News Archive

2003 2004 2005 2006 | 2007

2002

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News release 13/12/02

TAPED UP AND FIRST CUT AWARD-WINNERS

This year, Screen South has worked in association with broadcasters Meridian and Carlton Television to support two schemes for new filmmakers: Taped Up and First Cut.

As a result, ten short films by new directors have been produced and are being broadcast. The Taped Up films were broadcast on Meridian in November and the First Cut films will be shown on Carlton TV on January 8th and 15th (subject to confirmation).

Taped Up is a chance for new directors living in the Meridian region (East and West Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, South-east Dorset and South Wiltshire) to make a short documentary or drama. Seven pieces of under 10 minutes were commissioned in 2002. The scheme was run in collaboration with Lighthouse in Brighton and Meridian Broadcasting.

Taped Up is now in its fourth year and directors have gone on to find employment making television programmes, commercials and music videos.
For further information on Taped Up 2003 contact info@screensouth.org

The following directors have produced films for Taped Up 2002:

Molly Mackenzie The One Victoria Harwood Crouching

Michael Mulkerrin Pitbull Jolyon Thompson The Beach Cleaners

Adam Neale The Royal Pier Lucia Pearcey Blistering Days

Adam Lavis Retrograde

First Cut is a broadcast production scheme for filmmakers with no previous screen credits to make short factual based films. First Cut aims to support programme ideas that revitalise and encourage new forms of factual filmmaking. Writer and Director G.D. Jayalakshmi and Producer Pam Haigh from Jayamac Productions were appointed Executive Producers to manage First Cut, which in 2002 commissioned three films.

First Cut is running again in 2003 and is looking for ideas and filmmakers that reflect the diversity of the Carlton Television region (which includes Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, North Wiltshire or Gloucestershire). The deadline for receipt of applications is 22 January 2003. For further details contact Screen South on 01303 298 222 email:
info@screensouth.org

The following directors have produced films for First Cut 2002:

Ali Smith The Ups of Downs Zuleika Kingdon The Goat

Tomoko Otani Matsuri

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News release 12/12/02

Screen South Funding Awards: Open Funds

During the last six months, Screen South has awarded grants to filmmakers, screenwriters, production companies, film festivals and clubs throughout the South East.

Gina Fegan, Chief Executive of Screen South has been impressed by the number and quality of applications the Board receives to the Open Funds programme:

“Film culture is thriving in the South East and competition for the Open Funds is fierce. We have to focus funding on projects that nurture new creative talents, develop viable film and media businesses and offer exciting new opportunities for audiences.

We are proud that in our first six months, Screen South has funded some exciting short films and supported screenwriters and producers in developing their skills. Screen South’s support has already assisted festivals like Shot by the Sea in Hastings, Chichester Film Festival and the Festival of Cuban Film in Brighton. We have given development funding to production companies whom we believe will make features, and bring real benefit to the South East in terms of employment opportunities.”

From April to September this year, Screen South has awarded Open Funds grants to the following organisations and individuals (nearest town to the geographic base of the organisation is marked):

The next deadline for applications to Screen South’s Open Funds is 7 February 2003. Successful applicants from our last two Funding Rounds will be announced soon.

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First Cut 2003

Carlton Television in association with Screen South is looking for filmmakers to make short factual based films for First Cut 2003. To apply, you must be new to broadcast with no previous on screen credits.

First Cut aims to support programme ideas that revitalise and encourage new forms of factual filmmaking. First Cut wants ideas and filmmakers that reflect the diversity of the Carlton Television region.

The films will be snapshots, points of view and opinions that will engage the audience, making the ordinary seem extraordinary. First Cut wants you to challenge the form of factual programming, blurring the boundaries between documentary and other formats.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 22 January 2003. Applicants will be invited to attend a workshop on 3 February, followed by a pitching session on 5 February. Successful applicants will then attend an induction event on 14 February.

