Inside Story - William Gallagher

From writer, journalist and DMB supporter William Gallagher... Do check out the latest article on his website 'Self Distract'

"I’m particularly pleased with this one: it’s only been up a few minutes but it’s been picked up and retweeted around, I’m getting lot of lovely comments. It’s about a time last year when I went to prison to teach writing. Seems to have struck a nerve with people."

Find out more and read the article in full here http://bit.ly/1bcnQfp

 

£225K Digital Innovation Contest - Cross-Sector Exploration

£225k in funding to work with the UK’s leading creative brands



IC tomorrow is running the £225k 'Digital Innovation Contest – Cross-sector Exploration' to encourage digital innovation across three themes  - retail, events and analytics.

Winners will receive up to £25k each (excluding VAT) in funding and have the opportunity to trial their solution with the relevant contest challenge partner, including Argos, Procter & Gamble, Holition, SYCO, Live Nation, Penguin Random House, the British Film Institute, LIFT (supported by Saatchi & Saatchi), and The Barbican.  We are looking for great ideas that address one of the nine contest challenges.

Who should sign up: The contest is open to EU-based start-ups and SMEs; it is not necessary to have an existing app or service to apply, or to be currently active in any of the challenge sectors.

Briefing Event: Wednesday 29 January,  Rich Mix, London, E1 6LA
This event is a great opportunity for anyone who is thinking about entering the contest to ensure their application fits the judging criteria. We will also be running a live webinar for anyone who is unable to attend in person.
Register at: http://www.bit.ly/crosssector
 

Closing date for applications: 12noon, Wednesday 26 February 2013.

If you are a digital company and would like to learn more or apply, please visit  http://www.bit.ly/crosssector
Want to know more?
Go toIC Tomorrow _Connect
Contact the IC tomorrow team:
Helpline: 0300 321 4358 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm)
Email: ictomorrow@innovateuk.org

Event - Creative Networks Online - 30th Jan

THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014, 5.45PM UNTIL 8.45PM - WWW.CREATIVENETWORKSONLINE.COM
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY, MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM B4 7XG

INCLUDING THE MUSIC NETWORK 4PM UNTIL 5.30PM - WWW.BIRMINGHAMMUSICNETWORK.COM
AND BIRMINGHAM SCREEN IMAGE NETWORK 4PM UNTIL 5.30PM -
WWW.BIRMINGHAMSCREENIMAGENETWORK.WORDPRESS.COM

Virtually On-Air ViLoR (Virtualised Local Radio) www.bbc.co.uk/academy/technology

Speaker: Geoff Woolf, Technology Development Manager, BBC English Regions

At November’s Creative Networks we heard from Graham Thomas about how BBC R&D is stretching the capability of broadcasting. In Birmingham’s Mailbox, BBC English Regions have been working on enhancing the tools used by programme makers. They’ve been developing a revolutionary new way to build a local radio studio. It will be a virtual radio station which is quick to install and can be set up anywhere where there is good connectivity. Geoff Woolf will explain the concept, how it works, why the BBC are doing this, the benefits, and where it could ultimately take the broadcasting technology sector.

Creative Networks brings together all parties involved in screen and sound media in the West Midlands, promoting both successful business development and collaboration.

5.45pm Registration followed by complimentary food/refreshments and networking in our Cafe
7.00pm Geoff Woolf
8.15pm Q&A
8.45pm Event ends

To join us for this FREE event, please register at www.bcucreativenetworks.eventbrite.co.uk or email
creative.networks@bcu.ac.uk or call 0121 331 5400.
Alternatively, register online at our website
www.creativenetworksonline.com

Event-Do CAKE Tuesday 28th January

Our friends at the Do Collaboration Hub have told us about their latest do CAKE event and news...

