First cohort of Animation Trainee Finder programme announced

Twenty Animation Trainee Finder trainees have undergone an industry induction and are now available for placement. The group are the first cohort of ScreenSkills’ inaugural Animation Trainee Finder programme, the new entrant paid placement initiative for those with less than a year’s paid experience in animation.

The programme will provide the trainees with up to three placements in 2D, 3D and stop motion production across the UK, granting a variety of experience over the course of a year. Looking to address roles identified as shortage areas, the selection was made with a focus on storyboard artists and animation roles.

Following October’s weekend bootcamp led by The Pipeline (University of Salford), Manchester Animation Festival and animation studio Factory Create, that provided insight into the industry, the group will also receive an industry mentor and networking opportunities.

The trainees range in both experience and backgrounds. Many come from groups currently under-represented within the animation workforce while some are seeking a career change and taking their first steps into the industry.

The successful applicants are:

Georgia Madden, James Pearson, Trisha Evans-Lutterodt, Andrew Warman, Alison Loke Meryn Nyee, Eilidh Nicholl, Tristan Pike, Immy Goodman, Chris Plimmer, Miles Jezuita, James Boyle,Natalia Jakubczak, Mark Jackson, Christopher Harry, Will Oyowe, Isaac Linkens, Fatimeh Najafi, Siobhan Smith, Shaun Alagoa, Laura Jeffcote.

The initiative extends the highly respected trainee finder programmes across film and high-end tv that have helped develop the careers of crew members looking to work in the screen industry. Each of the placements are subsidised by the Animation Skills Fund for the participating production company. Productions interested in taking trainees should contact Matt Brothers, ScreenSkills’ animation production liaison executive.

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