CURRENT
Would you like to gain hands on
experience in the Media Industry?
The Film Insiders
Talent Festival 2010 is happening soon in Barrow from
Friday 5th to Sunday 7th March.
Help us to stage three packed days of
spectacular film screenings, live events, networking parties, workshops,
masterclasses and talks from established names and the rising stars of
filmmaking in the North West.
If you are able to
help out for a couple of hours we'd love to hear from you..... We will be
looking for volunteers in the following areas:
Technical Event staff (workshops and
parties)
Box Office
Art exhibition
If you think you might be able to help and
state which area you would be interested in and contact Laura on 01229 839983 of
info@signalfilms.co.uk
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SIGNAL FILMS VISITED BY GOVERNMENT MINISTER
In April
Signal Films were visited by
Beverly Hughes MP, regional minister for the
Northwest and Minister for Children, Young People and Families. Beverly came to
discuss Signal’s work and views on the challenges ahead for a small business.
She looked at work from recent projects and praised us for the
opportunities we provide for young people in the
area.
She chatted with Jono McCard, a young person who worked with us on a recent
Mediabox project and watched the ‘donk’ music video he starred in. She was
clearly impressed by the hard work all of the
youngsters and the poignant lyrics to the song.
She also met Kieron Christian, who now works with us on numerous projects
as Youth Co-ordinator. He spoke to her about the opportunities we have provided
and the ways in which working with us has helped him./o:p>
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SIGNAL FILMS WINS NATIONAL 'ENTERPRISING YOUNG BRIT' AWARD 2009
Signal Films was praised by Alistair Darling at a prestigious national awards
ceremony. We were awarded the prize for the
Social and Community category at the Daily Mail Enterprising Young Brits
Awards 2009 in March.
The prizes are funded by the government's 'Make Your Mark' scheme
which highlights the UK's freshest entrepreneurial talent. The high profile
awards, sponsored by the Institute of Directors and the Daily Mail, honoured the
best business men and women aged 30 and under and Kerry had to pitch against
three other UK companies to a 'Dragon's Den' style board. The winners were
picked by a distinguished panel, including the Mail's City editor Alex Brummer
and 'Secret Millionaire' TV entrepreneur Caroline Marsh from estate agents
Platinum Properties.
Kerry was presented with a trophy and a prize of £1,000
as the Chancellor hailed Britain's young entrepreneurs as the potential saviours
of the economy at the event at the Institute of Director's headquarters in
London's Pall Mall, saying their 'energy, imagination and
determination' was clear evidence the country had what it took to get
through the global financial crisis.
Kerry said: “The ceremony was really exciting and actually winning was
amazing. I only had four minutes to pitch and three minutes for questions and
they really held you to that, so it was pretty tough. It was great
fun especially as the whole team at Signal Films work so hard all the time
to make things happen, to have what we do in Barrow recognised at that level was
fantastic - if only it was always so glamorous!”
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Shooting People, the international networking
organisation dedicated to the support and promotion of independent
filmmaking, are currently featuring an interview with Loren and Kerry on their
Shooters page.
They gave an insight on working together as a duo, what interests them and
helpful tips for young filmmakers…
“Filmmaking’s all about forming successful collaborations. Even if you try a few
things, you can’t do everything. Being able to talk to people and networking is
really important too. You’ve got to be really good at getting out there and
meeting people. You have to find people with complimentary talents.”
For the full interview click on the following link:
www.shootingpeople.org
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Signal Films call out for film participants!
• Do you have a mobile phone?
• Do you have a story about a text or picture on your mobile phone which
has personal importance to you?
• If so Signal Films want to hear from you!
Whether you’re a film enthusiast, budding actor or just have an
interesting story to tell, Signal Films would like to hear from people living in the local area who would like to take part in a digital stories film project at the beginning of February.
Working with local young filmmakers, Signal Films are looking for people to interview to help create a short digital story about local people and their connection with others through their mobile phones.
To let us know your story, please contact Kate:
kate@signalfilms.co.uk or 01229 839983
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FREE Youth Media Workshops for 13 to 21 year olds
Do you want to be part of
something BIG this year?
Do you want to learn new creative skills and how to use
them to develop your career?
Do you want to see your work in a large-scale exhibition in Barrow?
We have a range of exciting opportunities for you at
Signal Films starting in the New Year. Whether you want to work on something
large-scale or try out a taster day Signal Films can help you .
