New Screen Academy launched in Scotland
New Screen Academy launched in Scotland
Centre of excellence for future filmmakers announced
Monday 22nd August 2005.
EDINBURGH: A new screen academy in Scotland to educate and train filmmaking talent was launched today by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The Screen Academy at Napier University & Edinburgh College of Art has won extra funding and prestige as the industry endorsed place to develop a career in film. In addition to £½ million funding from Skillset over two years, the Screen Academy will also receive £300,000 of support from the Scottish Executive as part of Skillset's Scottish Sector Skills Agreement.
A UK wide network of seven Skillset academies, including a Film Business Academy, has been recognised by Skillset and the industry as providing the best film education and skills development at a further, higher and postgraduate level. The network is a key part of A Bigger Future, the UK Film Skills Strategy, a joint initiative by Skillset and UK Film Council to tackle the creative development and skills needs of all jobs across film from script development through to exhibition (screening films in cinemas), covering both new entrants and professional development for the existing workforce.
The success of Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art was celebrated today at an event at the Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh hosted by Donald Emslie, Chair of the Skillset and Scottish Screen Industry Skills Panel, and Chief Executive of SMG Television, and attended by the First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP.
Donald Emslie said:
"Scotland has a vibrant film industry which will be encouraged and supported by the Screen Academy at Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art. It's a well deserved achievement for them and for Skillset which has worked tirelessly alongside the industry in Scotland and the Scottish Executive to move this initiative forward. This network is an innovative solution to address the education and development of our creative workforce."
Professor Joan Stringer, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Napier University, said:
"The new Screen Academy at Napier University & Edinburgh College of Art is a major boost for the Scottish film and television industry. Students will be able to access quality industry education right here in Edinburgh producing employment-ready graduates who will help to develop a strong, successful film and television industry for Scotland and beyond. Through the tremendous support of Skillset, Scottish broadcasters, media organisations and cultural bodies the Screen Academy can set a benchmark for the UK and beyond."
Professor Brent MacGregor, Vice Principal, Edinburgh College of Art said:
"Edinburgh College of Art is pleased to be recognised by the industry, through Skillset, as a centre of excellence in film and animation production. The designation as a Screen Academy means that we can raise our game even further and that our long standing links with our friends and colleagues at Napier, have moved to a new stage. The screen industries in Scotland will continue to flourish because of this initiative which acknowledges consistent achievement over a period of decades and which points forward to an exciting new phase of educational and cultural development".
Key note speaker Iain Smith, producer of Cold Mountain and The Killing Fields, Chair of Skillset's Film Skills Strategy Committee overseeing the implementation of A Bigger Future, and UK Film Council and Scottish Screen board member, said:
"Congratulations to Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art on this truly momentous achievement. As a Skillset Screen Academy, with the support of Skillset, the industry and Scottish Screen, they will be able to expand on their successes and help build an aggressively competitive industry in an increasingly tough global market. The Skillset Screen Academy Network brings the industry and the education system much closer together ensuring UK film gets the skilled talent it needs for a strong and healthy business."
Ken Hay, Chief Executive, Scottish Screen said:
"Having a Screen Academy in Scotland is a very important development for the screen industries here. We are delighted that Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art have been successful in their bid to Skillset to establish this new training facility, which will greatly enhance the skills base of the sector and further strengthen the industry in Scotland."
As a direct result of their status as a Screen Academy, Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art will gain access to the Skillset 100, a database resource of 100 top industry professionals committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise through master classes, workshops and guest lectures. Skillset is also in continuing conversations with the SHEFC (Scottish Higher Education Funding Council), alongside the Scottish Executive, to explore future funding streams as part of it's Scottish Sector Skills Agreement.
The existing high-quality provision of training and award-winning record of both Napier and eca in film-making were key to securing Screen Academy status. Napier and eca have over twenty-five years experience of educating film-makers in fiction, documentary and animation production. Between them they currently operate two four-year undergraduate and four one-year taught Masters programmes in aspects of film production, as well as PhDs in research-by-practice. The Screen Academy will bring existing and planned Masters programmes together with the new Masters of Fine Art (MFA) in Advanced Film Practice, adding a programme of outreach and short course/CPD programmes developed and delivered in conjunction with industry. Further partners will become involved in the Academy as it develops and discussions with institutions in the drama education sector are well advanced.
