Latest News
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- 1 day ago
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It’s been a productive month – we’ve delivered some short courses, wrapped up two of the longer programmes and been consulting for funders on where improvements can be made to ensuring crew well-being on productions. There are some companies offering some interesting new approaches on how they can genuinely look after their crew – very hopeful.
PROPS
We have had a great time working with this new cohort of Props trainees, all coming into the industry with a wide range of skills, aware of what is expected and keen to start! It’s been a really successful 6 weeks with them all. Prop Masters – we will be sending out contact details this week.
We wish them all the very best luck with next steps - they did love their bags!
MENTORING NETWORK
We have also concluded our latest round of the Mentoring Network, with mentees now meeting their mentors for the final stage of the programme. Huge thanks to the mentors in this round – Flo Tasker, Karen Krizanovic, Chloe Taylor, Julian Ward, James Axford, Dan Kearns, Heather Noble, Thomas Love, Emma Field Rayner. Your support is very much appreciated
TECHNICAL DRAWING
We have completed two How to Read a Technical Drawings courses this month, one with Dan Kearns for a Crew HQ Set Decorating team on one of the productions at Leavesden and one at our office in Brighton with Rod McLean. These are great sessions for overcoming the fear of looking at a drawing and trying to find what you need. Thanks to Rod and Dan for all their guidance.
PETTY CASH BUYING
Huge thanks to Sara and Joe and everyone at The Classic Prop Hire Co for supporting us with another Petty Cash Buying course – such a good way to understand what the role is and feel more confident about how to do it well. We also had the pleasure of working with Asst Buyer Maud Fleminger Thomson, one of our TP Members, who was a great source of advice and support for the group.
INDUSTRY SESSIONS
Our last Industry Session focused on Mickey 17 and the design collaboration of Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton. It was fascinating to listen to them discuss how they created the different spaces for the film and worked so closely with other teams, particularly lighting. Also, so inspirational to hear their very genuine support for and admiration of each other.
TP. MEMBERSHIP
And finally a very warm welcome to our new cohort of the TP Membership!
So delighted to have so many returners and our new members will be excellent additions to the group. Looking forward to the next 12 months of events and support.
COMING UP
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY Filmbase Webinar - Friday 6th June 1.15pm
The film industry had been on a rollercoaster ride over the last few years and needed a period of stability when Donald Trump made his unwelcome “100% tariff” comments a few weeks ago.
Helen will be joining Filmbase to discuss what the impact of Trump’s comments has been so far, and might be in the future, for UK crew. The discussion will also consider what other, perhaps bigger factors are currently influencing the global film and HETV industry.
All details and how to sign up here
Managing Personal Finances - Tuesday 8th July 8pm-9pm Zoom
David Thomas has a particular interest in helping freelancers build skills to reduce anxiety around personal finance and has considerable experience of explaining how to make the freelance life work financially. If you would like information on HMRC’s plans and not be wasting your valuable time on boring paperwork, this TP Session is for you!
Cost £20+vat (£10+vat for TP Members)
Understanding AI with Media Lawyer Kelsey Farish - June/July tbc 8pm-9pm Zoom
AI is everywhere – but understanding how we can and are able to use it is new to many people. Kelsey is a world leading AI lawyer and specialist who will be explaining how film departments can use this increasingly powerful tool legally. Full details coming soon....
INDUSTRY TOP TIP
Rod McLean shared an invaluable tip with us at his course – when you start a production, measure your office and put the measurements on the wall. That way, you know how big the space is - extremely useful when you’re discussing other set builds or locations.
THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING
Huge congratulations to Production Designer Sarah Greenwood and Set Decorator Katie Spencer who have been honoured by the Academy Musuem of Motion Pictures with a new exhibition - Barbie to Anna Karenina: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer.
It explores how they have collaborated successfully to develop the visual concept and looks of so many films and celebrates their incredible design achievements. It runs in LA until October 2026.
Amazon notebook cover - Set Decorator Kathryn Pyle introduced us to this fantastic notebook tidy – keeps everything you need on your notebook, so perfect for recess and buying. You won’t ever lose anything again!
Cadburys has released a new chocolate colab which is just too good. Dairy Milk and Biscoff. So obvious if you think about it – available at all good supermarkets, you will thank us later (or not!)
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