Exciting first few weeks in my new job as Development Executive of the Indie Training Fund; a whirlwind of meetings with Fund member indies, trainers and production companies; a crash course in the problems and challenges involved in training in the independent television and digital media sectors.

Delighted to be working alongside Ian, Laura and Andrea, and grateful for the support of Nick Catliff, the ITF chairman and managing director of Lion Television.   I’m looking forward to contributing to the development of ITF projects in 2012 and beyond.

One of our main aims is to increase awareness and membership of the Indie Training Fund.  If recent newspaper reports are to be believed, then almost fifty per cent of the independent television sector still fails to offer adequate training opportunities for staff and, particularly, freelancers.  We hope to help change this situation.

Another positive step would be to increase ITF’s activities outside London.  Although there have been recent courses in Manchester (and there are scheduled events in Newcastle and Belfast in the New Year) we’re hoping to build closer relationships with independent TV companies and other training organizations in the regions.

With this in mind I attended the Manchester Media Festival and BVE North Exhibition in mid November.  Held in the revamped, revitalized old GMex station building, it was a nostalgic return for me.  In my previous life as a music journalist and TV producer, I’d seen many great gigs in the venue including The Smiths, The Fall, James, Happy Mondays, and even INXS.  Rain or shine (but mostly rain) I still love Manchester.  The old mills are alive with the sound of music, no one’s allowed to get too big for their boots and, literally, there’s poetry on the streets of the Northern Quarter.

When I left Manchester in the early 2000s, the TV industry was in decline and the town was a building site.  Now, although its people and businesses are being battered and bruised by recession, the football clubs thrive and Media City is being promoted as the next theatre of dreams.  True, it’s no longer the Salford of Morrissey’s childhood – the hard working class Salford of Lowry and Riley; the bitter-sweet Salford of A Taste Of Honey (R.I.P. Shelagh D) – but it’s becoming more modern and original; vibrant and creative in a very different way.

It was good to hear Jon Corner, the Director of MediaCityUK, talk about the mutual relationship between the university and the industry.  He expressed the hope that the new hi-tech infrastructure and state-of-the-art broadcast-quality facilities (developed by Mediasmiths) would be hugely beneficial to graduates and post-graduates studying to work in TV and digital media companies in the North.

Equally impressive, while looking at the UK Media landscape from a different angle, were Lou Cordwell and Adam Todd of Magnetic North.  Primarily a digital design company, they presented an enlightening session titled “the evolution of the digital indie: from microsites to multiplatform”.  Having recently completed work on their acclaimed interactive BBC Desert Islands Discs website, MN is living proof of the diverse talents rising in the North.

Some of the key Manchester Media Festival discussions about the Multi-Platform future stressed the importance of convergence and co-operation, with emphasis on embracing technological advances and developing a new mindset for working with traditional TV production methods.

My old NME mate Stuart Cosgrove, Director of Creative Diversity at Channel Four, chaired forward-thinking sessions on the use of social gaming to engage with new target audiences.  These featured brain-refreshing presentations from Simon Meek of Scottish and Northern Irish indie Tern TV, on interactive story-telling in their digital adaptation of John Buchan’s The 39 Steps, and Steve Ackerman of Somethin’ Else on gaming evolution and brand integration.  Ackerman spoke about the complex digital multiplatform deals for Somethin’ Else’s recent collaboration with publishers Random House on Richard Dawkins’ The Magic of Reality to create a children’s science book, a TV series, an interactive game and an iPad App.  They’re also working on a Channel Four interactive-game-meets-Sims-style-soap-opera for 2012 titled The Super Mes.

It was also great to hook up again with two former Granada contacts now working in Manchester’s university and industry.  My good friend Beth Hewitt is the Director of Graduate and Industry Development in Salford University’s School of Media, Music and Performance.  She runs an excellent MA course in Documentary Film and Television Production, but I guess I would say that because I’ve lectured there!

Meanwhile Cat Lewis is the MD and Executive Producer of the award-winning indie Nine Lives Media.  They’ve just picked up an RTS Award for Best Factual Series for BBC Three’s Small Teen Bigger World, and other recent success stories include Extraordinary People for Five and Nightmare In Suburbia for the Crime & Investigation Network.  Nine Lives recently won commissions from CBBC and BBC Learning.  I also worked with Cat’s husband, ex-World In Action chief Mike Lewis, at Granada back in the 1990s and he’s helped build Nine Lives’ reputation in factual programming with Panoramas including Finished At Fifty.

