Member Article

Top names join Teesside University to showcase its work with creative media businesses

Teesside University is hosting a series of free business networking events around the North East and Yorkshire, featuring some of the UK’s most influential names in film, TV and interactive media.

The events* will showcase the extensive range of support services available from the University’s School of Arts & Media for creative media businesses to help them grow, diversify, network and ultimately become more profitable.

The events in Leeds, Newcastle and Darlington in October and November are aimed at small, medium and large businesses working in the commercial digital media sector, such as independent TV and film production companies and those keen to learn more about exploiting a number of media platforms to generate more income from their work.

The interactive events will look at a wide range of issues such as the changing landscape of creative media, current commissioning processes and opportunities, funding in the film industry, developments in digital media and what the changes in the sector mean for the independent producer.

Panellists already confirmed for the Leeds event include Spooks and Ashes to Ashes producer Howard Burch and former MD of digital media for Endemol, Peter Cowley, who now runs his own international multi-platform production company, Spirit Digital Media.

High profile names from Film4, the British Film Institute and Creative England will form the panel for the film themed event at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Tarek Nseir, MD of TH_NK- the digital agency that led the detailed creative execution of Harry Potter website ‘Pottermore’- is just one of the panellists appearing in Darlington with more to be confirmed.

All of the events will be informal, providing guests with an opportunity to speak to a panel of high profile media experts, network with other media and creative professionals and find out more about how Teesside University’s School of Arts &Media could help with their business development.

Teesside University is one of 23 Skillset Media Academies, a group of UK institutions identified by Skillset on behalf of the UK television and interactive industries as centres of excellence in creative media education and training.

The School of Arts & Media provides a range of easy, flexible ways to develop and offers short, professional courses aimed at those wanting to improve skills in the workplace and keep ahead of changes and advances in the sector.

Some of the courses offered to businesses at Teesside University include: - media training for both business and public sector organisations; final cut pro, motion 5 and directing for green screen for filmmakers; acting for green screen for performers; fashion, portrait, product and wedding photography for photographers; and press and PR and on-line video journalism for journalists.

Professor Gerda Roper, Dean of the School of Arts & Media said: “The University works in partnership with some of the biggest names in the media industry. As a result, we are able to provide a range of business support services that are relevant and up to date. These events demonstrate our commitment to supporting creative media businesses in the north of England. Each event will address important issues and look at innovations in the sector and how they will affect those working in it.”

Scott Watson, business development manager at the School of Arts & Media said: “We’ll also be showcasing our wide range of courses that we’re now offering to professionals around the UK. The School of Arts & Media provides businesses and individuals with some of the most advanced courses to help prosper and grow whether you’re a new start-up or already well established. We make sure people are kept abreast of developments and opportunities to allow them to flourish in a very competitive sector.”

* Events as follows: -

• Wednesday 19th October, Round Foundry, Leeds, 6pm-9pm “The rise of social TV and the second screen’
• Wednesday 9th November, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead Quays, Newcastle, 6pm-9pm “Navigating the new landscape of film financing”
• Wednesday 30th November, Teesside University, Darlington Campus, 6pm-9pm “Murder on the trans-media express”

For more information on the events or to book a place please contact Scott Watson, business development manager, School of Arts & Media on 01642 738527 or email s.watson@tees.ac.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .