Do something good 4 your hood and become a TV star!

MTV, in partnership with the Home Office, have launched Good 4 the Hood, a competition to inspire young people to do something positive in their community. The winning group of friends will get to star in their own 4 part mini series on MTV.

Viewers are invited to visit http://good4thehood.mtv.co.uk/ and tell us what they do or would like to do, that is ‘Good 4 The Hood’ and will make a difference in their community to tackle issues from drugs, to anti-social behaviour to knife crime.

Entry closes on 12 July, when the top entries will be short listed. Viewers will then be invited to visit the site again and vote for their favourite. The winning idea will be brought to life through four, three-minute reality style episodes shown on MTV during September and October.

Visit www.mtv.co.uk/good4thehood now to find out more.

The Industry Trust are running a new campaign called ‘You Make The Movies’ which is saying ‘thanks’ for supporting legal film and television in the UK, and showing that because people pay to watch the real deal, they are re-investing in our world class British film industry.

They currently have an amazing competition running – the big prize is to win a trip for four to Universal Orlando Resort and there are also 100s of DVDs to be won! So what do you need to do to enter? Your just need to upload a film you’ve made, paying homage to a classic film scene or quote – but your own take on it – to win the trip to Universal Orlando Resort.

Check out full details here

Hello Movie Makers!

CBBC Me and My Movie is back for more film-making fun for children aged 6-14.

We’ve got some brilliant free events happening near you this summer, where you you’ll have the chance to work with professional film-makers and actors to create your own film in a day. We’ll bring the cameras, you bring your imagination!

Sign up by visiting  www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/meandmymovie and clicking on Get Involved. The closing date for applications is 5th July.

Lights, camera, action!

Screen WM, the regional agency for the screen media sector, are seeking production trainees from the West Midlands to assist in a variety of departments working on the new series of the hit BBC show Hustle which will be shooting in locations in and around Birmingham from July to October. These positions are ideal for new entrants to the television industry or for crew who would like to try working in a different production department.

Screen WM’s Production Placement Scheme was launched in Autumn 2007 to assist people wanting to take the first steps into Film & TV Production, the scheme provides on-the-job work experience for those looking to get into the industry. Placements offer paid employment, usually for the duration of a shoot and are allocated to Screen WM invested projects which will be shot in the West Midlands. So far the scheme has supported over 30 trainees who have worked across a range of departments including camera, art and costume.

The trainee’s role will be to shadow a member of their assigned department, and perform trainee duties as necessary to understand and support the workings of their allocated department. Production trainees are required to observe and where possible have direct experience of the role and area they are assigned to during the production period.

The areas that the trainee must experience are linked to Skillset – the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries National Occupation Standards and/or their job profiles. Where possible, these contribute to the standard required to obtain a Level 3 qualification or equivalent by a suitable awarding body: for example NVQ/City and Guilds. For more information on Skillset and to view the job profiles go to http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs.

We are seeking trainees to work with the following departments:
Camera
Sound
Art
Script (specifically applicants who are interested in Script Editing)
Editing (cutting room trainees)
If you would like to apply for any of the positions please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter stating which positions you are interested in, your availability and any relevant experience to crew@screenwm.co.uk. Due to the volume of applications only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Guidelines
• All applications to the scheme will be considered, but we are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals who have some experience of working in the industry.
• Please only apply to the scheme if you are based in the West Midlands. If you are based outside the region please contact your local screen agency to enquire about opportunities in your area.
• All trainees will be paid a basic rate of pay (national minimum wage or above) for the duration of the shoot.
• Please note that we will only accept CVs from individuals over the age of 16.
• All placements are for the duration of the 6 episode shoot which stretches 11 weeks, July 13th-October 10th 2009. If you have holiday booked or you are unable to work immediately before the shoot begins or just after it ends please flag this up in your covering letter.

Please send in applications by WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE. Please contact Amy Newbery (amy.newbery@screenwm.co.uk) for applying after the deadline.

If you have any queries about the scheme please email crew@screenwm.co.uk or ring 0121 265 7120 and ask to speak to the Production & Development Coordinator, Amy Newbery.

Introduction to Second Light

Second Light is a talent development scheme which through production based training, will give 30 talented young people aged 18-to-23, from BME backgrounds, supported opportunities to move into the film industry. 

Supported by funding from UK Film Council and Skillset, it is being delivered by First Light (FL) the UK’s leading initiative that provides funding and expertise to enable young people to create their own short digital films and media projects. Since launching in 2001, FL has helped more than 19,000 young people make over 900 short digital films and 230 digital media projects with an emphasis on access UK wide, cultural diversity and social inclusion.

