Unscripted TV Skills Fund Junior Editor Programme

This ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund Junior Editor Programme is designed to support 20 current unscripted TV edit assistants/assistant editors across the UK make the step up to junior editor. It's a 6-month workplace-based training programme, starting with an intensive bootcamp to equip each delegate with the skills and confidence needed to be assigned to productions to edit and learn on the job through real tasks while working to an agreed training plan.

This fully funded course will include:

• 6 days hands-on training bootcamp from an industry-experienced editor Nolan Hobdell covering Avid Media Composer software, and the creative storytelling skills needed to step up to junior editor.
• A laptop (for the duration of the bootcamp) and a full license for the latest version Avid Media Composer software
• A paid work placement for each participant (part-funding available for the employer)
• Monthly online mentor check-ins with course tutors during the work placement period and optional pastoral support on a flexible basis. 

This programme is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

Who it's for

This is a highly competitive, UK-wide programme for edit assistants or assistant editors in unscripted TV with at least 12 month’s experience at that level, who are ready to step up to junior editor.  

Applicants must be available for all in-person training dates in for either Cohort 1 or Cohort 2 (listed in the next section).

We are open to applications from those already in staff roles at post houses and freelancers.

For those already in staff roles, we’d need to know that your current employer is supportive of your participation on the programme. As such we’ll be asking you to confirm the contact details of your line manager. If you are a line-manager within a post-facility and want one of your edit assistants/assistant editors to participate, please note that the application must be submitted by them not you.

If you’re a freelancer, then best efforts will be made to place you with a post facility in your home region, willing to support you through the process. This will, of course, be subject to market conditions and may not be possible during this difficult time for the industry.

If you are an employer at a post house that doesn’t have a suitable candidate for the programme but would be willing to employ a freelancer (with the assistance of a small grant) for the work-based element of the training, please email: gurch@createstudios.org.uk  

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from Minority Ethnic Groups; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

This is a nationwide scheme so we welcome applications from across the UK. We want to ensure the barriers to this training are minimal, therefore, we will cover travel to Swindon, and accommodation and subsistence while there for the bootcamps.

If you would like support completing the application form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email: USF@screenskills.com  

What it covers

STAGE 1 - CLASSROOM TRAINING - Part-time in-person and remote training.

Welcome Zoom call for all participants: 

• 29th of May, 2024 

In-Person Bootcamps at Creates Studios, Swindon

Cohort 1:

• 4th - 6th of June, 2024 from 09:00 to 17:00
• 18th - 20th of June, 2024 from 09:00 to 17:00  

Cohort 2:

• 10th - 13th of June, 2024 from 09:00 to 17:00
• 25th - 27th of June, 2024 from 09:00 to 17:00 

The primary goal of the 6-day bootcamp is to cultivate the skills of budding Junior Editors, ensuring they achieve technical proficiency, excel in crafting emotionally resonant and engaging narratives, and flourish within the post-production landscape.

The topics covered will include: 

• Group discussions and examples of unscripted TV and other formats.
• Project setup: codecs, video formats, and asset organization.
• Fundamentals of editing.
• Material management: cutdowns, assemblies, rough and fine cuts.
• Continuing editing skills with a guest speaker.  
• Story structure, narrative, and homework assignments.
• Collaboration with Edit Producers or Directors; paper edits to scripts.
• Edit schedules, deadlines and what to expect from an edit viewing.
• Brief overview of music, audio editing, and colour grading.
• Overview of Adobe Premier Pro and DaVinci interfaces.
• Working with Series Producers, Execs, and note implementation.
• Final delivery expectations and post-production stages.
• Flexible online support in office hours with a Create Studios mentor. 

STAGE 2 - WORK-BASED TRAINING

• September 2024 - February 2025 

Upon completion of the in-person bootcamps, delegates will either return to the post production facility where they already work or, if they’re freelancers, be matched with a facility (subject to market conditions) to conduct 6-months of supported work-based training, implementing the lessons learned during the classroom training as they take that step up to junior editor.

Support for the individuals and employers will include: 

• A formal training plan for each participant including regular goals/tasks to assist with tracking of their progress during the placement period.
• A small grant will be made available to post facilities from ScreenSkills for admin costs associated with implementing the training plan and monitoring the progress of participants.
• Ongoing personal support through regular check-ins during the placement period with course tutors for the participants to feedback on the skills they have been able to implement and build upon following the bootcamp and ask any questions they may have with regards to upcoming work and how to be of most use to their host company. 

Please note that while all efforts will be made to match freelance delegates with host facilities as quickly as possibly, placements will not necessarily begin as soon as the bootcamps are complete. 

How to apply

Choose your preferred date for bootcamps and click ‘apply now’ to apply for your place.

For tracking purposes, applications should be submitted by the individual edit assistant/assistant editor interested in the training programme, not the post facility they currently work at.

Applicants will be asked to confirm if they already work at a post facility; if you do, you’ll be asked to confirm whether your employer is aware and supportive of you participating in the programme, and to provide their contact details.

If you are an employer/line manager at a post facility and have more questions regarding the programme and how the placement/work-based element of the training will work, please contact: gurch@createstudios.org.uk

If you are an employer/line manager at a post facility without a suitable candidate but would be open to hosting a freelancer for a 6-month placement, please also contact: gurch@createstudios.org.uk  

Application deadline: Monday 6th May 2024

Judging information

Interviews will take place beteween 13th and 15th May 2024.

Places on the programme will be confirmed the week commencing 20th May.