FAQ Digital Ignition Clinic

FAQ for Screen Australia Digital Ignition Multi Platform Clinic This is hopefully a catch all for questions for projects and teams coming onto the Clinic. Please send other questions to gary@storylabs.us or ev@storylabs.us if they are not answered below or if you spot any obvious errors, and we will fix it!

Dates

The Residential Clinic will run from a strict 9am Monday 26 Nov to 4pm on Friday 30 Nov at a venue called the Sydney Conference Centre.

  • The Digital Ignition Multiplatform Clinic is being held at the
  • Sydney Conference & Training Centre,
  • 30 Ingleside Road
  • Ingleside, Sydney  NSW  2101  Australia
  • T. 02 9913 4300
  • F. 02 9970 6265
  • W. www.sydneyconference.com.au

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THE CLINIC

What is the best team to bring to the Clinic?

As we are focusing on various elements of your project in the clinic, (the creative, social, marketing, business and production elements of the project) it is important your team includes the main creative driver person (writer, director) but also the lead producer responsible for the on-going development of the project – these may be the same person. A 2nd or 3rd member could be anyone from marketing, key crafts (design, game design etc), business and so on but it is critical to have two core, project executive members.

What exactly happens during the week?

The process requires teams to be there for the duration and is tightly structured. We try to avoid releasing the precise details before the event as this is part of the transformative nature of the residential and also to partly avoid some teams considering partial attendance. The week involves presentations, exercises, one to one mentoring, lots of brainstorming and of course producing documentation and strategy. Your evenings apart from Wednesday’s are generally free to socialise, move about the grounds or local towns and relax although we encourage cross-fertilisation, some work on documentation and further discussion with the other teams and mentors. On the first morning we will all share why we are there – consider your goals, what you really want to achieve which will help everyone help you get there!

What is the Guardian mentor?

All teams will have specific guidance from all mentors during the week. Also each project team will have an allocated ‘guardian’ mentor (of the 9 that are coming to the clinic) who will be like a regular member of the team. They will track progress, deal with development issues during the week and help us best manage your issues. We encourage you to have a few email exchanges with your guardian mentor before the clinic to tie down the key areas of your project  you’ll be dealing with – StoryLabs will introduce you before of course.

Do we have to present to the larger group?

Yes as a project team there is an informal share at the start about your project goals and expectations for the week. At the end, after the development process, the project team will present their Multi Platform  and/or campaign around their film to an invited group from Screen Australia.

What about my ideas, can we freely share at the clinic?

The value of the clinic is to offer you far wider potential and strategy for your property than you probably have considered and get it production ready. Like the adjudication process in the clinic all speakers, mentors and other participants will also have to sign a CDA (confidentiality disclosure agreement) / NDA which we will do early on Monday. This basically means any intellectual property that you bring into (or develop during) the lab remains with you when you leave. We do encourage exchange of ideas in exercises and sharing planned and that is part of the attraction of coming onto the clinic – in that you doleave with far more than you brought in. This will be signed by all in the first morning, and included in your welcome pack, it will be a standard mutual CDA and please contact  Mike or Gary if you need advance view of that.

Do I need to bring any equipment?

Each team member is encouraged to bring their own laptop (or other technology) to more efficiently develop their production roadmap documents during the week, as well as any supporting materials. Make sure you bring all adapters and peripherals and we suggest you also pack an extension and/or one plug-board for your breakout area – although we will provide most of these.  Some audio recording equipment will be available if required, a second powerful projector, a fast Brother laser printer and …more to be added

What media assets do I need to bring to the lab?

As your extension or campaign will need to have some supporting material both for mentor sessions but also open sharing sessions with the overall group. Also any existing ideas will go through some transformation so the assets we suggest you bring along should include a small selection of graphics, sounds and video. It is very useful for the mentoring sessions to have simple overview stills and videos to help everyone get a real sense and the range of ideas you have for your project. The week is focused on creating direction for your project vs creating proof of concepts or working up a pitch.

Can I film and take photos during the event? Share on the web?

We do encourage social sharing during the week, but bear in mind mentors are being encouraged to be open about their projects so please exercise restraint in tweeting (for example) statements that are obviously confidential. Of course you can take images of the week to put onto Facebook or other social sites but again please do so with a professional etiquette and do not share if another team or mentor has requested you not to. Please do not do any full length recordings of the talks as Screen Australia and StoryLabs will be making ‘approved by mentors’ versions available to you afterwards.

What actual technical or space resources will we get?

Each team will have a dedicated space in the venue to setup as their own and we will have full run of the venue too. Some breakouts may be enclosed, some may be in a large space but separated by distance. You will have power setup here as well as a working table to create a permanent ‘den’. We used to provide computers for other residentials but we expect you will have your own capability – please advise if you need us to hire on your behalf a basic laptop machine for the clinic… The venue itself has two desktop PCs and a printer for occasional personal use.

