Emerging Filmmakers Selected for Masterclasses with Multi-Award-Winning Producer David Puttnam through the Puttnam Scholars Scheme

Future Screens NI, NI Screen, Screen Ireland and Atticus Education Announce Puttnam Scholars

Screen Skills Ireland, the skills development unit within Screen Ireland, is delighted to partner with Northern Ireland Screen, Future Screens NI and Atticus Education to offer eight individuals (four Northern Ireland residents and four Republic of Ireland residents) the opportunity to attend 6 two hour online masterclasses with Oscar-winning producer David Puttnam (MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, CHARIOTS OF FIRE, THE KILLING FIELDS).

The participants will also receive a special Scholarship from Atticus Education of €1,500 each, which they can use to further their career development. The scholarship bursaries are supported by Accenture in Ireland.

Speaking about the initiative, David Puttnam said, “This Atticus Education-Puttnam Scholars initiative with Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen is something about which I am truly excited. The series will provide participants with new ways of thinking about their careers, encouraging them to consider why the role of cinema may be ever more important during these unsettled days; days that may be filled with anxiety and change, but – with the right story to tell – also offer the possibility of renewal and hope.”

The eight participants are all up-and-coming writers, directors, or producers that have either made their first feature or television drama or are in the process of developing their first feature or television drama.

The four Northern Ireland participants were selected through a Future Screens NI initiative and the four Republic of Ireland participants were nominated by four Irish higher education institutions.

The eight participants are:

· Mark McNally – Screenwriter selected by Future Screens NI

· Grace Sweeney – Documentary Producer/Director selected by Future Screens NI

· Kiran Archarya – Documentary Filmmaker selected by Future Screens NI

· Janine Cobain – Producer selected by Future Screens NI

· Simon Doyle – Producer nominated by IADT

· David O’Sullivan – Producer/Director nominated by TU Dublin

· Laura O’Shea – Actor/Writer/Director nominated by Limerick School of Art and Design

· Sean Clancy – Director nominated by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

The Atticus Education Puttnam Scholars masterclasses will be online and fully interactive. They are designed to enhance participants’ understanding of the creative process, and the cultural context within which the screen industries operate. Across the six masterclasses, David Puttnam will explore the following themes:

1.     The Origin: Why does film matter?

2.     The Power of Identity: How can film make the personal universal?

3.     From Plot to Premiere: How a small idea can make its way to the screen, using the case-study of Local Hero.

4.     The Evolution of Creativity: How to cultivate ideas and innovation on set

5.     Music and Meaning: How do you know what you want your film to sound like?

6.     Interpreting the Future: How ongoing changes across the screen industries have been accelerated by the global pandemic.

Commenting on the scheme, Désirée Finnegan, CEO of Screen Ireland said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Northern Ireland Screen, on the exciting Atticus Education-Puttnam Scholars initiative, which provides a unique opportunity for emerging creative talent to learn from acclaimed and visionary Oscar-winning producer David Puttnam. This initiative is a great example of innovation in sectoral learning that is more relevant than ever in these times, as the masterclasses will all be online and fully interactive. We are very proud to support this programme and wish the participants every success as they develop their careers.

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said; “We are delighted to be working with Screen Ireland and Future Screens NI on the Puttnam Scholars initiative which offers eight emerging filmmakers an exceptional opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business, David Puttnam. Opportunities like this are needed more than ever in the current climate. Access to an industry heavyweight like David is invaluable at this early stage of their careers. We wish all the participants every success.”

Cinemagic ‘home’ filmmaking opportunity for 12-25yr olds launched in partnership with Future Screens NI

Young creatives aged 12-25 are being sought for the Cinemagic and Future Screens NI Filmmaking initiative ‘HOME’, which will take place online from July-October 2020. In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Cinemagic wishes to give a platform to young people to share their experiences of life spent at home during lockdown. The initiative will be delivered in three phases including learning about the discipline of filmmaking from industry professionals, practical filmmaking, and film exhibition as part of the Cinemagic Online Film Festival in October. The opportunity will equip young people with insight and knowledge about the world of film and filmmaking and it will enable participants to take what they have learned and put their skills and talent into practice, culminating in a celebratory event to mark their achievements.

Cinemagic CEO, Joan Burney Keatings MBE commented “We can’t wait to get started on the ‘HOME’ filmmaking project in partnership with Future Screens NI. The partnership will enable Cinemagic to inspire and educate young people through the vehicle of filmmaking.

We will offer special training and skills development to a group of young creatives to ignite ideas and help them turn their ideas into short films on their interpretation of the theme of ‘Home’. The theme has been chosen as the population has spent more time in their homes over the last three months because of the Covid-19 Pandemic and we want to provide an outlet to tell young people’s stories and share their individual experiences through moving image. These original productions will be screened in-competition and celebrated at this year’s Belfast Cinemagic Film Festival in the autumn and showcased at Cinemagic festival events in 2021.”

