Last month, we wrapped the Southern Pilots Development Programme with an engaging online pitching session, showcasing “Stories from The Deep South.” We are immensely proud of the dedication and creativity demonstrated by our selected participants.
The teams presented their projects to an audience of 14 industry professionals, including platform representatives and leading producers. Delivered by Script to Screen in partnership with Film Otago Southland, Southern Pilots was designed specifically for screen creators based in Otago and Southland.
Among the 3 teams selected Dog Town, Devil’s Junction, and Southern Skies each project brought its unique vision while proudly calling Dunedin home.
Programmes like this allow us to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent and calibre of creatives from the South Island and other regions of Aotearoa.
For Script to Screen, it was a true privilege to host the workshop in Ōamaru, facilitating the growth of these talented teams in such a beautiful part of Aotearoa. Over the three-day workshop, participants engaged in one-on-one advisory sessions and seminars with industry speakers, furthering their development process.
Let’s continue to celebrate the remarkable work of these filmmakers and the often-unseen effort that goes into crafting screen stories. We hope to see these projects lighting up our screens in the near future!
Congratulations to the 2024 Southern Pilots cohort:
Southern Pilots kaupapa was created to help creatives from Otago and Southland generate IP for local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions and foster a strong creative network of screen practitioners.
The Southern Pilots development programme was made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Script to Screen, in partnership with Film Otago Southland, are thrilled to announce the participants for this newly created development opportunity, Southern Pilots.
The 3 selected teams exemplify the high calibre of applications we received from new and emerging filmmakers in the region. This Southern Pilots development programme offers both talent and project development. The teams will have one-on-one advisor sessions and hear from industry speakers over a three-day workshop held in Ōamaru in June. The intent is to bring these series projects to a point where they will be compelling for producer partners and funders.
Southern Pilots kaupapa is to help creatives from Otago and Southland generate IP for local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions and foster a strong creative network of screen practitioners.
We thank all the filmmakers who applied and congratulate the participants who have been selected.
The 3 teams selected for Southern Pilots:
The Southern Pilots development programme is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Eligibility Criteria
Q: Where can we seek external (objective) advice on whether we are emerging or mid-career filmmakers?
A: As this programme is funded by NZFC, we are using their career level descriptions. You can contact info@script-to-screen.co.nz to seek more nuanced advice.
Q: Does living in central Otago count?
A: You must have your current permanent residence in either Otago or Southland to take part in Southern Pilots.
Q: Do you have to have a director attached? Can it be Writer / Producer duo?
A: The team does not have to have a director attached, it can be a Writer and Producer duo.
Q: Do you have to have a producer attached? Can it be Writer / Director duo?
A: The team must have a producer attached.
Q: Does the cultural consultant need to be based in the area?
A: Only the key team members Producer, Writer and Director need to be based in the Otago Southland Region. The cultural consultant does not need to be based in the area, but if there is a suitable consultant in the region it would be good to use them.
Q: We are working on a series that must be shot in Dunedin but only 1 of the team is Otago based, the others Wellington / Auckland but no longer live in the city. Does that mean we are not eligible for this initiative?
A: Correct, the Wellington / Auckland team members are not living in Otago or Southland right now, so this teams project would not be eligible. A priority of the programme is to foster and develop local talent living in Otago or Southland.
Q: Does the project need to be set / shot in Otago and/or Southland?
A: No, but preference will be given to projects either set in Otago and/or Southland or will be shot in Otago and/or Southland.
Project Content/Duration
Q: Is a one-hour drama suitable?
A: There is no minimum or maximum duration for the Southern Pilots projects, but duration should suit the experience level of the team and meet the requirements of the intended platform.
Q: The application called for 5-10 pages of sample script. Can a full episode be given?
A: The selectors will only be reading 5 pages for a series 30mins or less, and 10 pages for series greater than 30mins.
Q: Are there any genres that are a focus for this initiative, e.g. comedy, horror, etc.
A: All genres will be considered.
Q: Are selectors looking for any specific content? E.g. highlighting rural NZ issues, as an example. Or is it anything goes?
