Mark Shea
My question is: How does a Victorian Based production company receive Screen Tasmania funding?
ON WEDNESDAY the 12 March 2008, a discussion occurred in Tasmanian Parliament about Screen Tasmania’s funding decisions. Mr Jeremy Rockliff raised the issue as to whether Screen Tasmania funding was evenly distributed, or ‘whether it was a cosy club for a select few’
Ms Paula Wriedt, then Minister for Economic Development, outlined a number of changes to Screen Tasmania processes that would lead to much tighter control in tracking of projects. She stated that at any one time the system she has put in place can identify exactly where each project is at so that there is a clear and transparent process of accountability for all of the funds acquitted by Screen Tasmania.
In 2008 I did a rough approximation that two production companies in Tasmania have received a huge proportion of Screen Tasmania funding :
Blue Rocket Films have received $1,178,571 or $168,367.28 per yr for the last 7 yrs
And Stephen Thomas/Roar Films – $998,034 or $142,576.28 pr yr for the last 7 yrs
Since this time, a new round of funding has been announced (Please see below)
The latest funding round :
* Xeke the Freak – Project Development Investment of $32 500 to Blue Rocket Productions
* Complete Bastards – Project Development Investment of $15 000 to Steve Thomas (Roar Films) and Roger Graef
* Someone’s Daughter – Project Development Investment of $10 000 to Roar Film Productions
* Life is Elsewhere – Production Investment of $27 402 to Buona Notte Productions.
Once again Blue Rocket and Roar Films get the majority of the funding pie.
I question when these companies are going to be self sufficient? And when are they going to stop getting the government support that makes it impossible for other production companies in Tasmania to compete with them?
I insist that an investigation be conducted to look at how Screen Tasmania funding decisions are made.
A clear and transparent process needs to be put in place so as information is available as to why certain companies and projects receive funding, while others don’t.
I think it is important that Screen Tasmania can justify the decisions they make, so as to avoid the claims of favoritism that have recently been made against the organisation, by sectors of the Tasmanian Filmmaking community.
Also, I did a google search for Buona Notte Productions, who were the only other company to receive funding other that perennial State supported favorites, Blue rocket and Roar.
Buona Notte received funding for :
* Life is Elsewhere – Production Investment of $27 402 to Buona Notte Productions.
My question is:
How does a Victorian Based production company receive Screen Tasmania funding?
Buona Notte Film Productions
PO Box 2422, Fitzroy, VIC 3065
p: 03 9443 7008
Mark Shea’s African stories can be found at: youtube.com/overlander. They’ve been viewed 70,000 times.
