Tiga Takeout: June 2007
Will Tony Blair really step down at the end of the month and will we really see the Creative Industries Programme Green Paper (a Green Paper is a discussion document that should lead to legislation) by the end of the month? Who knows? The two are linked with the imminent leadership changes in government. What looks likely is that the first part of the Green Paper (the narrative) will come out by the end of the month, but the bit that matters - on which we have been pressing government - with measures for the industry, not till later in the year. The UKTI research on barriers to entry, which was to have been published by now, has also been caught in this no mans land.
Meanwhile, âSkills Academyâ confusion has been resolved: The Minister (Shaun Woodward) had an institution for 16-18 year olds in mind when he recommended one; Skillset the industry training board were talking Higher Education (graduate); and Tigaâs position was for post graduate and CPD (continuing professional development) provision - all of which are complimentary. But while universities, regional development agencies and all the above slug it out to be credited with the prestige of being responsible for the academy, it is likely the National Film and Television School, which is hoping to offer postgrad courses in conjunction with Abertay this fall, will be the first to cock its leg on that particular lamp post.
With regret we have had to pull what would have been the 5th Tiga Content Market. It would have also been the 5th venue and third change of date for the event. This year UKTI who have always helped us bring over publishers from the US and Japan are offering to set up meetings with the delegations they are bringing, in both Manchester and Brighton and on a train connecting the two places on 24th July. At least it will be cheaper! Contact Richard Lewis on 020 7215 4823 or e-mail richard.lewis@uktradeinvest.gov.uk for more info or to book. We intend the Content Market to be back at Develop next year.
On a more upbeat note the latest meeting of the Tiga Technology Group (formerly the Middleware Group) tackled the issues between middleware suppliers and developers in front of academics who offered hope of potential solutions to the impasses that kicked off the meeting from both sides (notes of the meeting available to members). Secondly, the group is looking for assistance to set up a Knowledge Transfer Network that will allow experts from technical and business departments of universities to confront problems facing the industry. The group will meet again on September 18th; the prospects are good, with more news to follow.
In September, there will be a special meeting on issues relating to R&D tax credits, with inspectors and representatives of both the Treasury and Inland Revenue. We expect some good news here.
Edinburgh has announced Yves Guillemot, Simon Nelson (BBC Vision), Stephen Berkoff (on performance capture), Rivers Run Red and others on 2nd Life, Crowd Control Productions on Eve On-line, Seamus Blackley, Home and LBP from Sony/Media Molecule and Simon Fullerâs 19 Agency and more... book now on www.eief.co.uk - two days for £120.