Blogzene

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Independent producer trade body PACT has unveiled a proposal for the public funding of UK film production, which aims to create a more sustainable film sector without the need for more public money.

Based on the report A New Business Model for UK Film, by Olsberg SPI for Pact, the strategy proposes that content creators retain substantial IP ownership and have greater access to revenues from the films they create. The proposals represent straightforward adjustments which will empower production companies and deliver market-driven growth, claims the trade body.

Explaining the proposal, chief executive for PACT John McVay said: “This is not about seeking more funds. It is about using what is already on the table to create organic growth: growth based upon success rather than subsidy. For too long the sustainability of the film production sector has remained an elusive goal, but it’s a crucial goal and one we believe is achievable if film producers are given the opportunity to share in the success if their film does well.”

PACT estimates that over £100m is invested by public sources into UK film production each year, yet because of the current business model for film, producers of even the most successful films remain reliant on public funding and typically struggle to share in revenues from even hit films. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2004), for example, earned $50m at box offices worldwide yet its producers, Archer Street, earned a zero return, despite its obvious success.

PACT cites a recent UK Film Council report which states that over half of independent production companies are loss making, despite their films being popular with audiences. This, it argues, is because the current model ensures producers cannot retain their IP and thus have little to invest, or leverage in negotiations. Under the new proposals, however, film companies would benefit financially from making successful films. This means they would then be able to invest in future films they make and gradually be able to reduce their reliance on public funds.

For details of PACT’s proposals go to www.pact.co.uk

An up and coming event delivered through WIN, a chance to meet with Rebecca in a small intimate group as she shows us around her workplace and tells the tale of her recent Award winning marathon!!!!  (and perhaps a few tips on becoming an Award winner).    Some Assist members already going, please contact Leeanne at WIN direct. Read the rest of this entry »

Portobello Film Festival present
the London Film Makers Convention
at The Roundhouse 29 & 30 May

Chalk Farm, London NW1 8EH
on 29 & 30 May (11am – 11pm).
Admission FREE and OPEN TO ALL.

Read the rest of this entry »

More info: http://www.portobellofilmfestival.com/

Entry Form:  http://www.portobellofilmfestival.com/entryform.html

Portobello Film Festival 2010
2 to 19 September

This summer, Newcastle will play host to the 24-hour webathon, Webdurance… 36 web programmers, designers and writers will be locked up in a room and challenged to the task of creating brand-new websites for 6 regional charities.

Why?

We want to do some good! And we also want to show to the world that the North East has a great web-scene.

When?

July 15^th & 16^th, 2010

Are you interested?

Regardless of whether you would like to help out or not, please show your support by signing up as a member – you’ll receive irregular updates on the progress of the event. If you want to help out, then go one step further and join the appropriate group: Volunteers, Sponsors and Charities.

Visit http://webdurance.ning.com/ for full information

Christine Wilson and Carmen Thompson whose natural habitat is PG.07, Phoenix Building and Top Shop try their hand at film making:

Motivated by the creative challenge and the £100K prize, Christine and I decided it was high time we got to it and made a short ad for the Doritos competition  – King of Ads.  I had a teeny bit of experience of documentary film making from the Teesside Uni’s Spring University (Shortees) and Christine had a dynamite idea, but we only had two weeks so we needed some drastic help.  We went along to one of the Writer’s Block drop in sessions in Middlesbrough Central Square, where we got the inspiration and advice we needed from James Harris to storyboard the idea.  Two hours later we had a story board and a script – wayhey.  Now we needed a cast and in the absence of a budget we had to draw on the scarce resources we had to pull together costume and props.

The main characters were to be Dorito Man (played by Gareth Gent, Christine’s friend and neighbour) and Femme Fatal (Christine herself-a natural in the role).   There were some initial challenges – constructing the dorito mask out of papier mache (thankfully we had already made the exec decision that we weren’t going for realism) and getting Christine’s false nails to stay on (double sided sticky tape).  We were very fortunate to be able to get the help of Matt Rozdoba, Canadian Film Company,  to film for us in exchange for a very spicy pizza.  We hit some scary moments like when our outdoor location was invaded by two blinged up escapees from the dangerous-dogs asylum and when the camera would not talk to the Mac so we could not upload our film.

