First Light Movies Studio Award 2011

Signals Media Arts Centre are thrilled to announce that we have secured funding from the national First Light Movies Scheme to work with three different groups of young people on exciting filmmaking projects. This year we will be working with:

Perryfields Junior School on a futuristic drama called 'Time Report' that looks at life on Earth through the ages.

Pupil Referral Unit, CSS Mile End, on a short film called 'Black & White' that explores the group's individual experiences in a film noir style.

Allsortz Group and Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service on a mixed animation film project focusing on the circus called 'Big Top' that will be made by young autistic people in Ipswich.

The groups will be working with professional filmmakers and tutors to learn creative and technical skills like scriptwriting, storyboarding, camera and sound recording and editing. The projects are due to start in a few weeks and will be finished by Spring 2012. We will be posting regular updates on our blog about the projects so watch this space!

This project is funded and supported by First Light Movies, which is a BFI initiative supported by the Lottery. You can find out more information about First Light on their website: http://www.firstlightonline.co.uk

Earlier this year, Signals worked with Perryfields students on a short animation project that explored the feelings of excitement and anticipation in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic games. We worked with Emma Curtis to create this short film and you can watch it here:

Unboxing

Signals are now the proud owners of the Canon 600D and EFS 17 - 55mm lens!

As a charity, we don't get new kit very often, so today was like Christmas in the office. We were so excited, we thought we'd share our joy of welcoming this new addition to our tech room.

We will be uploading a test video soon showing the quality of the video shots you can achieve through using this camera. So watch this space!

Autumn

There is a definite chill in the air on this blustery September day. Our sash windows at Signals HQ are rattling in their panes and all we want for lunch is some hot soup, a blanket to snuggle up in and a DVD of Legends of the Fall.

Having said that, this time of year is a great chance to be outdoors on those blustery autumnal days where the clouds skid across the sky, taking photos which capture all the rich colours and textures of the season. Most people have access to a digital camera nowadays and for a relatively small amount of money you can pick one up fairly cheap. Signals have two Canon 1000Ds and also the revolutionary Canon 5D Mark II which are available for hire and take great digital stills and video.

Signals are offering a great introductory course called 'Autumn Photography' for adults. The workshop will run on Tuesday 18th October, from 10am - 2pm and will be taught by experienced professional photographer, Nick Wood, of Unshaken Photography. Places cost just a mere £20 per person for four hours of practical tuition, plus you'll get to keep all your beautiful photos. Just make sure you wrap up warm and have a flask of hot chocolate on standby :)

To book a place on our fun and informal Autumn Photography course, call Lisa on 01206 560255, email lisa@signals.org.uk or book online here.