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Welcome
to September's Issue 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 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 -
September's Creative Networks Event @ tic *DONT
MISS OUT*
2. Event Reviewed
- August's Creative Networks Event - SHOWCASING
3. Get the most from your
business with our latest FREE
short courses
|
...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 - September's
Creative Networks Event @ tic *DONT
MISS OUT* |
Thursday
29th September - 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*
BUYERS
FORUM
This is
an opportunity for you to meet potential buyers of your
media services and hear about their media needs.
We have dedicated a session during the evening
for creative companies and individuals to have an opportunity
to pitch their products/services to buyers - anyone interested
in pitching should contact
Ha Vu on mobile
07967 706 445 or email
ha.vu@tic.ac.uk
– let us know asap as places are limited.
| AGENDA |
|
| 6.00
- 7.00pm |
Registration,
hot food and networking |
| 7.00
- 8.00pm |
Supplier pitches of
their product/services |
| |
Tender opportunities
from Buyers ( non creative companies) |
| 8.00
- 8.20pm |
Open floor pitching
(open to clients of the audience to pitch) |
| 8.30pm
'til Late |
Buyer/Supplier
Networking at ‘The ibar’ (Millennium Point) |
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 August's
Creative Networks Event - SHOWCASING |
Wednesday 31st August -
From 6.00pm til LATE at tic, Millennium Point
The 10th Creative Networks Event at the tic
was dedicated to showcasing. Media industry professionals
were given the opportunity to exhibit their products and
services. Despite poor weather, there was yet another
impressive turnout of delegates. They were not disappointed,
as the range of presentations inspired the entire audience
of creatives and potential customers for over an hour.
For our 'showcasers' it was a perfect chance to combine
a sales pitch with a call for collaboration.
|
| Summaries of the
Client Showcasing |
 |
Chad Ward
Company: Ambitions Inc
A two-pronged insight into Ambitions Inc. firstly detailed
just what the business can provide, and secondly showcased
one of its most prominent artists, C4.
With a massive influx of US artists on our TV screens, Ambitions
Inc. is passionate about reversing this trend by putting
UK talent on the map. The company can offer services and
support for albums, music videos, artistic and performance
portfolios and artist development. After rephrasing a somewhat
controversial opening statement, C4 told the audience that
he is willing to do ‘anything within reason’
when it comes to projects.
C4 has a range of skills and experience which enable him
to work right across the creative industry sector.
mobile: 07904 087
345 email: c4ward@hotmail.com |
 |
Richard Battye
Company: River Studio
Richard Battye treated the audience to some inspiring and
diverse photographic work. He guided us through some of
his portfolio, whilst giving an insight into River Studio.
A reputable and highly experienced photographer, Richard
has worked across a massive range of shoots in his career.
As Richard himself put it: it is easier for people to ask
what work he doesn’t do, as opposed to what he does
do!
Monday to Friday, Richard works mainly on commercial and
advertising shoots. At weekends and in the evening he generally
undertakes more ambitious work, and has carried out shoots
for U2, Damon Albarn, Rod Stewart, John Peel, Puff Daddy
and Jason Donovan.
Understanding the need for a very adaptable approach to
timekeeping and availability, River Studio operates very
flexibly, around the clock, as the project requires.
phone: 0121
624 4777 mobile:
07740 358 162
email: info@riverstudio.co.uk
web: www.riverstudio.co.uk |
 |
Billy J Jackson
Company: Open Mind Surgery
Billy Jackson is the CODAX Commercial Award Winner of
2002. Subsequently he has worked on shorts, music videos,
advertising and corporate programmes, mostly as a cinematographer/gaffer,
but also as producer and director. His latest ventures
include, organising the Birmingham Short Film Festival,
work on 3 feature films, and camera and lighting for a
sitcom pilot, whilst also producing corporate DVDs.
Billy gave a brief introduction to his video in what was
possibly the shortest and most entertaining showcase of
the evening. The video was of a project that Billy completed
himself after his colleague failed to turn up - for reasons
not to be mentioned in this newsletter!
mobile: 07905 931
394 email:
openmindsurgery@hotmail.com
|
|
William Heathcote and Paul Smith
Company:
Toppatop Records
Toppatop offers a range of services at the company's premises
in Hockley. It has a professional digital recording studio,
runs a production consultancy and club promotions, operates
video facilities and offers a portfolio of models and presenters
for a range of projects.
William and Paul showed several music videos and demonstrated
how they can help promote and market young artists to get
them on to radio, television and the Internet.
Paul gave an electrifying performance which got a great
ovation from the audience, setting a high standard for the
rest of the showcasers. This first-ever live performance
in the tic lecture theatre went down a
storm!
