News for S4C Independent Producers

News for S4C Independent Producers http://www.s4c.co.uk/producers/ news items and the latest information from S4C for programme producers 24-May-2012 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 1 daily Data security guidelines updated to reflect new law /production/rm/news_view/newsid/799/language/eng/ Data security guidelines updated to reflect new law New data security guidelines for producers and crew members have been agreed between Pact, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five and S4C. The guidelines have also been translated into Welsh for the first time by S4C. The new guidelines reflect changes in the regulatory environment since their introduction in 2010. And the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has also added its input to the new guidelines. A catalyst for the updated guidance is new European legislation on data protection regulation. In particular, the new law affects cookies - a text file that is placed on a user's terminal equipment, containing certain information about an individual, their preferences and more. The EU legislation arose following concerns about 'behavioural advertising' and the 'cookies law' was implemented into UK legislation in 2011. The ICO gave UK businesses a 'sunset' period for compliance with the law, but the ICO will enforce the legislation from 26 May 2012. S4C's Welsh translation will also give the guidelines wider reach. Pact Chief Executive, John McVay, said: 'It's vital for producers and the rest of the industry that these important guidelines are up to speed with changes, especially technological changes. Producer data protection guidelines have been amended, in particular the statutory code of practice for data sharing, to cover the use of online tracking tools such as cookies. 'S4C's Welsh translation also demonstrates the growing support for a best practice standard in broadcasting. We must all stay on top of data protection, especially now that the appropriate management of personal information is a matter of general public awareness. The ICO has also reviewed and commented on the amendments, highlighting the importance of the guidelines in the industry. The Information Commissioner's Office's Group Manager for Business and industry, David Evans, said: 'We are always keen that industry develops its own guidelines on data protection. First of all it gives us some comfort that legal obligations are being paid more than lip service, and second that good practice advice is set out in a way that industry understands and can buy into. 'The industry guidelines that have developed fit that bill and we appreciate the opportunity to have some input. ENDS 24-May-2012 S4C coverage of Welsh Rugby Team’s Summer Tour to Australia /production/rm/news_view/newsid/798/language/eng/ Sunset + Vine Cymru and Sports Media Services will co-produce S4C's coverage of Wales' rugby tour of Australia in June. Wales' first test against the Wallabies on Saturday 9 June will be held at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. A week later (Saturday 16 June), the teams travel to Melbourne for the second test before the tour ends in Sydney on Saturday 23 June. S4C will broadcast all three test matches in full after 9:00pm on the day of the matches. 21-May-2012 Office space /production/rm/news_view/newsid/797/language/eng/ As a result of the reduction in the number of staff at S4C and the need to make financial savings, we are reviewing the use that is currently being made of our buildings in Llanishen. The obvious option is to offer spare office space to independent producers and other organisations. With this in view someone on behalf of S4C will be in contact to find out if you have any interest in renting office space. It is possible that the bottom floor of S4C's offices, which measures 12,000 square feet, will be available. We are also looking at the potential of renting out the old S4C International offices which comprise 5,000 square feet and a further 10,000 square feet in the building behind the main S4C building. The space will be available for a period of between three and five years. I would like to emphasise that we are considering options at the moment. I look forward to discussing ideas with you directly in due course. Kathryn Morris Director of Finance 18-May-2012 Invitation for Ideas /production/rm/news_view/newsid/796/language/eng/ S4C's Coverage of the Welsh Rugby Team's Summer Tour to Australia S4C have secured the rights to broadcast games from the Welsh Rugby Team's Tour of Australia in June 2012. Ideas are invited from production companies with broad experience of providing sport programmes for S4C. You should demonstrate how you intend to respond to the expectations of the viewers and make the most of the rights available to us. We will be awarding the work based on value for money and strong editorial content which responds to the viewers' expectations. We have the right to broadcast the 3 test matches in full after 21:00 on the day of the match. If you are interested in applying for the work please contact Geraint Rowlands, the Commissioner for Sport for further information. We aim to appoint the successful company by Friday May 18 2012. You should e-mail your ideas to the Commissioner for Sport (<a href="mailto:geraint.rowlands@s4c.co.uk">geraint.rowlands@s4c.co.uk</a>) by 16.00 Wednesday May 16 2012. 