Cornerhouse Manchester | Thursday 2nd July, 6pm - 8pm

You are invited to the premiere of an innovative short film based on the recently-appointed Poet Laureate Carol-Ann Duffy’s controversial poem, ‘Education For Leisure’. It has been created by NW-based TV and Film professionals using machinima - a cutting-edge film-making practice that fuses computer games graphics engines with narrative storytelling.

Digital Media Exchange (DMEX) links the experience and skills of traditional media freelancers and employees with the new markets and innovation of the region’s best Digital Media companies. It offers a unique opportunity for Digital Media businesses to work with, and learn from, established professionals from the television industries, sharing skills and knowledge between both sectors.

As part of the DMEX programme, a team of film and television professionals have joined forces to create a short film using cutting-edge animation technology. “Education for Leisure” is an animation interpretation of a poem by the recently appointed Poet Laureate, Carol-Ann Duffy. The film is produced using Moviestorm, a new software still in early release, which enables film-makers to use computer games technology to make animated films. The film debuted online at the end of May, receiving fantastic reviews almost instantaneously.

To celebrate the achievements of the film-makers involved in the project, Northwest Vision and Media & The White Room are hosting an offline premiere of the short at Manchester's Cornerhouse cinema.

Schedule

6.00pm - Drinks & arrivals

6:30pm - Lynn Kelly / Lynne McCadden (Northwest Vision and Media)

Introducing the Digital Media Skills Project and the DMEX scheme

6:50pm - David Eccles (Fudge, a DMEX host company)

How DMEX has helped Fudge

7:00pm - Susi oNeill (The White Room) and a member of the Education For Leisure production team

Introducing ‘Education for Leisure’

7:10pm - Premiere, ‘Education for Leisure’

7:20pm - Q&A - Education For Leisure production team

7:30pm - Drinks and networking - Cornerhouse Cafe Bar

As one recent DMEX host company said: "The DMEX scheme has provided us with the opportunity for real cross platform collaboration."

The White Room

The White Room Creative Economy Consultancy was established in 2007 by Andy Lovatt (former Head of Creative Industries at North West Development Agency). He was recently joined by Phil Birchenall and Phil Northall from Manchester’s Creative Industries Development Service.

The White Room recently won the national contract to delivery Commitment 13 of the Creative Britain Strategy - identifying best practice for creative business support across the UK. Since its foundation, The White Room has completed strategic development work for The Open University, In The City Music Conference, Foundation Degrees Forward, DTI and DCMS.

Northwest Vision and Media

Northwest Vision and Media works on behalf of the digital and creative industries in the Northwest to grow a world-class digital and creative economy within the region. We provide strategic leadership, help to build businesses, develop skills and talent, encourage and invest in production and inspire audiences. Find out more at www.visionandmedia.co.uk

This activity is funded by the Digital and Media Skills Programme, delivered by Northwest Vision and Media in partnership with Skillset, and supported by the North West Development Agency.