Dig your dream trails!

Filmmaker wanted for 25 September 2010, Mote Park, Maidstone

For the first time ever, Red Bull Backyard Digger has touched down on British soil on a quest to bring the best dirt trails imaginable to the UK. I’m talking the best BMX dirt trails, built for the best, by the best and you can be part of it!

Red Bull has teamed up with their very own Kye Forte to create the Red Bull Backyard Digger competition where they’ve been on the hunt for the best location to build these dream trails.  BMX enthusiasts from all over the country entered the competition and now Red Bull Backyard Digger will be heading to Mote Park in Maidstone. Alex Tenters, James Walton and Alex Brown submitted this BMX hotspot where the team are now preparing to get designing and digging for the start of the build in September.

Red Bull is on the lookout for an inspired filmmaker to head to Mote Park to dish the dirt and dig out all of the information on the build. If you think that you’ve got what it takes then make sure you submit your best piece of work and tag it with ‘Red Bull Backyard Digger’ to be in with a chance of reporting from this unique project.

Frome Cobble Wobble

Frome Cobble Wobble 2010 – Aspiring Photographer Wanted for 17.09.2010, Frome

This September, Red Bull is supporting what can arguably be described as the UK’s take on the Tour de France – Frome’s Cobble Wobble. Picture this – hundreds of crazy cyclists time trialling up 179 yards of steep cobbles in the sleepy town of Archangel, each aiming to make the best time. Obviously, Red Bull takes this sport very seriously and are therefore on the hunt for the King of the Cobbles 2010.

The fastest 20 riders from the whole Cobble Wobble will be timed to establish the Charge Bikes King of the Cobbles 2010. Once the cobbled chaos has calmed down, the winner will be crowned at the exciting awards ceremony taking place after the event.

If you think that this all sounds too bizarre to be true, and feel like you’ve got to see it for yourself then hesitate no longer. Red Bull is looking for an aspiring photographer to come along and capture all of the mayhem, as and when it happens. Up for the challenge? Simply submit your best piece of work and tag it with ‘Frome Cobble Wobble 2010’.

Howzat!?

Red Bull Catch 2:2 Final – Aspiring Writer Wanted for 17.09.2010 at The Oval, London

You’d probably think that I’d be lying if I said that Red Bull has invented a game of cricket that takes only 15 minutes and four people to play… and you’d probably laugh out loud if I told you that the Oval is going to host it. Still not convinced? Well read on…

Red Bull Catch 2:2 has taken cricket fans up and down the country by storm this summer. The traditional rules of cricket have been defied to create an accelerated new format of the game that can be played by four people, in 15 minutes. The rules are simple: two teams, two players, and two overs. Rapid, rule-breaking, and really good fun.

Red Bull is extremely excited to announce that the final of the quintessentially English sport with a twist is fast approaching. Excited? Of course you are. But there’s more! The final is taking place at the England v. Pakistan One Day International at the one and only Oval on 17 September. And Red Bull is looking for a writer who’s got the skills to bowl them over with an action-packed report from the event. If you fit the bill, then what are you waiting for? Make sure you don’t let this fantastic opportunity slip through your fingers by submitting your best piece of work and tagging it with ‘Red Bull Catch 2:2 Final’.

Funding, networking and learning

Here’s the overview of The Media Festival Arts:

The Media Festival Arts in partnership with Arts Council England and the UK Film Council will offer cutting edge content fusing the digital agendas of the arts, film, media and technology. The festival was conceived to provide an environment in which media and arts professionals can meet, share and discuss new opportunities created a rapidly evolving digital media landscape.

The festival content will reflect the relationship between creative innovation, digital revenue streams and adding value to existing core activities. It will demonstrate how digital innovation can lead to mutually beneficial cross industry partnerships and new creative and commercial opportunities.

This festival aims to work towards a new settlement for public access to culture, to build a new public digital cultural space for the UK. The arts and the media industries need to talk and learn about shared possibilities, shared standards, shared technical solutions, and shared visions for what public service media can look like in the digital age.

Attending this three-day event (September 8-10, Roundhouse, London) means that you have the opportunity to network with hundreds of arts, media and technology bosses. The delegate list already has some of the big names in the industry. Also, this is your chance to find out how arts can collaborate with the media and broadcast industries to deliver 360-degree public service content as well as hearing about what available funding and investment opportunities are available for creative research and development.