Our FREE monthly CAKE mornings are changing. All future sessions will be held on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

To kick the New Year off we have some exciting speakers and as always real CAKE, so please join us at our 1st CAKE event of the year :-)

Garry Campbell from BBC Technology, Distribution & Archives will be talking about Putting the BBC archive at your fingertips.  
The BBC has one of the biggest repositories of social, historical and cultural information in the world. Working with the Digital Humanities Hub and other Creative City partners we are investigating how multi-touch table technology can be used to explore and surface the archive in a new and exciting ways.

Mar Dixon founder of MuseomixUK and Dominic Cushnan founder of Mixed Reality Studio ltd will be talking about The Experience of MuseomixUK.
What happens when you bring coders, hackers, graphic designers, storytellers, curators and communication people together?  You remix a museum and get 7 innovative prototypes in 3 days! 

To book a space onto CAKE Tuesday 28th January follow the link http://bit.ly/1arGjqV

Live! From... Call out for contributions

Community radio station 107.5 Switch Radio are developing ’Live! From…’, a new Arts/Music/Culture program for Birmingham. They have an open call out to all local artists, collectives, events and organisations who would like some arts/culture radio time.

‘Live! From…’ are looking for a committed individual, or group of individuals, who would like to help to organise, present, produce, edit and contribute to this new project.

Whatever your discipline or medium, if you feel it can translate to radio, ‘Live! From…’ would appreciate your contribution and ideas.

If you feel you can contribute your time and grey matter in any way to the project, you are urged you get in touch with ‘Live! From…’ by contacting live@baddeley.be for more information.

Creative Accelerator - Business support opportunity

Our friends at Creative Shift have asked us to spread the word about this fantastic opportunity! Please read on to find out more...

The beginning of a New Year is a good opportunity to think afresh about your business.

We have 10 places available on ‘Creative Accelerator’, a new business support and advice programme aimed specially at businesses like yours. Its being run by Helga Henry, Angela Maxwell and Noel Dunne at Creative Shift. This is a free programme to you, as its been fully funded through Cluster 2020, European Creative Industries Alliance and Coventry University Enterprises.

Creative Accelerator combines face to face discussions and advice with new software tools. It will encourage you to review your growth strategy, vision, sales, marketing, finance and operational plans, helping you set priorities and actionable goals for the year ahead.

To participate you will be committing to a one-day seminar with additional time to answer on-line questions and think-through your plans. Getting involved in Creative Accelerator might just be the incentive you need … to stop and think about the next steps for your business!

PHASE I – Self guided, answering a series of on-line questions on your business strategy and current operations.

PHASE II – Attend a one-day seminar with four other like-minded businesses where you will learn and explore some key business strategies as a group AND have a 1 x hour session with a business advisor for specific “surgery style” advice and support. Seminars will be on 10th or 12th February (09.30-17.00). To participate in this pilot you would need to be available on one of these two dates. Both options will take place in Birmingham City Centre.

 PHASE III – There will be on-line and telephone feedback after the seminar with a final telephone coaching session 6-8 weeks later. You’ll get a practical action plan and specific support. You can continue to use the on-line tools for the remainder of the year at no charge.

We will ask for your assessment of the programme and how it can be improved in the future.

Simply visit www.cluster2020.pipeten.co.uk to register your interest:  you will fill in an initial registration screen and shortly afterwards, if accepted, you will have an opportunity to access the site and put in your details. We will contact you to get your commitment to one of the seminar dates and answer any questions.

If February is too soon, you can still register your interest now for our second pilot, helping a further 50 businesses from the Spring onwards.

Find out more about Cluster 2020 and other European Creative Industries Alliance activities at www.cluster2020live.eu   www.howtogrow.eu/ecia .

Thank you for your interest – we look forward to your participation on Creative Accelerator. We would really value participation and feedback from a variety of companies with ambitions to grow.

This initiative is financed under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework programme (CIP) which aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises.

Worcester Film Festival this week!

