INTRO.......PRESS RELEASE........SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.......SUBMISSION FORM

STRIPSEARCHERS—Exposing Birmingham’s Talent

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Hi8us Midlands Ltd, funded by the Equal ITM Programme and Arts Council West Midlands, are launching an exciting illustration competition. 15 gifted individuals will get the opportunity to develop their skills, under the expert guidance of seasoned professionals from the comic world via a series of bespoke workshops. Over 8 months the 15 finalist’s development will be tested through set tasks, which will be reviewed by the whole group and during one to one sessions with the specialists. The scheme will culminate with all applicants submitting work to be published and a VIP weekend to the largest comic festival in the UK. 

If you’ve got the talent and the commitment to make it in the industry then StripSearchers could help you realise your dreams. The scheme is open to anyone from the West Midlands 16+ but we are especially keen to receive submissions from female applicants.

Wannabe illustrators are asked to submit examples of their best and most recent work. We are looking for good photocopies of 2-4 pages of original continuous comic-strip (no posters), preferably without lettering, if the application already includes lettering we will accept it.

If you prefer, you could pick a story or graphic novel (Tank Girl, Judge Dredd, Sandman, Spiderman etc.) and re-illustrate, in your own style, a story line from it. If you choose to do this please let us know the original title of the story, the comic you have taken the idea from and the Publisher (e.g. DC Comics).

As well as the illustrations we need some information about you.  Please could you tell us your: Name, Age, Gender, occupation, Postal Address (including post code), Contact Numbers, Email Address (if applicable) and how you heard about the project or download the submission form from www.stripsearch.org.uk  If you wish to submit further information (e.g. C.V, and/or Covering Letter,) to support your application, please make sure it has your name and address on it.

Entries need to reach us, at the latest, by 6pm on Wednesday 22nd  February 2006

Please send all entries to: Jemima Cattel, StripSearchers, Hi8us Midlands Ltd, Progress Works, Heath Mill Lane, Birmingham B9 4AL. For further information we can be contacted on jemima@hi8us.co.uk or 0121 693 0242

The first workshop session will be on Saturday 4th March 2006

Hi8us is committed to equal opportunities.

This product has been part funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) under the Equal Community Initiative Programme. The contents do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the European Commission or the Department for Work and Pensions.