Could you be the next Sam Mendes?

 

ASPIRING filmmakers in the North West have the opportunity to learn the tools of the trade under the tutelage of top names in the industry, thanks to a new eight week course "From Story to Screen in Eight Weeks" to be held from 14 June to 8 August at Liverpool's media centre, FACT. 

The full-time course, developed by the Metropolitan Film School in partnership with the National Film and Television School, has received £21,500 in backing from NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts). Other partners in the project include, North West Vision, Media Training North West and the City Screen, owners of the Picture House cinema group.

Aimed at people seeking a career in the film industry, the course will provide students with the skills and experience needed to make a good short film. 

The first half of the course will include practical workshops on screenwriting (including one-to-one sessions with professional script editors), cinematography, storyboarding, working with actors and editing. During the second half students will each produce, direct and edit their own film with the support of professional crew. Furthermore, the Picture House cinema group, offering the potential for instant recognition, will distribute any excellent films made on the course.

Industry veteran Chris Bernard, director of Letter to Brezhnev and numerous television dramas, will lead the course. The Metropolitan Film School has already run similar courses in London; however this is the first time it is being delivered outside of the capital.

Sarah Macnee, NESTA Acting Learning Director, said:- "Identifying and developing talent is one of the key difficulties facing the film industry. From Story to Screen in Eight Weeks offers a relatively simple means for this to happen and we hope that the course uncovers some fresh new film talent from the north west region."

Luke Montagu, director of the Metropolitan Film School said:- "From Story to Screen is a course and a complete short film production rolled into one. This course has been life-changing for many of the people who have taken it in London and I'm certain that, under the talented guidance of Chris Bernard, the same will be true in Liverpool."

Places are still available and applications are being accepted now. To apply contact chris@wildtrack-tv.com or call 0845 658 4400 as soon as possible. 

The course usually costs £2,995 in London; however as a result of the financial support of NESTA and North West Vision the cost is reduced to £250 for applicants living in the North West region.

MERSEYSIDE BUSINESS HELP SET SAFETY RECORD

LOCAL businesses have got the message when it comes to health and safety in the workplace, according to RoSPA, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

For their attention to safety over the past 12 months, Merseyside organisations Lever Faberge Limited, Allied Bakeries and Vertex Data Science Limited, have been rewarded in the annual RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards, sponsored by the RMC Group Plc. The presentations were made this week at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the NEC, alongside Safety and Health Expo 2004.

The county's contribution has helped RoSPA achieve over 1,100 winners, the highest in he programme's 48 year history.

John Howard, RoSPA's Chief Executive said:- "The winners are to be congratulated for their success and we would like to see more organisations following their lead. The awards reinforce the message that good health and safety reflects good business management."

Industries with high levels of wins are:- construction, warehousing and distribution, retail, waste management, oil, gas, electricity, mining, chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare and education.

Among the entries from overseas there are winners from:- Bahrain, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the USA.

LAST CHANCE TO SOUTHPORT POETRY CHAMP!

NOW'S your last chance to be the Southport poetry champion. Just one poet will represent Southport in an annual best of UK poetry book and the closing date is almost here.

Entry is free and like all the other winners, the Southport winner gets a free copy of the book. One overall winner also gets £1,000.

"The National Poetry Anthology is designed to encourage new writers," said its editor, Peter Quinn. "We picked 216 town winners last year but we want the new edition to include a winner from every town and village in Merseyside. So far, we haven't had enough entries from the area to achieve that."

Send 3 unpublished poems on any subject (up to 20 lines and 160 words each) to United Press Ltd, Admail 3735, London EC1B 1JB by the closing date of June 30 2004. Enclose a loose stamp if you want a reply.

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