Writer and Director G.D. Jayalakshmi and Producer Pam Haigh from Jayamac Productions have been appointed Executive Producers to manage First Cut for the Screen South region. Jayamac has just completed Arranged Marriage, an entertaining short film shot on location in India about a British Asian girl’s fight for the right to live her life as she chooses

If you would like more details on First Cut and are based in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire North Wiltshire or Gloucestershire contact Screen South for further details on 01303 298 222 email: info@screensouth.org
Application forms can be downloaded from our funding page

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News release 21/11/02

FILM-MAKERS FROM THE SOUTH SHOWCASED AT
REGUS LONDON FILM FESTIVAL

Screen South toasted the success of film-makers from the South with an evening of screenings during the Regus London Film Festival. Producers, distributors, commissioning executives, actors and FILM COUNICIL representatives joined film-makers and Screen South Board members at a packed event at One Aldwych on 13 November.

Screen South Chief Executive Gina Fegan described the evening:

“It was a really good opportunity for film-makers from our region to network with other people from the industry. There was a great buzz about the screenings, which included a preview of “Arranged Marriage”, a short film shot entirely on location in India this year, with support from Screen South.”

The shorts screened were:

“A Fairy Story” by Ben Gooder and Philip Greenacre, which was also screened as part of the “Work and Play” festival programme of short films at NFT2.

“Shrink”, the new micro-move from hopscotch films/Tricky Film Productions

“Arranged Marriage”, a preview of the new G.D. Jayalakshmi film from Jayamac Productions, which was funded by Screen South.

“Rent”, Asham Kamboj’s film from Paperknife Productions. Asham’s new film “The Sandwich” is part of the “London Calling” festival programme screened at NFT1.

The evening also marked the Regus London Film Festival premiere of Footprint Films production directed by Bille Eltringham “This is Not A Love Song” and the UK premiere of Footprint Films “ Wanted”.

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Screen South Producers Seminar
Sales & Distribution for Feature Films
by Carl Clifton

Lighthouse, Middle Street, Brighton
2pm - 5pm Tuesday 17 December 2002

Screen South presents Carl Clifton, co-producer on Patrice Leconte’s recent film “L’ Homme du Train” and international sales for Film Four, talking about his specialist area. Carl will explore the relationship between the Producer and Sales Agents, with particular emphasis on the international market.

If you are planning, or currently have a feature in development, and you want to benefit from this award-winning producer’s expertise, and to find the best way to realise the full potential of your project, please send your name, number, address and email contact to us. As places are very limited we would advise sending your information by return to info@screensouth.org

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Screen South scores at National Schools Film Week

Screen South celebrated National Schools Film Week with an event at the Odeon Cinema, Canterbury on Thursday 17th October 2002.

Guest speaker Helkon’s Zygi Kamasa, Executive Producer of ‘Bend it Like Beckham’ came along to chat to the kids after the screening of his film. Over 385 pupils attended from 9 schools based all over the Kent region.

The kids thrilled Zygi with their enthusiasm and in turn they gained a great insight into possible careers in the UK film industry.

Later in the afternoon Zygi went over to Canterbury Christ Church University College to talk to the 2nd and final year students. Again they were delighted with the prospect of talking with a top UK film industry player and soon picked up the pace by quizzing him, on the moral responsibilities lying with distribution companies to nurture a credible ‘British Cinema identity’.

Gina Fegan, CEO Screen South, saw the event as a great opportunity for youngsters interested in making a career in the UK film industry, and will take pleasure in working in partnership with National Schools Film Week in the future.

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Screen South – Consultation

Screen South’s consultation process aims to make sure we are delivering what you need, what the industry needs and what the community needs. We hope you will respond to the priorities set out in this document.

Screen South has been delivering support for film and media since April 2002. We are committed to supporting a dynamic, competitive and sustainable film and media industry for the Government Office of the South East region. This area includes Kent, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, East and West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. We are also committed to providing opportunity, to openness, transparency and accessibility in all aspects of our work. We aim to celebrate our diverse community, embracing all members of the community.

