UK Film schools building greater Los Angeles links
07 March 2011
Fresh from last week’s Oscar success, three of the UK’s leading film schools have arrived in Hollywood today to build greater training links with their American counterparts, in an event organised by the British Council and Skillset.
The three top UK graduate film schools: the National Film and Television School, the London Film School, and Screen Academy Scotland will take part in a debate on the evolving role and future of film schools and film education. The aim is to identify common priorities and establish transatlantic strategic partnerships.
Simon Gammell, Director of the British Council’s West Coast office said “The recent Oscars highlighted once again the huge contribution that British talent makes to Hollywood – with not only the triumph of ‘The King’s Speech’, but also the frequency of British voices saying ‘Thank You’ across all categories. So we at the British Council in Los Angeles are particularly pleased to be helping the three UK Film Academies further strengthen their collaboration with the LA Film Schools and the whole film industry here. This initiative will help to guarantee the continuance of this outstanding British contribution to Hollywood far into the future”
The three hour event will focus on five main areas for partnership, and then delegates will view a screening of Film Academy graduate films, followed by an industry reception. Alumni from the Skillset Film Academies include Mike Leigh, Michael Mann, Roger Deakins, David Yates, Lynne Ramsay, Beeban Kidron, Nick Park, Tak Fujimoto, Ueli Steiger and Duncan Jones. More recent alumni include the creative team behind one of this year’s Best Short Film Oscar Nominees, ‘The Confession’.
Nik Powell, Director of the National Film and Television School, said: “This trip is a great opportunity to showcase the three Skillset Film Academies, and our talented alumni, at the heart of the film industry in Hollywood. As well as promoting our graduates to the industry, I’m sure we will be able to develop exciting partnerships with some of the major LA film schools and industry organisations to share and learn from our unique experiences either side of the Atlantic, and I look forward to working with the British Council, Skillset and the other Skillset Film Academies to develop this work over the coming years.”
Areas covered at the event include:
- Technology - How can film schools exchange good practice and explore best strategies for harnessing new film technologies to every day teaching in image capture, post production, distribution and markets? Do film school classes and exercises reflect emerging practice in production and distribution and how can they catch up?
- International teaching or industry vs. independent / low-budget. How do UK & European schools engage with the breadth of their local markets, and the many production levels and styles involved? How can film schools ensure students and graduates engage with the requirements and opportunities of telling stories ‘internationally’.
- Bridges to industry/ Graduate opportunities: Does the UK model of combining the efforts of 3 graduate level institutions to push their emerging talent, have lessons for schools in the US? How can schools in the UK, far from the global industrial hub of LA, develop their “after sales” service to their students in building networks?
- Practical cooperation for talent exposure: Can London and Californian schools help each other by showcasing one another’s emerging filmmakers on the other side of the Atlantic? Which structures for exchanging people and ideas are really practical?
- New ideas, new subjects: Which key industry growth areas need to be captured in film school teaching?
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact Tim.sowula@britishcouncil.org (London) or Samantha.yale@britishcouncil.org (Washington DC)
About the British Council
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We work in over 100 countries worldwide to build opportunity and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. We work in the Arts, English, Education and Society, including science and sport - and in the process contribute to the security and prosperity of the UK and the countries where we work. Last year we engaged face to face with 18.4 million people and reached 652 million. We are a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government. Our total turnover in 2009/10 was £705 million, of which our grant-in-aid from the British government was £211 million. For every £1 of government grant we receive, we earn £2.50 from other sources. For more information, please visit www.britishcouncil.org
About Skillset
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media, with responsibility for 60 per cent of the UK Creative Industries. This comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging, publishing, advertising and fashion and textiles. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenges by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry. www.skillset.org
