Screen Australia and YouTube Australia have announced four projects that will share $580,000 in production funding as part of the ninth edition of the Skip Ahead initiative.
Creators Lachlan and Austin McFarlane (The McFarlane Brothers), comedian Jenny Tian (NomNomJenny), children’s YouTube creators Amy Parry, Sarah Tagaode and Emma Deen (Rainbow Bop), and the Esports Content Channel. The team behind PWR will be attending a workshop this week. There, they develop their projects and hear from industry leaders and experts, including acclaimed film director Dr. George Miller, comedian Jordan Raskopoulos, and screenwriter Claire Atkins.
Last year’s winner Lyanna Kea, the man behind Life of Kea, will be attending a workshop to share her learnings from the program, as well as digital video strategist Changer Studios, who will be presenting sessions on optimization and building a YouTube presence. We will announce.
Founded to help storytellers with existing YouTube audiences expand their creative ambitions, Skip Ahead has supported 37 teams with over $4.7 million in funding since its founding in 2014, and has Includes RackaRacka, Superwog, Wengie, Aunty Donna, Chloe Morello, and Michael Shanks.
Screen Australia’s head of online and games, Lee Naimo, said the program had been “crucial” in building the careers of many of Australia’s prolific creators.
“This program provides teams with the creative tools to create narrative content, as well as develop business acumen and set them up to further expand their audience and influence on YouTube. I do,” he said.
“It’s great to be partnering with YouTube again to support Australia’s exciting talent.”
YouTube Australia and New Zealand director Ed Miles said this year’s cohort was a testament to the diversity and creativity thriving on the platform.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how these unique voices engage audiences around the world on YouTube and further strengthen Australia’s position as a hub of pre-eminent digital content,” he said .
The funded projects are:
PWR House – The Making of Champions: Lachlan Power, Fortnite player Alex Richmond, and Kathleen Belsten ‘Loserfruit’ and other PWR creators. Directed by Oliver Marshall, co-directed by Victoria Bush, produced by Clint Goff, Bryce Holloway, Kathleen Bersten, and executive produced by Bush and Power. The series will be published on the PWR YouTube channel.
Supermarket: A six-by-five-minute comedy series about high-ranking supermarket employees who secretly work their way up the ranks by acting as undercover 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-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 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.
