This is an unmissable event for local screenwriters, directors, producers and anyone who cares about the future of television drama in the West Midlands.

30th March 2010.

Venue: The Bond,180-182 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5SE

6.00pm: Registration/Drinks

6.30pm: ‘Re-building the TV Drama industry in the West Midlands’ Chaired by Lee Thomas (Screen WM)

Speakers already confirmed: Tony Jordan, Peter Lloyd, Michael Eaton (more speakers to be confirmed very soon)

8.00pm: Networking/Drinks

To register for this event please visit http://rebuilding-tv-drama-industry-in-wm.eventbrite.com/

Thursday 25th March 2010

6.00pm – 8.00pm

Vivid, Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham

Everyone’s favourite animated screenings night, Shorts on Walls, returns this March as part of Flatpack Festival 2010 and animators are once more being invited to submit their short films.

Shorts on Walls gives animators the chance to screen their latest works to a room full of peers in a relaxed bar atmosphere. The event is free to attend and runs from 6pm-8pm on Thursday 25th March 2010 in the main space at Vivid, Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham.

To submit your animated short, please post to our new address by the 18th March 2010:

• A DVD formatted copy of your film (for judging)
• An uncompressed high-res QuickTime file on a DVD data disc

Animation Forum WM,
The New Technology Institute,
15 Bartholomew Row,
Birmingham,
B5 5JU.

To attend, please RSVP via our Facebook event page.

Vivid is 30 minutes walk from New Street Station, and can be found here.

For those of you who have never been or know about our event, Filmrats is a multimedia evening of short films and live music, a hybrid of different creative artistry coming together to showcase their talents, enjoy music, film and to socialise.

The night is being held once a month on a Thursday evening at The Sunflower Lounge, in the heart of Birmingham. If you love music and film then Filmrats really is the best place to go!

We are 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 will also be screening the short films submitted to the 48-hour film challenge Film Dash.

Entry is £2, so come along and remember to send in those short films on DVD format to:

Filmrats, Flat 3, 889 Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6ND

Email: filmrats@hotmail.co.uk

Myspace: www.myspace.com/filmrats

Twitter: www.twitter.com/filmrats

Facebook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10150098932520122

We also have two guaranteed screenings at our end of year event and a launch of a media production hub, both of which will have industry professionals attending so a great chance to network and get your name known.

Our script is a 10 – 15 minute short with just two characters set in Longbridge. All filmed in mostly one scene this beautifully written script tells us the story of these characters’ relationship as it moves through loyalty, friendship, professionalism and love. We slowly learn about them and their past and how they struggle to understand each other.

We are working with Helen Kelly a talented and highly qualified scripwriter in the region and Andy Conway who helps run the scriptwriters forum acting as script editor.

We are holding castings on March 8/9/10th and callbacks on March 22nd. We will be filming for 6 days between 9th – 16th April (dates can be negotiated to fall in easter holidays if needed)

As this is a student project we have very little funding but are able to offer £100 for each actor.
The two roles we’re looking for are detailed below….

Kirsty

Sex:Female
Acting age:17 (Actors must be 18 or over)
Build:Slim, athletic

We’re looking for a young actress to play a 17 year old in our short film. The character is a successful swimmer so needs to have a slim, athletic build but other than that we have no requirements on appearance. The character also has some close contact with an older man character and so must be comfortable with some intimate touching (over clothes). Birmingham accent preferred but no essential.

Jim

Sex: Male
Acting age: 35-45
Build: Tall, athletic.

We’re also looking for an actor for an older man character of around 40. The character is a swimming coach so must be fit and athletic. No specific requirements for appearances but tall and broad would be good and a Birmingham accent preferred but not a must.

Producers’ Forum Monthly Networking – Feb 2010 – Media Centre Tour (Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

This month we thought that we would offer something a little different from our usual monthly networking.

We will be going on a tour of The Media Centre at The University of Birmingham to see all of the fantastic and affordable facilities that we have available to us on our door-step.

People who attend the evening will be eligible for discounts on future studio hire! So why not come along to see how you can save money and stay local.