By recognising Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art as centres of excellence and establishing the UK wide network, the film industry has a focus for its limited resources. The industry's endorsement will guide young people intent on a career in film to the best courses and highlight more structured entry routes. Bursaries and scholarships will also be available enabling the industry to benefit from a wider, more diverse pool of new talent and will also give people already working in the industry access to continuing professional development.
The network will share over £5m funding over two years from the Skillset Film Skills Fund, made up of industry investment via the Skills Investment Fund, a film production levy collected by Skillset, and National Lottery money channelled via the UK Film Council. The funding has been awarded to help them build on the excellence that has been recognised and will be spent on bursaries, outreach work to aid diversity in the industry, and course development in priority areas. The network will also work together to provide new courses (including the first ever film MBA), summer schools, work placements, master classes, online learning resources and a talent scout programme to help develop the brightest and the best.
The network is made up of single institutions and consortia, which submitted partnership bids. The application process to become part of the network opened in September 2004 and approval was on the basis of excellence and quality of existing provision and the ability to compliment each other across the full range of film education and skills needs. They will work together to share best practice, facilities, and resources and exchange information and ideas. They will also build upon the excellence they are already delivering by developing new courses and initiating collective projects in response to emerging needs.
Status as part of the Skillset Screen Academy Network will be monitored and evaluated by Skillset, and the industry, on an ongoing basis with a full review of membership taking place after two years.
-ENDS-
For more information on all A Bigger Future film skills initiatives visit www.skillset.org/film
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE:
Eve Ragout
020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325
eve@skillset.org
NAPIER PRESS OFFICE:
Catriona Lonie
0131 455 6314 / 07767 291 279
c.lonie@napier.ac.uk
ECA PRESS OFFICE:
Charlie Allen
0131 221 6215
c.allen@eca.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. Investing Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education, with the aim of delivering lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike.
3. Sector Skills Agreements (SSA) are a government endorsed initiative to ensure that the education and skills system more closely meets the real needs and demands of industry. Skillset's SSA is across three of its sectors - Film, TV and Interactive Media and has been developed by Skillset in partnership with employers, unions, trade organisations, colleges and universities, funding bodies, qualifications authorities and public agency partners.
4. Napier University is a modern and vibrant enterprise dedicated to supplying educational services which are relevant to the needs of today's students and employers. Napier aims to be widely regarded as the best modern university in Scotland by 2010. The School of Design & Media Arts is one of the premier centres for film education in Scotland. Over the past 10 years students and Alumni from The School of Design & Media Arts at Napier have achieved numerous successes across the different sectors of the UK Film Industry. As a major partner in the new Screen Academy, and through a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, including Photography, Film & Imaging; Screen Development; and Screen Writing; Napier University will set a benchmark in film education for the UK and beyond.
5. Edinburgh College of Art (eca) aims to be at the forefront of learning, creativity and research in the visual disciplines. With an international reputation as one of the most successful independent art colleges in the UK, eca is proud to offer students opportunities not available in other types of institution. Whether in terms of set design, special effects, model making or graphics, film and animation students can draw on a range of creative skills from their peers, in a way only possible in an art college.
eca has a phenomenal track record when it comes to industry awards. Students and graduates have been the recipients of British Academy Awards, Scottish BAFTAs and British Animation Awards. No other institution offering a BA degree course has had as many students reach finalist stage of the British Animation Awards - a particular achievement considering these awards are not restricted to student work alone. In the field of student awards, eca's filmmakers and animators have won more awards at Scottish Students on Screen than any other institution and have had more finalists at the Royal Television Society Student film awards than any other institution in the UK.
Becoming a centre of excellence in film and animation production means eca can raise its game even further. The screen academy initiative points forward to an exciting new phase of educational and cultural development.
6. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by Skillset and the UK Film Council with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales.
7. The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is a film production levy. UK films contribute 0.5 % of their total production budget up to a maximum of £39,500 to the levy which has raised £3m since its inception in 1999. The levy is currently voluntary unless a production is in receipt of public funding and following a widespread consultation with industry, Skillset is looking at progressing the levy to mandatory status.
