Recipients of Australian Drama Writers Hothouse Selected

The recipients of the inaugural 2018 Hothouse Drama Program, a collaboration between Screentime, Scripted Ink. and Nine, have been named.

Jacklyn Bassanelli (Wentworth season seven, Evergreen), Jessica Brookman (Nowhere Boys, The Secret Daughter, Neighbours) and Matt Ford (Love Child, House Husbands, Panic at Rock Island, Satisfaction) have been chosen to participate in the new specialized creative hothouse, designed to cultivate original projects, generated by writers, for Australian television. Each writer will develop two story ideas under the guidance of Scripted Ink., Screentime (a Banijay Group company) and Nine, with a view to at least one being optioned for full script development.

Scripted Ink.’s head of development, Tim Pye, said: “Scripted Ink is very excited to be working with Screentime and Nine on the Drama Hothouse, providing career pathways for screenwriters. Congratulations to Jacklyn, Matt and Jessica. We can’t wait to see how their projects develop over the course of this initiative.

Screentime’s head of production for scripted, Kerrie Mainwaring, said: “This is an important collaboration
to support and nurture great ideas during the integral development stage—providing a strong investment in Australian drama and stories. We are delighted with the caliber of writers and their ideas to kickstart this important initiative.”

Andy Ryan, Nine’s co-head of drama, said: “This is an important initiative for developing the next generation of writers and we are thrilled to be working with Scripted Ink. and Screentime to help cultivate new and fresh stories for the Australian television market.”

Bassanelli said: “I’m so thrilled to be taking part in this incredible initiative. A big thank you to Scripted Ink., Screentime and Nine for supporting writers and new content in this way. I can’t wait to get started and to work with Matt, Jessica and the whole team.”

Brookman added: “I am thrilled to be part of the Hothouse Drama Initiative. The support and opportunities that this offers writers is invaluable. It’s important to be telling our own stories on screen and having Scripted Ink. partner with Screentime and Nine to nurture Australian voices is an exciting and vital initiative for our industry.”

Ford commented: “I’m honored to be given the chance to collaborate with great talent on some exciting projects.”