn will present her findings and share the secrets of how Hollywood delivers some of the world's best television, and what the Australian industry can learn from this. She will also give interesting and unusual facts about the shows from behind the scenes, as well as a valuable insight into LA-la land itself.

By the end of this workshop Masterclass, participants will have an understanding of:

• How US networks select and develop projects
• How Australian writers can assess the US system
• The three biggest differences between writing in the US and Australia
• How writing rooms work (with specific examples)
• How the Showrunner role works
• US methodology for developing and writing drama and comedy programs
• US professional development pathways for writers and producers
• The differences and similarities between a number of successfully run series

Who should do this course?
Whether you are looking for work with a major Australian production company, or setting up your own production here, you need to understand the Australian and US TV models, where we are right now, and where our industry is heading.

Where can I go after this course?
Development of TV Series within the Australian marketplace.

How do I Enrol?
Simply print an Enrolment Form and return to us with payment to secure a place in the Short Course. See the Enrolment Form for details on how to pay.
Short Courses Application Form (pdf)

Tutors

ROSLYN WALKER
Ros Walker is one of Australia's most respected screen production professionals. Her feature film credits include co-producing Peaches, line producing Big Mamma's Boy and Not Quite Hollywood and production managing Life and Only the Brave. She produced the documentary Portrait and is producing the documentary Remain in Light. From 1998-2002 she was Manager of Film Victoria and has served as the Victorian Chapter Head of SPAA (Screen Producers Association of Australia).