I really cannot wait. I will be blogging during the conference, but I strongly encourage you to be part of the conversation especially if you are passionate about the arts, film and media. So if you can make it there, why not? Martian Landing readers get a 25% VIP discount. Just quote MARS25 when you register and hopefully see you there.

TMFA 2010

I’m so excited to be going to The Media Arts Festival this 8-10 September at The Roundhouse in London. And you lucky Martian Landing readers can get a 25% VIP discount by quoting MARS25 when you register.

This is your chance to be part of ongoing conversations on making digital collaboration happen in the arts, media and film. TMFA 2010 is the only event bringing together the arts and media sectors to outline the potential for collaboration, skills exchange and partnership.

Peter Bazalgette, Deputy Chairman, English National Opera & Media Festival Arts Chair said:  “At the Media Festival Arts you’ll hear from some of the most imaginative pioneers in the online world.”

The Media Festival Arts promises to address the critical questions facing arts, film and media businesses at a time of widespread change.  As the new government beds in, and announces cuts, restructuring and economising of public funding mechanisms, and disruptive technologies continue to radically alter the way in which audiences consume, engage with and share content, the festival will bring together stakeholders from across the industries to discuss and debate the pressing issues faced by all, and find practical solutions to the challenges that lie ahead.

Key themes that will be discussed at the Festival:

• Monetising digital content
• Creative applications of digital content
• Creating compelling online brand experiences
• Social gaming
• Developing interactive arts engagement
• Apps and the arts
• Meet TV and multiplatform arts commissioners
• Public service arts content
• Digital content sponsorship
• Digital rights negotiation and management
• Project Canvas
• Transforming digital audiences into live audiences
• Driving innovation through technology
• Getting to grips with Search Engine Optimisation, CRM and e-tailing

For more information, have a look at TMFA2010. Remember to take advantage of your VIP Martian Landing discount! Hope to see you there.

RTS Bristol

It has been a privilege being a judge for the 2009 Royal Television Society West of England Awards. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the entries and was really pleased that majority of my choices won.

Organised by the RTS Bristol Centre, it was held at The Watershed earlier this year and it was hosted by ITV News boss Ian Rumsey, who was a natural comic. ITV West did very well and it just shows that despite the turmoil ITV is experiencing at the moment, the south west team continues to strive to provide quality journalism.

The Bristol Centre was formed in 1927 – nearly a decade before the first public broadcast from Alexandra Palace took place. It is the oldest of the 15 regional centres. Current chair, Denis Lomax, opened the proceedings.

Here are the nominations and winners for the West of England Awards 2009. I took some photos of some of them receiving their awards.

Daytime
The One Show – Designed by Nature:Spiders
Tigress Productions for BBC 1
Producer Sam Hodgson
Director Sam Hodgson

Dickinson’s Real Deal WINNER
RDF Television for ITV
Producer Amanda Lowe
Directors Russell Brown / Chris Kay

The One Show – Secret Signposted Britain
Icon Films for BBC 1
Series Producer Dominic Weston
Director James Reed
Programmes below an indicative budget of £35k / half hour

Race Across America
Swift Films for ITV4
Producer – Richard Nicholls
Director  – Richard Nicholls

The Last Voices of World War One WINNER
Testimony Films for History Channel / Channel 4
Producer  – Steve Humphries
Director -   Nick Maddocks

Private Harry Patch
BBC West
Producers – Rob Wicks / Jenny Walmsley
Editor – Roger Farrant
Programmes above an indicative budget of £35K / half hour

Alone in the Wild – programme 1
Tigress Productions for Channel 4
Filmed, produced and Directed by Ed Wardle
Series Producer  – Stephen Finnigan

Monty Halls’ Great Escape – Programme 1
Tigress Productions for BBC 2
Director – Annie Backhouse
Producer - Martin Pailthorpe

Oz and James Drink to Britain WINNER
Presentable for BBC 2
Director – Michael Davies
Producer – Michael Davies

Specialist Factual  - Natural History

Black Mamba, White Witch
Tigress Productions for BBC 2
Executive Producer – Jeremy Bradshaw
Producer – Jo Scofield
Mountains of the Monsoon
Icon Films fo BBC
Director – Harry Marshall

Life: The Challenges of Life   WINNER
BBC Bristol for BBC 1
Producer  – Martha  Holmes
Editor – Martin Elsbury
Specialist Factual – other than Natural History

