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Below is a message from Ed Shedd, Inaugural Chair of Screen Industry Body

In the most significant shake-up of support for the West Midlands’ screen sector for nearly a decade, the region will soon have a new industry-led membership body.

I am now seeking expressions of interest from individuals who want to join me to be part of this unique opportunity to help shape the future direction of the WM screen sector.

This powerful new private-sector leadership structure has the mandate from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the three Local Enterprise Partnerships to help shape public funding, to secure new public/private investment, to develop dynamic programmes of delivery and to oversee the promotion of the regional screen sector.

The idea is to establish a new way of working in the region in order to create an agile and responsive screen ecosystem which is able to respond to the rapidly changing nature of the global content industry.

To do this, the new body will put industry in the driving seat. It will connect with public sector organisations, stakeholders and existing networks by adopting a collaborative leadership approach rather than creating a top-down agency or quango.

This game-changing new initiative was announced by the Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street on 4th July, following extensive consultation with businesses and partners across the region and with support from national stakeholders such as BFI, PACT, Creative England, Ukie and ScreenSkills.

To kick start this process, I have been appointed as in the body’s inaugural Chair.  As a proud Brummie and now Deloitte’s North and South Europe Technology, Media, Telecommunications (TMT) Industry Leader, I hope to be able to bring my global perspective and contacts to help support to the region

A report detailing the background and setting out the next steps can be found here – wmca.assetbank-server.com

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) PROCESS 

Inaugural members will be individuals with an exceptional track record with the following experience:

• Currently working in the private, for-profit screen sector.

• Creating content, products or services for national or international markets.

• Operating at a senior level or demonstrating significant influence within your field.

• Exemplary contacts and networks within your field.

• A passion for growing the region’s screen sector.

• Operating from a base in Greater Birmingham, Solihull, Black Country, Coventry or Warwickshire.

Inaugural members will initially work with me, industry-specialist Suzie Norton and WMCA to help shape the new body ahead of a formal launch in early October.

The role is non-executive and unpaid, with members expected to have the capacity to attend a physical meeting every two months, with regular virtual communication between members.

I am  initially seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from potential members, ahead of a more formal appointment process. 

To submit an EOI please complete very short survey HERE 

Definitions:

‘Screen Sector’ is defined as film, television, games, animation, high-end TV, branded-content, vlogger/influencer, VFX, immersive tech and those businesses directly in the supply chain such as legal, real estate development, marketing and communications.

‘Screen Industry’ refers to businesses within the screen sector supply chain.

‘Private-sector’ refers to commercial enterprises or individuals developing content, products or services for profit.

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A new Screen Industry Body to boost the West Midlands’ TV, film and games industries has been announced today by Andy Street – a move that could help bring 29,000 new jobs to the region.

The new body, which has been developed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in conjunction with the region’s three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), will be chaired by Deloitte’s international industry heavyweight Ed Shedd.

Birmingham-born Shedd will preside over the board, which will comprise top talent from across the region’s screen businesses and will serve as a single point of contact for national and international film, TV and game makers.

It is hoped the new body, which will be industry-led, will revolutionise the current screen industry, helping to drive investment, growth and thousands of new jobs.

Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said: “The West Midlands has a strong screen industry with a string of success stories – not least Leamington Spa’s gaming cluster which employs 10% of the UK gaming industry. However we have learnt from the region’s Channel 4 bid and from engaging with industry leaders that there is a lot more that can be done to support the screen sector so the West Midlands can truly be recognised as a world-class centre for creative content.

“We plan to see 29,000 new, high skilled jobs in the digital and creative industries by 2030, but we will not be able to achieve this without having an industry body in place to help the region capitalise on the fast-growing creative sector. For the screen sector to realise its full potential, the brightest and best entrepreneurs from the industry need to have the structure and mandate to drive forward that growth. This new body will provide just that.” 

With an aim to launch in the autumn of this year, the body hopes to act as a coordinating and powerful voice for the sector. Existing networks like Film Birmingham, Screen Central and Silicon Spa will partner with the new body to deliver programmes of activity, which will be at arms-length from local government.

There are four key aims of the new body, including:

• Develop a single delivery plan and help turn strategy into action
• Secure and deliver both public and private funds
• Commission a variety of programmes of activity
• Both lobby and promote the West Midlands screen industry

Inaugural chairman Shedd, who is Deloitte’s TMT North and South Europe leader, is a well-known screen industry figure operating at an international level with a wealth of experience.

He said: “I am extremely excited about becoming the inaugural chair of this new Screen Industry Body. The screen industries are undergoing fundamental transformation, driven by the advent of near ubiquitous, high-speed connectivity in both fixed and mobile forms. The West Midlands is perfectly positioned to respond to and benefit from that transformation. 