The release of Toppatop's first single, ‘Ooo Girl’,
from D’Votion will be on 6th January 2006.
mobile: 07791 663
340 mobile:
07859 907 220
email: emprempr2004@yahoo.com
web: www.toppatop.com |
 |
Scott Greenwood
Company: Twisted Media Production
Scott Greenwood of Twisted Media Productions had planned
to introduce his idea for a new TV show, 'Sex and Shopping'.
However, following some wise deliberation regarding the
nature of the content, it was decided to change the theme
to something rather more conventional!
Following a slight technical delay, and a very colourful
verbal introduction, we were shown a video showcase of
what the company can offer. Twisted Media has vast experience
of staging live events, conferences exhibitions and creating
CGI visuals. The company has most recently completed projects
for JLo, Outkast and Guinness and are now working on short
films, videos and a wide range of diverse media projects
for major brands and clients.
phone: 0121 445
0052 mobile: 07866
317649
email: scottg@twistedmedia.tv
web: www.twistedmedia.tv |
 |
John
Minett
Company: Minate
An illustrator working in a number of styles, John Minett's
work is in a cartoon/comic book style, but, as we saw, this
can be used across a wide range of projects. These include
magazine covers, corporate literature, children’s
books and even websites. At present, he is developing ideas
for several comic book and graphic novel projects of his
own, and for another writer which will be published on the
Internet.
Instead of making a traditional pitch, John shifted the
sales paradigm by simply asking the audience to ask themselves
‘How can this help my business?’
phone: 0121 240 6466
email: minate@blueyonder.co.uk |
|
John
Hill-Daniel
Company: Hill Daniel Media
Rosie Kay
Company: Rosie Kay Dance Company
An amazing jazz live soundtrack accompanied 'The Wild
Night', Rosie Kay’s first attempt at transferring
her stage talent to the screen. This short film was directed,
produced and choreographed by Rosie, and edited by John
Hill-Daniel.
The Rosie Kay Dance Company is interested in avant-garde
and commercial projects across a number of industries,
and is looking to collaborate with creative companies
or individuals which may complement the company's talents.
John is a very experienced editor. His portfolio boasts
work across a diverse range of unusual and conventional
projects, although he advises against hiring him for his
cello music writing and playing skills!
Contact John phone: 0121
2425792
email: john@hill-daniel.co.uk
web: www.hill-daniel.co.uk
Contact Rosie phone: 07961
434 256
email: info@rosiekay.co.uk
web: www.rosiekay.co.uk
|
| Summaries of the
latest Open Floor Client Pitches |
 |
Barnard Borham
Artsfest Event Manager
For one weekend only, 9th - 11th September, the streets
of Birmingham will once again be taken over by the UK’s
largest free arts festival - ArtsFest 2005. Last year, over
115,000 people attended and enjoyed over 300 free performances
in and around the city.
This year, ArtsFest also includes Friday night. Reggae Rockz,
led by the fantastic Steel Pulse, kicks off the ArtsFest
weekend in Centenary Square. ArtsFest is a great opportunity
for local performers to showcase their work. Everyone is
encouraged to support them (and the City!) by being part
of ArtsFest 2005! The culmination of the event will see
1,000 people walking through the streets singing together
in ‘Big Voice’. Barnard says: "You
only have to show up to be involved!"
email: urban_fusion@birmingham.gov.uk
web: www.artsfest.org.uk |
 |
Paul Carpenter
Paul's brief pitch focused on a board game his company made
several years ago. He is now interested in extending this
to a form in which it can be played via a screen. Use of
interactive TV, Flash or of an interactive web application,
are possible tools for this. He is looking to collaborate
with creative industry specialists with relevant expertise
to help achieve a good result.
mobile: 01902 843
802 email: paul.carpenter@talk21.com |
 |
Mario Di Maggio - Planetarium Manager
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
Thinktank requires digital content for its planetarium.
Mario invited members of the network to talk to him about
how they might get involved.
We were also given an insight into the mobile planetarium
'The CosmicSky Experience' which is situated on level
G2. It will be open to coincide with the next two Creative
Networks events in order for everyone to enjoy the experience.
CosmicSky is a collaboration between a planetarium educator
and artist, Gill Russell, an astronomer, Dr Francisco
Diego and poet, Brian Hill. CosmicSky has produced 'touring
astronomy' shows which merge the beauty of nature with
the language of science, art, poetry and philosophy. The
shows are presented inside the The CosmicSpace , a specially
constructed theatre using the latest automated technology
to project total sky surround images and sound.
phone 0121 202
2258
web www.thinktank.ac
|
 |
Hazel Wood
Company: Hazelwood Associates
With 30 years experience in journalism, Hazelwood Associates
has produced company magazines and brochures for blue-chip
companies in the West Midlands. She offers a one-stop shop
at an all-inclusive price.
