FutureCreative Year 2 Launches with UHI
We are delighted to be delivering two distinct programmes in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) across this academic year. Both programmes are open to current students, recent alumni and staff.
Please email Helen Anton helen.anton@uhi.ac.uk for full details.
Soluble Fish’s Jason Lust: Expert Screen Residency Programme
What happens after University? How do you create your dream career in film and tv? Join Soluble Fish’s Oscar- winning executive producer Jason Lust (the Matrix, Peter Rabbit, Pinocchio) for this special series of masterclass as he trades in the Hollywood Hills for the Highlands and Islands to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for UHI students. On this course you will learn what it takes to create a successful career in film and tv, how to develop your own projects, how to pitch- and most importantly, how to work as a team. With site visits and access to experts in the industry, this course is open to both UHI students and alumni. Delivered through a mix of in person and online classes, attendance to all sessions - 12 in total through the year - is required. Space on the course will fill up fast so we recommend you sign up early to secure your spot.
Welcome and Intro to the Course:
Tuesday 24th October: 3pm-4pm
Jason’s background, stories from the industry, big lessons, case studies. Conventional vs. Non Conventional Approach to Hollywood Development. Watch an “Insider” kick off surprise movie together.
How to Develop an Idea for Screen (film, tv, etc.):
Tuesday 7th November: 3pm-4pm
Set assignment - class members begin a pitch deck with an idea of their own. The aim is to do something from the beginning of the course to the end of the course and make this "idea" undeniable. There are a few tricks of the trade we will discuss.
Visiting Lecturer Q&A with Jason
Tuesday 21st November: 3pm-4pm
A lecturer who will try to shed some light on exposing some of the underbelly of Hollywood Development.
Review assignment:
Tuesday 5th December: 3pm-4pm
How to create a world around a pitch, working with collaborators, when to attach folks, etc. Using Art to enhance the pitch. Having a full 360 degree scope to the full vision of the idea.
Identifying and Targeting the Right Production Companies
Tuesday 12th December: 3pm-4pm
How to pitch, who to pitch to, what to do in the room, how to market and eventually sell your idea.
Site visit to integrate the course into some reality.
Tuesday 16th January: 3pm-4pm
Specific details TBC
Prep Meeting for All Projects
Tuesday 23rd January: 3pm-4pm
Review, discuss, exchange ideas prior to pitching.
Visiting Lecturer Q&A with Jason Lust
Tuesday 6th February: 3pm-4pm
Specific details TBC
Working Session
Tuesday 20th February: 3pm-4pm
Open session, troubleshooting with Jason acting as exe producer through their final project. Practice pitch, feedback, sharing of artwork. Road test: group feedback.
Pitch Panel
Tuesday 5th March: 3pm-4pm
Presentation of final project, feedback with three hand-selected industry professionals and Jason.
The Art of Budgeting
Tuesday 19th March: 3pm-4pm
Now that you have an Undeniable Pitch, how to protect yourself / your idea and give it the best shot possible to becoming a fully realised vision. Including practicals: everything from locations to rebates.
Post Project Review and Wrap Party
Tuesday 23rd April: 3pm-4pm
Follow ups, next steps to bring project forward, final Q&A with Jason and students. Watch an "Insider" final surprise movie together too.
FutureCreative Year 2 Programme:
FutureCreative - an exciting collaboration between XpoNorth Digital and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)- is custom designed to connect creative, heritage and digital students with professional networks and opportunities. Through a custom built programme of workshops, 1-2-1 advice and specialist mentorship, FutureCreative offers a unique platform where students can connect with the sector, explore new ideas, develop relationships and build professional futures.
Bridging the Gap: Crafting Meaningful Museum Content
Wednesday 18th October: 1pm-2.30pm
Part 1: Introduction to Museum Content Creation
This session will offer students an understanding of the importance of well-crafted content in building dynamic museum experiences. There will also be an overview of the growing function of digital technology and a discussion on the range of professional opportunities this offers creative, heritage and digital students. This interactive workshop will also explore the different storytelling techniques museums use to engage visitors and profile case studies of successful content strategies.