Around the World in 80 Trades – Programme 1
Tigress Productions for Channel 4
Director Paul Kittel
Exec Producer – Dick Colthurst

Deep Wreck Mysteries
Search for the Bone Wreck – ep. 6
Mallinson Sadler Productions for ITV West
Director – Crispin Sadler
Producer – Crispin Sadler

Flesh Eating River Monster WINNER
Icon Films for Five
Producer – Luke Wiles
Executive Producer – Harry Marshall

Graphics / Title Sequence
Jimmy’s Food Factory Titles
Burrell Durrant Hifle for BBC Scotland
Director – Jon Doe / John Durrant

Charles Darwin & the Tree of Life
Mick Connaire, Luke Wilmot and Tony Gilbert  for BBC
Producer Sacha Mirzoeff
Executive Producer – Brian Leith

Yellowstone Graphics WINNER
Burrell Durrant Hifle for BBC Natural History Unit
Director  – Rob Hifle
Animators: Paul Greer / Tim Willmott

Regional Journalist
Malcolm Prior
Nominated by BBC West

Matthew Hill
Nominated by BBC West

Rebecca Broxton WINNER
Nominated by ITV West

Single News Item
Repatriations – Wootton Bassett profile, ITV West

Harry Patch – The Funeral, ITV West WINNER

Terror Trial – The Intended Target, ITV West

Craft award for Camerawork
Duncan Fairs WINNER
Nominated by Icon Films

Tim Hughes
Nominated by ITV West

Jamie Beard
Nominated by ITV West

Newcomer
Christopher Stitchman
Nominated by Icon Films

Cordelia Lynch WINNER
Nominated by ITV West

The Judges Award
Race across America – Swift Films for ITV4
Producer Directors  – Richard Nicholls

The Awards were presented on the evening of February 26th at the Watershed in Bristol. Awards were presented by the Chair of judges Ian Rumsey.

I know it’s a little late, but still, well done to all and many congratulations to the winners and nominees.

Get the Carnival spirit!

Here’s another exciting Red Bull Assignment: photographer and writer wanted for Notting Hill Carnival (29th – 30th August 2010).

This year, Red Bull are sending aspiring reporters to London’s Notting Hill Carnival to get a real taste of the action – whether that be dancing in the street with the crowds, mingling with carnival-goers, or interviewing special guests. What’s more, Red Bull Music Academy will be hosting the hottest after party in town, featuring special guests, including Major Lazer and Sound Clash king, David Rodigan. Not only will these amazing artists propel you through Carnival, but they also have a few sneaky surprises up their sleeve for the night.

If you’ve got the carnival vibe, and reckon that you’re up to the challenge then simply submit your best piece of work and tag it with ‘Notting Hill Carnival’.

Don’t miss out!

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010: I ♥ Dance

Four weeks. More than 100 performances. World-class artists. That was International Dance Festival Birmingham 2010. I’ve had such an amazing time working as a Marketing and New Media Officer for the Festival. Not only did I get to work with such an amazing team from DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome, I have met some of the nicest and talented people in the world of dance such as the beautiful Rosie Kay, renowned British choreographer Akram Khan and Arthur Pita to name a few. The good news is that I am continuing with the online presence for IDFB and am very much looking forward to working more on this project.

I felt quite privileged to see such an extensive range of dance styles from renowned artists from all over the world. It was interesting to hear from the Arab artists about their shows and about how their dance is very much connected to their spiritual side. Here are a couple of videos of two talented artists from Tunisia/Algeria and Egypt from the IDFB channel on YouTube:

Ahmed Khemis, Tunisia/Algeria

Salah El Brogy, Egypt

Utopia and (in)visible / visible dancin’ were two great outdoor performances that were part of the Festival. These both proved how dance is increasingly becoming popular as the public have received them very well.

visible dancin’ – May 9, 2010, High Street, Birmingham

IDFB has reached canal networks, has been out and about in the region and has touched many around the world (thanks to being online). I very much look forward to the next one in 2012. Watch out for other news via its Facebook group. Really pleased to have seen it grow to more than 1,000. Check out its Flickr page too. The video packages, which I helped produced, will also be out soon. In the mean time, I leave you with a bit of Put Your Foot Down!

Put Your Foot Down! Finale – May 15, 2010, Bullring, Birmingham