Cornwall Film logo
developing Cornwall's media industry > new media | tv | film
Cornwall Media Focus

Cornwall Film Launches Three New Schemes

Cornwall Film is offering some fantastic new opportunities for 2006 in response to feedback from the local media industry.

Firstly, we are calling urgently for a lead company to deliver PILOTS, a scheme to develop taster tapes for factual programming. We plan to launch PILOTS in February/March 2006. The deadline for applications to be lead company will be 15 DECEMBER 2005

We are now requesting applications from production companies who would like to host a new researcher post via the RESEARCHER SCHEME. Researchers will be appointed in February 2006, and can express interest in applying for the three new posts now. The deadline for applications is 5 JANUARY 2006.

UPRISING is a talent development scheme focused on low budget drama. The first stage is aimed at screenwriters with great ideas for a low budget drama and a desire to get specialist support to develop their abilities and market knowhow. The deadline for applications is 3 JANUARY 2006.

You must be based in Cornwall to be eligible for the above schemes. Application forms will soon be available on the Cornwall Film website – in the meantime, please contact office@cornwallfilm.com or 01872 240 900 if you have any questions or would like us to send you an application form.

More detailed information on the schemes is available in the news section of the Cornwall Film website at www.cornwallfilm.com.


FIND OUT MORE ON FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER AT THE CORNWALL MEDIA FOCUS CHRISTMAS PARTY

The party will take place in Truro (venue to be confirmed) following a video streaming workshop and panel discussion on the future of independent distribution. We will outline the three new schemes and be available to answer questions (you are likely to get a more coherent response if you arrive early…)

Even if you’re not interested in these schemes, do come along and say hello. It’s a great opportunity to meet others working in film, TV and new media; and we would love to hear how we can develop more projects to help you grow your skills, contacts and business.

Cornwall Media Focus
The Media Network for Cornwall
Cornwall Media Focus is facilitated by Cornwall Film, a project financed by The European Union and a Partnership of South West Screen, Cornwall County Council and Penwith District Council. The cluster receives additional support from the South West Regional Development Agency.

Joan Beveridge – Cornwall Media Focus Co-ordinator
Email: joan@cornwallmediafocus.co.uk
Tel: 08451-593213
Mobile: 0791-988 6137
Post: c/o Cornwall Film, 73 Lemon Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1EA.

LOOKING FOR LEAD COMPANY – PILOTS

Cornwall Film is looking for a Cornwall-based production company to lead an exciting new initiative in 2006: PILOTS – a scheme to develop pilots and taster tapes for factual programming.

Lead Company applicants will need proven wide-ranging experience in producing factual programmes for broadcast, strong links with commissioners, and demonstrable commitment to developing new talent and Cornwall’s media industry.

PILOTS will develop at least 12 pilots/taster tapes for factual programmes/series – of which at least 4 will be co-productions with other local companies and freelancers. Contracts between the lead company and pitchees will need to ensure the protection of pitchees’ ideas and their continuing involvement with any commission resulting from their pitch.

The lead production company will host a new post of Project Manager. The Project Manager will oversee delivery of the pilots, host events to promote the scheme and build links with other companies and freelancers in Cornwall. He or she will be available to meet with local talent to discuss ideas and to support the development of selected ideas from pitch to pilot and beyond. The Project Manager will also be responsible for co-ordinating and developing links with the Researcher Scheme (see below), including hosting bimonthly mentoring sessions with the Researchers.

In order to deliver the project outlined above, the lead company will be required to match Cornwall Film’s funding with £35-40K of their own investment; and to meet state aids de minimis criteria. When successful productions result from the scheme, Cornwall Film will request a proportion of profits and a repayment with premium on first day of principal photography to reinvest in developing the local industry.

To deliver the greatest benefit to local companies within the time constraints of the existing Cornwall Film project, we need to make a decision very soon. The deadline for applications to be lead company will be 15 DECEMBER 2005. We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible in advance of this date to discuss your application and access an application form.

We anticipate that PILOTS will launch in Cornwall in Feb/March 2006.



LOOKING FOR PRODUCTION COMPANIES - RESEARCHERS SCHEME

Three factual programming Researcher posts in Cornwall-based production companies will be part funded by Cornwall Film from February 2006 via the RESEARCHERS SCHEME. The scheme aims to develop local talent and to generate a greater number of successful commissions for the companies involved – an opportunity to avoid ‘feast and famine’ production conditions.

The Researcher posts will be supported by training and specialist mentoring, including direct contact with commissioners. Researchers will work with the Factual Pilot Project Director to develop links between production companies, freelancers and commissioners. One of the three researchers will also be selected for additional training under Channel 4’s Researcher Scheme.

Companies hosting a Researcher post will need to demonstrate a commitment to developing new talent and Cornwall’s media industry, the support and expertise required to develop the Researcher’s skills and ideas, and accessible office facilities. Companies should bring experience in the development and production of factual programming, strong links to commissioners and a viable company business plan. The Researcher post must be additional to existing staff.

