The Independent Content Creators Association of Australia (ICCAA) is a newly formed body to represent the interests of independent film, television, multi-media and internet content creators, whether they be creative writers, journalists, producers, directors, editors, graphic designers, animators, photographers, cinematographers, sound producers, production designers, programmers, special effects designers, technicians or indeed any of the dozens of others who all contribute vitally to the creation of film, television and internet content of the future in Australia.
So who can join?
Anybody involved in film, television, video or internet content creation. YOU ! But primarily the ICCAA will support independent content creators working on Under $1million projects.
We are inclusive, not exclusive, and it is our aim to be the group that represents the widest interests of our members. Of course, we have some aims and objectives, and a Charter, but suffice to say that we are genuinely interested in promoting the creation and production of more, better quality, affordable content by Australians for Australian and world audiences.
There is no qualifying period, very low fees, and a simple application process. As you get to know more about what it is we do, you will no doubt see where you will fit in, how you can contribute (if you want to) and how the organisation meets it's objectives.
What Do We Do ?
The ICCAA is about empowerment of the many individuals that make up our very social, networked and interdependent industry. We want to hold monthly 'get togethers' around the country where members can exchange information, help each other and improve their skills and contacts. And we want to change the current agenda at a government level, to better support the content creators working in the Under $1 million project area.
The 'Bees In Our Bonnet' - Priority Objectives
There are a number of urgent agendas that the ICCAA will pursue in the near future. They include the following:
1. Change the current investment support mechanisms for content creation.
The Federal government changed the legislation that provided for a tax deduction for film and television production previously known as Section 10B and 10BA of the Tax Act so that it stopped being available to producers after July 1st 2007.
From that point in time the government offered a new scheme, now known as the Producers Rebate, where film projects with budgets of $1million or more could apply for a rebate of up to 40% for qualifying expenditure on completion of the film.
The new scheme has been well received in some quarters, by producers working on projects with budgets over $1 million. For those working below $1 million, there is now virtually no recourse to investment funds. We have been left behind.
This must change, and the ICCAA will lobby aggressively to re-instate a scheme offering a 100% tax deduction for all monies invested in Under $1 million productions.
2. Change the current prioritisation of government film investment spending.
With the creation of Screen Australia out of the ashes of Film Australia, the Australian Film Commission and the Film Finance Corporation, the smaller scale project has again been left behind. No longer funding short films, and with a push to higher budgeted projects in the mistaken belief that higher budgets will allow Australian films to compete with Hollywood, we are now being left even further behind.
It is the intention of the ICCAA to lobby for a change in policy, towards a greater number of lower budgeted productions rather than the current trend. One scheme recently proposed by founding ICCAA member Ron Brown, known as 50/50, is basically a shift towards annually producing 50 films of $1 million budget, and then obliging government broadcasters ABC and/or SBS to screen one each week, 50 films over 50 weeks each year. This type of scheme would provide numerous benefits which will be set out in the position paper ICCAA is creating to explain and promote the scheme.
Member Benefits
There are a number of benefits offered to members.
They include:
1. Monthly Forums with top industry guest speakers, initially Sydney and Melbourne, but to be rolled out nationally as membership numbers warrant and justify.
2. Lobbying to Federal government on the policy initiatives outlined above.
3. Liaison with the MEAA on future Awards, employment conditions, workplace requirements for Under $1 million independent productions.
4. Networking, crewing, equipment exchange, co-operative distribution and exhibition schemes under development.
5. Regular Workshops and Masterclasses directly focused on independent production. Information here: www.glitchinthematrix.com
6. Member discounts on industry goods and services, events, equipment hires, etc.
To join, or for further information, please use the form HERE.
For information on ICCAA Courses and Workshops, HERE.
