Spotlight on Comedy - WA Tele-Navigator TV Development Sessions 20-22 May

12 May, 2011

 BOOKINGS FOR THESE SESSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Tele-Navigator launches next week with comedy gurus Ted Robinson and Tim Ferguson and ABC Development Manager Brett Sleigh coming to Perth for two presentations. These free sessions are open to all - there are limited places available, early booking recommended. One-on-one sessions are also available with Ted and Brett.

Tele-Navigator is a three phase television development program presented by ScreenWest in association with the Australian Writers' Guild. The program consists of market events, an intensive consultation week for selected project teams later in the year, and development grants.

This first phase of Tele-Navigator aims to identify and encourage ideas and projects suitable for the drama and comedy TV marketplace.

Tele-Navigator 2011 kicks off with:

Friday 20 May (afternoon) - Comedy seminar with legendary producer/director Ted Robinson.


Saturday 21 May - A full day of information and entertainment: ABC Development Manager Brett Sleigh gives a presentation on what the national broadcaster is looking for in drama and comedy, and how to develop a compelling proposal. Afternoon panel discussion on television comedy with Brett Sleigh, Ted Robinson and Tim Ferguson. Participants will have the opportunity to give verbal pitches for feedback from the panel
. ScreenWest Development Manager Rikki Lea Bestall will talk about ScreenWest's upcoming television development program including funding opportunities.


Sunday 22 May (afternoon) - One-on-one meetings with Ted or Brett for drama or comedy writers and producers.


Tele-Navigator is also a great opportunity to network with like-minded creative and guest speakers. Further details of each day is below.

Tele-Navigator has been timed to tie in with ‘The Wild West Comedy Festival' running from May 18 - 29. Get your fill of comedy gold at this local festival. Details at www.wildwestcomedy.com.au

TELE-NAVIGATOR: TED ROBINSON COMEDY SEMINAR
Ted is a Producer, Director, Writer and Script Editor who has been involved in most spheres of entertainment including dance, circus, film, radio, theatre, revue and television.
He is probably best known for his production and/or direction of satirical TV series which span more than three decades and include such pop culture icons as The Gillies Report, The Big Gig, DAAS Kapital, The Glass House and Good News Week.

Ted spent four years as ABC Commissioning Editor for Comedy, during which time he Executive Produced a raft of programs including The Big Gig, Money or the Gun, Live and Sweaty, This Sporting Life, Comedy Debates, and The Late Show.

He has also worked as a writer for many international acts including Peter Allen, Danny La Rue and Bette Midler; as a choreographer/director for TV commercials and musical theatre; and as a writer on film scripts and adaptations. Ted has a long involvement with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and produces, for television, their galas, debates and other special events. He has also produced and/or directed DVDs for Lano & Woodley, Dave Hughes, Adam Hills, Wil Anderson, and Danny Bhoy.

Ted has a number of comedy/drama projects in development through GNWTV. Currently he is involved in the production of a new TV comedy/drama series he also directed called Die On Your Feet, starring Adam Hills, Alan Brough, Corinne Grant, Greg Fleet and Stephen (Gatesy) Gates.

Ted will screen an episode of Die On Your Feet followed by a discussion and Q&A on:

• Writing the script - from idea, comedy festival show to series

• First scripts to shooting script

• Script editing: comedy versus drama

• Shooting and editing the script

• Casting

When: 2.00pm to 4:00pm Friday 20 May, 2011

Where: Art Gallery Theatrette, James St Northbridge

Cost: Free

Bookings: Email Alan Payne, AWG WA Manager: eventswa@awg.com.au 
In the subject heading, please write ‘SURNAME' Comedy Seminar'. Please provide a brief outline of your background and interests, and a telephone contact number.

Closing Date: 5.00pm Wednesday 18 May. Limited places, early booking recommended. 

Enquiries: Alan Payne, AWG WA Ph: (08) 9227 9885


TELE-NAVIGATOR: ABC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER BRETT SLEIGH & PANEL DISCUSSION
The national broadcaster is looking for entertaining, iconic, 'must-watch' drama series, mini-series and telemovies across a number of key timeslots. In narrative comedy, they're looking to develop and commission half-hour narrative comedy series for the ABC1 Wednesday night comedy line-up. How do you develop a TV drama or comedy idea into a compelling package for the ABC?

ABC Development Manager Brett Sleigh will outline how and why projects get commissioned, and discuss building a team and preparing pitch materials.
In the afternoon, Brett Sleigh will be joined by Ted Robinson, Tim Ferguson and others to discuss television drama and comedy. Participants will be invited to give verbal pitches for feedback from the panel.

When: 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday 21 May, 2011

Where: Art Gallery Theatrette, James St Northbridge

Cost: Free. Lunch will be provided.

Bookings: Email Alan Payne, AWG WA Manager: eventswa@awg.com.au 
In the subject heading, please write ‘SURNAME' ABC & Panel'.
Please provide a brief outline of your background and interests, and a telephone contact number. 

Closing Date: 12:00pm Wednesday 18 May. Limited places. Early booking recommended.

Enquiries: Alan Payne, AWG WA Ph: (08) 9227 9885

Networking drinks from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Venue to be advised.


TELE-NAVIGATOR: ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS WITH BRETT SLEIGH OR TED ROBINSON
ABC Development Manager Brett Sleigh and independent producer Ted Robinson will hold a limited number of one-on-one meetings on Sunday 22 May. These 20-minute meetings are an opportunity to discuss your drama or comedy ideas and projects and receive some informal feedback. Stand-up comedians are encouraged to apply.

To download the Expression of Interest Forms, please go to the ScreenWest website: www.screenwest.com.au

Send the Expression of Interest to ScreenWest: details on the form.

Please note: Places are limited and this is a competitive process. 
Applications close: 5:00pm Monday 16 May 2011.

When: 20 minute sessions, 2:00pm - 4:30pm, Sunday 22 May

Where: State Library of WA, Northbridge.