09-May-2012 S4C announces schedule changes /production/rm/news_view/newsid/795/language/eng/ S4C has announced changes to its programme schedule effective from the middle of this month. The channel has already announced that there would be changes to the content and style of the magazine programme 'Heno' with more emphasis on establishing a close relationship with audiences throughout Wales. At the same time it was announced that the Caernarfon office of 'Heno' producers Tinopolis would re-open. Announcing the changes, Dafydd Rhys, S4C Director of Content, said, "We look forward to receiving audience reaction to the new schedule and hope the viewers will be pleased with 'Heno's coverage of activities from the Welsh communities in all their variety. Later in the evening there'll be an opportunity for S4C to be more adventurous and innovative - indeed, to strengthen the service at the heart of the Welsh nation." As part of the changes from 14 May onwards, 'Heno' will be broadcast five nights a week instead of four, running from Monday to Friday. Angharad Mair, Gerallt Pennant and Eleri Sion will be part of the presentation team. Rhodri Ogwen Williams will leave the team to concentrate on other series for S4C including the quiz programme 'Jacpot,' part of the 'Pen8nos' programme on Fridays. The afternoon magazine programme 'Prynhawn Da' will change to run for an hour with leisure items and discussion. 'Heno' will be shown again at lunchtime on the days after original transmission and highlights of 'Prynhawn Da' will be shown again on Sunday afternoons. Angharad Mair, producer of 'Heno' and 'Prynhawn Da,' said, "I'm looking forward very much to presenting the new 'Heno', a magazine programme in which S4C will be putting viewers, communities and events on the screen. This will be the viewers' programme reflecting all the interesting and entertaining activities happening in all parts of Wales daily." The Friday evening programme 'Pen8nos' will be changing from 25 May. It will continue to have competitions such as 'Jacpot' and 'Sam ar y Sgrin,' Aled Samuel's weekly look at S4C programmes, will move from Sunday night to be part of 'Pen8nos.' The 10pm slot from Monday to Friday will also change. Soccer round-up programme 'Sgorio' will move to 10pm on Mondays as an hour-long programme and among other programmes in the slot throughout the rest of the week will be young people's programmes like 'Y Lle' and comedy series like 'Gwlad yr Astra Gwyn.' The second showing of 'Pobol y Cwm' will move back to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday. The new slot for young people's drama series 'Rownd a Rownd' will be 6.10pm on Mondays and Wednesdays with a second showing on Sundays. 01-May-2012 'Calon' ideas /production/rm/news_view/newsid/794/language/eng/ A brief word about Calon productions.   We have a wealth of ideas for this slot, and the aim is to respond to those under consideration soon. In the meantime, it is fair to say that we are no longer looking for new ideas. I would like to thank those who have submitted Calon ideas in recent months, and also to bring to your attention that the rolling commissioning process will continue. Ends 01-May-2012 Invitation for ideas /production/rm/news_view/newsid/793/language/eng/ S4C has won the right to broadcast from the events celebrating the 50th birthday of Cymdeithas yr Iaith from the Bont Pavilion, Pontrhydfendigaid. GIG 50 will be held on the weekend of 13th and 14th July 2012 where 50 Welsh artists will be performing throughout the weekend. Companies are invited to submit ideas on how best to broadcast and reflect the event. An additional information pack can be obtained by contacting Angharad P Jones, the commissioning co-ordinator (029 20741426 or angharad.p.jones@s4c.co.uk), before midday on Friday 4th of May, so that it can be dispatched before the end of the day. Ideas must reach us by midday on Monday 21st Mai. For information, the commissioner is Gaynor Davies. 