Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and getting back onto productions now. It feels more positive month on month and the weather certainly helps!
WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO
FILM LONDON
We have been working with FILM LONDON, delivering introduction courses for the Equal Access Network. We spent 5 days looking at the different Art Department teams and learning how to access them. Thanks to Art Director Georgie Devine, Petty Cash Buyer Molly Tebbutt and Prop modelmaker Jules Ward for sharing their experiences with the group.
THE ART OF THE BACKDROP
A group of Art Directors had a chance to hear Production Designer James Price (Poor Things, The Iron Claw, The Nest) and Senior Art Director Rod McLean (Wicked, Empire of Light, Bladerunner 2049) discuss the different types of backdrops used on sets. It was a fascinating discussion and one participant acknowledged the “excellent advice from people with that level of experience”.
Our Industry Session programme exists to create an environment where professionals can learn from their peers and this one certainly did that.
MANAGING PERSONAL FINANCE
We had an invaluable session with finance expert David Thomas. David’s aim is to take the fear out of managing personal finances for freelancers and his advice and help sheets are extremely useful. If you are looking for guidance on any financial information, go to www.davidthomasmedia.com – the interactive budgeting tools are worth the click alone.
HOW TO READ TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
Rod McLean also joined us in Brighton to run a Saturday morning workshop looking at How to Read Technical Drawings on large scale productions. We looked at where to find certain information, how drawings are used in different departments, measuring and how to fold them correctly! These sessions are so useful for getting answers to questions you may not have an opportunity to ask on the job.
SUMMER NETWORKING EVENT
Thanks to all our members, mentees, trainees and mentors who came to the Summer Networking event at Warner Bros De Lane Lea. It was great to see so many people making the most of the opportunity to meet industry professionals and make new contacts. Thanks to those who were so generous with their time.
TOP TIP
Production Designer Patrick Rolfe (Malice, One Day, The Swimmers) recently noted something that we emphasise all the time.
“TAKE YOUR TIME - I cannot stress this enough. You cannot be successful at your job if you do not put the time in at each level - every single job you do will be different and bring you different experiences and that collective experience is what makes you good at your job and helps others be good at theirs. When you think you are ready to move up you are probably only just - do one more job at your current level just to make sure!”
THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING
We were very pleased to hear skills and the Creative Industries mentioned in the King’s Speech and Keir Starmer introducing Skills England, the new body for furthering skills and driving growth. This will hopefully ensure more funding is given to the skills agenda so that crew can invest in their own career development and more job opportunities can be created.
Film and TV Charity Looking Glass survey is open for a couple more weeks.It’s 5 years since they last collected information on how mental health and wellbeing is impacted in the industry and their data has instigated many changes. They are looking to access more information on how crew are managing at work so that we can work to collectively bring about more positive change. Please take a few moments to compete the survey.
Momo kombucha – this may be the drink of summer! So refreshing, good for you and feels like a proper drink. The ginger and lemon variety is perfect on a hot day.
INDUSTRY SESSIONS & COURSES
ONE TO ONE CAREER SESSIONS - BOOK A SLOT
“These sessions are like a secret guidebook – all the stuff that you need to know but no-one ever tells you.” This one hour session looks at where you want to be in the film and television drama industries and what you need to do to get there. We look at your CV to make sure it is industry focussed and then identify who you need to get it to and when.
Cost £150+vat. All details and how to apply here
GETTING STARTED IN SET DECORATING AND PROPS DEPARTMENTS - Sept/Oct
This is a free, modular course, running weekly in September and October (dates tbc). There will also be ScreenSkills funded placements for 15 of these participants on HETV drama productions. Recruitment will open in August.
PETTY CASH BUYING AT CLASSIC PROP HIRE - 24th October
This full-day day workshop, based at Classic Prop Hire, is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to work as a Junior Petty Cash Buyer on feature films and HETV dramas. Whether you are looking to move into the role, or have done so recently, this workshop will answer your questions and give you an opportunity to practice your skills. All details and how to apply here
Cost £225 +vat You may be eligible for a ScreenSkills Bursary
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