Our Steering Group member @pathwayprods Rob Heaton reminded us that Worcestershire Film Festival is happening this Friday 15th to Sunday 17th November.

Friday is opening night at The Hive in Worcester, featuring the film Hawking. Films are being screened in The Hive & Worcester Arts Workshop. "The Quickener" by Joel Wilson is on at 3pm on Saturday in The Hive.

Workshops are on Saturday & Sunday at The Chapel, University of Worcester.

Find out  more here: http://worcestershirefilmfestival.co.uk

or tweet them @worcesterfilm

Creative Networks Event -BAFTA Shorts 2013

A SELECTION OF SHORT FILMS FROM THE EE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS

Writer/Director: Will Anderson will be joining us for Q & A after the screenings

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER 2013, 5.30PM UNTIL 8.45PM www.creativenetworksonline.com
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY, MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM B4 7XG
INCLUDING THE MUSIC NETWORK 4PM UNTIL 5.30PM www.birminghammusicnetwork.com
BIRMINGHAM SCREEN IMAGE NETWORK 4PM UNTIL 5.30PM www.birminghamscreenimagenetwork.wordpress.com

PLEASE NOTE EARLIER THAN USUAL START TIME
5.30pm Registration followed by complimentary food/refreshments and networking in our Cafe
6.30pm Brief intro then SCREENING OF BAFTA SHORTS    8.15pm Q & A   8.45pm Event ends

Creative Networks brings together all parties involved in screen and sound media in the West Midlands, promoting both successful business development and collaboration.

To join this FREE event, please register at www.bcucreativenetworks.eventbrite.co.uk or email creative.networks@bcu.ac.uk or call 0121 331 5400.
Alternatively, register online at www.creativenetworksonline.com

Funding Opportunity - Digital Makers Fund

We received an email about this fantastic fund earlier this week, please feel free to circulate around your networks.

Digital Makers Fund - Opens 18 September 2013, closes 14 November 2013

Nesta and Nominet Trust (proud supporters of Make Things Do Stuff) are pleased to announce a second open call for ideas to significantly increase the number of young people who participate in digital making activities.

We want digital making to go mainstream. We want making with technology to become as accessible an activity as making music or making food. Ubiquity is a long way off, but we want to support initiatives that can take us closer to that goal.

The second call is backed by a fund of £250,000 and we expect to make a small number of grants between £20,000 and £50,000. Alongside the grant a package of tailored support will be offered; this includes expert advice and mentoring and access to Nesta and Nominet Trust's expertise, networks and event space

Please note: If you want to apply, a pre-requisite is attending a workshop or webchat – so you can ask questions and get a better understanding on the Fund. They’re holding a workshop in Birmingham on Ted 23 October (12:30-2pm, lunch included) at Fazley Studios - https://digitalmakersfund-23oct.eventbrite.co.uk/

Get more help and information here http://bit.ly/1fHByg9

Funded training -MANAGING CREATIVE TALENT WORKSHOP

We have just heard about this fantastic workshop, part funded by Creative Skillset. Read the text of the email we recieved below...
 

 

LIMITED PLACES ON THE NEW MANAGING CREATIVE TALENT WORKSHOP

BIRMINGHAM

Friday 18 October, Friday 1 November & Friday 15 November 2013

This will be a unique opportunity for everyone wanting to develop their skills in managing creative teams in television, film and new media. The three day modular event will fully immerse people in the art of managing people. The aim is to help potential and current managers get the best out of teams. Offered by Skills Channel TV, this event will be facilitated by Alec McPhedran, a key trainer in the people side of creative management and will feature a number of great guest speakers.

For more information and to register please visit our webpage on http://www.skillschannel.tv/managing_teams_2013.html

This3 days modular interactive programme will take place in central Birmingham on the 18^th of October and the 1^st and 15^thNovember 2013. and will be a great opportunity to learn the best techniques in the subject, Normally, this workshop has a price of £990.00 (ex VAT) per person for the three days. However, this programme has fantastic funding support from Creative Skillset. That means the current cost is now £175 (ex VAT) for the three days – a fantastic opportunity to invest in your key people.
 

