South West Screen E-Bulletin #157

13 November 2008

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

news

Ever wish you had a London base without the associated cost and hassle?
Whether you need office space for a couple of hours, a day, or on a regular basis, South West Screen can help with our new service which gives companies from the region access to fantastic office space in Soho with total flexibility and ease. For full information click here.

14th Encounters almost upon us
Showcasing over 300 international short films and animation, the 14th Encounters Short Film Festival kicks off on Tuesday next week bringing six days of screenings, special events, workshops, masterclasses and parties to Bristol's Watershed and Arnolfini.
For full programme information and to book tickets visit the festival website.

The View From Here - podcast available
You can now listen to the views of key industry figures including Pat Loughrey - Director of Nations and Regions at BBC, Stuart Cosgrove - Director of Nations and Regions at Channel 4 and Michael Jermey - Director of ITV Regions speaking at The View From Here, a South West Screen/Ofcom/SWRDA event held in October exploring the key issues raised in the second phase of Ofcom's recently published review on the future of PSB. Subscribe to the podcast or listen here.

Minister for South West opens MediaLab Digital Innovation Centre
Award-winning multimedia production company HMC Interactive, part of Twofour, has announced the launch of MediaLab, a centre for digital innovation and creation designed to entertain, promote and inspire. Convergent media is a key focus for MediaLab with different media technologies, experiences and platforms brought together under one roof. It was officially opened by Minister for the South West Ben Bradshaw on Monday 10 November at Twofour's studio in Plymouth. MediaLab will showcase some of HMC Interactive's ground-breaking convergent technologies including augmented reality, incision technology and shadow tracking. Korash Sanjideh, Managing Director, HMC Interactive, said: 'MediaLab will allow us to engage with current and potential clients on a whole new level. We will also be inviting researchers, artists, engineers and other cross-discipline professionals to work with us in the space - to exhibit, test and create. It has unlimited potential.'

Testimony Films nominated for a Grierson
What Did You Do In The Great War, Daddy? produced by Steve Humphries for Testimony Films has been shortlisted in the Best Historical Documentary Category for a Grierson Award. The film tells the tragic story of the greatest loss of fathers in British history. When the nation was called to arms in the patriotic fervour of 1914 it was difficult to imagine that, four years later, half-a-million children would have lost their fathers in battle. The impact of their deaths was devastating and never forgotten by their sons and daughters. Now in their nineties, they go on an emotional journey to remember their lost fathers, culminating in a visit to their graves in France. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 20 November 2008 at The Royal Institution, London.

TOR publication
South West Screen and RiO have recently produced a publication and DVD profiling the projects produced under this year's TOR scheme. To order a copy contact South West Screen or to view a pdf click here.

More success for Omni as Dog Years makes short film history
Bristol-based Omni's first successful short film Dog Years has been selected as one of 20 shorts showcased in the BFI's definitive Guide to Britain's film and TV history. According to the BFI 'Many of our major directors have launched their careers with short films - Ridley Scott with Boy and Bicycle (1965), Ken Russell with Amelia and the Angel (1958), Lynne Ramsey with Gasman (1997) and Shane Meadows with Where's the Money Ronnie! (1995)'. Let's hope inclusion in this collection bodes well for Omni's future success. Click here to view the BFI's Definitive Guide to Britain's Film and TV Industry.

See Omni's latest film on the big or small screen
You can see Omni's latest film on both the big and small screen next week. Winner of this year's TCM Classic Shorts competition at the BFI London Film Festival, Leaving which was shot in Bristol, directed by Richard Penfold and Sam Hearn and produced by Rachel Drummond-Hay will be shown on digital channel TCM UK on Saturday 15 Nov following the 9pm film and it is also screening at Encounters in the Best of British: Made in the South West programme on Tuesday 18 November 20.30 Watershed Cinema 3, Thursday 20 November 10.15 Watershed Cinema 1, and Saturday 22 November 14.45 Watershed Cinema 1 £6 (concessions £4.50). For more information on Encounters, visit the website.