Wouter van Der Horst:
Museum Educator & Media Technologist Wouter van der Horst combines his passion for history, art, science and teaching with new technology in We Share Culture. Wouter started his career at the Education Department of the Rijksmuseum, where he brought together digital content and learning with award-winning products as SnapGuide, RijksTube & RijksCreative. Wouter now further specialises in innovative ways to engage audiences through new technology, both in and outside the walls of museums and learning institutes. He continues his work in digital engagement as head of content at the world’s most downloaded museum app Smartify.
Nicola Henderson
Nicola Henderson is a freelance arts and heritage professional. She has worked within Scotland's Cultural Sector for almost 20 years - from Glasgow to Aberdeenshire via Skye and Sutherland. Nicola has worked as director of two of Scotland's leading cultural organisations - Timespan in Helmsdale and The Barn in Banchory. Following the birth of her first child, Nicola has worked freelance on a number of creative projects - from devising and delivering Associate Artist Programmes to managing New Music Scotland and working with the Highland heritage sector on building resilience. Nicola currently works as the Heritage Specialist for XpoNorth Digital and as the Innovation and Network manager for Museums and Heritage Highland - two roles that overlap in supporting museums to innovate for a sustainable future. She also co-runs the Museums Immersive Network with Cornwall Museums Partnership.
Bridging the Gap: Crafting Meaningful Museum Content
Wednesday 25th October: 1pm-2.30pm
Part 2: Hands-on Content Development
Part two will offer students the opportunity to go through practical exercises on creating compelling museum content including audio guides, video, interactive activations and multimedia presentations. There will also be collaborative activities to brainstorm and refine ideas followed by a feedback discussion on the impact and importance of content in shaping visitor experience.
Wouter van Der Horst:
Museum Educator & Media Technologist Wouter van der Horst combines his passion for history, art, science and teaching with new technology in We Share Culture. Wouter started his career at the Education Department of the Rijksmuseum, where he brought together digital content and learning with award-winning products as SnapGuide, RijksTube & RijksCreative. Wouter now further specialises in innovative ways to engage audiences through new technology, both in and outside the walls of museums and learning institutes. He continues his work in digital engagement as head of content at the world’s most downloaded museum app Smartify.
Nicola Henderson
Nicola Henderson is a freelance arts and heritage professional. She has worked within Scotland's Cultural Sector for almost 20 years - from Glasgow to Aberdeenshire via Skye and Sutherland. Nicola has worked as director of two of Scotland's leading cultural organisations - Timespan in Helmsdale and The Barn in Banchory. Following the birth of her first child, Nicola has worked freelance on a number of creative projects - from devising and delivering Associate Artist Programmes to managing New Music Scotland and working with the Highland heritage sector on building resilience. Nicola currently works as the Heritage Specialist for XpoNorth Digital and as the Innovation and Network manager for Museums and Heritage Highland - two roles that overlap in supporting museums to innovate for a sustainable future. She also co-runs the Museums Immersive Network with Cornwall Museums Partnership.
Composing for Film, TV & Games
Thursday 9th November: 3pm-4pm
This session will focus on composing for media, specifically across Film, TV, Adverts, Animations and Games. Join us to hear tips and advice on building a high quality portfolio of composition work, dissecting briefs/scripts, and what’s expected from a media composer when working as part of a creative team on a Film/TV series that is continually developing. We will also touch on some best- practise tips such as ensuring you are registered with PRO’s as well as offering advice on where to look for composition work, and support available across the UK for composers. The session will feature two esteemed music industry professionals who will discuss the challenges and triumphs they've experienced throughout their careers, and offer an insight on how you can set yourself apart from other composers.
Lynden Campbell: Music Supervisor
Lynden began her career at EMI Records licensing music from across the EMI, Virgin and Mute roster including artists such as Kate Bush, Queen, David Bowie and Blondie.