The South East of England is home to the famous Pinewood Studios, one of five studios in the area, and is covered by two ITV broadcasters, Meridian and Carlton, and two local television stations, My TV in Southampton and TV Six in Oxford. The region has some of the most developed hubs for the games and new-media sectors in Brighton, Surrey and Oxford, and the internationally famous National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield is just one of the excellent educational establishments. Out of the South East’s population of 8 million, there are 16,000 people working in the industry, as registered on this year’s Skillset census, which does not include cinema exhibition and we have approx 200 cinema venues.

Screen South is not accepting any further comments on this consultation. Any views already received will be used to inform a strategy document for the future.

1.0 Screen South, The Agency - What we do
Screen South is passionate about developing a dynamic environment in which film and media culture can flourish. Screen South encourages the professionalisation of the industry and broadens the profile of cinema in the South East through:

Advocacy
• Acting as an advocate for the region’s film and media industry to regional development agencies, to government and other decision makers and opinion formers at local, regional, national and international levels.

Development of Talent
• Encouraging the making of distinctive British films by new and established filmmakers in the widest range of formats; and helping to ensure that those films find their audience.
• Helping to create a viable film and moving image industry by supporting appropriate training opportunities across every part of the supply chain
• Collaborating with existing organisations to develop hubs of activity and expertise
• Encouraging networking and collaboration between media practitioners
• Working with the industry to guide standards and development opportunities for individual professionals in order to attain excellence in creativity and innovation

Marketing
• Promoting the profile of the region to attract inward investment
• Promoting the use of film to raise the profile of a diverse British culture world-wide by ensuring regional presence at relevant markets and festivals

Support
• Supporting the development of the film and moving image industries within the region and contributing to the competitiveness of regional films in a global market.
• Providing the first port of call for funding and information relating to film in the region and acting as a key route for the flow of information between the Film Council, regional organisations and filmmakers

Access
• Developing opportunities for all citizens in the region to see and enjoy the widest range of British, European and world cinema.
• Encouraging appreciation of cinema through opportunities to learn how movies are made, distributed and consumed.
• Encouraging innovation, risk taking and experimentation in form, theme and content, for example through the use of new technologies in the making, distribution, management and exhibition of film.
• Raising awareness of cinema and knowledge of film and media
• Celebrating our heritage and using it as a powerful learning tool

Are you in agreement with these values?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

2.0 The areas of specialisation Screen South covers are:
2.1 Archive
2.2 Exhibition
2.3 Education
2.4 Production & Development
2.5 Professional Development/Vocational Training
2.6 Film commission and inward investment

2.1 Archive
Regional film archives celebrate our past and are valuable resources. In the South East we have two publicly funded archives: South East Film and Video Archive, which currently has 4,500 titles in it’s collection; and Wessex Sound and Film Archive currently with 8,000 titles (plus sound recordings) in it’s collection.

As the regional screen agency, our role is to encourage awareness of the archives, access to material, education events and activities using the archive material, and to be an advocate nationally for adequate support for film heritage.

Screen South seeks to support the following initiatives:
• Expand the work of the region’s existing archives, South East Film & Video Archive and Wessex Sound & Film Archive, to cover the entire region; and to increase the catalogue
• Broaden access to archive footage
• Create an on-line catalogue of all regional footage with contact details for the rights holder
• Ensuring that copies of new regional productions are accessible
• Celebrating regional awareness through the creation of new projects focusing on a sense of place

Are you in agreement with these proposals?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

2.2 Exhibition
Screen South would like to encourage an increase in the range of films available for exhibition and ensure that the maximum number of people have access to a cinema experience. We will do this by:
helping the specialist sector venues to develop a sound business base as well as improve their equipment and educational services
supporting film societies
supporting a lively programme of festivals
supporting distribution through a regional circuit of screens
encouraging networking between over 200 venues through FORCES, the Forum of Regional Cinema Exhibitors in the South

Are you in agreement with these proposals?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

2.3 Education
Learning through the exciting world of the moving image, learning how to appreciate film whether you’re 8 or 80, learning how films are made and how to make your own films, education is a vast and exciting area.

