Press Release
THE CURTAIN’S UP ON STAGE & SCREEN: A CREATIVE EXCHANGE FOR FILM, TV AND THEATRE PROFESSIONALS
11 November 2016
Film London, Directors UK and Park Theatre have joined forces on a new project to encourage greater creative exchange between the worlds of film, TV and theatre.
Dubbed Stage & Screen, the new initiative will see producers and directors from film and TV invited to the first matinee performance of new productions at north London’s Park Theatre, followed by intimate networking sessions with each play’s creators which aim to encourage collaboration, cross-pollination and new working relationships.
The initiative will draw from the three organisations’ respective talent pools, and highlights a shared aim in terms of fostering emerging talent and encouraging a forward-looking collaborative approach across the creative industries. ‘Raising Martha’, which is produced by Michael James Cox and Tom O’Connell, written by David Spicer, directed by Michael Fentiman and premieres on Thursday 12 January 2017, will be the first play to take part in the new initiative.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “From cinema’s earliest Shakespeare adaptations to J.J. Abrams investing in ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, the worlds of stage and screen are inextricably linked. I couldn’t be happier to be working alongside Directors UK and Park Theatre to continue this tradition and build upon our own work to nurture and connect London’s incredible wealth of creativity and storytelling talent.”
Abigail Berry, Member Services and Events Manager at Directors UK, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with both Film London and Park Theatre for the Stage & Screen programme. It is such a great initiative encouraging directors from a television background to broaden their creative horizons, and collaborate and build connections with others outside their industry. It offers a great opportunity for our members to learn new skills, network with likeminded creatives and develop an insight into other areas of the industry that could lead to new opportunities in the future”
Jez Bond, Artistic Director of Park Theatre said: “We are very excited to be working with our neighbouring organisations to facilitate this innovative new opportunity for cross-art form practice. Park Theatre enjoys being a hub for the creative industries to network and we hope this initiative will develop stimulating new work and foster creative relationships. ”
- Maintaining, strengthening and promoting London's position as world-class city to attract investment through film, television, animation and games
- Investing in local talent through a range of specialised production and training schemes
- Boosting employment and competitiveness in the capital's screen industries by delivering internationally facing business development events
- Maximising access to the capital's film culture by helping audiences discover film in all its diversity
- Promoting London through screen tourism
For further press information, please contact:
Alex Deller
T: 020 7613 7682
M: 07787 254 250
Notes to Editors
About Film London
Film London is the capital's screen industries agency. We connect ideas, talent and finance to develop a pioneering creative culture in the city that delivers success in film, television, animation, games and beyond. We work to sustain, promote and develop London as a global content production hub, support the development of the city's new and emerging filmmaking talent and invest in a diverse and rich film culture. Funded by the Mayor of London and the National Lottery through the BFI, we also receive support from Arts Council England, Creative Skillset and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Film London's activities include:
Film London also manages the British Film Commission (www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk) through a public/private partnership which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport through the BFI, and UK Trade and Investment.
About Directors UK
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of over 6,400 members - the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK collects and distributes royalty payments and provides a range of services to members including campaigning, commercial negotiations, legal advice, events, training and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
About Park Theatre
Since opening in May 2013 Park Theatre has established a reputation for presenting plays of excellent quality and variety, presenting world class theatre and collaborating with the finest existing and emerging talent. Their programme classics through to new writing is distinguished by strong narrative drive and powerful emotional content. They produce both in-house and in partnership with the most excellent existing and emerging producers, for whom they endeavour to provide an unparalleled level of support.
Built with the aspiration to become a neighbourhood theatre with a global ambition this continues to inform and direct Park Theatre as it goes into its fourth year.
It encompasses many ideas:
· To be a welcoming and accessible venue for everyone
· To develop and strengthen connections within our diverse community
· A desire to see the world reflected on their stages and in their audiences, participants and staff
· An ambition to take their work out nationally and internationally
@ParkTheatre