Screen West Midlands News

Special People, special film

news@screenwm.co.uk — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:32:20 GMT

It was fantastic to hear yesterday that the Screen WM co-financed feature film Special People had won Best Film at the Moscow Disabilty Film Festival. The debut feature film from award-winning production company 104 films and local director Justin Edgar has already won Best Film at the 2008 Britspotting Film Festival in Berlin, and continues to receive great reviews.

I know from when I met up with Justin that this has been a real heart and soul film for him, 'heart art' if you like so it is wonderful to see it receiving international acclaim. I watched X-Factor at the weekend and contestants were trying to rely on the fact they were still grieving a dead wife or were a single mother of two in order to get enough public sympathy love to see them through to the next round, whereas Special People is a talented film made by a talented cast and crew and deserves the awards and acclaim it is receiving.

The film opens next week and you can see it at the Electric Cinema in Birmingham from Monday night (www.theelectric.co.uk/) as well as Warwick Arts Centre on the 3rd / 4th December (www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/events/id/3789)

You can also view the film trailer: (www.screenwm.co.uk/swm_channel/watch/37/special_people_movie_trailer/) and an interview with Justin Edgar (/www.screenwm.co.uk/swm_channel/watch/36/interview_with_justin_edgar/) on our website channel.

Short film award opens for submissions

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:40:32 GMT

The 6th London Short Film Festival is looking for the next Scorsese, Spielberg or Tarantino who can produce, write, direct, shoot, act, edit and/or has written the music for their short film to qualify for the Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award.

The 6th London Short Film Festival wants to hear from talented filmmakers who have worked on at least three aspects of the filmmaking process for the chance to win £1000 in prize money and have their film shown at Curzon Soho.

The Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award, created by Lucia Helenka, a London based artist and filmmaker is looking for the UK’s most talented, undiscovered filmmakers with a strong and personal vision and hands on approach to filmmaking. The award, which is presented at the 6th London Short Film Festival in January, is in conjunction with car company Vauxhall who continue their commitment to driving emerging talent in short film. To qualify for the competition filmmakers must have worked on at least three areas of the filmmaking process including producing, writing, directing, camera, acting, editing and/or music composing. The film must also be under 10 minutes long.

Those short listed for the award will have the chance to see their film shown at the 6th London Short Film Festival and, thanks to Vauxhall’s sponsorship, win prizes of £750 for first place and £250 for second place towards their next film project.

Entries are open until 15 December 2008 for filmmakers to enter the Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award. Lucia Helenka, who created the competition said: “The standard of entries last year was extremely high and from the applications received so far, the bar seems to have been raised even further. To enter all filmmakers need to do is simply fill in the application form at www.shortfilms.org.uk and submit their film on DVD.”

For further information on the Vauxhall Auteur Theory Award or the 6th London Short film Festival contact annah@ideageneration.co.uk or 0207 749 6855

Birmingham City University T.I.C. Short course guide 2008-09

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:23:44 GMT

Please view the course guide for more details

tic_Short_Course_Brochure_08-09_low_res (.pdf 1 MB)

Cinemagic, the World’s leading Children’s Film Festival, to host screenings in Hereford

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:16:16 GMT

Cinemagic, the World’s leading Children’s Film Festival, are hosting screenings in The Courtyard, Hereford as part of the Cinemagic Film Festival UK tour and we would like to invite your school along!

Complimentary Tickets to Summer of the Flying Saucer

Time:               10.00am -12noon & 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Date:                           Monday 1st December 08


Synopsis: 15 year old Dan Mullaney is stuck in the countryside on the family farm in the West of Ireland during the summer of love in 1967. His dream of furthering his education is hindered by his father who believes he should take over the family business instead. However, when Dan befriends two strange visitors, one a beautiful girl names Janis, unimaginable adventures begin.

This screening is followed by a discussion led by the Courtyard’s Education officer, Sarah Thomas.

Key Stage: 3, 4, GCSE

Subject Area: Personal Development, English, The World Around Us.

*All bookings for screenings are via The Courtyard Box Office or Cinemagic

To avail of Complimentary Tickets Please email Shauna@cinemagic.org.uk or

call BOX OFFICE – 01432 340555

9 Point Director Training 2009

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:08:53 GMT

The NPA and B3 Media have announced that they will once again be running their 9 Point Director Training sessions at B3 Media.

