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Welcome
to October's Issue of the Newsletter for members of "The
Creative Networks"
'Creative Networks' at the UCE Birmingham's 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 networking events are held at tic.
They offer opportunities for individuals and companies
to network, make pitches, identify the resources they
are seeking or support for 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 -
October's Creative Networks Event @ tic *DONT
MISS OUT*
2. Event Reviewed
- Septmeber's Creative Networks Event - BUYERS
FORUM
3. Get the most from your
business with our latest FREE
short courses
| |
:: I4
Skills - technology and management
courses available |
|
...and
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 - October's
Creative Networks Event @ tic *DONT
MISS OUT* |
Thursday
27th October - From 6.00pm til LATE at tic, Millennium
Point
The
Collaborative Networking Event for Creative Industry Professionals
*PLEASE
NOTE THE CHANGE FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY NIGHT*
The next event
is on Thursday 27th October 2005, at 6pm. There will be
the usual opportunities to network, pitch your products
and services and collaborate with colleagues from the
Creative Industries Sector. Advance notice is strongly
recommended for those wishing to pitch.
Let us know your ideas for a topic that you would like us
to cover for the next Creative networks event.
The Creative Networks event is FREE. If
you would like to join us, please contact Mandeep Chana
on email
mandeep.chana@tic.ac.uk,
or call Ha Vu on phone
07967 706 445.
You'll be very welcome.
Register on the Creative Networks portal www.creativenetworksonline.com
and select the 'Business Profile' section.
Take the opportunity to showcase your media services and
projects on the Digital Assist Management (DAM) System. |
| 2. Review of September's
Creative Networks Event - BUYERS FORUM |
Thursday 29th September
- From 6.00pm til LATE at tic, Millennium Point
The 11th Creative Networks Event at the tic
kicked off in its new Thursday evening slot with a swarm
of delegates making their way to the tic
for the ‘Buyers Forum’. This event saw representatives
from a number of industries across the West Midlands travelling
to the tic to get a feel for how the
region’s wealth of creative talent could help them
improve their businesses. Delegates from sectors including
Jewellery, Manufacturing and Engineering were impressed
by the showcasers, with some making their way down to
the iBar after the event to find out more.
The tic's manager
of the Centre for Interactive Media, Steve Smith, opened
the proceedings by introducing the network to a new and
innovative idea for entry to the events which will take
effect from next month. The tic‘s
Keith Osman has developed a system whereby members will
be given a barcode keyring, which is scanned on entry
to the building, removing the need for queuing.
This is part of a larger research project in which we
may use RFID tagging within the keyring, automatically
detecting network members as they approach Millennium
Point. |
| Summaries of Available
Bursaries |
| Summaries of the
Buyers Tenders & Job Opportunities |
The
tenders below are from buyers of content and are non creative
companies.
If you would like to learn more about these tenders or wish
to submit an expression of interest in quoting for the work,
please visit our website www.creativenetworksonline.com |
Tender
1
To create an entertaining but informative display DVD for
general use including trade shows.
Creation of a DVD of no more that 15-20minutes long to demonstrate
the different stages within the glass making process, primarily
Lead Crystal Glassware.
To explain and promote the skill of the craftsmen involved
with blowing, processing, cutting and engraving each piece.
Using shots of the processes and finished product, the site
and if possible members of the public participating in the
process, which is a normal part of our annual open day.
To be used on site when factory tours are not appropriate,
for general display and as a saleable product, therefore
we would require the appropriate rights. |
Tender
2
A project to help music industry managers and new record
labels
It has a modest budget to spend on it's client's
clients if you see what we mean!
Some of our manager's and label's clients, i.e. artists,
need web sites building.
This is an opportunity particularly for new companies to
build modest (budget £250 to £500) web sites.
These sites are not to sell product from - simple but functional
with photo, date sheet etc. that can be maintained by the
client once built. |
Tender
3
The Goalscorer Project
Opportunity available to produce an internet
version of a two player football based board game and
accompanying web site. The game has the look of draughts
(checkers) and will feature simple 2D graphics on a board
of squares. The project will involve: The production of
a player versus computer training/demo version of the
game. This version of the game will need a very basic
level of artificial intelligence as its only function
will be to assist players in learning to play the game.
