** DEADLINE EXTENDED**
Applications now close 21 January 2024
Call for Expressions of Interest from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander music creators
The successful applicant will undertake a three-month, Sydney-based program to score music for a short film
Mentorship from screen composer Ken Francis
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO) is pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest are now open for the NATSIMO Screen Composer Intensive, a one-of-a-kind professional opportunity in screen composing for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander music creator.
Expressions of interest open today Monday 16 October 2023 and will close on Sunday 21 January 2024 at 11:59PM AEDT.
The intensive is funded by APRA AMCOS with support from the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), Ken Francis, Jigsaw Music, Church Street Studios and Trackdown Studios.
“The Screen Composer Intensive gives a novice composer a chance to experience life as a working screen composer with all the insider benefits most new entrants lack; a budget for performers and equipment, the best professional studio to record & mix to picture at, a place to compose among a network of supportive professionals & studios, along with a mentor to help build skills & give pro perspective. This is a special opportunity," said Ken Francis.
The program was developed in consultation with screen industry professionals with the goal to create, forge and develop self-determined pathways to employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Screen Composers through the development of a three-month creative immersive experience.
“Working with industry professionals is how screen composers build their skill sets, and the participants of this Intensive get access to the “inside knowledge” they need to develop their craft. Working to picture, understanding the story, working in a DAW, orchestration and scoring with live musicians in a recording studio and music mixing are all covered in this incredible opportunity.” said composer, orchestrator and arranger Jessica Wells of Jigsaw Music.
Composer Rhyan Clapham (DOBBY) was the 2022 recipient and was mentored by Amanda Brown. The creative outcome of the intensive resulted in Rhyan’s wonderful composition, 'SPRING'. Composer Amanda Davis (Dyagula) was the 2023 recipient and was mentored by Ken Francis.
"The NATSIMO Screen Composer Intensive is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience an immersion into the screen music industry with some of the best facilities and professionals in the business. It also provides networking opportunities with other screen composers, which can ultimately lead to further work”, said Dale Cornelius, President, AGSC.
As part of the opportunity, the successful recipient will be provided with a studio workspace at the home of an autonomous collective of independent music, sound and screen professionals – Church Street Studios.
“Church Street Studios is proud to be part of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office's wonderful Screen Composer Intensive for another year. There’s simply no substitute for face-to-face mentoring of emerging screen composers within a professional, supportive and empowering environment”, said Guy Gross, founder of Church Street Studios.
NATSIMO SCREEN COMPOSER INTENSIVE PROJECT OUTLINE
Participants will be exposed to and learn about the screen music business and key practices of screen composing and orchestration resulting in completion of a screen music project recording. They will be immersed in actual screen music production settings to observe and engage in the day-to-day practices of the screen music sector.
The program consists of five key components.
REQUIREMENTS TO UNDERTAKE THE OPPORTUNITY
Applicants must:
Applicants from all over Australia are eligible to apply. If successful, the recipient must attend the program for 3 months on a full-time basis in Sydney, NSW. The participant will need arrange their own travel to the various Partner sites for sessions as scheduled. All applicants will be notified of outcomes by early 2024.
Applications are open to composers from all across Australia, but the program requires the participant to be based in Sydney for the duration of the residency.
Applications close on Sunday 21 Jan 11:59pm AEDT.
Questions? Please contact the NATSIMO team.