“The traditional media structure and locations that have dominated UK and global media are changing. Creatives no longer need to be wholly present in London, New York and LA. I look forward to working with industry, WMCA and partners to establish this powerful industry structure to help the region capitalise on this opportunity.”

Other members of the new board will be announced in the coming weeks, with applications for those in the screen industry opening soon. As well as announcing the new Screen Industry Body, the WMCA has also produced a report around the region’s screen industry and where its future lies.

It comes after the UK’s first Local Industrial Strategy was launched in the West Midlands earlier this year, with greater economic emphasis placed on the creative sector going forward.

Councillor Ian Brookfield, the leader of City of Wolverhampton Council and the WMCA’s portfolio lead for Economy and Innovation, said: “As the new portfolio lead for the Local Industrial Strategy and the creative industries across the West Midlands, I welcome the mayor’s announcement today of a new screen industry body.

“It is important that this body serves to support the whole of the region, in all its diversity and difference. I want to ensure that creative talent and businesses from the Black Country to Birmingham, from Coventry to Leamington Spa all have the chance to benefit from this new opportunity. “So, I am making a commitment today as creative industries lead to work with my colleagues at the WMCA and the various city councils and LEPs to support this new exciting phase for the West Midlands screen sector.”

Mayor Street announced the new body and report at a West Midlands Screen Bureau event this week. The third Design Lab event, which debated the structure and recent developments around the screen industry, was the final event in a programme supported by the BFI’s Creative Clusters Challenge Fun through National Lottery investment and supported by both the WMCA and Birmingham City Council.

BFI CEO Amanda Nevill has welcomed the news of the new industry body.

She said: “We really congratulate the West Midlands for having the foresight to capitalise on one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK, worth over £100bn to our economy today.  This is great news for a whole range of businesses that will benefit from a thriving screen sector in the area, creating jobs and new international trading opportunities.

“It has been great to see BFI National Lottery funding being part of this new chapter supporting the next generation of creative storytellers in The West Midlands.”

Source: www.bqlive.co.uk

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The Production Guild is running their Safety Management in Film & TV Production delivered by Media Safety Limited – a one day course held at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden Park on the 12th October which will not only help keep you and your colleagues safe, but will look great on your CV.

The lead course tutor is Jake Edmonds who has been at the forefront of film safety for 30 years. Jake has overseen many productions – including all eight of the Harry Potter films, and provides safety solutions in the UK and abroad. For more information click here: https://tinyurl.com/yylnep6f

This one-day course is designed and delivered by Media Safety Limited covering Health & Safety for freelancers and the employed working in Film & TV Production. It is IOSH and Safety Passport approved. Training is a comprehensive industry specific course delivered by Health & Safety practitioners allowing you to fully understand what skills and knowledge are needed for you to perform your role in production safely and efficiently. These essential skills are recognised and valued by productions and HoDs.

This course is for those working at all levels in Film or TV particularly attendees on past Runner and Location Assistant courses and media students. You must be over 18 to attend this course.

How will it benefit their career?

• Delegates who successfully complete the course received an IOSH Safety Management in Film & TV Certificate, work book and registration onto the ScreenSkills ‘Hiive’ database.
• Develop their health and safety knowledge and skills on production.
• Help their employment opportunities with productions and HoDs.

Skills covered include: Risk Assessment, Checking Competency and Case Studies, H&S Legislation and IOSH Safety Management in Film & TV certificate

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The dramatic new 4-part BBC drama Dark Mon£y was filmed exclusively in Birmingham and the West Midlands in late 2018, and coming to screens on Monday 8^th July at 9pm on BBC One. It was directed by Birmingham-born Lewis Arnold, and executive producer Mark Pybus of The Forge. Lewis and Mark will be present at an special screening of episode 1 presented by Screen Central, in association with Vermillion Films. The screening will be followed by a Q&A.

Event details
Date: Wednesday 17th July 2019
Time: 6pm – 8.30pm
Location: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200 Jennens Road, Birmingham B4 7XR

Get your free tickets HERE.

About Dark Mon£y

Dark Mon£y was written by Levi David Addai and directed by Lewis Arnold. The series will air on Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th July and concludes the following week on Monday and Tuesday.

Dark Mon£y tells the fictional story of The Mensahs, an ordinary working-class family from North London whose youngest son has recently finished filming a major Hollywood movie role. But Manny and Sam’s world is shattered when Isaac reveals he was abused whilst out in America by a renowned filmmaker. Although guilt-ridden, the family decide to accept a substantial pay-off to keep silent, believing the money will help start a new life, enable them to heal and avoid the publicity hell of pressing charges against a celebrity. They are wrong. Damage runs deep, and the price of taking the money may be too high.