B3 Media
B3 nurtures, develops and showcases creative talent - film makers, visual artists, musicians - from communities that are under-represented by the mainstream.

The NPA
The NPA in the national UK membership organisation for producers, directors and screenwriters and an international training provider.

The sessions are as follows: -

1. Development for Directors - Wed, 21st Jan
2. Working the script - Wed, 18th Feb
3. Pre-production - Wed, 18th March
4. Visual Storytelling - Wed, 29th April
5. Casting and Rehearsal - Wed, 10th June
6. Surviving Production - Wed, July 1st July
7. Post Production - Wed, 22nd July
8. Film on Screens: Platform and Delivery - Wed, 9th Sept
9. The Career Director: Professional Development - Wed, 7th Oct

All sessions will take place at B3 Media, Electric Avenue Studios, 3b Electric Avenue, London, SW9 8AY (www.b3media.net) between 19.00 and 21.00.

Free to NPA members & B3 Media Affilliates | Non Members £20 per session

Booking: Go to www.npa.org.uk or contact the NPA office on 0207613 0440

Celebrate inspirational adult learners - nominate them for an award

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:49:40 GMT

Make sure the remarkable achievements of adult learners are given the recognition they deserve by nominating them for the Adult Learners’ Week Awards 2009. Every year the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) receives over 1,000 nominations from colleges, businesses, adult education providers, museums, libraries and elsewhere and aims to make its 18th Adult Learners’ Week the most successful yet.

The awards for Adult Learners’ Week (9th – 15th May 2009) illustrate the extraordinary achievements, of adult learners – young, old and in all their diversity. They are awarded for their inspirational learning journeys, for the way they have coped with challenges and for the way they have embraced learning to help them transform their lives and often other people’s lives as well.

Winning an award as a result of being nominated, can be an encouraging and life changing experience for learners itself. Some winners of the 2008 awards share their thoughts on how much winning meant to them:

Paul Lee, aged 36, from Oldham, won an award for his dramatic journey from bricklayer to Cambridge University student. Paul says, “Going back to learning helped me feel like my old self again and winning the actual award helped me to get my confidence back. I think the recognition I earned was the most important step in becoming confident, regardless of my learning results, as great as they have been.”

Sight Service – a group of visually impaired people from South Shields – were awarded for succeeding in their informal art classes and progressing to an accredited art course. Their nominator Sue Taylor says, “Winning the award has inspired our learners to want to achieve even greater things next year and has also been an inspiration to several other visually impaired groups”.

She continues, “The individual group members who represented the rest of the group at the national award ceremony in London, were so proud to be representing not only their own group but so many other similar blind groups across the country. They were so happy to have been able to achieve things they all had previously thought were totally unachievable.”

John McAnuff, aged 72, from Tottenham, won an award for taking a course in Jamaican Language and Culture and being inspired to spread awareness of his roots by writing, ‘The New Jumiekan Langwij Alfabet Song’. John says, “Winning this award has been a really valuable step in my life and the recognition encourages you like a new surge of energy”.

He continues, “In our media driven society the publicity I got put my talents in the spotlight and opened doors for me. I even got to meet my local MP and he asked me what he could do for me, it was a rare opportunity.”

YMCA Fitness Industry Training, in London, were awarded for helping black and minority ethnic women find work in the fitness industry. YMCAfit Executive Director Robin Gargrave says, “Winning was a real honour. It confirmed our belief in the value of what we are trying to achieve as an organisation and gave the whole staff a massive boost. The award is viewed with pride by everyone at YMCAfit as recognition of our hard work and commitment to providing high quality learning opportunities for all. I commend the Adult Learner Awards to all education and training providers”.

Clare Harris, aged 35, from Halesowen, was recognised for her transformation from school cleaner to school-teacher. Clare says, “Winning the award has been a great experience and it has encouraged me to ensure I continue with my learning and achieve more.”

Kamy Basra, Campaigns Officer at NIACE, said, “Being nominated for an Adult Learners’ Week award is another way of building your learners’ confidence and showing them how remarkable you think their learning achievements have been. And if they’re lucky enough to win an award then they will act as an inspirational role model to encourage thousands of others to take up learning.”

She continued, “For our 18th Adult Learners’ Week Awards we would like to give even more remarkable learners the chance to shine and be celebrated. If you know someone whose learning journey deserves recognition and could inspire others to have a go, then nominate them for an Adult Learners’ Week Award. We also present awards to families, groups and organisations whose learning has transformed lives for the better.”

