2024 07 17 – Media release
Skip Ahead recipients attending this week’s workshop in Sydney
Screen Australia and YouTube Australia have announced four projects that will share $580,000 in production funding in the ninth installment of their Skip Ahead initiative. Winners include brothers Lachlan and Austin McFarlane (The McFarlane Brothers), comedian Jenny Tian (NomNomJenny), children’s YouTube creators Amy Parry, Sarah Tagaode, Emma Dean (Rainbow Bop), and Includes teams from Esports content channel PWR.
Skip Ahead winners will participate in workshops this week where they will develop their projects and hear from industry leaders and experts including acclaimed director Dr. George Miller, comedian Jordan Raskopoulos and screenwriter Claire Atkins. I’ll listen to you. Last year’s winner Lyanna Kea, the man behind Life of Kea, will be participating in the workshop and sharing her learnings from the program. Digital video strategist Changer Studios will also present sessions on optimization and building a presence on YouTube.
First founded in 2014, the Skip Ahead initiative aims to help storytellers with an existing audience on YouTube expand their creative ambitions. Since its inception, Skip Ahead has supported the skill development and career building of 37 teams with more than $4.7 million, including alumni such as RackaRacka, Superwog, Wengie, Aunty Donna, Chloe Morello, and Michael Shanks.
Lee Naimo, Head of Online and Games at Screen Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting four very unique and distinctive projects across a range of genres this year, especially given that Skip Ahead has been pivotal in building the careers of many prolific Australians. ”Creators. ”
“This comes as Rackarakka is filming his second feature after his hugely successful debut, Talk to Me, and that Michael Shanks is working on his debut feature with Alison Brie and Dave Franco. It’s clear from looking at the careers of our alumni that Aunty Donna continues to create their production empires. This program not only provides teams with the creative tools to create story content, but also develops business acumen and sets them up to further expand their audience and influence on YouTube. It’s great to be partnering with YouTube again to support exciting Australian talent. ”
Ed Miles, director of YouTube Australia and New Zealand, said: “YouTube is proud to continue our 10-year partnership with Screen Australia through our Skip Ahead initiative, which continues to empower the next generation of Australian creators. This year’s four teams range from hilarious comedies to heartwarming kids. It’s a testament to the diversity and creativity that thrives on YouTube. I look forward to seeing how it further strengthens Australia’s position.”
The funded projects are:
PWR House – The Making of Champions: Profiling the exploding world of competitive gaming and content creation culture from the perspective of Australia’s biggest names on YouTube, including influencers like Lachlan Power, Fortnite players Alex Richmond and Kathleen Bersten. A 3 x 20 minute documentary “Loserfruit” and other PWR creators. Directed by Oliver Marshall, co-directed by Victoria Bush, produced by Clint Gough, Bryce Holloway and Kathleen Bersten, and executive produced by Victoria Bush and YouTuber Lachlan Power. The series will be published on the PWR YouTube channel. Supermarket: From comedians Jenny Tian and Patrick Golamko, Supermarket is a six-by-five-minute comedy series about high-level supermarket employees who secretly work their way up the ranks by acting as secret spies for a competitor. If she is discovered, she must escape the wrath of both equally corrupt companies. The series is co-created by Tian and Golamco, with Paige Falehinga serving as producer. The series will be published on Jenny Tian’s YouTube channel nomnomjenny. Rainbow Bop Show: YouTube Channel A 6 x 5 minute live-action series based on Rainbow Bop. All-puppet band members Stella, Sunny, Luna, and Claudia slide down a rainbow to earth to help children through a “stormy day” and change the mood with music. The series, created by writer and director Amy Parry and produced by Sarah Tagaode, will feature singing and storytelling. Emma Dean will be on board as music director and songwriter, and it will be released on Rainbow Bop’s YouTube channel. The Worst That Could Happen: A 6 x 5 minute anthology series in which a group of ordinary Gen Zers are trapped in unusual supernatural situations that exploit their deepest insecurities. Written and directed by Lachlan and Austin MacFarlane, this series of cautionary tales, escapist adventures, and thrilling mysteries humorously mixes relatable issues with science fiction and horror. Skip Ahead alum Rita Artmann (Untrue Crime) will serve as producer. The series is produced by Haven’t You Done Well Productions and will be shown on the Macfarlane Bros YouTube channel.
Skip ahead Alumni reunion
Changelog – July 18, 2024 – Updated introductory paragraph to include Emma Dean on the Rainbow Bop Show team.
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