REGISTRATION: 21ST JAN (Website)

DATE OF EVENT: Feb 1st 2010 (UK) ONLINE – 28TH Feb 2010

DETAILS: Teams will pick a random theme & title which they must turn into a 70min B movie in 28 days!!

VENUE: ICA

FORMAT: You can return your film on DVD format,
please email for more details on ratio for screening & Sound.

ENTRY FEE: £30 per team (Entry Funds for Venue Hire)
For more info on format or questions please email: oddballtv@yahoo.com

WEBSITE: http://www.oddballchallenge.com

Further details on their Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=211607357663

Description

Producer wanted for short film to be made in association with Screen West Midlands and the UK Film Council. Must have experience.

£8,000-£10,000 budget.

Award winning Director and Cinematographer attached.

Fee is negotiable.

Will need to start as soon as possible and be available until the film’s completion.

Filming will take place in the West Midlands.

Closing: February 21st

Location: West Midlands

Pay: Fee is negotiable

Posted: Today, at 10:22

Category: Management

To find out more please send a copy of your CV including all producer credits to:

ryan.vernava@googlemail.com



This is an exciting opportunity for emerging screenwriters in the West Midlands to see their screenplays produced.

Muckyduckmedia is a fledgling independent television company based in Birmingham and is made up of five very enthusiastic and hard working third year media students from Birmingham City University. Meeting through our degree and building a strong working relationship we are now working on our final project. We have decided to produce a short film of around 10 – 15 minutes long and need a script writer to work with to produce an original and unique piece.

We want to collaborate with a West Midlands based script writer with the aim of working together to create a drama that will encapsulate modern society and the essence of Birmingham through locations, themes and characters. Birmingham is a great place and brilliant location and we’re looking for a story that will really capture and celebrate this city, of which is largely under represented in the television industry.

In terms of the actual story and style that’s up to you! What we’re looking for is simply a great story with detailed and interesting characters that we can really develop and bring to life on screen. We would love the chance to explore the parts of Birmingham that aren’t often seen which could be inspiration for your work, for example the canals, high rises, railways, industrial areas and beautiful architecture.

We want a story that can really explore human kind in way that either reveals a part of society not yet explored or tells us more about relationships and people that the audience can relate to. These are just guidelines however and we’re very open to any ideas you may have and relish a challenge so feel free to be experimental with you’re ideas and themes if you wish.

This project will not only provide a chance to see your idea realised but also has at least two screening events in Birmingham. We are working with a new PR company in Birmingham who are relaunching an online hub for people either trying to break into the media industry or who want to actively produce their own work by working with others in collaborations.

This short film will be screened at the event as an example of the kind of work that could be produced through this on line hub. The film will also be screened at our end of year show. Both these events will have professionals in the region attending, providing a great opportunity to network and a chance to discuss your work.

Your ideas don’t have to be fully conceived as yet; we’re looking for a strong voice and an interesting concept to develop further. We very much look forward to hearing your ideas!

To enter: Please send the following to Script, 107 The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA, or catherine.edwards@scriptonline.net*:

• an outline of your idea (no longer than 1 side of A4)
• up to five pages from the screenplay
• cover sheet with your name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth
• writers’ CV

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday 29th January 2010

Up to 6 writers will be invited to a Writer’s Lab to be held on Saturday 6th February to workshop ideas and to make the final selection.

*If using Microsoft Vista, please ensure that you convert the documents to Office 97-2003 prior to emailing your entry.



Below is a repost from David Allen of Animation Forum with a listing of all the local support for creative industries, hope this helps someone!

I’m often surprised at the variety and breadth of support for creative industry workers, businesses, graduates and start-ups in the Midlands, and to the outsider it’s often bedazzling as to what and where help can be found. Also, given the shaky economic circumstances many of us currently find ourselves in, it’s more important than ever to make use of what’s actually out there, whether that means finding funding, advice or just getting your face about at events.

