Hello stranger,
We’ve shifted over to www.northernfilmnetwork.com so head there to find all the information a Northern Filmmaker could want, including news and opportunities on funding, training, calls for entries and filmmakers looking for cast and crew. Feel free to browse this blog as an archive of postings, but we will no longer be responding to comments here.
See you on the other side…
The workshops, hosted by Northwest Vision And Media, are a one-off opportunity to refresh your knowledge and avoid some costly mistakes! Reported in last month’s press, BSkyB and Channel 5 paid out substantial undisclosed libel damages to a family after using library footage of their house in connection to a story about terrorism.
Content Lawyer, Sean McTernan, is coming to the North West for two days to highlight the importance of legal know how when making programmes. These are essential for anyone involved in researching or producing. Legal Know How Level 1 (researchers & APs), 28th Nov 07, all day – £200 (freelance £60). Legal Know How Level 2 (producers, senior producers & execs), 29th Nov 07, all day – £200 (freelance £60).
Sean, has a wealth of experience in media law, he’s worked in-house at the BBC and ITV on their main news programmes as well as factual entertainment shows such as Have I Got News For You. He will share both his knowledge and experience on subjects such as Libel, Breach of Confidence, Copyright, Contracts, Contempt of Court, The Right to Privacy, Advertising, Live Broadcasts, Reality TV, Covert Filming, Location Filming and the Law, the Press Complaints Commission, Ofcom and other regulatory bodies. It’s an opportunity you can’t afford to miss. Please book ASAP by emailing lynnk@visionandmedia.co.uk or by calling 0161 244 4643
Thursday, 6th December – 9:30am – 6:00pm. Venue: CIDS. 5 Oak Street, Manchester, M4 5JD. A one-day workshop for new and emerging creative businesses.
Is your business in its infancy? Or maybe you’re looking to take what you’ve got but change direction? We realise how easy it can be to lose sight of your goals. Could it be that a little time away from the rigours of running your business and some expert direction is what you’re looking for? We’re sure you’d like to chat to people in a similar situation too. Creative Focus can help.
Led by International Business Advisor, David Parrish, Creative Focus throws out the jargon and guides you through complex strategies in a relaxed, no-nonsense manner. David shares with you his knowledge gained from working with hundreds of creative entrepreneurs as well as managing his own organisations. In his words “I’ve learnt a lot from my direct experience of the creative sector. I’ve made mistakes along the way – and had some real successes. I went to business school and discovered some really clever ideas we can use to help your creative enterprise become even more successful.”
Creative Focus is a free event (£50 returnable cheque deposit required). To qualify for a free place, your business must already trading and be based in eligible areas of Greater Manchester. To check your eligibility for Creative Focus and to book a place contact Tanya Smith on email tanya@cids.co.uk or call 0800 169 1143.
The deadline for applications for either SCREENWRITERS or FILMMAKERS is 22nd November 2007 for anyone interested in applying for First Take’s From Scratch To Screen project, which is supported by ITV Granada as well as by the Lottery through UK Film Council and North West Vision and Media and is COMPLETELY FREE (with some travelling expenses included).
It is a great opportunity for people wanting to produce their first (or a further) short film, to be trained as well as meet and network with people working in the industry or like-minded people who want to go on to work in the industry. With backing from ITV Granada this project will reach very high training and production values for the filmmakers, also with the screenwriting part being drawn from the UK Film Council commissioned material written by the writing guru Phil Parker, the short scripts produced will aim for the highest quality.
From Scratch To Screen primarily concentrates on Screenwriters and Directors and getting them a calling card to be able to apply for North West Vision and Media Schemes. A screening of the 5 films produced will take place at the end of ‘From Scratch To Screen’, which, because of the support from ITV Granada will be very high profile – and of course it will be taking place in Liverpool – in 2008 – when it is the Capital of Culture!
Call Nicola at First Take on 0151 708 5767 or email all@first-take.org or check out our website www.first-take.org The project is open to people living in the North West area only and is aimed at those who are underrepresented in the film and television industry.
Do you think you can surpass Spielberg, better Nick Broomfield or make the perfect music video? Channel 4 is looking for deaf or disabled people to form a new filmmaking team called The Shooting Party. We’re looking for people with strong ideas, bags of energy and the confidence to make an original 3-5 minute film — a documentary, drama, music video or any other kind of short – – to be broadcast on Channel 4.
If you are chosen to join The Shooting Party not only will you direct your own short film, you¹ll help other members of the group make their films too. And while you’re doing it, we’re going to make a film about you making the film! – so you must be prepared to shine in front of the camera as well as behind it. On top of this, we’re offering an award of further training in television or film for the winning filmmaker, decided by a panel of industry professionals.
