Member Article

From NE to LA for film-makers

A North East film company is taking local talent over to Hollywood for an opportunity to train alongside the best of the cinema world.

Ipso Facto Films has launched the Producer Training Initiative (PTI) in conjunction with the NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Northern Lights Film Festival to enable and train North East-based producers to experience the world of feature film production and distribution.

New producers Ed Barratt and Chris Taylor beat off competition to win the two available places on this year’s pilot Producer Training Programme and will accompany Ipso Facto Films to the American Film Market (AFM) in Hollywood.

In Los Angeles both Chris and Ed will be accompanying Ipso Facto founder Christine Alderson and head of production, Hayley Manning in meetings, working at Moviehouse Entertainment as well as promoting their own feature film projects in the marketplace.

Hayley Manning said: “For too many years, talented filmmakers with engaging stories and fresh ideas, have found it almost impossible to gain a footing in the industry. This training programme has been designed to change this and the trip to LA will provide invaluable experience. Both Ed and Chris are hugely talented, they have the potential to develop and produce quality productions with international potential.”

The six-month training course, which includes the trip to LA, covers all aspects of feature film production and distribution. It has been funded through the Arts Council England Cultural Sector Development Initiative and has received £156,000 of European funding, through the Government Office North East.

Christine Alderson, said: “The programme is market driven. So many films are made that simply never find an audience and we believe this is because too many producers understand only how to make the film as opposed to how the film is sold and how audiences are reached.”

Stella Hall, Creative Director of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “This training programme is essential if we want to build a robust and sustainable film industry in the North East and we and Northern Lights Film Festival are delighted to be able to support this innovative programme.”

For more information visit www.ipsofactofilms.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .