Magic Light Pictures and Skillset announce the 2010 Producer Placement Programme for emerging producers
Five places on offer for the five month producer placement programme which will run from April to September 2010.
22 January 2010
The 2010 Producer Placement Programme will put five up-and-coming producers into a varied series of work placements with key companies in the British film industry.
The Programme will give emerging producers an immersive experience of the business of film – enabling them to then take the necessary steps to get their films made and connecting with worldwide audiences.
Neil Peplow, Skillset's Director of Film, said: "The Producer Placement Programme provides emerging talent with an immersive experience that gives them an overview of the whole film industry value chain. The contacts, networks and learning that they acquire through this experience will be invaluable in helping them to develop long-term sustainable careers within our industry, and getting feature projects funded and made."
"We'll be taking another group of talented emerging producers and giving them the chance to work inside key film companies, so the producers can gain a vivid sense of the market forces which shape the industry. It's a great opportunity for the producers; and we're delighted to be working with Skillset in taking this programme forwards." says Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures.
The placements will be augmented by a series of evening master-classes and workshops with industry figures, allowing access to the knowledge and experience of influential players in the film industry.
The programme is focussed on the business of the film industry and the operations of companies along the film value chain; and participants will gain an understanding of the business processes involved in making films and reaching audiences.
Uniquely, the trainee producers will each receive a salary during the five month programme and there is no charge for participation.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Established by Martin Pope and Michael Rose, Magic Light Pictures is a leading production company. Their most recent productions include feature films Wild Target (to be released by Entertainment Film Distributors); Chico & Rita (currently in production); Glorious 39 (released by Momentum Pictures); and BAFTA nominated anjmated short film The Gruffalo which was broadcast by BBC1 at Christmas 2009. Previous productions include Sparkle (by Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger) and individually Martin has produced feature films including Lawless Heart, The Heart of Me, The Cottage and Touch of Pink; while Michael produced the Academy Award winning Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave as well as executive producing Chicken Run and the Academy Award winning Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Wererabbit.
The programme will be overseen by Martin Pope and Michael Rose and run by their associate Daryl Shute. The programme builds on the 2008 Programme run by Magic Light Pictures and the pilot course run by Samuelson Productions in 2006.
The Producer Placement Programme is part of A Bigger Future, a strategy developed by Skillset and the UK Film Council covering all jobs in film from development through to exhibition; and aims to ensure the UK film industry has the world beating skills needed to compete in an increasingly tough global market. All initiatives under A Bigger Future are funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund made up of national lottery money and industry investment.
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry. www.skillset.org
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed lead agency for film in the UK, supporting the UK film industry, celebrating UK film culture and nurturing UK film talent at home and abroad. Since being set up in 2000 the UK Film Council has backed more than 900 films, shorts and features, which have won over 300 awards and entertained more than 200 million people around the world. It develops new filmmakers, funds exciting new British films, gets a wider choice of films to audiences throughout the UK and also funds the British Film Institute.
Investing in the film workforce is vital to achieving a successful film industry and film culture. Through Skillset, its strategic partner for skills development, the UK Film Council invests £6.5 million of National Lottery money a year in training to ensure the UK continues to produce a strong, consistent supply of skilled and talented professionals to make the UK film industry an ever greater commercial and creative success. www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
PRESS ENQUIRIES
For further details please contact Daryl Shute at Magic Light Pictures on 0207 631 1800 or visit our website www.magiclightpictures.com