To find out more or apply for any of these opportunities contact us on
info@signalfilms.co.uk or 01229 839983
Routes & Shoots Mediabox Projects (13 to 19 yrs)
Half-Term Taster Day Workshop
Routes & Shoots one-day taster day: (16/17 Feb 2010) Learn how to use creative
skills in a working environment. Work with industry professionals to develop
skills in graphic design, animation, journalism and photography.
Leading on from this taster day there will be two larger projects:
Digital Stories 22nd, 23rd and 24th Jan 2010
Looking at and challenging male and female stereotypes, particularly focusing on
activities such as MC’ing, skateboarding and dancing.
Media Adventures - 16th and 17th Feb 2010
Visiting exciting places of interest around Cumbria and creating a marketing campaign,
including an animation film and bus stop posters, aimed at encouraging local
people to get out and about.
Both projects will take place during some evenings and weekends over 2/3 months.
You will plan and create your own digital story or marketing campaign and gain
new specialist skills in film and art direction, production, camera, sound,
editing, digital photography, animation, journalism and graphic design.
Work from all projects will be exhibited in a large-scale exhibition May/ June
2010 .
ARCHIVE
Digital Stories Workshop (14 to 21 yrs)
A fun 4-day course over two weekends (6th/7th & 13th/14th February) which gives
you the chance to work with professional filmmakers Carl Hunter and Clare Heney
to create a digital story using photography, film and creative sound design.
The finished piece will be showcased during our Film Insiders Talent Festival at
the end of February.
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How to be an Interactive Scriptwriter - Tuesday 17th November 7.30pm-9.30pm
The
Dukes Lancaster www.dukes-lancaster.org
NFN & Signal Films had
two fantastic
speakers lined up to talk you about their experience of writing for
computer games and interactive formats.
The two speakers we had were:
Richard Davis, 'Webby' winner,
talked about his
experience of writing webisodes and for the internet.
Richard created Crimeface, an online interactive video drama made in Manchester.
Crimeface is a new media project that combines several formats(film, literature,
music and gaming) in an episodic hyper-narrative backedby reams of interactive
material.
Richard Boon, from International Hobo,
who shared his thoughts on the Do's and Don'ts for writing for games.
International Hobo is an alliance of the best creative talent in the videogames
industry and is one of world’s most successful game design, narrative design and
scriptwriting consultancies.
This event is a joint
event with Signal Films http://www.signalfilms.co.uk
as part of Upstream
http://www.northernfilmnetwork.com/upstream
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CRASH COURSE IN NEW DIGITAL MEDIA
This
is 3 day course gave Cumbrian residents the opportunity to get up to date
with current and cutting edge digital media technologies. Industry professionals
taught candidates new skills from getting your images and work online
using flickr, youtube and vimeo to creating blogs, Podcasts and exploring future
technologies.
Day 1 - Manipulating Digital Photography: How to manipulate images digitally and get work online using flickr & wordpress
Day 2 - Digital Audio, Podcasting and
Filmmaking
Day 3 - Using the Web: Develop an online portfolio on Vimeo & Youtube
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DIGITAL ART PROJECT with resident artist Michaela Nettell
Professional artist, Michaela Nettell, took part in a month long digital
arts residency at Signal Films in Barrow-in-Furness from
Nov 17th
to Dec 16th 2009. As part of her residency local residents
interested in digital art, photography and film were invited to create artworks
and take part in workshops.
Michaela
has exhibited extensively with her experimental work combining
video, film and photography.
The course was aimed at those interested in exploring and learning new skills in
digital art, video, film and photography. This workshop
included taster sessions on using digital media, photography, audio and film
creatively. The participants will then went on to working in small groups with
Michaela to develop their own art projects,
culminating in their own exhibition in Barrow in the New Year.
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GRADUATE WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS 2009/10
Signal Films offered a unique and exciting opportunity for emerging
digital media talent.
A four to six week work experience placement was
available to three people who graduated from
college or university in the past 2 years and are from the North West.
Each trainee received a training bursary of
between £500 and £750 The placements will run from
September 2009 to March 2010 in Barrow-in-Furness.
Trainees were provided with hands on experience
in their chosen media specialism. Applicants had the opportunity to gain
experience and
networking opportunities that are invaluable
within this industry. Signal Films worked with trainees to devise a programme
targeting specific interests.