The drama stars Babou Ceesay, Jill Halfpenny, Rebecca Front, Susan Wokoma, Olive Gray, Ellen Thomas, Arnold Oceng, Joseph May and Rudi Dharmalingam. It was produced by The Forge with Mark Pybus and George Faber executive producers alongside Lucy Richer at the BBC.

Get your free tickets for this Dark Money screening HERE.

Lewis Arnold, The Director

Prior to directing DARK MON£Y for BBC One and The Forge, The Birmingham director directed the first four episodes of CLEANING UP for Sister Pictures. Lewis was also responsible for developing the six-part drama with up and coming writer, Mark Marlow. The show stars Sheridan Smith and is set within London’s financial world and aired on ITV in 2019.

His previous credits include BROADCHURCH and HUMANS, which became Channel 4’s most successful original drama in over 20 years when it aired in 2015. After directing two episodes on series one, he was asked back a year later to direct the lead block of the second series for Kudos and AMC.

It was on graduating from the NFTS in March 2013, that Lewis embarked on directing his first TV project, directing with two episodes of the final series of BAFTA-winning C4 show, MISFITS. He followed this up by directing the first four episodes of Russell T Davies’s new E4 show, BANANA, and was named a Broadcast Magazine Hotshot 2014 for his work on both shows.

His short films CHARLIE SAYS and ECHO, made whilst studying his MA in Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School, screened at a host of international film festivals, picking up various awards including a National Film Award for Best Short. Lewis has a host of projects in development including DES, a four-part crime drama with New Pictures, as well as feature film projects BULLY and PLAYING DEAD.

Mark Pybus, Executive Producer

Mark joined The Forge from Company Pictures where he produced Uncle Adolf, Wallis & Edward, both for ITV, and Einstein & Eddington, Women in Love and Wolf Hall for the BBC. For The Forge, Mark has executive produced The Last Post, a Peter Moffat series for the BBC which transmitted in 2017, and Collateral, written by David Hare, which aired on BBC2 in early 2018. Currently he is executive producing Dark Mon£y, a four-part original drama series for BBC1 written by BAFTA-winning writer Levi David Addai.

This Dark Money screening would not be possible without the generous support of Vermillion Films. Vermillion Films is an award-winning production company producing branded content, corporate films and commercials for global brands and local companies.

Get your free tickets for this Dark Money screening HERE.

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World Premiere of Peaky Blinders returns to Birmingham this summer with a red carpet, fan screening and cast Q&A. The hotly anticipated fifth series of Peaky Blinders is returning to BBC One later this year. But for fans who can’t wait that long, BBC Birmingham and BBC One are hosting an exclusive world premiere in Birmingham.

On Thursday 18 July fans can get a sneak preview of the first episode before anyone else at Birmingham Town Hall, and get a chance to see their show favourites with a spectacular red carpet event. They’ll then be able to put their questions to the cast and creators with a special question and answer panel straight after the first episode.

Series 5 of the BAFTA award-winning drama finds the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929. Opportunity and misfortune are everywhere. When Tommy Shelby MP (Cillian Murphy) is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realises that his response will affect not just his family’s future but that of the entire nation.

Creator Steven Knight, comments, “Birmingham is of course my first choice for the world premiere, the cast and crew love it here. Birmingham is the epicentre for the show and it means so much to me to come back here year after year and start the series with a bang. This year we’re at the Town Hall, which is a great venue, with more fans than ever before able to see the programme. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions on the night.”

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for the Peaky Blinders World Premiere will be allocated via random draw with 60% of the tickets going to Midlands postcodes* and 40% going to the rest of the UK.

The ticket ballot goes live on 4 July and you can register at any time until 10pm on Wednesday 10 July. You can apply for a maximum of two tickets.

Tickets will be released via the BBC Shows and Tours website  here .

Tickets are strictly non-transferable. Photographic proof of ID must be shown. If you cannot provide this proof you will be refused entry. If your photo ID does not match the name on the ticket you will not be admitted. If you request two tickets because you are taking a guest along, that person will only be allowed in if they are accompanied by you. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please take a look at the FAQs to see what type of photo ID is acceptable.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours

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The Film and TV Charity has launched the very first industry-wide study to understand the state of the well-being of the UK’s film, TV and cinema workforce, and how they can be better supported. They are inviting those working behind-the-screen to voice their personal experiences via an online survey. This will shine a light on the industry and ultimately provide a true reflection of the status quo. The anonymous survey will close at midnight on Sunday, 7^th July, after which the outcome, along with in-depth quantitative and qualitative research set to be conducted over the summer will be revealed to industry this coming autumn.

