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Welcome
to October's Issue of the Newsletter for members of "The
Creative Networks"
'Creative Networks' at UCE Birmingham's Technology
Innovation Centre (tic) is
about bringing together all parties involved in sound
and screen-based media in the West Midlands. 'Creative
Networks' seeks to promote both successful business development
and collaboration. It also seeks to contribute to the establishment
of a strong, long-term, sound and screen-based Creative
Industry in the West Midlands. The tic
achieves this through increasing knowledge sharing and use of innovative
technologies, creative practice and business processes.
Regular monthly networking events are held at tic.
They offer opportunities for individuals and companies
to network, make pitches and identify the resources they
are seeking or support for the projects they are planning.
Visit our online portal www.creativenetworksonline.com
for up-to-date news, funding, business support, training
and tender opportunities.
In This Issue:
1. COMING UP -
October's Creative Networks Event @ tic - BUSINESS SUPPORT FAIR
2. Event Reviewed
- September's Creative Networks Event - SEEKING FINANCE
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:: Summaries of the open floor pitches
:: Key Speakers on SEEKING FINANCE? Routes to Successful Funding for your Business |
3. CREATIVE WEEK *DONT
MISS OUT*
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The showcasing event for Midlands' Creative Talent is this month - 23rd - 29th October
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4. Get the most from your business with our latest i4 short courses
*DONT MISS OUT*
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...we’d also like to hear from you!
Contact Mandeep Chana, The Creative Networks administrator
with any feedback, case studies, success stories, interesting projects, collaboration opportunities or news:
:: phone
0121 331 5400
:: email
mandeep.chana@tic.ac.uk
:: or
post to Technology Innovation Centre, Millennium
Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG
:: or online at www.creativenetworksonline.com |
| 1.
COMING UP - October's
Creative Networks Event @ tic *DON'T
MISS OUT* |
Thursday
26th October - From 5.00pm til LATE at tic, Millennium Point
The
Collaborative Networking Event for Creative Industry Professionals
West Midlands' Creative Showcase Event
Business Support Fair
For the second year running, Creative Networks brings you the Business Support Fair where we will be joined by regional organisations who offer training, funding and business support. If you want to launch a new business or expand an existing one - come along and find out how you can turn your creative talent into a promising venture.
The Creative Networks event is FREE. If you would like to join us, please contact Mandeep Chana on email mandeep.chana@tic.ac.uk, or call Scarlet Scardanelli on phone 07969 226 693
or register online on the Creative Networks portal www.creativenetworksonline.com
You'll be very welcome.
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| 2. Review of September's Creative Networks Event - SEEKING FINANCE |
Thursday 28th September - From 6.00pm ‘til LATE at tic, Millennium Point
September's Creative Networks event welcomed around 100 individuals from the West Midlands' creative industries. In a new addition to the established format a number of exhibitors hosted stands while complimentary hot food and refreshments were served.
Exhibitors
Blue Sky Corporate Finance; UCE Birmingham Conservatoire; Typevents LLP; IQK Creative Solutions; Popcoach; and, Musicians Union.
Following the regular open floor pitches, leading banking, finance and funding professionals shed light on the different sources of finance available for businesses in the creative industries.
The tic is always looking to help the West Midlands’ creative industry improve from a business viewpoint and the event’s speakers directed audience members to the right sources of funding for their creative businesses. Further networking took place afterwards in the I-Bar.
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| Summaries of the Open Floor Pitches |
| The regular monthly feature of Open Floor Pitching gave a number of delegates the opportunity to give a short pitch about their creative businesses in order to offer opportunities, gain business, or seek collaboration with fellow industry members. First on the stage was not actually a ‘Creative’ but a technologist from the TIC highlighting potential new opportunities for mobile media content. |
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LOCATIVE MEDIA
Locative Media is a term used to describe the attachment of all forms of media content to physical locations. When a user enters a defined zone content is automatically delivered, normally to a handheld device such as a PDA or phone. Locative Media generally combines location technology, such as GPS, Wi-Fi or RFID tagging with local content storage or web-based delivery, to create media-rich location aware applications such as interactive exploration trails, tour guides and mediascapes. Imagine new artists ‘attaching’ samples of their work to locations around the city for visitors to enjoy – this is possible using Locative Media techniques.
