THURSDAY 7 AUGUST 2025 | 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (AEST) | ONLINE 

SPA Members: $95 (inc. GST) 

This is a SPA Member-only Masterclass.

Want to discuss a SPA Membership? Contact SPA.

With development costs rising, the sustainability of scripted development has never been more uncertain. This members only SPA Masterclass tackles the legal, creative, and strategic elements that underpin successful development — from acquiring IP and contracting writers, to building productive writers’ rooms and improving pitch materials using emerging tools. 

We start with a legal and commercial overview from Stephanie Scott (Media Arts Lawyers), covering the agreements that underpin most development work — option and purchase deals, co-development arrangements, funding agreements, and early engagement of writers and directors.

Next, Sara Richardson (Endemol Shine Australia) and Jason Burrows (Jungle Entertainment) join us to unpack how they’re structuring writers’ rooms across different formats and budgets. This session will cover team structures, budgets, timelines, and how to get the most out of the room — whether you’re working with local talent or international showrunner-style models.

To close, Lin Tam (Immix Studios) delivers a practical demonstration on how producers can use generative AI tools to visually elevate their pitch materials — including bibles, mood boards, and tone-setting visuals — without compromising originality.

MASTERCLASS HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Legal Foundations for Scripted Development: A focused legal presentation on the key agreements and approval terms that shape early development. Topics include acquiring underlying IP, negotiating co-development partnerships and securing funding without losing control. 

   
   Overview on Contracting Writers and Directors

   This segment will explore key considerations when engaging writers and directors during early development. The focus will be on when to lock in contracts and how to structure them effectively to ensure clear roles and responsibilities.
    

2. Designing the Development Process

   This segment will explore the key decisions involved in setting up and running a writers' room, including the approach to structuring teams, managing budgets, and ensuring effective creative output.
    

3. Enhancing Pitch Materials Using AI Tools

   Commissioners and buyers are overwhelmed with pitches — standing out now requires clarity, creativity, and visual polish. This segment explores how producers can use AI tools to enhance the look and feel of their pitch materials once the creative foundations (script, bible, world) are already in place. 

   The session will feature a pre-recorded 30-minute demo, walking through how a rough script and bible can be transformed into a visual pitch asset using accessible AI tools.

Key Topics to be covered include:

SPA Masterclasses are online intensives held quarterly by Screen Producers Australia (SPA) and are designed to give Australian producers and their peers a competitive edge and valuable training on pertinent topics across all facets of the industry.

Masterclasses include presentations by experts from the legal, finance, industrial, business, and creative sectors as well as practical panel discussions with experienced producers who will share their valuable insights and knowledge. Masterclass topics will address current and important matters affecting practitioners working across the industry to ensure they have the most up-to-date information, expertise, and practical tools to remain relevant and successful in the dynamic industry we all love.