The below list then is by no means exhaustive, but will hopefully point those new to the alien world of funding and support for Creative industry folk in the right direction. Please add anything I’ve missed in the comments:

• Advantage West Midlands (AWM) – the regional development agency (RDA) run a large number of schemes aimed at developing the region’s economy, including many of the groups on this list.
• Business Link West Midlands – An agency managed by AWM offering a range of services, and designed to be the first port of call for anyone currently running or thinking of starting business.
• Support WM – a recently established scheme to help West Midlands’ individuals and businesses affected by the recession, which – despite an ugly site, has some very useful links for business support and for those out of work.
• West Midlands Graduate Internships – only just stumbled across this site myself, looks a great way for graduates to get that important work experience, whilst employers get some much needed low-cost help.
• Graduate Advantage – seems eerily similar to the above, but useful nonetheless: “If you’re a student or graduate you can now apply for paid full-time and part-time work placements, summer internships, graduate placements, and free employability training… in all sectors of industry and business across the West Midlands.”
• Skillset – As well as a huge amount of online resources, the ‘Skills Council for Creative Media’ conduct research and offer funding for training.
• Screen WM – The film, TV and anything on a screen agency for the West Midlands, whose Media & Production Fund can invest up for £500,000 in “feature film projects… interactive games production, single TV dramas, and feature length documentaries.” As well as this, SWM can help fund is often available for Short Film Funding, Running a Festival, Attending a Festvial, Education Projects, Exhibition Projects, Archive Projects and Training Courses.
• 4iP – A £10m funding scheme managed regionally by Screen WM (see above), with funds from Advantage West Midlands and Channel 4, to invest in “great ideas for websites, games and mobile services which will help people improve their lives.” The deadline for the next round of funding is 23rd August 2009.
• The Producers’ Forum – An established networking group for the region’s film producers, the group organise masterclasses and events for their members (there is a fee to join).
• First Light Movies – An organisation that “funds and inspires young people, throughout the UK, to make films reflecting the diversity of their lives.”
• Learning and Skills Council West Midlands – run a number of schemes aimed at equipping people with the skills for work.
• Equity – Although predominantly performer focused, the union also represents ‘professional performers and other creative workers from across the spectrum of the entertainment, creative and cultural industries.’
• Pact – “The UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, children’s and animation media companies.”
• BECTU – “The independent trade union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas.”
• Creative Launchpad – formerly the ‘Business link start up service’ for the West Midlands, the agency seems to be undergoing some changes at the moment, but are still running a free business advice service for businesses in the ‘Solihull and North Solihull area’.
• Creative Alliance – A Birmingham based agency that specialise on training apprentices for the creative industries.
• Creative Republic – A networking and lobbying group for creative workers in the West Midlands.
• Creative Networks – A group managed by Birmingham City University, which host monthly(ish) talks by some quite impressive creative industry speakers at Birmingham’s Millennium Point.
• NESTA – or to give them their full title, the ‘National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts’. They “invest in early-stage companies, inform and shape policy, and deliver practical programmes that inspire others to solve the big challenges of the future.”
• Insight Out – A series of creative industry and social enterprise courses run annually in collaboration with NESTA, by @ScreenMediaLab (that’s where I work by the way).
• Arts Council West Midlands – The regional arm to the national arts funding agency. If you use the arts in your work, you might want to look into the Grants for the Arts funding for individuals and organisations, funded by the National Lottery.
• Digital Birmingham – A Birmingham City Council run project ‘working to ensure the benefits of digital technologies are available to all in the city.’
• Social Media Café – “An informal get-together for anyone using (or interested in using) social media. If that sounds like you, then come on down and have a chat with someone – there are always enough friendly faces around.” Their next event is 31st July 2009, from 10am.
• Film Forum West Midlands – Formerly ‘Birmingham Filmmakers’, this networking group for anyone involved in grass roots filmmaking has been steadily gathering momentum thanks to it’s monthly meet-ups.
• 7inch Cinema – Not strictly support, but the quirky style and events by these “Birmingham-based cultural historians, purveyors of distinctive film events and producers of the Flatpack Festival” make them a favourite with many.
• Prince’s Trust (West Midlands) – Alongside a ton of other activity, the Prince’s Trust offer start-up funding and mentoring for unemployed people aged 18-30 develop their business idea.
• Light House – The Wolverhampton arts centre host events and offer subsidised training courses in media production throughout the year for eligible people who meet their criteria. Here’s their latest free beginners course in video production.
• Herbert Media – Offer free advice surgeries on media production, equipment hire and training courses.
• Audiences Central – the ‘audience development agency for the West Midlands’ works ‘across the region assisting and supporting arts and cultural organisations in the development of audiences for all forms of art.’
• SCRIPT – The ‘West Midlands agency for dramatic writers’ offer a range of scriptwriting training courses for all levels, including their current TENacity programme.
• Animation Forum West Midlands – yes, this is the group and website I manage, but if you’re looking to work with an animator, have any questions about the region’s industry, or network with animation professionals, please get in touch.