To nominate, visit www.alw.org.uk/nominate where you can download forms or request a paper form - nominations can be submitted online or returned by post. Additional nominations forms can be ordered at www.niace.org.uk/alw/2009/order-nomination-forms.htm. The closing date for nominations in England is Wednesday 21st January 2009 (by 5pm).

Nomination forms are also available on audiocassette and in other languages from the NIACE Campaigns Team. For your form telephone 0116 204 4200, or email alw@niace.org.uk.

Special People wins Best Film at Moscow Disabilty Film Festival!

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:06:37 GMT

Special People, the debut feature film from award-winning production company 104 films (http://www.104films.com) and director Justin Edgar has won Best Film at Moscow Disabilty Film Festival.

The comedy about an able-bodied filmmaker who gets a job making a community film with young, disabled people has received rave reviews after being shown at film festivals around the world, including:

“Tender, touching and very, very funny” David Edwards, The Mirror (4 stars)

“A well observed tale with a big heart” Screen International

“Smart and pointed, and especially funny because it is so politically incorrect” Rich Kline, BBC 5 Live

“This film is, as the title suggest, a little bit special” Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film

The film opens in cinemas on November 21st with a special screening at the Electric Cinema in Birmingham on November 24th. (www.theelectric.co.uk/)

Further screenings will follow at:

Sheffield Showroom www.showroom.org.uk/

Genesis Mile End www.genesiscinema.co.uk/

Phoenix East Finchley - 30th November www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/

Warwick Arts Centre - 3rd / 4th December www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/events/id/3789

To view the film trailer and an interview with director Justin Edgar, please visit:
www.screenwm.co.uk/swm_channel/watch/37/special_people_movie_trailer/
www.screenwm.co.uk/swm_channel/watch/36/interview_with_justin_edgar/

The Athena Screenwriters’ Lab 2009

news@screenwm.co.uk — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:42:35 GMT

Following the success of the first Athena Screenwriters’ Lab in 2008, Initialize Films is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2009 course. The Athena Lab is a dedicated programme for 8 women screenwriters who are ready to move their careers forward, and want to get an agent/development contract for a feature script.

The course was developed by Initialize Films with the assistance of an advisory panel including Juliette Towhidi (writer - Calendar Girls), Pippa Cross (producer - Shooting Dogs), Katherine Butler (Head of Development, Film 4), Martha Fiennes (director - Onegin) and Sarah Golding (script editor - The Constant Gardener).

The 2009 programme will run from February – December 2009, with the first 8 months focused on developing each writer’s slate of projects and coaching them on pitching, career management, the market, marketing strategies and commissioning options. The following 3 months will then concentrate on marketing the writers’ scripts, and putting them in contact with directors, producers, agents and commissioners.

The 2008 catalogue of Athena projects is available online at www.initialize-films.co.uk

Quotes from participants of the 2008 Athena Screenwriters’ Lab:

“The Athena course not only gives a writer business acumen and tools with which to steer this crucial stage of their careers, but expert advice, contacts and a tailored stratagem to help secure an agent and a home for their work.”

“It's wonderful to be part of a group of like-minded women impassioned by screenwriting.”

“The guest speakers at the recent workshop were all excellent – simultaneously inspiring and honest about the realities of the industry.”

"Athena has given me a valuable insight into how the industry works and equipped me with the skills and knowledge to help me negotiate my way into it. I am now confident enough to present and promote myself as a writer."

“Very encouraging! Athena strengthened my confidence in my projects, and I now feel prepared to step into the business of film.”

The application deadline for the 2009 programme is 19 December 2008. To apply please email applications@initialize-films.co.uk with:
• a pdf of a feature-length screenplay
• a CV
• the synopses of at least one other screenplay
• a statement of intent - why do you want to do the course? (no more than 200 words)

Alternatively, you can send hard-copy versions to:

Initialize Films
The Athena Screenwriters’ Lab 2009
2nd Floor Front Office
Imex House
42 Theobald’s Road
London WC1X 8NW

For further information please see www.initialize-films.co.uk.

Woody Allen lawyer to advise regional producers

news@screenwm.co.uk — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:01:14 GMT

On Wednesday 26 November The Producers’ Forum will be welcoming film law expert Hannah Woodthorpe to Birmingham. Hannah works for London based firm Sheridans and has worked on behalf of a host of clients most notably Woody Allen. Hannah will be leading a seminar on the A-Z of legal documentation that producers need to know. The event will look at all documentation that is required for closing finance on a film, de-mystifying the legal jargon and explaining to producers how they can save themselves huge legal fees by becoming more familiar with their role and responsibility when closing finance.

