British Film Commission launches brand identity
 The British Film Commission (formerly the OBFC) launched it’s new brand identity at Cannes with the new website live from Monday 16 May.
UK Screen continues to work closely with the BFC and our CEO Gaynor Davenport recently joined the new BFC National Advisory Board which has been set-up specifically to advise on strategy for the BFC. We look forward to representing our members’ interests alongside those of other public and private sector bodies which span the UK’s Nations & Regions.
We eagerly await Government’s announcement of its Film Policy Review, expected this week, naturally, we will be consulting heavily with members in formulating our response to the consultation which is likely to run over the summer period.
The Core Skills of VFX Handbook
UK Screen has provided input to the Core Skills of VFX Handbook which outlines twelve VFX modules created by Skillset, launching on 31 May at a select gathering at the Charlotte Street Hotel. Over 60 VFX advisors have also fed in to the publication.
The Core Skills of VFX Handbook and additional Student Primer are designed to outline the depth of skills the industry is looking for, in an easy format for universities to embed and teach. The Handbook will be distributed free to every university in the UK to kick start a new range of quality courses. Alex Hope CEO at Double Negative will deliver the keynote speech at the event and Iain Smith, Chair of the British Film Commission Advisory Board and
Chair of Skillset’s Film Skills Council will introduce the Handbook. Skillset is backing up the document with funds to enable tutors to be trained to industry specification, and a partnership with the Foundry has seen copies of Nuke being placed in key Universities.
Copies of the Handbook will be available free from the Skillset website in due course.
Digital PR for your business
 UK Screen and Franklin Rae have joined forces to offer members a seminar in ‘Digital PR for your business’. Presented by Leigh Turnbull the breakfast briefing, which will be held on Tuesday 14 June at 9.30am, will take you through the elements of digital PR that are important for managing and enhancing your reputation online.
Key elements covered include:
- Assessing your current online presence
- Reviewing your website
- Evaluating your social media activity
- Amplifying your message
Leigh is Director of Operations at Franklin Rae and her nine years of experience in both corporate and consumer PR has included work for global media companies, brands, content producers and industry bodies. Leigh is also a specialist in all things digital, having begun her career at online PR specialist Way to Blue. The session is free to all members of UK Screen.
If you are interested in attending the session, please register by contacting ria@ukscreenassociation.co.uk.
Plan for Growth
UK Screen was represented at the Creative Industries round table in March with DCMS and BIS, to discuss the growth review and what it means for the creative industries. Also discussed was how the Government should engage with the creative industries, what format this should take and should a creative industries council be formed, as was subsequently recommended by the budget and growth review. UK Screen will continue to play a part in discussions to that end.
Space to rent
One of our members is looking for new premises and would be interested in speaking with companies who can accommodate them in the Soho / Noho area from the summer of 2011. Their requirements are based on two possible scenarios:
1) an audio video post boutique with six rooms comprising a sound dubbing suite, an editing suite and office space. Overall floor space approx. 2,000 sq.ft.
2) a large grading suite, an edit suite and an office. Overall floor space approx. 1,000 sq.ft.
Interested parties should contact ria@ukscreenassociation.co.uk in the first instance.
Peeling back the layers…
 This week, Sara Hill at Prime Focus hosted an Onion Training Session on the Technical Basics of TV at 01zero-one. Sara discussed the different stages of post production in TV documentary filming, splitting of post in to audio and picture post, working online and offline and issues such as broadcast quality.
Sara said:
"It is very inspiring to see the next generation eager to pick up the baton and be ready to run with it. It is such a fascinating time at the moment as technology is evolving at such a rate and the possibilities are endless."
 In April, Danny Dawson at Alias Hire lead the session on Acquisitions, taking junior staff through tapeless workflows, the best and most compatible technologies and how low quality formats can affect post production. Taking place at the Ravensbourne Training Pod, Danny’s presentation was followed by a Q&A in which Danny answered questions from attendees on how best to work with clients, avoiding corruption of workflow and working with low quality formats.
Danny said:
“I really enjoyed hosting the session. It was good to see how engaged the up-and-coming talent in our industry is. By covering the basics of starting out in our industry, we are ensuring that junior staff are fully invested in for the future.”