In 2009, Lynden joined both the Domino Recording and Publishing companies in order to establish a brand new, proactive synchronisation service outside the USA. With revered artists such as Jon Hopkins, Mica Levi and My Bloody Valentine in her remit, and campaigns for Santander, Bacardi, , Fendi and Formula E. Score work includes Jon Hopkins ‘Monsters’ (2010 dir. Gareth Edwards), Bill Ryder-Jones ‘Piggy’ (2012 dir. Kieron Hawkes, starring Martin Compston and Paul Anderson), Luke Abbott ‘the Goob’ (2014 dir. Guy Myhill), Anna Calvi ‘Peaky Blinders S5 (dir. Anthony Byrne), Anna Calvi ‘The Souvenir Parts I and II (2019 dir. Joanna Hogg), Julia Holter ‘Pure’ (Channel 4 TV show), Nathan Micay ‘Industry’ (2020 Dir. Ed Lilly) as well as major brand commercials including Nissan, Nespresso, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
After a brief sting as MD of composer agency HotHouse Music in July 2021, Lynden has moved closer to film and TV production as a music supervisor Pistol (2022 - Disney), The Banshees of Inisherin (2022 – Searchlight/Film 4) and Lockwood & Co (2022 - Netflix). Immersive work includes the Dubai Opening and Closing ceremonies as well as Frameless – the first permanent immersive exhibition (opens September 2022, Marble Arch London). Lynden launched Spatial Sound symposium in 2021 and is part of various Full Dome communities pushing the potential of immersive spaces. In 2023, Lynden set up her alter ego company Cinetronica – an immersive project management company producing immersive sound installations and representing futurist sound artists such as Chipzel that push the barriers of sound and technology.
Mark Gordon: Founder/ Composer, Score Draw Music
Mark Gordon is a composer and television producer based in Ireland
Mark started the company Score Draw Music in 2004 after a career as a musician that included recording 4 Peel Sessions, playing live shows in the USA, Russia, and Japan, and having tracks he had co-written placed on shows such as Malcolm in the Middle and Sesame Street.
His composition work in Score Draw Music has included co-writing music for Dolly Parton to sing in a children’s animation series, a co-write in the 2018 Oscar-winning film The Shape of Water, and ongoing work across film, television and animation- as well as running the company on a day to day basis. He also co-created and is currently co-producing “Yukee” - a 52 x 7 2D pre-school music series for Cbeebies/BBC distributed by Aardman and airing from 2024.
Outside of work Mark is a member of the Ivors Academy Media Committee Board, dealing with ongoing issues for media composers around copyright, skills and opportunities. He also sits on the Future Screens NI Board, delivering expert technical skills, opportunity and growth across film and broadcast, animation, games and immersive technologies and industries in Northern Ireland, and sits on the board of the Screen Composers Guild of Ireland. Mark also programmes Output Belfast - Ireland’s largest music conference.
Capture the Future: Understanding the Technology Shaping Creativity
Thursday 30th November: 3pm-4pm
Technology is a great disrupter and the creative sector is no more immune to this effect than any other. Be it distribution models, rights management, funding and revenue streams or reducing the distance between creators and consumers- the impacts, particularly from digital developments have been profound in the last thirty years. This trend will continue with the emergence of generative AI, immersive worlds, deep data insight and rapidly changing consumption patterns. Understanding what the technology landscape looks like and how this is likely to change the creative sector will prepare you more effectively to thrive as your creative journey develops. This session is designed to highlight emerging developments and cast into the near future so that it will not be such a surprise to you as it may be to others.
Meet the Agencies: Supporting Your Creative Future
Thursday 25th January: 3pm-4pm
This session will offer students the opportunity to meet with national support agencies and networks to gain a better understanding of the support programmes which exist to help while still a student and as you take your first professional steps into the sector. Our panel will offer top tips on how best to engage with their support programmes and offer insights into how they can help your professional development. Come and meet representatives from Creative Scotland, Screen Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and Business Gateway.
From Creative Idea to Reaching for the Stars
Thursday 15th February: 3pm-4pm
This interactive workshop session brings together inspiring entrepreneurial product makers to talk through the journey of creation. From designing initial concepts, setting up in business and raising finance- to working through the challenges, making the most of lucky breaks and bringing your product to market- this session is a must attend for anyone looking to break out as a creative entrepreneur!
New Opportunities and Old Ideas: Exploring Current and Future Skills
Thursday 21st March: 3pm-4pm
Rapid change, innovation and huge advances in digital technology continue to shape and inform the range of opportunities available to those looking to pursue a career in the creative industries; but, what does the future really hold for those about to enter the sector... are the more traditional parts still as important as ever... what are the in-demand skills and experience employers are really looking for... what kind of businesses and services are needed- and how do you keep pace when everything seems to be moving so fast?
If you are a current UHI student, recent UHI alumni or UHI staff and are interested in registering for Soluble Fish’s Jason Lust: Expert Screen Residency or The FutureCreative Year 2 Programme, please email Helen Anton