Screen South has supported Southern Film Education in Hampshire and their projects: ‘Show us Your Bits’, a festival of short films from further education institutions in Hampshire; and ‘Screen Bytes’ a competition for young filmmakers in conjunction with Odeon.

Screen South supports the following initiatives:
• The national First Light initiative for young filmmakers funded by the Film Council to encourage filmmaking for the 8-18 year olds.
• Celebrating the achievements of young filmmakers
• Encouraging the provision of educational events in cinemas
• Activities with festivals, libraries, museums, record offices, the archives, local education authorities and community initiatives
• Use of our film heritage to assist in learning about our region

Screen South seeks to ensure provision across the region by drawing on existing strengths.

Are you in agreement with these proposals?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

2.4 Production & Development
Screen South encourages the making of distinctive British films by new and established filmmakers in the widest range of formats. We also want to ensure that those films find their audience, helping to create a viable industry, Screen South will:
• Broker relationships between emerging talent and the industry
• Foster hubs of production and development activity
• Ensure new talent is exposed to the best current industry practice
• Facilitate ongoing professional development
facilitate access to funding for film production, to broadcast and distribution opportunities
• Assist with marketing, distribution and exhibition
• Provide access to resources, information and knowledge

Are you in agreement with these proposals?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

2.5 Professional Development/Vocational Training
This year has seen many changes in public support for the industry including the regional training organisation, Skillstrain, merging into the national ‘Trail Blaizer’ organisation Skillset. Screen South supported Skillstrain and is now working closely with Skillset to ensure that the film community has the necessary skills to compete in a changing marketplace. Screen South is committed to providing training opportunities with initiatives including:
• A skills audit to identify gaps within the skills base and to inform our response
• Providing development workshops in association with specialist agencies
• Providing training for producers, writers and directors
• Supporting company development focusing on business skills and market awareness

Are you in agreement with these proposals?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

2.6 Film commission and inward investment
The Screen South Film Commission will work with the British Film Commission to attract production companies, which bring employment opportunities, financial investment and a high public profile to the region. The Film Commission provides the region’s “shop window” for the rest of the world. Screen South will support:

• The marketing of regional locations, facilities and talent nationally and internationally
• Working with the regional tourist board to promote film tourism
• Collaborating with the local authorities to create a network of local film offices
• Access to a database of locations

Are you in agreement with these proposals?
What can your organisation do to contribute to this?
Respond: consultation@screensouth.org

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Call for Applicants for Digital Shorts Scheme

Digital Shorts was initiated by the Film Council’s New Cinema Fund as a national scheme to identify new filmmaking talent. In the Southern region it is being run in partnership with Lighthouse.

We are looking for new scripts, directors with innovative ways of telling original stories, people who are genuinely excited by the challenge of digital filmmaking. We will accept scripts on any subject, from 60 seconds to 10 minutes in length, but would actively encourage you to pitch your story at its most effective length - some stories do work better at 5 minutes. We do NOT want pilots for features, or pop promos.

This year, for the first time we are dividing the commissions into two groups.

DIGITAL SHORTS: We will commission six films of between 1 and 10 minutes in length, any genre, drama or animation.

DIGITAL SHORTS BITE SIZED: We are also offering two commissions in collaboration with Southern and South East Arts. These must be under 3 minutes in length and have a particular interest in exploring the aesthetic potential of the digital medium. They can be generated within a computer, explore text, use live action, animation or combinations of all these. They must, however, be single screen pieces that are designed to work projected within a conventional cinema context in front of a feature film. We are particularly interested in pieces which involve a collaboration between an artist and a screenwriter or director. We are not looking for installation based work.

