Author Archive

Acklam Whin Mural

1 x Visual Artist Required

To undertake community engagement sessions with young families and then to create and paint* a mural in the crèche, as well as creating a piece to be displayed outside.

* They  are open to other mediums

Please refer to the project outline for more information and all application details. Please note the deadline for completed applications is 9am Monday 22nd February 2010 and that work will need to be completed by the end of March. PLEASE NOTE TIGHT DEADLINE

Please download the project outline for more information & details of the application process at www.teesvalleyarts.org.uk/newsandevents.html

Or email info@teesvalleyarts.org.uk to have the information emailed to you

Terms and conditions

The artist must supply original Enhanced CRB documentation (dated no older than March 08) and evidence of current Public Liability Insurance cover to TVA before appointment; be responsible for their own taxes and national insurance; comply with any health and safety requirements of Acklam Whin Centre.

Total fee to artist – £1,500 (inclusive of any VAT)

The fee to the artist is for creating and painting an indoor mural and external piece, and to attend and participate in two community engagement sessions at Acklam Whin Centre to involve children and parents in the creation of ideas/ images for the mural and for a site visit/ project meeting/s and for any ‘off site’ work as necessary. Fees are inclusive of project travel and any VAT.

There is a materials budget of £400 for the project.

Acklam_Whin_Mural_Project_Outline (PDF)

Remember My Face

The Video below is by Tom Marshall  .Tom completed a DigitalCity fellowship in 2009 as part of the company Hallows Media and produced the short film, God & Lucy which had award winning potential and was distributed to high-end festivals including Edinburgh and Venice.  Tom also worked as scriptwriter on ‘Soldier to Man’ and ‘Scribble’ both shortlisted for the BBC drama shorts scheme, ‘The Reception’ and ‘The Grill’ which were shortlisted for the Digital Nation Scheme. Below the video Tom describes the making of this film.

The film was made to fit a brief for a competition being run by reed.co.uk, they wanted films based around the theme ‘workplace’ and under 3 minutes in length. I used the competition as a reason to do something I had wanted to do for a long time, write and record a comedy song and then shoot a video to it. I’m a huge fan of ‘Flight of  the Concords’ who do this brilliantly.  I think our attempt isn’t quite up to their standards! But I am still very proud of how it has turned out.

I wrote the lyrics to the song, I gave these to Aaron Turner who then came up with the track and the arrangement. We went more ‘Pet Shop Boys’ than ‘G Unit’ a sort of white middle class rap thing which I thought was going to be best comedy-wise! We recorded the song in one afternoon, and it was a great experience, although I’m not planning a career change to record producer just yet! (As I let Aaron do most of the work, my input was mostly “Be a bit more like Bowie on this bit)

The guy playing the lead is actually my old English/drama teacher from secondary school, who was the young trendy teacher everyone wanted to be friends with.  I think he carries the video brilliantly, I knew he would, as he was just as entertaining in the classroom.

We filmed the whole video in one day, all the dolly movements you can see in the video were done on a peice of equipment that I managed to blag. All filmed in the Phoenix Building (Thanks again Kieran Weatherill, IDI) with a skeleton crew of 4.  For extras I was just a bit cheeky and roped people in who were working in the building (spot the cameo from Kieran’s glamorous assistant Kylie).

I have always wanted to make a film like this, so I guess even though there is a very small chance we will win, I am still very proud of the fact I just went out and made it. That’s not to say I won’t be having a few bitter rants once I find out who has won instead of us!

Writers’ Block – Launch Event

Writers’ Block is an exciting new project for writers and creative’s in the North East. It will have its base in an empty property on Albert Road in Middlesbrough and is part of Middlesbrough Council’s empty shop scheme, which aims to support innovative ideas and create new opportunities in the Tees Valley area.

Writers’ Block will be a hub for creative talent in the region, bringing all kinds of different writers together with local Actors, Directors, Film Crew, Musicians, Illustrators, Animators, Radio Producers and Photographers; it will provide a work space for writers; create opportunities to produce showreels and develop portfolios; house regular training sessions, challenges and debates, designed to give writers new skills; and give writers access to Agents, Publishers, and the people who can launch their careers.

On top of these opportunities, Writers’ Block will house the resources, facilities and equipment needed to produce work to a professional standard; will be home to a film club and a reading group with a regional emphasis; and will have a collection of industry books and magazines to keep you informed and inspired.

Writers’ Block kicks off with a Writer Development Day on Friday 5th February. This will be attended by the likes of the Script Editor from Ashes to Ashes, a Screenwriter from Hollyoaks, an award winning Poet and Novelist, and a Development Producer from Tiger Aspect. The day event will be followed by an evening of short films in the Centuria Building, Teesside University, between 7 and 9pm. Unfortunately, the day event sold out quickly, but anyone is welcome to join in the evening screening event, to hear from the likes of Tom Marshall and James Harris – how they made it happen and how you can follow suit as part of the Writers’ Block scheme.

Join ‘Writer Network’ on Facebook to find out about future events and opportunities.

You can contact Laura @ laura_degnan323@hotmail.co.uk

Digital Music Marketing and Distribution

Generator Compact is our new programme of music business development units for delivery as one day bite-size workshops.  These short courses offer a practical solution for small music businesses and have been assembled by people who have extensive experience of working within the music industry.  The central aim is to ensure that the information given is industry standard and also up to date.

DateTuesday 16th March 2010 Time: 10.30 am – 4.30pm Venue: The Institute of Digital Innovation Teesside University Middlesbrough TS1 3BA

This unit is designed to help bands, labels and managers use the internet to market, promote and sell their music. It will look at the range of services available and also how you can combine online marketing with traditional methods e.g. press and radio. Any artist or label looking to ‘break’ a record needs to know how to maximise internet promotion to their advantage.

  • Digital Distribution & Retail – selling music online
  • Digital Business Models – alternative revenue streams
  • Marketing Mix’ – new media Vs traditional media
  • Online Marketing – digital campaign planning
  • Implementation – online techniques and tools
  • For more information and to register for the workshops please email Martin McAloon or call 0191 245 0099.