30-Apr-2012 S4C Restructuring /production/rm/news_view/newsid/792/language/eng/ Dear colleagues, I have today announced details of S4C's restructuring plans. This is part of the strategy put in place after the October 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review and consequent cuts in S4C's budget. An internal group has been looking at the structure over the last 6 months to ensure that we have an effective structure for moving forward. After considering the group's recommendations along with various other reports written over the last year I have come up with a proposed structure which I believe is the most effective for moving forward. I expect that the proposed structure will evolve over time as we respond and react to changes in S4C's funding. The proposal has been approved in principle by the S4C Authority. The changes begin with the Management Team. It is proposed that the number of Directors on the Management Team be reduced from 7 to 4 and some of their responsibilities will change. These are the details: Ian Jones Chief Executive Kathryn Morris Director of Finance Dafydd Rhys Director of Content Garffild Lloyd Lewis Director of Communications, Marketing and Partnerships Elin Morris Director of Corporate and Commercial Phil Williams the Secretary of the S4C Authority will continue to attend meetings of the S4C Management Team as an observer. As well as a reduction in the number of staff, the form and nature of some departments will change to improve communication and efficiency. This will mean that some staff will transfer to other departments. By the completion of the proposed changes there will have been a substantial reduction in S4C staff levels since 2010. A voluntary redundancy scheme at the end of last year brought numbers down from 165 to 133 and it is proposed there will be a further net loss of 10 posts as a result of the planned restructure. We will follow the correct procedure and are commencing a 30 day period of consultation. We will also consult with all staff who are likely to be affected, and with BECTU, before any final decisions are made. Some posts will be redefined and some new posts will be advertised in due course. The proposed changes in the main affect the structure of the Content Department which from now on will incorporate content management, digital media, presentation and on-screen promotion, planning and research as well as commissioning. The Communications Department will be responsible for all elements of communications across S4C's services and will incorporate Corporate Communications and take responsibility for Partnerships. Business and commercial matters will reside under the Department of Corporate and Commercial. We have also been looking at the benefits provided to staff. The Management Team have volunteered to give up their right to company cars from September and membership of the private health scheme from the end of the year. In order to further save costs membership of the private health care scheme will come to an end for all staff at the end of the year. The restructuring is the start of a process to prepare S4C for a future full of change and challenge - a process which is likely to evolve over the months and years ahead. I am aware that the next few months are going to be difficult here at S4C and for our external partners. You are welcome to contact myself or one of the Directors if you have any further questions or concerns regarding the proposed changes. Ian Jones Chief Executive S4C 17 April 2012 17-Apr-2012 Skillset Cymru is now Creative Skillset Cymru! /production/rm/news_view/newsid/791/language/eng/ Skillset Cymru is now Creative Skillset Cymru! You may have already seen that we have recently rebranded and are now called Creative Skillset Cymru. We want our brand to make sense to our industries as we help them to be world-beating. We want all our creative sectors to understand our mission, to know we work for them and to see we are ambitious for our industries. We hope you'll agree that our new name and logo, along with our new strapline, 'Developing world class talent, explain clearly who we are and what we do. Our 'old' Skillset email and web addresses will continue to work for some time, but do update your email contacts and have any links to our website changed as soon as you can. If your web teams require a copy of the new logo, let us know and we'll send it over. To mark the start of Creative Skillset Cymru's era we're also launching a new monthly corporate e-newsletter. Creative Skillset | 33-35 West Bute Street | Bae Caerdydd/Cardiff Bay | Caerdydd/Cardiff | CF10 5LH | T: 02920 459 154 | F: 02920 489 539 | E: <a href="mailto:Nerysr@creativeskillset.org">Nerysr@creativeskillset.org</a> W: <a href="http://www.creativeskillset.org">www.creativeskillset.org</a> 13-Apr-2012 Work Plan 2012 /production/rm/news_view/newsid/790/language/eng/ Today S4C has published its Work Plan 2012. This is a new document which replaces the old Corporate Plan, and its purpose is to set out clearly and publicly S4C's aims and priorities for 2012. <a href="http://www.s4c.co.uk/abouts4c/authority/pdf/e_work_plan_2012.pdf">Work Plan 2012</a> 03-Apr-2012 Technical Requirements /production/rm/news_view/newsid/789/language/eng/ We would like to remind producers that S4C's Technical Requirements, which appear on this website, set out the requirement for delivery of one episode per tape. Our systems cannot currently accept a tape with more than one episode and there is a risk that any tape not conforming to this has to be returned to the producer to be redone in accordance with our requirements. This can cause delay and additional cost. We hope that this may be avoided by producers delivering tapes in accordance with our Technical Requirements. Thank you for your co-operation. 