Make a Move is a mid/senior career development programme, aimed at helping production companies support on-the-job training and progression for individuals working in unscripted TV who are on the cusp of stepping up into their next role.
UK unscripted production companies which would otherwise not be able to offer the opportunity to step someone up, are encouraged to apply for this support. As a condition of funding, the production company will be expected to nominate someone who can mentor and support the Make a Mover.
Production companies can apply for up to £15,000 per person.
Who it's for
This step-up programme is open to all departments across development, production and post-production (excl. junior editor) and is intended to support those at mid to senior level. The Make a Mover must not have a credit in the role they are stepping up to.
We cannot accept applications from individuals. Applications must be made by the production company having identified the person they wish to step up - or be able to recruit someone with this step-up opportunity in mind.
Please note, if you are looking to support someone stepping up to junior editor in unscripted, you should instead apply for Make the Cut.
Training should be for at least three months full-time (or the equivalent number of days if subject to a part-time working arrangement). If you believe there is a suitable step-up opportunity where less time is required, please contact Morten Wright to discuss, details below.
It is expected that the participant will receive their first credit (or equivalent recognition if the role is uncredited) in their new role on the production.
What it covers
Make a Move funding can be used to support the costs of:
- Salary up to a maximum of 70% - the remainder must be covered by the host company
- Software/equipment costs directly related to this step-up opportunity
- Training course fees
- Mentoring
- Travel and accommodation
Make a Move funding can’t be used for:
- Retrospective claims: please apply for funding before your proposed participant joins your team, allowing two weeks to process the associated paperwork. If this is not possible then the funding period will start from the date the application is submitted.
- Individuals who are already working within the grade they are moving up to, unless there is a robust case that the step up will mean that they are working differently. If they already have a credit in the proposed step-up role, however, no exceptions will be made.
- Individuals who have already benefited from Make a Move, or a paid placement connected to an Unscripted TV Skills Fund training programme in the last 12 months, unless there is a robust case that their progression has been unusually accelerated.
- Lateral moves between different departments. Individuals must be working at a higher level than before, even if they are changing departments.
- Job shadowing – the supported individual must be working in the stepped-up role from the first day of the training period outlined in the application form.
- Working on unscripted content that qualifies for HETV tax-credit. If the individual you are looking to support will be working on an unscripted production with a budget of £1m per hour or above, you should instead apply for Make a Move – HETV.
- Working on unscripted content that qualifies for Film tax-credit. If the individual you are looking to support will be working on a feature documentary set for theatrical release, you should instead apply for Make a Move – Film.
How to apply
You can apply at any time, as applications are assessed on a rolling basis until the funding pot is exhausted.
In the first instance, we would ask that the relevant line manager on a production contact morten.wright@screenskills.com with a brief summary of the production, the step-up opportunity, and why you feel the person who would be stepped up is appropriate for this support.
Please note that while we do not mandate a certain number of credits or time spent in their current role, we are looking to support individuals who have sufficient experience in their current role to be wholly competent, and ready to step-up. We encourage you to refer to the relevant Skills Checklist which outlines the skills and core responsibilities for their current job role to confirm this requirement has been achieved.
Following this, you’ll be asked to complete a form via our grants portal.
All those involved in Make a Move will be expected to record training and progression over the stated period. A template will be provided to do this. Funds paid are conditional on full engagement with completion of the training and progression plan.