South West Screen E-Bulletin #137

7 February 2008

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

news

Upstaged underway
BBC Three's new entertainment show is now underway and you can watch the competing acts live in Bristol's Millennium Square every day from 4pm or on the website bbc.co.uk/upstaged. In a twist from other shows, who goes in and who goes out - and ultimately who wins - is entirely in the hands of the online community. By visiting bbc.co.uk/upstaged, you can find out more about this unique new show, see videos of the latest action, vote for contenders or enter yourself as a contestant. Upstaged is produced by Initial West, part of Endemol UK.

South West Talent in Berlin
South West Screen is supporting nine talented writers, directors and producers from the region to attend the Berlin Film Festival this week. Tom Williams, Michael Wright, Marc Jobst and Abigail Davies, Tony Coll, Ivan and Benedict Smith and Claire Fowler all have feature film projects in development and David Pearce's film Footprints is being shown at the festival. They will meet with international producers at a networking event organised by South West Screen on Friday 8 February.

Second podcast from Film: The Digital Future now available
The second in a series of Podcasts from our 'Film: The Digital Future' event, which took place in December, is now available. Hear Grace Carley (All Industry Marketing) and Teun Hilte (Content Republic) discuss digital marketing - how are the established methods of film promotion affected by the increasing number of digital platforms? To subscribe click here.

Wildscreen launches e-museum
Wildlife TV presenter Nick Baker will be in Bristol on Tuesday 26 February to launch an e-museum celebrating the pioneering people, technological revolutions and landmark productions behind one of the world's most popular forms of factual film and television. The latest initiative by Wildscreen, WildFilmHistory is an e-museum celebrating the history of wildlife film-making and is packed with films, photos, texts and interviews by, or about, wildlife film industry pioneers and milestone productions. The WildFilmHistory launch event will take place at Watershed, Bristol on 26 February. Contributors, industry celebrities and supporters will join members of the public for an entertaining presentation offering insights into the hidden treasures of the collection, and how they interconnect. Tickets for the launch are on sale now, priced £3.50 from the box office at Watershed - 0117 927 5100.

Animated Exeter coming soon
11 - 23 February 2008
Bringing the best of world animation to audiences in Exeter, Animated Exeter showcases and encourages the wealth of creative talent in the region, both amateur and professional. This year, the festival features over 140 different films, 50 workshops and a programme of special exhibitions and free events for all to enjoy. For all the information on what's on, take a look at their website.

opportunities

Just a few days left to apply for our Company Development Programme
Deadline: 11 February 2008
South West Screen, in association with the Film Business Academy, CASS, City University, has launched a new Company Development Programme aimed at film producers and film and television companies in the South West. 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). More information can be found here.

Phoenix Media Bursaries
Deadline: 29 February 2008
Phoenix Media has just launched their 2008 Production Bursary Scheme. They are offering a short film bursary aimed at filmmakers with exciting original ideas, and a digital media bursary which aims to develop multimedia production skills and to encourage local practice in creative digital arts that use or subvert new technologies. See the Phoenix Media website for more information.

Events and Film Licensing Support Officer
Deadline: 20 February 2008
Do you have an interest in filming, arts festivals and public events? Do you relish working in a busy environment to tight deadlines? Are you friendly, extremely well organised, a confident communicator and able to prioritise? Bristol City Council's Arts, Festivals and Events Service need an experienced administrator with excellent organisational skills to handle licence applications. For further information and an application pack click here.

Bristol Office space available
Wild Fire Productions has desk space to rent in their loft-style, open-plan workshop in Paintworks, Bristol, situated between ITV and Temple Meads. Easy access, City Car Club, train, bus, bike, Boca Bar, buzzy atmosphere and event space. Average rent - would suit happy, creative types. To find out more call Lee Cox 07977 265 355 / 0117 9713432

ShortFest wants you
Deadline: 14 February 2008
Propeller TV, broadcast on Sky 195, is looking for new talent. The TV channel is calling for filmmakers to be part of a new 5-day televised short film festival this March 2008. The not-for-profit channel, set up to support those trying to establish themselves in the industry, has launched its first film festival to find out what makes a great short and to celebrate the people involved in bringing short films to the screen. Propeller is encouraging viewers to stay at home each evening between 27-31 March to find out who the panel of ShortFest judges consider to be the most original and exciting new filmmakers working in the genre. Filmmakers from anywhere in the world can send in short films for ShortFest - full details can be found here.