Last chance to help decide the winner of the DepicT! '08 Audience Award
The twelve films shortlisted for DepicT! '08 are now screening online. These mini-movies were chosen from over 350 submissions from 33 countries, and we feel this selection brilliantly exemplifies the broad range of possibilities within the 90 second format. Once again, you can have your say on the films on the shortlist and help to decide the winner of the Shooting People DepicT! Audience Award which will be announced at Encounters on Sat 22 Nov. After you've watched each of them on the DepicT! website please take a moment to rate each one out of five stars - the film with the highest public rating will win. You can also leave your comments and read what others have to say. Voting is open through Fri 21 Nov.

Engine Room win Talk Talk Innovation in the Community Award
A TalkTalk Innovation in the Community Award of £2000 was awarded to The Engine Room, Bridgwater at a ceremony in the House of Lords on 5 November for the work the organisation does in providing a free community resource through its drop-in sessions. The grant will contribute to their continuation and the Engine Room's ongoing support to disability training. Public access sessions run on Tuesdays 2-9pm, Thursdays 10-4pm and Saturdays 10-2pm at The Engine Room. Use of equipment and tuition is entirely free of charge to those who want to learn more about film-making or digital media.

BIFA nominees announced
This year's nominees for the British Independent Film Awards have now been announced. The films receiving the most nominations are Hunger and In Bruges with seven nominations each. Slumdog Millionaire follows with six, Shifty receives five nominations, Somers Town, Son of Rambow and The Duchess hold four nominations each. The much anticipated 11th awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 30 November at the Old Billingsgate Market in London and will be hosted by James Nesbitt.

The Media Bus needs everyone's views
The Media Bus will be a state-of-the-art digital media facility providing accessible training, educational and creative opportunities to young people and communities in any location (including rural, isolated and disconnected communities) in the South West. Touring the region providing access to photography, video, creative writing, graphics, animation and web design, the Media Bus will provide new opportunities for a range of projects with outputs ranging from new mixed-media projects produced from the heart of the region's communities to new training and skills acquisition. To give your views on The Media Bus please visit the website and help start a new digital journey or contact Media Bus on 08700 54 33 22.

opportunities

Apply to the Digital Film Archive Fund
Deadline: 28 November 2008
The Digital Film Archive Fund has been set up by the UK Film Council to increase public access to regional screen heritage and £276,000 is available in the South West from now until 2010. The money will support innovative and ambitious programmes which improve access to archive for as many people as possible through platforms including screenings, festivals, online, and in public spaces. Projects need to be completed by March 2011 and awards will vary from a maximum of £50,000 to a minimum of £3,000.

Are you an aspiring young writer looking for your first break? Would you like to be able to call yourself a 'Skins' writer?
Deadline: 9 December
Well, the show's producers are looking to give someone that amazing opportunity! They want to give one talented person the chance to lead write a 'Skins' mini episode featuring some of the Skins 3 cast, which will be screened online (and possibly on TV) in summer 2009. For more information visit the website.

UK Film Council Short Film Completion Fund
Deadline extended until: 5pm, 5 January 2009
The UK Film Council's Short Film Completion Fund provides finance and support for short films that show outstanding potential but lack the funds to finish. The Completion Fund has supported more than 50 films over the past six years enabling entrepreneurial and enterprising filmmakers to complete their projects and providing them with a platform to kick-start the exhibition of their film. For full guidelines, forms and more information visit the UK Film Council website.

Blank Slate UK Bringing Fresh Young Stories to Light
Got an idea for a short film? The UK-wide search is on...
Deadline: 5pm Monday 24 November
B3 Media are looking to fund up to five of the freshest and hottest short film projects by some of the UK's best black and minority ethnic filmmaking talent. If selected, you'll get training, funding and support to make your vision a reality. Blank Slate isn't simply handing over a cheque and waiting for the premiere. You'll get to learn from experienced industry professionals as you develop your script for the big screen. Blank Slate UK kicks off with a screening programme touring the UK where you can sample Blank Slate film screenings, workshops and panel events. For more details of these events including one in Bristol click here and to apply for tickets send an email. To find out more and to apply for the programme, visit the website.

