Discovering New Stories from Britain’s Emerging Multicultural Talent… Diverse Artists Invited To Apply For B3 Media’s TALENTLAB

DEADLINE EXTENSION – SEPTEMBER 25THDEADLINE EXTENSION – SEPTEMBER 25TH

Now in its fifth year, B3 Media seeks diverse artists for its 2017 edition of TalentLab – an innovative creative development programme aimed at BAME artists, writers, creative producers, and filmmakers who are ready to take their careers to the next level.

B3 Media is a leading media arts network that understands the importance of representative storytelling. TalentLab 2017 helps diverse artists take their careers to the next level by transforming raw ideas and stories into outstanding projects through workshops and individualised support. The programme also enables participants to gain greater exposure and recognition in their fields via carefully curated networks with a list of industry mentors.

Nelson George is one of this year’s mentors. George wrote and directed ‘A Ballerina’s Tale’, a documentary about the world famous African American ballerina Misty Copeland. He was also Executive Producer and co-writer on the successful Netflix series ‘The Get Down’, created by director Baz Luhrmann and Pulitzer-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis. Queen Latifah won the Golden Globe for playing the lead in George’s HBO directorial debut, ‘Life Support.’

“I had a great experience as a TalentLab mentor last year. I’m really looking forward to working with the gifted writers, directors, and producers of tomorrow.” Nelson George - Author, Filmmaker, Television Producer, Director, Critic

Supported by Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, with BFI’s Film Forever National Lottery funds and University of Nottingham’s Horizon/ Mixed Reality Lab, TalentLab 2017’s closing date is 25th September 2017. Applicants can visit www.b3media.net/talentlab for more information.

We are calling for applications from individuals with a strong story to tell and a track record in film, visual arts, theatre and digital storytelling. B3 Media is hoping to find 20 candidates with ideas to participate in a series of development labs in November 2017. From this initial group, up to 6 projects will be commissioned and produced between November 2017 - January 2018 with an opportunity to present their work at our B3 Futures industry showcase at Picturehouse Central (London) in February 2018.

Dan Simmons, Creative Skillset’s Head of Partnerships said, “Inclusivity is a key strand of our strategy and we are delighted to support this important programme through the Film Skills Fund. B3 Media have a great track record in improving the skills of BAME creatives and enabling promising talent to emerge. We look forward to discovering this year’s intake and experiencing their creative output.”

Professor Steve Benford of Nottingham University said "It has been tremendously exciting to host this year's Talentlab artists at the Mixed Reality Laboratory. Their enthusiasm and creativity have been a breath of fresh air and our team is excited by the unusual and challenging new projects that are emerging. We are very much looking forward to engaging with a new cohort of artists next year and fully expect them to help us continue to push the boundaries of interactive media”.

Marc Boothe, Founder/ Creative Director of B3 Media, says “At B3, our passion is finding, growing and showcasing creative talent with fresh stories that have yet to be told. We focus on developing creative leaders from diverse communities who have something to say whether it's by way of short, feature, or transmedia art forms. It's exciting to find and ignite talented storytellers who will blaze the trail for years to come."

About TalentLab
Bridging the Gap: TalentLab aims to address a lack of provision of cutting edge support for ethnically and culturally diverse filmmakers and digital artists. According to the Creative Skillset Employment Census 2012, the number of BAME people in the creative media industry workforce has decreased from 11,450 in 2009 to 9,511 in 2012, representing 5.4% of the total workforce in  012 compared to 6.7% in 2009. And, in film, in particular, BAME people represent only 4.4% of the workforce. To address these challenges, B3 takes the approach of strengthening the pipeline of BAME talent in the film and media industry through intensive professional and project development and connecting talent with key decision makers in the industry. TalentLab is a positive action programme aimed at redressing the under-representation of people from BAME backgrounds in the UK Film industry and creative arts. The law permits such actions where there is evidence of under-representation. For further information, see statistics presented in the Creative Skillset Employment Census, 2012

About B3
B3 Media is an creative media arts network that helps filmmakers and digital artists develop, produce, and distribute their work, taking them from the first spark of an idea through to the initial showing and beyond. B3 has a track record in creating successful professional development schemes for filmmakers and other film industry professionals. 

About Creative Skillset
Creative Skillset works with the UK’s screen-based creative industries to develop skills and talent, from classroom to boardroom. Their Film Skills Fund invests in the skills and training of the UK film industry to secure its growth and sustainability, ensuring UK film remains world-class. The Film Skills Fund is backed by the British Film Institute (BFI) with the National Lottery funds. 

About Nottingham University Mixed Reality Lab
The Mixed Reality Lab is an interdisciplinary research group, at The University of Nottingham, exploring the potential of ubiquitous, mobile and interactive technologies to shape everyday life. The lab has engaged with artists for over fifteen years now to create, tour and study interactive performances and installations that push the boundaries of how digital media is interleaved with the everyday world. The laboratory is currently home to over fifty academics, research associates and PhD students who are undertaking a wide ranging programme of research into mixed reality and its applications.

TalentLab builds on B3’s success through past development programmes with BFI, Arts Council England, Film4, BBC Films, BBC Writersroom, and many more. TalentLab alumni have gone on to have their work shown at Cannes, Sundance, and Encounters film festivals; received BAFTA nominations; won prestigious awards and prizes for theatre and television; and exhibited or presented work at leading venues.