www.creativenetworksonline.com October 2005

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
  :: Summaries of Available Bursaries
:: Summaries of Buyers Tenders & Job Opportunities
:: Summaries of Client Pitches
:: Summaries of Open Floor Client Pitches
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.

AGENDA: To be Confirmed

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

An announcement was made regarding a number of bursaries which are being offered for five postgraduate courses. The MSc Digital Television Technology and Production is an exciting and innovative course that is focused on the creation of TV professionals equipped for the future. Funded opportunities also exist for students to work as an associate of the Market Maker project on the MSc Interactive Media course.

MSc Digital Television Technology and Production
MSc Interactive Media
MSc Software Technology
MSc Software and Data Communications
MSc Data Communications

If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please send your CV to Steve Smith on
email:
steve.smith@tic.ac.uk

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

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).

4 Technology Courses Available
Broadcast Editing (Avid)
Course 1 22, 23, 24 November
Course 2 29, 30 November, 1 December
Camera, Lights & Sound
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
Digital Asset Management
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
Virtual Set Design
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
Live Sound Engineering
Course 1 13, 20, 27 October
Course 2 25 November, 2, 9 December

i4 Management Courses

Business Planning
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
Networking Selling
Course 1 17, 24, 31 October
Course 2 23, 30 November, 7 December
Commissioning Tactics
Course 1 10, 17, 24 October
Course 2 11, 18, 25 October
Course 3 7, 14, 21 November
Grow Your Own Business
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