FL is also the lead partner managing Mediabox (formerly the Youth Media Fund), a Department for Children, School and Families £8million fund that offers disadvantaged 13-19 year olds living in England the opportunity to develop and produce creative media projects using print, television, film, radio or online platforms.

 Aims of Second Light

• To create new ladders of filmmaking opportunities for talented young filmmakers through extended periods of engagement with organisations, to develop creative and technical filmmaking skills.
• To support the UK film industry’s efforts to develop an up to date, technically informed and diverse skilled workforce representative of the UK population.
• To broaden knowledge about work opportunities across the film value chain (development, pre-production, production, post-production, exhibition and distribution).
• To provide developmental opportunities for participants to increase their chances of accessing new entrant film training schemes, HE/FE film industry related courses and gaining employment in the film industry.

What funding is on offer?

FL will offer funding of up to £70,000 to 3 filmmaking organisations who can devise and support innovative, well conceived and predominantly production based training

programmes for 10 young people, from BME backgrounds, over a period of 18 months (starting no later than September 2009 and ending March 2011).

As we are seeking a spread of activity across the UK, it is highly unlikely that we will fund 2 organisations from the same region.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

Download Second Light Guidelines here.

In the development of Second Light, First Light gathered together a creative think tank and also held a consultation event.  The notes from the event are listed below (as PDFs) for you to download and the link below ( Where does all the talent go?) will open and replay the live blog  from the event.  Click here for the blog Where does all the talent go? 

 1 Where does all the Talent Go? – young people’s discussion papers

 2 What 3 features would you like to see included in a talent development scheme for young people who want to work in the film industry?

 3 What do you consider are the 3 main barriers to young people who want to progress into the film industry careers?

 4 Second Light Think Tank Meeting Notes

Following the success of last year’s Europe@Home photography competition, the European People’s Party Group in the Committee of the Regions has joined together with the Party to challenge young people to shoot a 1-minute film on the topic of creating a better environment.  The top three film-makers will win a share of £1750 and a trip to Brussels to see their films screened in the European Parliament in October.

Can you capture the spirit of Europe in just 1-minute? If so, visit  www.eppcompetition.eu  for more details! Closing date is 15 June!

CEA AND UK FILM COUNCIL ANNOUNCE

DIGITAL ROADSHOWS FOR EXHIBITORS

London – 18 March 2009: The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association and the UK Film Council, working with Screen Digest, have today announced a UK-wide programme of digital roadshows to raise awareness and understanding amongst the exhibition sector of issues around digital cinema.

The events, which will run from April – June at eleven digitally-equipped venues across the country, will provide an overview of the financial, operational and technical issues around digital cinema operation and allow those attending to hear first-hand experience from colleagues on the opportunities and challenges presented by conversion from 35mm technology.

A number of the events will also focus on aspects of digital 3D cinema, interest in which has been boosted recently by the success of titles such as My Bloody Valentine and Bolt and anticipation of the upcoming Monsters vs Aliens.

The roadshows will be open to all UK exhibitors, including commercial and specialist cinemas, arts venues and film societies. 

Announcing the proposed events, CEA Chief Executive Phil Clapp said:

“I am hugely grateful to colleagues at the UK Film Council and Screen Digest for their willingness to work with us and share their expertise. I see the roadshow events as an important opportunity for the wider exhibition sector to learn more and to discuss the key issues around digital cinema.

“It seems clear that the current transition to digital is only likely to gather pace in the future. It is vital therefore that all exhibitors are armed with the facts to enable them to decide whether they want to make that change, and if so, on what timescale. In order that all can make informed business decisions, we need to ensure that as much objective information as possible has been made available.”

Commenting on the desire to involve as wide a range of exhibitors as possible, Peter Buckingham, Head of Distribution and Exhibition at the UK Film Council, added:

“The transition to digital cinema technology will impact at some point on everyone who currently exhibits films or wishes to do so in the future. Everyone shares the same issue here, no matter what type of venue or type of programme. Namely, how is the switch from 35mm to digital going to benefit their operations, and crucially how will it be funded. It is therefore vital that as many as possible working in this part of the sector fully understand the financial and operational implications.

“We hope these events will provide a key opportunity for exhibitors and anyone working in this sector to engage with those who have first-hand experience of what it means to ‘go digital’.”