Director Future Screens NI, Professor Paul Moore added “The importance of the work which Cinemagic does for young people and the film industry is well known and recognised. This creative and skills-based work becomes even more important in a time where the digital industries can play a major role in rethinking how young people can be enabled to learn and develop talents which will facilitate entry into the moving image professions. It is a privilege to be able to support this work and partner with Cinemagic and the young people who will be involved in the “Home’ project. I am convinced it will bring a new level of meaning to the term ‘working from home’ and cannot wait to see the imaginings which emerges.”

To sign up for the project, which is free of charge, 12-25yr olds from Northern Ireland are asked to submit an online registration form to info@cinemagic.org.uk by 5pm on 18 July 2020. 

Further details will be provided after registration. To note, participants will require

-Access to a computer or mobile phone to take part in zoom video calls/webinars

-A device in which you can film with (iPhone /smart phone/ small DSLR.)

-Access to a computer with editing facilities. Some free options are Lightworks (Windows + Mac) / iMovie (Mac only). https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-free-video-editing-software/

18th July | Deadline to Apply

20th July | Successful applicants notified

PHASE 1

27th July | Introductory Masterclass

30th July | Industry Production Masterclass 1

3rd August | Industry Production Masterclass 2

6th August | Industry Production Masterclass 3

There will be specific production masterclasses for 12-17 yr olds and 18-25 yr olds and parent/guardian permission is required for under 18s. Phase 1 will run from 27th July to 6th August.

Times to be confirmed and dates subject to change.

PHASE 2

6th August | Cinemagic set the brief for the practical filmmaking

18th September | Deadline for films to be submitted

PHASE 3

October | online film festival, feedback and awards ceremony.

 Ends://

Press Information: Claire Shaw, Cinemagic Press Officer, claire@cinemagic.org.uk

Rainbow Dancers - A Partnership with MMD Studios, Future Screens NI, Id Company, and Ryan Jenkins

Claire McMahon Mooney founder of MMD Dance Studios has teamed up with Future Screens NI and world-renowned choreographer Ryan Jenkins to develop Rainbow Dancers.  Rainbow Dancers is a project which has allowed hundreds of children and young people from Lurgan and Craigavon to continue their dance education safely at home, alone together.  This initiative has provided children and young people and their families the opportunity to remain connected during the crisis.  Rainbow Dancers has encouraged 100s of children and families to stay home and save lives during the ongoing crisis.

The Rainbow Dancers programme which is delivered via MMD online offers 10 classes per week which ballet, street dance and contemporary, toning and dance fitness.  As a mum of 3, Claire quickly adapted her kitchen into a dance studio and delivers classes at home via Zoom.  Classes are delivered in partnership and accredited with iD Company which is the UK’s top independent Contemporary and Street Dance and Teacher Training Organisation founded by World Renowned Choreographer Ryan Jenkins. 

“'iD-Company pushes boundaries for excellence with leading choreographers of our generation and is a ground breaking movement that will nurture the talent of tomorrow."

Founder, Ryan Jenkins

MMD Studios was founded in 2012 and has more than 200 students.  Founder Claire McMahon Mooney has always been conscious that the costs of attending multiple classes could have significant negative impacts upon local family budgets.  The majority of dancers attending MMDs are from low income families.  MMD is built on the ethos of ensuring that each dancer can develop their talent without cost acting as a barrier.  Claire has offered access to her full online dance programme at a maximum costs of £10 per month.  Claire’s main objective has been to keep her dance community, connected, safe and dancing through the crisis.

MMDS serves the community of Lurgan and Craigavon which exhibits high levels of deprivation and significant health inequalities.  Dance is recognised as having positive impacts upon health and wellbeing, improving mental health and reducing suicide risk (Canning et al., 2017).  Access to dance education is therefore more pertinent in the context of Covid-19.  The MMDS model is heavily built upon face to face approaches in the delivery of dance classes.  MMDS has developed a community building approach centred upon the development of friendship both within and between families. The Covid-19 crisis has removed the capacity for MMD to deliver this model routinely.  Founder Claire McMahon Mooney acted quickly in response to Covid-19 and halted the physical provision of dance classes prior to the closure of schools in NI.  MMDS focused immediately on the transition to virtual dance lessons delivered within an interactive environment.  Virtual dance lessons present a mechanism for the ongoing advancement of technique and mastery of dance. 

