BBCi Films launches new site for budding filmmakers

Emma Rigby,, Revolution UK 12-Mar-04, 08:00

LONDON - BBCi Films has launched a site allowing budding Peter Jacksons to make a short film and showcase it on the web.

One-Minute Movies gives visitors the chance to learn about production and filmmaking and to feature their 60-second film on the BBC website.

Users can access free downloadable soundtrack music from the BBC archives to use in their movie and can practice their camera accuracy in the online game Calling the Shots. The site provides information about how to create a storyboard, direct, shoot and light a scene.

Martyn Glanville, senior content producer, said: "We wanted to interact with the user in a way that no one has done before. The content will push people on to other areas of the BBC website and will also act as a springboard to the BBC Talent initiative at the moment, giving people an opportunity to move up their own ladder of ambition."

He explained: "One minute might seem like a short amount of time, but keeping [films] to a minute ensures a user-friendly playback experience online and a realistic production length for the user.

"With an ever expanding web population, the internet is a great forum for anyone to learn more about film-making and showcase their short films."

Alan Yentob, director of drama, entertainment and CBBC, said that One-Minute Movies is an opportunity for anyone to try out their skills without fear of criticism or competition, or requiring expensive equipment.

He said: "Pick up your camera or your dad's camera or the tools you already have on your PC or that are already available on the web and make a film -- something you might never have considered doing before."

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