Can I engage mentors during the clinic commercially?

We encourage you to develop relationships with mentors and other teams of course. At the end of the week we will announce any special arrangements that will help you move your project forward and this may include further mentoring.

LOGISTICS

Accommodation

All accommodation, 3 meals per day, 2 coffee breaks per day are covered. This includes the Sunday evening meal for those arriving with the main group. Please advise if there are couples who would like to share a room and also we may request one or two people to share a suite. Any general questions about the venue and its facilities contact  ev@storylabs.us or in the 2nd instance with Gary and we can discuss with you re: room allocation. Accommodation is ‘live-in’ at the Sydney Conference Centre in Ingleside (bush plateau area of the northern beaches). There are two choices of room: hotel style with king bed; or twin share which has a queen size bed, with a small sitting room area and fold out couch. Twin share has 2 x tvs.

Driving to the Training Centre

The Sydney Conference + Training Centre is a good 45 minutes drive from the Sydney CBD, near Mona Vale (northern beaches). Please note, Ingleside Rd and The Centre can only be accessed via Powder Works Rd. There is plenty of complimentary parking onsite.

Via Mona Vale Rd: Drive through Terrey Hills along Mona Vale Rd. When you see signs for the Bahai Temple get into the right hand lane and turn right at the lights onto Powder Works Rd. Approximately 3km along (4th street on your left) you’ll find Ingleside Rd (it’s marked by a black and white arrow veer-right road sign). Turn left into Ingleside Rd, the Centre is 600 metres on your right. If you need assistance please call the Centre on 9913 4300. Via Pittwater Rd: Stay on Pittwater Rd through Narrabeen. Go over the small bridge and past some shops and on the left you’ll see a “Quix” service station. Turn left at the next set of lights at the “Caltex” Service Station, into Garden St. Drive 500m along Garden St and turn left into Powder Works Rd. Drive up the hill approximately 2.8km. You’ll know you’re close when you pass through a small roundabout, the second street on the right is Ingleside Rd. Turn right into Ingleside Rd and the Centre is 600 metres on your right. If you need assistance please call the Centre on 9913 4300.

Public Transport Getting to the Sydney Conference & Training Centre via public transport is not recommended as it is quite involved and requires you to catch a series of buses. The 182 bus stops at Kalang Rd (near Ingleside Rd) on its way towards Pittwater Rd and from here you can connect with other buses for the Northern Beaches, Manly and the city. Please visit the following website for more information: http://www.sydneybuses.info/routes/timetables-route-maps

Flights 

Participants will need to book your flights to get to Sydney airport (or if you are NSW get dropped off at the pickup point – central location) before 5.15pm on Sunday 25th Nov.  The journey time is about 1.5 hrs on the coach and it is critical you are prompt for this pickup – checkin around 6pm and a dinner will be waiting around 7.30pm at the venue. Flight booking – Non NSW participants will book your own flights up to $400 (or $600 for WA applicants) per participant can be claimed. StoryLabs will reimburse your flights on display of a booking receipt. REFUND: Please bring these receipts and your full bank details for immediate refund during the week long clinic. To avoid admin we prefer this to sending in your invoices and bank details before the week – which is only three weeks away.

Ground Transport

Arrival – A coach has been booked to take participants from Sydney Airport to the Venue at 5.15PM on Sunday 25 Nov. Make sure flights are booked to get there ideally just before that time. Arrivals very early on Monday morning will need to make your own way to the venue. Departures  – The coach will take all participants back to Sydney Airport & a Central City Location (only) on Friday at 4pm (we will close the workshop just before 4pm) – this means you should book return flights comfortably for 7.30pm onwards. If you stay on the Friday evening you will need to pay for the final night but please contact ev@storylabs.usif you think you will do this as we have only 4 or 5 extra seats going back on Saturday morning For NSW participants who are making a significant (more than 3 hour) journey in their own cars there is 40+ parking spots at the venue plus fuel up to $60 can be claimed on production of dated receipt.

Personal Information and Special Requirements

If you have any special needs, dietary or physically please inform ev@StoryLabs.us ASAP. Please notify Evelyn Saunders ev@storylabs.us of any allergies by Tuesday 6 November. It’s important we have this information in the event of an emergency. The venue have also requested they be advised of these details so they are aware of potential mishaps in advance.  Not that we expect to need this info, but it might be handy if we have contact numbers for someone at home. If there are any special ‘personal’ circumstances we should be aware of, please don’t hesitate to contact: Evelyn Saunders mobile: 0409 310 268 Email: ev@storylabs.us Skype: evelyn.saunders or the Director of the event Gary Hayes gary@storylabs.us !

