First Break - Netflix Drama: Open Doors event

First Breaker, Jade Marney James, on set operating a camera rig.
© 2019, ScreenSkills First Break
First Breaker, Jade Marney James, on set operating a camera rig.
© 2019, ScreenSkills First Break
Age
18+
Career stages
Entry
Industries
High-end TV
Funding
ScreenSkills funded

This event has now passed.

 

GET YOUR FIRST BREAK IN TV DRAMA

A new Netflix drama is being filmed in London!

  • Are you aged 18+?
  • Would love to be a crew member on a TV drama but have no prior experience?
  • Not in full-time education?

Join our free online event to find out more about the First Break programme.

ScreenSkills’ First Break is a programme that provides those with no prior experience in Film or TV with bespoke careers advice, training and, the chance to apply for a paid placement on a new Netflix drama filming across London.

This TV drama production's office is based in Acton, London. Applicants for this First Break opportunity should be people based in Acton, Ealing, Hammersmith or Fulham, who can travel across London for various filming locations.

As part of the First Break programme you'll get careers advice, a training session explaining what to expect and the chance to apply for a paid placement on the production. 

We are looking for people who are keen to learn, who are enthusiastic, hardworking and who are passionate and interested in working in TV drama.

Come along to this event to meet the crew and see what it’s all about.

To find out more about the kind of roles involved in making a TV drama, look at our film and TV job profiles.

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Accessibility

ScreenSkills is committed to embedding inclusion in everything we do. If you have any accessibility requirements or further questions before booking, please contact us. The event will be hosted on Zoom. Please let us know if you need support accessing Zoom. Feel free when joining the Zoom meetings to include any preferred pronouns in your meeting ID name.

The event will start with an introduction in the main Zoom area before dividing participants into Zoom breakout groups to chat with members of the production. 

We can provide live captioning and a BSL interpreter upon request. Please let us know if you require these services or any other access support. 

Email: firstbreak@screenskills.com

Or call Vicki Ball: +44 (0)20 7713 9808. 

Who it's for

You must be 18+ and not be in full-time education.

Please note First Break opportunities are not for:

  • Actors - this is a behind-the-camera support programme and is not able to support those looking to develop their on-screen career
  • Individuals who have worked in production at any level previously in high-end TV, paid or unpaid. This is not a role for existing trainees. Find additional support for your developing career here.

What it covers

How does First Break work?

The first step is to apply through this page to attend our First Break Open Doors online event.

Stage one: Open Doors event

Held online on Thursday 7 September 2023, 4pm - 6pm.

Meet members of the TV production crew and ask them about their different departments and find out about their jobs. Find out who makes the sets you see on TV, who chooses the locations, and how filming works.

Stage two: TV 'Need to Knows' training day

Held in person on Saturday 30th September at a London venue 

Participants who attend the Open Doors event will be given information and invited to apply to attend the one-day training session.

It will introduce you to how the TV drama industry works and key skills for working on a TV set. You will meet industry professional trainers who will provide top tips for CVs and guidance about working as a freelancer.

Stage three: three-week paid work experience

Based on location in and around London for a three-week period from mid-October 2023 onwards.

Participants will be given the opportunity to apply for the three-week paid work experience programme where they will have the opportunity to spend time in the following departments:

  • Locations
  • Assistant Directing
  • Production Office
  • Accounts
  • Art Department

The work experience placement is paid at National Living Wage. 

Applications for the work experience will open after attendance at the TV 'Need to Knows' training day.

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After the work experience placement, ScreenSkills will provide the participants with careers support that will include the following:

  • Assistance looking for opportunities – full-time employment/job vacancies, apprenticeships and further and higher education
  • Signposting to local organisations that provide opportunities
  • Further information about working as a freelancer and securing new opportunities
  • Help with interview techniques, CV writing, online content, and promotions
  • A work-ready one-to-one planning session
  • The option to join alumni networking events

ScreenSkills has developed five free e-learning modules called Getting into the screen industries to support people who want to get their first job in screen. You may want to take these modules.

How to apply

To participate you will need to set up a ScreenSkills profile online. Please follow this link to do so before you book your place. You will only need to do this once and you should keep your login details in a safe place so that you can access them when you need to.

Click get ticket to book your place and find out if a career in TV drama could be for you.

Contact information

Phone: +44 (0)20 7713 9808
Email: firstbreak@screenskills.com

ScreenSkills

ScreenSkills

ScreenSkills develops skills and talent to support the UK's screen industries.

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