Hannah has a strong track record of supporting professionals in the film industry and regularly presents seminars at various industry training organisations including Ateliers du Cinéma Européen, ARISTA, the National Film and Television School, the NPA and The Script Factory. Hannah is also a member of Women in Film & Television.

Independent film producer and Producers’ Forum board member Natasha Carlish said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for West Midlands based producers to interact with a leading film lawyer whose considerable experience stretches across a wide range of films. I had the pleasure of working with Hannah on a recent co-production, ‘Souled Out’ and I was impressed by her professionalism and expertise. For anyone hoping to close finance on a film in the near future, this event is a must."

Further information about the event, including how to book to attend, can be found on The Producers’ Forum website: www.producersforum.org.uk

Applications now open for the Initialize Films' Producers' Lab

news@screenwm.co.uk — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:42:17 GMT

Applications are now open for the forthcoming Initialize Films' Producers'
Lab on International Co-Productions.

The Lab takes place in London and Berlin (at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival) over 10 days in January and February 2009, culminating in pre-arranged one-to-one meetings for the 12 participants with potential co-production partners. Lead tutors Rebecca O' Brien (The Wind That Shakes the Barley) and Christine Alderson (Irina Palm) will be joined by over 20 international experts to provide a comprehensive analysis of co-production strategies. In addition, each participant will also be coached by a producer who has co-produced a feature project in the territory / territories they are targeting. The lab is backed by UK Film Council through Skillset and Olswang.

Despite pessimism about international co-productions this year, 4 producers on the 2008 Lab have already signed co-production deals after meeting producers in Berlin. One production, which has been backed by Scottish Screen, is earmarked to shoot at the start of 2009.

Alumni of the first edition include feature producers Samm Haillay (BETTER THINGS), Sarah Sulick (THE WAITING ROOM), Jamie Nuttgens (THE BLUE TOWER – winner of Raindance – Best UK Feature prize), Anne Beresford (MOUTH TO MOUTH), Richard Staniforth (CALON GAETH – BAFTA winner) and Clare Kerr (NIGHT PEOPLE – BAFTA WINNER).

The lab is open to documentary, fiction and animation producers who live in the UK and who have a feature project at an advanced stage of development.

For further information about the Lab please see www.initialize-films.co.uk. The application deadline is 15th December 2008.

BFI presents the Reframing Literacy Conference 13th-14th November 2008

news@screenwm.co.uk — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:37:17 GMT

The BFI and the UK Literary Association, with support from the UK Film Council, have teamed up to host the ‘Reframing Literacy Conference’ on 13 and 14 November at BFI Southbank. A must for anyone with an interest in literacy and the moving image, the conference celebrates the successes of a four-year campaign to integrate film into literacy teaching across England.

The BFI has a long history of lobbying teachers and education policy makers that film and television should be an integral part of the literacy curriculum in primary and secondary schools throughout the UK. Thanks to its more recent 'Reframing Literacy' campaign over the past four years, the way moving image is used in schools has been transformed; short film has become acknowledged as an important form in its own right and the BFI has also helped to secure changes in the national curriculum. Other areas of success include:

Setting up training for nearly half the local authority strategy staff in England to use film in the classroom. 2,000 primary schools in England have signed up to the scheme and thousands more have bought the BFI's short film resources. A significant number of Universities have also included them in their teacher training programmes.

The BFI has published 7 DVD’s of short films with teaching materials that encourage literacy, but also offer rich cultural experiences in their own right. Over 12,000 copies have been sold over the past five years and demand remains high.

In June 2008 the BFI, its partners and the UK Film Council launched a nationwide strategy* for film education in which Reframing Literacy plays a key part.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Mark Reid, Head of Education at the BFI, said: “We believe that using short film in the classroom is an effective tool for supporting children’s reading, writing, speaking and listening and there is direct evidence to prove that a child who is media literate will grasp literacy skills more quickly.

“But we also want children to have access to as broad a range of film as possible, from our nation’s rich film heritage as well as from around the world. Reframing Literacy has enabled hundreds of thousands of children, and their teachers, to see films of an incredible variety and sophistication.”