Broadcast experience welcome but not necessary. Just talent, fresh ideas, and a burning desire to make your film. To find out more visit www.mavericktv.co.uk/theshootingparty or email theshootingparty@mavericktv.co.uk
The Minister for Skills David Lammy visited the BBC in Manchester today to officially launch the UK’s first-ever Advanced Apprenticeship in Media Production. The BBC, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures and the Red Production Company are some of the companies backing the initiative, which has been devised and funded by Northwest Vision and Media, Skillset, the BBC and the Learning and Skills Council.
This is the first time an apprenticeship scheme has been developed specifically for the media industry by the media industry with quality of training in mind. Nearly 300 young people aged 16-22 from the Northwest including Liverpool, Bolton, Preston, Manchester, Salford and Southport applied for the 18-month apprenticeships. Thirty-five per cent of the first intake of 20 apprentices are from minority ethnic backgrounds.
The apprentices will combine college study while working in TV, radio, post production, online and emerging new technologies. They will be given roles such as production runner, production assistant, production secretary and web assistant. The apprenticeship will result in a NVQ Level 3 qualification.
The pilot scheme is a timely action as the region is repositioning itself as a major media hub following the BBC’s decision to relocate five departments to Salford. It is expected that 1500 jobs will be relocated to the site, but estimates for the total number of jobs that mediacity:uk at Salford will create is up to 15,500, of which approximately 4,000 will be media jobs (including the BBC). Read what Skills Minister David Lammy has to say about the scheme here.
Monday 10th to Friday 14th December 2007, 9.30am to 5.00pm. This popular introductory, production based module, is designed to familiarise the participants with the Digital Video tools & techniques required to produce a short film from research / scripting to shooting & editing. Emphasis is on group work, mutual support & a co-operative approach.
The course delivers a hands on, practical approach for new or recent users of DV camcorders and Mac Final Cut Pro editing software, exploring its creative & technical range as well as the basics of setting up and managing a programme. On successful completion participants are awarded a WFA Certificate of Completion
The course will comprise up to 15 participants (in 3 groups of 4-5) including a group of up to 5 Deaf participants. A BSL Interpreter will be available for the 5 days. The course is FREE if you live in Manchester and you are Deaf or from a BME background. If you live outside Manchester the subsidised cost of the course is £179 (include VAT)
If you are Deaf and would like to know more about the course there is a BSL video clip on WFA’s website – www.wfamedia.co.uk and there will be a Question and Answer Session & tour of the facilities at WFA on Wednesday 21st November from 11.30 am to 1.00pm. A BSL interpreter will be provided. If you wish to attend please let us know.
Women, BME people and disabled people are encouraged to apply as they are under represented in our industry. If you would like to apply to come on the course please send WFA an email (wfa@timewarp.co.uk) or download an application from the website – www.wfamedia.co.uk or contact WFA at 9 Lucy St, Manchester, M15 4BX. Tel: 0161 848 9782/5 Fax: 0161 848 9783 Applications should be returned to WFA by Friday 30th November. Interviews will be on Tuesday 4th December.
Intense Productions is in the process of developing three very exiting independent films for the international market. The company has recently moved to new offices in Lancaster and is looking for two individuals to assist the producers with their very busy schedule.
This is a work experience researcher/ PA role. It is a 2- week placement and all travel expenses would be covered. This position would be ideal for someone who wants to gain valuable experience in independent filmmaking and wants a head start in his or her career in view to become permanent.
You will be responsible for providing full administrative support to the Producers and to the Company Director, be a point of contact, manage the company’s busy diary and liaise with international clients. You will have proven administrative skills, excellent phone manner and have a keen interest in filmmaking. Being a car owner can be an advantage.
The company is looking to take one successful applicant as ‘immediate’ start who will have to be based in London and will assist the south based producers. The second person needs to be based in the North West, preferably in Lancaster. For the second position interviews will be held in Lancaster between the 12-16th of November by the company director and the successful applicant will start on Monday 19th November. Please send your CV to intense.productions@yahoo.co.uk
Ten places are now available on our popular Digital Cuts Editing Workshops, taking place from 12th – 16th December. The course provides practical training and hands-on experience of digital editing techniques using industry standard software – Avid Xpress DV, Pro and Final Cut Pro.
Trainees will cover the technical and aesthetic practices of editing and dependant on experience, will edit together short film rushes produced by Shoreline which they can then compare to the ‘director’s cut’.
Led by professional editor Jonathan Ley, recent winner of the Jim Poole short film award, there will be a masterclass followed by a series of workshops, demonstrations and one-to-one practice.
Course fees for successful applicants are fully subsidised. Applicants must be aged over 18 and living in Cumbria. Deadline for applications: Friday 30th November.
To request an application form or if you have any questions please contact Anna on 01229 839983 or email shorelinefilms@gmail.com In your application please include your statement, which should be no more than 1 page and if possible a current C.V.
Due to a cancellation there is one place left on the Television Production co-Ordinator Course in Manchester on 24 & 25 November. Do get in contact with either Joy or Anita on info@bigtrain.co.uk for further information about the course, the cost and possible funding subsidies. For more information about Big Train please visit our website which is www.bigtrain.co.uk
