LOVEBYTES DIGITAL MEDIA COMMISSIONS - GUIDELINES

ELIGIBILITY
The commissions are available to

• Individuals (artists, film makers, media practitioners etc.)
• Artists groups, writer / director teams, director / producer teams etc.
• Arts organisations with funding in place wishing to co-commission a piece of work by artists they are working with.
• Individuals / organisations with additional funding from other sources and earned income if appropriate.
• Film / new media production companies / SMES (small medium enterprises).
• Artists wanting to work in other fields. Previous working experience is not necessary in the area you are applying to, but you will need to show that you are able to realise the project you are proposing.

APPLICATION

• Please read the guidelines, the application help form, and the specific details of each of the available funds before making your application.
• Proposals will only be accepted when submitted using the application form provided (see Section 3 ­ Application).
• Do not attach any extra information unless specifically requested. Once projects have been shortlisted further information might be requested and there may be an interview / meeting with the selection panel to discuss details of your project further.
• Should you require further information or not understand any aspects of the funds or the form you can email info@lovebytes.org.uk for further details.
• Application Forms and Guidelines are available by post. Send an A4 first class SAE to:
  Digital Media Commissions, Lovebytes Ltd, Unit 307, The Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX.

HOW MANY APPLICATIONS CAN I MAKE?
You can apply to several or all of the separate schemes within the commissions package if you wish. However, you will be unlikely to receive funding for more than one project.

DEADLINE
Applications should be returned to Lovebytes by SEPTEMBER 21st 2001. Thereafter applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.

ASSESSMENT (WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?)
If you don't hear from us by 5th November 2001 then you should presume that your application has not been successful.

The selection procedure is as follows:
A selection panel will assess all applications. Further information and / or an interview with the applicant may be requested once projects have been short-listed. All proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:

• The quality and originality of the artistic activity proposed.
• That completed projects exist in a digital format.
• The ability and commitment to successfully manage and deliver the project.
• The use of innovative distribution methods (specifically in the areas of Experimental Digital Video, Interactive Animation and Publications).
• The artistic and / or economic impact on the Yorkshire area. Although funding is for supporting new media arts activity in the Yorkshire Region, applications are welcome from organisations or individuals based outside the region whose project can be shown to have an impact here. For example we will support projects which are developed in residence at Yorkshire based arts organisations or which may result in exhibitions, seminars, performances or workshops within the region.

LOVEBYTES LAB
Lovebytes Lab can provide production equipment for commissioned projects and projects in development.
The Lab provides a friendly open working environment around computers. The Lab is suited to multimedia production, providing an extensive collection of media authoring and manipulation tools. It is a fully integrated environment for desktop publishing, time-based media and programming. Our digital video suite sits next to a creative sound programming suite which are networked and linked to the Internet. We provide a wide range of intuitive software and affordable hardware to allow users to develop 'portable' skills using accessible systems.

CONDITIONS OF GRANT

• All projects should be completed and ready for exhibition by the end of January 2002, unless agreed otherwise.
• Successful applicants will receive their grant in three stage payments. The final payment will be after the date of completion, on receipt of the project and a report inclusive of final budget and expenditure.
• Successful applicants will be expected to credit Yorkshire Arts, The Film Council, Yorkshire Media Production Agency's Studio of the North and Lovebytes, as appropriate on all promotional material.
• Should projects go into profit through commercial exploitation, Yorkshire Media Production Agency's Studio of the North / Lovebytes will expect to participate in profits on a pro rata and pari passu basis with other investors until full repayment of funding and at a lower percentage thereafter. We will discuss this condition with successful applicants as appropriate.