Skillset Academi+ has confirmed the date and venue for a special celebration event that will mark the end of the media training project’s first phase.
Organisations, companies and individuals from the creative media sector and academia will join in the celebrations at the Stones Bar, Wales Millennium Centre, on 28 March 2011. The 200 guests will include those who have provided, funded and participated in Skillset Academi+ courses over the 15 months of successful delivery.
Project coordinator Sue Jeffries explained: “Reaching the end of this chapter of Skillset Academi+ is the perfect time to celebrate the project’s achievements with all of those who have contributed and benefited.
“The Milestone Celebration event will be a chance to reflect on how this innovative project broke new ground within training in the media industries in Wales, and how it has succeeded in bringing the media industries and Higher Education closer together.”

Are you aiming to become a Production Manager? Or have you started the job but need to enhance your skills and knowledge to do it better?

If you are an industry professional with at least 2 years demonstrable industry experience, and living in Wales, then this exciting and innovative 6 month part time training scheme could be for you.
Delivered by Cyfle, the Training Company for the Creative Media Industries in Wales, this fantastic opportunity allows you to work and train at the same time.

• Closing date for applications: 12 midday, Monday 10th January 2011
• Interviews will be held between the 19th and 21st of January 2011
• Scheme start date: 11th + 12th February 2011

All scheme information is available on-line here

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Contact – 029 2046 5533 / nadine@cyfle.co.uk

Christmas opening hours – Cyfle’s Cardiff office will close on the 22nd of December and re-open on the 4th of January 2011. Should you have an urgent query during this time, please contact us via email and somebody will get back to you as soon as possible.

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This course is funded by S4C, TAC and Skillset Academi+ and is supported by Skillset Cymru

Cyfle is an Equal Opportunities Employer and applications are encouraged by individuals of all backgrounds

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A prestigious European scheme aimed at developing the next generation of multiplatform creators will be co-ordinated in Wales for the first time, it has been announced, after funding worth £80,000 has been secured by the Skillset Media Academy Wales and its European partners.

The Welsh Academy has today announced that funding for the Transform@Lab has been secured from the European Union MEDIA Initial fund to run the high-level scheme in various European locations in 2011.

The Transform@Lab will be hosted in Wales by the University of Wales, Newport, and in Europe by two of the leading media schools: the Danish Animation Workshop, Viborg; and the Maholy-Nagy University of Art & Design, Budapest.  The intensive lab will offer nine trainees selected in early 2011 the opportunity to attend 17 days of residential workshops over six months.

“Entrepreneurship and graduate development is at the heart of what we do at the Newport School of Art, Media and Design,” said Dean of NSAMD, Derek Lawther, “and with the move to our new city centre campus, where we will work side by side with the Business School, we are looking to offer new and innovative learning for a worldwide audience. The Transform@Lab firmly positions the University and our forward thinking staff within an exciting new European context of partnership and discovery and we look forward to drawing on our industry links to offer an innovative new scheme.”

This will be the first time that MEDIA Initial Training has been approved for a training provider in Wales, and the funding has been secured through the support and advice of the MEDIA Antenna Wales and following groundwork undertaken at initial meetings and attendance at conferences funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales for the development of the Media Academy Wales in 2005-10.

The creative media scheme aims to address the current industry need to develop cross-platform creatives and will draw on the Europe-wide pool of recent graduates of animation, games, interactive media, writing and producing degrees.

The nine graduates selected will also benefit from studio visits and networking events with industry professionals and e-support through online learning modules before they put their finished projects before a Dragon’s Den style industry panel in a pitching session.

“The Skillset Media Academy Wales put together a hugely impressive application,” said Judy Wasdell, Head of the MEDIA Antenna Wales. “We are delighted that they are the first Welsh recipients of MEDIA training funding.  The pan European dimension of the Transform@Lab offers participants the opportunity to benefit from access to leading European professionals and offers invaluable networking opportunities.”
The Lab will guide participants on the latest techniques for multiplatform content creation, from mobile phone apps to web publishing and digital workflows, as well as studying the craft of script writing for the interactive audience. In addition, they will concentrate on areas such as online copyright, compliance, funding and budgeting – essential knowledge for new entrants in the field.

“This training presents exactly what is needed within the media industry to enable designers to take advantage of the full range of new platform opportunities, said Jenny Hann, Head of Design and University of Wales Newport’s School of Art Media and Design.

“This European tri-nation development has been two years in the planning but I am thrilled to see it now coming to fruition. Course developers and participants will benefit from this training and the timing is for the Transform@Lab progamme is perfect.”

Hannah Raybould, Project Manager of the Skillset Media Academy Wales concluded; “This is an exciting new development for the Academy and we are looking forward to putting the lessons we have learnt delivering innovative industry-led training over the past five years into practice for a wider European audience. And we are very excited at the prospect of working with the brightest new crossplatform creatives to help them develop their ideas and progress their careers.”

