Alliances scheme

South West Screen's belief that seed-corn funding can have a huge impact led to the introduction of Alliances funding - supporting collaborative ideas for content production and innovative uses of technology. A total investment of £164,000 into 21 new projects, from web TV and video for mobiles, to social networks and multimedia performance, has already yielded additional revenues running into millions.

Ammonite with Big Squid and Simon Sleath used Alliance funding to complete a 10 minute pilot for a unique and innovative natural history series aimed at a family audience. A specially designed camera rig produces high definition images of the insect world, and the team then matte human characteristics onto the creatures, really bringing them to life. The series is factual as well as fun, and following very positive meetings, the alliance has secured a commission from the BBC worth over £600,000.

Martin Dohrn of Ammonite says

'It's my view that none of this would have happened without the promo that we made with South West Screen's help: the investment started the ball rolling and gave other people confidence in the idea.'