The conference features keynotes from writer and film-maker Frank Cottrell Boyce, ICT guru Tim Rylands, film educator Cary Bazalgette, and Jonas Geirnaert, whose film Flatlife is well known to thousands of children and teachers. There are also workshops for teachers from animators, City Learning Centres, and presentations from Leeds, Liverpool, Lincolnshire and Birmingham local authorities.

* The National Film Education Strategy was created to bring greater coherence and consistency to the provision of film education in the UK so children and young people have equal opportunities to watch, understand and make films. It is led by the BFI, FILMCLUB, First Light Movies, Film Education and the UK Film Council, in partnership with the National and Regional Screen Agencies and Skillset.

For more details please visit: http://www.ukla.org/site/conferences/event/reframing_literacy/

Animate IT '09: To cut a long story short

news@screenwm.co.uk — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:51:09 GMT

Following the success of Animate IT '08, Film Street the award winning children’s filmmaking website and educational software house Kudlian Software have got together again to launch a filmmaking competition for children, Animate IT '09: To cut a long story short.

This year they have teamed up with CBBC’s Ed Petrie to invite children under 12, primary schools and after school groups from across the UK, to make an animated trailer to promote their favourite book! Encouraging children to use their talent for animation to promote their love of reading, the competition is also supported by the National Year of Reading in England (November is Screen Reads month), and leading film marketing agency, the Picture Production Company.

Ed Petrie, CBBC presenter and Animate IT ’09 patron said ‘The great thing about animation is that it gives children a chance to experiment with filmmaking using the artistic skills they already have. I can’t wait to watch the finished trailers to see how children have used different types of animation to tell others about their favourite books’.

Aspiring young filmmakers can use any type of animation to make their trailers. The winning trailers will be shown in Film Street’s Cinema and the winning animators will win animation equipment and software from Kudlian Software, and a tour around the offices of top trailer makers, the Picture Production Company.

To make the competition accessible to as many young people as possible entrants can
download a free five day trial of Kudlian’s award winning animation software I Can
Animate**. Entries can be submitted by email or post on CD, DVD or video in any format
by Friday 3rd April 2009.

Last year, Animate IT ’08 received over 600 entries from youngsters from across
the UK. It is hoped that Animate IT ’09: To cut a long story short will provide a new creative
challenge that will tempt even more young people to get creative with animation!

Ed said: ‘I am fascinated by the animation process and draw my own cartoons; I would
have loved to have had the chance to get creative and enter a great competition like
this when I was younger.’

Further information and full competition rules can be found at www.filmstreet.co.uk

Leeds Young Peoples Film Festival Accepting Submissions!

news@screenwm.co.uk — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:45:44 GMT

The 10th Leeds Young Peoples' Film Festival is still accepting submissions for the 2009 Festival, taking place on 2nd - 10th April 2009

We are looking for exciting and innovative films made BY children and young people from across the UK. The films can be shorts in any genre (fiction, documentary, animation) and in any format up to 10 minutes long. With an established reputation as the most interactive young peoples' Festival in the United Kingdom with over 5000 participants each year, we want films that will excite and motivate our audiences and that showcase the best and newest young filmmakers from around the country.

NYFA (National Young Filmmakers' Award) is for short films made BY children and young people (up to 19 years old) in the UK. Selected films will be entered into competition where a jury comprising of industry professionals will award £250 prizes in two age categories to the chosen films.
Please note new Deadline for entries Friday 19th December 2008.

If your film is completed, please send it in now!

Go to www.leedsyoungfilm.com to download the entry forms

Market Place deadline approaching - 5pm, Thursday 13th November

news@screenwm.co.uk — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:16:31 GMT

Are you a new entrant wishing to get hands-on work and training experience to start a career in film and TV sales?

Are you more interested in how films get sold and seen by audiences across the world, than in how they get made?

Then we have the scheme for you!

Market Place: Skillset’s New Entrant Training Scheme for the Sales Sector is a six-month comprehensive work placement and training scheme where six successful applicants will get the opportunity to undertake a paid, six-month job placement supported by a full six-month training course.

Delivered by Film London and Film Export UK, the scheme aims to provide people starting out in the industry with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to establish a successful career in film sales – be it in acquisitions, business affairs, publicity and marketing, or a sales role.

The six host companies chosen by Film London and Film Export UK to take part in Market Place are:

Bankside Films

Focus Features

Goldcrest Films Independent

Handmade Films International

Odyssey Entertainment

The Salt Company

For more information on the application process and job roles involved in one of our placements, please visit www.filmlondon.org.uk/marketplace.