Centre of excellence for future filmmakers announced
Monday 22nd August 2005.
EDINBURGH: A new screen academy in Scotland to educate and train filmmaking talent was launched today by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The Screen Academy at Napier University & Edinburgh College of Art has won extra funding and prestige as the industry endorsed place to develop a career in film. In addition to £½ million funding from Skillset over two years, the Screen Academy will also receive £300,000 of support from the Scottish Executive as part of Skillset's Scottish Sector Skills Agreement.
A UK wide network of seven Skillset academies, including a Film Business Academy, has been recognised by Skillset and the industry as providing the best film education and skills development at a further, higher and postgraduate level. The network is a key part of A Bigger Future, the UK Film Skills Strategy, a joint initiative by Skillset and UK Film Council to tackle the creative development and skills needs of all jobs across film from script development through to exhibition (screening films in cinemas), covering both new entrants and professional development for the existing workforce.
The success of Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art was celebrated today at an event at the Sheraton Hotel, Edinburgh hosted by Donald Emslie, Chair of the Skillset and Scottish Screen Industry Skills Panel, and Chief Executive of SMG Television, and attended by the First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP.
Donald Emslie said:
"Scotland has a vibrant film industry which will be encouraged and supported by the Screen Academy at Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art. It's a well deserved achievement for them and for Skillset which has worked tirelessly alongside the industry in Scotland and the Scottish Executive to move this initiative forward. This network is an innovative solution to address the education and development of our creative workforce."
Professor Joan Stringer, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, Napier University, said:
"The new Screen Academy at Napier University & Edinburgh College of Art is a major boost for the Scottish film and television industry. Students will be able to access quality industry education right here in Edinburgh producing employment-ready graduates who will help to develop a strong, successful film and television industry for Scotland and beyond. Through the tremendous support of Skillset, Scottish broadcasters, media organisations and cultural bodies the Screen Academy can set a benchmark for the UK and beyond."
Professor Brent MacGregor, Vice Principal, Edinburgh College of Art said:
"Edinburgh College of Art is pleased to be recognised by the industry, through Skillset, as a centre of excellence in film and animation production. The designation as a Screen Academy means that we can raise our game even further and that our long standing links with our friends and colleagues at Napier, have moved to a new stage. The screen industries in Scotland will continue to flourish because of this initiative which acknowledges consistent achievement over a period of decades and which points forward to an exciting new phase of educational and cultural development".
Key note speaker Iain Smith, producer of Cold Mountain and The Killing Fields, Chair of Skillset's Film Skills Strategy Committee overseeing the implementation of A Bigger Future, and UK Film Council and Scottish Screen board member, said:
"Congratulations to Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art on this truly momentous achievement. As a Skillset Screen Academy, with the support of Skillset, the industry and Scottish Screen, they will be able to expand on their successes and help build an aggressively competitive industry in an increasingly tough global market. The Skillset Screen Academy Network brings the industry and the education system much closer together ensuring UK film gets the skilled talent it needs for a strong and healthy business."
Ken Hay, Chief Executive, Scottish Screen said:
"Having a Screen Academy in Scotland is a very important development for the screen industries here. We are delighted that Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art have been successful in their bid to Skillset to establish this new training facility, which will greatly enhance the skills base of the sector and further strengthen the industry in Scotland."
As a direct result of their status as a Screen Academy, Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art will gain access to the Skillset 100, a database resource of 100 top industry professionals committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise through master classes, workshops and guest lectures. Skillset is also in continuing conversations with the SHEFC (Scottish Higher Education Funding Council), alongside the Scottish Executive, to explore future funding streams as part of it's Scottish Sector Skills Agreement.
The existing high-quality provision of training and award-winning record of both Napier and eca in film-making were key to securing Screen Academy status. Napier and eca have over twenty-five years experience of educating film-makers in fiction, documentary and animation production. Between them they currently operate two four-year undergraduate and four one-year taught Masters programmes in aspects of film production, as well as PhDs in research-by-practice. The Screen Academy will bring existing and planned Masters programmes together with the new Masters of Fine Art (MFA) in Advanced Film Practice, adding a programme of outreach and short course/CPD programmes developed and delivered in conjunction with industry. Further partners will become involved in the Academy as it develops and discussions with institutions in the drama education sector are well advanced.
