RANDOM ACTS NORTH
APPLICATION PACK
Thank you for applying to Random Acts North a major 3-year Arts Council England/Channel 4
project that supports young arts film makers between the ages of 16-24.
Random Acts was established in 2011 as Channel 4’s platform for short arts films with the aim
of escaping the conventions of arts broadcasting and showing films made by artists, rather
than programmes about them. Since then it has broadcast over 500 short films covering art,
dance, animation, music, spoken word and opera, including work by Ai Weiwei, Tinie Tempah,
Kate Tempest, Jake and Dinos Chapman and Marina Abramovic. The work created for the
programme can be seen at www.randomacts.channel4.com/
Channel 4 are re-launching Random Acts in partnership with Arts Council England to increase
the impact and prominence of the strand and extend its reach. The re-launch will see 12 halfhour TV shows, each featuring a curated group of the films and a new home on the web that
will be better integrated with the rest of Channel 4’s digital estate, making it easier for viewers
to find and to use. Distribution of films into 4oD will ensure that the fast-growing mobile
audience can discover and enjoy Random Acts on their smartphones and tablets, at home or
on the move. At least 60-80 Random Act films will continue to be commissioned directly by
Channel 4 every year from artists, producers and independent production companies; but
around 120 per year will be commissioned from 16-24 year olds by five new Random Acts
Network Centres.
Arts Council England has established five Random Acts Network Centres across England to
provide entry points for young artists. In the North Tyneside Cinema will be the Network
Centre in partnership with HOME (Manchester), True North Productions (Leeds) and a host
of other arts organisations. Each Network Centre will work together to nurture emerging
talent, help to develop ideas for short films from 16 to 24 year-olds, and provide a platform
for young talent to gain exposure and pursue wider creative opportunities.
Who can apply?
To apply for a commission in the North you have to be between the ages of 16-24 and be a
resident or attend university or college in the North 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. All productions created through the
North Network Centre will be produced in the North.
What are we looking for?
Random Acts brief is for ‘bold, innovative expressions of creativity’ across a range of art-forms.
We will be looking for a wide range of young creative talent with strong ideas drawn from
diverse art forms; from dance to visual art, animation to poetry, music to drama, film to video
art to create stunning short films. We’re looking for young people who have strong creative
ideas, dedication to their craft and the drive to create and deliver their film production. You
will need to have a clear focus of what it is you want to do; you may have a script, artwork,
storyboard, choreography or piece of music that you want to use, or have developed concepts
and ideas that you want to realise on screen. There will be time to cultivate your ideas with
professional mentors, but we will be looking for applications that can demonstrate a clear
vision for their work.
The production process will be very demanding. You will be supported throughout, but you
need to be prepared to commit time and energy to producing your work. Once you are
commissioned you will be placed onto a production schedule which means working to tight
delivery deadlines. The finished films can be between 90 seconds to three minutes long and
will need to be of a high quality. Take a look at the Random Acts website to see example of
previous commissioned films. www.randomacts.channel4.com/
It’s very important to remember that all films will need to meet Channel 4 broadcast
standards and compliance regulations.
Further information on the standards expected can be found here:
http://www.channel4.com/info/commissioning/production-information/documentsresources-and-websites .
The Producers Handbook contains Channel 4’s compliance requirements:
http://www.channel4.com/producers-handbook
Please also read the Terms and Conditions found at the end of this document.
How can I find out more?
The best way is to attend one of our Random Acts Information Session or Creative Ideas
Workshops which are taking place across the North between November 2015 and April 2016
– you can sign up to our newsletter at www.randomactsnorth.org to find your nearest event.
These are great opportunities to meet the team delivering Random Acts North, meet other
young artists, get inspired and talk to the Random Acts team in more detail about your ideas
before you apply. All events and are free to attend.
Sign up to our newsletter at www.randomactsnorth.org to keep up to date with events
happening near you or if you have any questions please contact
[email protected] or call 0191 227 5509.
How do I apply for a commission?
Once you have developed your idea complete the application form at the end of this
document and submit via email or alternatively create a filmed application (answering all the
main questions) and send the film to [email protected].
If you are creating a filmed application please fill in the personal details section and submit it
via email - without it we will be unable to process your application.
We will be looking for 24 innovative film ideas to put into production – the application process
is your opportunity to express yourself and your ideas.
We would love to see examples of your previous work, so please send us links to your on-line
portfolios, website, blogs, You Tube, Vimeo, Flickr, etc. or alternatively WeTransfer material
to us or put a disk in the post and send it to: Scott Burrell, Tyneside Cinema, 10 Pilgrim Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6QG
Closing date for applications is Monday 4th April @ 5pm
**PLEASE NOTE**
If you have any difficulty accessing the information, or making an application in any way,
please get in touch.
What happens next?