A two player version of the game which players will need
to register to play. This version will link to a registration
form and include a registered user database and high score
table. A simple web site consisting of between 8 to 10
pages will also be required to market the game.
|
Job
Opportunities
Blue Skies
Blue Skies are recruiting on behalf of a marketing agency
in London. The agency in question have been established
for 5 years. Its three founding partners have excellent
DM and Integrated credentials from high-profile agencies
and their expertise is second to none. Core skills: the
art director of the duo will be passionate about execution,
typography and graphical excellence as well as having the
experience to realise executions both photographically and
illustratively; the writer should be something of a wordsmith
– as enthused by executing long copy as by intelligent
headlines. The two successful candidates will be able to
demonstrate excellent crafting ability and superb conceptual
thinking. The agency is based in West London and can only
consider candidates who would consider a move or are based
in London. |
| Summaries of the
latest Client Pitches |
 |

Chris Brett
Company: Studio 3
Studio 3 is located in central Birmingham and has a wealth
of experience in producing graphics, special effects, animation,
illustration, story boards, and post-production for broadcast
and corporate clients. The company has completed many major
projects, which was demonstrated through some fine examples
on the night.
Studio 3 offer a 100% transparent service, where a price
and service are agreed beforehand, meaning that you don’t
have to worry about the project going over budget. On completion,
if you don’t like the work, you don’t pay a
penny. A bold policy, but one that demonstrates confidence
from an experienced business.
phone 0121 236 9001
email: chris@studio3birmingham.com
web: www.studio3birmingham.com |
 |

Fay Goodman
Company: Good Media
Goodmedia Limited is a thriving and diverse West Midlands
company. Demonstrating many years of experience and success
in the media industry, they offer expertise in Film, TV,
Video and professional music composition & production.
A demonstrable example of their work is their most recent
project, which was the production of a documentary on John
Enthwistle for the Biography Channel.
Matrix Personal Safety is the 21st century identity for
Goodman Multimedia’s training division, established
in 1997. The Matrix Team have achieved international recognition
through profiling the importance of personal safety and
security in leading publications and books, and through
defining and writing nationally accredited qualifications. phone 0121
693 9390 email: fay@goodmedia.co.uk
web: www.goodmedia.co.uk |
 |
Dean Alexander
Company: Cyba Media
Cybamedia is a new company which caters for all digital
marketing requirements. They offer a wide range of services
including interactive CD-ROMs, corporate IDs, artwork,
DVD Authoring, video encoding for mobile phones, and even
bespoke furniture design. Testament to this, the company
have designed all of their own furniture and fittings
for their brand new premises in the Jewellery Quarter.
Having launched many successful urban artists in the past,
Cybamedia also house the equipment and expertise to produce,
manage and promote talented artists, and continue to offer
this service as part of their expanded portfolio of services.
phone 0121 236
1960 email snsjam@aol.com
web: www.cybamediabiz.com
|
 |

Simon Crofts
Company: ST16 Limited
ST16 have a passion for producing innovative film, video
production and new media solutions that gets results for
its clients. They boast a diverse portfolio of high profile
clients, including Harley Davidson, Rolls Royce and IMP,
who regularly use ST16 to guide and influence the views
and behaviours of their audiences, be they customers, employees,
shareholders or members of the supply chain. Previously
based in the Custard Factory, ST16 now operate from Staffordshire,
but undertake projects all over the world, working as far
afield as New York, Sweden and East Asia.
phone: 0800
587 5886 email: jeremy@st16.co.uk
web: www.st16.co.uk |
 |

Cameron Mwhrabanpour
Company: Argyll Pictures & Pictures
Argyll Pictures has been framing Fine Art originals, limited
editions and prints for the past 20 years. In that time
they have developed an excellent reputation with corporate
entities and the public alike. The company has also specialised
in high quality, large volume framing for the competitive
interior design and refurbishment market since its conception
in 1984. Recently they have begun to promote, sell and
showcase the work of visual artists producing anything
from paintings, sculptures, photographs, glasswork and
metalwork.
Publicising and advertising as an individual artist is
often expensive. What this company offer the artists is
a chance to join a group of people that works together
to promote themselves, network with art buyers and one
another.
phone: 02476 445
227 email: info@argyllpictures.co.uk
web: www.argyllpictures.co.uk
|
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James
Pogson
Company: Pogslaw
In his own words, James is a professional freelance creative
and commercial writer, offering Holistic Administrative
Arts Consultant and an Intergenerational Specialist. Or
in short, a Wordsmith. James has worked across the board
including film, theatre and the corporate sector. His
previous experience includes working as a writer and assistant
director for the BBC, he’s also a professional storyteller
and specialises in redefining the spoken word.
