The film industry is a difficult thing to understand from the outside. What do all those people in the film credits do? How do they pay the bills? Most importantly how did they find their way in? This discussion, presented as part of Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival 2013 will provide some answers to the burning questions of emerging filmmakers.

In this discussion we hear from six panel members from varied backgrounds within the film industry - from devising to shooting, producing to distributing. They pass on their hard-earned knowledge and words of guidance. It's all about networks, research, collaboration, and most importantly jumping in at the deep end. Oh, and be prepared to work seven days a week!

Rob Savage is a young award-winning writer/director based across London and the Midlands. He shot his debut feature Strings when he was 18. He has since directed a number of award winning short films and music videos.

Maddy Probst joined Watershed in 2002. She and the Programme team work collaboratively with a whole range of partner organisations, festivals and creatives in Bristol and beyond to develop Watershed’s cultural and engagement programme. She manages DepicT! and a number of young people’s engagement initiatives including Electric December and Fresh Flix.

Gavin Humphries has run Quark Films since it was founded in 2006 when he completed the Producing MA at the UK’s National Film and Television School. He actively produces all of Quark’s projects from development through production and on to distribution and exhibition.

Henry Beattie is Acquisitions Consultant at Transmission Films, acquiring feature films. He helps to identify projects for pre-sale and co-financing at script stage as well as screening completed films and footage at festivals and markets.

IdeasTap is a network and online resource for those working in the creative industries. They are an arts charity helping creatives break into the industry, demystifying the industries by publishing articles, hosting professional devlopment events and commissioning.

Will Davies is the Director of Programming at IdeasTap. He coordinates and hosts the IdeasTap Spa, a programme of professional development and career advice events.

Laura McFarlane, Partnerships Manager at IdeasTap, helps to coordinate all of the funding that goes to IdeasTap members, dealing with the winners and keeping everyone up to date with the projects as they happen. She also support the development team with projects like the IdeasTap Photographic Award.

Related links:
IdeasTap
Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival

Posted on Wed 18 Sept 2013.

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