APPLICATION PACK
South West Network
Guidelines and Background information
Thank you for your interest in applying to the Random Acts project through Calling the Shots.
We are thrilled to be working on this Arts Council funded project and hope to inspire and
engage young creative people across the South West over the next three years.
Random Acts was established in 2011 as Channel 4’s platform for short arts films, showcasing a wide
variety of films inspired by creative arts. The premise of the format was to make films as art, rather than
about art; it has featured hundreds of shorts since launch, coming from a range of established and
emerging talent across a broad range of creative mediums. You can check out all the films featured so
far online at www.randomacts.channel4.com/.
Channel 4 is re-launching Random Acts in partnership with Arts Council England and will now be
acquiring a number of films each year from its five new Network Centres across England, who will be
engaging creative young talent across their regions.
Calling the Shots is the Network Centre for the South West and we are looking for creative young
people to submit their short film ideas to us for potential inclusion in the Random Acts strand on
television and/or online. A panel will review the ideas submitted to us and from each round of
applications, 12 individuals will be chosen for their film to go into production. These applicants will be
partnered with an industry mentor and have a support package tailored to their needs and experience –
this is an opportunity for everyone who has strong creative ideas and we want to ensure the broadest
participation possible. There will be a series of workshops across the three years that will offer some
practical training, an immersion in arts and assistance in developing ideas for submission into an
application round.
Who can apply?
To apply for the project in the South West you have to be between the ages of 16-24 and be a resident
or attend university or college in the South West region (there are another four Random Acts regions
across England to which you can apply if you live in another part of England). You can apply as an
individual, as a partnership or as a group.
Calling the Shots will be hosting two long-running application rounds per year across the three years, so
there are several opportunities to apply. These rounds are open to everyone within the above criteria.
If you have any access requirements please email [email protected] for additional
information on how we can support you and your application.
The brief – what are we looking for?
Random Acts brief is for ‘bold, innovative expressions of creativity’ across a range of art-forms.
Whether you’re inspired by poetry, visual art, dance or any other creative form, we want to see pitches
that demonstrate strong creative ideas and a clear vision as to how they will translate into the short film
format.
You do not have to have prior filmmaking experience – all selected participants will be guided through
the filmmaking process – but likewise confident filmmakers are very much encouraged to apply. Film is
itself an art form.
How can I find out more?
Calling the Shots will be hosting a number of free outreach and engagement workshops throughout
each year, hosted at different locations throughout the South West in partnership with a variety of
organisations. To find out when the next workshop is and if you are eligible to attend, visit
www.callingtheshots.co.uk.
To ask a question via email: [email protected]
To ask a question via phone: (0117) 930 0141
How do I apply?
Once you have developed your idea you can complete the application form at the end of this document
and submit via email to [email protected].
If you have any issues with accessibility or further questions regarding the form, don’t hesitate to
contact us for alternative ways to apply.
What can I expect if I am successful?
If your application is successful you will be assigned a Production Mentor to work closely with you and
help guide you through the production process.
You will meet with Calling the Shots and your assigned Production Mentor and Executive Producer.
Between Calling the Shots and your mentors, budgets, final treatments and schedules will be agreed and
finalised. You will then shoot and edit your film with the help and guidance of professionals and Calling
the Shots will deliver your film to Channel 4 in the formats they require. Channel 4 will then decide on
which films to host on the Random Acts website and / or television programme.
All participants in the programme will be invited to an additional weekend training workshop in the
South West, alongside additional meet ups and social events with the other filmmakers.
In short it’s an opportunity not to be missed! So, good luck - really look forward to receiving your
application.
Don’t be shy, be bold – you never know where it might lead!
Random Acts Project – Application Form
Name:
Address:
Post code:
Contact number(s):
Email:
Age:
Date of birth:
School/College/University (if applicable):
Are you a permanent resident of the UK or Ireland?
If you are not a permanent resident, how long have you been living in the UK or Ireland?
YOUR IDEA
Describe your proposed film in a single sentence.
Tell us about your idea in more detail – this is your chance to expand on the above. You
should really use this space to convince us why we should pick your idea, in up to 500 words.
Feel free to supplement text with a storyboard, mood board or other supporting media.
Tell us about yourself and your collaborators (if you have them). What are your creative
ambitions?
Please submit examples of creative projects you have worked on (films/photographs/writing/
website/animation/theatre/dance etc.). This could be a written description or if applicable a
link to your work online. If so please provide a link and password (if required) – e.g. to
website, YouTube, Vimeo etc. (please ensure that all links provided are active!) You can also
send us examples in the post or WeTransfer them to [email protected]
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How did you learn about the Random Acts project?