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Digital [Re]Generation
The Digital [Re]Generation scheme, funded by Mix Mediabox,
was made up of three media production projects created by 13 to 19 year olds
living in the Furness area of Cumbria.
Over 30 young people took part, producing two short films and a photography
exhibition between them. Throughout the scheme they received support from
professional filmmakers from Signal Films and visiting trainers from all over
the UK.
All 3 projects focused on issues surrounding youth identity, the interests of
young people and the issues that affect them – but 3 very different final pieces
of work came out of them:
Film One: A Letter to Mr X
A Letter to Mr X was the first film made by the ‘Digital
[Re]Generation’ project. Young people from Barrow-in-Furness created and
produced a documentary inspired by an ‘Orange’ mobile phone advert, which aims
to dispel the common perception of Barrow as a ‘down and out’ town. The project
was led by Yorkshire film director June Gersten-Roberts and is billed as
‘a poetic, personal and quirky patchwork quilt of
images and audio which paints an intimate portrait of a
misunderstood town, seen through the eyes of local young people.”
Film Two: Pride & Prejudice
This project involved young people from the Barrow and Furness area who might
sometimes be labelled as ‘anti-establishment’ or a ‘social nuisance’ by their
community – for example, young people who truant or get in trouble with the
police. Led by professional director Karen Bird, the aim of this project was to
look at local perceptions of young people and to try to help their community
understand them better – and vice-versa. As part of their film the young people
created a Russian donk music track for which they wrote the lyrics and MC’d on
their own video, which was mixed with documentary footage expressing their
feelings about the judgements and false perceptions they feel are made about
themselves and their peers.
Photography Project: My Place in the World
For the third and final project participants took part in
workshops led by London-based multi-media tutor, John Carroll. They gained an
insight into what makes a good photograph and learnt new technical skills, which
they then put into practice by taking photographic stills on location around
Furness. Through specialist Photoshop and web design sessions, the young people
each produced a portfolio of stills which collectively create an interesting and
often thought-provoking range of images
You can view all of the projects on their very own website:
www.digitalregeneration.co.uk
This project was brought to you by www.media-box.co.uk a scheme funded by the
DCSF
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WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITY3 Trainees
aged 14 - 16 have now taken part in one-week
work experience placements during 2009
with Signal Films
As part of the placement participants had the chance to:
-
Work with industry professionals on real life projects
- An insight into how a film and an insight into how a film and media company
works
- Use professional equipment guided by staff
- Develop their media interests and skills
- Make their own mini-media project
Each placement ran for five days, Monday
to Friday from 10am – 5pm
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HOW TO GET AHEAD IN SCREENWRITING -
SUMMER MASTERCLASS
Signal Films offered aspiring screenwriters the opportunity to learn the
secret of
writing a successful screenplay.
Aspiring screenwriters joined the former Head of Screenwriting at the National Film and Television School
, Rob Richie for a
one-day masterclass aimed at
writers who wanted the inside track on what makes a winning script. The principles
of pitching and securing commissions was
explored in detail, with practical examples of what gets made and why, and
invaluable advice on how to pitch your script and perfect your selling skills.
This project is supported by Northwest
Vision and Media, West Lakes Renaissance, Northern Rock Foundation, Barrow
Borough Council and Furness Enterprise
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NORTHWEST VISION AND MEDIA FILM SURGERIES
Northwest Vision and Media's film team
held a regional Film Surgery in Cumbria at the Kendal
Brewery Arts Centre on
Wednesday 27 May 2009.
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The first Film Insiders Talent Festival in
Barrow-in-Furness took place for three days from Thursday 26 February to
Saturday 28 February. Signal Films played host to three packed days of events,
screenings, masterclasses and networking with a host of high profile film
practitioners and pioneers.
This was a brand new event, invented to
encourage and applaud existing and emerging talent in film.
Alongside talks and workshops from internationally
successful professionals, screenings of world class films
and a focus on the new RED camera, we provided a relaxed and
intimate meeting space where anyone interested in film could
come and learn from an exciting gathering of high profile
directors, producers, specialist crew, distributors and
funders.
We were inundated with emails and letters from
FITF 09 attendees, expressing how much they gained
professionally from the workshops and masterclasses,
praising the variety of screenings on offer and enjoying the
opportunity to network with their peers and meet established
filmmakers.
