Real to Reel is a mentorship project for filmmakers with a passion for hip hop culture.
We’re inviting five creatives to bring a passion project to life by producing 2–7 minutes of innovative hip hop content for Breakin’ Convention’s BCTV channel.
As part of the project, you’ll also collaborate with a local theatre to create a video that captures the energy of their community for the Breakin’ Convention Tour.
Between 9 May and 6 June, Breakin’ Convention, the international festival of hip hop dance theatre, tours to nine UK venues:
Canterbury, Newcastle, Nottingham, Coventry, Glasgow, Brighton, Poole, Doncaster and Blackpool.
We’re looking for filmmakers based in or near these cities.
See full tour schedule here
This project offers the opportunity to develop your skills, broaden your network, and present your work to a wide audience, guided by industry professionals throughout. If you’re interested in being a part of the project, read on.
PROJECT CRITERIA
Breakin’ Convention recognises the wealth of film-making talent across the UK, and we want to showcase it. We’re looking for innovative filmmakers who understand hip hop culture and want to tell unique stories that highlight its positive impact.
We want film-makers who can contribute to the vision of Breakin’ Convention.
We don’t set any age or professional level-based criteria for doing the project, but you will be required to have access to:
Your own equipment: camera, lenses, microphones, monopods/tripods
Access to editing software
Experience creating film or digital content
A passion for making digital work
An understanding of hip hop culture
to be based in or near Canterbury, Newcastle, Nottingham, Coventry, Glasgow, Brighton, Poole, Doncaster and Blackpool.
Please note: this opportunity is for solo filmmakers, not production companies.
Film brief
Your commissioned film must be rooted in hip hop culture, but the format is entirely up to you e.g. documentary, interview or concept video.
Your film should:
· Engage audiences and shine a light on its subject
· Be 2–7 minutes long
· Focus on an aspect of your local hip hop community: dance, rap, graffiti, DJing or MCing
Breakin’ Convention works with local dancers, graffiti artists, DJs, MCs and other community figures in each tour location. We encourage you to collaborate with artists in your area and spotlight local talent.
Suggested ideas include:
· Documenting an artist’s journey to Breakin’ Convention
· Interviewing key hip hop figures in your community
· Filming a performance in a sitespecific location
We’re open to hearing your ideas.
You will also work with your local venue to create a short recap video or community focused film as part of the commission.
Our Real to Reel Mentors
Nick Pin
is a director and producer specialising in broadcast, live performance and youth-led storytelling.
Through his company Stomping Pictures, he works across music, arts and culture, delivering projects for broadcasters, cultural organisations and community partners.
Alongside his commercial work, Nick is committed to mentoring emerging filmmakers and supporting young people to develop strong creative voices rooted in their lived experience.
Ben Williams
Bens creative work spans a range of visual performance projects for artists and choreographers - each film distinguished by intimate camerawork, sound-driven storytelling, and a bold approach to movement as narrative.
A lot of his work has been focused within arts and has been very fortunate to work with some very talented artists. Over the past few years, he has been working predominantly within the dance scene creating content for an array institutions and companies, Sadlers Wells theatre being one of them.
Ben has worked on commissions for the BBC and also had features for on large online platforms such as Nowness. Over the past few years his work has been showed at numerous film festivals both national and internationally.
Finances
Participants will receive a fee of £750 to support the creation of their work.
Key dates
Application Deadline
Sunday 8th February
Successful Applicants will be notified
Friday 20th February
Introductory Zoom Meeting incl participants & mentors
Week Commencing 9th March *subject to availability*
Commission & Mentoring Period
9th March – 15th June
Breakin’ Convention Tour
9th May – 6th June
You will be required to travel to your local venue during this period.
See your local venue tour dates here.
What is BCTV?
Launched in 2014, BCTV is an online video channel/platform which captures Breakin’ Convention’s work and the artists we work with - from live performances to interviews, short documentaries and conceptual videos. It provides a slick insight into our world and gives an international platform to the plethora of talent that we work with. We create stylised, dynamic and original content from our existing programme/projects and extensive network of dancers and hip hop artists that is greatly needed in the realm of hip hop.