Full details of the events and information on how to attend can be found at this link:

www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/roadshow 

Dates and venues for the events are as follows. All events will begin at 10.00am and finish by 3.00pm.

Monday 27 April

Cornerhouse, Manchester

70 Oxford Street

Manchester M1 5NH

Tuesday 28 April

Vue, Hull*

Princes Quay

Kingston-Upon-Hull HU1 2PQ

Wednesday 29 April

Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge

38-39 St Andrew\\\’s Street

Cambridge CB2 3AR

Friday 1 May

Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

10 Pilgrim Street

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QG

Thursday 7 May

Glasgow Film Theatre

12 Rose Street Glasgow

G3 6RB

Wednesday 13 May

Cineworld, Cardiff

Mary Ann Street

Cardiff CF10 2EN

Friday 15 May

Watershed, Bristol

1 Canon’s Road, Harbourside

Bristol BS1 5TX

Monday 1 June

Light House, Wolverhampton

The Chubb Buildings

Fryer Street

Wolverhampton WV1 1HT

Wednesday 3 June

Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast

Queen’s University of Belfast

Culture & Arts Division

8 Fitzwilliam Street

Belfast Northern Ireland BT9 6AW

Thursday 4 June

Odeon Bayswater, London*

Whiteleys of Bayswater

Queensway London W2 4YL

Monday 8 June

Plaza Cinema, Truro

Lemon Street

Truro TR1 2PN

Exhibitor enquiries

Any queries or questions should be directed to: digitalcinema@cinemauk.org.uk

Media enquiries

For more information, please contact Phil Clapp / James Bird at the CEA on Tel: 020 7734 9551 or email: digitalcinema@cinemauk.org.uk

Or Caroline Nagle at the UK Film Council on Tel: 020 7861 7508, email caroline.nagle@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk

Screen England – Executive Director

Screen England – The Regional Screen Agency Network

Executive Director

Job Description

Screen England is the network of the nine Regional Screen Agencies that cover England.  Each RSA is an independent not-for-profit company, each with a Board of non-Executive Directors made up of leading figures from the film and media industries.  They are core funded by the UK Film Council but leverage significant resources from many other regional, national and European agencies and earn revenue from their activities and services.  The Chief Executives of the RSAs work as a group to liaise with government and national agencies, to share information, to partner with each other and to develop  joint strategies and common purpose as Screen England.  They now seek an Executive Director to carry forward and further develop the work that has been started. 

The Job

The Executive Director will be responsible for driving forward the priorities agreed by the Board of Screen England; comprising the Chief Executives of the nine RSAs, together with an independent Chair, and for developing the most appropriate and cost effective mechanisms for delivering agreed outcomes.

The post will be initially for one year, with the strong likelihood of becoming longer term.

The Person

The Executive Director will be a person with extensive experience of the media world, as a practitioner or as an analyst and commentator, or of related fields within the creative industries. 

She/he will have a good understanding and experience of the workings of Parliament and Government at national level and should have some understanding of the relationship between Whitehall and government at regional and local level in England.   Some knowledge of the workings of the European Commission and EU funding structures would be an advantage.

She/he will have the necessary management experience to contribute to and sustain an appropriate infrastructure for the effective functioning of Screen England. 

She/he will be a confident and experienced communicator, able to act as ambassador for Screen England at ministerial and senior official level.  

As the Executive Director of this developing national network, she/he will have imagination, confidence, energy and strong leadership qualities. 

The Responsibilities

Plan, cost and implement activities relating to strategic priorities advocacy and investment as agreed by Screen England (the RSA network’s Board) and report regularly to the Board on progress.

Represent Screen England and liaise on its behalf with government departments, other public agencies and, where appropriate, in the European Commission and European Parliament.

Keep abreast of relevant policy developments and funding opportunities at national and European level, and keep Screen England informed of them.

Brief Screen England about policy developments and funding opportunities, where appropriate.

Collect and commission data and research for Screen England that helps advance the interests of the RSA network as a whole.

Identify and pitch for appropriate projects and funds on behalf of Screen England, working with the RSAs and keeping the Board informed. 

Be responsible to Screen England for contributing to the preparation of  budgets, and finances. 

Attend and support Screen England Board meetings. 

Remuneration

The post will be for .6 post (equivalent to 3 days per week) £65,000 pro-rata for 1 year

The post has the potential to develop into a full time post.

The post will be based in one of the nine Regional Screen Agencies, dependent on where the successful candidate is based.

Line Management will be by the Screen England Vice Chair, an appointed RSA CEO.

