December 2019

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

The offices at Film Birmingham will be closed from 23rd December – 3th January (inclusive) for the festive period. No filming applications will be processed during this time.

Filming request forms can still be submitted online here. We will process your request as soon as we return in the new year.

If you are searching for filming locations, view our online location database here. You can also register your property as a filming location.

To search for local crew, visit our crew database, or register yourself as crew here.

To view current industry opportunities, view our news page.

Warmest wishes to you and yours this holiday season, and a prosperous and productive 2020!

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Film Birmingham, Birmingham City Council’s film office, is a one-stop-shop for filming in the city. With the support of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), a pilot scheme was launched in March 2019 to trial our services to local authorities within the GBSLEP and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) region.

We are currently seeking an external consultant to develop a proposal for how we could work in partnership with these local authorities beyond July 2020. You are invited to submit your tenders in this regard, according to the Regional FO West Midlands Business Model Brief.

Important Dates

The deadline for expressions of interest is 5pm on Friday 31st January. 2020.
Candidates will be invited to interview w/c 3rd February 2020.
Interviews will be held on Monday 10th or Tuesday 11th February 2020.
The successful candidate will be notified by Friday 14th February 2020.
This programme of work is for delivery by Friday 17th April 2020.

Need More Information?

See the full brief here. If you have any questions or points to clarify, please submit these by email to: sindy.campbell@birmingham.gov.uk. The deadline for submission of such questions is Friday 24th January 2020.

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A new partnership between a UK university and one of India’s most renowned creative institutions will allow students to collaborate on major projects in the Bollywood and UK film industries. Birmingham City University formed a formal collaboration with Mumbai-based Ronkel Media Education Institute, which will provide students with real-world experience working on motion picture productions.

Ronkel specialises in film industry training and its staff are internationally renowned for their contribution to Bollywood filmmaking, while Birmingham City University has a history of creative education in the UK’s second city, which dates back more than 175 years. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two organisations, which aims to support students in developing the valuable skills needed to help create, perform in or market a movie. It will also provide opportunities for students to study aspects of the media, arts and entertainment overseas as part of exchange study programmes between Birmingham City University and Ronkel Media Education Institute.

The Indian film industry has experienced major growth, creating a demand for a range of skilled artists, technicians and film business professionals. Professor Alison Honour, pro vice-chancellor and executive dean for Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media said: “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with the Ronkel Media Education and Research Institute. This new partnership will provide opportunities for Birmingham City University and Ronkel students to work on collaborative film projects and have international work placements and exchanges to provide opportunities to gain skills specific to the UK and Indian Bollywood film industries.”

Birmingham City University operates a range of courses related to the film industries and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. The new partnership will allow students learning skills in areas such as screenwriting, film production, visual effects, film studies and film business and promotion.

Sanjeev Sharma, founder and firector of the Ronkel Media Education and Research Institute said: “The Indian Film Industry is growing rapidly, creating a huge demand for skilled artists and technicians, as well as film business professionals. Our association with Birmingham City University is a great opportunity for Indian students to utilise this platform to hone their skill sets in the best possible manner, and prepare themselves to be absorbed by the industry.”

Sanjeev Sharma has been recognised by the Limca Book of National Records for his work as a filmmaker. His audio visual project “Veergatha” with legendary Bollywood star, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, has received international appreciation.

Source: www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com

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Independent film production company Dark Matter Films, based in Bewdley, has had a stunning viral YouTube success this week. Their 7-minute zombie comedy short film ‘Still’ has racked up over 120,000 views in the space of a single week. The film, written and directed by debut Midlands filmmaker Carl Timms, has been praised for its unique concept. Commenters are calling it a “masterpiece”, and the “most original idea I’ve seen for a zombie apocalypse movie”.