PLEASE READ TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND SIGN AND DATE THE FORM
Terms and Conditions
1. Applicants to the Random Acts project must be aged between 16 -24 on the closing date
for applications to the round being applied for. They must be a UK or Irish citizen, or have
been a resident in the UK and Ireland for five years or more.
2. Evidence of artistic merit, originality and the quality of your practice and ability to deliver
will be the foremost consideration of the application panel.
3. Not all films produced through the Random Acts project will be selected for transmission
on Channel 4 services.
4. Successful applicants agree to abide by the Channel 4 Licence Agreement, including First
Run/Exclusivity – “no version of the commissioned film can have been exhibited by any
form of distribution prior to the first transmission on Channel 4” (if selected)
5. Successful applicants will be expected to promote the project, be available for interviews
and participate in events such as receptions, press activities and launches for Random
Acts.
6. All shortlisted applicants must ensure that they are available for the filming and
documenting of their work and for any related editorial activity.
7. Recipients of a Random Acts commission must acknowledge Arts Council England’s
support on every possible / relevant occasion including acknowledgment as principal
funder of the final output/project and on any promotional material for your project.
8. With regards to data protection, Calling the Shots will use each entrant’s personal details
for the purpose of administering this application.
9. The name, photograph and application of the successful applicants may be used by Calling
the Shots, Channel 4 and Arts Council England for publicity purposes. The selected
filmmakers agree to allow Calling the Shots, Channel 4 and Arts Council England to use
their name and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes in association with Random
Acts without additional remuneration.
10. Any expenditure incurred or committed before a commission is granted is the
responsibility of the applicant.
11. Selection of the winning projects remains the decision of the judges. The outcome of the
judges’ decision is final. There will be no recourse to appeal if applications have not been
successful. Calling the Shots will provide feedback to unsuccessful shortlisted applicants.
12. Applicants must keep to the terms & conditions and not make any changes to the project
without Calling the Shots’ advance written permission. If an applicant deliberately gives
any false or misleading information, the applicant will be withdrawn or, if already
awarded the commission, will be asked to pay back any money awarded.
13. Only one submission to each round of is permissible.
14. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and agreed to be
bound by them when applying for the Random Acts Project.
The following projects are not eligible for the Random Acts project:
 Projects that will use the fund solely for the purchase of equipment (by “equipment”
we mean musical instruments, computers, office equipment, multimedia and audiovisual equipment etc.)
 Projects that have commenced filming or been completed before the assessment of
the application.
 Fundraising events.
 Activities for formal educational purposes set out by the national curriculum, e.g.
Degree or MA courses
Your submission of this form to Calling the Shots for the Random Acts project will constitute
your confirmation of the following declaration:
 I hereby confirm that the information I have given in this application is true and
correct
 I agree that Calling the Shots may, for administrative purposes only, make copies of
any material submitted in support of my application.
 I agree to Calling the Shots processing personal data as part of the applications,
registration, and learning support processes and accept that this information will be
retained during and following my participation for administering my progress and
for the provision of statistical returns.
 By submitting this form, I give Calling the Shots permission to store and process my
data as described above in accordance with professional standards and the Data
Protection Act 1998.
 If under 18 I confirm that my parent or guardian has given me permission to apply
to the Random Acts project
Signature:
Date :
Equal opportunities monitoring form
Arts Council England wish to ensure that all aspects of our work reflect diversity and support
equality of opportunity. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to ask you to
complete an equality monitoring form.
This monitoring information helps us to identify where there are gaps in our recruitment so that
we can work to attract talented people from these groups and areas. It also helps us to ensure
that there is no discrimination.
Your cooperation in completing this form is greatly appreciated.
Please note you will need to return this form as part of your application, providing any of the
information requested is optional. Please put a cross (X) next to your chosen answer for each
category.
Gender:
Male
Female
Prefer not to answer
Ethnic Background: This checklist is the standard ethnic monitoring categories provided by the
Commission for Racial Equality.
Asian or British Asian:
Black or British Black:
Indian
Pakistani
Caribbean
African
Bangladeshi
Any other Asian background
Any other Black background
Mixed:
White:
White and Black Caribbean
White and Black African
White and Asian
Any other Mixed background
British
Irish
Any other White background
Chinese or other ethnic group:
Chinese
Any other
Prefer not to answer
Social mobility:
Do you, or have you, received free school meals at any point in the last two years?
Yes
No
Prefer not to answer
Have you ever been in care? That is, looked after by the state.
Yes, I’m currently in care
Yes, in the past
No, I’ve never been in care
Prefer not to answer
Disability:
The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as 'a physical or mental impairment which has a
substantial long term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities'.
Do you consider yourself to have a disability
Yes
No
If yes, please give details below:
Thank you
Prefer not to answer