Aside from Nine Lives’ own productions, Cat’s the driving force behind The Indie Club which has been instrumental in building a real sense of community amongst independent television companies in Manchester and beyond.  The club, run by and for programme makers, has over 450 members and regularly hosts top quality guest speakers such as Paul Abbott, Carolyn Reynolds, Willy Russell, Sita Williams and Stephen Lambert.

Hopefully in 2012, by building ITF’s relationship with these strong contacts and working with regional partners such as Skillset and the BBC Academy, we can further help improve training opportunities in TV and digital media production in the North.

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: Beth Hewitt, BVE North, Cat Lewis, channel 4, cross-platform, digital, digital media, digital platforms, Lion, Magnetic North, Manchester, Media Festival, MediaCityUK, Mediasmiths, multiplatform, Nine Lives, North, peter cowley, production, Richard Dawkins, Salford, Somethin' Else, Stuart Cosgrove, tern tv, The Indie Club, The Super Mes, training, TV
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Digital media guru and former MD of Digital Media at Endemol UK, Peter Cowley revealed his Top Ten Tips for Monetising Digital Content to a packed lunchtime session presented by ITF at the 2011 Production Show in Earls Court..
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Top 10 Tips:
1.Understand Digital!
2.Know Your Rights
3.Understand Key Trends
4. Find out who has made money in digital content
5.  Understand the revenue streams: A, B, C, D:
(–Advertising; Broadcasters; Consumers; Distributors)
6.The Digital Wheel of Value
7.Build a customer/fan base
8.Analyse & Iterate
9.Build Partnerships
10.Futurology

Peter Cowley leads ITF workshop at The Production Show

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You can get the full picture in the next of Peter’s inspirational half-day workshops about Making Money from Digital Platforms & Rights on May 24 at ITF’s base in London’s Hoxton. Leading the session with him will be Justin Judd, Digital Rights Group Director and MD of iRights. Book now to find out the latest trends, and avoid disappointment! Please e-mail bookings@indietrainingfund.com or telephone 020 3487 0354..

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Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: cross-platform, digital, digital media, digital platforms, multiplatform, peter cowley, tips
Comments: (0)

This month we’re proud to be launching our ITF Freelancer scheme. For the first time, those joining will have access to unique ITF services which aim to develop freelancer skills and help with career progression, including:

• a third off all ITF short courses covering a wide range of in-demand training identified by top production companies
• invitations to lively Open Forum events with top indies, and great networking opportunities
• regular e-bulletins packed with the latest ITF news, industry events, training offers, funding and bursary updates
• discounted rate for Bectu members
  

If you are a freelancer, or employ freelancers in your production company, please find out more at our website, e-mail or telephone us on 020 3487 0354.

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: courses, cross-platform, digital media, Freelance, Skills, Skillset, special offers, training, TV
Comments: (4)

Many thanks to Lion TV’s Kirsty Hunter and Mint Digital’s Andy Bell for leading an engaging workshop that immersed its delegates in the challenges of joined-up multiplatform production.

The session aimed to break down the barriers faced by production companies and digital interactive agencies who need to work together to create cross-platform content, but often lack the tools and common language to do so.

One of the interactive exercises

Andy and Kirsty gave those attending the chance to find out from case studies, lively discussions and sharing their own experience, what makes effective multiplatform projects. Attendees put their newly-gained knowledge to the test in team exercises that saw them developing and pitching multiplatform treatments, and then creating a successful multiplatform workflow.

Delegates who attended the session can access the day’s presentations here

Those who enjoyed this workshop may also find the following upcoming multiplatform training of interest:

Cross-platform: Generating New Projects & Markets, 14.10.10, London.
Generating Innovative Content, 19.10.10, London.
Cross-platform Storytelling, 10.11.10, London.
Making Money from Digital Platforms & Rights, 18.11.10, London.

book more courses

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: andy bell, cross-platform, digital media, digital platforms, digital workflow, kirsty hunter, lion tv, mint digital, multiplatform, two screen
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Skillset has released bursaries for multiplatform courses from June of up to 80% of the cost for experienced TV freelancers, and 50% for employees (including travel and accommodation expenses where relevant).  Apply to Skillset beacuse you need to do so at least 5 days before the course…

