Yorkshire based Robert had been working as a hairdresser in York but knew he wanted to move into television and film. It was when a colleague suggested ScreenSkills’ High-end TV (HETV) Trainee Finder that the move started to take on a more realistic shape and his career really took off, “I tried to get onto film sets but it is a tough industry to break into without the right connections. When working with a make-up artist who told me about the programme, I immediately applied and now I’ve done two placements through ScreenSkills Trainee Finder.”
Robert’s first placement through the programme was on the BBC three-part drama, A Christmas Carol. He describes the experience of moving to a brand new working environment: “I had good knowledge and experience of working in the salon and had the trust of clients which gave me confidence and a great starting point in the industry. On set you are constantly learning. Even down to how to read a call sheet, which on the surface seems quite simple but it is full of extremely important information that initially might not make sense. There’s so many little things you pick up as you’re going, all the intricacies of the job as a trainee. Every day is a new experience.”
It was through trainee finder that Robert met designer Kate Benton in what would turn out to be a key connection for his career. “That was amazing because I went from knowing no one in the industry at all to working with an amazing, respected designer who I’m actually working with at the moment. For the long term it has helped me progress through my career massively. I’ve done four jobs with Kate after meeting her on A Christmas Carol. Trainee Finder helped to make this connection possible.”
He found that the ties between the programme and productions are key to securing work: “The incentives for productions to take on a trainee really work in your favour. Through ScreenSkills I was also able to get onto a new Netflix production, A Castle for Christmas. This gave me more opportunities to meet more contacts. I honestly think Trainee Finder is sensational and I recommend it to everybody. As long as you’re willing to put the work in, it can be the start to your career.”
Robert explained how the programme and its initial induction weekend helped ease the “culture shock” of going from university or another career into production. He also feels programmes like Trainee Finder are vital for increasing diversity and breaking some misconceptions about the hair and make-up department. “I think we are now moving away from people thinking the hair and makeup department is purely a female led and just adding a bit of powder. It’s so much more work than that. This is why Trainee Finder is so important. To get new people in and educate and support them within the programme. The induction weekend gives you the chance to speak to experts and get a bit of a footing and knowledge.
Having started as a trainee, Robert then moved to a junior role before his latest position as a make-up artist. After working on another Netflix production, A Princess Switch, he’s now on a six-month job for ITV. It’s a career progression he’s eager to continue and one he credits to ScreenSkills’ HETV Trainee Finder. “It gave me my career! There are so many people who want to work in this industry. Making it hard to get anywhere unless you know somebody. ScreenSkills bridged that gap and got me into the right place with the right people.”
On why he would recommend the programme to those thinking of applying, he said: “I’m like a broken record, I’m always telling people to do Trainee Finder! You just never know what opportunity you will be given. Don’t get me wrong, you still have to put the work in, but it will open that door and people will actually see your name. It gave me the foundation to progress and it’s such a great opportunity to get your name out there, work with the right people, connect to the right people and it puts you in the right place. I went from being at Uni and literally overnight had a career!”