Deadline for Applications is 5pm, Thursday 13th November

If you have any queries about the scheme, please call Tessa Inkelaar on 020 7613 7696 or email Tessa.inkelaar@filmlondon.org.uk

Networking at the Encounters Short Film Festival

news@screenwm.co.uk — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:20:49 GMT

The Screen Agencies invite you to a joint networking event during Encounters Short Film Festival.
The event will take place on Thursday 20 November 2008 from 8pm @ Arnolfini Cafe Bar (www.arnolfini.org.uk) , Bristol.

Please RSVP by 13th November 2008 to Arilda.tymko@swscreen.co.uk

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Enter your news story here

Training Funding Deadline

news@screenwm.co.uk — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:13:56 GMT

Are you looking to upgrade your technical skills? You could get up to 70% off your training course costs. Deadline for applications: Monday 1st December 2008

You could apply to attend a variety of courses for example: Motion, After Effects, Flash, Final Cut Pro and many more.

Focus on Freelancers can help you with information on where to go to for training as well as offering up to 70% off your course costs.

Make sure your skills are up to date to help you secure the all important next job!

Now is your last chance to apply all training courses must take place before 2009

To be eligible for the fund you must have been registered or have experience as a freelancer for a minimum of 2 years.

For more information and to apply contact Katie Wilkinson katie.wilkinson@screenwm.co.uk
T: 0121 265 7120 or visit the Screen WM website www.screenwm.co.uk

Focus on Freelancers is part funded by the Skillset TV Freelance Fund

Creative media networking event - Thursday 13th November

news@screenwm.co.uk — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:29:08 GMT

There are hundreds of opportunities in the creative and media industries

To find out about opportunities in music,dance, film, graphics, script writing, animation
and much more, come along to:

Kings Heath Cricket Club
247 Alcester Rd South, B14 6DT

On Thursday the 13th of November 10.00am to 12.30pm

A free networking event for anyone who is interested in
Creative media

For more information call Olivia on 0121 224 7375

Deaffest 2008

news@screenwm.co.uk — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:47:49 GMT

Deaffest returns to Light House with a packed programme of

premiere screenings and seminars for its anniversary year

Deaffest, the UK’s only Deaf-led Film and Television Festival which celebrates the talents of Deaf filmmakers and media artists,returns on Friday 28 - Sunday 30 November at Light House Media Centre for its tenth year in Wolverhampton.

Earlier this year the festival was awarded funding from the UK Film Council for its development over the next three years with the aim for it to be the pre-eminent annual festival in the UK celebrating world-wide Deaf media production and showcasing it to both Deaf and hearing audiences. This year’s festival will feature a new conference element - Opening Doors to New Channels - which will look at how Deaf filmmakers can successfully pitch for their own short or feature film and planning for a new Deaf TV channel. This will be alongside screenings of films produced by UK and International Deaf filmmakers including premiere screenings, Young Deaffest, showcasing work produced by talented young Deaf filmmakers, archive films looking at how Deaf people have been presented historically in film, and a free subtitled screening of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.

Admission to the festival is free except for the Saturday night Gala Evening for which tickets cost £12.50 and are now on sale from Light House Box Office on t: 01902 716055 or online at www.theticketsellers.co.uk

The highlights of Deaffest 2008 will include the Friday night launch featuring a screening of 3 films from the winners of a Young Deaf Filmmaker bursary scheme, which was awarded at last year’s festival and a new premiere of comedy Four Deaf Yorkshire Men
& A Missing Wife directed by Charlie Swinbourne. Saturday’s Opening Doors to New Channels conference will feature speakers including BAFTA award winning producer Natasha Carlish, writer, director and producer William Mager, Chief Executive of the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust Terry Riley, and Head of Innovation, New Markets and Skills at Screen WM Jason Hall, amongst others. Saturday’s Gala Evening, hosted by Miss Deaf World 2008 Rosanna Mazzocchio, will feature more exclusive premiere screenings and will be followed by a party and networking in the historic courtyard of the Chubb Buildings. Sunday will see the culmination of the festival with a free screening of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.