A panel of film professionals/artists will assess your application on its artistic merits and how
it fits into the Random Acts brief. A short list will be drawn up and selected applicants will be
invited to attend one of eight Development Days taking place in May 2016. These will be oneday workshops where the Random Acts team will work with you to develop your application
before resubmitting to the final Commissioning Panel made up of industry professionals. The
panel will then choose the 24 commissioned filmmakers.
What can I expect if I am successful?
If your application for a Random Acts commission is successful you will be need to attend a
four day Talen Residential where you will be meet the other commissioned filmmakers and
be assigned a Production Mentor to work closely with you and help guide you through the
production process. Your film with then be placed on a Production Schedule as agreed with
True North Productions, Channel 4 and Arts Council England.
You will work on your idea with the Random ACTs North team, who will help you allocate your
budget, schedule your film, find crew and equipment and all the facilities you might need.
You will shoot and edit your film with the help and guidance of professionals and True North
Productions 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 television programme. All
participants in the programme will also be signposted to new creative opportunities and
activities.
For more information on the scheme or how to apply contact Scott Burrell on 0191 227 5509
or check out our website at www.randomactsnorth.org
Good luck and we look forward to receiving your short film ideas!
Random Acts North – Application Form
Name:
Address:
Post code:
Tel: landline / mobile
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?
How did you find out about Random Acts North?
The following questions can be answered either in writing, or as a filmed submission. Filmed
submissions must answer all questions as incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Please select one:
Written submission
Filmed submission
YOUR IDEA: Please describe your proposed film in a single sentence.
Please tell us about your idea in more detail (Max 500 words). You should use this section to convince
us why we should pick your idea. Feel free to supplement text with a script, 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 your work (films/photographs/writing/ website/animation etc ) 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]
Please indicate below your availability to produce your work between July 2016 and March 2017
The North Network Centre will cover the costs of training participants, which includes accommodation
and catering as part of the residential programme. Each film will be allocated a production budget of
up to £4000. Successful applicants are expected to pay for their own travel to attend the Talent
Residential in Manchester, as well as travel associated with film production. Travel bursaries are
available for those who can demonstrate that the cost of travel would prevent them from
participating.
Are you intending to apply for a travel bursary?
Yes
No
PLEASE READ TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND SIGN AND DATE THE FORM
Terms and Conditions
1. Applicants to Random Acts North must be aged between 16 and 24 on the closing date for
applications to the round being applied for.
2. Applicants must be a UK or Irish citizen, or have been a resident in the UK and Ireland for five
years or more.
3. Evidence of artistic merit, originality and the quality of your practice and ability to deliver will
be the foremost consideration of the application panel.
4. Not all films produced through Random Acts North will be selected for transmission on
Channel 4 services.
5. 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).
6. 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.
7. All shortlisted applicants must ensure that they are available for the filming and documenting
of their work and for any related editorial activity.
8. 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.
9.
With regards to data protection, Tyneside Cinema will use each entrant’s personal details for
the purpose of administering this application.
10. The name, photograph and application of the successful applicants may be used by Tyneside
Cinema, Channel 4 and Arts Council England for publicity purposes.
11. The selected filmmakers agree to allow Tyneside Cinema, 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.
12. Any expenditure incurred or committed before a commission is granted is the responsibility
of the applicant.
13. 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. Tyneside Cinema will provide feedback to unsuccessful shortlisted applicants.
14. Applicants must keep to the terms & conditions and not make any changes to the project
without Tyneside Cinema’s 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.
15. Only one submission to each round of is permissible.
16. Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and agreed to be
bound by them when applying for the Random Acts programme.
The following projects are not eligible for Random Acts North:
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Projects that will use the fund solely for the purchase of equipment (by “equipment”!
we mean musical instruments, computers, office equipment, multimedia and audio
visual 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 Tyneside Cinema for the Random Acts North will constitute your
confirmation of the following declaration:
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I hereby confirm that the information I have given in this application is true and correct.
I agree that Tyneside Cinema may, for administrative purposes only, make copies of any
material submitted in support of my application.
I agree to Tyneside Cinema 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.
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By submitting this form, I give Tyneside Cinema 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 North.
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. Any information you provide us with will be processed by
a department that is independent of your application to Random Acts and is used for monitoring
purposes only. Please note you will need to return this form as part of your application, providing any
of the information requested is optional.
GENDER
Male
Female
Prefer not to say
ETHNIC BACKGROUND
This checklist is the standard ethnic monitoring categories provided by the
Commission for Racial Equality
Asian or British Asian
Indian
Pakistani
Bangladeshi
Any other Asian
background
Black or British Black
Caribbean
African
Any other Black
background
Mixed
White and Black Caribbean
White and Black Asian
Any other mixed
background
White
British
Irish
Chinese or other ethnic group
Any other White
background
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
Prefer not to answer
If yes, please give details below