By recognising Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art as centres of excellence and establishing the UK wide network, the film industry has a focus for its limited resources. The industry's endorsement will guide young people intent on a career in film to the best courses and highlight more structured entry routes. Bursaries and scholarships will also be available enabling the industry to benefit from a wider, more diverse pool of new talent and will also give people already working in the industry access to continuing professional development.
The network will share over £5m funding over two years from the Skillset Film Skills Fund, made up of industry investment via the Skills Investment Fund, a film production levy collected by Skillset, and National Lottery money channelled via the UK Film Council. The funding has been awarded to help them build on the excellence that has been recognised and will be spent on bursaries, outreach work to aid diversity in the industry, and course development in priority areas. The network will also work together to provide new courses (including the first ever film MBA), summer schools, work placements, master classes, online learning resources and a talent scout programme to help develop the brightest and the best.
The network is made up of single institutions and consortia, which submitted partnership bids. The application process to become part of the network opened in September 2004 and approval was on the basis of excellence and quality of existing provision and the ability to compliment each other across the full range of film education and skills needs. They will work together to share best practice, facilities, and resources and exchange information and ideas. They will also build upon the excellence they are already delivering by developing new courses and initiating collective projects in response to emerging needs.
Status as part of the Skillset Screen Academy Network will be monitored and evaluated by Skillset, and the industry, on an ongoing basis with a full review of membership taking place after two years.
-ENDS-
For more information on all A Bigger Future film skills initiatives visit www.skillset.org/film
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE:
Eve Ragout
020 7520 5752 / 07968 010 325
eve@skillset.org
NAPIER PRESS OFFICE:
Catriona Lonie
0131 455 6314 / 07767 291 279
c.lonie@napier.ac.uk
ECA PRESS OFFICE:
Charlie Allen
0131 221 6215
c.allen@eca.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. Investing Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education, with the aim of delivering lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike.
3. Sector Skills Agreements (SSA) are a government endorsed initiative to ensure that the education and skills system more closely meets the real needs and demands of industry. Skillset's SSA is across three of its sectors - Film, TV and Interactive Media and has been developed by Skillset in partnership with employers, unions, trade organisations, colleges and universities, funding bodies, qualifications authorities and public agency partners.
4. Napier University is a modern and vibrant enterprise dedicated to supplying educational services which are relevant to the needs of today's students and employers. Napier aims to be widely regarded as the best modern university in Scotland by 2010. The School of Design & Media Arts is one of the premier centres for film education in Scotland. Over the past 10 years students and Alumni from The School of Design & Media Arts at Napier have achieved numerous successes across the different sectors of the UK Film Industry. As a major partner in the new Screen Academy, and through a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, including Photography, Film & Imaging; Screen Development; and Screen Writing; Napier University will set a benchmark in film education for the UK and beyond.
5. Edinburgh College of Art (eca) aims to be at the forefront of learning, creativity and research in the visual disciplines. With an international reputation as one of the most successful independent art colleges in the UK, eca is proud to offer students opportunities not available in other types of institution. Whether in terms of set design, special effects, model making or graphics, film and animation students can draw on a range of creative skills from their peers, in a way only possible in an art college.
eca has a phenomenal track record when it comes to industry awards. Students and graduates have been the recipients of British Academy Awards, Scottish BAFTAs and British Animation Awards. No other institution offering a BA degree course has had as many students reach finalist stage of the British Animation Awards - a particular achievement considering these awards are not restricted to student work alone. In the field of student awards, eca's filmmakers and animators have won more awards at Scottish Students on Screen than any other institution and have had more finalists at the Royal Television Society Student film awards than any other institution in the UK.
Becoming a centre of excellence in film and animation production means eca can raise its game even further. The screen academy initiative points forward to an exciting new phase of educational and cultural development.
6. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by Skillset and the UK Film Council with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales.
7. The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is a film production levy. UK films contribute 0.5 % of their total production budget up to a maximum of £39,500 to the levy which has raised £3m since its inception in 1999. The levy is currently voluntary unless a production is in receipt of public funding and following a widespread consultation with industry, Skillset is looking at progressing the levy to mandatory status.