For more information and to register please visit our webpage on http://www.skillschannel.tv/managing_teams_2013.html
 

About Alec McPhedran

Alec is well known in the Midlands having concentrated much of his business delivery in the area. He is currently working on projects with BECTU, the BFI, Creative England and a range of creative businesses and individuals. Before setting up Skills Channel TV, Alec was head of learning and sector talent development for Channel4 and worked closely with Skillset, BECTU, PACT and Screen West Midlands on a wide range of initiatives. This part led Alec into wanting to do more of this type of work and it led to the highly successful Skills Channel TV. One of the first key projects was the highly successful Screen West Midlands ‘DRIVE’ project – a series of learning programmes from start-ups to existing media companies. He has a passion for helping people to achieve and is now an established trainer and coach.

What others have to say about Skills Channel TV:

“What a star you are - thank you so much for providing us with an excellent mentoring workshop for the producers forum networking programme.”

The Producers Forum Mentoree Workshop

“Absolutely not what I expected. I am so glad I came.”

BECTU High Impact Interviewing Skills Workshop

“I think if the government want to throw money at trainers, to help us learn about export (which I think they should be doing even in these lean times), then they should be putting it in the right hands. That is you guys.”

Film Production Company

“Alec, thanks for yesterday, they, and I, really enjoyed it. I could see that they got a real buzz out of it, I am sure that the event has helped focus them on their job search!!”

Royal Opera House

“Just wanted to say what a thoroughly worthwhile and pleasant time I had yesterday, it really fired me up and was exactly what I needed. You sure know your stuff and I'm really grateful for all your tip top tips.”

BECTU Brand Me

For more information and to register please visit our webpage on http://www.skillschannel.tv/managing_teams_2013.html
  

Workshop Description

This three day modular programme will help new or experienced television people manage and lead creative teams.

The key benefits of completing the programme are:
- Improved and motivated teams
- Clearer focus on direction and roles
- Improved delegation skills
- Higher profile in the sector through developed networking techniques
- Heavily financially supported programme
- Opportunity to meet and develop relationships with industry peers
- Sessions delivered by industry professionals
- Access to one to one coaching support during and after the programme 

Module One: Strategic Leadership

Exploring the role and responsibilities of managers and leaders in the creative sector

Module Two: Getting the Best Out of People

What makes people tick, how does this work with your management style? We explore the skills of motivation, delegation and giving feedback to developing creative teams.

Module Three: Getting In, Getting On

How to promote your team and develop the business side of the services they offer. Content includes branding teams, networking and setting clear direction.

For more information and to register please visit our webpage on http://www.skillschannel.tv/managing_teams_2013.html

Who is this aimed at?

This course is aimed at ambitious, new or current creative who want to learn the art of people and team management. The group will be a great chance to learn and network from others who work in the creative sector, particularly from film, television and new media.

21 hours
Duration: 3 days
Dates: Friday 18 October, Friday 1 November & Friday 15 November 2013
Location: mac, Birmingham

Price: £175 ex VAT, £210 inc VAT (For current BECTU, BAFTA, RTS and Producers Forum Members £100 ex VAT, £120 inc VAT)
Maximum number of participants: 12
Contact: info@skillschannel.tv

For more information and to register please visit our webpage on http://www.skillschannel.tv/managing_teams_2013.html

Job Opportunities - GBSLEP

Another job opportunity spotted on the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership GBSLEP website. The links to apply will go live on Monday 2nd September so go take a look before the crowds
They say..
'At the forefront of the national LEP movement, GBSLEP is looking for three talented and enthusiastic individuals to support the Board to deliver its Strategy for Growth. Focusing on project management; communications and engagement; and professional, policy and administrative support; the successful applicants will have a key role to play in driving forward this exciting agenda.'

