ILBF Drama Development Proposals

The Irish Language Broadcast Fund is extending its deadline for receipt of drama development proposals to Friday the 28th of July.

(Deadline for receipt of applications for the second ILBF funding round 2010 in all other genres remains 12 noon Friday the 28th of May.)

ILBF development funding is available for a new drama series (6 -10 half hour episodes). The series should be character driven with strong storylines, a contemporary setting consisting of a realistic situation where Irish would be used. The series should be aimed at as wide an audience as possible.

Production companies with suitable experience in drama production - experience in production of Irish language and/or low budget drama especially welcome - should contact commissioning executives at BBC NI (Antaine Ó Donnaile) & TG4 (Máire Ní Chonláin) and the Head of the ILBF ahead of the deadline to discuss potential ideas and the commissioning process before submitting applications.

Please include in your application a brief synopsis of the proposed series including the following details:

• The setting
• Character outlines for main characters
• Style of storytelling
• Proposed cast and crew
• Details of company’s previous experience in drama production
• Proposed production model
• Proposed production schedule
• Proposed estimated production budget

Please note that decisions on funding for drama development will be made at the third ILBF funding round in October.

Cuireann an CCG síneadh leis an spriocdháta do Mholtaí d’Fhorbairt Drámaíochta.

Tá an CCG ag cur síneadh leis an spriocdháta do mholtaí d’fhorbairt drámaíochta go dtí an Aoine an 28iú Iúil.

(Fanann an sprioc d’iarratais don dara bhabhta maoinithe 2010 i ngach réimse eile de chláir mar an gcéanna – 12 meán lae Aoine an 28iú Bealtaine.)

Beidh maoiniú forbartha ar fáil ón CCG sa bhabhta maoinithe seo do shraith nua drámaíochta ( idir 6 agus 10 gcláir leath uair a chloig). Scéalta láidir, le béim ar phearsantacht na gcarachtair, suite i suíomh comhaimseartha réalaíoch ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar theanga beo ann atá de dhíth. Ba chóir díriú ar lucht féachana leathan.

Beidh fáilte roimh iarratais ó chomhlachtaí léiriúcháin le taithí sa réim drámaíochta – go háirithe iad siúd le taithí i léiriúcháin drámaíochta Ghaeilge agus/nó drámaíocht ar bhuiséad íseal.

Ní miste teagmháil a dhéanamh roimh an spriocdháta leis na feidhmeannaigh coimisiúnaithe de chuid BBC TÉ (Antaine Ó Donnaile), TG4 (Máire Ní Chonláin) agus Ceannasaí an CCG (Áine Walsh) leis na tograí agus an próiseas coimisiúnaithe a phlé leo sular chuirtear iarratas maoinithe chugainn.

Beidh na riachtanais seo de dhíth:

• Cur síos gairid ar an togra, agus trácht a dhéanamh air
• An suíomh
• Mion cur síos ar na príomh carachtair
• Stíl na scéalta
• Moltaí do foireann léirithe agus aisteoireachta
• Sonraí de thaithí an chomhlachta i léiriúcháin drámaíochta
• Córas léiriúcháin molta
• Sceideal léiriúcháin molta
• Meastachán aer an bhuiséad léiriúcháin

Beidh cinntí ar mhaoiniú d’fhorbairt drámaíochta déanta ag an 3iú bhabhta maoinithe de chuid an CCG i mí Dheireadh Fómhair.

Coming Up in Belfast

Northern Ireland Screen has teamed up with Channel 4 and Touchpaper TV to host a special Coming Up event in Belfast on Wednesday 19th May.

Coming Up is the only talent scheme currently in the UK where emerging film-makers have the opportunity to make an authored drama with a guaranteed network broadcast.

Ben Stoll, Channel 4’s Coming Up commissioning editor, Elinor Day and Emma Burge, Touchpaper producers, will be in Belfast along with local writer Ronan Blaney, who wrote Boy one of the successful 2010 Coming Up films. Three of this year’s diverse 30 minute films will be screened, including Boy.

Applications are now open for Coming Up 2011, after the screening Ben will explain what Channel 4 is looking for. Emma and Elinor will discuss how the production works and Ronan will speak about his experience of the scheme. There will also be time to network following the event.

This is an excellent opportunity for writers and directors who are trying to break into the film and television industry.