A: The selectors have no preconceived ideas about what they want. They will be looking for the best ideas. Preference will be given to projects that are set in Otago and/or Southland or will be shot in Otago and/or Southland.
Q: Are there any objections to target audience type with content containing drug use/nudity/expletives
A: No, as long as it is suitable for, and can be found by the proposed audience.
Q: Will animated series be considered?
A: Yes, animated series will be considered. Information about where the animation would take place will be an important part of an application for animated series.
Other Questions
Q: If a story isn’t ready for this year, is Southern Pilots likely to be a regular event?
A: Southern Pilots is reliant on funding. We cannot know, at this time, if we will successfully achieve funding in the future, but we would like to run the programme again. Please join our mailing list to receive notifications of future announcements.
Q: Does the team of Writer, Director, need to contracted to the Producer?
A: We highly recommend the IP holder has a Letter of Understanding or a Development Agreement in place with each member of the team if the team do not hold the IP jointly. Please read the NZWG’s Best Practice Guide, in particular the Tools For A Strong Start.
Linked below:
https://www.nzwg.org.nz/bestpracticeguide
https://www.nzwg.org.nz/_files/ugd/1b9b4a_0f56f12d50a24898b2a492bd68beeef1.pdf
Q: Submitting your documents. What to Submit?
A: You must attach one document (no more than 10 pages) as a PDF answering all questions 1-9. Your script sample of 5-10 pages must be uploaded and attached as a separate PDF.
Script to Screen, in partnership with Film Otago Southland, launches an exciting new development opportunity called Southern Pilots, for Otago and Southland based screen creators.
Script to Screen and Film Otago Southland are looking for new and emerging filmmakers with compelling, bold series story ideas suitable for development and viable for future production. Southern Pilots offers both talent and project development for three teams. The teams will have one-on-one advisor sessions and hear from industry speakers over a three-day development workshop, which aims to create outstanding pitch documents to present to potential producer partners and funders.
Southern Pilots kaupapa is to help creatives from Otago and Southland generate IP for local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions and foster a strong creative network of screen practitioners.
Key Dates:
12 February: Applications open now
19 February: 5:30 pm application information webinar. Read FAQ’S Here
18 March: 1 pm applications close
21-23 June: 3-day workshop for selected teams
Eligibility:
Selection:
Script to Screen will manage the application and selection process and design and deliver the development workshop. We have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy that informs our work. Southern Pilots uses the NZFC definition for new and emerging filmmakers.
Please contact the team at Script to Screen, for any further questions. info@script-to-screen.co.nz
This development programme is possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Script to Screen and Film Otago Southland are looking for new and emerging filmmakers with compelling, bold series story ideas suitable for development and viable for future production. Southern Pilots offers both talent and project development for three teams. The teams will have one-on-one advisor sessions and hear from industry speakers over a three-day development workshop, which aims to create outstanding pitch documents to present to potential producer partners and funders.
Southern Pilots kaupapa is to help creatives from Otago and Southland generate IP for local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions and foster a strong creative network of screen practitioners.
Key Dates:
12 February: Applications open now
19 February: 5:30 pm application information webinar. Read FAQ’S Here
18 March: 1 pm applications close
21-23 June: 3-day workshop for selected teams
Application Requirements:
A PDF document of up to 10 pages, with the following information:
Eligibility:
Selection:
Script to Screen will manage the application and selection process and design and deliver the development workshop. We have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy that informs our work. Southern Pilots uses the NZFC definition for new and emerging filmmakers.
Please contact the team at Script to Screen, for any further questions. info@script-to-screen.co.nz
Film Otago Southland and Script to Screen are excited to announce a new regional scripted TV series development programme for Otago and Southland-based filmmakers which will be taking place in 2024.
SOUTHERN PILOTS will take three teams through a development and mentoring programme to create a series bible and pitch deck for digital platforms. The selected teams will receive structured tuition and individual mentoring. At the completion of the programme, these projects will be pitched to industry stakeholders to attract series production funding.
Through Southern Pilots we aim to help creatives from Otago and Southland to generate IP aimed at local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions, foster a strong creative network of film practitioners and provide a platform for our talented and dedicated local filmmakers to thrive.
This mahi has been made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
More details to come in early 2024.
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