Screen Australia announced the NCIS: SYDNEY S1 script department program.
The program is a collaboration with Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay company) and Paramount+ to offer up to five early career screenwriters the opportunity to be embedded in the screenplay department for the highly anticipated local iteration of the global franchise. . NCIS: SYDNEY S1.
The Aussiewood meets Hollywood initiative aims to provide Australian screenwriters with high-level training to further strengthen their career trajectory in scripted episodic storytelling.
Placed writers will have the opportunity to join the series’ world-class script department and benefit from the support of experienced creatives, including senior script coordinators, screenwriters and editors, who will guide the process and contribute directly to the screenwriters’ learning and professional development.
The 10-week full-time paid opportunity is designed to immerse selected Australian screenwriters in all facets of the screenplay development process. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to grow in all the roles that make up a world-class screenplay department and gain invaluable experience on one of the world’s most successful television series.
Screen Australia Content Manager, Grainne Brunsdon said: “We are delighted to facilitate this program which will allow early-career writers to fully immerse themselves and learn in the writer’s room of an established, world-renowned franchise here in Australia. This is an exceptional chance to hone our local creatives and position them for global success with local productions.
“In an increasingly competitive global entertainment landscape, this insight and experience is invaluable. We are delighted to work with our partners Paramount ANZ, CBS Studios and ESA who share our passion for creating career paths in the local sector.
Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Paramount ANZ, Beverly McGarveysaid: “We are delighted that the first international series of the iconic NCIS franchise will be shot here in Australia.
NCIS: SYDNEY provides many fantastic opportunities for local cast, production crew and writers to be part of such a legacy franchise, and now with the NCIS: SYDNEY S1 Script Department Program, there are even more opportunities for Australian writers and creatives to learn, grow and contribute globally.
Chief Executive Officer Endemol Shine Australia, Peter Newmansaid: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Screen Australia for this very important writer’s initiative on NCIS: SYDNEYthe first international iteration of this iconic franchise.
“We are proud to champion local emerging creative talent and look forward to watching them thrive, learning alongside a number of Australia’s most experienced screenwriters to deliver an incredible series for Paramount+. We can’t wait NCIS: SYDNEY to showcase Australian storytelling on the international stage.
Produced by CBS Studios in association with Endemol Shine Australia, NCIS: SYDNEY marks the first iteration of the hit NCIS series based outside the United States. Announced in February, the original series and the latest installment of the iconic global franchise will launch exclusively on Paramount+ and Network 10 in Australia.
Applications are open now and closed 5:00 PM AEST Thursday 06 October 2022 and can be done through the Screen Australia app gate. For eligibility requirements and how to apply, see the guidelines here.
Eligible applications will be reviewed and reviewed by CBS Studios, Endemol Shine Australia, Screen Australia and/or industry specialists with successful applicants notified by Friday, October 28, 2022.
Submissions should include the following:
• Completed application form including details and eligibility of the applicant; and,
• CV/Biog (maximum 1 page) including writing credits applicable to the eligibility required to apply for this program; and,
• A statement of personal motivation (maximum 1 page) which includes:
• Why you want to apply for this program;
• How the opportunity supports your career goals and trajectory;
• Why do you think you are ready for this opportunity? and,
• What you think you will bring by participating in this program.
• A letter of recommendation and/or support (maximum 1 page) from a professional context in which you have worked as a screenwriter or theater scriptwriter.
• A set of sample pages (maximum 5 pages) of your scripted writing (any genre, any platform) produced or unproduced.