Activity: THE LAB aims to develop and deliver a bespoke national screen directing workshop for six First Nations women across a 3-day period with the aim of growing their skillset and confidence so that they are more likely to pursue a career as directors in the industry. The topics covered in the lab will include: how to feel safe as a director, who does what and why, what does a director really do, script analysis and preparation, finding the right production team, rehearsals, blocking, how to communicate with actors, and networking.

Outcome: BLACKapple’s Beck Cole curated the lab with masterclasses and sessions from established filmmakers and crew including writer/actor/director Briar Grace-Smith, director Tanith Glynn-Maloney, 1st Assistant Director Toni Raynes, cinematographer Katie Milwright, actors Leonie Whyman and Harvey Zielinski, acting coach Clare Madsen and script supervisor Karlyn Fitzgerald. This intensely practical lab saw sessions on the role of the director, a deep dive into working with actors and what actors expect from a good director, understanding the roles of crew members and how to read the call sheet, script analysis and working with a cinematographer. With Screenrights Cultural Fund backing, Beck was able to reach out to Screen Australia and eventually secured funding from all of the state screen bodies as well, enabling an increase to eight participants who also had a hands-on experience directing a dramatic scene with the guest actors, with a group of mentors providing productive feedback.

“The Cultural Fund is an amazing resource to screen and culture and is incredibly accessible… Thank you Screenrights for all your support to make She Directs a reality. [The program] was a great success and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved and of the courage that our selected Directors demonstrated over the intensive 3 days of learning.” – Beck Cole, BLACKapple Productions