Dec 18, 2017 | News
The Isle of Man promoted its location credentials earlier this month when its digital media cluster, Isle of Media, hosted a stand at FOCUS in London. The event brings together media professionals from all sectors of the creative screen industries and is designed as a knowledge-sharing and peer-networking platform.
FOCUS aims to help filmmakers and producers discover incentives and production solutions to maximise screen value for all budgets, and Isle of Media representatives Shelley Langan (SES) and Dave Benyon (Greenlight TV) had a busy two days. Joining them to promote the Island’s media offering on behalf of the Isle of Man Government’s new Department for Enterprise was Zoe Guilford.
Following Isle of Media’s first anniversary in September, the not-for-profit organisation has refreshed its branding in anticipation of an exciting 2018, which will include events at MIPTV and MIPCOM in Cannes. For companies looking to set up a new media venture, or locate a new part of an existing/expanding business on the Isle of Man, please go to www.isleofmedia.org for more information and to view the national media strategy.
Dec 11, 2017 | Isle of Media
This December a few members of the Isle of Media team headed to FOCUS 2017.
FOCUS brings together media professionals from all sectors of the creative screen industries. Designed as a knowledge-sharing and peer-networking platform, FOCUS aims to help filmmakers and producers discover incentives and production solutions to maximise screen value for all budgets. Over two days the conference will include industry leaders sharing their expertise, inspiration and insight through a programme of panel discussions, workshops and presentations.
We were joined by current colleagues and made new connections from other countries and jurisdictions. The Isle of Media was representing the Isle of Man, discussing with producers, directors and location mangers as to how the Isle of Man can facilitate their projects. From locations and talent to company formation and tax benefits, the Isle of Media was showcasing the Isle of Man’s offering for film and TV production, with the team at Isle of Media offering a helping hand to anyone looking to setup their media ventures. With our strong film heritage, the Isle of Man was already well known as a diverse set of locations, supported by a helpful talented community.
Nov 30, 2017 | Isle of Media
Winter blues? Not with us, we’re refreshing our look.
We look forward launching our www.isleofmedia.org brand refresh at FOCUS 2017 on the 5th and 6th of December. FOCUS 2017 brings together media professionals from all sectors of the creative screen industries. Designed as a knowledge-sharing and peer-networking platform, FOCUS aims to help filmmakers and producers discover incentives and production solutions to maximise screen value for all budgets. Over two days the conference will include industry leaders sharing their expertise, inspiration and insight through a programme of panel discussions, workshops and presentations.
If you’ve been following our progress you will have seen, or even attended, the launch of the new Isle of Media Strategy document on our first anniversary in September 2017. Following your feedback on this and transitioning to the next phase of our development, we’ve moved to www.isleofmedia.org and have a fresh and vibrant new look too. It also expresses our not-for-profit character much better. You can view our most recent December 2017 version of our updated Strategy Document here. This is a live document, so please do email us at info@18.130.28.237, or give us a call, as always we’d love to hear your comments or suggestions.
If you’re also going to be at FOCUS come and say hi or organise a time to meet. We’re located at stand Stand S13.
Oct 26, 2017 | Isle of Media
The Isle of Media has sponsored a category in the prestigious Grierson Awards. With the Isle of Man being awarded status as a UNESCO World Biosphere Region in 2016, for it’s achievements in natural, historic and cultural conservation, environmentally sensitive economic development and the Island’s continuing commitment to education; the Isle of Media chose the category with an appropriate fit – Best Natural History Documentary. This award is for the best in class for a single documentary, or an episode from a strand or series, which addresses any aspect of natural history.
The Grierson Trust is a registered charity, promoting documentary film making and celebrating the work of John Grierson. The organisation is responsible for the annual British Documentary Awards, affectionately known as The Griersons. The Trust also invests in an active education programme to provide workshops and specialist mentoring for budding documentary makers.
The Grierson Awards Ceremony took place on the evening of Monday, 6th November at The Mermaid, Blackfriars, London. The Isle of Media thanks sponsors for making this possible.
Watch the Isle of Media Award catagory here.
Oct 12, 2017 | Isle of Media
After a successful duo of MIP events in 2017, you will be able to find us at MipTV and MIPCOM in Cannes in 2018.
We will be hosting a private evening reception for TV ventures and VC’s on dates to be confirmed. This event is of particular interest to companies looking to set up a new media venture, or locate a new part of an existing business due to expansion in to new territories perhaps.
Email info@IsleofMedia.org to request an invitation or to discuss further.
Sep 20, 2017 | Isle of Media
Isle of Media, an industry driven Public Private Partnership with the Isle of Man Government tasked to grow the Digital Media Cluster on the Isle of Man, celebrated its first year in business and launched the Isle of Media Strategy document. The event, sponsored by Dixcart IOM, showcased some of the highlights of the year so far and plans for the future.
Mark Rowland, founder of Formatzone IOM Ltd, and Kent Walwin, founder of That’s Media Group, both spoke on their future plans for production on the Island and also what they have achieved to date, with Mark showcasing a teaser trailer for the new 12 part production ‘Laurence of Suburbia‘.
Aug 31, 2017 | News
The Isle of Man Government has continued to make progress towards its digital media aspirations over the summer, by securing some interesting new projects.
One of these is a new twelve-part TV series which is being produced on the Island by the newly founded Formatzone IOM Ltd. The production ‘Laurence of Suburbia’ stars Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, best known for his BBC series Changing Rooms and DIY SOS. It takes a fresh approach to the TV makeover format, featuring houses where the history of the house and the location inspire the design. The first two episodes are based on the island.
