Media release: December 11, 2019
AFTRS, Media Mentors and ACMI launch Make It Monthly
Make It Monthly, a new Melbourne-based program of free screen industry talks and networking, kicks off in February.
Make It Monthly, a partnership between AFTRS, Media Mentors Australia and ACMI, will feature top screen practitioners working across all genres and platforms.
Each month a panel of the industry’s brightest, funniest and most successful practitioners will share their secrets, moderated by one of the TV industry’s most experienced executives, Denise Eriksen.
The first event, on Thursday 6th February 2020, celebrates Melbourne success with a panel of well-known Melbourne industry creatives Laura Waters, the founder of Princess Pictures; Oscar-winning animator Adam Elliott; Sonya Pemberton, one of Australia’s leading factual television producers; and showrunner, writer and director Tony Ayres (The Slap, Glitch).
In March, guests will hear from Every Cloud Productions, creators of the international hit series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and upcoming feature Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, and this year’s ratings hit, the reboot of Seachange.
“We reckon knowledge and networking are the best way to get ahead in this exciting industry. Melbourne, here’s your chance and, as Media Mentors, we are delighted to help you make the best of this opportunity,” said Denise Eriksen, Co-Founder (with Esther Coleman Hawkins) Media Mentors Australia.
Drinks and nibbles will be served after the panel providing the perfect opportunity to network with Melbourne’s industry.
The program will be presented at ACMI X – the industry co-working space that is part of Australia’s national museum of film, TV, video games, digital content and art. ACMI X is located on level 4 at the Australian Ballet Centre on Kavanagh St, Southbank.
“We are delighted to be working with AFTRS and Media Mentors to host this industry conversation and gathering at our co-working space ACMI X. ACMI is Australia’s national museum of film, TV, video games, digital content and art and we are eager to support industry to come together and share their stories and experience across every touchpoint of our museum” Katrina Sedgwick, ACMI Director & CEO.
“AFTRS is very pleased to be partnering on this new industry program in Melbourne. The School supports Australian storytelling talent from early inspiration to the highest level of professional practice and Make It Monthly will provide a great opportunity for networking, information sharing and collaboration for local practitioners across the industry. There are so many talented creators in Melbourne and I’m confident these events will be excellent,” said Wendy Gray, Head of Industry Program at AFTRS.
Make It Monthly will run on the first Thursday of every month from February to November.
Bookings are essential, through the AFTRS website. Register to be on the mailing list for Make It Monthly: https://www.aftrs.edu.au/news-and-events/events/make-it-monthly/
AFTRS - Since its inception in 1973 as the national film, television and radio school, AFTRS has been empowering Australian storytelling talent.
We believe Australian storytelling is vital to building our culture and identity and connecting with one another. Australian stories are facing a challenging climate. We see building the next generation of Australian talent and equipping our industry with relevant skills as essential to meeting these challenges and ensure audiences continue to be enriched by Australian stories.
AFTRS is federally funded to support the Australian media industry, and we value our close connection to Industry which ensures we continue to offer courses that are both industry-relevant and forward focused.
ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is Australia's national museum of film, TV, video games, digital culture and art and the world’s most visited moving image museum. ACMI has closed its doors to undergo a visionary redevelopment, transforming the museum into one of the world’s leading public institutions for screen culture and innovation, connecting audiences of industry, education and the public. Its doors will reopen mid 2020. More at acmi.net.au/renewal
Established to provide a home for Melbourne’s creative practitioners, ACMI X is a co-working space that assembles a vibrant mix of creative and digital start-ups, creative technologists, digital producers, web developers, filmmakers, arts administrators, researchers and designers. By providing infrastructure and a community platform that enables discovery, learning and growth for individuals and businesses alike, creative fusions and cross-disciplinary partnerships emerge from the energy and collaboration between co-workers and ACMI’s own creative employees at ACMI X. https://www.acmi.net.au/acmi-x/
Media Mentors Australia – Helping Creatives Create. We’re here to assist creatives to find their way in this vibrant, difficult, fabulous and exciting industry. Our services include mentoring projects, helping businesses get a foothold in Australia, mentoring individuals, assisting with accessing the right industry-based training, career analysis and facilitating networking. www.mediamentors.com.au
Media enquiries:
Tracey Mair, TM Publicity, Ph: 0419 221 493 or 02 8333 9066