Student News: Turner Broadcasting System Sponsors Dare To Be Digital

Turner Broadcasting System Inc. sponsors UK premier video games design competition – Dare to be Digital

16 January 2008
Dare to be Digital 2008 has secured sponsorship from one of the world’s biggest media giants, Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

Dare is the UK’s premier competition for young computer games designers, attracting students and recent graduates from all over the world in 2007.

Turner Broadcasting System Inc, owners of major news network CNN and part of the Time Warner group, is the first new sponsor to be announced for Dare 2008.

The company’s sponsorship comes soon after confirmation that the University of Abertay Dundee, originators and promoters of Dare, would continue and increase its support for the competition this year.

Paul Durrant, Director of Dare to be Digital, welcomed Turner Broadcasting System Inc. as the first new sponsor for 2008, saying: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with TBS this year.

“Their support is a huge boost to our plans to raise £1 million to support Dare to be Digital for the next two years, and a measure of how seriously the contest is now regarded by major creative and media businesses around the planet.

“We plan to greatly increase the scope of this year’s competition, with almost twice as many students as in 2007, taking part in several host centres across the UK and perhaps even overseas as well.”

Turner Broadcasting System Inc. is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

Casey Harwood, Senior Vice President for Digital Media at Turner Broadcasting System Europe said, “We’re delighted to support ‘Dare to be Digital’ and any initiative that fosters talent and diversity within our industry. Gaming is a particularly high growth area, complementary to our own target audiences and digital output, and this sponsorship presents us with yet another opportunity to build on our understanding of the format and the range of emerging digital platforms.”

Acclaimed by the UK government as an example of best practice in linking universities and the games industry, Dare to be Digital is a proofing ground for young talent. In its eight-year history, Dare has generated five companies, two product deals and seen 80% of its participants get hired by high profile employers in the video games industry. One of the winning teams, Voodoo Boogy, won a BAFTA award Ones To Watch in 2007.

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Movie News: iTuesday Hosts Dolphins Film Premier at Cineworld

iTuesday hosts Dolphins film premier at Cineworld. Independent film-maker, Mark Jay is inviting film buffs to attend the premier of his first feature film, Dolphins at Cineworld on Tuesday 29 January.

iTuesday - Tuesday 29 January at Cineworld, St Margaret’s Rd, Cheltenham, GL50 4DU. Contact: 0871 220 8000 Screening starts at 7.30pm

The director’s cut screening is part of the iTuesday film programme, hosted by the University of Gloucestershire in partnership with the Gloucestershire Media Group and Cheltenham Cineworld.

The former BBC documentary maker will be bringing along members of the cast and crew to take part in question and answer session at the end of the event.

Dolphins is a gritty, modern fairytale teen romance set in the seaside town of Brighton inside the edgy and dangerous world of the Boy Racer gangs and Indie Punks the town is famous for. In the week before Christmas, a strangely beautiful and emotionally super-charged love story unfolds between two kids from opposite ends of the town; a Romeo and Juliet for the 'too fast to live' generation.

The young cast includes former Emmerdale star, Karl Davies, Lauren Steventon, Layke Anderson and Jason Maza. Frank Harper (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Bend it Like Beckham, Football Factory) has a supporting role along with Hip hop superstar, Roots Manuva in his first screen role. Source music is supplied by Brighton's Skint Records and includes tracks by Fatboy Slim and Lo-Fidelity All-stars. The original score was composed by Sacha Puttnam and Border Crossing.

“Dolphins is a low-budget British movie shot on HD and made with the passion and commitment of a highly skilled cast and crew drawn mainly from the South East region,“ said Mark Jay.

“The script evolved through a process of work-shopping with local kids and actors many of whom came from the gangs and subcultures depicted in the story. It has been made with the kind assistance of RIFE Screen South. We would like to thank the University of Gloucestershire and iTuesday for giving us this opportunity to present our movie.”

Tico Romao, event organiser and field chair in film studies at the University of Gloucestershire added, “We are delighted to present the UK premiere screening of Dolphins as part of the iTuesday series. And we are especially glad that the filmmaking talent behind the film will also be present at the screening to talk about its production. This will be a big bonus to our film production students and anyone interested in the British independent film scene.”

The iTuesday film takes place on the last Tuesday of every month at Cheltenham Cineworld and is open to all. Tickets are £4 and are available from Tuesday 22 January onwards from the box office. Telephone 0871 220 8000 for details.

For more information on iTuesday please join the iTuesday open group on Facebook Facebook

Music News: Aardvark Records & VOEVEO Announce Music Competition Winner

www.voeveo.com and Aardvark Records are pleased to announce London-based act Riveraire as the grand prize winner in the audio category of the voeveo incubator competition.

voeveo’s incubator programme is all about supporting and helping creative people learn skills to build their mobile business.