By identifying your USP, James transforms your communication
through any medium whether it be written, verbal, moving
image or online. With the help of Pogslaw, you can enable
your marketing presence to sell rather than just tell.
mobile: 07973 700589
email: james@pogslawfreeserve.co.uk
web: www.pogslaw.co.uk
|
| Summaries of the
latest Open Floor Client Pitches |
 |
Rasib Khan
Company: Alphabet Runner Board
Game
Alphabet Runner is a new board game which has been devised
by Rasib Khan, whose passion comes from seeing a generation
of children who would rather spend time playing video games
than with their parents. Within a matter of months, this
idea has sprung from a mere idea to a tangible product which
has already won rave reviews from a number of major newspapers
and radio station, including The Birmingham Post and BBC
Radio WM.
It is widely predicted to be a major success this Christmas
and the long anticipated launch will be held at the One
Stop Shopping Centre in Perry Barr on 29th October at 11.00am.
For more information, visit the Alphabet Runner website.
email: info@alphabetrunner.com
web: www.alphabetrunner.com |
| 3. Get
the most from your business with our latest FREE short courses |
 |
The tic’s Centre for Interactive
Media is offering an even wider
range of FREE training courses to Creative Industry
professionals in the West Midlands. |
FREE
Training and WIN a brand new iPod Nano*
These courses represent your
FINAL opportunity to access this
training free of charge.
The courses are only available until the end
of December 2005.
In addition, there will be an opportunity
to win an iPod in the prize draw held at the end of
each course listed below. (You must attend all three
days of the course, complete and hand in an assignment).
|
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| 4 Technology Courses
Available |
| Course
1 |
22, 23, 24 November |
| Course
2 |
29, 30 November,
1 December |
| Course
1 |
27, 28, 29 September |
| Course
2 |
11, 12, 13 October |
| Course
3 |
18, 19, 20 October |
| Course
4 |
1, 2, 3 November |
| Course
5 |
8, 9, 10 November |
| Course
6 |
22, 23, 24 November |
| Course
7 |
6, 7, 8 December |
| Course
1 |
13, 20, 27 October |
| Course
2 |
7, 8, 9 November |
| Course
3 |
5, 6, 7 December |
| Digital
Video Editing (FCP) |
| Course
1 |
24, 25, 26 October |
| Course
2 |
1, 2, 3 November |
| Course
3 |
8, 9, 10 November |
| Course
4 |
15, 16, 17 November |
| Course
5 |
6, 7, 8 December |
| Course
6 |
13, 14, 15 December |
| Interactive
Television Development |
| Course
1 |
7, 14, 21 October |
| Course
2 |
11, 18, 25 October |
| Course
3 |
31 October, 1,
2 November |
| Course
4 |
14, 15, 16 November |
| Course
5 |
28, 29, 30 November |
| Course
6 |
12,
13, 14 December |
|
| Introduction
To Sound Production |
| Course
1 |
15, 22, 29 October |
| Course
2 |
26 November, 3,
10 December |
| Introduction
World Wide Web |
| Course
1 |
4, 11, 18 October |
| Course
2 |
28 October, 4,
11 November |
| Course
3 |
2, 9, 16 December |
| Introduction
To Studio Recording |
| Course
1 |
18, 25 October,
1 November |
| Course
2 |
30 November, 7,
14 December |
| Introduction
To Computer Animation |
| Course
1 |
5, 12, 19 October |
| Course
2 |
11, 18, 25 November |
| Course
3 |
30 November, 1,
2 December |
| Course
1 |
4, 5, 6 October |
| Course
2 |
25, 26, 27 October |
| Course
3 |
1, 2, 3 November |
| Course
4 |
15, 16, 17 November |
| Course
5 |
29, 30 November,
1 December |
| Course
6 |
13, 14, 15 December |
| Course
1 |
13, 20, 27 October |
| Course
2 |
25 November, 2,
9 December |
|
i4 Management Courses
| Course
1 |
15, 22, 29 October |
| Course
2 |
4, 11, 18 November |
| Course 3 |
8, 15, 22 November |
| Course 4 |
29 November, 6,
13 December |
| Course
1 |
17, 24, 31 October |
| Course
2 |
23, 30 November,
7 December |
|
| Course
1 |
10, 17, 24 October |
| Course
2 |
11, 18, 25 October |
| Course 3 |
7, 14, 21 November |
| Course
1 |
14, 21, 28 October |
| Course
2 |
10, 16, 24 November |
| Course
3 |
1, 8, 15 December |
|
These courses are co-financed
by the Learning Skills Council and European Social Fund,
and are free subject to eligibility.
To reserve your place on any of these courses, contact
Dave Taylor phone: +44
(0)121 331 5400 email:
dave.taylor@tic.ac.uk
or visit the i4 Skills website at www.tic-online.com/i4
to reserve a place online. Places are strictly limited,
so early booking is recommended.
* You must attend all three days of one of the
courses, complete and hand in an assignment to be entered
into a draw to win an iPod. Maximum one iPod per person.
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| ©
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
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