The days are finally getting lighter and longer which is good as we all need more hours in the day it would seem! Productions and Covid are both ramping up – let’s hope neither are all too consuming and we can all hang on to some balance.
TP INDUSTRY SESSIONS - PRODUCTION DESIGN with Mark Tildesley Saturday 30th April 10:00 -11:30 Online
Mark Tildesley is one of the world’s leading Production Designers, currently designing Sam Mendes’ feature Empire of Light. His recent credits include The Bubble, No Time to Die, The Two Popes and Phantom Thread. Having designed some of the world’s biggest feature films, he will be discussing his journey into production design, his design process across different budget ranges and how he collaborates with Set Dec, Props and Construction to achieve the look. COST £40 +VAT Click through here to apply online
RETURN TO WORK PROGRAMME Participants on this ScreenSkills supported programme have finished their workshops and 6 will now be offered paid placements on a range of HETV drama productions. Thanks to all the guest speakers who have been so generous with their time and expertise.
OTHER SESSIONS IN APRIL We will be releasing further Industry Sessions later in the month but also offering our regular sessions which are invaluable for anyone starting out in the Industry or those needing extra support moving up. Details and dates listed below: UNDERSTANDING THE INDUSTRY Tuesday 26th April Details here OVERVIEW OF THE ART DEPARTMENT Thursday 28th April Details here CV'S & NETWORKING SESSION Tuesday 3rd May Details here
PROPS TRAINING COURSE We are completing the Props Course at the end of this month and now have 13 Props trainees ready for work! Prop Masters, if you would like details of their experience please get in touch and we can connect you.
MENTORING NETWORK Applications for the next round of the Mentoring Network are now open! This is a successful scheme – we have 140 Mentees on the Network, 85% of whom are now working in the department of their choice on Band 2 and 3 feature and tv drama productions all over the UK. More details and how to apply here
FOOT IN THE DOOR AT FFILM CMYRU We are very much looking forward to working with Ffilm Cmyru and the Foot in the Door team evaluating their innovative approach to meeting skills needs. This is an initiative that works with partners, including Housing Associations, local authorities and job centres, to connect people who might not otherwise think a career in film was for them. More info here.
INDUSTRY TOP TIP This month’s top tip comes from UPM Ben Dixon (Meg 2, The Batman, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ) who has a good reminder for those who are a few weeks out from shooting...."In the final weeks before principal photography the feeling that you will never get this ready in time is completely normal. It always comes together in the end, just possibly not as you were expecting." THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING
The trailer to The Bubble – this Judd Apatow film for Netflix was one of the first new productions to shoot in the pandemic; the trailer looks good and it might bring some relief to the covid doom.
The Wellcome Collection (a great museum/library/collection which focuses on connecting science, medicine, life and art) has released a 5 episode podcast called Hello Happiness - discussing hope, joy, ecstasy, tranquillity, the history of emotions and how to re-wire your brain to promote positive emotions and reactions. Much needed!
Attire Care – this small Manchester based eco-business has (amongst many other great cleaning products) a Red Wine Stain Remover. It does what it says on the tin in an eco and sustainable fashion - extremely useful and one for every standby’s kit!