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Member List
Somerset Film at the Engine Room
Phil Shepherd
Facilitator
Siobhan Wilson
Coordinator
Somerset Film
The Engine Room
52 High Street
Bridgwater
TA6 3BL
Tel: 01278 433187
Registered Charity No: 1095587
The Engine Room - Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the Engine Room?
Somerset Film and Video Ltd, a registered charity dedicated to encouraging, facilitating and undertaking moving image projects and digital creativity, operates the Engine Room. A board of trustees together with Engine Room staff ensure the smooth running of the organisation and it's building.
What does the Engine Room do?
The Engine Room is Somerset's accessible community media centre and a base for a host of outreach work, projects and film productions that take place right across the county. Here at the Engine Room we run courses/provide training in all areas of moving image production, from starter to professional level for members of the general public. Three days a week we run free open access sessions called "Drop Ins'. During a ‘Drop In' you can use equipment, practice your software skills and get advice on projects. We also provide work experience and training opportunities through our bursary scheme.
Each month we circulate an e-bulletin containing information on moving image activity. This can include information on jobs, screenings, Festival submissions, training and networking opportunities, events and activities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. We host a number of regular events here and across the county such as Forward Motion - annual three-day festival of Film and Television, Women In Film, Junction - a networking and screening opportunity, Open Screens and archive screenings (through Take Art).
Check out our current brochure for details on the above or visit http://www.theengineroom.net/ Why not join our mailing list to receive the brochure and/or the e-bulletin. Simply pass on your details to a member of staff. (You can unsubscribe at any time)
A major area of our work is film production and media projects. See overleaf for further information.
What facilities do you have?
The café is located at the front of the building providing broadband Internet facilities, great coffee and wonderful home cooked food. You will also find a number of useful publications about moving image/digital media, folders containing contacts and project information and daily newspapers.
Through the large windows in the café you will see the studio, which is licensed as a cinema. It is here that we run courses, show screenings, hold drop ins and much more. The studio has software and equipment for film editing, sound design, animation, compositing, web design and graphic design. Upstairs at the Engine Room is our admin office, editing suites and sound booth with BBC ISDN line.
The facilities and equipment are available for hire.
Who funds the Engine Room?
The Engine Room currently receives some revenue funding from Artlife, Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset County Council, South Somerset District Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council. To help set up the Engine Room funding was also received from the New Opportunities Fund and Regional Arts Lottery Programme Funding. From time to time we also receive project funding from organisations such as Arts Council England South West, Big Lottery Fund, Government Office South West, South West Screen and Ufi Ltd (UK Online), However, like many charitable organisations, much of our income is self-generated through equipment and facilities hire and commissions.
What types of films do you make?
The Engine Room makes a wide variety of films for a myriad of organisations and individuals including:
- training films - e.g. E-Government Training video for South Somerset District Council staff and a trainers manual for Voice It Uk Ltd
- promotional films - e.g. Sports England - a short film showing the range of sports and physical activities available across Somerset
- educational films - e.g. Freddie the Food Detective for the Blackdown Hills Partnership and GOSW which explores nutrition for key stage two pupils.
- films that explore issues and raise awareness e.g. ‘Face to Face' a dramatic reconstruction of a restorative Justice conference for the Somerset Youth Offending Team.
Many of our films involve the clients directly in the making of them. For example ‘Our Lives through the Keyhole' involved the staff and service users of Carr-Gomm, a national housing charity to show how the organisation works and how it changes the lives of the people it helps and works with.
Other media projects include creating a searchable dictionary of sign language and symbols for Somerset Total Communication and a sound dictionary (made by and for young people) as a literacy resource for Crowcombe and Stogumber First schools.
Are the courses open to participants under the age of 18?
Yes, the courses are open to all ages unless specified. Occasionally we will advertise courses specifically for ages under 18, such as half term or summer holiday activities. Participants under the age of 18 must obtain permission from their parents/carers and a parental permission form should be completed.
Who are the staff?
The core team includes Will Bix (Studio manager), Tony Bruce (Cleaner), Helen Evans (Café Manager), Phil Shepherd (Facilitator), Claire Thomas (Coordinator), Fay Wakefield (Café Assistant). Our tutors and filmmakers are drawn from local freelance professionals. If you are interested in working in media/filmmaking with, or at, the Engine Room then send us your CV with a covering letter. As to the areas you are interested in. Alternatively, ask about our work experience and bursary place
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