 |
 |
Welcome
to Issue Six of the Newsletter for members of "The
Creative Networks"
'Creative Networks' at the Technology
Innovation Centre (tic) is
about bringing together all parties involved in sound
and screen-based media in the West Midlands. 'Creative
Networks' seeks to promote successful business development
and collaboration. It seeks to contribute to the establishment
of a strong long-term sound and screen based Creative
Industry in the West Midlands. The tic
achieves this through increased knowledge and use of innovative
technologies, creative practice and business process.
Regular monthly face-to-face networking events are held
at tic. They offer opportunities for
companies to network, make pitches, identify the resources
they are seeking or the projects they are planning.
Visit our online portal www.creativenetworksonline.com
for up-to-date news, funding, business support, training
and tender opportunities.
In This Issue:
1. COMING UP -
August's Creative Networks Event @ tic *DONT
MISS OUT*
2. Event Reviewed
- July's Creative Networks Event - SPEED
NETWORKING
| |
:: Summaries of Formal 'Client Pitches'
:: Summaries of Open Floor 'Client Pitches' |
3. Have you got the expertise?
| |
:: Educating & Informing the next generation
of creative professionals! |
4. FILMid 2005 -
tic short film festival *CALL
FOR ENTRIES* |
We’d
like to hear from you!
Contact Mandeep Chana, The Creative Networks administrator
with your news and views:
:: phone
0121 331 5400
:: email
mandeep.chana@tic.ac.uk
:: or
post to Technology Innovation Centre, Millennium
Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG |
| 1.
COMING UP - August's Creative
Networks Event @ tic *DONT
MISS OUT* |
Wednesday
31st August - From 6.00pm til LATE at tic, Millennium
Point
The
Collaborative Networking Event for Creative Industry Professionals
*SHOWCASING
EVENT*
Demonstrate your skills and allow your colleagues in the
Network to view your creative work!
We can accommodate showreels on video, CD and DVD, as
well as online artifacts.
If you would like the opportunity to showcase your work,
contact Ha Vu on 07967 706 445 or email
ha.vu@tic.ac.uk
Register on the Creative Networks portal www.creativenetwroksonline.com
and select the 'Business Profile' section
and take the opportunity to showcase your media on the
Digital Assist Management (DAM) System.
The event is FREE, if you would like
to join us, please contact Mandeep Chana on
email
mandeep.chana@tic.ac.uk,
or phone
0121 331 5400. You'll be very
welcome.
|
| 2. Review of July's
Creative Networks Event |
Wednesday 27th May - From
6.00pm til LATE at tic, Millennium Point
Following an e-mail vote to decide the theme of the evening,
our network unanimously voted for combination of ‘Client
Pitching and Speed Networking’. For the eigth consecutive
month, over 100 creative industry professionals braved
summer showers to reach Millennium Point, greeted by a
complimentary hot meal for their efforts.
Perennial master of ceremonies Steve Smith opened proceedings
by introducing the new look Creative Networks Portal.
The corporate style now reflects the diversification of
the sector across the West Midlands, with businesses moving
into a significantly widening range of markets such as
Manufacturing and Tourism & Leisure.
Speed Networking
Most of the gathering moved to the iBar, for a session of
speed networking. Every two minutes a whistle sounded, and
each attendee turned to their left to chat to someone new.
Everyone got into the flow, with several becoming so deeply
immersed in conversation that they were soon ignoring the
whistle!
All in all, this second venture into Speed Networking proved
fruitful for a everyone who took part, with many running
out of business cards before the end.
|
| Summaries of the
latest Formal Client Pitches |
 |
Darren Cox
Company: More Internet Communication Ltd
Darren Cox has 9 years experience as a practitioner in the
area of Internet Marketing and Development.
He opened the evening's pitching with a compelling presentation
as to how 'More IC' can help companies transform their online
presence being a conventional ‘website’, to
an ‘online shop’. Following his rousing introduction,
with the aid of a pair of sunglasses, Darren introduced
his alter ego 'Dave' from the other side of the Atlantic.
Dave explained how his online shop is managed by More IC,
so he no longer has to go into work to earn his keep!
moreTEL Marketing
MoreTEL offers clients an 'online sales force'
The company employs a real-person,
to approach and converse in real-time with clients online
visitors,
to achieve real-results.
