Image: Top row (L-R) Caden Pearson, Kai Smythe, Lucas Proudfoot, Rachel Maxine Anderson, Sara Taghaode. Bottom row (L-R) Ryan Renshaw, Shuang Hu, Sian Fleming and Joel Stephen Fleming. Hi-res image available to download here.
Six bold and compelling online series will share in $380,000 of funding through Screen Queensland's first round of Online Production Grants.
The selected projects span a variety of genres from murder mysteries to family dramas, including children's entertainment, screendance projects and comedy musicals.
Online content creation is rapidly growing in influence and reach, with 8.5 million Australians1 consuming an average of 42 hours per month through TikTok2. The online creator economy in turn generates over $890 million annually through YouTube alone, supporting approximately 15,000 full time jobs in Australia3.
Projects supported through the Online Production Grants program include local creators Sara Taghoade and Ryan Renshaw's eight-part 'screendance' series Cruisin' for a Bruisin', which follows a feud between rival panel beaters in the regional town of Killarney.
Proudfoot and Friends, created by Bundjalung and South Sea Islander man and children's entertainer Lucas Proudfoot, will combine 3D motion capture with live performances in a series for young audiences.
Ina, by Rachel Maxine Anderson and principal production funding from Screen Australia,turns up the heat when Filipino Australian television producer Madeline is forced to cast her estranged mother as the star of her cooking show.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the Crisafulli Government is dedicated to supporting Screen Queensland's initiatives which provide job opportunities for local creators at all levels of their career.
"The Online Production Grants tap into an increasingly accessible and lucrative element of our screen ecosystem – one where our state's creative minds can develop distinctly Queensland stories that connect directly with local and global audiences," Minister Langbroek said.
"Online content is a growing slice of the entertainment pie that millions of Australians enjoy, which is why it is vital to ensure Queenslanders have the opportunity to not only participate but to lead in this industry."
Screen Queensland's CEO, Jacqui Feeney said that online platforms offer the freedom for creatives to push boundaries and share authentic local stories while retaining ownership of their intellectual property.
"The selected projects represent an incredible breadth of creativity coming out of Queensland, showcasing innovation across production and extending past the limitations of traditional screen storytelling.
"Screen Queensland's Online Production Grants are a vital part of our holistic approach to supporting the local sector, with the funding stream forming an incubator for the screen storytellers of tomorrow where they can experiment, refine and grow their craft."
