October 2019

Our quarterly Screen Bytes screening of regional films comes to Birmingham Weekender for the first time. It’s a packed programme of films and Q&As from film makers, so not to be missed! We celebrate talent from the region. From BAFTA award-winning films to official selections at prestigious film festivals, our film selection goes from the bizarre to the heartfelt but above all, the films present a unique craft in storytelling.

The programme includes:

Film-maker Q&A – Meet film-makers in person as they discuss their work

A Scribbled Memory – We all have demons following us around. In the case of this anonymous individual, his demon is a lack of emotion. Via a real local radio interview, he tells us a harrowing story of domestic abuse from his childhood. This animation serves as a visual element to him and the story – messy, tangled and abstract.

Martha – A town on the borderlands of Texas. A place out of time. A desert where strange lights dance in the night sky. A mecca for lovers of minimalist art. A landscape of lost horses, freaks and food trucks. And then there’s the giant lemon.

Antarctica – The First Dance – Award-winning choreographer Corey Baker creates the first ever dance film on the world’s last great wilderness, Antarctica. Inspired by the austere beauty and fragility of the ice and snow structures, ANTARCTICA: THE FIRST DANCE features Madeleine Graham, Royal New Zealand Ballet, with music by London Grammar. Released on Earth Day 2018, this short film celebrates Antarctica’s awe-inspiring landscape while we still have it. ANTARCTICA: THE FIRST DANCE was directed and choreographed by Corey Baker, produced by Anne Beresford and commissioned by Channel 4 Random Acts, The Space and supported by Antarctica New Zealand, The Royal New Zealand Ballet,  New Zealand High Commission and Dance Hub Birmingham.

Out on a Limb follows Geoff, Dan and Isaac, three wheelchair users who embark on a mission to conquer the Swiss Alps and prove that having a disability won’t tame their sense of adventure.

The Blue Room – BAFTA nominated “The Blue Door” directed by Paul Taylor, written and produced by Megan Pugh & Ben Clark (13th Door Films). Starring Gemma Whelan (“Game Of Thrones”). Clare is a caring nurse opening the door to her new job. But maybe some doors are best left shut…

Yum Yum Song – A jaunty little music video for all ages, exporing the unadulterated joy of eating bogeys, earwax and other delicious fruits of the human body – for an incredibly catchy song written and composed by Iven Gilmore.

Expect a fun and lively Screen Bytes event showcasing work from regional filmmakers and producers. You can also meet the filmmakers themselves and hear a little about the challenges they faced making their films.

Source: www.screencentral.co.uk

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Along with Chapter 1 films in the West Midlands, the studios involved (listed below) will work alongside Channel 5’s commissioning team. The Channel will then guide them in the development of new projects, receiving development money from a dedicated fund.

Selected Indie Production Companies:

Chapter 1 Films (West Midlands)
Chapter 1 Films is brand new indie set up through a partnership with Producer/ Director Shurwin Beckford and Karma Productions. Their aim is to create unashamed populist mainstream factual television.

Afro Mic (Belfast)
Owned by Emma Dias, Afro Mic started as a short form digital indie in 2014, producing fact entertainment as well as drama shorts. In 2017 it won its first terrestrial TV commission for BBC NI.

Heenahn Bhatti (Yorkshire & the Humber)
Heenahn is a multi-award-winning programme maker, with experience in all factual genres, from obs doc to specialist factual and factual entertainment. Having directed a number of documentaries, Heenahn is now creating his own independent production company.

Big Deal (London)
Owned by Dhanny Joshi and Thomas Stogdon, Big Deal were founded in 2014 and specialise in factual, factual entertainment and scripted formats.

Meridian Line Films (Yorkshire)
Nacressa Swan has 15 years of experience working in factual television and international documentary production and co-founded Meridian Line Films, based in York.

Chatterbox (London)
Owned by Nav Raman and Ali Quirk, Chatterbox is a new production company which is female and BAME-led. Their ambition is to create for major content and platforms with new voices fresh perspectives and thought provoking content.

Ten66 (Hastings, Sussex)
Ten66 is a small, regional BAME-owned indie owned by Rukhsana Mosam, an executive with 27 years’ experience in the business. Their main slate is in factual and they have also recently started creating scripted content with new BAME comedy talent.

King of Sunshine (Manchester)
King of Sunshine Productions is the brainchild of former BBC Commissioner and Entertainment Exec Sohail Shah. Salfordian Sohail has 20 years’ experience in the industry.

Doc Hearts (London)
Owned by Andy Mundy-Castle and Roy Agyeman, Doc Hearts specialises in factual entertainment, scripted, feature documentaries, children’s content, branded content and reality formats.

What People Say

Channel 5 director of programmes Ben Frow said: “We are passionate about working with hungry, creative and enthusiastic small independents who offer a new perspective, whilst being tuned into our channel and audience needs. So this important scheme, brilliantly engineered by Simone from The TV Collective, offers business opportunities to nine talented production companies across the UK, many of whom are start-ups. In broadening our creative influence, our ambition is to see new mainstream commissioned programmes also in the peak time schedule.”

The TV Collective’s Simone Pennant added: “It was a real pleasure working on this project. For years I’ve been saying the talent is out there and they are – in abundance. So this is such a fantastic opportunity by Channel 5 and has the potential of providing life changing business opportunities for the selected companies, which can only be a good thing for the industry.  I really hope this project inspires other broadcasters to move past platitudes and look for meaningful ways to not only diversify staff teams but suppliers as well. Massive Respect to Ben and his team for showing just how easily it can be done.”