Job Opportunities Spotted!

Rob, who's a member of the Digital Media Businesses Steering Group, emailed us yesterday to say 'Do you post Job Opportunities?' Well, yes! He'd spotted these job opportunities posted on LinkedIn and wanted to share them with the DM community.

The first opportunity is with Connecting Element, Digital and Social Media consultants based in Birmingham. They say 'We regularly scout for new talent to join our friendly team of digital professionals, which include consultants, content writers, social-media monitors, SEO experts, developers and designers.
Interesting in working with us? Call Karen on 07776 257932 or email your CV and one or two work samples to karen@connectingelement.co.uk'

The second batch of opportunities is with Red Eye, who say they are 'Conversion Rate Optimisation Specialists' with expertise in email marketing and web testing and optimisation. (I hope I got that right!). they have a whole list of jobs on their website, including this one for an Email Designer

'Email Designer / Executive – Milton Keynes
RedEye are seeking a talented Email Designer/Executive who will be responsible for the design, and building of emails for our client base. You will be creative, motivated and able to hit the ground running on a variety of tasks.'
Visit the jobs page on thier website for more http://www.redeye.com/about-us/jobs/

Innovation in Growing Cities - Nesta Event

We saw this event in Nesta's latest email newsletter... Sounds perfect for those with an interest in Birmingham as a centre of innovation

Date: 24.10.2013 10:00 - 16:00
Location: Birmingham
Join us at this major innovation event in Birmingham to explore the central theme of social innovation in growing cities.
This free two-part event will provide Local Enterprise Partnerships  (LEPs) and other organisations with the practical tools to grow jobs and use open data effectively.

To maximise the benefit of the event the day will be split into two distinct sections - a morning of presentations and conversations exploring innovating growth in jobs and an afternoon event workshop on Open Data Challenge Prizes.

The afternoon session has been designed specifically to bring together those with interest and expertise to offer to our open data challenge prize around energy and the environment and will be focused around a participatory workshop during which we will agree the challenge questions for our prize programme.

Following the session, we will issue an open invitation for ideas based on open data which address the challenges set, an innovation and creation weekend, development support to promising ideas and the opportunity to pitch for a grand prize of £40-50,000.
Speakers will include Birmingham City Council’s Leader, Sir Albert Bore and Nesta’s Chief Executive, Geoff Mulgan, amongst social innovators and experts.
You're welcome to attend one or both events but please register soon as places are limited.

Read more and book a place here

Invitation to Birmingham Show and Tell – Young Rewired State 2013

BBC and Birmingham City Council are delighted to invite you to Birmingham Show and Tell - Young Rewired State 2013
Please RSVP: digital@birmingham.gov.uk by Tuesday 6 August 2013

Invitation to Birmingham Show and Tell – Young Rewired State 2013
Come along and meet Birmingham’s Next Generation Coders


Where: BBC Mailbox
When: Thursday 8 August 2013
Time: 18.00 – 19.30
Dress code: Informal

Programme includes:

• Welcome: Catherine Hearne, Head of Regional & Local Programming, BBC Midlands
• Creating a brighter future for Birmingham: Sir Albert Bore, Leader, Birmingham City Council
• Code a better Birmingham – what next for YRS: Lara Ratnaraja, Independent Consultant
• Rising to the challenge: Birmingham Centre Kids & Mentors

What’s it all about?
Around 600 young coders will be arriving at Birmingham’s Custard Factory on 9 August as Young Rewired State’s Festival of Code returns to the city for its second consecutive year. Participants as young as 5 and up to the age of 18 will be working in over 50 centres across the UK including the local centres BBC Birmingham and Birmingham City University in the lead up to the festival. From the 5th - 9th the young coders will develop apps, websites, and digital prototypes alone or in teams using open data and will then unite in Birmingham at the Custard Factory on the 9th August for the weekend to present their ideas to Judges.