Multiplatform: Joined-up Production 08.07.10 London
A one-day workshop to help production companies and digital interactive agencies work
together to create cross platform content
Who’s it for? Producers, APs, project and operations managers, and other production team-members. This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Cross-platform Storytelling 15.07.10 London
A full-day workshop to develop the writing and storytelling skills of TV and digital media production teams over a range of platforms and to review the latest trends in cross-platform scripted content
Who’s it for? TV & digital media content development teams, producers, directors and writers. Delegates will be asked to select and submit before the course a single page content proposal (new or existing) that you would like to develop in the workshop
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Cross-platform: Generating New Projects and Markets 14.10.10 London
A one-day workshop to encourage TV, digital media and interactive producers to develop their skills and business by creating, planning and pitching cross-platform projects for different markets
Who’s it for? Producers, APs, project and operations managers and other team members of TV and/or digital media and interactive companies looking to devise and deliver cross-platform projects for all markets; also freelancers wanting to create digital productions.This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

Mutiplatform: Making Money from Digital Platforms and Rights 18.11.10 London
A half-day introductory workshop to help production companies and interactive agencies understand how to make money from digital platforms, and to exploit the content rights in both broadcast and corporate markets.
Who’s it for? Designed as an introductory course for TV and digital media production companies this course will benefit those requiring an overview of exploiting content on TV, digital media, interactive and 360 platforms. This workshop has been planned in partnership with Pact
Price: ITF Member £100 / Pact or freelance £150 / Corporate £200

book these courses / find out more

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: digital media, interactive, multiplatform, Skillset, training, TV
Comments: (4)

Many thanks to Peter Cowley (Endemol) and Justin Judd (i-Rights) for leading another engaging multiplatform session on 23 March 2010.

Delegates can view passworded course content

Look out for further multi/cross-platform training in coming soon…

Cross-platform: Generating New Projects and Markets 08.07.10
A one-day workshop to encourage TV, digital media and interactive producers to originate, develop, plan and pitch multiplatform projects

Cross-platform Storytelling 15.07.10
A full-day workshop to develop the storytelling & writing skills of TV and digital media production teams over a range of platforms and genres and to review trends in cross-platform scripted content.

Multiplatform: Joined-up Production 17.06.10
A one-day workshop to help production companies and digital interactive agencies work
together to create cross platform content

Making Money from Digital Platforms and Rights 18.11.10
A half-day introductory workshop to help production companies and interactive agencies understand how to make money from digital platforms, and to exploit the content rights in both broadcast and corporate markets

Book more courses

June 2009 course – Previous delegates can still view the passworded June 09 presentation

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: Add new tag, digital media, digital platforms, digital rights, i-rights, justin judd, multiplatform, peter cowley
Comments: (0)

ITF Open Forum

in association with Film London

When? Wednesday 18th March 2009 at 18.00

Where? Framestore Cinema, 19-23 Wells Street, London W1T 3PQ

Price? Free

In the current tough financial climate, TV & digital media production companies are exploring different ways of surviving the storm, including the use of branded and commercial platforms as well as broadcast ones.

space

• Why is this important, especially for the future of digital Britain?

• Who’s commissioning what, and for which platforms?

• How does a digital project differ from a TV commission?

• What is wanted for different platforms, and how is it funded?

• How do you develop & make successful projects?

• Can you make money out of cross-platform production?

• How can you make the most of digital rights?

• Starting with digital interactive content rather than TV?

• The importance of collaboration and joined-up production for TV and digital media teams

Contributors:

Andrew Chitty (Illumina Digital Managing Director) – Chair

Peter Cowley (Endemol UK Director of Digital Media)

Louise Brown (Channel 4 Head of Cross-platform Commissioning)

Jonathan Jackson (Digital Rights Group Chief Operating Officer)

Anthony Lukom (MySpace UK Managing Director)

This is one of a new series of free ITF Open Forum evening discussions when leading industry figures will talk about the latest hot topics in our business. TV, film and digital media professionals are all welcome, and those attending will have a chance to share their experiences and network with each other.

Agenda

1800 Registration, light refreshments & networking

1830 Forum session begins

Followed by open discussion & questions

2015 Closure

Online registration at www.filmlondon.org.uk/seminars

Please note that this event is now fully subscribed, and already has a large waiting list

NB: Contributors are subject to change and will be updated on this page.

Posted by indietrainingfund
Tags: channel 4, chitty, digital media, digital rights group, endemol, Film London, Illumina, interactive, ITF Open Forum, multiplatform, myspace
Comments: (1)