The ABC and Bus Stop Films have announced the recipients of the inaugural Pathways Strategy to develop the careers of people with disability in the Australian screen industry.
Emerging filmmakers Sarah Armstrong and Blaise Borrer will work as production assistants with ABC content teams and production companies Fremantle Australia and Flying Bark Productions over a 12-month period, which will help them build skills and expertise across content development, filming and post-production.
The ABC will fund the appointments, which start this month, in line with its support for emerging creatives. Bus Stop Films, a not-for-profit organisation that opens pathways to education and employment in the screen industry for people with disabilities, has provided Inclusion in Action training to the respective production teams as part of the Pathways Strategy, which was launched at the Screen Forever conference in February.
Michael Carrington, ABC Director Entertainment & Specialist, said: "People with disability often face obstacles to employment in the Australian screen industry. The Pathways Strategy is helping to clear the way by providing opportunity, access and expertise to emerging production talent.
"We look forward to working with Sarah and Blaise as part of the ABC's commitment to greater inclusion, on and off screen, and are proud to help them along the path to flourishing creative careers."
Sydney-based writer, actress and filmmaker Sarah Armstrong's credits include her films My Past and Now My Future and My Place in Your Place. "My dream is coming alive to be on the teams at Fremantle Australia and the ABC," she said. "I cannot wait to meet and work with them."
Blaise Borrer, a recent graduate of the Australian Film Television and Radio School, started his career creating short films in his hometown of Bellingen, in northern NSW. More recently, he worked as a script supervisor on ABC Kids' show Lah-Lah's Stripy Sock Club. "I'm honoured to be selected as part of the Pathways Strategy," he said. "I'm incredibly passionate about children's content, so I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to work with leaders in that area in Flying Bark Productions and the ABC."
Tracey Corbin-Matchett, CEO of Bus Stop Films, said: "It's been an honour to work with the teams at the ABC, Fremantle and Flying Bark, to ensure they feel confident and culturally aware in supporting their new Pathways interns and others living with disability, in their workplaces…I wish Sarah and Blaise all the best with their amazing new roles."
Amanda Regetas, Head of Human Resources at Fremantle Australia, said: "We are beyond excited to be working with Bus Stop Films and the ABC on such a fantastic opportunity. Initiatives such as the Pathways Strategy will provide a meaningful opportunity and, I hope, form the basis for an ongoing screen career. The calibre of candidates was exceptional and we are thrilled to welcome Sarah to the team."
Barbara Stephen, chief executive of Flying Bark Productions, said: "At Flying Bark we believe in an inclusive workplace and the power of diverse thinking for reaching and connecting with our audience, which is why we are proud to partner with the ABC on this fabulous program."
The Pathways Strategy is in line with the ABC's commitment under its Five-Year Plan 2020-25 to look and sound like contemporary Australia. The strategy is supported by the ABC's Diversity & Inclusion Commissioning Guidelines - Screen Content and Diversity & Inclusion Plan 2019-2022.