And another one…

• Own-It – Suggested by @triston; provides free online advice on all the common questions on issues surrounding intellectual property.

If I’ve missed anything off I apologise and please feel free to post links in the comments (yes you have to register to do so, but it’s worth it, honest). Right, now I need a lie down.

DATE: 25^TH January 2010. 09:30-16:00

LOCATION: The Electric Cinema, 47 Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY

Increasingly independent filmmakers are finding the best way to get their film made is under microbudget principles. The more entrepreneurial a producer can be in financing their film, the more likely it is they will get it made.

Numerous microbudget feature initiatives have been established during the last five years such as Microwave, Warp X, Slingshot Studios, Digital Departures and IFeatures. There are also many producers making microbudget films outside of these schemes. But what are the challenges? How do you make your film safely, legally and with high enough production values to ensure the films are successfully distributed?

Join us for a day all about microbudget filmmaking and find out some of the top tips from filmmakers who have been there and done it!

The day’s schedule is as follows:

Schedule:

09:30 – 10:00          Registration

10:00 – 11:30          Screening of Ruby Blue

11:30 – 11:45          Coffee break

11:45 – 13:15          Q&A with Elaine Wickham, Producer and Jan Dunn, Director. Chaired by Deborah Aston

13:15 – 14:00          Lunch (provided for people on all day course)

14:00 – 16:00          Microbudget Panel with Anita Lewton, Lincia Daniel & Simon Wood. Chaired by Natasha Carlish

Prices and payment:

Full member: both sessions £0
Associate member: morning session only £0
Associate member: both sessions £25+VAT
Non-member: morning session only £50+VAT
Non-member: afternoon session only £50+VAT
Non-member: both sessions £80+VAT

Payment to be made before admission is permitted.

You can’t afford to miss this day! We look forward to seeing you there.

To register or for more information please contact Rebecca: info@producersforum.org.uk or visit our website

Hello and Happy New Year!

Film Forum’s first meet up of 2010 will be on Tuesday 19th January @ The Victoria Pub on John Bright Street in Birmingham from 7pm.

The idea of these monthly meet ups is to get people from all aspects of filmmaking in the West Midlands together to chat and start building networks of friends and contacts.

The entire evening is very informal so therefore it is really up to you if you approach it as a casual drink or an opportunity to network and get projects off the ground.

Here’s the address: The Victoria Pub, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham, B1 1BN

Here’s The Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261804082304

Look forward to meeting you all.

Sheffield Doc/Fest, in partnership with Wide Eye Pictures, Screen WM and The Flatpack Festival, invites you to THE ENGINE ROOM PITCH

Tuesday 23^rd and Wednesday 24^th March 2010
The Bond, Birmingham

THE ENGINE ROOM PITCH is an intensive 2 day proposal development and pitching workshop to help you prepare your factual project for UK and international funding.

The workshop is a high-level project development opportunity and includes an introduction to MeetMarket and all Marketplace activities at Doc/Fest and to wider opportunities in international documentary funding and markets. Delivered by international marketplace specialist Christina Burnett, of Wide Eye Pictures, this is also a unique chance to pitch your project and get feedback from two UK commissioners as well as Charlie Philips, Doc/Fest Marketplace Producer. Commissioners from BBC, Channel 4, Britdoc and CBA-DFID Broadcast Media Scheme have taken part in previous workshops.

