The Australian Writers Guild has announced First Break, a new writers’ initiative with Screen NSW designed to give emerging writers the kind of skills they need to get that first break in a working writers’ room.
In days gone by new writers would get a gig on a show like GP or A Country Practice and work their way up – making coffees, then notetaking then maybe script coordinating then, if they played their cards right, maybe getting a shot at writing. Due to the absence of these long running drama series now, that opportunity no longer exists really.
Whilst the initiative is open to NSW writers, AWG anticipates that First Break will be offered to members in other states in the future.
First Break is designed to provide participants with the skills, training and understanding to obtain work in these roles, get their start in the industry and build vital networks.
At the conclusion of First Break, participants will be promoted to industry via the AWG Pathways website. The Pathways First Break tab will be a permanent resource for industry looking for talented new writers who have valuable skills to offer in writers’ rooms.
First Break is a series of three day-long online workshops run by highly experienced, working writers. Covering note-taking, script coordinating and the basics of a writers’ room, participants will come away with the skills required to get that first break and begin their career in the film and television industry.