What about internet access?

We will have wireless internet access for all participants spread around the venue. We have negotiated also for free internet access in the rooms using the ethernet points in the room (the central WiFi doesn’t reach most rooms). We recommend you bring a laptop, iPad etc: equipped with wifi. The venue also has good 3G coverage for most main 4 telcos. We will get more info on telcos coverage later…

OTHER INFORMATION

What does the Lab actually cost me?

Each participant does not pay anything for being on the clinic, you will claim back flights from your nearest airport as soon as you have proof of purchase and this will be reimbursed prior to the clinic. Everything else is covered, coaches to and from hotel to venue, accommodation for the duration, food, excursions and of course access to great international and national mentors. You will be responsible for any local taxis to your local airport and sundry items during the week. We will be asking you to sign a small contract to lock down your commitment to attending the full clinic.  This includes a small release for  audio and atmospheric video recording elements of the week.

What will the weather be like and length of day?

We are based just north of Sydney about 10 mins drive from the coast . The end of November is the start of the Australian summer so temperatures will start to rise to 26-31 in the day and drop to 10 at night. Sunrise is 5.38am and sunset 7.48pm during the residential week.

Is there local transport, things to do and ways to get about during the week?

The venue is very close 20 mins walk (1.5km) to Mona Vale or North Narrabeen which are small coastal towns. We will have a 12 seater shuttle bus for the week which will be used for trips in early morning and evenings. Also there are excellent walks around to local Bush areas and inland lakes too. We will add a list of activities and things to do at the end of this webpage.

Are there any events during the week I need to be aware of?

In previous clinics we have run several evening events or pre-events but are aware of the need for teams to be able to network informally with mentors, other teams and most importantly to apply learnings and ideas from the day to their projects. We are planning an external restaurant and walk on Weds evening and throughout the week there is a staffed bar and free coffee plus a range of other amenities and entertainment options available (see below). For you to get the most out of the week we would discourage excessive ‘day-to-day’ work emails which as we all know can fragment what should be a focused week on your project.

Who do I contact in emergency – or who can accept incoming calls for me?

The venue can sort any re-routing or inbound calls to your room. Emergencies please go via the venue or Screen Australia or StoryLabs staff

Who can I speak to if there are issues during the week?

Both Gary (StoryLabs) and Mike Cowap (Screen Australia) will be on-site at all times to handle any issues with your experience with the residential training. Evelyn will be there on Monday and possibly Friday. For venue specific problems there will be several staff attached to the venue who report to  Tracey Kane 9913 4300

Facilities at the Venue

Recreational Facilities: The Centre is situated on 9 acres of bushland. There are paths running through the area and you’re welcome to take a walk along the paths. Please note there are ticks and snakes in the area so it’s not recommended you wander off the paths. Other facilities include:

  • Recreation room
  • Swimming Pool
  • Tennis Court
  • Table Tennis
  • Snooker & Pool
  • Volleyball
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Cricket
  • Gymnasium
  • Sauna
  • Large screen televisions
  • A selection of Nintendo Wii games

Bar: Sydney Conference and Training Centre is fully licensed for conference and training attendees. An extensive range of beer, wines and spirits is available. The bar opens after 5pm and runs until late. Nearby Facilities Sailing, paddle-boarding and windsurfing at nearby beaches; sailing and kayaking on Narrabeen Lakes or golf at one of the many local courses. Abseiling and bushwalking through Ku-ring-gai National Park and activities at the NSW Academy of Sport are also a short drive away from the centre. Manly Beach and harbour wharf for ferries into the city, is about 20 minutes drive. Activities that can be arranged by the Sydney Conference & Training Centre: (fees apply)

  • Pilates
  • Yoga
  • Tai Chi
  • Drumming sessions
  • Rock Climbing – Indoor / outdoor – Bushsports
  • Ropes Courses – Thrill Team Events
  • Guided Bush Walking & environmental interpretation – Bushsports
  • Bowling – Ten pin or lawn
  • Golf/Driving Range and mini putt putt
  • Cruise on Pittwater
  • Sailing on Pittwater
  • Kayaking on Narrabeen Lakes – Pro Kayak – website: www.prokayaks.com.au – Phone: 02 9970 7081
  • East Coast Xperiences – Corporate & Group – Segways & More… – Adam Wiseman Ph: 1300 46 56 36 Email: adam@eastcoastxperiences.com.au Web: www.eastcoastxperiences.com.au
  • Surf Lessons at local beach
  • Horse Riding
  • Creative team building – art, sculpting & life drawing – Thrill Team Events
  • Beauty treatments and Massaging at local Beauty Salon
  • Motivational and Team Building group activities
  • Any special interest activities eg. Master chef , etc.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Programs & Thrill Team Events

PDFs of nearby walks

& general info about the local area –

Other things to do outside the venue?