It took 5 hours filming and 12 hours editing (including pestering James West to help us with the tricksy little shenanigans of Final Cut Pro) to get 29 seconds of advert.  So did we win? No. Was it worth it? Every terrifying-frustrating-hair-splitting second.  We simply couldn’t have achieved what we did without the help we got from everyone involved but the support is out there.  There is simply no experience like making a film from idea to edit and as we have proved with the little resources,  (£40 total budget spent) we had there is no excuse not to have a go.

Written by:  Carmen Thompson

Some useful Links and of course the finished article, Doritos Nice To Eat You Ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuucaEQLulM

King of Ads http://kingofads.doritos.co.uk/

Writers Block Drop in Sessions – http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107076072662897 – with picture evidence of us scriptwriting

Uni Summer Courses – http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/parttime/summer_courses.cfm

Ex DigitalCity Fellow Garry Moore has recently set up his own company S.H.A.M Films and is providing opportunities to become an Executive Producer on a feature film.

See attached document for full details and contact Garry Moore on the details below if you are interested.

Exec Producer pack

Garry Moore – Director

S.H.A.M. Films Ltd

(0191) 5522729

07784072256

Following on from yesterdays Marske visit we once again hit the Healthy Heritage Highway and had an afternoons walk right through Skinningrove. We were met at the Tom Leonard Mining Museum by Barry Hunt and by the time we reached the Doorstep Green we were also  joined by Tommy Evans so we had the full compliment of the famous Skinningrove dynamic duo. Tales of folklore, history, nature and regeneration abounded as the team snapped away with their cameras.

Image below the team at the Sealife Mosaic (click here for the story)

June had brought along her mum and whilst she matched us step for step she had her own Skinningrove stories having herself lived there and attended school in what is now the Riverside building. There was some tale of buying cigarettes at school aged 6 but we turned a deaf ear to this. Luckily our route took us past the Riverside building so we enjoyed tea and lemon cakes (no cigarettes this time) We have  heard stories about the German air raids during WW2 from the school log but but Junes mum had actually experienced the evacuation from the school and taking cover in the mine.

After tea we went onwards through the village. At 14 Stone Row we stopped for my own little bit of Skinningrove heritage about how I installed the first public computer in the village there. Then it was back to the professional raconteurs (Tommy and Barry) whilst we visited the  landmarks of the Sylvania Anchor, the Village Mosaic and the Repus. Barry even repeated the story of “The Boat Comes Home”  (The Repus) for some passing walkers on the Cleveland Way. How times have changed, walkers used to hurry through here without pause.

Our visit ended with a privileged visit to the Skinningrove Chapel. The Tour Goes On ! if you want to be involved email s.d.thompson@tees.ac.uk

The gallery below (click to enlarge) shows the team at work. The actual pictures will be seen at the exhibition in the summer. Read the rest of this entry »

Write a parody of a film, book or television programme, maximum duration 5 minutes, to be performed as a puppet show and shown as a short film at the June opening.

3 scripts will be selected and the winners will work with local puppeteers to bring their characters to life. Actors will then be introduced to the project, a short piece of accompanying music will be composed for each, and a local film maker will record and edit the completed puppet shows.

Entry submission deadline: 2nd June

Winners to be announced: 4th June

Week-long script development process: 5th June – 11th June TBC

Puppet making day: 11th June TBC

Film-making Day: 12th June TBC

Editing: 12-13th June TBC

Short film to be screened at launch event: June 2010

And here’s a little something for inspiration (though your entries may well have a few more words!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4

Email your scripts to laura@writersblockne.com no later than midday on 2nd June. If you have any queries contact me at the same address. Good luck

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=114524541900670&ref=mf

Write a play, duration roughly 5 minutes, in response to the question, ‘Can you see in the dark?’. There are no limitations; include as many characters as you think necessary, and individuals of any age, race and gender. Similarly set the plays wherever you like – all the more challenge for the production team!

2 scripts will be selected and performed at the Writers’ Block launch event in June, which will be attended by the new Project Manager from the BBC Writersroom North. Read the rest of this entry »