03-Apr-2012 TransformatLab 2012 /production/rm/news_view/newsid/788/language/eng/ Call for applicants - deadline 30th of March TransformatLab is an elite workshop-based training programme designed to give graduate-level creative media students from across Europe the chance to develop and pitch cross-platform ideas in an intensive development lab. With MEDIA support and co-ordinated by Skillset Media Academy Wales, TransformatLab is a 20 day programme which will take place over four months at three prestigious European media schools: The University of Wales, Newport (Wales) MOHOLY-NAGY University of Art & Design (Hungary) GOBELINS, l'école de l'image (France) They are now open for applications for the 2012 TransformatLab - details of the process are available <a href="http://www.transformatlab.eu/applicaton">here</a>. 27-Mar-2012 S4C managers volunteer to give up rights to two benefit schemes /production/rm/news_view/newsid/787/language/eng/ S4C Chief Executive, Ian Jones has confirmed that members of the channel's management team have volunteered to give up their rights under two benefit schemes as part of efforts to make internal financial savings. As a result, their entitlement to company cars will end in September this year and their entitlement to private health insurance will be discontinued at the end of this year. 27-Mar-2012 Arshad Rasul to leave S4C /production/rm/news_view/newsid/786/language/eng/ Arshad Rasul, S4C's Director of Broadcast and Distribution, has decided to leave the channel to pursue new challenges within the industry. Arshad has been in his current post since August 1999 and during his time at S4C he has overseen the channel's digital switchover programme and the move to high definition broadcasting including the installation of a new high definition transmission area recently commissioned at the channel's Cardiff headquarters. He has also overseen the refurbishment and major updating of S4C's offices in Cardiff and Caernarfon. Prior to joining S4C, Arshad held senior engineering posts with companies and organisations including Panasonic Broadcast Europe and Channel Four. He was also the S4C representative on the Board of Digital UK, the organisation responsible for managing the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting throughout the UK. Arshad Rasul said, 'I've greatly appreciated the support and professionalism within my directorate at S4C over the last 12 years and I thank everybody for working with me through all the challenges we've tackled during this period. Ian Jones, S4C's Chief Executive, said, 'Arshad has made a major contribution to the smooth running of the broadcast and engineering side of S4C for the last 12 years. I thank him for that contribution and wish him well for the future. Ends 26-Mar-2012 S4C appoints four new Content Commissioners /production/rm/news_view/newsid/785/language/eng/ S4C is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Content Commissioners. The four will be responsible for commissioning content and multi-platform digital services under the leadership of S4C's Director of Content, Dafydd Rhys. Sioned Roberts, Llion Iwan, Gwawr Lloyd and Gaynor Davies join S4C on initial 3 year contracts. They will be responsible for different aspects of commissioning for the programme service. In addition and following internal reorganisation, Geraint Rowlands will take responsibility for some aspects of commissioning and managing certain teams within the Commissioning Directorate as Head of Broadcasting. The appointments are part of S4C's new commissioning strategy announced recently. S4C will move from a system of commissioning decisions being made jointly by the entire commissioning team to a structure where individual commissioners will commission content. Ian Jones, S4C's Chief Executive, said, 'I am delighted to welcome the four Content Commissioners to the new commissioning team. I believe this team has the talent, vision and experience to deliver an exciting, innovative programme schedule which will appeal to the widest possible audience. 