1. Dec 13th 2011
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    Forum board member Natasha Carlish has been working closely with Stoke Your Fires Festival and Sheffield International Documentary Festival to bring Seize the Future to the West Midlands.

    "I attended this course earlier this year and it was probably the best 2 days professional development I have experienced in a long time. It was inspiring and informative and a great opportunity to get access to world class speakers with expertise in crowd funding, hybrid distribution and social media. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I would encourage all Forum members to apply.

    People should apply for D2D through the Sheffield website but what I really want to push is SEIZE THE FUTURE which is what I went on - it will form part of D2D which is over £200.

    The deadline for now is end of first week of Jan and any member interested should mail me asap. (The discount is £125 from £150.)"

    Thursday February 23rd and Friday February 24th, as part of Stoke your Fires


    We are delighted to be offering a limited number of places to the celebrated Seize The Future workshop to Stoke Your Fires attendees.

    This 2-day Master Workshop is designed for independent filmmakers and artists determined to get their work seen widely, create social impact, and earn a living in the digital age.

    The workshop will feature multi-media presentations, breakout groups, and interactive sessions. There will be networking opportunities during coffee breaks, lunch, and throughout the workshop. Everyone will have a chance to connect and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

    The workshop will be taught by Sandi DuBowski,  Producer of A Jihad for Love and Outreach Director of The Good Pitch, and Peter Broderick, leading distribution strategist and President of Paradigm Consulting.

  2. Sep 29th 2011
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    To receive this newsletter as an email, join the Forum using the links above! This newsletter has been published here as an example of what you can expect to receive every week as a Forum member. Sign up today to have all of this arrive straight to your inbox every week!
    FORUM NEWS
    • The Forum has now moved over to weekly summary emails, to make it easier for you to access the information you need from us quickly. We're also increasing our use of social media, and hopefully adding new features you can benefit from on the Forum website too.

    • Social Media are becoming central to the Forum's communications too - have you found us on all of the ones you use? We now have over 800 followers on Twitter, and we're easy to find on LinkedIn and Facebook too...
    FORUM EVENTS
    • Thanks to everyone who attended our monthly networking and THE INSATIABLE MOON screening! If you missed the screening, another chance is mentioned below.

    • October Monthly Networking, Thursday October 27th, The Audio Suite, 6-8pm - please confirm your attendance here (http://uk.eventbrite.com/event/2041743911) or email info@producersforum.org.uk
    OTHER NEWS
    • Distribution of films via iPhone, iPad etc - http://bit.ly/qHWm0o

    • New audience mapping app for independent filmmakers to get their movies into cinemas - http://www.dmand.it

    • Vimeo launches nnew service providing music for videos - http://bit.ly/ogeJqa

    • Cinedigm launches new cinema distribution, advertising and monetisation service for independent films - http://indiedirect.com/

    • New 'Prescreen' service offers 'a Social Movie Discovery Platform' which will embrace a curated daily email service to leverage the social web to give movies blockbuster exposure on an indie budget' - http://bit.ly/nTBoCS

    • How social media can create work for freelancers - http://linkd.in/p4s7E4

    • Creative England begins appointments - http://www.creativeengland.co.uk/news

    • Discounts available until 31st October (for venues including Birmingham City Centre & Manchester) with www.studiovenues.co.uk
    OTHER FEATURED EVENTS
    • Creative Networks: 3D - The Challenge and the Opportunity, with insights from the BBC. Thursday 29 September 2011, 6.00pm until 9.00pm - www.creativenetworksonline.com. Including The Music Network 4.00pm until 5.30pm - www.birminghammusicnetwork.com - and Birmingham Screen Image Network 4.00pm until 6.00pm – www.bsin.co.uk

    • Creative Alliance Jobs Open Day, 30 Sep 10am-2pm, drop in at JMP Employability, 3rd Floor Scala House B1 1EQ - www.creativealliance.co.uk

    • The Media Archive for Central England (MACE) seeks your home videos! Event with Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Friday 2 December, 1pm, Admission Free - www.warwickdc.gov.uk/events

    • Next ACME Network Meeting for artists / creatives who work with children and young people: October 4th 6 - 8pm Custard Factory - http://www.creativealliance.org.uk/

    • The new UK film industry economy – web 3.0 film and transmedia content production (Full day workshop) - Birmingham Screen West Midlands: Saturday 22nd October  2011 (Tickets) £30 - http://futureartists.co.uk/2011/05/07/film-and-transmedia-director-workshops-tour/ 

    • Premiere, LUNATIC: TAKING THE STIGMA OUT OF MENTAL HEALTH documentary + screening, THE INSATIABLE MOON plus producers' Q&A - the Mac, Birmingham 10 October 7pm-11pm. *Winner: Best Foreign Film Moondance International Film Festival USA.