The tour will finish with drinks, nibbles and an opportunity to catch up with each other and ask any questions to the Media Centre Team.

This is a free event but we ask that you please rsvp on our eventbrite site (http://pfnetworkingfeb2010.eventbrite.com/) or by contacting Rebecca directly on info@producersforum.org.uk, so that we have an idea of numbers.

IdeasTap has launched Ideas Fund Shorts, £40,000-worth of funding to help young people realise their short film projects. Eight awards of £5,000 are being offered to anyone aged between 16-25 to create a five minute short film.

Recognising the lack of funding for young people within the arts, and the endless application forms and hassle to secure what funding there is, IdeasTap created the Ideas Fund to make it easier for young people to get their creative projects off the ground.  Along with the website, IdeasTap is dedicated to providing opportunities for up-and-coming creative talent.

Alongside the launch of Ideas Fund Shorts, IdeasTap is also launching the second round of Ideas Fund Innovators; ten awards of £1,000 for creative ideas from any discipline. The deadline for both funds is 29th March 2010.

If you would like any further information on how to apply please visit the website.

Fancy helping out at Flatpack? This year’s festival runs from 23-28 March in venues all over Birmingham, and the whole thing wouldn’t be possible without hordes of dedicated volunteers. (See a nice writeup from one of last year’s team here.) Responsibilities will include front-of-house, venue installation, technical support, marketing and bar work, and all volunteers will have the opportunity to make good use of their festival passes.

If you’d like to get involved, please drop us a line at info@7inch.org.uk with your contact details before 22nd February.

Also keep in mind that our briefing meetup will be on Weds 3rd March, from 6:30pm.

I am also looking for some quality acting, voice over and perhaps a dancer (or as graceful as one) for the main and supporting roles.

Please contact me for further information and include any experience you have and/or enthusiasm!

Email: joanne@weirddreamproductions.co.uk



The overall project itself is to get those interested in creative media, but not qualified or professional into the spotlight and have their work seen on a national/worldwide basis. Whilst gaining experience and gaining great contacts for future work.

If you feel you might be interested in being involved in this very exciting project, please get in touch via my profile, or email me at abibphotography@aol.com

Thanks, hope to hear from you shortly!



If you’re a writer just starting out, or a professional writer looking to expand your portfolio, do get in touch and find out if there’s anything for you.

FEES: All workshops are £50 each (£40 concessions).

If you book any FOUR workshops at the full rate, you can receive a 15% discount of the total price (i.e. total cost of four workshops is £170)

ENQUIRIES: Contact catherine.edwards@scriptonline.net or 0121 224 7415

BOOKING: Download a booking form and send it to Script at 107The Greenhouse, The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA.

Further details on workshops taking place over the next few months available here.



Film Forum’s next meet up will be on Thursday 25th February @ The Victoria Pub on John Bright Street in Birmingham from 7pm.

The idea of these meet ups is to give filmmakers a networking platform from which they can meet people involved in different aspects of filmmaking from directors to actors in order to source equipment, make contacts and flourish.

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.

This month is slightly different to previous ones as Film Forum WM is also here for filmmakers wanting to get a team together for the upcoming 48-hour film challenge, Film Dash.

If you’re itching to get started you can watch some of the previous Film Dash entries here, read the rules here, or register your interest in taking part by emailing us at filmdash@gmail.com.

Further details on Film Dash are available here.

Address: The Victoria Pub, 48 John Bright St, Birmingham, B1 1BN

Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=332529080970

See you there.

Saturday 13th March at Friction Arts

79 – 81 Cheapside, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0QH. From 8pm til much later! Map

Short films/promos/art films between 8 and 10 pm followed by disco all to raise money for DEC Haiti appeal.

£5 on door. £4 concessions.

Cheap bar at venue. Each guest is encouraged to bring Cake and/or Nibbles preferably home-made to share with fellow attendees.

If you want your short film, animation, pop promo, art film, feature trailer or excerpt to be shown then please get in touch with Brendan O’Neill.

info at sticklebackproductions.co.uk / 0121 288 4884.

Facebook group with full event details here.

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

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



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.



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.

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

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.

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 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.