Michael Nyman is a colossus of the British film industry, best known for his collaborations with Peter Greenaway (‘Belly of an Architect’, ‘The Cook, the Thief, his Wife and her Lover’), his haunting score for Jane Campion’s ‘The Piano’, and, most recently, for scoring the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Man on Wire’.

The track being made available is an edit of ‘The Embrace’ and ‘Lost and Found’ and comes from ‘The Piano’. Members, who use the track and upload the resulting film to Shooting People by 12 August 2009, will have a chance to win a personal endorsement from Nyman, as well as a training package valued at £750 from the Frontline Club. As a judge – and a filmmaker himself - Nyman will be looking for the most creative and original use of his soundtrack. Entries are open from 1 June – 31 July, and the winner will be announced 19 August 2009.

Michael Nyman said of the competition “It’s good to give something back to the filmmaking community, as film has been such a huge source of inspiration for me. I hope that the members of Shooting People will be inspired by this track and we receive some inventive entries.”

James Mullighan, Shooting People’s Creative Director said ”Shooting People has long admired Michael Nyman’s music, and we have watched with interest lately the new paths he’s furrowed in moving image. We are honoured that he’s involved in this initiative, and believe it’s a rare opportunity for filmmakers to have such an accomplished and haunting piece of music for their films”.

More information on the competition can be found at shootingpeople.org/nyman.

Shooting People is also delighted to confirm Michael Nyman as judge for the June round of Film of the Month. Each month, Shooting People Members view and rate their peers’ film, creating a shortlist of three. These are then sent to one of Shooting People’s high-profile patrons, who give a personal review of each of the three, and choose the Film of the Month.

On being June’s judge, Nyman said “I feel it’s important that today’s filmmakers are supported and Film of the Month does just that and I’m very happy to be part of it”.

Previous judges have included Mike Figgis, Morgan Spurlock, Stuart Beattie, Martha Fiennes and Vincent Moon. More about the initiative and view previous winners is here http://tinyurl.com/ca6amd.

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Notes to Editors

Michael Nyman was born in London in 1944. He was awarded the CBE for services to British music in 2008. His music is available on an extensive range of recordings on his label, MN Records. The music of Michael Nyman is published exclusively by Chester Music Ltd;

Michael Nyman performs his first BBC PROM at the Royal Albert Hall 25 August and plays Bestival on the Isle of Wight 13 September;

Shooting People is the international networking organisation dedicated to the support and promotion of independent filmmaking;

The organisation’s 35,000 Members share tips, recommendations and news, and cast and crew their films using the nine Daily Bulletins. Members can upload their work for video streaming. Over 300 films are cast and crewed every week using Shooting People;

Shooting People maintains the Independent Film Calendar, hosts interviews, podcasts and free filmmaking resources, and Members-only special offers. Shooting People publishes books, DVDs and distributes independent film releases, DVD collections of award-winning short films 'Best vs. Best';

Patrons of Shooting People include Mike Figgis, Morgan Spurlock, Richard E Grant, Sally Potter, Danny Boyle, Stephen Woolley, Christine Vachon, Nick Park, Martha Fiennes and Stuart Beattie;

Reflecting its commitment to independent journalism, The Frontline Club is offering filmmakers a choice of two training courses to the value of £750, either advanced editing skills with FCP or shooting with a broadcast quality camera

For more information: james@shootingpeople.org / +44(0)20-7729 2087