Category: 91Èȱ¬
Date: 16.06.2005
Printable version
Eleven independent production companies from around the UK will be the first to receive special funding from the 91Èȱ¬ as part of its new regional development fund.
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The fund of £500,000 was launched earlier this year by the 91Èȱ¬'s Independent Executive, Elaine Bedell, to help support and develop independent companies based outside the M25.
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The cash awards will be supplemented by fast-tracked access to key 91Èȱ¬ commissioners and regular meetings to progress ideas.
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The companies to receive funding this year are:
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Boomerang/Blast (Wales)
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Tern Productions (Scotland)
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Waddell Productions (Belfast)
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Liberty Bell (Newcastle)
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Channel K (Manchester)
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Tightrope Productions (Manchester)
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Maverick (Birmingham)
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North One Midlands (Birmingham)
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Flashback Productions (Bristol)
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Diverse West (Bristol)
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Touch Productions (Bath)
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Independent producers were invited to submit their creative strategies supplemented by a business plan and proposed key personnel.
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Decisions were based on the creativity, originality and ambition of the ideas submitted, the strength of the business plans and the judging panel's assessment of the long-term potential for the company.
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More than 110 applications were received and were assessed by a panel chaired by Elaine Bedell and including Jane Tranter (Controller, Drama Commissioning), Jane Lush (Controller, Entertainment Commissioning) and Glenwyn Benson (Controller, Factual Programmes).
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"There were some incredibly strong applications and we were forced to make some very hard decisions as to where the money went," says Elaine Bedell.
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"This year, particularly, we wanted to invest in companies already based - or opening up - in our key creative clusters.
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"We're determined to increase network commissioning from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as the North of England.
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"Now that we have a factual commissioner based in Bristol, we were keen to support the growing indie community there as well. But in the end, the best creative strategies won."
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Applications for the new fund were thrown open to indies in all regions of the UK, to both indigenous companies and London-based firms planning to open or already operating bases outside the capital.
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The fund is part of a package of measures designed to help and support network producers outside London.
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Other initiatives include the 91Èȱ¬-funded Series Producer training course managed by the Research Centre in Glasgow which is about to advertise for candidates to start the course in October, and a small fund set aside as travel bursaries for short-listed companies who are asked to travel to London to meet commissioners.