WEST MIDLANDS MOBILE AND WIRELESS (WMMW)
WMMW is a three-year £2.1M five-university project funded by AWM, led by Staffordshire with Coventry, UCE / tic, Warwick and Wolverhampton. The project will increase awareness, uptake and usage of mobile and wireless technologies (MWT) including radio-frequency tagging, real-time location, smart-phones, PDAs, wireless sensors, WLAN, BlueTooth, etc. WMMW will deliver to regional SME clients five and ten-day assists; access to training, technology demonstrators and development facilities for mobile and wireless devices. Project outputs include new product and service developments and new company start-ups. We can help you to understand and assess MWT to develop your business, so call us.
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Blue Sky Corporate Finance is an independent corporate finance consultancy practise that helps owner/managers of small to medium sized enterprises to become investment ready and buy, sell or raise finance for businesses mainly through equity investment, debt or grants. Paul advised investors look for three key things: the expertise of the people with experience in all necessary business disciplines; intellectual property rights or at least a unique selling proposition with the >product; and, viability of route to market.
Only one in between six and ten business plans will get investment, so Paul highlighted the importance of getting 'investment ready' with a well planned and prepared proposal. This should be presented to more then one potential investor to find the right provider for you. |
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Fast Type, Slow Type is a typo/graphic forum for anyone with a passion for experimenting with and pushing the boundaries of typo/graphic design. It’s the fifth in a series previously held in London, but appearing in Birmingham for the first time with a mixture of lectures, exhibitions, workshops, publications & parties from 16 – 18 October. Visit the Typevents website to join in.
Alexandre also informed Creative Networks about ‘Plus’, an opportunity for Animators / Web / Graphic designers to get their work under the noses of 12 of Birmingham’s top design agencies between 14 – 18 October. Visit www.youplusus.net for details including free daytime admission for viewing.
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Popcoach is a new concept launching for Birmingham and the UK with first auditions on the 7th and 8th October at their bright, special, colourful Jewellery Quarter premises. Gary and a colleague were working in London and were often asked by young people about a career in pop but opportunities for coaching / studio / etc. were disjointed. Popcoach intends to offer a unique one stop shop for those wanting a career in mainstream pop with a commercial edge. Popcoach will provide professional management and Rockschool accredited courses including vocal coaching, song writing, choreography, styling and music industry insight. Their special team will teach about ‘the song’ needing strong unique hook lines; hard work; attitude; commitment; belief; health; performance; personality; image & style that fans will fancy; ‘the right sound’ and, getting noticed. |
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email creative.insight@birmingham.gov.uk
web www.creativeinsightuk.com
Nigel Amson from It's About Time Productions introduced an event sponsored by Creative Pathways - Local Shorts Film Club.
Local Shorts is a monthly Film Club, showcasing short films from Birmingham and the West Midlands. It takes place at The Library Theatre, next to the Library in Birmingham City Centre and covers all genres of film making: Drama, Documentary, Pop Videos, Animation, Commercial, etc.
Films by local filmmakers are screened whether they are established professionals or aspiring newcomers.
Hosted by Mark Pressdee and Nigel Amson, it is an informal event, which encourages Q & A with the filmmakers and discussion between writers, composers, animators, producers, artists and their audience.
An opportunity for anybody involved in the creative industry of moving image to show work on a big screen. Full details, dates and map visit www.creativeinsightuk.com
The next Local Shorts Film Club will take place on Wednesday the 18th of October 2006 - SUPER ECLECTIC MIX NIGHT - @ The Library Theatre, next to the Library in Birmingham City Centre, following this on every second Wednesday of the month.