Obviously the week is very packed and we will be arranging one even tour/meal – but for those who may be interested in early morning or evening adventures or gentle local strolls… There are walks all around the conference centre which is joined onto the Warriewood Escarpment, the coast is about 3.5-4km if you go the quick way so 25-35 mins walk. The Bahai Temple is around 800m for a walking visit The Baha’i Temple, Ingleside is a magnificent structure, stretching 38 metres towards the sky on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Open daily from 9am to 5pm (7pm in January), this nine sided House of Worship of the Baha’i Faith is well worth a visit.  According to www.bahai.org.au  the Baha’i Faith’s teachings: Eco Treasures http://ecotreasures.com.auDamien: 0415 121 648 ABN # 35 229 828 621 EcoTreasures specialises in Eco Tourism experiences of the Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Sydney, Australia. Option 1: Custom Tour of West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park with local guide

  • Guided scenic drive from conference centre into Ku-ring-gai Chase NP.
  • Discover ancient aboriginal engravings on bush walk
  • Nature walk to Basin campground search for Local wallabies, Goanna, Kookaburras, Sea eagles populations
  • Paddle Board Tour/Lesson in peaceful lagoon of the Basin
  • Swim at the Basin
  • Visit famous West Head Look Out for amazing views and photo opportunities
  • Learn about native environment, culture and heritage of the area

Option 2: “Manly Snorkel Walk and Talk Tour” http://ecotreasures.com.au/coastal-tours/manly-snorkel/#.UHJmp03MgR8 Option 3: “Sydney Hidden Treasures Tour” http://ecotreasures.com.au/coastal-tours/hotel-custom-eco-tour/#.UHJq6U3MgR8 WicksSurfboard hire

MAL surfboard hire

  • 2 hours $30
  • 1 day $55
  • 1 week $130

Stand-up Paddle Boards

  • 2 hours $35
  • 1 day $65
  • 1 week $150

Powerlinez Surf Shopboard rental & lessons

  • 16 Waterloo St, Narrabeen
  • Tel: 02 9913 2128
  • http://www.powerlinez.com
  • online email form
  • Your choice of longboards, mini mals, shortboards, softboards , bodyboards or stand up paddle boards
  • Free wetsuits if required .
  • 1-2 hours $15,
  • Half day $25,
  • Full day $45

Surfing beaches:

  • Warriewood (~10mins) advanced surfers;
  • Narrabeen (~10 mins) big surf but has SLSC;
  • Collaroy (~15 mins) easy surf;
  • Further away:
  • South – Freshwater Beach (good for longboarding) & Manly Beach & Shelley Beach (sheltered);
  • North – Avalon Beach & Whale Beach;

Manly Bike Toursand bike hire

HemingwaysCafe & bar

Local Walks:

  • Lighthouse walk – Palm Beach
  • Queenscliff to Shelly Beach (Manly)
  • Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to Basin walk

Cinemas– Collaroy & Avalon & Warriewood

  • Collaroy & Avalon cinemas, ye olde world(e) indie cinema (United)

More detail about activities in and around the venue

Facilities at the Venue: The Centre is situated on 9 acres of bushland with paths running through the area for viewing native plants and animals. There are also ticks and snakes so it’s not recommended you wander off the paths.

Recreation room Tennis Court Swimming Pool
Table Tennis Volleyball Gymnasium
Large Screen TV Basketball Sauna
Nintendo Wii games Snooker & Pool

Bar: Sydney Conference and Training Centre is fully licensed for conference and training attendees. An extensive range of beer, wines and spirits is available. The bar opens after 5pm. Nearby Facilities: Sailing, paddle-boarding and windsurfing at nearby beaches; sailing and kayaking on Narrabeen Lakes or golf at one of the many local courses. Abseiling and bushwalking through Ku-ring-gai National Park and activities at the NSW Academy of Sport are also a short drive away from the centre. Manly Beach and harbour wharf for ferries into the city, is ~ 20 minutes drive. Activities that can be arranged by the Sydney Conference & Training Centre: (fees apply)

Pilates Rock Climbing Cruise Pittwater Ten Pin Bowling
Yoga Ropes Courses Sail Pittwater Lawn Bowling
Tai Chi Guided Bushwalking Kayak Narrabeen Lakes Golf
Drumming Sessions Horse riding Surf lessons Beauty Treatments

Various Bushwalks: (drive to location)

Various Coastal Walks: (with maps)

 

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