The event is free of charge and Northern Ireland Screen strongly encourage all local writers, directors and emerging short and feature film makers to attend. Places are limited so please contact ursula@northernirelandscreen.co.uk as soon as possible to secure a place.

Date: Wednesday 19th May
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Moviehouse Cinema, Dublin Road
Contact: ursula@northernirelandscreen.co.uk

Further information on Coming Up can be found here.

Young Playwrights Wanted

Tinderbox Theatre Company in Belfast is looking for applicants aged between 16 and 25 for its Fireworks – Young Writers Programme.

The Fireworks writers will be working with the actors in the Tinderbox Studio Ensemble. In addition writers will watch plays or readings and any Tinderbox productions that coincide with the programme, as well as read and analyse plays together.

Writers must be available in Belfast during a number of specific dates in 2010 - the information is on the web site.

To apply, you will need to send two pages of dialogue from a previous script (not written for this application), and a covering letter about yourself stating why you are interested in taking part in Fireworks, and your writing experience so far.

The deadline for entries is 3 May 2010

2010 Digital Shorts in NI

Northern Ireland Screen has announced the recipients of this year's Digital Shorts scheme:

• A Cross to Bear - written and directed by Ryan Tohill
• Hardy Hands - written and directed by Chris Baugh
• Of The Sea - written and directed by Paul Hamilton
• Ring Theory - written and directed by Joe Campo

The four films will be produced by Villi Ragnarsson of RedRay Films in Summer 2010.

Northern Ireland Screen and The UK Film Council’s Digital Shorts scheme is a year long programme which aims to seek out and develop new filmmaking talent and enable them to make innovative short films using digital technology.

Belfast Film Festival Programme

The 10th Belfast Film Festival (15-30 April) has launched its programme.

The 10th Belfast Film Festival boasts over 30 UK/Irish premieres in a jam packed programme, with 125 screenings and events across Belfast from over 25 countries including, Russia, Japan, Iran, Argentina, Israel and South Africa, to name but a few.

The Festival opens on Thursday 15th April at the Moviehouse, Dublin Road with the UK/Irish Premiere of Triage starring man of the moment, Colin Farrell.

Closing night film of the 10th Belfast Film Festival, will be the UK/Ireland premiere of a film by one of Hollywood’s greatest directors-Francis Ford Coppola; Tetro starring Vincent Gallo is Coppola’s first original screenplay since The Conversation; this beautiful film, is shot in black and white and set in the bristling streets of Buenos Aires.

New Belfast Arts Venue

The Stage reports that construction has begun on Belfast's new £17.5 million city-centre arts venue.

When complete, the six-storey complex will become the new home for the Old Museum Arts Centre and house two black-box performance spaces seating 150 and 350, workshop rooms, rehearsal and dance studios, an art gallery and retail unit.

The development is the latest capital project in a decade-long investment in new infrastructure venues in Northern Ireland, including a new home for the region's only repertory company, the Lyric Theatre, and major refurbishments of Belfast's Crescent Arts Centre and the Playhouse Theatre in Derry.

2010 Tony Doyle Bursary

The Tony Doyle Bursary for New Writing provides a fantastic opportunity for writers new to television. Previous winners of the prestigious £2,000 television writer's award are Bill Murphy, Brian Dungan, Dominque Maloney, Danny Stack, Abbie Spallen and Martin McSweeney and Martin McNamara.

The judging panel for entries will include John Yorke, Kate Rowland, Liam Cunnigham, Lorcan Cranitch, Peter Norris, Sally Doyle, Emma Norton from Element Pictures, Sarah Stack and Tina Kellegher.

The bursary's core aim is to assist the development of new writers. To achieve this, the chosen finalists will take part in a residential seminar where they will undergo intensive, structured, script sessions with members of BBC Northern Ireland Drama's development team and with top script writers and producers.

The aim of the bursary
The aim of the bursary is to encourage television drama about Ireland by writers new to the medium. This may include writers experienced in other forms of fiction as well as new writers.

Prize
The winner will receive a cash prize of £2,000. The winner along the finalists will be invited to a residential seminar run by the BBC Northern Ireland Drama Department. The aim of the seminar is to introduce the writers to the world of television drama through a series of intensive sessions with the BBC Northern Ireland development team and experienced practitioners - producers, directors, actors and fellow writers. The winner and runners-up will be announced in January 2010.

All submissions should be received by 4th December 2009.

Further information and the rules of entry are available on the web site.