‘Still’ was filmed in Birmingham’s busy Jewellery Quarter and stars local actors Joe Capella, Rob Hall and James Rowell. It was funded entirely by crowdfunding and shot in just 2 days. Dark Matter Films pulled off a coup by enlisting Stourbridge-based special effects expert Stuart Conran, lead FX designer on cult zombie hit Shaun of the Dead, to create the effects. Featuring over 100 Midlands extras and crew the short film has already had a successful festival run screening at 25 festivals all over the world and winning 9 awards. It was also selected to be part of a horror anthology called Blood Clots on Amazon Prime. Life-long zombie fan Carl says of his success: “I knew the moment I had the idea for Still that this was an original approach to the mostly tired zombie genre. However I never expected it would take off like this, it’s been a lovely shock to see positive comments from all around the world”

This YouTube viral success follows news that Dark Matter Films’ follow up short Off Grid will have its London premiere on Friday 13th December as part of the five day Lift-Off London Film Festival. Off Grid screens on Friday 13 th at 8.30 PM. Off Grid is a dark short supernatural thriller starring A-list leads James Cosmo, CBE (His Dark Materials) and Alison Steadman, MBE (Gavin and Stacey). Cosmo and Steadman are joined in Off Grid by Marc Baylis (Coronation Street), Kate Davis-Speak (The Barge People) and local Birmingham actor Francis Quigley. The film recently had its premiere at the Birmingham Film Festival s Off Grid is the second short film Carl Timms and his first with writing partner Mark Brendan, who also co-produced the film.

Watch ‘Still’ here.

For more info on the film, contact Carl Timms (Director/Producer) at info@darkmatterfilms.co.uk or on 07779179796, or Mark Brendan (Writer/Producer) at mark.brendan.writer@gmail.com or on 07706909785.

ScreenSkills’ new-entrant placement programme will offer practical experience to the 2020/21 trainees on Trainee Finder.

Trainee Finder matches trainees with productions to offer them professional on-the-job experience. All placements are paid. The year-long programme includes training courses and industry masterclasses on topics such as set etiquette and health and safety to prepare successful candidates for working in the industry and to improve their employability.

Trainees have previously worked on a wide range of feature films, high-end TV and children’s TV shows, including Killing Eve, Peaky Blinders, Fleabag, Aladdin, Wonder Woman, Downton Abbey, Hetty Feather and Molly & Mack.

If you have less than 12 months of paid experience in film or TV, you can apply by 15 December for high-end television or film.

Apply for the High-End TV Trainee Finder

Apply for the Film Trainee Finder

For more information on Trainee Finder, click here.

Source: www.screenskills.com

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A brand new Channel 4 series “SuperShoppers” is on the lookout for families to join the show.  “SuperShoppers” families would ideally want advice on how to save money on everything from holidays to their household bills, from shopping for clothes to the food they eat. The show is also looking for families who do a lot of shopping online and want some money-saving tips and tricks.

If you want the clever tips and savvy shortcuts which will save your family cash, then call 0141 530 2333 ext. 260 or send an email to supershoppers@firecrestfilms.com with your name and contact details.

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Flatpack have been delving into the story of Birmingham in 1968, uncovering a host of different stories about art, activism and upheaval. These have been gathered into a beautiful new book, and you’re invited to join them for the launch of This Way To The Revolution at Ikon Gallery on Tuesday 10th December, from 6pm.

As well as a first chance to pick up the book itself, Asya Draganova (Birmingham City University) will host a discussion with a number of people who contributed memories and images to the book. Guests will include: Anne Durbin, who took part in the University of Birmingham occupation in late ’68; Rev David Collyer, who set up a biker coffee bar in a Digbeth church; and musician and artist Steve Ajao, who went on a school trip to Paris in May ’68. Steve and his band the Blues Giants will be playing a set in Yorks Cafe afterwards. The book is available to preorder via the Flatpack shop and will be on sale from 10 Dec at Ikon, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Foyles in Grand Central.

This marks the close of a brilliant, jam-packed year for Flatpack. A few other things going on at the moment…

– They recently spent a week helping year 4 at St Bernadette’s school in Yardley set up their own cinema – heart-warming video evidence here;

– A group of young refugees set up their own film night with our support – see Paul Stringer’s writeup;

– Next month there are two Flatpack events as part of the BFI Musicals season; Easy To Love at Moseley Road Baths (6 Dec – complete with rubber rings and synchronised swimmers) and White Christmas at St Philips Cathedral (12 Dec). The former is sold out, and tickets for the latter are going fast;

– Upcoming, there will be regular monthly Colour Box screenings for families – winter 2020 events will be announced shortly.

– And then of course there’s the 14th Flatpack Festival, which takes over Birmingham from 5-10 May next year.

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