The Actors’ Society

London’s PULSE short film fund is more popular than ever
Date posted: 31 July 2009

Film London today launches a call for applications for PULSE, the award-winning digital short film-making scheme run in partnership with the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund. Now in its eighth year, PULSE is open to all London’s new film-making talent supporting them in taking the next step in their career. Last year saw more applications than ever before with seven ambitious projects now in production.

New to PULSE this year is a significant development period offering a reinforced training programme to support yet more groundbreaking projects. Teams are requested to submit treatments rather than a script and up to 10 projects will be selected for development. This includes consultation with professional script editors and experienced producers to allow teams to develop a strong script. This development period ensures that although some shorts may not ultimately be funded by PULSE, the projects will be in a better position to secure finance from other sources.

Following the final selection process up to six projects will go into production with awards of £4,000-£8,000 plus specialised training provided by Script Factory.

Proposals for PULSE should be for short films shot or created on any digital format, with a running time of between one and 12 minutes. All genres are welcome, including drama, documentary and animation. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they intend to use the medium creatively, have original storylines, a powerful visual edge and innovative sound design.

Almost 450 London film-makers applied for PULSE in 2008 proving the popularity of this successful scheme. Seven projects were greenlit, including a new film from writer/director Destiny Ekaragha who last night picked up the best Newcomer Award at the respected Rushes Soho Shorts Festival for her debut Tight Jeans which was produced through Film London’s London Borough Film Fund Challenge. Also in production is the next project from Joseph Pierce, the award-winning and innovative animator.

Maggie Ellis, Head of Production at Film London said: “The level of interest in the scheme continues to grow and was phenomenal last year. PULSE has a great reputation and rightly so, as we have seen many of our film-makers go on to bigger and better things. With our partners, the UK Film Council, we have changed the scheme this year to enable us to support, train and develop more film-making teams than just the ones we are able to fund.

It is great to see young London film-makers, such as Destiny Ekaragha, making the most of Film London’s different productions schemes. Set up to offer opportunities for talent across all levels of expertise, our schemes can act as invaluable stepping stones in working your way up the industry.”

Further information and application details can be found on http://www.filmlondon.org.uk/PULSE. The deadline for entries is Monday 31 August 2009.

For further press information, please contact:
Colette Geraghty
T: +44 (0) 20 7613 7680
M: +44 (0) 7917 437 699
E:
Notes to Editors

PULSE 2008 slate:

The Park
Writer/Director: Destiny Ekaragha; Producer: Tamana Bleasdale
The Park is a coming of age tale about teenage friendships. The stories they tell one another belie the truths they can’t bear to share.

I Do Air
Writer/Director: Martina Amati; Producer: James Bolton
A young girl overcomes her fear by discovering a new underwater world.

Andrew
Writers: Giles Ripley and Jonny Ensall; Director: Giles Ripley; Producer: Paul Butterworth
For a sleeping cat, Andrew can be very demanding.

Cowboys
Writer/Director: Matthew Murdoch; Producer: Yoko Lytle
A gang of disgruntled builders are gripped by road rage in the wild west of England.

Jenny and the Worm
Writer/Director: Ian Clark; Producer: Megan Stuart Wallace
A pair of young punks find a huge singing earthworm with which they try to seduce the girl next door.

Heat
Writer/Director: Debbie Tucker Green; Producers: Kate Norrish and Polly Leys
Donna has a secret but can she confide in her family…and who would believe her?

A Family Portrait
Writer/Director: Joseph Pierce; Producers: Mark Grimmer
A portrait session threatens to go horribly wrong as jealousy and suspicion begin to surface in front of the photographer’s unflappable gaze.

About Film London
Film London is the capital’s film and media agency. Film London sustains, promotes and develops London as a major international film-making and film cultural capital. This includes all the screen industries based in London – film, television, video, commercials and new interactive media. Film London is supported by the UK Film Council and the London Development Agency. Film London also receives significant support from Arts Council England London, the Mayor of London and Skillset.

Film London’s activities include:
• Investment in new and established film-makers through a range of low budget production schemes
• Supporting training and business development activities
• Developing audiences and access provision across the film and media sector
• Showcasing of London films and talent
• Domestic and international tourism initiatives
• Promoting London on an international stage as an attractive base for film and media production
• Providing comprehensive information on London locations and production services, as well as practical advice and support to film-makers shooting in London

http://www.filmlondon.org.uk