Successful projects will receive the use of a DV camera kit for five days, use of an Avid suite for four days and a cash budget of up to £5,000.

Eligibility

Applicants must live within the Southern region: East and West Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are keen to draw a wide range of people into the scheme, so we will have four routes of application:

• Production teams with a director and script in place
• Writers with a strong script looking for a director
• Directors with a showreel of previous work looking for scripts
• Producers keen to work with new talent

Lighthouse and the Film Council have the right of approval over cast and members of the production team.

Development and Training

From our shortlisted group of writers, directors and writer-directors, we will draw together 8 production teams which will then go into an intense development and training period. This will include technical sessions on DV cinematography and sound, workshop sessions with other filmmakers, together with numerous screenings of digitally produced films. Participants will need to enter the process with open minds, be prepared to share their ideas with the group, accept constructive criticism and radically rethink projects if necessary. This short intensive experience will be followed by a longer, more conventional script development phase with a professional script editor.

We intend this development period to be challenging, stimulating and ultimately creative, resulting in films that engage their audience in a powerful way.

Contractual Arrangements

If you are accepted onto this scheme, you will be expected to sign a comprehensive production agreement with Lighthouse and keep accurate financial records of your expenditure. This contract is standard throughout the Digital Shorts scheme. You will be expected to clear all rights in the film in all media in perpetuity. The copyright and distribution rights in the films will be held in trust for the Film Council by Lighthouse. Filmmakers will receive a share of profits on any sales and be able to send their films to Festivals.

Application procedure

All applicants must submit a completed application form and equal opportunities form by the deadline. All scripts must be laid out in standard industry format. If you need help with this look at the Film Council website:

www.filmcouncil.org.uk/funding/?p=samplescript

Additional information on script formatting can be found at:

www.screenwritersutopia.com/rebelrp.html

No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted. Applications will be shortlisted by a panel including representatives from Lighthouse, the Film Council, an independent script editor and an independent producer. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by post.

Schedule:

Before you submit your application please consider the following:

• Does your project really work on DV?
• Is it at its most appropriate and effective length?
• Are you prepared to work within a group development process and expose your ideas to constructive criticism?
• Are you prepared to sign and abide by the terms of the production contract?

If you have any further questions, please contact Caroline Freeman at cfreeman@lighthouse.org.uk or on 01273 384222

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Dreamcatcher
Screen South Writers’ Development Programme

‘We are all lying in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars’ – Oscar Wilde.

Saturday 28th September & Sunday 29th September
The Metropole Galleries, The Leas, Folkestone.
£20.00

Screen South is pleased to announce the launch of a new scriptwriting development scheme for writers in the South East. Telling a good story is the key to a good movie and this scheme is about working with writers to assist them in sharpening their storytelling ability. Screen South considers it very important to inspire writers whilst keeping them in touch with the real world. It is essential to provide writers with a support mechanism that can continue long after Screen South’s involvement, allowing them to develop and flourish independently.

Industry feedback highlights the need to develop scripts that are focused on the current marketplace, with an ability to write for the genres including: drama for Children, Action-Adventure, Comedy, Horror, and Thriller with an awareness of budget and scale of project.

This weekend, which is open to all writers from first timers to the more experienced, will be intensive and inspirational: Saturday 28th September will focus on developing the story and Sunday 29th September will focus on pitching the story, with writers being invited to pitch a new story to industry producers on the final afternoon.

Writers who would like to be considered for the subsequent six-month Dreamcatcher Development Programme will have the opportunity to submit a one-page synopsis of their story as well as pitch to one of the producers present on the Sunday afternoon. This six-month programme will be a series of development sessions in ‘script cells’ around the region. These sessions will be facilitated by a tutor, encouraging a spirit of positive peer criticism and analysis as well as a further Master classes.