Free Event - all welcome
Networking with drinks from 6 pm
Film screenings and Q & A from 7pm
Event finishes at 9:30 pm |
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| SEEKING FINANCE Guest Speakers |
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The first of the evening's finance professional to speak was Pat Geraghty – Marketing Manager, Advantage Creative Fund. Pat introduced herself as working in equity and amongst her many hats, representing a special regional creative fund, Advantage Creative Fund, aimed exactly towards Creative Networks’ members and offering a cash injection, for a part share of the business invested in.
Equity funds take the highest risk and the sector is targeted by Advantage Creative Fund as it is the least understood and therefore highest risk sector. The Fund seeks ambitious businesses with high growth potential to invest in. Firms are fundable, individual artists aren’t: for example a firm could have four film projects on the go at once mitigating the risk of each compared to an individual working on a single project on their own – so collaborate! The investment will grow or die with the business so is not for failing businesses; to repay existing debt; or, to pay directors’ renumeration!
Business plans can be uploaded to Advantage Creative Fund’s website for a decision: the more information provided the faster the decision, though don’t write the American Novel for a business plan – 20 pages are adequate so long as cash flow and marketing are covered robustly. Also remember businesses are slower to get off the ground, products take longer to develop and targets take a year longer to reach than in the business plan! Advantage Creative Services also offer subsidised investment awareness, education, development and post funding support to businesses in the eligible West Midlands European Objective 2 funding area.
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Martin Edmonds shared his knowledge of loans in seeking finance for a Creative business. Martin represented ART, an independent provider of loans supported by Advantage West Midlands and covering Birmingham & North Solihull. They will loan between £10k - £50k to businesses that have been refused by the banks. Applications can be made online with a business plan and responses made in 48 hours with feedback on any shortcomings. About one in seven are successful.
Martin offered tips including:
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Structure your business plan |
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Know your own business (it doesn’t look good if the adviser knows more than the borrower just from the internet!) |
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Get help; be realistic – ask for what you need not what you think the lender will lend |
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Be realistic especially about who’ll buy your product |
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Pay yourself enough to live on – you can’t run a business if you’re struggling in your daily life |
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Get someone else who doesn’t know your business to read your plan |
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Don’t claim your business has no risk, don’t say there’s no competition – if there’s no risk or competition there’s probably no market! |
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Check grammar & spelling in your plan and give yourself a timeframe in which to write it. |
Martin also signposted www.westmidlandsfinance.com, an online search engine for finance and the DTI backed Loan Guarantee Scheme that overcomes the usual stumbling block with banks of a lack of security. |
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Finally Emmanuel Ogbogbo of Community Roots Enterprise Centre delivered the best news of the night: free money from the government! Birmingham City Council has recognised the contribution of the creative industry to the economy and is offering small grants. It is a postcode lottery for the SRB6 area of up to 75% grant funding for start ups or up to 50% for existing businesses towards eligible expenditure of a creative business, for example: towards £2,500 for feasibility studies to assess a market for new products or opportunities or undertake specialist sector studies; towards £5,000 of creative capital equipment such as computers or software; or, towards £5,000 spend on creative space.
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| 3. CREATIVE WEEK *DONT MISS OUT* |
This months Creative Networks run by UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre (tic) stages a lively week long showcase event called 'Creative Week'. Commencing on the evening of Monday 23rd October with the rock-band event, 'Amplified' in Millennium Point's iBar. Apart from giving the public a chance to hear local bands at full volume, some musicians will be able to sign up for free recording sessions with tic's sound technology students.
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings sees stage its fourth annual short film festival, Cinem@tic, in the IMAX Cinema. Around 15 films a night will be shown, selected from some 100 entries by a professional panel chaired by BBC BIG Screen's Geraldine McCullagh. Festival winners will be announced on Wednesday evening.
Thursday sees the start of the four-day "Shake your Arts" creative exhibition, which coincides with the Creative Networks Business Support Fair. A wide-ranging display of creative talents from screen-based and photographic sources to other visual, fine and performing arts will feature over four days from Thursday 26th . The highlight of the opening evening will be the IMAX-launch of the Midlands third animated film festival known as 'Flip'. Organised by Wolverhampton's Light House Media Centre, it provides an exciting launch-pad for the "Shake your Arts" showcase.