Creative Economy Development Manager
Deadline: 19 February 2008
Culture South West is seeking to appoint a Creative Economy Development Manager for 21 months (fixed term contract). This strategic role is to develop the work of the newly established South West Creative Economy Partnership (SW-CEP) and contribute to the National Creative Economy Strategy in the region. Reporting to the Chair of the SW-CEP, the post is funded by the South West Regional Development Agency, Arts Council England, South West, and Culture South West, with office location in Exeter. For further details please contact Laura Thwaite, 01392 229587.

Join the eShed steering group
eShed.net, the website for a club for young people interested in watching and creating film, music and other forms of media, are looking for new Steering group members and Ambassadors to join the team this year. Steering group members help shape the future of eShed. To be a Steering group member you must be able to attend a weekly meeting and be aged 16-25. Ambassadors promote eShed.net and Shedloads events in their school and to other young people. To be an Ambassador you must be able to come to a monthly meeting and be aged 14-21. Interested? Email eShed.

straight 8's 2008 event - call for entries
Filmmakers everywhere are invited to rise to straight 8's challenge - shoot a short film on a single cartridge of super 8. straight 8 send you the cartridge and take care of processing - all you have to do is shoot your film, editing only in-camera and return it with your original soundtrack. The best films then get screened at a packed straight 8 screening. This year, four straight 8 films will also be selected to be screened in Channel 4's 3 Minute Wonder Slot during Cannes in May. Find out more here.

Animate IT! 2008
Deadline: 4 April 2008
Curtis Jobling, designer of Bob the Builder, has teamed up with independent educational software developer Kudlian Soft and Film Street the website from First Light Movies, to launch a fantastic new competition for children. Animate IT! 2008 challenges keen young animators to design their own 3D character for an animated, claymation film. The competition is open to children aged 12 and under with both school and individual categories with two winners being chosen from each category. The two individual winners will receive an iMage webcam and a copy of either Kudlian Soft's I Can Animate or Stop Motion Pro. The two winners from the school category will win six iMage webcams and a school site licence for I Can Animate or Stop Motion Pro each. The animation software will enable the creators of the best designs to make a mini animated movie starring their very own 3D character. Competition rules, full entry details and claymation and character hints and tips from Curtis can be found on the Film Street website.

cluster groups

PMP: Dungeons and Dragons Den
15 February 2008 - 11.45 - 1pm at Exeter Picture House
This Plymouth Media Partnership event will provide a chance to pitch game ideas to a panel of industry experts who will give their critique of each idea. Entries are welcome from anyone who has designed a game using a variety of hardware & software and for use on any platform such as online, computer/console, mobile, multi-platform or any digital entertainment system. Attendees will get advice on a wide spectrum of media, from animation to coding and from sound to project management. Delegates and students who want to pitch an idea must submit an application to PM-P prior to the event - outlining the idea, target audience and anticipated production budget. This event is free to Plymouth Media-Partnership members - click here for more details.

GMG Show and Tell - Pecha Kucha night
27 February 2008 - 7.30pm, Cheltenham
After the success of the GMG Pecha Kucha night back in Nov 06 it's time for another. Pecha Kucha was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. GMG members are needed to take to the mike for 5 minutes each to show and sell their wares to members of the Chartered Institute of Marketing who are always seeking new creatives to work with. Pecha Kucha (which is Japanese for the sound of conversation) is a perfect avenue to explore the vast GMG Talent Pool, get to know one another better, network and skillswap.... bring your business cards! E-mail Emma to reserve your place.

training

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 six evening meetings from 7-9pm starting 11 February 2008. Attendance costs £60. To book call Isobel Pierce on 0117 9545471 or email Bristol University.

Acting Masterclasses
Dates from 16 February 2008, Bristol
Jesse Malone of Mcgann-Malone presents two intensive acting workshops. The first, 'The Shining Masterclass' takes place on 16 February and focuses on overcoming obstacles that hold you back and learning new techniques and a new approach to thinking about yourself. The masterclass will also give you valuable exercises in acting technique and all the tools you need to break into the industry and work at your craft. Attendance costs £42. The second is a progressive acting masterclass introducing the Sanford Meisner method of acting which encourages actors to take an organised approach to the creation of real and truthful behaviour within the imaginary circumstances of theatre and film. Attendance on this masterclass costs £88. To find out more please email Jesse Malone.

