Applications are now open for six courses at the Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire that will run from March to August this year.
Two new courses have been added to the suite of part-time courses for 2022 with art direction and props and a course entitled My First Factual TV Job joining the existing vocational courses in lighting technician, hair and make-up, costume and production assistant (scripted) run by the centre.
The Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire was established in 2020 as a ScreenSkills initiative supported by BFI awarding National Lottery funds to support the training of workforces outside of London and the South East.
Training courses are delivered by Screen Yorkshire in partnership with local education providers and aim to build a talented and versatile workforce, which reflects the diversity of the region. The courses have been specifically designed to provide trainees with a clear pathway to entry level jobs in the film and TV industry and work hand-in-hand with high-profile employers in the region.
Gareth Ellis-Unwin, Head of Film and Animation at ScreenSkills, said: “We are really pleased that the Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire is succeeding in the ambition of expanding the skilled and inclusive local workforce for production in the region. Alumni from the first two years are already forging great careers and providing local industry with the skilled people it needs to thrive. We hope that this encourages other potential recruits from all backgrounds to apply for the courses that open today.”
Glyn Middleton, Head of Skills and Industry Engagement at Screen Yorkshire said: “The courses run as part of the Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire have proved hugely successful in getting trainees their first jobs in the industry – and many are now carving out fantastic careers. But there’s more work to do - this is the busiest time any of us can remember and a large number of films, TV dramas and factual shows are on the horizon. We have designed these courses specifically to tackle skills gaps in the region and to get more and more trainees, from a wide range of backgrounds, into inspiring and rewarding creative careers”.
The courses will be taught by craft experts including film and TV practitioners and offer students practical training, one-to-one tutorials, masterclasses and mentoring support as a pathway to industry. They will also include work experience with local industry partners ITV, ProVision and Prime Studios.
All trainees will also take part in two week-long boot camps designed to prepare them for the requirements of film and TV, such as their role within a department, set etiquette, working as part of a large crew, sustainability training, Covid-19 safety measures, the challenges of finding that first job and freelance life.
The 2021 courses succeeded in paving the way for subsequent employment as participants found paid work in the film and TV industry as a result of attending the courses, working on productions including The Railway Children Return, Gentleman Jack series 2, Sanditon series 2, Industry, The Confessions of Frannie Langton, The Gallows Pole, Ackley Bridge and Steph’s Packed Lunch.
Georgina Vaughan, who is one of the alumni off the production assistant course, said:
“I gained deep insights into the industry, learned actionable skills which were immediately applicable to my future roles, and forged a strong network of like-minded and creative professionals.
“The course left me with a new-found confidence and understanding which contributed to securing me roles on Yorkshire based productions such as The Railway Children Return and Gentleman Jack to name just a few.” Read more about Georgina’s experience.
Prospective trainees should go to: https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/craftcourses for full application details and guidelines.
Applications close on 28 February 2022 for the production assistant (scripted) course and on 14 March 2022 for all the others.