Source: www.c21media.net and www.tbivision.com

Source: www.productionguild.com

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Applications for the 2020 WFTV Mentoring Scheme in association with ScreenSkills opened on the 25 September 2019 and will close at 14:00 on Sunday 27 October.

It is free to apply and to participate in the WFTV Mentoring Scheme and you don’t need to be an existing member to apply. However, if you are chosen for the scheme you should become a member by the time the scheme starts in January. Application deadlines are advertised via the WFTV newsletter and website, and on social media.

Source: www.wftv.org.uk

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The new TV comedy drama ‘Zomboat’, billed as ‘Two girls. Two guys. And a boatload of zombies’, is set to rock the city’s waterways .

Zombies are never the fastest of movers on screen at the best of times. So when Zomboat! unleashes a zombie apocalypse in Birmingham and trains aren’t running from New Street Railway Station, and plumes of smoke are rising above the city centre, two sisters and their friends will decide to flee… on a canal narrowboat called Dorothy. However their ‘zo-mo’ adventures by the towpath are going to be a long way from the innocent fun of Ragdoll’s children’s TV characters Rosie & Jim.

But given the time it takes to go through a lock will the towpath zombies catch their prey – and what will be the best weapon of self defence against the undead – a bread knife or rolling pin? With narrowboat engine noises a good way of underpinning a contemporary horror score, producers hope that some Peaky Blinders-style knife violence on the quiet backwaters will make giant waves with viewers across the land.

Lines include ‘If I’m not back in two hours… just wait longer’ or how about: ‘Who made you captain?’ to which Leah Brotherhead’s character Kat replies: ‘The total lack of competition’.

What is Zomboat! about?

The story features sisters Kat and Jo and two travel companions called Sunny and Amar. Jo has  just returned from working as a club rep and has decided to move in with her younger sister. She loves computer games,tends to believe in conspiracy theories and receives a message asking if she saw a video of a guy being eaten. So Jo isn’t likely to take her seriously when Kat claims the apocalypse is happening right here, right now… in deepest Birmingham.

Friend Amar is a gym bunny while his oldest friend Sunny doesn’t go a bundle on humanity. Zomboat! will illustrate how friendships, alliances, arguments and romance are all affected by living in packed living quarters. Even a zombie apocalypse can’t change the route of human nature.

Who is in it?

The leading cast members include Leah Brotherhead (White Gold, Boy Meets Girl) as Kat while Hamza Jeetooa (Doctor Who, Our Girl) plays Sunny. Ryan McKen (Temple, Game of Thrones) plays Amar while Wakefield-born blonde Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey) is Jo. Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) guest stars. The title track ‘Sleep Forever’ is credited to Loup Garoux.

What they are saying about Zomboat!

Zomboat! is a Noho Film & Television production, created by Adam Miller and Will Hartley, written by Adam Miller, Will Hartley and Liz Doran.

Series commissioner Paul Mortimer said: “ITV2 is committed to comedy for younger audiences and we’re delighted to partner with Hulu and Noho Productions to add this fantastically high-concept, home-grown comedy adventure series to our slate.”

Head of acquired series Sasha Breslau added: “Zomboat! is a gorily funny new comedy with a terrific cast. ITV2 is thrilled to be on board the Zomboat! ready to battle the undead.”

Royal Television Society (Midlands) chair Caren Davies, said: “Zomboat! is set in Birmingham so it’s fantastic to hold its premiere here (private event on October 3rd). “The series is brilliantly funny and has a great cast. It promises to be a gory treat for everyone who comes along.”

The series is expected to air from Tuesday, October 8 on ITV2 in six, half-hour episodes, following the regional premiere organised by the Royal Television Society on Thursday, October 3.

Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk

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The fashion guru Gok Wan is returning to Bullring and Grand Central this autumn after a 10 year break to shoot scenes for the new series of How to Look Good Naked – and you can get involved! The popular series, which is all about improving body confidence, is returning to Birmingham after a 10-year hiatus. It will be screened on TV channel Really in 2020. Fans of Gok and the series will be able to take their spot on Lower Mall (Level 0) or on the balconies overlooking the catwalk that will be located outside of Debenhams and Disney Store to get a glimpse of the climax scene of the show.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Bullring & Grand Central and seeing the lovely people of Birmingham,” said Gok Wan. “It’s been 10 years since the last time we filmed at the centre and I can’t wait to bring the show back.”

When the programme was launched, around 14 years ago, it was all about helping people to feel good about how they look both in and out of their clothes. Since then, scores of people have appeared on How To Look Good Naked, baring all in a bid to feel great.

When will How To Look Good Naked be at Bullring?

The filming of the iconic reveal scene will take place in the shopping centre on Tuesday October 15 and Wednesday October 16. Filming will take place across the two days at 2.15pm, 3.45pm and 5.15pm. Bullring bosses are advising people to arrive 30 minutes prior to get a good view and that timings are subject to change.

Whilst anybody visiting the centre can watch the final reveal, Bullring & Grand Central is giving away exclusive seats next to the catwalk offering the best view of the show. For more information, visit the Bullring website here.

Stephanie Lacey, general manager at Bullring & Grand Central, said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Gok and the team back to the centre to film for the new series for Really. Our customers have always enjoyed being part of the action and cheering on the participants and I’m sure that fans will be lining up alongside the stage this month too.”

Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk

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