Script Factory News2.Main Content
Producer Placement Programme Deadline Approaching
Magic Light PIctures' The Gruffalo
Thu, 18 Feb 2010
News just in from Martin Pope from Magic Light Pictures, one of The Script Factory's , who is looking for five up and coming producers to join his Producer Placement Programme in April. Designed to provide film producers with insight into the working operations and business realities of the film market the Producer Placement Programme will give a greater understanding of commercial processes, and help develop the business acumen and market understanding to be able to initiate, finance and sell successful British films.
The Programme is funded by Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, run by production company Magic Light Pictures and sponsored by Film Finances, Olswang, E1 Entertainment and City Screen.
How it works
The Producer Placement Programme will put five up-and-coming producers into a varied series of work placements in key businesses of the British film industry. Here they will not only see what happens in these companies, but also what matters to them, and why they make the choices and decisions that they do. The placements will be along the length of the 'film value chain' from production, financing and distribution to sales, exhibition and marketing - ranging from spending time with financiers to working in a cinema box office.
Through these placements, producers should gain an appreciation of how production companies, film financiers, film lawyers, international sales companies, local distributors and local exhibitors work; and how the sectors interact. Producers will further consider issues relating to company growth; how new technologies are changing the industry; how project development can be influenced by market understanding; and the wider issues of film policy.
Participating placement companies on the 2008 Programme included:
UKFC, BBC Films, Disney, Pathe, Icon, Shipleys, Olswang, Vue, City Screen, Freud Communications, and sales companies including Hanway, Salt, Bankside, Maximum/E1, Little Film Company, West End Film, Ealing Film Studios
The PPP placements is augmented by a series of evening master-classes and workshops with key industry figures, allowing access to the knowledge and experience of individuals from all areas of the film industry.
Who is the programme for?
This course is aimed at giving a career boost to people who have already taken steps towards producing feature films, or may have produced their first one. The programme is focused on the operations of companies along the film value chain. As such, it is for those who would like to gain an in-depth understanding of the business processes involved in making and marketing films.
How much does it cost?
It doesn't! The programme starts from the perspective that the film industry needs producers from all backgrounds and widely varying circumstances. In order to create a level playing field there's no fee for participation. Instead, each participant is paid £7,291 (equivalent to £17,500p.a.) to cover the five month period of the programme.
Applications close at midday on 19 February 2010.
For full details see www.magiclightpictures.com