Screen England Network partners

Screen South, Screen East, EM Media, Vision & Media, South West Screen, Northern Film and Media, Screen West Midlands, Screen Yorkshire, Film London. 

Further details please contact: Jo Nolan, Chair of Screen England and Chief Executive, Screen South: jo.nolan@screensouth.org   or call 01303 259777  

To be considered for this post: Please send following to Jo Nolan, Chief Executive, Screen South, Head Office,The Wedge, 75-81Tontine Street, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1JR  

Letter of motivation

 Current CV

2 referee contacts (these will only be contacted should your application be successful)

DEADLINE April  24th 2009 -  Interviews will take place in the first week of May.

Michael Sheen and Maxine Peake presented the young filmmakers from 'Not Cricket' with their Best Screenplay Award

Young film-makers from across the country, gathered at the glittering awards ceremony in Odeon Leicester Square for the ACTIVISION FIRST LIGHT MOVIES AWARDS 2009.   The country’s next generation of film makers, all between the ages of five and nineteen triumphed across the eight categories; Best Drama, Best Horror, Best Thriller, Best Screenplay, Best Animation, Best Fantasy Adventure, Best Film by Under 12s & Best Film by Over 13s. 
 
Hosted by T4 presenters Miquita Oliver and Rick Edwards the ceremony was attended by a mix of film industry luminaries and those who presented the awards included; MICHAEL SHEEN (Frost Nixon), SIENNA MILLER (Factory Girl), DANNY BOYLE (Slumdog Millionaire), JOANNA PAGE (Gavin and Stacey), KAYA SCODELARIO (Skins) and many more.

The winning films are:

BEST DRAMA – ‘One Week Later’ – PVA Medialab – BRIDPORT

BEST HORROR – ‘Molly Moplegs’ – Stockton Borough Council – STOCKTON

BEST THRILLER – ‘Rite Of Passage’ – Ideal Films – SWINDON

BEST SCREENPLAY – ‘Not Cricket’ – Stockton Borough Council – STOCKTON

BEST ANIMATION – ‘A Day In The Life Of Eddie’ – The Young Carers Project – BRIGHTON

BEST FANTASY ADVENTURE – ‘Doodle Disaster’ – Anim8s – FIFE

BEST FILM BY 12s AND UNDER – ‘What’s In Store’ – Showroom Cinema – SHEFFIELD

BEST FILM BY 13S AND OVER – ‘This Was Forever’ – Polkadotsonraindrops – LONDON

Leigh Thomas, CEO First Light Movies comments: ‘It’s been another amazing year for First Light Movies and I’m delighted that we once again have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of so many young people from across the UK. The winning films are truly inspirational; they give a fresh and unique insight into life in Britain today and I hope these Awards help to bring our creative young people the recognition they deserve.’

Stewart Till CBE, Chairman of the UK Film Council, adds: “It’s great to see more and more young people embracing filmmaking, telling stories, boosting their confidence and developing a whole host of skills that they can use in every corner of their future lives. The UK Film Council is proud to continue to support this invaluable initiative, and congratulates all of the nominees and winners at this year’s First Light Movies Awards.”

Well done to all the First Light Movies young filmmakers!

Young People’s Film Review Competition

The Bradford International Film Festival, 13-28 March, are running a competition to find the best film reviews written by young people. Budding critics just need to review a film that is showing at the festival and email their thoughts to talk@nationalmediamuseum.org.uk with BIFF Film Review in the subject line, by Friday 3rd April. Entries will be judged in two age categories: under 15 (250 words max), and 15 to 19 (500 words max). Winners will receive 2 cinema tickets for Cubby Broccoli or Pictureville cinema every month from May 2009 to April 2010.

One World Youth Jury looking for judges

The One World Media Awards celebrates the best media coverage of the developing world. The event is televised and hosted by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News and four young people are needed to judge one of the awards – the Children’s Rights Award, sponsored by Unicef. Visit Go to www.oneworldmediaawards.org and click on the link for the One World Youth Jury to find out more. The closing date for entries is Monday 9 March 2009.

£4.5m for local community groups to tackle youth violence

Third sector groups in England and Wales are urged to bid for The Home Office Community Fund which aims to help the community tackle youth violence through activities for young people in 13 Tackling Knives Action priority areas.

Organisations can apply for grant funding of up to £10,000 per annum for three years. The scheme is looking to support organisations that offer funding to provide mentoring, outreach work and educational activities for young people involved, or at risk of becoming involved in crime.