WHAT‘S HAPPENING
News & Events
Lights, camera, action for more jobs in SA film industry with SAFC Skilling SA initiative
06 May 2021
As South Australia’s biggest ever film production Mortal Kombat continues on global screens, South Australia’s screen industry is in a strong position to secure more local and international projects, with an SAFC Skilling South Australia initiative set to bolster local crew.
Twenty-five skilled workers from adjacent industries such as performing and visual arts, festivals and events, accountancy, trades, construction and more will undergo training to join the screen industry for the first time, while 25 existing crew will also be upskilled to fill key roles to meet the demands of the film sector.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the funding would allow the SAFC to upskill existing crew members into specialised roles, while also allowing skilled workers outside the sector to forge new career paths in the screen industry, leading to new employment opportunities.
“It’s an exciting time for our state’s screen industry as we become an attractive destination for Australian and international productions,” Minister Pisoni said.
“SAFC has identified there are skill gaps within the following crew departments – Assistant Directing, Camera, Art Department, Production Office and Production Accounting.
“They are specialised roles in the industry that rely on industry-led training and on-the-job exposure for workers to build suitable skills and competency.
“The Australian Film Television Radio School will deliver industry-specific and tailored training for those roles.
“This project will assist in meeting the increasing demand and deliver more jobs for South Australians.
“It also contributes to the Creative Industries Strategy that sets a target average of five per cent growth per annum to 2030.”
South Australia has welcomed an influx of film productions into the state, including the blockbuster Mortal Kombat, the Stan original production, Gold, starring Zac Efron, and the See-Saw Films produced thriller, The Unknown Man, starring Joel Edgerton, as well as Stan, HBO and BBC series The Tourist, which is currently filming in the Flinders Ranges with lead actor Jamie Dornan.
“South Australia was one of the first locations in the world to resume film and television production amid COVID delays,” Pisoni said.
“The South Australian Film Corporation has done a wonderful job facilitating a consistent pipeline of production for the state.
“The economic benefits of local screen production extend to the construction, hospitality, transportation and retail sectors.”
South Australian Film Corporation Chief Executive Kate Croser said South Australia’s screen sector had huge potential for growth.
“Interest in South Australia as a filming and production location is at an all-time high, and the opportunities for growth are simply enormous,” Ms Croser said.
“With so much production on the horizon and a growing demand for crew, the SAFC is constantly exploring ways to expand the state’s skills base such as through our Attachments programs, which give up-and-coming screen practitioners priceless on-the-job training alongside professionals on productions, and our Master/Apprentice program, run in partnership with Mercury CX, the inaugural edition of which saw 15 crew members paired with experienced local Heads of Department for career mentoring across various departments of screen production, from camera, lighting and sound to costume and even accounting, with more than 60% of the participants already achieving paid work in the industry as a result.
“The huge level of interest in our recent Technical Screen Careers Open Day, which attracted more than 140 registrations from skilled workers across the state wanting to learn more about screen career pathways, shows the huge potential for sector growth and employment opportunities.”
Skilling South Australia is a $200 million partnership with the Australian Government to deliver the skills required by industry and ensure South Australians are ready to step into jobs and enjoy rewarding careers in the future.
Applications for the SAFC’s Skilling SA program are open now – for more details go to safilm.com.au/industry-and-skills#skillingsa