The winning mobile full track was “Down To The Ground”, a rousing acoustic pop track with a bitter sweet lyric. Riveraire wins global digital distribution and promotion with the Cornwall-based independent record label Aardvark Records as part of the audio Grand Prize. Aardvark will license the winning track.

Alex di Savoia, Head of Communications at Aardvark Records, said; “As far as we’re aware this is the first deal of its kind in the music industry. A label scouting and working with an artist based on the strength of their audio productions for mobile telephones shows just how much the music industry is changing.”

Annabel Youens, Community Director of voeveo said: “It's been quite amazing to see the Incubator succeed. It was always our vision to help independent artists form new relationships and build their skills by partnering them with industry mentors. We built voeveo to empower bands, musicians and other creative artists to manage their business how they want and tap into explosive mobile market. It's been a real pleasure to see Riveraire win and connect with Aardvark Records. Congrats!”

Riveraire’s Caroline Loftus said: “We’re really thrilled and excited about winning the Incubator Competition and for the opportunity to connect with a wider audience with the help of voeveo and Aardvark Records. As independent artists, it’s fantastic to receive mentorship and support at a grass roots level. It feels like a real boost for us and fellow independent artists who are striving to make their mark in the mobile and digital arenas.”

Riveraire is an accomplished acoustic pop songwriting trio, bringing together the talents of London based Australian writer and performer Caroline Loftus and British songwriters Paul Carr and Paul Nolan. Their name harks back to the two Pauls’ northern roots and the river Aire in Yorkshire. Since meeting in London seven years ago, the team has been carefully crafting a catalogue of songs that combine soaring melodies, heartfelt words and Caroline’s rich and luscious vocals.

“Down To The Ground” will be distributed globally through Aardvark’s digital distribution network, including iTunes, MSN, Napster, eMusic and numerous other household digital music brand names.

University News: University of Kent Physicist Awarded an MBE

A University of Kent physicist is awarded an MBE. Dr Cyril Isenberg, a key figure in the University of Kent's School of Physical Science, has been awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours List.

A physicist with a national and international reputation, he was awarded the Institute of Physics' Bragg Medal and Prize in 1994 for significant contributions to physics education and innovative contributions to the teaching of physics. He has held numerous positions within the Institute, including Chairman of the London and South East Branch.

Dr Isenberg is well known for his science communications activities, and delivers a large number of popular lectures to schools and universities across the country. He has also made numerous television appearances and is perhaps best known as the organiser of the British Physics Olympiad. Over 10,000 UK A-level school students participate every year, out of which five are selected to take part in the International Physics Olympiad.

Professor Paul Strange, Head of the School of Physical Sciences, said 'I am delighted that Dr Isenberg's huge contribution to physics in the UK has been recognised with the award of an MBE'.

Although Dr Isenberg retired in 2002, as honorary lecturer he continues to play an active role in the School, including the management of the University's Kent Physics Centre.

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College News: Local MP Visits Lewisham College

Joan Ruddock, MP for Lewisham and Deptford, visited Lewisham College today (11th January) to tour the Deptford campus and meet staff and students.

The tour began in the sports hall where a number of local school children were enjoying their weekly workout session with some Football Academy students. The Year 3 and 4 pupils from Lucas Vale Primary School in Deptford had enjoyed a morning of basketball and hockey and were all very keen to show off their new skills.

The pupils also had the opportunity to meet sporting legend Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, 11 times Paralympic Gold medallist, who was filming a promotional sports video at the College.

Head teacher Alexandra Hardy said: “Our links with Lewisham College are extremely important to the children and this programme really helps to improve their sporting skills, self confidence and enthusiasm for sport. The whole experience helps them develop different skills and the Football Academy students are very positive role models for them.”

After chatting to some of the College’s Modern Apprentices - students who assist staff and students in everything from football to filing – the tour moved on to the Beacon Award winning Trade Union Studies Centre.

The employed students, who are all taking a one year TUC Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, took the opportunity to quiz their local MP on a range of issues, including the importance of having environmental representatives in the workplace.

Mrs Ruddock said: “I was delighted to visit Lewisham College again to see the excellent work they do to develop the skills of our young people. I am always impressed by the students and it is a source of pride that we have such a valuable organisation based in the community.”

Having also been briefed on the College’s redevelopment plans for the Deptford campus she added: “There is no doubt that the redevelopment is an exciting prospect that will add dramatically to the regeneration of Deptford. It will help lift the local economy and offers great potential for small businesses in the community.”

The Principal, Dame Ruth Silver commented: “Lewisham College is brilliantly served by Joan Ruddock and we were delighted to welcome her again. Even as a busy minister she proactively stays in touch with the developments in this fast moving sector and her visits are both welcome and involving.”


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