Request for New South West Science & Industry Council Members
Deadline: 1 December 2008
The South West Science & Industry Council (SWSIC) is an industry led body, established to ensure that the strength of the scientific, technical and commercial sectors of the South West come together to drive the economy of the region. The South West RDA is seeking to appoint additional members to the Council. Potential members will have played a senior major role in developing a business/organisation which has deployed science and technology effectively to achieve growth; be able to champion the role of science and technology in economic growth; and be widely recognised in their field of operation. For more information on the Council please visit the website and for an application pack please contact Richard Male on 0117 9330263.

Technology Strategy Board funding
Next Deadline: Monday 17 November
The Technology Strategy Board's Creative Industry, SME targeted, feasibility and fast-track project competitions are open for applications and two extra funding rounds have been announced. Deadlines are: 17 November, 19 January 2009 and 16 March 2009. For more information and to apply please go to the website.

Skillset Film Trainee Network
Deadline: 12pm 28 February 2009
The Skillset Film Trainee Network will help fresh new talent break into the industry by matching applicants with relevant paid work placements in the film industry in either production, post-production, sales, distribution, exhibition or animation. To find out more about the scheme and to apply, please visit Skillset's website.

New Animation Competition - win £1000 of software and equipment
Deadline: 16 December 2008
Animated Exeter have teamed up with The Environment Agency, South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP) & 20:20 Design Agency to challenge South West animators to create an imaginative and positive message to communicate ways of adapting to climate change. The competition is open to anyone over 18 from the South West. For film entry forms and details of prizes, please go to Animated Exeter's website.

UK Three Screens Content Showcase
Deadline: 12 December 2008
5 February 2009 at the British Residence, British Embassy, Paris
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) at the British Embassy in Paris is working to bring together British and French companies, building partnerships and links between French buyers and potential partners and British content providers for platforms including TV, mobile and Internet. Meet potential buyers, distributors, integrators, broadcasters and agents looking for innovative content and form mutually beneficial business relationships. To find out more, contact International Trade Adviser, Norris Myers.

Calling all writers in the South West...
Rehearsed Readings 6 - 8 February 2009
Deadline: 12 December
Five writers...Five directors...Twenty actors...5 performances in 48 hours...Bristol Old Vic is looking for five new and previously unperformed scripts by South West based writers for rehearsed readings in February 2009. Chosen scripts will receive three days development in a rehearsal room with a director and actors leading to a script-in-hand reading in the Bristol Old Vic Studio with an audience. During the first week in February the theatre will be given over exclusively to a company of writers, directors and performers for the development and performance of five new pieces of work. The final script choice will be made by a panel of experienced producers and directors from Aardman Animations, BBC and Theatre West. Scripts can be one act or full-length but please not over one and a half hours long. To submit to Script in Hand, please send 2 bound copies of your script, by 12 December, to:
Sharon Clark / Charlotte Summerford, Script in Hand, Bristol Old Vic, King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED. If you would like to join the Bristol Old Vic database of regional writers please forward your email address to Sharon Clark. Script In Hand is a Bristol Old Vic writers' development initiative in association with Theatre West.

cluster groups

There are six media cluster groups in the region - Bristol Media, Cornwall Media Focus, Gloucestershire MediaGroup, Plymouth Media Partnership, Swindon Media Group and Wessex Media Group - offering support including regular events. If you're not a member, why not join your nearest group now?

Bristol Media Christmas Ball and 0117 Launch
4 December at Paintworks in Bristol
After the huge success of last year's Christmas Ball, Bristol Media are doing it all again, but this time it's going to be bigger and better with the launch of the long awaited publication 0117. You will be greeted with a glass of sparkling wine followed by a scrumptious buffet and there will be live music by Bristol's own super group, the Rinky Dinks for dancing the night away, a DJ and an iPod Shuffle, casino tables for those who fancy a spot of gambling. There will also be a chill out area for some snuggling, conversation or (if you really want to), networking. The party takes place on Thursday 4th December from 8pm - 1am and tickets are just £37.50 each. There are now only 100 tickets left, so please book asap to avoid disappointment. To book visit the Bristol Media website.

