Vision+Media - Creative England Transfer FAQs
From 1 October 2011, Vision+Media’s responsibility to distribute Lottery funding for film projects and support filming production in the North West will transfer to the new organisation, Creative England. The following FAQs explain why and how this transfer is happening, and lay out Vision+Media’s short term plans to continue to deliver non Lottery-funded activities for the time being, and its long term aims to fully fold into Creative England in the future.
General
What is Creative England?
Creative England is the first dedicated support agency for the creative industries outside London. It is a private ‘not for profit’ company, limited by guarantee, with the core purpose of supporting the sustainable growth of independent creative businesses, and the talent that feeds them, in every part of England outside London.
This new organisation builds on the work of the other Regional Screen Agencies (RSAs) outside of London that, for the past ten years, have assisted the development of the film, TV, interactive, games and digital media industries in the English regions.
Why has it been set up?
The RSAs were established by the UK Film Council in 2002 to deliver film culture and nurture talent across England. Since then, the agencies diversified to work across the full range of creative industries, often attracting significant funding from other sources for projects in non-screen fields such as games, digital and new media.
Following the abolition of the UK Film Council in July 2010, it was recognised that the RSA network outside of London should streamline and re-configure into a new national strategic organisation to work with the BFI and others to support film culture and develop the wider creative industries across England.
In November 2010, the Minister for Creative Industries Ed Vaizey announced that Creative England would be established as “a simpler, more efficient structure with an expanded remit to support the creative industries across England.”
What will it do?
Creative England will support the sectors of Film, Television, Games, and Digital and Creative Services.
Creative England will become the BFI delegated body for the distribution of Lottery funded film activity from October 2011 and one of our key initial objectives will be to ensure a seamless transition of Lottery funded film provision in the English regions, ensuring the ongoing development and sustainability of a vibrant film culture outside London.
Creative England’s three core film priorities for 2011-2012 are:
- Film Culture: to ensure audiences throughout the English regions have access to a wide and diverse range of film content, to deepen and enrich audiences’ experience through education opportunities, and to integrate the unique resources of regional screen heritage into wider film provision
- Talent Development: to create an environment which fosters outstanding creative talent for film throughout the English regions by developing a clear progression ladder for writers, directors and producers
- Locations and Production Services: to maximise inward investment by promoting the English regions' locations, and providing support for film productions
Where will it be based?
Creative England will provide an England-wide service with staff located in a number of locations throughout England..
Who is running it?
Creative England will be led by Chief Executive, Caroline Norbury, who reports to the Creative England Board of industry experts, chaired by John Newbigin.
Who should I contact?
You can contact Creative England by emailing [email protected] or calling 0844 824 6042.
Transfer of functions from Vision+Media to Creative England
What functions have transferred from Vision+Media to Creative England?
From 1 October 2011, Creative England will become the delegated body for the distribution of National Lottery funds from the BFI, previously held by the RSAs in the English regions outside of London.
This means that the following Lottery film funded activities will transfer from Vision+Media to Creative England: Film Culture (including film heritage, film education and film exhibition), Talent Development and Location and Production Services.
What will happen to Vision+Media from 1 October 2011?
Although it is our ultimate aim to roll into Creative England entirely, please be aware that Vision+Media will not close its doors on 30 September 2011 and will continue to deliver on its programmes into 2012.
Our first stage in the process is to transfer Lottery funded film activity. This is taking place now, and Vision+Media staff are working closely with Creative England to make the transfer as smooth as possible.
However, we will continue to deliver our non Lottery-funded projects and activity in the coming months until they are either completed or folded into Creative England. These projects include:
- Comedy Conference
- Advanced Apprenticeships in Creative and Digital Media (No longer recruiting)
- Unity 3D Northwest Seminar
- Digital Pass w/ Bolton University (No longer recruiting)
- Digital and Creative Sector support
- Monthly newsletter
- Our website
This activity will continue for the time being, and we will update you on our next transfer steps in due course. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by emailing [email protected]
So what changes from 1 October 2011?
From 1 October 2011, if you are based in the North West, or any of the English regions outside of London, and you wish to apply to for film funding, you should visit www.creativeengland.org.uk/film-support to read about the new Lottery funds available, download guidelines and access the online application form.
Will Creative England honour Vision+Media’s current Lottery funding commitments?
Yes, Creative England will honour all Lottery award commitments made by Vision+Media up to and including 30 September 2011. These will then transfer to Creative England.
I received a Lottery award from Vision+Media which I haven’t fully spent - what do I do?
You don’t need to do anything. You will have received a letter from us informing you that the award commitment will be transferred to Creative England. If you have not, please email [email protected].
Film funding
What Lottery funding will be available for film from Creative England?
From October, film funding will be available for Film Culture and Talent Development project activity in the English regions outside of London. Full details of the new Lottery schemes, when and how to apply can be found at www.creativeengland.co.uk/film-support
How will I be able to apply?
Applications will be made online at www.creativeengland.co.uk/film-support. Dates to be confirmed soon.
I’m looking for funding for my short film – can Creative England help?
Details of short film funding will follow the BFI’s Film Policy Review which is currently taking place.
I’m looking for funding for script development / feature development / feature production – can Creative England help?
Yes, you may be eligible for Talent Development funding. Read more at www.creativeengland.co.uk/film-support
I’m a looking for funding for my festival / venue / archive / screen heritage project – can Creative England help?
Yes, you may be eligible for Film Culture funding. Read more at www.creativeengland.co.uk/film-support
Who should I contact if I have questions about Lottery funding?
For all film Lottery funding enquiries, contact [email protected] / 0844 824 3061.
Locations and Services
What will happen with the Locations and Services databases under Creative England?
Creative England is committed to providing a full England-wide locations and crew service. Their aim is to eventually amalgamate the existing databases held by Vision+Media and other individual RSAs into one integrated single service. Any crew, facilities or location owners will be informed of the switchover, and in the meantime Vision+Media’s service will not be affected.
How will you promote the English regions as an inward investment destination?
Creative England will be committed to promoting the fantastic and diverse locations on offer across the English regions, from urban cities to dramatic coastline, to historical houses and ancient woodland. It will also help to connect incoming productions to skilled local crew. Creative England will work closely with Film London and the British Film Commission, which has strong connections and partnerships with organisations, studios and companies throughout the UK and internationally.
