Scripted Ink. is thrilled to announce our latest development investment in HELENA, a feature film project about cosmetics entrepreneur Helena Rubenstein, written by Pathways Prime writer Katherine Thomson. This development investment is being co-funded by STUDIOCANAL Australia and the film will be produced by Antony Waddington (The Eye of the Storm) and Marcus Gillezeau (Scorched).
Tim Pye, Scripted Ink Head of Development, is delighted to be working with STUDIOCANAL in co-developing HELENA. “It’s brilliant to be working with Greg Denning, Elizabeth Trotman and the STUDIOCANAL team in co-financing the development of this project. This consolidates our fantastic working relationship over the last couple of years and is a perfect example of Scripted Ink’s purpose – working with industry to create great outcomes for all stakeholders, particularly writers on the AWG Pathways Program. HELENA has all the creative ingredients for a film that will find a very wide, international audience and commercial success. Very exciting!”
Greg Denning, Head of Sales, Acquisitions and Development Manager, said “As the inaugural project to be co-funded through the STUDIOCANAL Cultivator Fund, we are so pleased that Scripted Ink has come on board to partner with us, Katherine Thomson and Producers Antony Waddington and Marcus Gillezeau on the development of HELENA. It’s a wonderful project that we believe has the potential to resonate with both local and international audiences who return to the cinema time and time again to see powerful true stories. HELENA extends our ongoing partnership with Scripted Ink which has already seen five emerging Australian screenwriters take part in our internship program over the past 18 months, a terrific program that has been very much mutually beneficial”.
Producers Antony Waddington and Marcus Gillezeau are understandably thrilled to have secured funding for their passion project. “This is a significant moment for our team and we wish to express our great appreciation to Scripted Ink, for their enthusiasm throughout the process, but most importantly, for the financial support they are extending to HELENA”
Writer Katherine Thomson said, “The writer and project are at the core of the decision making of Scripted Ink. They have worked with my agent and producers to fine tune my contract to ensure that I receive the best possible terms and conditions for my work. The decision-making time has been succinct, enabling me to put my head down and get on with the job.”
Katherine’s Agent, Edwina Stuart from Robyn Gardner Management, is excited by the financial leverage that Scripted Ink brings to the Australian Film and Television industry. “Scripted Ink are a very welcome and exciting addition to our creative writing community, and their support of writers has been a terrific and much needed boost to the industry. They have been a pleasure to deal with and fully supported the team behind HELENA. There are many benefits to Scripted Ink, but what is the stand out is the freedom they can provide to writers. Supporting our writers and creators means they will continue to work on Australian soil, keeping our remarkable talent here with their voices and stories. We are thrilled to collaborate with Scripted Ink and look forward to many more successful partnerships”, Edwina said.