Places on this scheme are limited; the producers will make selection and writers will be informed of their decision after the weekend. Sessions will include:

Has it got Legs? - Exploring your idea’s potential
The Backbone - Story Structure
Fleshing It out - Characterisation
Selling Your Soul - Pitching
Action for Hollywood – Special Guest Spot
Dreamcatcher – present your projects to industry-established producers

TO BOOK A PLACE PLEASE CONTACT
JO NOLAN at SCREEN SOUTH
Tel: 01303 298222
Email:joannanolan@screensouth.org

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Screen South Funding Workshop
Monday September 23rd at City-Eye, Southampton

Screen South is running a workshop at City Eye in Swaythling, Southampton for anyone thinking of applying for lottery ‘Regional Investment for England’ funding grants.
Industry experts will be giving talks on how to prepare and present your project and Screen South staff will be on hand to give advice and tips on the lottery application process, from start to finish.

Screen South’s next deadline for receiving funding applications is Wednesday October 23rd.

The workshop is taking place on Monday September 23rd at City Eye, situated within Swaythling Neighbourhood Centre, 200 Burgess Road, Swaythling, Southampton from 10.30am to 5.00pm. Lunch will be provided.

Places are free but limited so if you want to attend this workshop, please contact Krissë Platt at Screen South on 01303 298222 or info@screensouth.org as soon as possible.

This is one of a series of funding workshops run by Screen South throughout the year, around the region. We would advise anyone thinking of applying for funding to attend one of our workshops. Whilst attending a workshop does not guarantee the success of your application it should help you prepare. We look forward to meeting you.

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SCREEN SOUTH TO SHOWCASE REGION’S
PROGRAMME MAKERS AT MIPCOM

Screen South, the new film and media agency for the South, wants to hear from programme makers based in our region (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, East and West Sussex and the Isle of Wight) who have programmes ready-to-sell at MIPCOM this October.

Screen South plans to represent the region’s television programme makers at this year’s MIPCOM, the International Film and Programme trade market for TV, Video, Cable & Satellite. Screen South will also be doing business at MIPCOM Junior, the market place for children’s and youth programmes.

Head of Operations for Screen South, Lara Lowe explains:

“We plan to produce a catalogue featuring summaries of treatments and contacts for regional programme makers. I will be representing Screen South at both MIPCOM and MIPCOM Junior. The catalogue will be a great way to ensure our region’s programme makers are part of the hotbed of business to business activity taking place there. Please send us your submissions and we will do or best to promote you.”

Screen South will be on the PACT stand (Producers Alliance for TV and Cinema) number 05.29, in the main hall at MIPCOM. MIPCOM delegates from our region are very welcome to come along and we can pass on useful contacts.

To be included in Screen South’s catalogue for MIPCOM, programme makers must provide a completed master copy of programmes ready to sell at broadcast level.

Deadline for submissions: Friday 16 August
Programme makers should contact Lara Lowe at Screen South for further details on 01303 298222 email: lara.lowe@screensouth.org

Notes to editors:
1. Screen South, the film and media agency for the South, is funded by the FILM COUNCIL’s Regional Investment Fund. Screen South’s mission is to develop a dynamic environment in which film and media culture can flourish throughout the Government Office of the South East region (Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire). Screen South’s activities cover: archive, development, production, exhibition, education, film commission and inward investment.
2. MIPCOM takes place at Palais De Festival, Cannes, France from 8 – 11 October 2002 (MIPCOM Junior takes runs from 5 – 6 Oct). MIPCOM is where international players from the TV industry make an appointment with the TV world.. For those involved in TV broadcasting, programme production & distribution, video, DVD & the Internet, advertising, licensing & merchandising, consultancy, service companies, new media…it's the market where programming policies are implemented and trends are spotted.

Press contact: Sarah Heyworth
tel: 01273 608021
sarah@heyworth-pr.com

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