Throughout the festival BSL interpreters will be present including Sign over and Voice over, Relay, International and Deaf/Blind Interpreters. William Mager, director of Stiletto, a darkly comic Hitchcock-style thriller which will screen at the Saturday Gala Evening, highlights the need for the festival: ‘Deaffest is one of the only events in the UK where Deaf filmmakers can show their work on the big screen, and get the feedback and respect of their peers. It can be a very rewarding experience. I think it’s really important for Deaf people to be able to show what they can do, and for them to be given an opportunity to tell the stories that they want to tell. These stories can be about anything at all - whether it’s deaf culture, or everyday life, or the surreal. Above all, what Deaffest does so well is give Deaf people a voice on screen.’

Deaffest is supported through Screen WM’s Investment Fund with funds from The National Lottery through the UK Film Council, and through the UK Film Council Festival Fund. It is also supported by Light House, Wolverhampton City Council, Zebra-Uno and
University of Wolverhampton and sponsored by Skillset

For further info about the festival contact Light House on t. 01902 716055 / e. deaffest@light-house.co.uk or visit www.deaffest.co.uk for the
complete programme. To purchase tickets for the Saturday Gala Evening contact Light House Box Office or visit www.theticketsellers.co.uk

Introduction to After Effects

news@screenwm.co.uk — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:27:48 GMT

One-day event

Tuesday 18th November 10.00am – 6.00pm

This is a one-day event held at the School of Arts at the Leamington Spa Centre of Warwickshire College, the course affords the practitioner or student an introduction to the motion graphics and visual effects capabilities of Adobe After Effects. During the day you will learn the elementary ways in which After Effects can be used to create high-end motion graphics for film and TV, in addition to gaining an insight into After Effects’ powerful capabilities as a video/film post-production and visual effects tool.

The event is aimed at those who have a basic knowledge of computer-based technology (Mac or PC) and an interest in video editing/graphics techniques.

Areas Covered
The After Effects workspace
Creating Compositions and Importing Files
Working with Layers
2D and 3D Animation
Keyframing techniques
Working with Adobe Bridge
Post Production and Visual Effects
Exporting for TV and the Web

For more information on the event and any other training requirements please contact Naomi Heaton or Ian Killick at nheaton@warkscol.ac.uk or on 01926-318233.

Cost: £250 per delegate.

The event is a training based session and is does not culminate in an exam.

About the College
The School of Arts at Warwickshire College is an excellent educational and training provider for students and adult learners. The whole College was recently awarded a Grade One by Ofsted, which gave it recognition as a top provider of both education and training.

Symposium No.1: Things to Make & Do - Staffordshire University - starts Monday 10th November

news@screenwm.co.uk — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:22:16 GMT

MONDAY 10TH NOVEMBER – THE ALTERNATIVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF WORKING FOR A FILMMAKER
DANIEL HOPKINS
D105
1000 – 1200
Daniel Hopkins is a filmmaker, musician, artist and lecturer. He makes films
that can be seen on his myspace page (myspace.com/landcrashfilm) and music
under the alias of hurra caine landcrash or hl. He is also working on series of 18
films about the landscape he grew up in. These films are to be based on each the
fields on Dan's parents’ farm in Somerset. Dan is going to show some examples
of his work and discuss ways in which we can be creative in the era of
technological convergence.

MY FIRST MOVIE – “KYLE” & “PEPPERMINT”
D105
1300 – 1500
John Bradburn and James Fair discuss the technical and artistic circumstances
that surrounded their debut feature projects. Shot within one year of each other,
the two films share many similarities, despite John or James not knowing each
other at the time.

SCREENING: KYLE
D105
1500 – 1700
A chance to see John Bradburn’s debut feature “Kyle”.
Synopsis:
Two characters strive to rebuild their lives in the wake of a shared tragedy: Kyle
attempts to escape his past while a working mother goes to desperate ends to build a
better future for her daughter.

TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
PRACTICAL: 3-HOUR FILM CHALLENGE
F11
*** 9AM TO MIDDAY***
This exercise will test your ability to make production decisions effectively. Not
for the faint hearted – this requires a confident understanding of digital
workflow to produce a solid piece of filmmaking in a pressured situation.

FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN: SHIPMAN
TV Studio
1300 – 1700
Fiona Graham talks about the development and delivery of “Harold Shipman”,
a documentary commissioned for Sky History Channel and the Crime &
Investigation Channel. It formed the first in a series which includes “The
Hungerford Shootings”, “Stephanie Slater Abduction”, “The Russell Murders”,
“Beverley Allitt” and “Sarah Payne”.
Fiona developed and pitched the series to Sky last year, which involved scripting and
all major character finding and interviews. The factual one-hour films are interview
and drama reconstruction using the Sony DSR570 using 35mm lenses. Two more
more films are in production; “The Great Train Robbery” - probably the last ever
interview with the brains behind the robbery - Bruce Reynolds, and “Shannon
Matthews Abduction”.