“Funding from Future Screens NI has allowed me to continue to provide dance education and to connect with my dancers and their families.  Covid-19 caused the immediate collapse of my business.  The capacity to offer high quality dance education in partnership with iDcompany has ensured that MMD studios not only survived the crisis but has become more innovative and grown.  I am very proud to be working at the forefront of dance education supported by Future Screens NI.  Most importantly as a dance community we are more connected than ever”

Claire McMahon Mooney, Founder MMD Dance Studios

“When Covid-19 hit the region, it was very strange and stressful.  We didn’t know that Rose’s last day at pre-school was her last day.  She  lost the capacity to connect with her friends and learn in group setting.  There were no more swimming and dance lessons, all of which she loved. Claire contacted me about online classes and we immediately signed up.  In the early days of the crisis we found ourselves laughing and connecting as a family as we had to take the classes at home too to ensure that Rose felt comfortable.  This changed our experience of the crisis.  We had a fun activity to do each day at home and our daughter could connect with other children her age.  Her dance has improved significantly.  I have no doubt that Claire’s classes improved our health and wellbeing and significantly reduced our anxiety in the early days of the crisis. I do not know what we would have done without her.  We could also exercise safely at home which ensured we stayed at home.  There were droves of people passing our front gate.  It was frightening to go outside, so instead we stayed in and danced!”

Mum of Róise 3, MMD Dancer

Claire is working hard in preparation for the reopening of MMDs.  Claire has mapped out her studio to ensure that when it is safe to open each dancer with have a six foot dance space.  Claire has been educating her dancers that if “We are to keep safe we must keep a distance”.

Supporting Communities In Crisis During Covid-19 to Stay Home and Save Lives

A Partnership between Relapse Pictures, Belfast City Council, Clonard Residents Association, Department for Communities and Future Screens NI

Award Winning Documentary Maker Dr Seán Murray of Relapse Pictures recently completed his PhD at Queenʼs University Belfast, a key partner of FSNI. Seán and his company won the 2019 Royal Television Society Award for Best Documentary. When the Covid-19 Crisis hit, Seán transformed his film studio into a Hub to provide food and support to families across Belfast. The actions of Seán, volunteers and partners have ensured that 100ʼs of children, families, vulnerable people and older people have had access to food and support and have remained connected during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis supporting people to stay home and save lives.

Sean is also working with Future Screens NI to assist communities to remain connected. In particular he is broadening access to technology and encouraging residents to share their stories of the crisis.

“Iʼm recently widowed living alone with COPD. I havenʼt left the house in weeks. At the start of this I felt frightened and alone. My family live all over Ireland and are not close by. They are doing their best but could not get to me every day. Seán from Relapse Pictures has delivered food, checked in on me and helped me stay safe well. I donʼt know what I would have done without them.”

Belfast Resident, aged 73

“Our project hopes to understand the narrative within local communities in the context of Covid 19 in order to shape the way we both think and prepare for similar, future events. Key to this is how we technologise our connectedness and shared experiences in reinforcing social cohesiveness for the most vulnerable. We are a grassroots production company embedded in the local community and this funding will go a long way to making a difference in the current economic climate.”

Dr Seán Murray, Award Winning Documentary Maker, Relapse Pictures

Harper the Wonder Dog: Supporting Children in Transition During Covid-19

A Partnership with West Belfast Partnership Board, Author Liz Gough, Department for Education NI, Future Screens NI, and Yellow Design

The ongoing Covid-19 crisis and the uncertainty of lockdown has made the transition from Primary 1 to Preschool more challenging for families. The West Belfast Partnership Board, Yellow Design, Future Screens NI and others are supporting 23,576 Pre-school children and their families and across NI in their transition from Pre-School to Primary One ensuring they are supported safely at home.

Research was undertaken with 25 Nursery Schools, 19 Primary Schools and 12 Sure Start Areas which identified the following:

• The Covid-19 Crisis had shifted learning from School to Home and from physical to digital creating the necessity to deliver age appropriate key health and education messages to early years, Nursery and Foundation Stage children and parents

• Harper the Wonder Dog Could be employed digitally to deliver key messages through a virtual and digital space to the greatest possible number of young children who are currently learning at home.

• The Digital Harper the Wonder Dog Project reduced the anxiety of both children and parents regarding return to school and transition to Nursery and from Nursery to Year 1

This research has informed the development of digitally creative educational content in response to the Covid-19 crisis which is assisting children, families and communities across NI to respond to a new way of learning and teaching outside the classroom while staying at home. Harper the Wonder Dog and partners are assisting children to better understand the crisis in a safe way and by distributing accessible and age appropriate public health message. The series was developed at home by local West Belfast author Liz Gough, Award Winning Educationalist Angela Mervyn from the West Belfast Partnership Board and Future Screens NI Future Fellow and Creative Industry Trailblazer Michael McGlade of Yellow Design.

Come along and meet Harper and find out more from Liz, Angie and Michael about their ongoing work!

A selection of Episodes can be accessed via the link below:

Washing Your Hands

Having Fun Indoors

Playing in the Garden

Helping at Home

You can meet Harper the Wonder Dog at 12pm pm on Tuesday the 23rd of June.  Tickets are available here: https://tinyurl.com/y97ycef6