12 Places Newly Available for ‘Assessing and Supporting Your Business’ (tailored to SMEs and Sole Traders) and ‘Preparing Future Leaders and Managers’ (tailored to rising stars within production companies)

12 Places Newly Available for ‘Assessing and Supporting Your Business’ (tailored to SMEs and Sole Traders) and ‘Preparing Future Leaders and Managers’ (tailored to rising stars within production companies)

MAKE YOUR FIRST FEATURE FILM

Inside Edge is an information packed one day course run by multi award winning filmmakers that delivers the skills you need to make your first feature film.

John Giwa-Amu and Caradog James are filmmakers with backgrounds in self funded short films. They now have active development deals running at the UKFC, Film Agency of Wales and several LA and London based production companies. Their films have had eight BAFTA Cymru nominations – winning three, won the BBC Talent Award and been nominated at the British Independent Film Awards.

Inside Edge will provide essential information on:

SCRIPTING – Discover where many UK feature scripts fall down and receive the information you need to secure development funding.

PACKAGING – Standard and guerrilla techniques on how to make your script attractive to producers, decision-makers and star talent.

FINANCING – New and diverse ways of putting your film’s budget and finance together.

PRODUCTION – Hard earned secrets to get you the highest quality from the lowest budgets.

DISTRIBUTION & MARKETING – Show your film to the widest audiences and start generating revenue for you and your investors.

Early Bird Price £49.00*. For more information go to www.redandblackfilms.com

Since October 2010 Skillset Academi+ have trained 125 freelancers, 52 company employees, 34 new entrants and have held 24 short courses.

October 2009

Crossover:
Between October 2009 and June 2010, 14 new Welsh producers took part in a seven month course designed to introduce them to cross platform production, and equipping them with the skills to create a portfolio of ideas and interactive projects.  The final pitch day was held in central London with all 35 participants from all over the UK pitching their group projects to a cross section of commissioning editors from every sub-sector.

“My eyes have been truly opened to the depth and variety of cross platform media” Iwan Benneyworth

Take 12:
Two film producers were chosen to take part in the Welsh Take 12 project, which encouraged independent film companies to harness new digital technology and unlock new revenue streams for their projects.

February 2010

Pitching:
In February we ran two Pitching, Promoting and Protecting your ideas courses for those who are already working in the industry.  Thee participants work in such diverse roles as a sound engineer, production designer and actor and all have projects that they have nurtured over time, but needed advice on how to “pitch, promote or protect”.  The tutor, Nigel Crowle – an experience producer and writer himself – took each participant through the particular process required for each specific project.  This popular course has been oversubscribed twice, and we hope to run it again in the future.

“It was very valuable to attend a course run by someone with real industry experience.” Gerald Conn

March 2010

Understand and Engage with the Business You Are In:
Four participants were taken through an induction into the commercial aspects of film and TV with producer David Marlowe.  This course was specifically for business start-ups and newcomers to either film or TV, though the participants should already be in the industry in some capacity to get the most out of the course.  This has been a particularly popular course, and we have since run it two more times, and we have been oversubscribed each time with a total of 12 taking part this year.

“I would now like to get more into the producing side of filmmaking. This course made me more aware of what I could be capable of. I’m feeling more inspired about things.”  Nerys Sian Evans

Tapeless Workflow:
Seven people were lucky enough to be taken through the process of digital tapeless production and post production by the highly experienced Miguel Ferros at the University of Wales, Newport.

“Really enjoyed, learnt lots and well paced, structured course. Excellent value!” Althea Sutton

Multi Platform for TV Creatives:
Eight trainees with some track record in the media industries, though still at new entrant level, started a high-level Multi Platform for TV Creatives course in April, coordinated by Cyfle.  This is an intensive, hands-on immersion into the multiplatform world.  They have backgrounds as diverse as working as a researcher in BBC music radio, and working in media marketing for S4C amongst others.

“The most enjoyable thing abut the course was being able to share & develop ideas, working with other people and the encouragement from speakers and staff. Applying for this course has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.” Anna Ellis

May 2010

Meeting Nickelodeon US:
In May, fifteen animation and children’s programme producers had the chance to meet two high level production executives from Nickelodeon, at the University of Glamorgan.  Some have had follow up meetings at Nickelodeon London since then.

June 2010
New Entrants training:
June saw a flurry of new entrants’ courses starting.  SA+ have co-funded courses which are being run by the Skillset- approved training agency Cyfle, and four exceptionally keen and talented young women have been chosen to undertake an intensive six month high end vocational craft skills training scheme in the following grades; Trainee Stand-by Props, Trainee Props Master, Trainee Set Decorator, and Trainee Art Department Runner.

