The South Yorkshire Film Makers Network



		Welcome to Sheffield Filmmakers Online >> What is it? An ever-expanding group of young, entrepreneurial filmmakers. A web resource for Sheffield-based filmmakers. A series of regular seminar/meetings for anyone based in Sheffield and working or starting out in the film, TV or non-broadcast sectors. An exciting opportunity for Sheffield’s visual arts industries. Primarily, the network offers members the opportunity to meet other professionals, semi-professionals and film students from Sheffield and its surrounding area and to develop skills in either their own field or alternative fields. The network is supported in kind by The Site Gallery and Sheffield Independent Film. >> How does it work? The SFN meets every Sunday evening and primary contact is made during the week via email or private message groups on the net. All meetings have a specific theme and purpose, ranging widely but depending on the expertise of individual members. Recent topics of meetings have included, for example: Raising Finance for Film Production Sound Design Visual Effects: FAQ Rights, Ownership and Income Streams >> Who can join? Nearly everyone who has experience in the industry (and who lives in the general vicinity) can join the SFN. Members currently range from semi-professional and professional filmmakers to postgraduate film students, and comprise a number of other production companies as well, including Storm Front Digital Pictures and High Tide Productions Ltd. Members include writers, producers, directors, sound designers, musical composers, editors, camera operators, sound recordists and animators, amongst others. >> What is happening at the moment? The SFN are currently working together on a number of different projects, including a series of film poems (filmed adaptations of poetry) and several short films (that are in various stages of development) including INversions (written by Ed Cartledge) and Bully Boy (written by Ben Smith). Of course, most members are also currently engaged in projects outside of the Network, but more and more frequently, we are seeing Network members employ or collaborate with one another, enhancing the productivity of individuals, companies and the Network as a whole. >> Some recent achievements: As a result of the Network… Sort Of...Films Ltd. Has attracted commissions totalling in excess of £25,000 as well as other freelancing opportunities. High Tide Productions have secured a sales agent for their WWII documentary ‘In Toni’s Footsteps’. Sound Recordist Dai Prout has had the opportunity to record the sound for a big budget 35mm short film photographed by Brian Tuffano (Trainspotting, Billy Elliot). Ed Cartledge has found a dedicated producer for the film INversions and the once stalled project is now steaming ahead. We are also currently running a Screenwriter’s Forum as a subset of the Network. Meeting weekly and discussing members’ own screenplays as well as wider issues such as structure, character and style, the forum hopes to develop into a widely recognised series of seminars and meetings for new screenwriters in the Sheffield area.


	This week's meeting will be at SIF at 6pm The topic - catching up and the 1-minute film project >> News article 1 Welcome to the year 2004, the year of The Sheffield Filmmakers Network. This is where it all begins. Make it your new year's resolution to get involved or get more involved. There will be countless films being made through the network over the course of the next year, get in touch if you want to be a part of that! The CIQ is developing at a breakneck speed and new fellowships are being forged between the various filmmaking groups in the region - Sheffield Independent Film, The Northern Media School, The Workstation, Screen Yorkshire. Our network is going to be a central part of these developments, benefitting you, our members with greater access to advice and expertise, equipment and resources and networking opportunities to help you drive your career forward - right here in Yorkshire! >> News article 2 The SFN 1 minute film project is underway. The project involves up to 15 directors shooting consecutive minutes of the same film. Each 1-minute section is written and made following the director's viewing of the material that has already been made. Clear? Good. It's a bit like a game of consequences. Come join the fun! For more information, get onto Dave - djfmaloney@hotmail.com >> News article 3 Rob Speranza's film poem project is gathering pace. Three new films have now been shot and are in post-production. These are Dave Maloney's Start Now, Cat Seymour's Gorgeous and Ed Catledge's Lost Thoughts. For more information on the project, get onto Rob - rob@sheffieldfilmmakers.co.uk