Matchbox, Screentime to open South Australian offices.

Production companies Matchbox Pictures & Screentime will both open offices in South Australia for 2 years as part of a drive by the South Australian Film Corporation to ramp up local drama production.

Both will develop new SA-based projects with local writers, producers and directors.

The SAFC is now inviting South Australian producers or production companies to partner with one of the two companies.

Bob Campbell, Screentime Executive Chairman said “We are very pleased to be partnering with the South Australian Film Corporation in setting up a Screentime office in Adelaide. Two series of Wolf Creek and now Pine Gap have meant we have come to appreciate the considerable advantages South Australia offers and we look forward to working with the creative community to develop and produce more productions in SA.”

Chris Oliver-Taylor, Managing Director of Matchbox Pictures said “Matchbox is delighted to be partnering with the SAFC on this important initiative. Following our huge success with South Australian produced Deadline Gallipoli we are looking forward to working again with the amazing South Australian writing and producing teams to create world-class drama series that will complement the work already underway in South Australia”.

SAFC will provide $250,000 over two years towards the running of each of the new Adelaide offices covering overheads, travel and TV drama series development funding. This significant opportunity will give a South Australian Producers and key creatives unique access to the development of a TV drama series through project support and enhanced access to high-end collaborators. The initiative can place SA writers into key TV writing rooms while SA directors will have greater opportunities for directing or as placements on series episodes.

By attracting two prestigious, high-volume drama production houses to open Adelaide-based operations, the SAFC recognises the vital importance of television production to the sustainability and capacity for growth of the industry in South Australia.

Additionally, a new and separate TV Development Grant for writers and producers will be launched this week. The initiative can support an SA Producer and/or Writer with the opportunity to develop high-end television drama. Up to $40,000 will be provided for up to 2 TV drama series with the funds to be used for the development of a series bible including story rooms, series outlines, script editors, plotting sessions, and completion of a pilot episode.

The SAFC TV Drama initiatives are seeking to trigger the development and production of long running series to be produced in SA, creating consistent jobs and further growing the local industry. These initiatives are expected to bring significant production spend to the State and enhance South Australia’s growing reputation for quality TV drama.

 

Premier of South Australia and Minister for the Arts Jay Weatherill said “It is testament to the reputation and experience of the South Australian screen industry to attract such powerful players in TV production to expand their operations into our State. This key investment in our local industry will have benefits for years to come.”

Chair of the SAFC, John Hill said “These initiatives provide a great opportunity for our South Australian content creators to collaborate with experienced production companies and their exceptional national and international reach. The resulting growth to our screen sector, and development of our professional skill base will have many advantages to our local industry going forward.”

SAFC CEO Annabelle Sheehan said “Both Screentime and Matchbox have engaged with South Australia and its creative teams via substantial projects and other programs over the past few years. The decision to partner with and create offices in the state confirms their commitment to further building the industry here .The South Australian screen sector will substantially benefit from the global reach of both theses extraordinary companies with their parent companies in the USA and Europe.”