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South West Screen E-Bulletin #134

20 December 2007

contents: news; opportunities; cluster groups; training; screenings/events/exhibitions;

 

Merry Christmas from South West Screen

Everyone at South West Screen would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Our e-bulletin will be back on 10 January 2008.

 

news

 

Finance Manager role at South West Screen
Deadline: 12 noon, 21 January 2008
South West Screen is looking to appoint an outstanding and dynamic individual to its team. Working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations the Finance Manager will ensure the smooth running of South West Screen's finance functions. It is expected that the ideal candidate will have the relevant accounting qualifications and at least 2 years experience of working in a similar role. First interviews will be held w/c 21 January 2008 in Bristol. Please click here to download an application pack.

 

Film: The Digital Future a success
Our one day film conference looking at the current and future climate of film took place on Tuesday 11 December at Watershed in Bristol. Speakers from film companies including legendary horror producer Hammer and animation powerhouse Aardman attended to discuss how best to embrace and exploit the ongoing digital developments within the production, distribution, exhibition and marketing sectors of the film industry. We will soon be releasing audio from the conference sessions via our South West Screen podcast and you can also read a write-up of the day on Lucy Hay of Bang2Write's blog.

 

Digital Shorts 07/08 commissions
South West Screen is delighted to announce eight short films which have been commissioned through our Digital Shorts scheme 07/08. See below for a list of the projects and filmmakers;

Development awards were also made to Matthew Nesbeth (in association with Creative Partnerships and Calling the Shots) and to Dan Gale, Joe Wood and Stephen Whittle (in association with Aardman Animations).

 

Encounters Animation Symposium - podcast now available
The next installment of our podcast is now available- hear Henry LaBounta (Director of Art at Electronic Arts Games) deliver the keynote presentation at Encounters Short Film Festival's Animation Talent Symposium. Henry discusses trends in online gaming, emerging international markets, mobile gaming and user generated content. To subscribe, click here.

 

Available Light win Grierson Award
Bristol based production company Available Light has won the prize for the most entertaining documentary at this year's British documentary awards. During a star-studded night at Savoy Place in central London, Ray Gosling OAP beat off tough competition from Alan Sugar's The Apprentice to collect the Jonathan Gili Award For Most Entertaining Documentary from the prestigious Grierson Trust. The documentary is the final part of a trilogy of films following the life and times of broadcaster Ray Gosling. Amanda Reilly and David Parker's film follows Ray as he sells up and settles his debts, capturing his relief, regret and anxiety about the future.

 

opportunities

 

Deadline for Scripted Notion is approaching
Deadline: 7 January 2008
There's still time left to apply for Scripted Notion, UK Film Council and South West Screen's 'Digital Shorts Plus' scheme this year run in partnership with Picture This. We're looking for short, scripted moving image project ideas which push the boundaries of narrative story telling. Please click here for more information and to download an application pack.

 

Apply to the TOR Development Programme
Deadline: 12 noon, 21 January 2008
TOR is a six month development programme for teams made up of a creative professional working in digital media and one or two young people. TOR treats young people as equal partners, creating space for discussion, reflection and exploration between them and the adults they work with. Each team has the opportunity to develop and manage their own digital media project (such as a short film, a script, a film club, an event, a website) supported by a coach/ facilitator. You do not need to have an idea for your project when you apply. To find out more click here.

 

Are you attending the Realscreen Summit?
22-24 January 2008
South West Screen, in association with Five, UKT&I and Silverdocs are holding a networking drinks event at the Realscreen Summit on 23 January at the Henley Park Hotel from 17.00 - 18.30 hours. All the major US commissioners will be invited. If you are attending the summit and would like to come to the event please email Hannah Green. South West Screen is also offering bursaries of up to £650 to attend Realscreen. Deadline for applications is 7 January 2008 - click here for full details.

 

New Cohort Company Development Programme
South West Screen, in association with the Film Business Academy, CASS, City University, is launching a new Company Development Programme aimed at film producers and film and television companies in the South West region. The Programme consists of three 2-day courses aimed at developing and expanding key business and strategic skills for companies in the region. It will run from February 2008 to October 2008 (with specific dates to be confirmed after consultation with accepted participants). To register your interest and to request an application form, please contact Sarah-Jane Meredith.

 

A Pitch in Time - Win a FREE ticket to the International Screenwriters' Festival 2008
Deadline: 29 February 2008
The Screenwriters' Festival '08, in association with 4Talent, have just launched their live pitching competition. Like last year, the ten best pitches will be selected to receive a free ticket to the three day Festival in July 2008. As well as the opportunity to network and enjoy the festival, the ten finalists will then get pitching advice from agent Julian Friedmann and the chance to pitch their script idea to our panel of industry experts and a live audience. Out of the ten live pitches, three writers will be chosen as outright winners and will get a meeting with executives at Channel 4/Film4/4Talent to discuss their ideas and will receive a bag of goodies. Please click here for all the entry information, rules, terms and conditions.'

