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BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS
In the spotlight
BAFTA seeks out new creative talent with short film initiative. Words: Anna Millar
.-\F'l‘.'\ continued to showcase its dedication to short lihn last week. launching details ol‘this year's (it) Xt't'UIH/S (if/THINK initiatiye.
The competition. set up last year. aims to support and encourage the public to participate in liliriniaking. ()pen to anyone try er In years old and held in association with ()range. hudding lilinniakei's are inyited to submit a ()0- second lilin hased around the theme ‘l 'nite'.
The talents hehind any shortlisted lilins will win two tickets to the red carpet awards ceremony in February. The oyerall winner will he chosen by a BAF'I‘A jury and screened at the ceremony.
This year's launch was supported by Lord oft/iv Rings actor .-\lld_\ Sel'kis. Win) “Hi make his tini directorial debut ne\t year with [Vi-citing ’l‘i'mc. He said ol‘ the initiatiye: ‘I know how hard it is to get your loot on the lilniniaking ladder. l‘\ e worked on a lot ol' el‘l'ects-heayy lilnis but you don't need millions ol‘ pounds to make an entertaining feature. .-\I the heart ol~ it you only need a good idea. a camera and a passion to share your Vision.”
.-\le\ (iarcia. whose Happy Birthday (rl'tllltll/(ltl scooped
the pri/e last year. rey'ealed just how important the win had been for him: ‘Since our win. my creatiye partner Wayne Yip and I have filmed a music video l'or Domino Records and are now part ol‘ the BBC Film Network which has been screening our work. We were also lucky enough to make the Best ol' Brits ‘07. which took place in LA in October. In short. winning (it) .S't'miir/s of'l’umr' has opened up many doors hut. most importantly. opened our eyes to what awaits Us it we work hard.‘
Hattie Magee. Head ol' Partnerships at Orange. said: ‘Being able to ol'l‘er the general public a chance to be part of the ()range British Academy Film Awards is fantastic. Whether you are shooting with a mobile phone or digital Video camera. ()0 Seconds (if l'tlflu' is first and litiremost about creativity. so we encourage eyery'hody to take part regardless of their experience.‘
The ()1) Seconds of l'timv site can be found at www.or'ange.ciLuk/hal‘ta. The deadline lor entries is Friday 4 January 2008. This year the website includes l'ilmmaking tips from such talents as (‘olin Firth. Jim Broadbent and directors Alfonso (‘lliil'tili and Frank 0/.
HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE
I Scottish Opera supremo Alex Reedijk has officially launched the company’s Five:15 programme, which features such Scottish talent as Grace Notes author Bernard MacLaverty and Rebus creator Ian Rankin (pictured) working alongside such musical talents as Craig Armstrong to create a series of specially commissioned 15-minute operas.
Citing SO‘s commitment to new work, Reedijk said, ‘Five:15 is about questioning what opera could or should look like in the 21st century. I’m as interested in the process - how they get there ~ as I am in the outcome. What Scottish Opera is doing is tapping into the well of creativity here in Scotland to try and contribute to the canon of opera that can be performed in the 21st century.’ Tickets for the performances, which will be held next year, are now on sale. (AM)
FIRST WRITES Scottish playwright wins major accolade
I Scottish playwright Morna Pearson has won the Meyer-Whrtwonh Award for new writing in theatre for her play Distracted, which met with critical acclaim when it played at Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre last year.
Nicholas Hytner, Director of the National Theatre. presented Pearson with the cheque for $10,000 from funds provided by the Royal National Theatre Foundation.
A former member of the Traverse Young Writers Group, Pearson’s work has prevrously been read as part of World InterPlay and the Royal Court Young Writers Season. The 27- year-old, who is from Elgin. said of her achievement: ‘Being a new playwright involves a constant struggle to balance work and writing and, in this respect. winning the award couldn't have happened at a better time. I am now very excited about the future. I'm continually amazed by the reaction to Distracted. Particularly as it's my portrayal of a small, colourful section of my native North-East Scotland.’
The application process for the 17th Meyer- Whitworth Award will start in December for plays produced between 1 November 2006 and 30 November 2007. (AM)
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