Despite good credits in film and television and a place on ScreenSkills’ flagship Trainee Finder programme, Katie Hudson realised there was one barrier in her burgeoning career in costume - not being able to drive.
But that changed thanks to a bursary from ScreenSkills for driving lessons and the result she says has been “life-changing”.
Her story is an example of how bursaries help with the practical, everyday needs of the industry.
Katie, 30, from East London, believes the support is helping her make proper progress in her career.
She had got a taste for the industry when she was offered several days of work as an extra as a part-time job while at university. From there she says it took a few years to get her first day working on set. She did work experience as a runner on The One Show and later secured her first job in film working as a location marshall on James Bond film Spectre.
“It was for a scene involving a chase down the River Thames. They needed location marshals along all the bridges to keep the public safe. It was an amazing experience for my first time on set.”
She could see that working in the locations department was a way in, but as a long-term ambition, Katie really wanted to pursue working in costume. However she says: “I had this perception that in order to get into the costume department you needed to go to university to study a costume degree and be able to whip up a suit in about 10 minutes, so initially I didn’t have the confidence to pursue it.”
Then she heard about ScreenSkills through taking part in a short film project with a charity that mentioned the organisation. When she spoke to the team at ScreenSkills about her ambitions, she discovered they could help. She applied to the Trainee Finder paid placement programme.
Her first placement in costume was on the Netflix and BBC series Black Earth Rising. “It was a brilliant first job and the placement lasted for about seven months… they taught me everything.”
Her second placement via ScreenSkills was on Luther and then one thing followed another. “I got really lucky, people I had met during my placements and during my time in locations recommended me for other work and I was fortunate to start getting days here and there on amazing things like Bohemian Rhapsody, where I helped the team dress extras for the Live Aid scenes. Watching that back in the cinema was just mad.”
Subsequent experience included days on The Crown and then Sky Studios’ The Third Day, where she began dressing principal actors, followed by Channel 4’s I am… Maria directed by Dominic Savage and starring Lesley Manville.
However, she noticed that she was not getting contract roles because she did not have a driving licence.
Serendipitously, in 2019 Katie read a Film London newsletter that ScreenSkills had opened out its bursary scheme to cover driving lessons.
She knew about the bursaries as she had received funding earlier that year towards a Zuca kit bag on wheels, which “was a lifeline as I was carrying heavy costume kit across London on the tube every day, up and down numerous flights stairs”.
Katie had tried a few times before to pass her test but had given up, not helped by the fact that most of the instructors she contacted wanted her to pay in advance for blocks of 10 lessons. “As a freelancer you don’t want to make a big upfront payment because you don’t know if you can afford it in the long run or if you will even be available to commit to the scheduled driving lessons.”
So she applied for the support. After around a week she was told she could go ahead with an award of £800 and went on to pass her test after the first UK lockdown. “I’ve been telling everyone to look into the bursary as it almost sounds too good to be true. Driving lessons are a huge financial commitment. Receiving the bursary and being able to drive really has been life-changing for me.”
Katie’s advice to anyone thinking of applying for a bursary would be, “be ambitious about what you want to achieve for yourself. There’s a box on the application form which asks how the bursary will impact your future career, so be as bold as you want to be. And don’t be embarrassed to ask for financial support if you are struggling to afford something. I found the process very confidential.”
Her next job is on the second series of BBC1 comedy King Gary. “That’s my first contract job since I passed my test. Normally I wouldn’t be considered for longer term or full contract jobs. I’d just get days here and there, but this is about seven weeks work. It’s great news and I feel very grateful to be working again after lockdown.”
ScreenSkills bursaries are supported by BFI-awarded National Lottery funds, by industry contributions to the Film, High-end TV, Children’s TV and Animation Skills Funds and through money from the Television Skills Fund targeted at improving diversity and inclusivity. If you enjoyed reading about Katie's experience, why not share your story with us and showcase your skills and experience.