Raising Films Australia

Making It Possible Program

Regional NSW - Making It Possible Program

WIFT Australia presents via the Raising Films Australia’s initiative, the “Making It Possible” Program. The program is a free two-day workshop with follow-up mentorship, to be held online via Zoom for screen practitioners living in Regional NSW.

The “Making It Possible” Program is specifically designed to address the needs of parents and carers who are returning to work after a career break or who are working alongside caring responsibilities but feel stuck and unable to move forward towards their goals – whether that be a promotion, moving up a level in responsibility on set or starting their own projects. It will provide a holistic approach to personal, career and creative advice, mentorship and education while providing access to a free crèche and counselling during the course. 

Raising Films Australia is based on a UK model that is dedicated to supporting and advocating for parents and carers in the screen industry and the “Making It Possible” Program is based on Raising Films UK’s course held in 2017.

There are considerable barriers for parents and carers’ participation in the Australian screen industry. Work opportunities for those in the screen industry are highly competitive, with many available work opportunities being snapped up by those who are flexible in their availability, willing to relocate for work and who have current industry experience and connections.

Evidence indicates that women overwhelmingly take on the caring responsibilities for children and other family members. This impacts women’s economic opportunity and advancement including within the screen industry. Ultimately, this disempowers women in the sector and perpetuates a lack of women on screen and in female-centric stories being told in our culture.  This is something WIFT Australia and Raising Films Australia is passionately trying to shift, however the Making It Possible workshops are open to ALL parents and carers, regardless of gender and includes non-binary carers.

The program consists of:

1.    Free two-day workshop, facilitated by Monica Davidson (Creative Plus Business) provides a holistic approach to personal, career, and creative advice.

2.    An industry speaker, who is a carer, will chat with participants during the workshop with advice on negotiating caring duties and career.

3.    Following the workshop, all participants will have one-on-one follow up sessions with Creative Plus Business to stay on top of their Action Plan.

4.    Raising Films Australia will also assist participants with introductions to screen funding bodies.

5.    Raising Films will organise an additional 2-hour on-line group workshop with an industry leader.

6.    Support Act Wellbeing Hotline is a free counselling service available to all Australian creative practitioners – 1800 959 100.

7.    Free Regional Associate Membership for Screenworks.

8.    Free membership to WIFT Australia.

The program is being delivered in partnership with Screenworks, Information Cultural Exchange (I.C.E.), Creative Business Plus and funding from Screen NSW and the City of Sydney.

Creative Plus Business provides training, business coaching, resources, events and words to help those self-employed in creative industries find success. Creative Plus Business will provide business advisory services and facilitation for the one-day courses. 

Screenworks is a not for profit organisation that provides support, leadership and vision for the regional screen industries in Australia. Screenworks will provide expertise, experience and engagement with the industry regionally as well as operational support.

Information Cultural Exchange (I.C.E) is a community-based contemporary arts organisation working with emerging and under-represented Western Sydney communities, artists and creative producers. They engage artists of various disciplines to work with communities to address identified needs, build community capacity and enhance cultural vibrancy. I.C.E.’s artistic practices transform and enrich Australian cultures by creating quality, locally made art that resonates globally.

The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline (1800 959 500) is a free, confidential phone counselling service, available 24/7 to anyone anywhere in Australia who works in the performing arts, music, or other creative industries.

Course Date, Time and Venue:

• 22 and 23 April 2021

• 10.00am – 3.30pm each day

• Online via Zoom

Expressions of Interest for Regional NSW are now open.

The call out for Regional NSW is now open with places available for up to 12 participants in the course location. Applications close on 6 April 2021. Submit your application here.

If you missed the deadline but would like to place your name on the waitlist, contact raisingfilmsaustralia@wiftaustralia.org.au.

Eligibility:

Those working in the screen industry or a creative practitioner seeking to enter the screen industry who, are aged over 18, living in Regional NSW, and have had a demonstrated “time out” from or had their career impacted due to the consequence of parenting or caring responsibilities. 

If you have any questions, please email Maria Tedeschi Project Manager Raising Films Australia at raisingfilmsaustralia@wiftaustralia.org.au.

The project has been kindly supported through funding from Screen NSW and the City of Sydney.