Free media short course
EVOLVE - The Knowledge
18 - 29 November in Cheltenham
Know the science, know the business, know the industry...Calling all media freelancers, newbies and graduates living or working in Gloucestershire...This intensive, practical, and high-quality short course package run by active industry professionals will deepen your media knowledge, give you an edge in the industry and accelerate your career. Offered by The GMG and Cirencester Media Academy at Cheltenham Film and Photographic Studios, this is a free Skillset recognised course with limited places. For more information and to book your place go to the GMG website.

training

Second Post Masterclasses
A limited number of tickets are for sale for these two Masterclasses, aimed at editors and edit assistants. Tickets are £45 and will be sold on a first come first served basis. For more details please contact Sas Bonser at South West Screen.
Digital Workflow: 29 November 11am-3pm in Bristol
Taught by Jamie Lawrence from Films at 59 in Bristol, the course will cover:
- A detailed look at the 4 most common workflows (Digi, HD, P2 etc)
- Trouble shooting the problems of filming and how to deal with the after effects.
- Knowing when to flag audio.
- Visual drop out to the online.
- The dubbing editor.
- Offline and conforming.
- Local and shared storage, brief overview of scusi, firewire, LAN share, XSan, Unity and what difference it makes to the editor.
Media Management: 13 December 11am-3pm in Plymouth
Taught by Rick Horne from TwoFour Digital in Plymouth, the course will cover:
- The importance of Metadata, Timecode, File Naming etc.
- EDLs, XMLs and digital pipelines.
- Exporting and encoding to different file formats (e.g. split track Quick Times: ideal for importing into Pro Tool Audio systems for voice over sessions.)
- Authoring DVDs from Final Cut Pro
- Blacking your own tape stock.

Making the Most of Your Digital Screen
Thursday 15 January 2009 Derby
This unique ICO event has been designed especially for programmers, managers and administrators from independent cinemas from all over the UK who want to maximize the potential of their digital screen to strengthen their programme, broaden their audience and become more sustainable. It will also be of interest to distributors, screen agencies and local authority arts development officers. Fee: Early bird rate of £90 + VAT (£105.75) if booked by 28th November, otherwise £100 + VAT (£117.50). Bursaries are available from South West Screen towards fees, travel, accommodation and/or access costs. For more information visit the ICO website.

DFG Courses for factual filmmakers
Places are available on the following courses from the Documentary Filmmakers Group:
FCP editing week (17 - 21 Nov)
This intensive practical workshop teaches you how to use industry relevant equipment and Final Cut Pro software, as well as the fundamentals of documentary editing in important areas such as Preparing a Project for the Edit and the Grammar of Editing.
DVD Studio Pro (29 Nov)
Learn how to author your own DVDs with DFG, and get to grips with how to make your own showreel using Apple's DVD Studio Pro. This course covers preparing video, stills and graphics, encoding files, making dynamic looking menus, creating chapters, tracks and slideshows, and finishing the DVD for burning.
Doclab - Get the Edge as a Documentary Filmmaker (1 - 15 Dec)
Doclab is an intensive course taught by award-winning industry professionals that gives you the skills you need to pursue your career in documentary filmmaking.
For further information see the DFG website.

screenings/events/exhibitions

Narrative/NonNarrative/AntiNarrative Conference
Sunday 23 - Monday 24 November 2008, Watershed, Bristol
Building on the success of the 2006 conference - which brought together academia and industry, theorists and practitioners - this conference is timed to follow on from the end of the Encounters Festival and aims to further the debate on the role of narrative in new and conventional media. Keynote speakers include director Ken Loach and development consultant and film producer Phil Parker. Tickets: £80; Students £40. For further information visit the website. To book visit the Encounters website and use the Narrative Conference tab.