“The Cyfle Industry Induction Course had people talking to us one at a time so you could focus on their subject. It was great that we had the first aid training. I liked hearing from women working in the industry because it was inspiring as well.” Holly Badenoch – Set Decorator Trainee

SA+ also co-funded with the BBC and Cyfle a new entrant Diversity Training Scheme, which is a ten month full time scheme for three trainees from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in the following grades; Trainee Production Management Assistant, Trainee Junior Graphics Designer.  All these trainees have now started their placements at the relevant departments in the BBC.

“During the Cyfle Industry Induction Course we were made to feel very comfortable very quickly and that made the experience less daunting. I enjoyed the different variety of sessions as it opened my eyes about a lot of things in the industry. I feel prepared to go out into the industry, having been prepped with the correct expectations.” Noor Qassem

Nuke X:
We trained seven animators in our ‘Introduction to Nuke X’ course run by internationally recognised Nuke trainer Matt Leonard at University of Wales, Newport.

“The small size of the workshop and the dedication of the trainer to quality training was excellent – Matt Leonard is the best.” Scott Smith

Film Junction:
Ten experienced Welsh producers were chosen to take part in Film Junction, a Film Agency Wales/SA+ course addressing management and leadership issues for film companies, focusing on creative management, business planning and reaching an audience.

The producers taking part are:

Kate Crowther, Garage Films

Ed Thomas, Fiction Factory

Sam Price, Sparkler Productions

Lizzie Morgan Hemlock, Arturi  Films

John Giwa-Amu, Red and Black

Cat Cooper, Elfin Productions

Rolant Tomos, Calon

Gethin Scourfield, Levain Films

Jo Rose, Bandit Country

Elwen Rowlands, Freelance Producer

They will be undertaking a series of seminars, e-learning and planning as well as being mentored by representatives from film companies with proven track records such as Warp Films, Element Pictures and Ruby Films.   This course is taking place at University of Wales, Newport, Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Glamorgan (Atrium).

Making Community Radio Pay:
19th June saw a representative from every Community Radio Station in Wales congregate at the University of Glamorgan’s Atrium for a full day of seminars and workshops put together under the SA+ banner.  Making Community Radio Pay was considered so successful that the Stephen Johnson who organized the event for the University of Glamorgan and the delegates decided that this should be held again at least annually, possibly more often.    The delegates were fortunate enough to forge links, network and listen to presentations by Matthew Basham from Skillset UK amongst others.

“The event was an excellent platform to bring people together to network, build links and talk through challenges as well as best practices.”  Matthew Lloyd.

July 2010

The Pixel Lab / Mini Pixel Lab:
At the beginning of July we welcomed 34 cross media producers and 20 tutors, along with their sponsors, observers and production teams to St. David’s Hotel to the Power to the Pixel workshops.  These high profile European producers worked on their projects for a whole week within the confines of the hotel, spending their last day pitching their projects as a preparation for the Pixel Lab in London in October.

The Mini Pixel Lab was offered to ten selected Welsh producers with cross platform projects.  They were:

Dave Edwards – Producer/Director DEEM, (Tinopolis)

Nathan Erasmus – Animation Producer/Director (Gravy Media)

Owen Stickler -  Animation Producer/Director (Dinamo Productions)

Tom Ware Rockford – TV Producer (Rondo Media)

Chiara Carbonara – Producer (Arcane Star Productions)

Kevin Moss – 360 Content Developer (PlayThisNext)

David Shillitoe – Film & TV Producer/Director (Movie Mogul Ltd)

Steve Williams – TV Producer (Dai4Films)

Coming Soon…

In the pipeline and coming soon we have a Media Sony Camera Course for self-shooting producer/director/writers to be held by John Hunter.  We are planning an intermediate Nuke X course to be held at the Atrium, and an Advanced Nuke X course which will be held at Swansea Metropolitan University.   Crossover will be running a Media Innovation and Idea Generation Course and User Experience in Cross Media Development course at the University of Wales, Newport.

The University of Glamorgan will be presenting two management courses: Assessing and Supporting your Business is intended for leaders of SMEs and freelancers to think critically about the current performance of their business and plan for its future, and Preparing Future Leaders and Managers is for rising stars within production companies, encouraging junior staff to start building on their capacity for making effective decisions regarding the future of their company.   These courses will be led by Caitriona Noonan from the University of Glamorgan, and one of the Assessing and Supporting your Business course will be held at the Bangor Management Centre .

Aberystwyth University are in the planning stages with a very high-end business and management course aimed at CEO level, which will be running during one weekend every month from September 2010  to January 2011.

We are particularly pleased to announce that these courses will have motivational  leadership speakers such as Emmanuel Gobillot (Connected Leadership) and Nick Janket (Collaborative leadership) taking part, amongst others.