The evening of Friday 27th October sees Millennium Point's iBar become the concert venue for SCAMP - short for 'Sound of Computer-Aided Music Performance'. This annual tic student-talent showcase features many original compositions, with conventional performances taking place alongside unique new music, often spontaneously created, live on stage with multimedia visual effects.
The live performances are taking place on Saturday from 4pm including poetry, dance, bands and live drumming. Nachda Sansaar will be headlining the evening performances at 8pm and make for a colorful showcase at Millennium Point.
Sunday is the last day of the exhibition and will be running from 11am - 4pm.
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Cinem@tic 2006 - tic Short Film Festival
Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th October 2006
Drinks reception: ibar 6:30 - 7pm
Screenings: IMAX Cinema 7-9pm [more]
To reserve a seat please contact Nina Parmar, nina.parmar@tic.ac.uk |
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Creative Networks - Business Fair
Thursday 26th October 2006
tic Café: 5-7pm [more]
For more information please contatc Scarlet Scardanelli scarlet.scardanelli@tic.ac.uk |
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FLIP Animation Festival
Thursday 26th October 2006
IMAX Cinema: 7pm-12am [more]
To reserve a seat contact Angela Slater, 01902 716055, flip@light-house.co.uk |
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Shake Your Arts Exhibition
Thursday 26th October - Sunday 29th October 2006
G2 Hub: 10am-7pm (Sun 11am-4pm) [more]
For more information please contatc Scarlet Scardanelli scarlet.scardanelli@tic.ac.uk |
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| 4. Get the most from your business with our latest i4 short courses *DONT MISS OUT* |
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Harness your creative talent with your own business
FREE 'START WITH SUCCESS' 3-DAY BUSINESS START-UP COURSES
i4 'Start With Success' will help you realise the full potential of your creative talents by starting and managing your own business in the screen and sound-based media industries. The course is also suitable for recent business start-ups requiring additional support to get their business going.
| i4 'Start With Success' will help you to: |
Course Start Dates |
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| Understand the fundamentals of starting a business |
12th October 2006 |
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| Prepare a basic business, financial and marketing plan |
16th October 2006 |
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| Improve presentation skills for networking & pitching |
30th October 2006 |
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| Develop your sales and client management skills |
20th November 2006 |
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| Manage your time & creative projects more effectively |
4th December 2006 |
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| Produce or develop your showreel |
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Identify new markets for your creative media services
FREE 'MARKET MAKER SKILLS' 3-DAY MARKET DIVERSIFICATION COURSES
i4 'Market Maker Skills' will help screen and sound-based media professionals identify, analyse and engage with new markets for their creative media services, to secure project contracts and/or paid work.
| i4 'Market Maker Skills' will help you to: |
Course Start Dates |
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| Review the market potential for media solutions |
9th October 2006 |
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| in various industry sectors |
23rd October 2006 |
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28th October 2006 |
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| Assess emerging markets that have media requirements |
6th November 2006 |
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13th November 2006 |
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| Develop business proposals and presentations for |
27th November 2006 |
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| specific market sectors |
11th December 2006 |
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i4 'Start With Success' and 'Market Maker Skills' are FREE to those meeting the eligibility criteria. The courses are delivered by a series of seminars, workshops and activities over three full consecutive days (9.30am - 4.30pm), at Millennium Point in Birmingham City Centre.
Co-financed by the Learning Skills Council and European Social Fund, i4 Skills training courses are run by UCE Birmingham's Technology Innovation Centre, in conjunction with Wolverhampton-based Light House.
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Technology Innovation Centre (tic) 2006
Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham B4 7XG
phone +44 (0)121 331 5400 fax +44 (0)121
331 5401
email enquiries@tic.ac.uk www.tic.ac.uk
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