Ofcom meeting in Plymouth
Thursday 20 November 6pm at the University of Plymouth
You are invited to attend a meeting with Ofcom to discuss Phase 2 of its Public Service Broadcasting Review, with particular reference to how Ofcom's proposals may affect TV viewers in the South West. Hosted by Ofcom's Director, England, Graham Howell and Damian Radcliffe, Manager, English Regions, the event will outline proposals for the South West in the wider context of changes and challenges facing the broadcasting world. After a short presentation there will be an opportunity to put questions to Graham and Damian. For information about Ofcom's current Public Service Broadcasting Review please visit their website. Please email Caroline Sims by 5pm on Monday 17 November if you can attend.

Cineformation: Pitching Event at Encounters Short Film Festival
20 November 2008 - 7.30pm in the Delegates Area, Watershed Media Centre
Would you like to get your script read by the movers and shakers of the film industry? Can you keep the panel and audience entertained for two minutes and get them begging to hear more? Then you should come along to the Cineformation Pitching event during the Encounters Short Film Festival. There will be a panel made up of producers, directors and funders all keen to seek out new talent - have you got what it takes or will you be asked to stop before your time is up? This is Pop Idol for filmmakers. Sign up by emailing Cineformation

Southwest Scriptwriters upcoming meetings
The following meetings will be taking place upstairs at the Royal Naval Volunteer pub, King Street, Bristol:
Tuesday 18 November at 7.30pm: Elements of Comedy with Andy Graham
Tuesday 25 November and Tuesday 2 December at 7.30pm: Open workshop
To be sure of a slot for your work to be read, please email info@southwest-scriptwriters.co.uk.
Tuesday 9 December 2008 at 7.30pm: Christmas drinks
You can find an up-to-date list of events on the group's website.

Soundtrack Film and Music Festival
26-29 November in Cardiff
With big names including Oscar winning scorer of The English Patient, Gabriel Yared, and Trainspotting director Danny Boyle, Soundtrack is open to all and features the most creative, ingenuitive and exciting use of music in film. Soundtrack's film curator, filmmaker, author and broadcaster Mark Cousins explains: 'Soundtrack is distinctive. It's about the crucial, creative relationship film has with music, so we've brought together a diverse range of familiar, edgy and interesting exponents of the art to appeal to a broad audience both inside and outside the industry.' Tickets and information are available by calling 08700 40 2000 or on the festival website.

Creative Industries Conference
Thursday 11 December in Liverpool
The fourth national Creative Industries Conference is taking place at FACT in Liverpool on Thursday 11 December. Responding to a rapidly changing economy, the conference agenda will explore the concept of a 'Creative City' and what this means in practice today. Looking ahead to 2009 and beyond, delegates will consider the actions required to support diversity and growth, examining the role and impact of Government and the respective roles of property, education, funding and the public sector. For further information visit the website.

Forward Motion 2008
Friday 5 - Sunday 7 December in Bridgwater
Somerset Film's annual festival, dedicated to the best of moving image and digital media practice, returns with its unique mix of masterclasses, screenings, Q&As and networking events. Visit the Engine Room website for details.

South West Animators Group (SWAG) meeting
The Imperial, Exeter, Tuesday 2 December 7-9pm
SWAG is a newly created group for all the disparate animators in the South West. Show some work, talk shop, get a bit of advice, or just meet a few new people. Contact: Simon Cornish for more information.

Only Connect on 21 November in Bristol
The next Only Connect business and social networking event takes place on Friday 21 November from 7.30pm at Hotel du Vin, Bristol. For more information and to book visit the website.

The View From Here South Devon Film Festival
1 - 5 December in Devon
The View From Here offers a mix of award winning documentary, young people's films, and premieres of moving image work filmed in and around the region. The festival is dedicated to promoting and raising the profile of South Devon as an area of creative excellence.
Visit the website for a full run down of what's going on.

Next e-bulletin: 27 November 2008
Deadline for submissions: 25 November 2008