THE ENGINE ROOM PITCH is suitable for all levels of experience, from senior producers and directors to new entrants.  You can attend either as a pitcher with project, or as an observer.

Applicants must be West Midlands-based filmmakers. The cost of the workshop is £30 for all attendees.

To express interest, email Doc/Fest Marketplace Producer Charlie Phillips via charlie@sidf.co.uk with a one-page proposal for a factual/documentary project (single, series or cross-platform doc) and brief information about yourself.  Projects can be at any stage of development, for any platform, as long as it is a factual project.

See http://sheffdocfest.com/view/pitchworkshops for full information.

Filmrats will be hosting its last event of the year this coming Wednesday 25th November. For those of you who have never been or know about it, the evening consists of live music from some great bands from in and around Birmingham and has some brilliant short film screenings too. If you love music and film this really is the best place to go to in Birmingham.

Filmrats is always looking for more Singer/Songwriters, Bands, Poets, Comedians, Performance Artists and short films. If you want to showcase your talent then please get in contact.

Filmrats is located at the Bristol Pear, Selly Oak. Entry is £1.50, so go along and remember there is still time to send in those short films on DVD format to: Filmrats,
 Flat 3,
 889 Bristol Road,
 Selly Oak, 
Birmingham,
 B29 6ND

If you have any questions or queries get in contact via their email: filmrats@hotmail.co.uk

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/filmrats

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/filmrats

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=199247954198&index=1

See you all there.

Hello!

Film Forum’s next meet up will be on Tuesday 10th November at the Victoria Pub on John Bright Street in Birmingham from 7pm.

The idea of these monthly meet ups is to get people from all aspects of filmmaking in the West Midlands together to chat and start building networks of friends and contacts. The entire evening is very informal so therefore it is really up to you if you approach it as a casual drink or an opportunity to network and get projects off the ground.

So, come along and say hello, tell us what you are up to and hopefully we’ll all benefit from some interaction.

Here’s the address: The Victoria Pub, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham, B1 1BN

Here’s the Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151732432083&index=1

See you there.

Saturday 7^th November 2009 (10am-5pm)

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Suite

£50 (£40 concessions)

From the traditionally structured TV and film stories that attempt to appeal to wide audiences (which ITV controller Peter Fincham termed ‘3G’ – three generations watching together), to the 3D structures of games and online drama, this day-long course looks at new opportunities offered to writers by the rise of digital technologies.  Suitable for writers, film-makers and drama practitioners interested in looking at new ways of telling stories across screens of all sizes. Participants:

Graham Joyce is the author of fourteen novels and has won numerous awards for his writing, including five British Fantasy Awards and the 2003 World Fantasy Award. He has also written screenplays of his novels and has recently been hired by the creators of Doom 4 to help develop the storyline potential of the computer game.

Neil Mossey worked solely in television and radio before writing on Season 2 of the daily interactive web drama KateModern (storylining over 26 weeks, and scripting 74 webisodes). The series ended in July 2008 clocking up 66 million video views, the largest UK online production to date. As a comedy producer at the BBC he was responsible for developing new formats and drama in the Comedy Entertainment department with writers and performers. His freelance writer, script editor, and producer credits include My Parents Are Aliens (ITV1), Freefonix (BBC One), Blackout (Channel 4), SuperNormal (ITV1), The Worst Witch (ITV1), Hedz (BBC One), and The Morning After Show (Channel 4).

Claire Ingham is a producer and film and television script developer. She works on projects at all stages of development – currently ranging from the adaptation treatment of Eoin Colfer’s bestselling novel The Wishlist to the final draft of Helen Cross’ original feature Stratford Road. Claire has previously worked for a number of film and television companies in development roles. She was Head of Drama Development at Impossible Pictures for four years where she headed a small team, commissioning and developing a range of TV and film projects for all the major broadcasters, including Jed Mercurio’s contemporary retelling of Frankenstein and Michael Chaplin’s family film Pickles.

For booking and further information, please visit www.scriptonline.net/screen.html

Or email catherine.edwards@scriptonline.net

The event is presented by Script, the regional development agency for dramatic writers in the West Midlands, offering advice, training and mentoring via industry-led partnerships.