Join us at the BBC for an informal gathering of key city leaders across the public, private and community sector together with the Birmingham young coders to share and celebrate with them what they have created. Hear from them why coding, collaboration and creativity will be an important bedrock of innovation for Birmingham’s future economy and how YRS is helping them to exploit the economic, social and education potential of coding.

Refreshments and pizza!

Invitation only event: Please RSVP to digital@birmingham.gov.uk by Tuesday 6 August 2013

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY!

We all know that funding is getting harder to come by, so we were delighted that Susannah Goh of Birmingham Science City told us about this opportunity from Creative England.

The £1m pot is targeted at small and medium sized enterprises in the Creative Digital Media Sector in our region and comprises of deferred payment and/or interest free loans. If you're developing new work in the markets listed below, why not get the Expression of Interest form filled out straight away.

•     Cross Platform TV development
•     feature film production
•     Healthcare
•     Government Services
•     Games, Interactive Entertainment and Mobile Content
•     Business To Business
•     E-Learning
•     Mobile applications

The deadline for registrations of interest is: 21st August 2013. Visit the web page for more details and to submit your expression of interest.

Another fantastic opportunity!

We've had this fantastic email in our inbox this morning. It sounds almost too good to be true!

Are you a UK creative innovator? Need a grant to meet up with your opposite numbers in the Far East? Check out the opportunity being offered below...

UK-China 'Design in Innovation' Forum and Business Partnering Workshop 

This initiative is being organised by BIS/ FCO Science and Innovation Network (SIN), Innovate China UK (ICUK) and the Technology Strategy Board/ Creative Industries KTN and will visit the cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou between 14-18th October, 2013.

The mission will connect UK creative innovators and designers with their counterparts and technology-based companies in China across target sectors including creative economy, sustainability, additive manufacturing, future cities and digital healthcare.

Travel and accommodation grants will be offered to 10 successful applicants. Further information including a downloadable application form can be found on the website here. Completed application forms should be returned to richard@creativeindustriesktn.org by Monday, August 5th.

Awards Opportunity - closes 29th July

@BhamScienceCity's Susannah Goh tells us about an award for those working in digital technologies...

Image Credit: Kristian Dela Cour

Catching up on news from the ICT Knowledge Transfer Network, today, I came across the announcement of the  prestigious Next Gen 13 national competition for digital technologies within  ‘next generation access infrastructure’. (Details can be found at: http://www.nextgenevents.co.uk/awards ).  If you know of a business or initiative that will fit the bill, please contact awards@nextgenevents.co.uk   by 29th July.

The awards are:

• Urban (Fixed) – digital access infrastructure deployments in city and urban areas
• Rural (Fixed) - digital access deployments for rural and ‘hard to reach’ areas.
• Mobile – service developments in mobile cellular and public Wi-Fi connectivity
• Network Quality – initiatives and systems designed to improve the performance quality of networks and their design/deployment

(With the exception of Mobile the Digital Network categories are technologically neutral)

• Open Data – the use of Open Data in commercial, community or public service projects together with related Cloud Computing services, facilities and systems for large volume (Big Data) and the capacity for high performance processing.
• Digital Innovation – includes examples of innovative products and services and initiatives to improve ‘innovation capacity’.
• Digital Skills – Projects, Services and campaigns that increase digital skills levels amongst individuals, SMEs and charities, and that contribute to Go ON UK's vision of making the UK the most digitally skilled nation in the world.

All that the Next Gen team  need is:

• a contact name, email and phone number
• a brief summary statement of your work or project (maximum 40 words plus Web url) and
• the implementation status of your project - whether at design stage, in Beta testing or fully operational.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

If you are would like to explore possibilities and collaborative partnerships, contact Susannah Goh at Birmingham Science City s.goh@aston.ac.uk

(Image Credit: Kristian Dela Cour)