David at StartinTV.com has been incredibly helpful – refining my CV, answering a host of questions and crucially giving my some seriously good ideas and leads towards launching my TV career. Thanks David
From Imran, a Gold Member of StartinTV.com
Category Archives: News
Industry News
Top Tip on Gaining Subject Experience for TV
Producers are looking for runners with as understanding of TV production and their specific programme area. One way of gaining experience is either contributing to programs or joining the audience and isa good way getting an understanding how a live show works.
Idea #1
Would you like to contribute into a documentary programme? Do you need to say sorry or thank you to someone you can’t get hold of? Would you like to contribute to a new inspirational programme?
The Gift and let their team find the person you want to say sorry or thank you to? The Gift is produced for the BBC by Wall to Wall Television.
Why our logo’s gone green
You may have noticed profiles across Facebook and Twitter going green over the last week. We’ve even turned our logo green too. In short, it’s a protest and it’s a mark of solidarity started by VFX Solidarity International. Matt McIver recently posted this graphic on Facebook showing the work that went in to the amazingly stunning visual effects behind the blockbuster Life of Pi and informed us, “the company which made the movie possible, Rhythm & Hues, went bankrupt as the film just passed the half billion dollar mark in global ticket sales.
Stunning visual effects in progress from the award winning ‘Life of Pi’
“The 3D & VFX (visual effects) companies that make the Hollywood blockbuster movies possible, sign on to bad deals typically at a loss, the Hollywood production companies walk away with profits, and artists who dedicate their lives to their craft get short changed on salary, over-time and eventually job security. The green is a form of solidarity and protest for change in our industry.”
The maker of the 3D animations tool, Houdini, said, “Every day we marvel at the amazing work our customers create using Houdini. It is a shame that it has become so difficult for artists to build a career in VFX and we support their efforts to create a healthier industry.”
StartinTV believes in this cause as we believe that everyone who is productive in the film and TV industry should be rewarded fairly for the work they produce, what ever area of production this is in.
If you wish to support this cause, please share our post, like and follow the pages of VFX Solidarity International, Matt and Houdini, and check out more of the amazing work that happens behind the scenes on their various links.
We must all support each other so that we keep making wonderful films and TV; a career which gives others so much joy, but importantly helps put food on our own tables too.
Opportunity for Young Film-Makers
First Light is looking for young filmmakers, or teams of young people, to take part in a course which will help them find funding for their films.
They have partnered with the Flatpack Festival and Creative Skillset to run a film financing course for young people during March which will provide all the tools needed to help get film projects off the ground.
The 4 day residential course will provide an insight into how to go about finding finance for film projects and also offers fantastic networking opportunities.
Taught by experienced filmmakers, trainees will access practical workshops, talks and screenings, the course will:
- Develop knowledge concerning the different models of film financing
- Understand the link between finance and distribution
- Find out about new and innovative funding models
- Learn how to make use of digital technologies to identify audiences and raise funds pre and post production
- Improve skills in writing finance proposals and pitching documents.
This opportunity is targeted towards 18-25 year olds.
Find out more and download an application form from the website www.firstlightonline.co.uk.
The deadline for applications is 8th February 2012.
More chances for female presenters at BBC
The BBC presenter and journalist Fiona Bruce admitted last week to hiding her grey hairs with dye, in The Telegraph. She went on to say, “there comes a point – especially if you’re a woman – when your career just falls off a cliff. I’m not being self-pitying. That’s just the way it is.”
In response, the new Director General of the BBC has made a pledge that age and gender will no longer be a career barrier. George Entwistle said he was “sorry that she feels that she has to say that”, but that he would make sure that all women would “get the right opportunities and are given the space they deserve”.
In the last few weeks Radio Four’s flagship morning news programme, Today, has come in for criticism over the dominance of male presenters and guests. The programme’s only regular female presenter is Sarah Montague. Entwhistle said that he wanted to see more women on air and a female presenter on the Today programme next time a vacancy came up.
He added that while he personally did not decide which guests appeared on air, or on screen, he believed he could change the culture of the organisation. “I’ll just make it clear to people that’s what I think.”