Those attending will be offered European flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, all training and course materials for the fee of 785 euros (£650) for the 6 month course.

The Transform@Lab launches a new website in mid-December and will be opening for applications in early January. The full programme will be announced in January.

www.transformatlab.eu

The Film Agency for Wales has completed a development programme for ten of Wales’ most aspiring production companies enabling better business support for the Welsh film production industry.

Developed by the Film Agency for Wales, Film Junction was designed to further develop production company strategies; improving viability and capacity for Welsh production companies.

‘Film Junction’ was been developed in conjunction with course leader Angus Finney who has extensive experience as a creative industry tutor with clients including the CASS Business School. Fomerly, Managing Director of the international sales agent, Renaissance; producer of the annual London Film Production Market and an industry journalist and author (The International Film Business (2010), The Egos Have Landed: the Rise and Fall of Palace Pictures (1997), Developing Feature Films in Europe: A practical Guide (1996), The State of European Cinema: A New Dose of Reality (1996)). He is currently completing a Phd at Cass Business School, City University, in film business strategy, and is a visiting lecturer, Judge Business School, Cambridge University. His fourth and most recent book is The International Film Business: A Market Guide Beyond Hollywood (Routledge).

The four-month Film Junction programme was funded by Skillset Academi+, providing bespoke company strategy and film financing, sales and distribution advice to ten production companies. The programme specifically focussed on creative management, business planning and reaching the audience, in addition to company specific consideration of strategies to improve cashflow and overcome impediments to furthering their film ambitions within their overall corporate strategy.

Participants had the support of a high level mentoring scheme with directors of international film and media companies including Andrea Calderwood of Slate Films (producer of The Last King of Scotland and I Am Slave); Robin Gutch of Warp Films (Hunger, Donkey Punch, Submarine), Paul Trijbits of Ruby Films (Tamara Drewe, Jane Eyre) and Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe of Element Pictures (Lassie, Garage and The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse).

Film Junction highlighted the critical role of the talent base that underpins the independent film industry, with participants exploring strategies to discover, nurture and maintain talent relations, particularly as between director and producer, as well as wider relations with acting talent that can unlock financing and sales/distribution opportunities. Central to the programme, was the development and exploitation of Intellectual Property by Welsh production companies.

Angus Finney comments: “The challenge when addressing Welsh film and programme producers is how to balance local issues and opportunities with national and international factors. Effective storytelling can sometimes achieve what power-point presentations and hard-nosed analysis cannot. Selecting relevant case study material and drilling into the narrative can serve a wider purpose.”

“A trainer can only achieve so much. A Cohort, meaning in our recent experience in Wales a group of around 12 different producers, is a tool that can become larger than the sum of its parts. By meeting at least three or four times over a six month period, the group has an opportunity to collaborate, share their experience and the time to absorb knowledge and grow effectively.”

Film producer and director John Giwa-Amu of Cardiff based Red and Black Films is already using his learning from Film Junction to identify and develop new revenue streams. He produced the feature film Little White Lies which received six BAFTA Cymru nominations and was listed in Variety’s Top 10 British Films of that Year. As a Director, John has also been nominated for the Screen Nation Award twice, has won a BAFTA Cymru award and the BBC New Filmmaker Award.

“Film Junction is proving to be an incredible opportunity – being able to learn from industry experts at the highest level means that I’m better prepared to manage our business,” explains John Giwa-Amu.

“Indeed, the complexities of closing film finance, understanding distribution channels and the developing new revenue streams to support cash flow have until now been a dark-art. What’s more, we now understand the need to diversify and are actively using our skills and experience to develop new revenue streams that fund the business while projects are in development. This has included launching a feature film course throughout the UK (Inside Edge) and the marketing of a Directors Masterclass. The support of Ed Guiny as my mentor, Angus and the Film Junction team is superb.”

John Giwa-Amu and business partner Caradog James have several projects in development including Money starring Luke Evans (Tamara Drewe, Immortals and Vivaldi) and two that are funded by the Film Agency for Wales (Cyrano, a modern adaptation of the French classic Cyrano De Bergerac and The Tunnel set on the border to Palestine).

Pauline Burt, Chief Executive of the Film Agency for Wales adds: “Film production in and of Wales is thriving but we must ensure adequate business support to ensure that the vital infrastructure of Welsh production companies are well placed to develop, exploit and benefit from film-based intellectual property. This in turn feeds a host of other distribution channels, including television, DVD, internet based distribution, soundtrack and the exploitation of ancillary markets, such as stageplays and radio. Film is a challenging environment, requiring careful and company specific thought on how best to provide capacity for the long lead in time for developing and sustaining talent relationships and individual projects, whilst ensuring there is sufficient turnover and opportunities for profit to maintain viability. There are several examples of UK companies that have thrived in this area, including Revolution, Blueprint, Sigma and Warp, and we want to ensure the best opportunities for Welsh companies to similarly excel.”