Specialised Marketing for Exhibitors - bursaries available
28 February 2008 - Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Booking Deadline: 13 February 2008
An essential training event developed especially for independent cinemas, film festivals, mixed arts venues, film societies and arts development officers from all over the UK who are interested in the techniques required for developing audiences for specialised film. This course, run by the Independent Cinema Office, will be taught by a range of marketing specialists who will show you how to make best use of your brochure, your website, your e-mail list and social networking sites at little expense in order to raise your organisation's profile and attract audiences to your screenings. Attendance costs £90 + VAT (£105.75), including lunch, refreshments and networking drinks. Seven bursary places covering fees and up to £120 towards travel and accommodation are available for this course for exhibitors from the South West, thanks to South West Screen, supported by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council and South West Screen's Regional Investment Fund for England. These places will be distributed to established exhibitors through the ICO on a first come-first served basis, one per organisation. To apply, please email Tilly Walnes, explaining the nature of your organisation and estimating travel and any accommodation costs required.

Day schools on Film Noir
1 and 15 March 2008 - 10am to 5pm, Bristol
This first of these two linked University of Bristol day schools, Light and Shadow: Classic Film Noir, will examine the classic period of film noir, from The Maltese Falcon (1941) to Touch of Evil (1957). Context, origins, visual style, narrative strategies and themes, and gender representation will all be discussed, illustrated by film clips. The second day, Retro Remakes and Contemporary Takes, will explore the continuing fascination of filmmakers with film noir, looking at the key nexus of sex and money, greed and corruption - as central now as ever. Attendees will consider the impact of colour and new technologies on noir, look at changing gender representations and discuss notions of parody, pastiche and homage. Attendance costs £35 per day. To book a place please on either or both days, please contact Isobel on 0117 9545471 or email Bristol University.

Want to Series Produce? Get fast tracked with DV Talent
Application deadline: Friday 14 March 2008
Heavily subsidised by Skillset, the Fast Track is a pioneering training scheme aimed at experienced freelance programme-makers. Taught by some of the most influential SPs and Execs of recent years, this intensive hands-on course will give you all the creative, editorial and managerial skills needed to series produce with confidence. South West Screen is supporting the scheme which will enable individuals/companies from the South West to participate at the reduced cost of £600 per applicant (full cost £1,200). Successful applicants will have strong track records in factual, factual entertainment or current affairs - and will have the express backing of a production company or broadcaster. For more information and to download an application form visit DV Talent's website or contact DV Talent on 0207 267 2300.

Intensive Diploma in Documentary Filmmaking
17 March - 12 April 2008, London
Documentary Filmmaking Group's one-month Diploma in Documentary Filmmaking is back. This Diploma gives you the technical and practical skills necessary to fast-track your way into this highly competitive industry and become a broadcast documentary filmmaker. The Diploma is taught by practicing broadcast professionals - ensuring that you get up-to-the-minute information and your training is relevant to the way the industry works now. By the end of the course, you will be a confident self-shooter and will have directed and edited two short documentaries. You will also learn how to write, research and pitch commission-winning proposals, and gain the skills necessary to get ahead. Attendance costs £2700 + VAT (Freelance); £5000 + VAT (Corporate rate. Places are limited, so to book your place on the course telephone DFG on 020 7249 6600 or email DFG. To find out more about the Diploma click here.

screenings/events/exhibitions

Animate and Educate
Friday 15 February, 10am - 4.30pm, Exeter Picture House
This exciting industry and education conference run by Animated Exeter is aimed at industry professionals from animators to businesses who use animation technologies, educators, graduates and students of animation. The event will explore the latest proposals and hottest practices in the crossover between educators, industry and students around digital animation skills and career development. Individual session tickets cost £10 (£8) or you can purchase a special conference ticket at £30 (includes 3 sessions, lunch, Best of the West screening, Awards reception). Call the box office on 08717 042057 to book. Full details are available here.

Tickets now on sale for Access to Media Finance
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. Tickets cost £50 including lunch, and are on sale now from Watershed box office (0117 9275100). Click here for more information.

Birds Eye View Film Festival
6 - 14 March, ICA and BFI Southbank, London
Birds Eye View is a creative platform for women filmmakers - this year's festival will be showcasing a programme of innovative and inspirational shorts, features and documentaries from women all over the world. The 2008 festival programme also includes a range of workshops and masterclasses, and some special events including a 'Fashion in Film' discussion, a Shooting People short film challenge and 'Artprojx present Opera', a screening of a selection of films by contemporary artists who have utilised, investigated and celebrated opera and contemporary classical music. See their website for full programme details.

Next e-bulletin: 21 February 2008
Deadline for submissions: 19 February 2008