NUESTRO ABUELO –
" Our Grandfather"
with dir. Benjamin Johns
TV Studio
1800 - 2000
This is the first time these people have been filmed by a non-indigenous person ever.
A journey into the unknown Benjamin Johns, DOP Robert Shacklady and Ayesha
Celis were in the remote mountains of central Mexico for only 9 days. What they
filmed with no prior permission gives a unique insight into a tribe who's Shamanic
way of life has been unchanged for 1000's of years. BAFTA nominated director and
producer Benjamin Johns will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.

WEDNESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
Producing a UK Film Council
Project: “The Gloaming”
TV Studio
1300 – 1500
John Bradburn and Andy Paton successfully pitched an experimental horror to
Screen West Midlands and secured funding under the Digishorts programme.
Here is a chance to hear John and Andy discuss the process from conception
through to completion.
Synopsis:
A newly-married couple become stranded in a deserted woods and must try to
survive.
The 72 hour feature film
“Watching & Waiting”
TV Studio
1500 – 1700 with Q&A
(screened again at 1830 – 2000
without Q&A)
In July 2008, four lecturers had a screening slot at an international film festival
without even having a film to show. As part of a team, they shot, edited and
screened a feature in 72 hours. This is an opportunity to see the film and find out
more about the challenges they faced.
Synopsis:
Katherine Mellor is a private investigator with the task of monitoring Michael, a
businessman suspected of infidelity. For three days she follows his movements and
interactions during his ‘business’ trip to Galway, gathering evidence that will
incriminate the unsuspecting Michael. However, when Katherine meets Tomas, an
escort that she hires to provide cover for one evening, she realises that she has
perhaps interpreted Michael’s situation incorrectly. What follows is a journey into her
understanding of love, truth and faithfulness.

THURSDAY 13TH NOVEMBER
HOW ‘SOULED OUT’ CAME ABOUT
F14
1000 – 1200
Associate Producer Peter Rudge discusses the background, financing and
university partnership of the – soon to be – cult classic feature movie Souled Out.
The action of "Souled Out" is set in the seventies Northern Soul scene and tells the
story of a young boy who learns about life and love through the music of the era.
The film was produced in conjunction with Staffordshire University, and students
were involved with its production over the summer.

WRITING FEATURE SCRIPTS
C330
1300 – 1500
James Fair examines the varying approaches and processes that he undertook to
write his four features. He also discusses the problems facing his current project
“The Boy Who Collected Sound”.

FILM FESTIVALS FROM BOTH SIDES
C330
1500 - 1700
John Bradburn’s experience of film festivals has seen him on both sides of the
process. A recent jury member at Leeds film festival, a selected filmmaker at
Seattle and Galway, and an attendee at many others, his experience offers a
unique insight into festival culture.

FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER
SCREENING: PEPPERMINT
C301
1100 – 1300
A chance to see James Fair’s debut feature “Peppermint”.
Synopsis:
A present day drama about Beth, a young teenager whose life is a difficult mix of
emerging sexuality, turbulent relationships and personal insecurity. The story circles
around Beth’s attempt to validate herself in the eyes of her competitive mother Ann,
resulting in a series of shocking revelations which unfold in the space of one difficult
day.
Caught in the emotional crossfire are Mike and Nan, the people closest to the pair.
Through their interactions emerges a past of parental neglect and irresponsible
adulthood, which looks inevitably set to repeat itself.

WHAT INDUSTRY WANTS
with Bill Garrett, Head of Technology at BBC Vision
F14
1400 - 1600
Perhaps the most critical presentation to attend, Bill Garrett will close our
symposium with “What Industry Wants”. This is a unique and invaluable
opportunity to hear what the workplace will require from future graduates.

Contacts - James Fair - j.e.fair@staffs.ac.uk

Andy Paton - a.paton@staffs.ac.uk

Tel - 01785 353245

Activies are all in the Beacon Building on the Beaconside Stafford Campus.

There is ample free parking available along with Coffee Bars and Restaurants

STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, BEACONSIDE, STAFFORD ST18 0AD