The planned Flatpack Festival has been cancelled, but there are two opportunities to contribute to Flatpack 2020: the Home Entertainment edition.

Hear from Flatpack below:

Like many others the Flatpack team have been adjusting to the world of remote working, navigating the joys of video conferencing and trying not to get distracted by the laundry. Although our May festival is no longer happening, we’ve been busy planning a virtual edition which you will be able to access for free without leaving your sofa from Friday 1 May. As well as a bounty of short film exclusives for all ages, the programme will include a couple of open call events which are now welcoming your submissions.

PECHAKUCHA BIRMINGHAM

Sunday 10 May, 3pm
Just as before, we are inviting presentations on the theme of ‘Vision’ using the PechaKucha format (20 slides, 20 seconds each). The difference being that you will no longer be expected to come down to the festival hub to present it, but can instead record your talk at home. A few words from PK Birmingham organiser Ben Waddington:

“We are expanding the original theme of Vision to reflect the mood, thoughts and routines of our overnight lockdown culture. Vision could now be interpreted as what you have been watching for entertainment, information or for pure escapism. You may find you have been reflecting on your political worldview, approach to health and your future beyond-the-doorstep travel plans. For most of us, 2020 will not end the way it began.”

If you have a Vision in twenty slides which you’d like to share, get in touch with Ben by Friday 17 April and he’ll tell you what to do next.

OVERLAP ANIMATION SHOW & TELL

Wednesday 13 May, 7pm
Launched at Flatpack 2019, Overlap is a popular quarterly gathering for the region’s animators. As well as showing new shorts and work in progress many Overlap guests also create pieces especially for the event, and this time they’ll be sharing them in a virtual bar for your viewing pleasure. The prompt for this event is WILD, and submissions are open for anything over 1 second. Get in touch with Louis Hudson by Monday 11 May if you want to contribute.

Image from The Science of Sleep (Michel Gondry, 2006)

Source: flatpackfestival.org.uk

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BBC Writersroom believes in the power of stories and storytellers to keep us hopeful, entertained and to help us make sense of the world, particularly in such a strange and unprecedented time as the one we find ourselves in now.

That’s why they’re asking for original short-form scripts, between 5-10 minutes in length whose 2-4 characters now find themselves in isolation, but connecting via video conferencing. They may be friends, lovers, neighbours, colleagues, family or strangers. But they’re all alone together and using modern technology to stay connected.

These stories should take place throughout and via a conference call. Stories that show a moment of human interaction in an otherwise socially distanced world. Though of course, when it feels like the end of the world, the things we choose to say or the truths we reveal to one another may be the most surprising.

We want scripts that are compelling and hook us in. Ideas that have warmth and spirit, that astonish, amuse or enlighten us. They should be set now or in the near future.

We’ll select four of the best to be produced with professional actors and released on BBC platforms throughout April. The selected writers will each receive £300 for their script.

Deadline: Monday 30th March at 12 noon

Submit your script via our E-submissions system using this link

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Source: www.bbc.co.uk

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Source: www.broadcastnow.co.uk

Read below for an outline of best practice for a coronavirus contingency plan, from Derek Drennan, founder of small indie advisory The Nest:

Productions across the UK are being put on hold for the foreseeable future. Some are pressing on without insurance and others are postponed, leaving small indies confused about what they should be doing on a day-to-day basis during this time of extreme uncertainty. Misinformation is rife and each production is being viewed on a case-by-case basis but there are a few ways by which small producers can mitigate the damage, and I have been advising them as such.

A speedy and solid coronavirus action plan is essential. Consider all eventualities and how far they could escalate. Teams should now ideally be working from home as per instructions from the experts on Monday.

During filming, a sensible approach would be to use skeleton teams as much as possible on set and on location . Succession planning is an important part of this.

Look at replacement measures for all team members and crew so that you always have someone who can step in during illness and quarantine – a highly-likely disruptor. Keep a list of people who can ‘step up’ to these roles – for example, camera ops could replace PDs .

Consider splitting production teams and separating them into smaller teams i.e. ‘Team A’ and ‘Team B’ who will work apart in different locations, meaning you always have a team who can carry on should one team “go down”.

Anyone who feels unwell should be forced to go home and rest for at least a week in quarantine as per advice. This may take some persuading – especially for those freelancers out there who insist they are fine in fear of losing work – but it needs to happen.

Producers and scriptwriters should be thinking of contingencies for key cast and locations that they can use as backups. Any key locations/studios should be pencilled in for future dates so that you know when you can schedule them in again after a lock-down.

For any productions that manage to get to the edit, it is possible for editors these days to be set up remotely from home on AVIDs and there are clever ways of keeping track on progress even without having to be sat next to someone all day. Speak to your post-production house and ask them to help work out the back-up edit plan.

Communication is key. Ensure your production teams are aware that insurance cover is excluded for any coronavirus-related illness, while making everyone aware of their rights and the company’s stance in relation to sick pay. The government will pay statutory sick pay for anyone who is PAYE from day one, but that currently excludes any of your Schedule D or LTD company contractors.

Most of all, look after your teams. This is a scary time for them too. Point freelancers to the people who can help support them in a crisis, such as the Film & TV Charity.

And crucially, once your plan is firmly in place, speak to your commissioning editor. It’s worth coming up with an agreement upfront should the production be delayed, with a good idea of how the broadcaster can help financially.

Don’t forget to review your plan as time goes on, as things are changing day to day. Coronavirus will unfortunately affect us all so it’s about eliminating the risks. But there are people out there who can offer support and guidance through these unknown times.

Keep calm and remember you are not alone.

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