By Louise Livesey | 2 May 2007, 11:37

BIRDS EYE VIEW FILM FESTIVAL NEEDS YOU!

We’re over our post fest burn out and we’re in need of a fresh injection of energy here at BEV HQ. We’re after administrators to keep the office in order, programmers to bring their vision to the team for 2008, and tour co-ordinators to keep the action going over the Summer. Sound like fun? Read on.

WHY VOLUNTEER FOR BIRDS EYE VIEW?
Here what past volunteers say:

“My research experience at Birds Eye View, together with exciting responsibilities like programming BEV events at the NFT, definitely helped me to get onto an incredibly competitive documentary researcher training scheme. I’m now working at a great, extremely well-respected production company and loving every minute… so thank you!”
- Caroline Harvey, programme researcher 2005

“Sitting in the NFT with a full-house watching short films I helped programme, has so far been the most nerve-wracking and exhilarating experience of my fledgling film-programming career. I had to be physically restrained from leaving the cinema after the first film, but wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Roll on BEV 2008!”
- Chris Harris, short film programmer 2007, documentary panel co-ordinator 2006

“I started at Birds Eye View as a volunteer, i’m now a programming officer for the festival. From the instant that I entered the office I was offered challenging, worthwhile tasks and was welcomed by a friendly, buzzing team. The great thing about working for BEV is that you are given the opportunity to really make an impact on the shape of the festival, make industry contacts and meet amazing filmmakers. At BEV it really feels like everyone’s opinion counts. I now do paid freelance film programming work - my experience at BEV has given me that all important ‘who you know’ factor and the skills crucial to getting a foot in in a competitive industry.”
- Fiona Fletcher, short & feature film programmer 2006-07

“I’ve met a lot of great people and had a lot of fun through BEV, it’s a hugely rewarding experience and I would recommend it to anyone!”
- Jen Botting, documentary film programmer 2006-07

‘I’d first moved to London from the states at the age of 28. While I’d been working for several years with my own arts development consultancy back home, I literally had to start all over in the UK . Volunteering to produce the Sounds & Silents programme with Birds Eye View has given me the opportunity to work on an exciting concept with world-class musicians and filmmakers in major venues. The contacts I made in 2005 kick-started my career on this side of the pond and the friends I’ve made along the way as part of the BEV extended family were perhaps even more valuable.’
- Lis Ssenjovu, Live Music/Silent Film events producer

BEV has played a major part in my career so far, when I first moved to London I didn’t know anyone, BEV was a great way to meet people, and gain confidence in the industry I wanted to get in to. I don’t know how else I would have done it.
- Xanthe Hamilton, tour co-ordinator 2005, event filmming 2006-07

I am now a fully qualified full time cinema programmer working for independent film exhibition. Volunteering for BEV gave me the opportunities that are so hard to come by in the film and art world; to work within the film festival circuit, to work under pressure and to deadlines and meet them, but mainly to create something that I truly believed in and see it happening in such fantastic venues as the NFT, the ICA and the Barbican. Birds Eye View allows its team to fully participate in every angle of its production and to experience how a professional film festival operates and grows in London and the UK .
- Madeleine Mullet, BEV programming team & Q&A/event host 2006-07

The roles we really need to fill right now:

1 – VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATOR
Our office is small, sometimes frantic, always (usually!?) fun and friendly… We’re all multi tasking – fundraising, getting tour gigs sorted, programming stuff, dealing with budgets…

We need someone efficient, positive and flexible to help us out with administration.
Required skills:
- outlook, internet, excel, word
- good phone manner
- comfortable researching online
- fast learner - this is a multi-task role
- sense of humour
- willingness to take out the rubbish sometimes, wash up and make tea

We can’t pay you, but we’ll cover your travel.

Availability – full time for 3 months would be splendid. Part time negotiable – we can work with 2 of you. It’s just nice to be able to totally throw yourself in sometimes, you get loads out of it that way. But we understand if you need to juggle it with paid work to keep afloat.

2 – VOLUNTEER TOUR CO-ORDINATOR: BIG CHILL, EDINBURGH and more…

BEV is on tour and we need someone to help us co-ordinate the nuts and bolts of this.

Required skills:
- outlook, internet, word, excel
- good phone manner
- an organised head
- fast learner
- some events experience would be great
- marketing and budget experience a bonus

Travel expenses only I’m afraid. But we can give you a Big Chill ticket and hopefully help you get to Edinburgh too.

Availability – part time should be fine for this. Minimum 2 days a week. And to be able to go along to a few of the gigs…

3 - PROGRAMMERS NEEDED FOR 2008 FESTIVAL

Ever dreamed of being a festival programmer? This is your chance to learn how. Birds Eye View works with teams of volunteer programmers who scout and select and seek out the best films.

And IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT FILM… we need programmers to pull together cross arts events, VJ sessions, killer parties, innovative stuff to keep the festy programme sizzling. It’s hard work. It’s great fun. It could be a crucial stepping stone in your career.

We need people with creative vision and flare. People with film know-how. People with confidence to get out there and find those movies. People who love a brainstorm. And people who are happy to knuckle down and get through the dull stuff because it’s worth it.

Some of our programmers have started with experience. Some have started right here. Just with enthusiasm, vision and skills. We need all sorts.

Could this be you?

Availability - Please specify how much time you think you can commit. We need some people in office hours at least sometimes, and some can juggle with other work and fit things in evenings and weekends. All you need to be is really clear, and committed.

TO APPLY:
To apply please email rachel@birds-eye-view.co.uk with a CV and a covering letter explaining what you’re into and why you want to help Birds Eye View out.

Deadline: ASAP really. We need to get rolling! Sooner you send your CV, sooner we can call you for a chat…