Pollyanna at Ravensbourne said:
“It was fantastic to host UK Screen and Aliashire at The Ravensbourne Training Pod at Encompass. They delivered a fantastic Onion session to a dynamic group of industry participants from a wide range of post production companies.
“They definitely came away with a much broader range of knowledge and skills in relation to acquisition. Their questions were answered and client scenarios worked through in order to avoid possible costly post production mistakes. It was great to see a vibrant learning network in action with sharing of knowledge and communication between different companies.”
For attendee testimonials and how your junior staff can be involved contact ria@ukscreenassociation.co.uk or go to the website.
Visit 01zero-one or Ravensbourne for further information on training and meeting spaces.
Neil Garner delivers new courses at The Bridge
 The Bridge have launched a variety of new courses taking place in June hosted by ex-BBC trainer Neil Garner.
Available courses cover the following:
Spotlight on…
 In this issue, we delve into the recent achievements of Blueberry Creative Consultants. Connecting the creative community with essential talent and work opportunities, Blueberry provides freelance, contract and permanent recruitment solutions.
Recently, Blueberry has been celebrating the success of their members, as several of their Editor’s projects have gained excellent audience figures.
Marius Grose freelance Video Editor recently completed work on 'Junior Doctors: Their Life in Your Hands' for BBC 3 which achieved the channel’s largest ratings in it’s eight year history.
The Good Food channel’s 'Choccywoccydoodah' has been its biggest ever series debut, and garnered a strong following with each episode sparking massive Twitter conversation. The programme follows the exploits of the Brighton-based cake shop as they build cake creations for a variety of A-list clients. Dan Raymond freelance Video editor, edited 4 episodes of the series, for Two Four.
Freelance Video Editors, Janet McCaig Taylor and John Moratiel have worked on 'Dispatches: Train Journeys From Hell' for Hard Cash Productions Richard Wilson’s investigation gained the documentary's largest audience in over a year.
More information on Blueberry head over to their website.
My First Job in Film
 March saw the launch of the website My First Job In Film, a free resource for post production companies. My First Job In Films liaises directly with Universities and Film Schools to create a pool of talent, allowing companies to find their ideal recruit.
Sam Kirkwood, founder of My First Job In Films says: “Our research made it clear that companies want to reduce their administration in recruiting new entrants but ensure that they find quality candidates quickly and easily. We have created a system that does exactly that and ensured that it remains entirely free for the industry to use.”
For a free demonstration of how My First Job In Film please email info@myfirstjobinfilm.co.uk.
News, events and awards
 Keeping Britain's special effects dream alive
What romantics chalk-up to "movie magic" is often the product of many hundreds of people, endlessly pushing pixels around computer screens. That makes it an industry, and one in which the UK is a world leader. >
First step to Communications Bill
Plans to put the UK communications sector firmly on the path to long-term economic growth are kick started by the Government, with a call for evidence on how to reduce regulatory burdens and future-proof for the digital age. >
Skillset and The Foundry equip the 'Next-Gen' of VFX talent with tools of the trade
Skillset is launching a series of major initiatives and awards designed to improve the quality of talent entering the visual effects industries from UK universities. These come in the wake of the Livingstone-Hope "Next-Gen" review and will transform the landscape of VFX teaching in the UK. >
Bafta Craft Winners
View the list of winners for the 2011 British Academy Television Craft Awards, honouring TV's behind-the-scenes talent. >
Televisual Bulldog winners announced
See the full list of winners on the Televisual website and in a special supplement in this month’s Televisual Magazine. >
Applications now open for £2m Transition Fund for audience development
This one-off fund, that will not be repeated, is geared to organisations that have had their regular public (and in certain circumstances private) funding reduced because of overall funding or budgetary cuts. >
Departmental Business Plans published
The Government has today published updated business plans for each government department with full details of changes made to the plans since they were first published in November 2010. The DCMS Business Plan sets out in detail how they will boost economic growth, equip the country for future success and transform the way they deliver culture, media, sport and tourism. >
ITV and Channel 4 publish their annual reports
ITV Annual Report 2010
Channel 4 Report 2010
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Annual Report 2010
2,216 ad campaigns were changed or withdrawn as a result of ASA action last year, but complaints fell 6 per cent. >
Northern Film & Media to relinquish regional screen agency status in favour of new model
Funding cuts and new strategic thinking will see Northern Film & Media abandon screen agency status to develop a public-private business model. >
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