    • Audiences Central Annual Symposium, The Mac Birmingham, 20/10/11 - Asking challenging questions about the future of Audience Engagement in the UK and Europe. http://www.audiencescentral.co.uk/events/?id=371

    • FLIP International Animation Festival Thu 27 - Sat 29 Oct - www.flipfestival.co.uk

    • FLATPACK FESTIVAL WARMUP - Thursday 17 November, 7pm at Ikon Gallery

    • Departure Lounge: Little Dreams, by Khaled El Hagar (TBC) - Mac 27 Oct - http://www.macarts.co.uk/event/departure-lounge-little-dreams-khaled-el-hagar--tbc-
    OPPORTUNITIES
    This section is exclusively for paid Forum members and lists many opportunities that they could be eligible for.
    TRAINING
    • For artists and creatives who deliver participatory activities with people - Creative Alliance is running our highly successful PTLLLS qualification every Monday evening from October 31st - December 13th between 5:00 and 8:00pm - www.creativealliance.org.uk/offers/certified

    • Creative Leadership training from Creative Alliance - up to 50% off - http://embltd.co.uk/lmas

    • Stand Up Comedy Course - Birmingham 11th October 2011 - http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/?RDCT=10458fd8ceedbaf3e4e7

    • £15 for a one-day Pitching Workshop the day before London Screenwriters' Festival - www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/ehome/lsf2011/pitching-thursday?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium

    • Introduction to TV drama scriptwriting - http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/?RDCT=51c664e6aba46faaa4bc

    • Train to become an arts awards advisor, West Midlands, £140 - http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/index.php?id=25&ne_source=dailynews_plain&ne_post_id=68659

    • Hallowe'en Filmmaking Workshop for 11-16s from First Light - http://www.firstlightonline.co.uk/news/first-fright-our-half-term-halloween-horror-worksh/

    • London Screenwriters' Festival - for discounts, see our email of August 31st, or get discounted tickets from Euroscript - Just click here (http://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/ehome/index.php?eventid=27766&), go to BUY TICKETS and enter the discount code EUROSCRIPT.

    • Latest Adobe, Apple, Gamer Camp & Training for Teachers from NTI Birmingham - http://www.bcu.ac.uk/pme/nti/training

  3. Aug 17th 2011
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    From Be Inspired films - http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1802809251/?ref=enivte&invite=MTE2ODE3MS9pbmZvQHByb2R1Y2Vyc2ZvcnVtLm9yZy51ay8w&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invitenew&utm_term=eventpage

    The Course - what you will learn:

    We have designed this one day intensive hands on training course to set you ahead of your competitors by training you to create your own regular good quality video content to promote your business or social project.

    We cover strategy and planning, different types of equipment to use, filming, composition, lighting, sound, editing and uploading to the web.

    You will walk away equiped with the knowledge and practical skills to create your own video content from concept through to the end product.

    Most of the day is spent actually filming and editing, it is a fully hands on, learning by doing experience.

     

    Equipment and course materials:

    We provide cameras, tripods, microphones and editing software. All you need to do is turn up ready to learn.

    We will also recommend the best equipment to use so you can be up and running with a portable HD camera with microphone and editing with software that has many of the features the professionals use, all for less than £200. 

    Our commitment is to get you started creating your own good quality videos for the web even on a very limited budget.

     

    Testimonials:

    To hear from others who have been on the course click here

     

    The Venue:

    This venue is very central, less than 10 minutes walk from New Street Station. The training room is very bright and spacious and there is a nice cafe which is part of the building where we will take lunch.