 

Propeller TV launches Avid 60 second film competition
Deadline: 14 March 2008
Propeller TV are offering you a chance to win one of three sets of Avid pro software - all you have to do is make a one minute film. Entries must be no longer than 60 seconds long (excluding titles and credits). All genres will be accepted. To find out more visit Propeller TV's website.

 

Appledore Visual Arts Festival - Call for Film Shorts
Deadline: 15 February 2008
Appledore Arts invites film makers to submit shorts for screening at the 11th Appledore Visual Arts Festival. Content must be appropriate for a wide audience of all ages. Films can be submitted for the following categories: 'Earth' - 2008 festival theme; films produced by young people aged 11 - 21; films produced by South West based filmmakers; films on the theme of Ceramics and Ceramic Artists. There will also be an open category. For full submission details see their website.

 

Assistant Production Coordinator Training Scheme
Deadline: 7 January 2008
Are you looking to transfer your skills to a fulfilling career in the UK film industry? If you have high-level administration skills from working as a corporate PA, events manager, import/export agent or similar or have worked as a production office runner, you should consider applying for this unique scheme offered by the Production Guild. Funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund and the UK feature film industry, this is a new entrants programme designed to identify and develop new talent. Four trainees will be selected to undertake a programme of short courses, attachments to feature films and assessment against the Skillset National Occupational Standards in production over a ten-month period. Formal training will commence on 25 February 2008 and will be based at Pinewood Film Studios. Successful candidates will receive a tax-free training allowance of £300 per week and financial support will be available to assist with travel, child or dependent care costs. The application pack is available from their website.

 

Create a Film4 Mash-Up or Widget and Win £1500
Deadline: 10 January 2008
Platform 4 is keen to discover creative talent wherever it is emerging and consequently they are offering £1500 to the most creative mash-up of Channel 4's Film4 RSS feeds. Two runners up will also get £250. All mash-ups will be judged by a panel of experts on the following areas: creativity, quality, usability and 'Channel 4-ness'. To find out more please click here.

 

Get your 60 Seconds of Fame
Deadline: 4 January 2008
'60 Seconds of Fame' was originally launched by BAFTA and Orange in 2006 and attracted more than 250 entries. This year, budding filmmakers are invited to submit a 60 second short film, based on the theme 'unite'. BAFTA juries will choose the shortlisted films in each of the 15 UK regions and the public will vote for their favourite film in their area. The winner from each region will win two tickets to the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 10 February, 2008. The overall winner will be chosen by a BAFTA jury and announced at the ceremony. The winning film will feature as part of the BBC One broadcast of the event. More details can be found here.

 

City in Motion short film competition
Deadline: 16 May 2008
The City of London Short Film Festival is now inviting entries for its student short film competition City in Motion. Two prizes of £2000 will be awarded and six films will also be selected to be screened at the Barbican cinemas as part of the City of London Film Festival 2008. The theme for this year's competition is 'railways'. To enter, you must be a student in the UK and age 16 or over. Full details can be found here.

 

cluster groups

 

Bristol Media: Show and Tell
14 January 2008 - 6.30pm at The Picture House, Bristol
By popular demand the chaps from Quad Logic and Al Mooney from Apple are back. This is a more in depth repeat of the Bristol Media event held in November. It really is a must for anyone involved in the production process, particularly those working in post production. Al will give an entertaining and informative presentation about Final Cut Server, updates on Apple Pro video andFinal Cut Pro and Final Cut Studio 2.

 

PM-P: Meet the Commissioner
21 January 2008 - 12.30pm at Copthorne Hotel, Plymouth
Dominique Walker, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor for Factual Entertainment, will attend this Plymouth Media Partnership event to talk about Channel 4 schedules, target audiences, current commissioning requirements and commissioning procedures. After the main presentation there will also be an opportunity for a limited number of ten minute one to one meetings for producers with broadcast track records on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to register a place at this event please contact the PM-P office on: 01752 346530 or email PM-P.

 

training

 

GMG: Building a Referral-based business
15 Jan 2008 - 9.30am to 4.30pm at Cheltenham Film Studios
Why don't most business owners get the referral business they deserve? What skills are missing that can easily be learned to change this? Asking for referrals can be difficult especially if you don't know what to say or when and how to bring it up. But if you have done a great job and you know your client is satisfied with your work, asking for a referral can bring you more business than you could have ever imagined. Creative industries are dominated by word-to mouth so it's time to overcome your referral aversion and learn how to become more comfortable when asking for them. This course run by Gloucestershire Media Group will teach you what to say in which situation, what areas to address, strategies to get you more referrals year-round without asking and much more. Matt Anderson from the referral authority in the US, an expert on how to grow your business through referrals, will lead this course sharing his wealth of business knowledge with creatives around the region. Course cost: £47 per person (incl. lunch). Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis - click here to book.

