TARGET TALENT

The deadline for applications to Target Talent has now passed. View case studies of some of those have benefited from the scheme - our case studies feature Ikandi and Mark Jenkin.

Cornwall Film has provided support for three low budget documentary and drama productions via TARGET TALENT.

TARGET TALENT will provide investment of up to £50,000 for creative documentary and drama production.

NOTE: The Target Talent guidelines have been amended o­n 30 June 2006 to clarify the following two areas:

Development, production and post production should take place primarily in Cornwall. While we favour projects that will bring maximum benefit to Cornwall, elements of the projects may take place elsewhere if applicants are able to demonstrate a clear benefit to the project and to Cornwall.

Partnership funding from other sources is not expected to exceed the contribution made by Cornwall Film. However, we will consider exceptional cases where significant match funding (within de minimus limits) is in place that exceeds our contribution. In this instance, contracts would be negotiated o­n a project by project basis.

GENERAL TERMS

Production companies or creative teams with drama or documentary projects can apply to the scheme. In drama, Cornwall Film is keen to support genre-based projects. Development, production and post production must take place primarily in Cornwall, and the team must employ Cornwall resident crew wherever possible. Films can range from 30 to 90 minutes long and must be shot digitally. Projects must be ready to shoot in Autumn/Winter 2006 and to deliver a completed master to Cornwall Film by end March 2007 – this is not a script or project development scheme.

Projects must be achievable o­n a low budget. In some cases, Cornwall Film can fully fund projects with no match funding. However, Target Talent will favour projects with cash match funding as evidence of entrepreneurial skills and energy.

Target Talent is not a scheme for first time film-makers. Successful teams will have made at least o­ne externally funded short, commercial commission, or low/no-budget film. Most importantly, applicants must demonstrate how this developmental project will contribute to the growth of their businesses and careers. This might be by proving their creative abilities in order to raise finance for further projects and/or developing IPR that can be exploited beyond this scheme – for example, a first episode of a long running series.

The project must demonstrate commercial potential and the team should have a strong awareness of the specific audience for the film. Specialist mentoring will be provided to help guide film-makers selected for the scheme, particularly in the area of marketing and distribution.

Successful projects will also create opportunities for local crew and technicians. Cornwall Film is particularly interested in projects that may have a dual life o­n the internet as part of the project (for instance, an o­ngoing production diary, alternative ways for the audience to engage with the characters via video diaries etc.)

This exciting new scheme aims to bridge the gap between short films, no-budget features, and professional low budget production. Films supported by Target Talent will provide Cornwall’s film-makers and media sector with high quality ‘calling cards’ to prove their creative ability and generate further work and investment in the local media industry.