Cinemagic Workshops

The Coca-Cola Cinemagic Film and Television Festival for Young People, which is taking place during from 18 November - 4th December 2009 in Belfast, is seeking young people aged 16-25 to participate in their ‘Talent Lab’ and Masterclass series - covering topics such as screen fighting, casting, makeup, production, acting and screenwriting amongst others.

The 2009 Masterclass lineup for the Cinemagic Festival includes: ‘Fights for Stage and Screen’ with Youngblood’s fight director Tim Klotz (Shakespeare’s Globe, Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Festival Hall); ‘Make-up for Film’ with Academy Award winning hair and make-up artist Christine Blundell (Topsy Turvy, Casino Royale, Sherlock Holmes); costume design guidance from Academy Award winning designer Jenny Beavan (A Room with a View, Gosford Park, Alexander); a script writing lesson with Ryan Rowe (Tapeheads, Run’s House, I’m on Fire); a film production session with Terry Bamber (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Phantom of the Opera) and David Cain (Thunderbirds, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hannibal Rising), casting advice from casting director Ros Hubbard (The Commitments, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Bourne Ultimatum), and location management pointers with Andrew Wilson (City of Ember, Middletown, Breakfast on Pluto).

Cinemagic are running other special events in November. Amongst these is an ‘In Conversation with’ session with Muppets Potto and Hilda on November 20th who will be screening ‘Sesame Tree’, the Northern Ireland adaptation of ‘Sesame Street’. There will also be an acting masterclass with IFTA winning actor Ciaran Hinds (The Eclipse) on November 23rd where the actor will deliver a practical workshop in acting for film. Another masterclass being held on the same day is the Channel 4 Programme Making Workshop, hosted by Neil McCallum (head of music at Channel 4) and other members of the Channel 4 Production Team, which aims to expand the skills of individuals who already have gained a degree of experience in areas such as presenting, producing and directing. The Channel 4 Programme making workshop will run for two days.

Create n Innovate

Create 'n' Innovate '09 is a conference going on in Belfast from 11-12 November 2009 that will include presentations, panels and workshops highlighting and exploring ideas and good practice in creativity and innovation, and its importance for our future.

Speakers and panellists from across the UK - keynote from Feargal Sharkey, CEO of UK Music, and panel discussions with creative practitioners, representatives from the business sector, educators, researchers and policy makers.

An amazing array of 12 workshop and presentation sessions where you will be stimulated and challenged – led by people such as Baba Israel, New York hip hop emcee, poet and beatboxer who now runs Contact Theatre in Manchester; Cathy Hunt from Australia who will present the development of Australian indigenous art; Stephen Feber who will be creative about the amazing new Heartlands development project in Cornwall; Marek Banczyk who has worked on a development strategy for Poznan, a "second city" in Poland; Jan Runge, one of the authors of the recent "Creativity in Europe" report; Venu Dhupa who will challenge us on our understanding of what these words mean; Sharon Taylor who will look at the relationships between creative professionals in schools; Raj Isar who will take examine some of the assumptions sometimes made about the successes and failures in this area; and Pia Alebrad from TILLT in Sweden which works on projects where artists are based in everyday workplaces.

Information on how to join the conference is available on the web site.

Meet Channel 4

Channel 4 is organising a series of regional briefings, one of which will be held in Belfast on 30th September.

These briefings will give you the opportunity to learn about Channel 4's respective plans for 2010, meet the commissioners, hear what they’ve learnt from 2009 and share some background on the projects commissioned so far as well as answer your questions on any of the above.

The sessions should be really useful for start-ups, agencies, production companies or freelancers in the digital media sector thinking about pitching an idea to Channel 4.

Belfast briefing date: 30th September, 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Request an invitation
There’s limited room but if you want to come along send an email to belfast-briefing@4ip.org.uk

Channel 4 will confirm whether you've got a place and other details via an email reply. You must include your name, role, company name, and a contact number in the email.

NI Digital Shorts

Northern Ireland Screen's next four digital short films have gone into production. They are:

• Davy Jones - written and directed by Richard Parkin.
• Paint - written by Andrew and Ryan Tohill and directed by Andrew Tohill.
• Sundays - written and directed by Alanna Riddell.
• The Dinner Party - written by Mark Jordan and directed by Michael Lennox.

Northern Ireland Screen and The UK Film Council's Digital Shorts scheme is a year long programme which aims to seek out and develop new filmmaking talent and enable them to make innovative short films using digital technology.