“As the Welsh Assembly Government has underlined in its Economic Renewal Programme, this sector has significant potential to bring a wide range of economic, social, cultural and educational benefits to Wales. We are therefore particularly interested in developing the commercial expertise and business acumen of film producers while additionally focusing on innovation, technology and a networked approach.”
Sue Jeffries of Skillset Academi+ adds: “Skillset Academi+ was set up to make the industry stronger and with a wider focus coming out of recession. Our intention also was to make the Welsh media industries capable of competing, not with each other, but within the wider context of the UK and Europe. Film Junction met these criteria like no other course that has been before in Wales. It exposes Welsh producers to industry mentors with a proven track record, and gives them a taste of how to run a film production company effectively. SA+ is proud to finance Film Junction, due to the breadth of its ambition, the quality of its mentors and training, and the strong leadership skills of Angus Finney, backed by Film Agency research and industry knowledge.”

Media students and graduates stand to benefit from increased expertise as nine new media professionals join the Industry Panel at Skillset Media Academy Wales.

The multiple appointments are confirmed just one month after the Academy announced that BBC Wales Head of Production and Business Development, David Mackie would take up the voluntary position as the Chair of its Industry Panel.

As a member of the UK-wide Skillset Media Academy network, the Welsh Academy is one of the few members to boast a dedicated panel of industry practitioners. Chaired by Mackie, the Industry Panel works closely with the Academy and the tutors and students of its partner institutions: the University of Wales, Newport; Aberystwyth University, University of Glamorgan and Swansea Metropolitan University.

Following a merger between the former Screen and Media Academies in Wales, the new Academy has broadened its remit to reflect the changing media landscape and now includes a broader range of vocational courses, including Documentary Film and TV, Film and TV Production, Creative Sound and Music, Advertising Design, Photography for Fashion and Advertising, and Radio. The newly appointed Industry Panel members will reflect the new range of courses accredited by the Academy.

Welcomed to the panel are:

Iain Smith, Applecross Productions, Producer (Cold Mountain, Children of Men, The Fifth Element);
Sally Oldham, Global Radio; Managing Director of Red Dragon Radio
John Rea, Machine Rooms, BAFTA-award winning Composer;
Huw Owen, CC4Web, Interactive Media Producer;
Sian Elin Palfrey, Director of Photography; (The Sarah Jane Adventures)
Emily Stillman, Production Guild, Film & TV Finance;
Tim Morley, ContentWest, Sales and Distribution;
Jo Taylor, Channel4 , Talent Development.

The most recent member to join is the new Chair of the Animation/Games and Visual Effects sub-panel, Aron Evans, managing director of Dinamo, the Welsh production company that creates the CGI and VFX for Grandpa in my Pocket.

Academy project manager, Hannah Raybould added: “We are delighted to welcome the new panel members. They will join our existing members in helping to advise and guide students through hands-on networking sessions, masterclasses and panel sessions, as well as providing guidance on curriculum development. These professionals give up their time to support our students and graduates, and to help promote the Academy to the wider media industry in Wales and beyond.”

“Their input enables us to ensure that our education and training maintains a clear industry perspective and meets the demands of today’s highly competitive media industry.”

Famed UK producer Iain Smith has expressed his enthusiasm for the work of the Welsh Academy, commenting: “The Media Academy Wales has the energy and vision to put Welsh creativity firmly on the international media map!”

Channel 4 Head of Learning and 4Talent, Jo Taylor added: “The media industry and especially the broadcasting industry is changing at such a pace. Convergence means that our audience want to access content wherever and whenever they want to. This brings challenges for us as a industry in developing talent that is flexible and skilled for now and in the future, something that I hope to contribute as a member of the Skillset Media Academy Wales.”

BUSINESS ACUMEN AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS TRAINING

‘HOW TO CREATE A CROSS-MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT BRAND’
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1+2 December 2010, Cardiff

ONLY
A LIMITED NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE – MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS THIS
OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!

DATES – 1+2 December 2010

LOCATION – CYFLE Training Centre, Cardiff

COST – two days for a fantastic £150+VAT

FURTHER INFORMATION -
http://www.cyfle.co.uk/training-and-skills/professional-development/short-courses/trionacampbell

TO BOOK A PLACE OR ASK A QUESTION PLEASE CONTACT –

caernarfon@cyfle.co.uk/ 01286 685242

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This course is funded by S4C, TAC and Skillset Academi+ and is supported by Skillset Cymru