High-end TV programmes for crew and talent
The High-end TV Skills Fund supports a range of programmes addressing areas of skills shortages in the UK high-end TV industry. You can download a full PDF booklet of current schemes by clicking here.
Skills training and support are delivered by ScreenSkills and third parties, providing training and investment needed to progress the careers of crew and talent already working in the sector. The fund is investing in skills that have been identified as a priority by the high-end TV industry through our research and by senior employers on the High-end TV Skills Council. Click the button below to see a directory of training programmes and courses that are currently running.
Ongoing ScreenSkills schemes for High-end TV crew and talent:
Skills Passport
An online resource for production freelancers that identifies short courses and shows how they can benefit career development. To find out more and browse courses visit the Skills Passport directory.
Make a Move
Funding for on-the-job training for individuals identified by productions as ready to move into a more senior role with a little support. For more information or to apply to the scheme please click here.
Leadership and management training
Free management training for heads of departments and other staff in management positions on Skills Fund-contributing productions. For more information or to apply click here.
Schemes being supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund 2019/2020:
HETV Link: HETV Link is a programme for heads of department (HoDs) and senior crew based out of London. The initiative helps them improve interview technique, prepare for job pitches and widen their circle of contacts.
Production grades:
- Production secretary and coordinator training: one-day course to support production secretaries and coordinators.
- Step up to line producing programme: weekend training for production managers ready to step up to line producers.
- Production accountant training: for individuals working in production accounting to progress to a more senior level. We will also be investing in training for new entrants.
- Introduction to location and unit manager of ex-Armed Forces: Training and placements to encourage career change for individuals leaving the Armed Forces.
Craft and tech:
- How to be a business – toolkit for freelancers: weekend workshop on topics including finance for freelancers and pitching.
- 1st AD masterclasses: for runners, 3rds and 2nds.
Post and VFX:
- High dynamic range and wide colour gamut for broadcast: twoday training, includes various approaches to HDR.
- Return to work for post and VFX: programme for individuals working in VFX and post who are returning to work following a career break.
- Avid training: courses for tech ops and engineers with high-end television credits.
Writers:
- Returning Series Writers programme: awards will be available to support new writers to write a speculative script for a single episode of a returning series.
Directors:
- High-end TV drama directors programme: scheme that provides emerging directors with creative, editorial and technical knowledge via placements on HETV productions. The programme is run by Directors UK.
Producers:
- Co-producer fund: funding to enable co-producer placements to grow the pool of producers for high-end TV. This programme has now closed for 2019/20 as all funds have been allocated
- Producer masterclasses: masterclasses for up-and-coming producers.
Regions:
- Introduction to post-production: information events to showcase opportunties availabe in post-production and edit.
- Accounts industry tranfer progamme: initiative to introduce accountants to job opportunities in the screen industry, followed by placements for four people.
Nations:
- Scotland: we have contracted BECTU Scotland to deliver bespoke training and step up opportunities.
- Northern Ireland: we have contracted Northern Ireland Screen to deliver bespoke training and step up opportunities.
- Wales: we have contracted Sgil Cymru to deliver bespoke training and step up opportunities.
Past schemes supported by the ScreenSkills High-end TV Skills Fund
Client relationship and negotiating skills for post/VFX
A one-day course for junior and line producers working in VFX and facilities companies that service high-end TV. Delivered by EverySense in London, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow.
Return to Work for TV Freelancers with Media Parents
Media Parents, who champion flexible working, are providing free return-to-work training for production freelancers in high-end TV drama and children’s TV. Two cohorts from around the regions, including Wales, Bristol and the South-west have already passed through the scheme. The final cohort were recruited from the North West, read about their progress by visiting the Media Parents blog here.
HETV Connect, with thecallsheet.co.uk
In this programme from thecallsheet.co.uk, up to 50 up-and-coming TV production professionals selected from around the UK were chosen to meet and network regularly with the UK's leading TV drama production companies to develop new business relationships and opportunities. The ambition is to tackle the barriers created by producers and directors working only with the crew and talent they already know.
Line producer training, from Indie Training Fund
This programme from Indie Training Fund was for aspiring line producers (eg first assistant directors, production managers, production co-ordinators) and working line producers in high-end TV or children's TV drama. The free skills-based five-day programme included workshops, masterclasses, networking opportunities and mentoring sessions. It was delivered in London and Manchester in June 2018.
Support for social enterprise organisations
Five social enterprise organisations were selected to receive specific project funding to support and inspire young people in filmmaking and production skills.
Mastering for broadcast and online, from the Digital Production Partnership
This sold-out one-day training and awareness day delivered by DPP in March 2018 helped heads of production and post-production professionals understand the impact of broadcasters' requirements for commissioning and programme deliverables. The day included live demonstrations of mastering tools and the opportunity to meet some of the companies developing them.
RED camera workshops, from the Guild of British Camera Technicians
This one-day course from the Guild of British Camera Technicians introduced participants to the RED WEAPON 8K S35 (which has the new HELIUM sensor). It offered a series of demonstrations, discussions and practical shooting exercises.
Production accounting training, from the Production Guild
The Production Guild ran an intensive five-day course in Salford and at Pinewood Studios to help those working as assistant production accountants move up to the position of production accountant.
Line producer training, with TRC Media
TRC Media delivered this course for production managers, first assistant directors and production accountants with a minimum of three years’ experience in drama or feature film production and based in the nations and regions of the UK. It offered the essential training required to become a line producer as well as the opportunity to experience the role first-hand on a drama production.
Advanced writing for TV drama, with MediaXchange
Designed to build the professional writing skills and collaborative principles necessary for writers to succeed at the highest level in the competitive genre of primetime TV drama.
The TCN Incubator, with Triforce Creative Network
Over 12 months, participants in the Triforce Creative Network Writers Incubator engaged in a hands-on writer’s initiative to hone their talents and develop their professional practice. It aimed to change the usual routes of access and mitigate industry's perceptions of the risk attached to using new talent.
Shadow Writers Scheme, with Big Light Productions
This programme from Big Light Productions enabled intermediate TV writers to gain more experience in writing for long-running TV series and to develop the art of collaborating with other writers.
Coming soon
ScreenSkills has several programmes for crew and talent that are still in development and will be coming later this year. These include:
- Bursaries to support writing single episodes of a returning series
- Production accountants training
- Introduction to location and unit management
- Grips training for diverse candidates
- Script supervisor shadow placements
- Stepping up Wales
- Stepping up Scotland
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