'These are challenging and exciting times for the Channel as S4C needs to reach consumers on various digital platforms. I believe this team, by working closely with the creative sector in Wales and beyond, can meet the challenge by commissioning innovative and imaginative content. Ends 22-Mar-2012 Heno – S4C Authority statement /production/rm/news_view/newsid/784/language/eng/ An extended discussion on the response to S4C's new schedule, launched on 1 March, and in particular the new nightly series Heno took place during the S4C Authority meeting on Thursday 22 March. Members of the Authority shared the same concerns raised by a number of viewers about the programme. Chairman of the S4C Authority, Huw Jones, said: "The Authority sympathises with producers and staff as they face the challenge of increasing the appeal of the service while also working with a budget which has been significantly reduced. But we have a fundamental obligation to ensure that our viewers' opinions - especially when they are as clear and consistent as they have been in the last few days - are heard and have an influence on what is seen on screen. We must protect the standard of the service. The Chief Executive has pledged to place the audience at the heart of the service and we welcome the positive steps he is taking in partnership with the production company Tinopolis, to ensure that Heno is a programme that will successfully contribute to S4C's objectives and the viewers' enjoyment." The Authority expects to see positive changes to the programme in the short term and another report regarding other aspects of the new schedule will be presented at the Authority's April meeting. Ends 22-Mar-2012 Notes on S4C Programme Guidelines during the Local Elections 2012 /production/rm/news_view/newsid/783/language/eng/ S4C today announced additional guidelines for our programmes in the period leading up to the Local Elections on May 3. <a href="http://www.s4c.co.uk/production/downloads/guidelines/e_etholiadaulleol.pdf">Local Elections 2012 Guidelines</a> 20-Mar-2012 Ian Jones calls for ‘creative competition’ in Wales’ broadcasting industry /production/rm/news_view/newsid/782/language/eng/ S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones has called on the independent production sector to work closely with the Channel to simplify the programme commissioning process to ensure greater stability and more creative competition within the broadcasting industry in Wales. In a speech at the annual general meeting of TAC - the trade organisation for Welsh independent television producers - in Aberystwyth today, Ian Jones said that we all need to 'move away from the 'You and Us' way of thinking and move towards a healthier and more efficient creative partnerships. Ian Jones emphasised it was important for everyone in the industry - broadcasters, producers and commissioners alike - to look forward to the future together. He said that S4C had already announced a new commissioning structure, led by a Director of Content and four Content Commissioners. He said that this commissioning structure would be a continuous process, replacing the current system of commissioning windows. Under the new strategy, funding would be earmarked for smaller companies and new talent. Ian Jones also announced a moratorium in the tendering process for this year in cases where commissioners were satisfied with both the creative and financial aspects of series being broadcast in 2012. Ian Jones announced that negotiations have started with the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Ed Vaizey, to try to widen S4C's remit to enable the channel to increase its multimedia activity. S4C is also keen to make better use of the Channel's archive in its on-line services. Ian Jones has asked the production companies to work closely with S4C in this field. In order to ensure that companies receive more feedback about their programmes, Ian Jones says that S4C will share elements of its research results with the sector. Ends <a href="http://www.s4c.co.uk/pdf/e_Araith-TAC-08-03-12.pdf">Read the speech</a> Notes to editors: S4C's new commissioning strategy will mean moving away from an editorial system where commissioning decisions are being made by a commissioning committee to a system where decisions are made by individual commissioners which focuses on developing ideas and talent. Under the new structure, the commissioners will take commission decisions under the supervision of the Director of Content. The commissioners will work closely with producers in the process of discussing and nurturing ideas before they actually commission to ensure that the best ideas reach the screen. The commissioners will commission content for S4C programmes and all multi-platform content in accordance with S4C's programme and multi-platform strategies. The prime objective of this system is to simplify the current process, make decisions more quickly and change the emphasis in the commissioning team from a supervisory role to discussing and developing ideas. The structure is one that encourages partnership and cooperation across the creative sector in Wales and beyond. 08-Mar-2012 Cyfle Newsletter /production/rm/news_view/newsid/781/language/eng/ <a href="http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4072684f550cf8db262b18ea8&id=634bf5dd7d&e=b8ca8f343b">Cyfle Newsletter</a> 05-Mar-2012 Promoting S4C programmes /production/rm/news_view/newsid/780/language/eng/ For information, from today onwards all S4C programmes will be promoted using the 12 hour clock. 01-Mar-2012