Hazelwood offers a service which can help communicate a
message across both print and screen media. Hazelwood Associates
specialise in turning technical information into people-friendly
articles, but are happy to help with a wide range of copyrighting
needs.
Working as part of your team, Hazelwood aims to reduce much
of the pressure involved in the production of brochures,
newsletters and magazines whether digital or on paper. For
a friendly, pro-active service, just get in touch!
phone: 0121 742 5075
mobile: 0791
36046238
email: hazel.wood@hazelwooduk.com
web: www.hazelwooduk.com |
| 3. Get
the most from your business with our latest FREE short courses |
We
are currently negotiating with an ever increasing number
of companies in a range of sectors such as Tourism and
Leisure, Engineering / Manufacturing and Higher Added-Value
Goods, who are looking for Creative Industry services.
Their wide ranging needs include assistance with Branding,
Website Design, Animation, Corporate Videos, Music etc.
The projects/courses below
will help give your company access to these opportunities.
We are holding another ‘Orientation Event’
at tic, Millennium Point on Wednesday
21st September. This offers the FREE opportunity
to discover more about our ‘Market Maker
Skills’ and ‘Start With Success’
Projects. The evening begins at 17:30 and finishes at
approximately 21:00. Refreshments will be provided.
Co-financed by the Learning Skills
Council and the European Social Fund, these projects are
run by tic in partnership with Wolverhampton-based
Light House Media Centre and Hereford-based MediaDev.
They offer a valuable range of short courses, which can
be accessed FREE OF CHARGE by eligible
clients. The full cost of each of these courses would
normally be in the region of £2,500.
Only a limited number of places are available on these
courses, so early booking is essential.
| On the Orientation night, we will
give details of: |
 |
How these courses will
benefit your business |
|
How to access our equipment
at highly subsidised rates |
|
Potential new Business Opportunities
and clients |
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How we can help create
or improve your Showreel |
(You could even find out how
to become a Business Solutions Analyst (BSA) for Market
Maker yourself!)
COURSE DETAILS
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Market
Maker Skills
Theme –
Market-led Diversification for Media Business
This course is aimed at helping both well established
and newly-established creative professionals diversify
their market portfolio. Formal delivery is made through
a series of seminars, workshops and activities on
subjects such as: |
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Market Knowledge |
|
Seeking Commissions
& Finance |
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Language & Communication |
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Media Needs & Intervention |
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Sales Tactics |
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Diversification |
| The
aim of the learning programme is to help you engage
with new markets and seek projects (or paid employment). |
Forthcoming
'Market Maker Skills' Short Courses:
Course dates to be announced. |
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Start
With Success
Theme – Business Essentials for Media
Start-ups
This course is aimed at new and recently established
creative professionals requiring business support,
particularly in terms of marketing and finance, in
order to help ensure long-term sustainability. Formal
delivery is made through a series of seminars, workshops
and activities on subjects such as: |
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Business Planning |
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Marketing |
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Pitching skills /
Sales tactics |
|
Managing and working
within a team |
|
Health and Safety |
|
Financial Planning |
|
Networking and partnership
skills |
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Managing clients and
their expectations |
| You
will also have the opportunity of producing your own
showreel using our facilities. |
Forthcoming
'Start With Success' Short Courses:
Both these courses start
at 10:00 and finish approximately 16:00 |
| Course
1 |
Day 1 |
Tuesday 27th September |
| |
Day 2 |
Tuesday 4th October |
| |
Day 3 |
Tuesday 11th October |
| Course
2 |
Day 1 |
Thursday 29th September |
| |
Day 2 |
Thursday 6th October |
| |
Day 3 |
Thursday 13th October |
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I4 Skills
| The tic
are also offering the Screen-based Media, Creative
Industries of the West Midlands, a valuable range
of technical training courses through the i4
Skills Programme. They are co-funded by the
Birmingham and Solihull Learning Skills Council, and
free to those meeting the eligibility criteria. If
you are employed by a small or medium sized business
(SME), or are a professional freelancer, you are likely
to qualify. |
 |
Forthcoming 'i4 Skills' Short Technical Courses:
All of these courses start at
10:00 and finish approximately 16:00
| i4 Technology - Digital
Asset Management |
| Course
1 |
Day 1 |
Thursday 6th October |
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Day 2 |
Thursday 13th October |
| |
Day 3 |
Thursday 20th October |
| i4 Technology - Camera,
Lights & Sound |
| Course
1 |
Day 1 |
Tuesday 1st November |
| |
Day 2 |
Wednesday 2nd November |
| |
Day 3 |
Thursday 3rd November |
If you wish to attend any of these
events/courses contact Paul Trigg phone:
+44 (0)121 331 5400
email: paul.trigg@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.
|
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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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