It claims to be the most direct means possible, of approaching
a target audience which already has an interest in your
products and services.
phone:
0845 003 4252 mobile:
07720 449 042
email: darren@moreic.co.uk
web: www.moreic.co.uk
|
 |
Chris Thompson
Company: D A Recordings Ltd
Craig Hamilton of D A Recordings introduced Emusu –
a digital distribution and marketing platform for the independent
music industry. The system allows users to sell their repertoire
direct from their own sites within the legal and economic
framework of the industry. All sales are automatically accounted
to PRS/MCPS and the UK Chart Company. The system is potentially
very useful in a classroom environment, particularly as
part of a course focusing on digital music and/or the music
business in the digital age. As a result D A Recordings
are looking to work with a company with experience in designing
and delivering courses to the education sector.
phone: 0871 750 1117
email: chirs@darecordings.com
web: www.emusu.com |
 |
Stuart Coburn
Company: Optical Prime Broadcast
Optical Prime Broadcast is an audio/visual production company.
Supplying a range of media services, it offers a one-stop
solution for all production needs, providing the highest
standards from planning to delivery. By listening to each
client's individual requirements and offering practical
solutions, Optical Prime guarantees the smooth progression
of any project from start to finish. In their own words,
"We plan, film, edit, design FX and deliver all of
our products to a high professional standard."
mobile: 07773 375876
email: opticalprime@hotmail.com
|
 |
Alice Trueman
Company: Soundtrack
Composer
Alice is a freelance composer for film, TV, animation and
video games, writing in a wide variety of styles, which
range from orchestral scores to electronic music. She was
a finalist in Channel 4's Soundtrack Competition (2004)
and a winner in Channel 4's Creative Class Competition 2005/2006.
Alice has worked with directors such as Justin Edgar and
Paul Hardy and has just finished two soundtracks for Brummiewood
2005. She has also produced commercial music for Light House
Media Centre. Alice told buyers, "Don't limit yourself
to off-the-shelf sounds when you could have music tailored
to your exact requirements at very competitive rates!"
email: alice@sound-factory.co.uk
web: www.alicetrueman.co.uk |
 |
John Morse-Brown
Company: Morse-Brown Design
Morse-Brown Design are a friendly, innovative and contemporary
graphic design company. They love solving design problems
in fresh and original ways, helping companies get their
message across to their specific audience in the most
effective way possible. Not only do they like their work
to be fresh and original, they also claim to be one of
a very exclusive bunch of design companies that do as
much as they can to leave the planet looking as fresh
and original as possible! In summary: clean, green design.
Clients include Linda Barker (of Help I'm a Celebrity
Get Me Out of Here), Birmingham University, the NHS, the
Chartered Institute of Housing, Christian Aid, Warwick
Business School and many more, both large and small.
phone: 0121 429
7770 mobile:
07974 811462
email: john@morsebrowndesign.co.uk
web: www.morsebrowndesign.co.uk
|
| Summaries of the
latest Open Floor Client Pitches |
 |
Joel Graham Blake
Company: Cultiv8
This pitch was very different. Joel explained how the Cultiv8
Agency is focused on empowering all young people, primarily
those at risk of being disadvantaged, to develop and express
their creative skills and talents.
Cultiv8 is seeking creatives to support young people by:
 Having Creatives
to act as mentors for young people, as part of a new and
innovative personal development programme. The aim is for
young people to have a finished 'product' at the end of
the placement.
Working
in partnership to develop effective projects and activities
that highlight and nurture the untapped potential within
every individual
phone: 0121 233 3233
mobile: 07766
171040
email: cultiv8agency@yahoo.co.uk
|
 |
Aston Walker
Company: Central City Cartel
Aston gave a brief insight into the Sunshine SCC project,
based in the Jewellery Quarter. The main aim is to encourage
young people to uncover their creative talents through experimentation
with images and music.
Facilities include computers, studio, mixing desk, musical
instruments and much more..
mobile: 07944
248149 email: centralcitycartel@yahoo.com |
 |
Andrea Allen
Company: Loraine Allen Couture Designs
Coming from a background of Corporate IT Training,
Andrea has moved into the Jewellery design industry. She
has created a portfolio of material she would like to
move into an 'online shop window'. However, she lacks
the skills and equipment to market her catalogue.
Andrea appealed to the network to help her through means
of collaboration, calling on skilled photographers and
video producers to help. Being unable to offer any financial
incentive, she offered help to companies requiring training
or ‘translation’ between technical and non-technical
staff involved in information technology.
mobile:
08707 477033 email:
lacdesigns@postmaster.co.uk
|
 |
Richard Battye
Company: River Studio
Richard runs River Studio, an advertising and commercial
photography studio based in The Custard Factory. Shooting
for a diverse range of clients, the studio's work covers
corporate projects (eg Annual Reports) for clients from
blue chip companies to hospitals, car and motorbike shoots
(Land Rover and Harley Davidson), company brochures / web
pages, interiors and artists' work for catalogues and publicity
purposes. Its portfolio also includes a wide range of promotional
work for bands (Album covers) actors, musicians, dancers,
models and a wide variety of performers. Its output covers
print or digital media, includes studio or location work,
nationwide. Studio hire also available, (as used by the
BBC, Carlton and Maverick TV).
