Waapa student Natasha Vickery wins Equity Gristmill internship

Media release by Equity Foundation.

The Equity Foundation is thrilled to announce that Natasha Vickery is the winner of the 2018 Equity Gristmill Internship.

Natasha was selected by casting director Nathan Lloyd and Gristmill directors Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler from more than 70 applicants.

The one week internship will provide Vickery with a unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes of Gristmill's upcoming TV production for the ABC. She will spend time with key cast members as well as the casting, wardrobe, scheduling, script, art, make–up and editing.

Hope and Butler said: "We are thrilled to have Natasha on set with us filming Back in Very Small Business. We hope the experience and the catering motivates her for many years to come."

Back in Very Small Business is a sequel to Gristmill's 2008 six–part comedy Very Small Business and will be filmed in Melbourne in early 2018.

"I am an enormous admirer of Robyn and Wayne's work, so when I heard there was a chance for someone to take a glimpse behind the scenes, I jumped at it," said Vickery. "I know I will learn an indescribable amount about the creation process, how a set operates, and how members of cast and crew work together. On top of this, I can't wait to meet new and inspiring people."

The Equity Foundation would like to thank all applicants for their excellent self–tests, particularly our finalists; George Goldfeder, Gabriel Allani, Peter Williams and Amelia Ashton. The judging panel commented on the calibre of applicants and said they would be keeping some in mind for future projects.

This paid internship is made possible with the generous support of Media Super. Natasha will receive return flights and accommodation for the duration of the internship. She will also be paid at the appropriate award rate.

Media Super CEO Graeme Russell says: "We're particularly delighted to support an internship at a production that is being part-funded from Media Super's $60m Australian Film and Television Finance Facility. Wayne Hope, Robyn Butler and the team at Gristmill are one of our most talented comedy production teams, so working on Back in Very Small Business will be a great experience for Natasha. As the industry's own super fund, we're committed to working with industry partners to create new opportunities for emerging talent like Natasha. We're sure that our members appreciate the benefit of our modest investment in helping to build a stronger creative arts sector in Australia."

The Equity Foundation thanks Gristmill, Showcast and Media Super for their generous support of this initiative.