CRAFT SERVICES, an innovative network and support system for new and emerging screenwriters and directors from across the world, has appointed Melbourne-based producer Carmen Knox as its Director, ANZ.
Craft Services was originally founded during the pandemic by Emmy-nominated producer Nicholas Weinstock (the Los Angeles-based producer who developed movies including GET HIM TO THE GREEK and BRIDESMAIDS and television series including ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA and SEVERANCE) in order to provide resources and information about the film and TV business to new and emerging writers far from Hollywood. The service has grown rapidly from there, and Craft Services is now an active online talent network that includes more than 300 members across Europe, North America, Africa, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, and more.
In the newly created role, Knox will report to Weinstock and be responsible for the platform’s expansion into the ANZ region. She will be looking to bring onboard any and all local writers and writer-directors who are eager for information on, relationships with, and/or greater exposure to Hollywood and the worldwide entertainment industry – regardless of their previous professional experience or connections in the business.
“Carmen is one of the smartest, savviest, most creative and kindest producers I know,” Weinstock said. “I’m hugely excited that she’s going to be helping Craft Services reach more and more deserving talent throughout Australia and New Zealand as we seek to support promising writers of the future and help them jump-start their screenwriting careers.” Knox adds, “I’m thrilled to help bring Craft Services to Australian and New Zealand talent. To be able to offer enduring industry support and current global industry know-how to emerging writers and directors is a moral lifeline for our creative community, particularly those in isolated environments. I look forward to working with Nicky and the team to find, connect and elevate new voices in the region.”
CRAFT SERVICES BACKGROUND Free of cost, welcoming of diversity, and undaunted by geography, Craft Services is devoted to building the kind of global on-ramp into the creative entertainment business that – in the L.A.-centric ways of traditional Hollywood – has never existed before. Member services include weekly writer’s workshops, bi-weekly Zooms of consultation with founder Nicholas Weinstock, bi-monthly Zooms with industry expert guest speakers, access to a 24/7 online member forum, and the opportunity to submit scripts and screenplays bi-annually for feedback, exposure to representation and producing consideration for Weinstock’s Invention Studios.
Members are selected based on their skills and ambitions and regardless of their location, education, or level of familiarity with the industry. To apply, please visit: https://www.craftservicesnetwork.com/register/
Craft Services Website: www.craftservicesnetwork.com
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
NICHOLAS WEINSTOCK is a producer in Los Angeles as well as a former writing teacher, journalist, communications executive, and book author. He is the head of Invention Studios, a creative production company in Los Angeles developing dozens of television series and movies for studios, networks, and streaming platforms across Hollywood and around the world. Formerly the creative head of Apatow Productions, Senior Vice President at Chernin Entertainment, and the head of Red Hour Films, Weinstock has developed and produced hit movies including Get Him to the Greek, Bridesmaids and Alex Strangelove and acclaimed series including Escape at Dannemora (nominated for 12 Emmy Awards) and Severance (nominated for 14 Emmy Awards). Weinstock attended college at Harvard University and the University of Nairobi; went to graduate school at the University of Botswana and the University of Cape Town; has lived in France, Italy, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa; and currently produces shows and films across the globe.
CARMEN KNOX BIO
Carmen Knox is an Australian producer and screen entrepreneur based in Melbourne. With over a decade of experience in scripted development and literary management internationally, Carmen has consulted extensively in the Australian sector, with past clients including the Australian Writers’ Guild and major universities. Most recently, Carmen managed a boutique roster of Australian and Canadian writers under her independent label, CK Artists. In 2019, Carmen co-founded In Dreams, Australia’s first talent discovery platform designed to connect underrepresented voices to global industry practitioners. Previously, Carmen was based in Los Angeles, where she helped launch and build the independent television studio Insurrection Media. Carmen drove the growth and success of the company’s scripted video programming by managing a development slate which included Gary Fleder’s TINY PRETTY THINGS for Netflix, DEAD GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY for Snapchat, Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer’s DRIVE SHARE for Verizon/Go90, and Mason Novick’s LIBERTY CROSSING for Complex Networks. During this time, Carmen also managed the studio’s strategic partnership with HarperCollins Publishers, developing an eye for IP through identifying multiple book properties for successful series adaptation. Carmen received a Bachelor of Business/Arts (Management) from Monash University and completed an international exchange program at Queens University, Canada.