Careers Support at your Fingertips:

During an economic downturn, high quality, relevant Careers Advice and Guidance is vital if people are to make informed choices about their learning and career paths. This is a fantastic opportunity for new entrants, freelancers and full-time staff to gain industry-relevant advice. The service on offer includes the following:

Face-to-face careers advice and guidance

Telephone: 0800 0121 815 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm) to book a session with a Skillset Cymru Careers Advisor.

Free, bilingual, careers advice and guidance by e-mail and telephone. Email your enquiry to: walescareers@skillset.org

or call: 0800 0121 815 to speak to an Advisor over the phone.

Useful Career Development Information:

If you want to receive useful links and information on courses, networking and funding opportunities, visit the Skillset website www.skillset.org.

Skillset Academi+ Training partners

Skillset Academi+ partner Universities have been collaborating with:

Sheffield Doc/Fest
Crossover
UK Film Council
NESTA
Silverlight  Media
Cyfle
BBC Wales
Nickelodeon
Sphere FX
The Film Agency for Wales
Power to the Pixel
CULT Cymru

An innovative and unique new programme of support for creative media businesses in Wales has today been launched by the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones AM, at Aberystwyth University.

The Leadership for Creative Businesses course will offer 15 production company managers from leading Welsh employers in the sector the chance to discuss current and future priorities with an impressive list of the leading international mentors and motivators in business circles over 4 seminars held between this month and March 2011.

The series of four seminars, which have been developed by Aberystwyth University with the support of Skillset Academi+, who are offering the funding for the programme, and Public Services Management Wales, will enable managers at the top of their profession to develop new skills and remain creative in one of the most difficult times for the media industries.

Alun Ffred Jones said: “Broadcasting in Wales is facing a challenging period in its history. It is extremely encouraging that this course is creating a context for debate surrounding creativety and innovation. I look forward to discussing matters further with the executives attending.”

Leadership for Creative Businesses is a leadership development programme uniquely designed for senior executives in broadcasting, film and video, gaming and software to enhance leadership skills, approaches and strategies to deliver organisational success in the present technologically complex and rapidly changing economic environment.

The programme is designed to place participants in an environment of knowledge, skills, context, content and theory that can be applied to their own organisations.

“We stand at a very critical time in the development of the creative industries in Wales. It is a time to come together, to learn together and to value and develop ambition and innovation,” said Professor Elan Closs Stephens, convenor of the seminar series.

“Much is asked of the Creative Businesses in Wales. For the Welsh Assembly Government as well as the UK Government, the companies we are engaging with are in the vanguard of building up the economy. For the public, they provide cultural insights and entertainment in a very competitive field.

Professor Adrian Kear, Head of the Department of Film and Television, added:

“As company leaders those attending our seminar weekends will need to maintain creativity, innovation and ambition against the background of one of the worst recessions in living memory. Aberystwyth University’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television, itself world-ranking in its research, has the support of Public Services Management Wales and Skillset Academy+ to bring Wales some of the development sessions and challenges needed for these highly creative professionals and their companies.”

Focusing on personal and professional development, this leadership programme challenges individuals to critically consider their own approaches to leadership and leading others, drawing on their own and peer experiences to further develop knowledge, skills and behaviours that will enable leaders in the field of broadcasting, media and culture to be instrumental in driving the transformational changes needed to maintain and increase creativity and innovation within their work force, and to position Wales at the forefront of creativity.

The first seminar will be facilitated by Philippa Davies and guests will take part in a round table discussion with the Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones AM.

The second seminar, which will take place in November, will be facilitated by Emmanuel Gobillot and the Secretary of State for Wales is scheduled to attend as a dinner guest at a later seminar in 2011.

“As the Co-ordinator of Skillset Academi+, I am proud to be associated with a course of such high calibre which should make a big difference to the media sector in Wales at this difficult time,” said Sue Jeffries.

“Skillset Academi+ was established to help the creative media industries in Wales to come out of the recession stronger and with a clearer focus on the road ahead.  This is exactly the right kind of course to achieve that goal. To my knowledge no other course in Wales has been as ambitious in its objectives and aims, and it truly deserves to succeed and become a regular feature of management and leadership training for the future.”

PRODUCERS WITH PROJECTS

Dave Edwards Project X – Producer/Director DEEM, (Tinopolis)
Nathan Erasmus Roze and the Robots – Animation Producer/Director (Gravy Media)
Owen Stickler The Heavy,Heavy Monster Show -  Animation Producer/Director (Dinamo Productions)
Tom Ware Rockford -  TV Producer (Rondo Media)
Chiara Carbonara My Uni Experience - Producer    (Arcane Star Productions)
Kevin Moss Dr0id – 360 Content Developer (PlayThisNext)
David Shillitoe Panic Button – Film & TV Producer/Director (Movie Mogul Ltd)
Steve Williams Milly’s World - TV Producer (Dai4Films)