This year will see the launch of the Video Editing workshops and Animation & VFX workshops - all free of charge. Over three days a series of professional training workshops will be run in partnership with Soho Editors. Manufacturers such as Apple, Media 100, Discreet, Softimage and Quantel will focus on how individuals can enhance both basic and advanced editing skills with specific sessions focused on producers and directors.
The Learning Zone and Work Zone is being run by Skillset working in partnership with BECTU, offering careers advice and information to those wanting to get in or get on in the industry. At the skillsformedia drop-in centre, visitors will be able find out about career progression, training opportunities, skills shortages and all the courses currently subsidized for freelancers. BECTU representatives will also be on hand to offer employment advice.
The Sony Workshops will provide an opportunity for industry professionals to learn about the latest production practices and technologies from the manufacturers' own experts who will be reviewing the latest Sony product releases from NAB. The Engineering Technology Centre (ETC), sponsored by Snell and Willcox, follows on from its successful launch last year and returns with more exhibitors, products and workshops. Aimed at engineers working for either broadcasters or facilities, the centre's focus is a series of workshops by Cheff, addressing issues such as file transfers, asset management and delivery, high definition acquisition and QC in and IT age.
The Audio Zone, sponsored by Digidesign is aimed at anyone involved with audio for the moving picture industry. With a host of exhibitors and free workshops looking at Universal Interoperability, Project Management and Networking, the zone will again be endorsed by the APPS and AMPS. The Production & Craft Village, sponsored by Shooting Partners and Anna Valley, offers something different from the vast array of technology on the ground floor. This year the Village has doubled in size and is packed with a number of small companies offering a range of creative services and products for the production industry. In addition, a series of free production-based workshops are being run by associations including BAFTA - Directing for Reality TV; GTC - Filters and Creative Picture Control; London Film Commission - Filming in Central London; STLD - Lighting on the Run; PMA - Directing for Documentaries (with BAFTA); The Production Guild - TAPS: Writers Guild and Screenwriters' Workshop - The Original Voice: Articulating the Writer's Voice and Breaking into Television.
(Ruth Rossington)