NI Ultra Low-Budget Fund

Northern Ireland Screen is open to submissions for its Ultra Low-Budget Fiction Fund 2010-2011 (ULBFF).

The ULBFF intends to support one production each year.

Only Northern Ireland resident writers new to feature film or television drama should apply. A producer does not need to be attached to the project at this stage.

Up to five scripts will be chosen for development between November 2009 and March 2010, with the intention of selecting one for further development and production between April 2010 and March 2011.

The deadline for receipt of applications: 30th September 2009

Further details on the application process are available from the web site.

Lyric Challenge Grant

According to The Stage the Belfast Lyric Theatre has received a £500,000 challenge grant from the US-based Kresge Foundation which will go towards rebuilding and fitting-out the theatre's Ridgeway Street home.

The theatre, which will have to raise £1.3 million privately by June 2010 in order to win the grant, has been trying to raise £18 million to meet the cost of the new building which will house a 350-seat main auditorium and 120-seat studio space, as well as new front of house and backstage facilities and offices.

News of the grant was hailed as "brilliant" by the theatre's patron, actor Liam Neeson. He said: "Support from Kresge is highly sought after, and competition for funds is very tough - I'm delighted that we have been awarded this prestigious grant".

Kresge Foundation director Rip Rapson also added: "We felt compelled to support the Lyric for many reasons, including the significant impact the theatre has on it's community and the crucial role it plays in creating a vibrant, healthy and tolerant society".

Free Master Class for NI Writers

Northern Irish screenwriters have the opportunity to obtain one of ten free places on the Screenwriters' Master Class at the Galway Film Fleadh, as organised by Northern Ireland Screen.

Four of the ten selected writers will be chosen for a one-to-one with Christopher Hampton.

For full details contact Development Executive Natasha Geary at natasha@northernirelandscreen.co.uk by no later than 5pm on Tuesday, 23 June 2009.

Essential criteria to be considered for selection to attend the Master Class:

• You must be resident for tax purposes in Northern Ireland
• You must have previously received development money for a feature film or TV drama script
• Experienced television drama writers with at least one commission or broadcast credit
• Preference will be given to writers who have not attended the Fleadh before
• You must be able to demonstrate a strategic need for attending the festival.

In addition, in order to be considered for a one-to-one with Christopher Hampton, you will need to have had a feature film produced and distributed in a commercial cinema or a television drama produced and broadcast.

ITV May Get License Fee

The BBC reports that under proposals in the British government's Digital Britain report there are plans to divert 3.5% of the television license fee to ITV and other public service broadcasters from 2013.

The BBC Trust has come out against the government's proposals, saying removing part of the licence fee would "damage BBC output".

Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said it "must not become a slush fund to be dipped into at will".

"This would lead to the licence fee being seen as another form of general taxation. The trust will not sit quietly by and watch this happen," he added.

Lord Carter, author of the Digital Britain report, said that a proposed merger between BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm - and Channel 4 would not be "a forced marriage", but that the government "would be ready to facilitate it".

Referring to a consultation, he said the government would not be "running a referendum on it" but would take the views of licence fee payers into account.

Channel 4's chief executive Andy Duncan welcomed the report, saying it "offers crystal clear acknowledgement of Channel 4's vital role in ensuring public service competition to the BBC".

Pact in Belfast

Pact, the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, digital, children's and animation media companies, is having a roadshow in Belfast on the 19 June from 08:30 - 10:30am in the Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St.

Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance from the web site.

The subject of the event is: Managing The Downturn: how Pact can help you make the most of challenging times

Pact knows times are tough for producers, and we are working harder than ever to get you through this challenging period.

Hear from chief Executive John McVay, Director of Business Affairs Andrew Chowns and other specialists in the Pact team about Pact’s key lobbying initiatives to open up new opportunities for you, the inside track on where the industry is heading and what this means for you, as well as how we are tackling industrial relations and legal issues for your benefit.

NI Funding Arts and Sports

Six Northern Ireland projects, which bring together arts and sports, have been selected by Legacy Trust UK (LTUK) to receive funding of £1.31million in the lead up the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), will be responsible for the delivery of the funding to the project lead partners, coordinating the programme and ensuring that it provides a legacy beyond the Games in 2012.