To see more or have any questions answered, contact Richard
to discuss your needs.
phone: 0121 624 4777
mobile: 07740 358 162
email: info@riverstudio.co.uk
web: www.riverstudio.co.uk |
 |
Mark Todd
Company: Serious Fun Events
Company directors David Spier and Mark Todd have shared
a wealth of experience in film, television, live performance
and training over 20 years. Amongst the services they
offer is a unique range of events and products, such as
filming a poker tour for people who enjoy the simple pleasures
of the game, without money at stake!
Both Mark and David have enjoyed plenty of serious fun
throughout their diverse careers, and are proud to put
their unique stamp on the creative Serious Fun 'brands'.
They also offer a comprehensive range of retail products
to back up their events via the Serious Fun Online shop.
phone: 01527 559
559 mobile:
07830 170856
email: mark@seriousfunevents.co.uk
web: www.seriousfunevents.co.uk
|
 |
Sharda
Lavingia
Company: Yoga and Relaxation
Sharda has many years experience across a range of relaxation
therapies and treatments, easing the anxiety, stress and
the angst of busy lives. She is interested in enhancing
her services through the use of print, music, video and
possibly a DVD.
The appeal to the network audience was for individuals
or companies interested in working on a project together,
to make her years of experience and expertise available
in the digital domain.
phone:
0121 246 4831 email:
shardalavingia@msn.com
|
| 3. Have you got
the expertise? |
Educating
and informing the next generation of creative professionals!
Have you
ever thought that there should be more emphasis on developing
entrepreneurial skills whilst students are still at university?
If so, here's your chance to tell our undergraduates 'how
it is' and discuss the issues involved in setting up and
maintaining a creative business. tic's
looking for practitioners within the industry to talk
to undergraduate students in lectures.
You are invited to talk to students for about 30 to 40
minutes about your reasons for setting up your own business
and share some of the knowledge and experience you've
gained. If you have a showreel, tic can
also showcase your work! You'll have a captive audience,
keen to learn about what it takes to enter the industry.
If you can spare some of your time, please contact Mohammed
Rehman
phone 0121 331
7482 or email
mohammed.rehman@tic.ac.uk
|
| 4. FILMid - tic
short film festival *CALL
FOR ENTRIES* |
FILMid
2005 17th - 18th October 2005
at Thinktank Theatre, Millennium Point
Deadline for
film submissions - Wednesday 31st August 2005
 |
FILMid 2005 is the third
annual Technology Innovation Centre (tic) Short Film
Festival. FILMid uniquely invites entries from a wide
range of fresh film-making talents throughout the
Midlands.
|
Short films of between 3 and 10 minutes
in length are invited in the four categories of Drama,
Documentary, Animation and Miscellaneous or Experimental
films.
For the first time judges will make a special award to
the outstanding student entry.
Each of FILMid’s two evenings will comprise and
hour and a half programme. Up to 15 films per night will
be shown from a wide variety of directors and producers.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the two viewing
evenings free of charge. Please book your seat(s) in advance
by calling Nina Parmar on 0121 331 5400
or email nina.parmar@tic.ac.uk
Judging
Locally-based, professionals will form the judging panel,
chaired by Birmingham-based ex-ITV executive producer
Michael Burch. They will select the best film in each
FILMid 2005 category and also declare both an overall
Festival winner and the best student entry.
|
Films must be between
3 – 10 minutes and suitable for a general audience
|
|
Preview copies must be submitted,
together with a completed registration form, on VHS
or DVD formats. |
|
Film submission deadline
is Wednesday 31st August 2005 |
|
Master copies of short-listed films
must be supplied in miniDV, DVCAM, DVCPro, Betacam
SP or Digital Betacam format. These must be received
by Thursday 1st September 2005 |
|
Download the FILMid
registration form: FILMid05_registration.pdf |
How
to Submit your entry
Please submit entries to Nina Parmer
by post to
Technology Innovation Centre, Millennium Point, Curzon
Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG
Contact Nina Parmar for further information phone
0121 331 5400 email
nina.parmar@tic.ac.uk
or visit the FILMid website at www.tic.ac.uk/filmfestival
|
|
| ©
Technology Innovation Centre (tic) 2005
Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG
phone +44 (0)121 331 5400 fax +44 (0)121
331 5401
www.tic-online.com
|
 |
|
|
