January News

We hope 2026 has started well and productively for you, whatever that looks like. It does still feel a little quiet out there- although, production levels are higher than we would expect at this time of year – but this is all to be expected for January. It will get busier as more projects are greenlit – use the time to reset and get ready. 

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

STEPPING UP TO SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR

Its’s been great to get our Stepping up to Supervising Art Director programme started. This will run over 5 weeks and cover all the key components of the job role and how to do it well. Taught by the incredibly experienced and respected Patrick Rolfe with some great Art Director participants.

MENTORING NETWORK

Thank you to everyone who applied to this round of the Mentoring Network. It was a busy and competitive one but we have managed to confirm our new cohort – more details on them soon! 

MANANGING FINANCES

David Thomas joined us to talk through how we can get better at managing our finances. It felt particularly useful as we head into another year, all determined that 2026 will be the one where we track our expenditure! His free templates certainly make it easier. 

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COMING UP

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS (and how to have them at work) - Tuesday 24th February 7.30pm

We will be joined by HR consultant Hannah Spraggan, from The Small HR Company. Hannah has years of experience working in HR across many creative industries and has walked many clients through this area of work. There is a skill to addressing difficult conversations well. Once you have taken some time to learn how to do it, these potentially stressful moments will become much easier and you will be able to manage them well. The positive impact on both people and teams is immeasurable.

Listen to her advice, take away guidance you can put into immediate use and feel more confident in your role.

More information on the website

PETTY CASH BUYING  with The Classic Prop Hire Company  - Thursday 26th February 2026

This one day workshop is ideal for anyone considering the PCB role or who has recently moved into it and looking for some additional support. It is also the perfect way to see Classic’s new space!

More information on the website.

WORKING IN ART DEPT, SET DECORATING & PROPS –  Thursday 5th March 10-12:30

This informal Zoom session is ideal if you are looking for information on the different art department teams, what they all do, how they collaborate and what you need to do to get onto a production.

More information on the website.  

FILM LONDONWe are going to be working with Film London again delivering our 3 day programme in February for those interested in breaking into the Art Department teams – if you are registered with them, via Stride or the EAN, you will be able to get more information there.

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THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING

Huge congratulations to all the Oscars and Baftas nominees. Some phenomenal work being recognised, and lots of it done by some of our mentors, mentees and members. Great to see the hard work being celebrated and fingers crossed for the nights coming up! If you haven’t seen the films yet, you’re in for some treats -  but try and remember Stellan Skarsgård’s acceptance speech at the recent Golden Globes, reminding us that “cinemas are an extinguished species now - in the cinema when the lights go down and you share the pulse with some other people, that’s magic – cinema should be seen in cinemas.”

If you are looking for a mid afternoon snack, look no further – these hit all the buttons and even feel a little bit healthy. These chocolate covered nuts have just the right amount of chocolate on. And come in a range of flavours….recommend!

@Explainingthewild – this Instagram account is the perfect 2 minute antidote to a stressful day and the endless horror in our timelines. Awe is so important to our curiosity and human existence and this account certainly provides it.

INDUSTRY TOP TIP Talk to people. One of the most repeated pieces of feedback we had from HoDs last year was that people don’t talk to each other enough anymore. We all rely on email and WhatsApp to communicate – both useful and expedient, but you aren’t ever going to get the same response as a conversation. Emails and messages can feel like an endless onslaught these days – so much better to find the person, have a chat and get a quicker, more measured and positive response. And just a nicer experience all round! Be brave. Let’s definitely make 2026 the year we talk more!