Skills to Screen Midlands

Could your next job be in film, TV or games?

Are you affected by redundancy or at risk of losing your job? Are you looking for a career change in 2021? Do you have 3 or more years of experience in roles related to project management / administration, coding or art?

If the answer to these questions is YES and you are midlands-based then we want to hear from you. This free to attend Skills to Screen Midlands course will introduce you to the range of in-demand roles in the screen sector and how your skills will add value to these creative teams.

We’re looking for 50 participants who are interested in using their skills and experience in a new way and break into the worlds of animation, film and TV (be it drama, factual or children’s programmes) as well as all aspects of games programming, design and production.

What is Skills to Screen Midlands?

This short training course will take place over two mornings on Saturday 30th and Saturday 6th February 2021.

• It will introduce you to how the screen industry works. 
• You will learn about the in-demand roles in project management / administration, coding and art.
• You will meet experts from these areas
• You will gain CV advice 
• You will hear about how freelance careers work
• There will be advice about what the work opportunities are based on your experience. 

Who it's for

The teams that produce screen content have many different skills and experiences. We are specifically interested in people who have 3+ years experience in project management / administration, coding or art and have a love of the screen sector.

If this sounds like you and you excited about transferring into a sector which is undergoing growth locally, then apply to be part of Skills to Screen Midlands.

Administration / project management
These roles are ideal if you love nothing better than organising and making things happen, and are someone who is by nature a problem solver.

You could be a PA, team assistant, account manager, database administrator, logistics administrator, logistics coordinator, transport manager, warehouse manager, recruitment consultant and many other roles too.

Coding
These roles are ideal if you love nothing better than writing clean code and you know your python from your C++. Perhaps you are also a gamer in your spare time? Then this is your chance to combine your hobby with your work.

The games sector in particular needs people who have experience as a software application developer, web developer, computer systems engineer, systems analyst, computer programmer or data analyst.

Art 
These roles are ideal if you have experience in graphic design, industrial design, drawing or illustration and are looking for a new outlet for your artistic skills.

If you are someone who thinks in pictures and has drawing and/or design skills then the animation and games sectors need you. You will have a strong understanding of form, colour, texture, and light and know how these elements work together.

You could be an illustrator, industrial designer, architect, graphic designer, website designer, cartoonist, portrait painter.

What it covers

The course will cover the following areas:

Saturday 30th January 2021 (9.30 am – 1.30 pm)

• Overview of screen sector in the Midlands – where it is now and where it is going
• what are the skills you need to have to work in this area?
• breakout workshops focussing on each of the 3 pathways

Saturday 6th February 2021 (9.30 am – 1.30 pm)

• Introduction to freelancing in the screen sector
• CV workshop to align for transferable skills
• meet industry professionals who’ve transferred in from other sectors and hear their stories

Following completion of the course, a networking event will be arranged for each pathway where participants will be able to meet local employers who are looking to meet new talent.

By the end of the course applicants will:

• have gained knowledge about their chosen pathway
• understand the skills they need to transfer in
• have an idea of what it’s like to work in screen
• know how to re-write a CV so it will be read
• have an idea of what a freelance career might entail
• have met local employers

How to apply

If you are based in the Midlands and interested in joining this course, please click 'apply' to complete the form. You must be able to attend both dates and you will be required to pick the pathway that best applies to you. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of a place on the course.

Applications close at 11pm on Sunday 17th January 2021. 

The course will be run online over Zoom. Successful applicants should ensure that they have a stable internet connection and a quiet space to attend the course from. We recommend a pen and paper as well to take notes.

This programme is supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.