The High-end TV Skills Fund supports a range of programmes and resources 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 and our Producer's handbook, full of information useful for producers, 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.
Please note that some of our training is currently being delivered differently or has been paused due to Covid-19. Find out more here or contact the high-end TV team.
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 contact the training provider click here.
Production Lab
Production Lab is a free masterclass designed to give junior production crew a more comprehensive knowledge of standard practice across the industry.
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.
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:
Craft and tech:
Post and VFX:
Writers:
Directors:
Producers:
Regions:
Nations:
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.
ScreenSkills has several programmes for crew and talent that are still in development and will be coming later this year. These include:
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