With a workforce of over 260,000 (according to latest figures from the DCMS), as you will know, it’s a lucrative industry. But behind the glitz and glam on camera, the largely freelance lifestyle – often synonymous with a lack of job security and difficulty accessing statutory benefits such as sick pay and pensions – is known to take its toll on people’s mental health and overall well-being. It’s time for industry to take action.

In conjunction with the study, the Film & Television Charity has assembled an industry taskforce – which includes the likes of the BFI’s Chief Executive Amanda Nevill and VUE International’s Chief Executive Tim Richards, to help catalyse a new industry-led programme of practical and scaleble interventions. To mark the launch of the study, the charity has created a thought-provoking 90 second film ‘Smashed?’ directed by award-winning director Tim Pope. Watch that video here.

The goal is to ultimately help to transform the lives of all those working behind-the-scenes of the shows and films we love to watch. If you have any questions, or would like to see any of the materials, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Those working in the film, TV and cinema industry are being encouraged to have their say by completing the online survey here.

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An exciting arts event which includes painting, spoken word, and video projection comes to the Paradise Circus multi-storey car park in Birmingham. The event is titled ‘Re-imagining the Opposition: The Art of Empathy’. It will take place at  the Paradise Circus multi-storey car park on Tuesday, June 25th, from 6pm. The organizer, Soul City Arts, hopes the event stirs up discussion and engages people to see art and performance in a new and refreshing light.

It will include a performance by Mark Gonzales and include original artworks by Mohammed Ali and Mohsen Keiany. Writing on social media about this new project, Mohammed Ali, one of the artists at Soul City Arts,  who recently painted a Theresa May stencil on the day she resigned, stated: “I’ve been wanting to deliver something in a car park for a while. They are neutral spaces where everyone parks wherever they can find a place, no hierarchy. It’s only once you ascend via an elevator where we go into our separate worlds.”

The performance will include storytelling by Mark Gonzalez (USA/Tunisia), artwork by Mohammed Ali and Mohsen Keiany. The Soul City Arts group will transform a floor of the car park into an engagement space for arts and communities.

The event will present a cycle of Keiany’s paintings, which work through the artist’s traumatic experience of war and the dehumanization and opposition they bring. Gonzales will navigate through the artworks, feeding off original film work and projections by Ali and engaging the audience with ideas and dialogue around the theme of empathy and how it can transform thinking and relationships. In keeping with its theme, the event will place the voices of the community at its heart. The hopes, dreams, and memories of the community feature both within the art itself and will help structure the event. Active audience participation and discussion will be encouraged as the event progresses in an organic manner.

The project is inspired by the  academic work of Dr. James Hodkinson (Warwick University) – how art can promote empathy and transform relationships between faiths and cultures.

This project has been  funded by Arts Council England, Warwick University, Lottery Fund, Hybrid and Film Birmingham.

‘Re-imagining the Opposition: The Art of Empathy’ will take place at Paradise Circus multi-storey car park, Brindley Drive, Birmingham, B1 2NB on Tuesday 25 June, commencing at 6pm. This is a free, ticketless event and all are welcome.

Source: iambirmingham.co.uk

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Activities

Mon, 7 October 2019

10:00 – 16:00 BST

Edgbaston Stadium

Birmingham

B5 7QU

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Worcester filmmaker, Daniel McKee is the overall winner of the Beer Town Film Festival 2019, for his short production, “If you never answered x”. Even better, it was Daniel’s first ever fiction film, and it was judged the best by four award-winning filmmakers. Daniel is already looking ahead.

He said: “It is amazing to win an award, let alone the entire competition. Already the judges in my category have gone on to share the film and given it a new lease of life and I am definitely spending the prize money on my next film.”

A spokesman said: “The Fiction Short category was the most popular again this year attracting over half the entries. Daniel McKee’s “if you never answered x” topped the vote for this category judged by four award-winning filmmakers themselves, Deborah Haywood, Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir and David Morris alongside renowned TV actor Steven Hartley. McKee is a 27-year old London-based filmmaker from Worcester who studied filmmaking Arts University Bournemouth and usually makes short animated films. The film examines the heart-rending narrative of a missing person through the responses and notifications on a mobile phone.”

Now in its second year, the filmmaking competition ran from October 2018 to February 2019 and attracted 739 entries from entrants from all over the UK. Entrants made short films for six different categories, representing 86 hours, 24 minutes and 18 seconds of viewing time.

Marston’s Marketing Manager, Kirsty Polmeer said: “The standard of entries this year was much higher making it an extremely difficult job, but I would also like to say a huge congratulations to Daniel McKee for his gripping and highly original film.

Source: www.dudleynews.co.uk

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