     

    Invest in yourself:

    I look forward to seeing you there and to helping you develop the skills and the confidence to create your own videos for the web.

    Rav Chambers

  4. Aug 5th 2011
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    Are you 16-25 years of age? Do you have some knowledge or experience of working in the film industry? Would you like to have the opportunity to learn from award winning producers just what it takes to become a film producer? If you have answered “yes” to these questions then the Second Light Producer’s LAB could be for you.

    First Light, who fund and support film projects with young people throughout the UK, and The Producers’ Forum, who provide tailored training for Film Producers at all levels have teamed up to offer this 4-day course.

    The LAB will offer participants the opportunity to learn all about the role of the producer, how to develop, produce and distribute a short film, how to build a career as a film producer and the skills and experience required to work in the film industry. Through a series of case studies of short films, sessions from guest speakers, role play and project work participants will spend 4 days getting to grips with just what it takes to be a film producer.

    This opportunity is targeted at young people aged 16-25years from diverse backgrounds. These categories include:

    • NEETS (not currently in education, employment or training)
    • BME
    • Young carers and cared for children
    • Lone parents
    • Young people with disabilities

    This is not an exhaustive list and if you need advice please email us.

    DATE: 21-22 September & 28-29 September. Each day will run from 10-6 and you must be

    available to attend all 4 days.

    LOCATION: The course will take place at the Midland Arts Centre in Birmingham.

    This course is free of charge to successful applicants and some travel bursaries may be available.

    IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO APPLY PLEASE E-MAIL A ONE PAGE CV or BIOG and up to ONE PAGE EXPLAINING WHY YOU WANT TO DO THE COURSE AND HOW YOU THINK IT WILL HELP YOU.

    Please send to: info@producersforum.org.uk with SECOND LIGHT LAB in the subject line.

    Your application should arrive no later than FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER at 5pm.

    For the full article click here.

    To see the First Light website click here: http://www.firstlightonline.co.uk/news/producers-labs/

  5. Dec 17th 2010
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    If You're In The Business Of Film, How Do You Make A Business Out Of Digital?

    This programme was developed with input from Screen WM and the wider film industry. Although there's a cost, Screen WM encourage members to put in for this - there may be support available either through them or other sources and they'd be keen to help participants from the region if they get through (with usual caveat that there's no guarantees!).

    Please see the attached document for information on the events.

    Take 12.3

    WHAT?S THE BIG ISSUE?
    The film world is experiencing a major problem – it is competing with digital. It is competing with piracy, with seismic disruptions to the value chain, with fragmenting markets, and with a variety of business models that have nothing to do with linear entertainment.

    The UK film world has some distinct advantages – a strong creative workforce and a great track record amongst them; that?s certain.
    But the path ahead is less clear. Some major questions are already here:
    - What?s happening to the long established value chain?
    - How does a film business compete with a hardware manufacturer?
    - Who, when and how should a film be marketed in a digital domain?
    - How does the film industry avoid going the way of the music business?

    And, worst of all, the default price of entertainment in the digital world is zero. How does a film business compete with free?
    But change brings opportunity with it: “the à la carteing of life has become possible for the first time” Barry Diller, September 2010

    Where do you sit, and will it be a case of feast or famine?

    Take 12 doesn’t just help you analyse the challenge, it works with you to seize the opportunity.


    Contact - Mike Kelly,

    Follow me on Twitter: MikeOnMedia

    Northern Alliance Limited
    19 Bolsover Street
    London W1W 5NA
    +44 (0) 207 886 0730
    www.northern-alliance.co.uk

    http://switchboard.posterous.com/take-123-0#

  6. Dec 16th 2010
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    Call for new writers 

    Self Service and This is Tomorrow are piloting a mentoring scheme for new writers, which offers an opportunity for a new or emerging writer to develop skills in critical writing for publication.

    The scheme intends to encourage writing practice within the West Midlands, giving a platform for new writers to gain public exposure, experience and professional development, whilst simultaneously promoting arts activity in the region to a wider audience.

    The writer will receive 3 half-day mentoring sessions from the This is Tomorrow team:

    -James Smith (focus on research, planning and editorial).
    -Lorena Munoz-Alonso (focus on artists interviews / features).
    -Josephine Breese (focus on reviews and writing style).