The posts will initially be part funded for nine months. We hope to extend the posts for a further three months until February 2007. Cornwall Film will offer successful production companies up to 50% of salary costs of £16,000 per annum (i.e. £6000 towards a nine month post or £8000 towards a twelve month post). This will need to be matched in cash by participating production companies, who will also cover all NI costs and company overheads. It is hoped that the posts will be continued by the companies beyond February 2007.

COMPANIES interested in applying to host one of the three researcher posts should submit a completed application form, company business plan, recent company accounts, CVs and a covering letter to Cornwall Film by 5 JANUARY 2006. The covering letter should detail how companies meet the criteria outlined above and explain why appointing a researcher would generate real growth for the company at this stage in their development.

Companies will need to be available to shortlist and appoint researchers in January 2006. The shortlist will be notified on 17 January 2006 for interviews in Truro on 27 January 2006. The posts will start in mid February 2006.

Please feel free to call us if you have any questions about the scheme or application process.



LOOKING FOR RESEARCHERS - RESEARCHERS SCHEME

The role of the Researcher will be to research and support the Production Company’s expansion into new markets; developing project ideas to access these.

• Defining and working to an agreed delivery plan that identifies target markets (i.e. specific broadcasters, alternative distribution models) and appropriate milestones to achieve to reach these.
• Gathering up to date information on commissioners, potential sponsors and financiers.
• Developing programme ideas from concept to taster tape – both originating ideas and developing projects generated by others in the company.
• Developing links with the local industry and peers to support the growth of the company.

This is not an entry level post. Applicants will need to demonstrate appropriate training, probably to degree level. You will need previous experience of working in this area, and an awareness of the expanding markets for factual programming. You will have a commitment to working in Cornwall and an understanding of the specific needs of the local media industry. You will have a strong awareness of the audience and demonstrable ability to successfully research and develop ideas. You will be computer literate with a keen desire to learn and to grow your skills and contacts. You will be a self-starter, able to work hard and productively within a small team. The right attitude will be key to making the most of this unique opportunity.

Shortlisted applicants will be informed of the three companies selected. At that stage, you will be able to demonstrate a particular interest in one company if requested.


RESEARCHERS interested in applying for one of the three posts should send a CV with covering letter to Cornwall Film by 5 JANUARY 2006. The covering letter should detail their skills, training, relevant experience and commitment to Cornwall and explain what they could bring to the companies involved in the scheme. Once the companies have been selected, researchers will be shortlisted by the companies and Cornwall Film. The shortlist will be notified on 17 January 2006 and must be available for interviews in Truro on 27 January 2006. The posts will start in mid February 2006.

LOOKING FOR NEW WRITING TALENT – UPRISING

UPRISING is an holistic, supported and Cornwall-specific approach to low budget drama development with links to the wider industry. Uprising will develop low budget drama expertise, initially in screenwriting – we want to get more of the fantastic Cornish stories we know are out there up on screen.

The scheme aims to develop market knowledge and skills, and to support growth at the bottom end of the market where new technologies make production cheaper and potentially more profitable.

We are looking for 6 Cornwall-resident screenwriters with great ideas for low budget drama – these can be for features, TV one-offs, or TV series. The stories must take full advantage of being made digitally, at a low budget – i.e. limited locations, characters, stunts etc.

Cornwall Film has limited funding available for project development without cash match funding. Consequently, the focus of Uprising is on providing a unique opportunity to access specialist support. Limited screenwriting fees are offered.

6 Screenwriters will be selected for the first stage of Uprising – an opportunity to attend a three day specialist screenwriting course on telling great stories within a limited budget in early February 2006. The writers will then be supported by experienced script editors to write a step outline and first draft by the end of March 2006. Cornwall Film will cover the cost of all mentoring, and will pay each writer a fee of £1000 to cover their subsistence costs while writing the first draft.

Three of the Screenwriters will be selected to progress to the second stage, where they will be paid an additional fee of £2000 to develop a second draft with revisions, again with the support of a script editor, to be delivered in mid May. Three Directors will be attached to the projects in April to inform the development process. Each director will receive a fee of £500 to cover their subsistence costs while working on the project.

The writers and directors will receive feedback from marketing and distribution specialists. The writers will attend a further specialist screenwriting workshop, and the directors an intensive digital film-making workshop, delivered in conjunction with Eat, Shoot and Leave. Cornwall Film hopes to support the further development of the projects if the revised second drafts demonstrate sufficient potential.

WRITERS: To apply, send Cornwall Film a completed application form outlining the story, genre, length, audience, and why your story would work at a low budget, the opening 10 pages of the screenplay (you don’t have to have completed the full script), a CV, and a short story synopsis (no longer than 3 pages). Stories must be set in Cornwall or demonstrate potential to be filmed here. The deadline for applications is 3 JANUARY 2006. We hope to select applicants soon after to begin work in early February 2006.

DIRECTORS: We will call for potential directors in 2006.

Please feel free to call us if you have any questions about the scheme or application process.