| The animated work Bring in the Air received production investment funding under the AFC's Home Movies animation initiative. It was written by Tim Adlide and Elaine Paton, directed by Tim Adlide, and produced by Lois Randall. |
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COMMERCIAL TELEVISION FUND (CTPF)
The Commercial Television Production Fund (CTPF) was a fund established with government funding and managed by the AFC between 1995/96 and 1997/98.
Government funding was not renewed at the end of the three-year grant period and the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts agreed that the AFC was to retain the copyright interest in the existing CTPF projects and to use any revenue from the projects for appropriate television producer support packages and attachment schemes.
During the year, revenue from projects financed through the CTPF comprised $920,665 in project recoupments and interest earnings of $18,687.
Total expenditure during the year was $392,357, made up of $66,201 in salaries and administrative expenses, $287,756 in investments in producer support and $38,400 in attachment grants.
The CTPF carried forward to 2001/02 $325,389 in project commitments with $857,258 in cash.
One part-time position was retained for 2000/01 to manage the copyright in active projects and to administer two television development programs using revenue receipts.
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The AFC has an office located in Melbourne, a representative in Brisbane and its head office in Sydney.
AFC employment policy encourages movement between the AFC and the film community by identifying staffing positions that require experience and currency in the film, television and interactive digital media industry. The AFC offers employment contracts for film practitioners of up to three years. This system of flexible staffing arrangements allows the AFC to attract and retain people with the right mix of skills to sustain organisational success in a dynamic industry environment. It also allows the flexibility to employ temporary and part-time staff to cope with periods of work overload and one-off projects.
At 30 June 2001 the AFC employed a total of 49 full-time
and 20 part-time staff in administrative and program areas. Over the year
the average staffing level (ASL) was 54.6. The estimated ASL for 2001/02
is 55.7.
The branch break up of staff is:
| Branch |
Full-time
|
Part-time
|
| Film Development & Marketing |
21
|
4
|
| Industry & Cultural Development |
3
|
-
|
| Finance & Administration |
9
|
2
|
| Executive (incl. Legal) |
9
|
2
|
| Commercial Television |
5
|
-
|
| Production Fund |
-
|
1
|
The 2000/01 Staff Development Program continued to emphasise individual training and development needs, both short and long-term, to encourage a culture of continuous improvement and innovation which captures and builds upon the benefits of the diverse skills of AFC staff. The program included continuing computer education in Microsoft Excel and Word applications and in HTML. An improved Staff Performance Appraisal system was developed during 2000/01 in consultation with the Joint Consultative Committee and will be implemented in 2001/02.
The AFC also provided support for staff to attend key industry forums, including the SPAA, ASDA and Documentary conferences.
The AFC is committed to fostering a work environment that encourages diversity in its staffing and equitable treatment of its employees. The AFC Equal Employment Opportunity policy aims to ensure that all staff, particularly at induction level, are aware of their rights and responsibilities in relation to their terms and conditions of employment and that these conditions are applied equitably to all staff. A commitment to flexible working options is contained in the AFC's Certified Agreement. Promotion of a creative, flexible and productive working environment, which enhances the quality of AFC service to clients, is a key corporate objective.
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
The AFC has a commitment to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety at work of its employees and will, as far as possible, protect the health and safety of its contractors and the general public. In connection with this, an ergonomic assessment of the Sydney and Melbourne offices was conducted during the year. The assessment found that accommodation and equipment met Australian Standards. It was recommended that some items be updated and arrangements are in place to progressively replace these items.
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The AFC's Corporate Plan was approved by the Minister in 2000/01.
Access and equity data sheets are used to collect information from applicants for AFC funding. In 2000/01 the AFC's Industry and Cultural Development, Film Development, Indigenous and Marketing programs received 1,181 applications from individuals for project funding; 788 projects (with 1,445 individuals attached) provided access and equity data. This represented 67 per cent of applications received from individuals. The full applicant breakdown can be found in Appendix 5.
Indemnity and Insurance Premiums
The AFC's Comcover premium covers the normal general and property risks as well as directors' and officers' liability.
The AFC provides bank loan guarantees and underwriting as a form of assistance. The underwritten projects are included within project commitments in the Schedule of Commitments and the guarantees are included in the Schedule of Contingencies.
The AFC conducted a risk assessment during 2000/01 with the assistance of external consultants. This will result in a formal Fraud Control Plan and Risk Management Plan being finalised in early 2001/02.
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Network Systems and Applications
A frame relay link between the Sydney and Melbourne offices was established in January 2000. This provided dedicated access between the two offices for a number of key network-based applications and databases, allowing also for the reduction of duplication of systems and data across the two sites. The link has also provided the basis for further consolidation of data and processes as new workflows and systems are introduced.
Network security at the AFC was strengthened with the introduction of Firewall technology between the AFC's internal network and the Internet. An unlimited power supply was also introduced to provide backup power to key systems.
Software auditing and computer asset tracking software was installed on all AFC computers allowing for the centralised monitoring of AFC computer hardware and installed software.
Desktop Computer and Printer Upgrades
The AFC began a two-year project to upgrade its desktop systems with a base system being the entry-level Macintosh iMac computer. Printers in the AFC were also upgraded. The desktop computer upgrade project is planned to continue in the 2001/02 financial year.
Telecommunications
This financial year the AFC undertook a project to consolidate and upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure. The project included replacing the existing PABX systems in both the Sydney and Melbourne offices, improving Internet access and obtaining better telephone pricing for local and long distance calls. Cable and Wireless Optus were selected to provide the whole telecommunications solution for the AFC. The solution included the following:
Although introduced earlier through Cable and Wireless Optus, the Frame relay link between the AFC's Sydney and Melbourne offices was also included within the project.
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Page last updated 31 October 2001
© Australian Film Commission 2000
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