The Island’s media cluster, Isle of Media, an industry-driven Public Private Partnership with the Government which has been tasked to grow the digital media industry on the Island, has been very instrumental in securing this production for the Island. CEO Stuart Semark has been talking to producer Mark Rowland for some time about the possibility of bringing Formatzone to the Island and when the opportunity of basing the production of ‘Laurence of Suburbia’ here became realistic, he engaged the Department of Economic Development and Treasury to see if they were prepared to support the project.
The DED and Isle of Media have worked together for several months to enable this production to happen and to secure the long-term commitment of Formatzone on the Island. We are optimistic that this will be a very successful series in the international TV market and that Formatzone’s presence here will attract other significant companies in the future.
Formatzone was established by Mark Rowland and its MD, Ben Robinson, to create television formats for the international marketplace. Both highly respected TV industry executives with extensive experience in format development TV production and international distribution – previous international hits include ‘Supernanny’ and ‘Robot Wars’. The concept for ‘Laurence of Suburbia’ was a collaborative effort with Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen.
‘Laurence of Suburbia’ will be launched by Sky Vision, the international distribution arm of Sky TV at MIPCOM, the annual international TV Market in Cannes, France in October where the first two episodes featuring the Island will be shown to international buyers.
The Production has just wrapped and employed over 25 local people including producers, researchers, camera and sound, and because it’s a home makeover format designers, builders, electricians and decorators too – all working together to a tight deadline.
This collaboration between IOMG, Isle of Media, Formatzone and Manx crew and services has gone extremely well and we all look forward to the next production and a long successful future for Formatzone on the Isle of Man.
Another exciting project heading our way in September is the DR1 Championship Series, sponsored by DHL, which sees the Isle of Man hosting the groundbreaking new sport of drone racing. Production company DR1 will be shooting some of the world’s best drone pilots as they compete on the specially designed track along Marine Drive. Eurosport and Fox Sports will both show the 2017 DHL DR1 Champion Series in the Autumn.
With more TV features over the coming months, the Isle of Man is enjoying a strengthening of its reputation as a filmmaking destination for the future.
May 31, 2017 | News
2017 so far has been a showcase year for the Island, with several productions which shot last year airing on British TV. Well-known BBC TV series Top Gear and Countryfile both featured the Island, as well as ITV’s Britain’s Best Walks with Julia Bradbury.
The Pinewood comedy feature film Mindhorn, shot in the Summer of 2015 on the Isle of Man, was also released to great reviews. While Manx locations have featured in numerous movies, never has a film actually been set here – until now! The cast and crew – including writers and stars of the film Julian Barratt and Simon Farnaby plus its director Sean Foley – returned “home” to the Island for a special premiere screening on 27th April.
The following week we welcomed the Celtic Media Festival to the Villa Marina in Douglas, the annual three-day celebration of broadcasting, film talent and excellence from the combined Celtic regions. Hosted in stunning weather, over 200 visitors to the Island enjoyed media forums and panels and great networking and parties.
With TT and plenty of Summertime productions coming up, there will be no slowing down for Isle of Man Film this year!
Dec 30, 2016 | News
The latest feature film to shoot on the Isle of Man – Where Hands Touch – has wrapped on the Island following the December-long shoot. Filmed on location in the North of the Island, the film is the latest project by writer-director Amma Asante.
The film stars Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games) and George MacKay (Pride). Abbie Cornish and Christopher Ecclestone also star in the wartime drama.
Set in Berlin in 1944, Where Hands Touch follows a bi-racial German teenager (Stenberg) who begins a friendship with a member of the Hitler youth (MacKay).
BAFTA-winning Asante, who writes and directs this project, has filmed on the Island before (for the hugely successful Belle in 2012) and was instrumental in bringing Where Hands Touch here. Her latest film, A United Kingdom, has just been released in UK cinemas to critical acclaim.
The Pinewood Pictures production shot the first half of the film in Belgium before moving to the Isle of Man at the beginning of December. A Second World War workers camp was constructed from scratch on Jurby Airfield, and there was additional filming at the nearby studios at Mountain View Innovation Centre (formerly Island Studios) and also at Knockaloe near Peel.
Over a hundred local background artists were employed by the production during the shoot, many of whom were asked to shave their heads for the roles. The Island’s extras agency Ex-Isle had the challenge of sourcing people (mostly women) for the film and the local community embraced both the long hours and difficult working conditions to take part in the harrowing camp scenes.
Where Hands Touch is the 107th feature film to shoot on the Isle of Man since the start of the film industry here in 1995. It is due for release in late 2017.
Nov 2, 2016 | News
The Island has enjoyed an exciting month with two notable TV projects shooting on location.
At the start of the month, Outdoor Productions visited the Island and shot an episode for a new walking series presented by Julia Bradbury which is expected to screen on ITV1 in February 2017. The 22-minute programme will focus on the Laxey area and the visiting crew were able to take advantage of some unseasonably fair weather as the walking route incorporated sights such as the mines, Dhoon Glen, and the iconic Laxey Wheel.
The great weather continued to allow well-known BBC show Top Gear to showcase the Island’s stunning coastline and mountain region for last weekend’s 4-day shoot. Top Gear has shot on the Island before, but this was the first time with its new presenter Matt LeBlanc, for their upcoming 2017 series which will screen in the Spring. Profiling the Russian eight-wheeled Avtoros Shaman vehicle, the large prodcution team filmed in various locations around the Island and seemed to have a great time doing so.