The following six organisations have been selected to become project lead partners and coordinate each project:

• Dance and Sport – Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company
• Physical Theatre/Circus and Gymnastics – The BEAT Initiative
• Music /Poetry and Sport – Ulster Orchestra
• Children's Theatre and Children’s Sport – Bardic Educational Arts & Media
• Visual Arts/Film and Sport – Northern Ireland Screen
• Disability Arts and Sport – Open Arts

McGuire Playwriting Competition

The Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. McGuire International Playwriting Competition is now seeking applications from citizens and residents of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The competition is open to first-time playwrights as well as experienced and established playwrights.

The winning playwright will receive prize money of $20,000 and will enjoy a world premiere professional production of his or her play by the renowned Irish Classical Theatre Company in Western New York, as part of the company’s 20th Anniversary Season in 2010-2011.

Runners-up in the McGuire Playwriting Competition may be considered for a full professional production by the Irish Classical Theatre Company as part of its annual season of plays in subsequent years to their 20th Anniversary Season.

The competition is co-sponsored by the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, and by Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. McGuire. The Irish Classical Theatre Company would like to extend its gratitude to Larry Quinn of the Buffalo Sabres Foundation and to the McGuire family for their generous support.

Submission Dates & Announcement of Winner
Scripts will be accepted for submission from March 2009 through September 1st 2009, with the winning play announced at a reception and press conference in Buffalo in January 2010, with a concurrent press release to the Irish and Northern Irish media.

Selection Process
All scripts will be assessed by a team of experienced professional and artistic directors on both sides of the Atlantic, in Ireland and in Western New York.

Members of the adjudication panel and the selection process itself will remain anonymous until the winner has been announced.

Additional Benefits to Winning Playwright
In addition to the $20,000 in prize money, the winning playwright will have the option of being a part of the entire five-week rehearsal process in Buffalo, with return flights to USA, accommodation and per diem covered by the Irish Classical Theatre Company and by our sponsors.

The winning playwright will also be invited to the awards ceremony in Buffalo, New York, with international travel and all expenses covered by the Irish Classical Theatre, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, and by the McGuire Group.

In addition, the playwright will receive full royalties on the world premiere production, (8% of gross box-office receipts) for a performance schedule of no less than four weeks.

Information on the competition rules, and application process, are available from the web site.

NI Theatre Sales 51% of Sector

According to The Stage the first ever "audience audit" of ticket sales for arts events in 2008 in Northern Ireland revealed that its theatres generated 51% of ticket income, which was worth £13.3 million.

Live music was in third place (behind film) with more than 255,000 tickets generating £4.1 million at the box office. Though lagging in seventh place, dance events produced the highest average ticket yield of £21.43, a third larger than the sector-wide total.

Conducted by Audiences Northern Ireland, the Arts Council-funded body charged with growing and diversifying arts audiences – the survey involved 22 key arts organisations in the region and is, says chief executive Steven Hadley, "a major development in market intelligence for the arts sector here".

Welcoming the report, arts council chief executive Roisín McDonough said: "Its findings refutes commonly held beliefs that the arts are 'a middle income, middle class interest' and 'centered on Belfast'. In fact, as The Audience Audit demonstrates, the arts engage fully across all areas of society".

Irish at eQuinoxe

IFTN reports that Irish screenwriters Abbie Spallen and James Phelan will be part of the group of ten writers chosen to attend the éQuinoxe screenwriting workshop in Balestrand in Norway.

Award winning playwright and screenwriter Abbie Spallen brings the project 'The Courtship Gift', an adaptation of a novel by Julie Parsons. This year's recipient of the Stewart Parker Award, Abbie recently adapted her very successful play 'Pumpgirl' into a feature film with funding from NI Screen and BBC NI. 'Pumpgirl' was screened at the Belfast Film Festival in April 2009. In 2007 she won the Tony Doyle Award for her screenplay 'Seven Drunken Knights'.

James Phelan's feature screenplay 'Banshee' was also selected for the workshop. The supernatural period thriller is set in Donegal and Waterford in 1898. It follows the unraveling of a mystery by an inquisitive doctor when an affluent family is besieged by a vengeful supernatural spirit.

James recently wrote the seven part comedy drama 'Rasai na Gaillimhe/The Galway Races' for TG4. Starring Don Wycherley (Bachelors Walk), Owen Roe (Cromwell in Ireland) and Ruth Bradley (Alarm), it will be broadcast this autumn on TG4. The series was directed by Robert Quinn and produced by Great Western Films.