    In addition the writer will have two half-day mentoring sessions with Sally O’Reilly which will focus on writing practice.

    The writer will be expected to produce three pieces of critical writing (as detailed below), which will be published on www.thisistomorrow.info and www.weareeastside.com

    -A review of Flatpack or Fierce Festival (500words), March 2011

    -An interview/feature on a West Midlands based practitioner or artist-led organisation (1000 words), June 2011

    -A review of all, or a part of The Event 2011 (1000 words),  October 2011


    Application process     

    Applicants should send:

    -A short letter of application stating why you have applied for this opportunity and what you hope to gain from it.

    -Two examples of critical writing (around 500 words each).

    -An up to date CV

    To: jamessmith.lon@googlemail.com

    Deadline: Friday 14th January 2011

  7. Dec 8th 2010
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    Are you a digital or screen media SME based in West Midlands?

    Are you currently working on a funding application or bid?

    Do you want to find our more about

    - Finding opportunities

    - Putting together an application

    - Pitching and presenting skills

    - Strategy and capacity building

    Switchboard (http://switchboard.posterous.com/), the new sector-led transmedia digital & screen media steering group in the west midlands, presents an in-depth comprehensive training session to provide you with training on all aspects of successful proposal writing and bids.

    In response to a survey which we conducted to identify needs within the sector, this training programme has been designed to tackle the areas highlighted as those of greatest training need.

    Funding streams are getting more competitive so this is a great opportunity to get tailored advice from seasoned fundraisers and inside information from assessors. After the days training we will offer on-going support on an individual basis to provide specific feedback and guidance on your ‘live work’.

    For more information or to apply please contact helga@fierceearth.com

    EVENT DETAILS

    Date – 18th January 2011          

    Targeted at – West Midlands based SME’s working in digital and screen media who want to improve their knowledge of proposal writing, funding applications and pitching.

    Cost - £25

    Venue – The Zoo, 21A Caroline Street, St. Paul's Square, Birmingham, B31UE

    (NOTE: Switchboard is managed by The Producers' Forum)

  8. Oct 18th 2010
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    Online video is among the fastest-growing forms of digital marketing. 80% of Internet users worldwide watch video over the web, and their consumption grew by nearly 40% last year. In an age where TV advertising revenues are declining customers are heading online for everything from product information videos to branded entertainment content.
    With such rapid growth there is great potential for marketers to achieve excellent value for money and gain exceptional return on investment. But as with all new and emerging methods, finding tried and tested strategies for implementation and measurement can be difficult.
    So: how do you seize the opportunity in the right way? Forum member Steffan Aquarone, an expert professional in using video as part of digital marketing, is leading an expertise-packed Online Video training course for top training company E-Marketeers in December. 
    The course has been designed for marketing and communications professionals to inform you of all the key aspects of online video and equip you to make the right decision about your online video project.
    You will learn all the crucial aspects of online video, from understanding how web video works and creating robust systems for its measurement, through to understanding audiences and setting creative briefs to ensure you’re producing content that will succeed.

  9. Oct 15th 2010
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    Starting date: 3rd November | 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th  November and 1st December 

    10:00- 17:30 | Fee: £420 

    Corazon Films UK presents a 5 day course in 5 weeks, designed specifically for filmmakers with a feature at packaging stage, a completed short film or those who are seriously looking to move into feature financing and production. During the 5 week course you will meet key industry executives from the fields of entertainment law, sales and distribution, financing and post production who will change your view of how the film industry works and what you must do to guarantee success in this field, especially during these grim financial times ! 

     

    Please view our website for more information: www.corazonfilmsuk.com 

    Direct link to the course info: http://www.corazonfilmsuk.com/pages/show/17

     

    Tutor: Anita Lewton. Producer, Writer, Trainer, Co Chair of the NPA Ltd 2007- 2010, director of E2 Projects, Corazon Films UK,  and Accidental Media Scotland.

     

    Limited places available; Venue : Jesus Centre Charitable trust - Margaret Place, off 88 Margaret St Oxford Circus

     

    Fee for the full course is £420.- Payment in advance and by cheque only.


    For further info and to book a place, please contact Chiara:

    E: producing.course@gmail.com