Examples of comments:
'we didn't know Barrow was such a happening place.
Thanks again for such a warm and friendly welcome from you
and your fantastic team, we'd love to come back.'
Roy
Boulter, Producer 'Of Time and the City'
'I thought the FITF 09 was excellent with a variety of things going on
and some excellent guests from the media world. I think the
festival was both great for the town and the area, but also
for people like myself who are trying to break into the
industry in one way or another. I certainly took an immense
amount from the sessions I attended, met some really nice
people who gave me some wonderful advice, and generally
enjoyed the whole thing.'
FITF 09 attendee
To see the full FITF 09 programme please visit
www.filminsiders.co.uk
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funding for filmmakers
Funding
was available to Northwest filmmakers who want to
make their mark on the big screen. Regional screen agency, Northwest
Vision and Media, is joining with the UK Film Council's New Cinema
Fund to unearth the next generation of filmmaking talent.
There were
three separate strands to the short filmmaking scheme on offer at
Northwest Vision and Media: Digital Shorts, Digital Nation
(formally Digital Plus) and 4mations (now closed for
applications).
Digital Shorts
was open to writers, directors and
producers, living in the Northwest region who have a short film
script they would like to make.
Digital Nation replaced
Digital Plus and was
for
writers, directors and writer/directors who are ready to make the leap
to more ambitious cinematic short films.
Digital Nation
provided filmmakers with the opportunity to join a nationwide talent
pool and participate in an intensive tailored development process
designed to hone their voice as a filmmaker. At the end of this
development process the UK Film Council will choose 12 films over
two years, each to be made with a budget of up to 20,000.
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We were delighted to announce that our short film The Wake
was premiered at The 6th London Short Film Festival in January.
The short was being screened as part of the UK Film Council
Completion Fund films after we secured support from the fund in
2008.
The funding was part of the New Cinemas Fund Scheme to enable
directors and producers to push their creative boundaries,
develop new talent and invest in short films that illustrate
unique ideas and an innovative approach .
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Film Insiders Talent Festival - Free Short Courses 2009
Free Industry training
was available in a variety of filmmaking and creative
specialisms during February 2009 including
Directing, Producing, Camera, Sound, Photography, Film
Production, Scriptwriting and Editing.
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Digital [Re]Generation
Winter filmmaking and photography project
Young people with an interest in any aspect
of the film and media
industry and photography were invited to get in touch for
more information on this exciting new scheme.
Those that showed an initial interest in
film production were invited to work in a team to
produce a short film
exploring issues important to them as part of their community.
Once completed, their professional film will be
submitted to major
international film festivals
and hopefully win lots of prizes!
The film production team included
Director June Gersten Roberts
whose films have been screened internationally at the Cannes
Film Festival and London’s Soho Rushes Film Festival, and
film and music video Director Karen Bird.
Those interested in photography were invited
to work with a
professional photographer
to develop a professional portfolio of images
focusing around the idea of youth identity.
The finished films and stills portfolios will enjoy their
own web page as part of the Signal Films
website, and all team members will be
invited to the premiere
of the finished projects.
This project is brought to you
by www.media-box.co.uk a scheme funded by the DCSF
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Took place
on Wed 22nd October
: The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel : Barrow-in-Furness
A FREE evening of inspiring talks from professionals
from the world of creative media and marketing
Furness
Enterprise hosted an exciting event exploring new and innovative
approaches to marketing, branding & promotion, focusing
on enterprising ways to
employ your creative skills
The speakers were:
Warren Bramley, Four23 creative agency, Manchester
Starting out at the iconic
record label Factory Records, at age 24 Warren took the
reins of its sister company In The City, Europe’s largest
city-based music festival. After two years at the helm Warren went
on to found Manchester design agency Four23 in 2004. His clients
include bands The White Stripes and Vampire Weekend
and brands such as Adidas, Reebok and Samsung.
Rob Hyde, JAM digital creative and PR agency, London
Rob has worked for a number
of digital agencies across the music and film industries, and has
put together exciting digital marketing and PR campaigns for clients
such as Disney, Momentum Pictures and bands such as the
Pige.. He has been involved with everything fro
Pige.. He has been involved with everything fro
Pige.. He has been involved with everything from
creating grass-roots early awareness through to high-profile
international campaigns, keeping abreast of and utilising the
ever-expanding array of digital tools available to make a client
stand out amongst all the noise.
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