 

Developing your film festival
23 - 24 January 2008 at W5 @ Odyssey, Belfast
This two-day event run by the Independent Cinema Office has been developed especially for film festivals of all sizes from all over the UK. The course will comprise a choice of introductory and advanced level workshops, presentations from a wide range of specialists in the field, and practical sessions for discussion and ideas-sharing. It will also include invaluable networking opportunities on a national scale. Sessions will include: marketing and audience development, e-marketing, sustainable development and strategic planning, building creative business partnerships and sharing practice and creative ideas. The price for this course is £130 + VAT (£152.75). This includes lunch on both days, refreshments and networking drinks. Details of how to book can be found here.

 

Programming Cultural Cinema
4 February - 2 June 2008, distance learning
Deadline: 4 January 2008
Presented by the Independent Cinema Office, in association with the BFI, this course offers an opportunity for people interested in cultural cinema exhibition and those working in this field who want to enhance their skills, develop their knowledge and increase their understanding. Tutors, seminar speakers and course contributors include a wide range of professionals working in film exhibition, distribution and related areas. This is a distance learning course involving online group discussions and assignments with tutor feedback by email, making it ideal for people from across the UK with work or other commitments. There will be a two-day seminar at BFI Southbank and students will be provided with a package of print and audio material and will also have access to a password-controlled virtual learning environment. The course costs £650 (£553.19 + VAT). A small number of bursaries towards the fees are available for people whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from participating in this course. For further information, click here.

 

Exploring Artists' Moving Image
Starting 11 February 2008 at The Light Studio, Arnolfini, Bristol
Artists have been exploring the potential of the moving image since the Surrealists provocative film experiments. This introductory course, run by Arnolfini, Picture This and the University of Bristol, highlights the key ideas and approaches that have emerged over a century of film and video art. Participants will examine thematic and historical aspects, focusing on significant artists and films, from early pioneers to contemporary practitioners. Classes will include clips, screenings of rare films and visits to view contemporary work at Arnolfini and Picture This Atelier. The course will be lead by Lucy Reynolds, a writer, lecturer and curator, who works for Luxonline, and will take place over 6 evening meetings from 7-9pm starting 11 February 2008. Attendance costs £60. To book call Isobel Pierce on 0117 9545471 or email Bristol University.

 

screenings/events/exhibitions

 

See The Savages for free in Poole
22 January 2008 - 8.20pm at Lighthouse, Poole
We have some free tickets available for this BAFTA and South West Screen screening of The Savages directed by Tamara Jenkins and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. A sister (Linney) and brother (Hoffman) face the realities of familial responsibility as they begin to care for their ailing father. To request tickets please e-mail us giving us your name and contact details with 'Savages' in the subject line. Tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

 

Book now for Crossing The Void
29 January 2008 - 10am - 6pm at Watershed, Bristol
'Crossing the Void' will explore the changing commissioning landscape by bringing TV and new media indies together to discuss collaborative opportunities. Meet broadcast commissioners, hear case studies of the highs and lows of delivering successful cross-platform products and have the chance to pitch your ideas to industry experts. Places cost £50 including lunch - to book contact Watershed Box Office on 0117 927 5100. Please note bookings can only be made over the phone by credit card. Crossing the Void is supported by South West Screen and The Creative Technology Network, with Just-b. Productions. Full details available here.

 

Access to Media Finance: How to make a brilliant digital idea investment ready
6 March 2008 at Watershed, Bristol
Digital Media is laden with potential, but how do you transform an idea into a phenomenal success? Access to Media Finance will present the commercial strengths of the digital media sector to investors, and inspire and inform companies on how to access investment finance. Featuring inspirational keynote speakers from both camps, the event will include panel sessions looking at the value of digital media and chaired workshops where investors can assess the shape of the market and its opportunities, while digital media companies will focus on what investors want and how to present it to them. Places cost £50 including lunch, and will be on sale soon. Click here for more information. If you would like to express an interest in taking part as a panel or workshop member, or you would like to receive more information about the event please contact Sas Bonser at South West Screen on 0117 952 9977.

 

Club Flix pitching event
19 January 2008 - 1pm to 4pm at Invention Studios, Bath
Deadline: 5 January 2008
Calling all short filmmakers - do you have an idea for a short film? Club Flix are running a film pitching event which is open to all young people aged between 13 and 21 living in the South West. There are two bursaries up for grabs which include £100 for production costs and a further £150 of equipment hire. Pitches will be judged by a panel of industry professionals. The winning two films will be screened at the Club Flix Your Screen event on 21 February 2008. To download an entry form please visit the Club Flix website. The deadline for all applications is 5 January 2008.

 


Next e-bulletin: 10 January 2008
Deadline for submissions: 8 January 2008