Acclaimed Netflix series Adolescence received international plaudits for its hard-hitting portrayal of young male violence and the impact of its fallout. The drama, told over four one-shot episodes, is now a record-breaking Emmy winner, receiving six awards for its writing, directing and three individual acting performances.
By contributing to the HETV Skills Fund and providing vital placements to those on a range of programmes developed by the Fund, the Warp Films production, shot in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, also became a beacon of how the Fund works with industry to support the screen workforce at every stage of their career.
These contributions are managed by the Fund and invested back into the industry through the development of training opportunities, targeted to reach the areas where it will have the greatest impact.
Hannah Green, Interim Head of High-end Television, ScreenSkills, said: “Contributions from productions like Adolescence are integral to the Fund’s ability to support, grow and develop the screen workforce across the whole of the UK. We are hugely appreciative for their contribution and the enthusiastic support of the Fund’s programmes. By providing production placements to those on training programmes, the show has helped create effective pathways to career development and highlighted the way in which the Fund works hand-in-hand with industry to the benefit of both the workforce and the productions they work on.”
This collaborative relationship is tailor-made to suit both parties. By paying into the Fund, Warp Films were given access to a pool of new and established talent taking part in one of the flagship programmes developed by the Fund, in turn offering vital on-the-job experience to those starting or progressing in their careers.
Contributions by the likes of Warp Films are invested into training to meet the areas where its impact will be most keenly felt by industry.
For those at the beginning stages and exploring the possibility of a career in screen there’s the Fund’s First Break programme. The pre-new entrant inclusivity programme aims to de-mystify entry into the TV industry for individuals who otherwise would most likely never consider the industry as open to them.
Through the programme, nine candidates received a first taste of production experience on the set of Adolescence, with each member receiving a three-week placement.
David Hinnit was one of those to take part in the programme and experience the production, location and assistant director departments of the production. He said: “I enjoyed my time on First Break and would recommend it to anyone that is wanting to see how the TV industry operates. I found it all quite useful and everyone was really welcoming and available for any help if I needed any. The First Break experience is important as without it people like me would never get the chance to work in the industry or even get to see what it’s like to work on a set.”
For new entrant Sam Thornton, the placement proved to be a memorable one: “Working on Adolescence was nothing short of one of the best experiences of my life.” The Leeds local joined production as location trainee through the Fund’s flagship Trainee Finder programme, a new entrant initiative that provides paid placements alongside bespoke training to those looking to start their career within the industry.
The seamless one-shot nature of the show highlighted the collaborative nature of production. Sam explained: “For the one take to work, we had to shut roads, have control over roads, control the public, and keep the public and crew safe, and so much more. It really did require the best work from every single member of the crew and without the whole crew working together as a collective it would not have been possible. It was a unique and special job and one I am super proud to have worked on.”
Sam was one of three from the Trainee Finder programme to land a placement on the production. Fellow trainee Janine Lanek received a position as a production runner and credits the experience with having a life-changing impact. She said: “Before Adolescence, I had never worked on a HETV production, or any TV show at all. I was lucky to have made a good enough impression that the Adolescence production team took me onto their next TV show, which was a wonderful experience. A few weeks after wrapping on that, I’ve joined a new production team. Without Trainee Finder, I wouldn’t have a career in TV!”
It's not solely new entrants who worked on the hit drama. The Fund’s Make a Move programme is designed to support continued professional development through on-the-job training for mid-to-senior level crew stepping up to a new role. Productions that pay into the Fund are able to apply for funding to help a crew member make that step through the programme, with two Make a Movers welcomed onto the Adolescence production.
Sharon Wood was using the programme to advance her career in the location department and the unique one-shot framing of Adolescence was a great way to add to her skillset. She said: “The unique way of filming on Adolescence meant that our prep work needed to be thorough and all four episodes needed focusing on right from the get go. It was like operating a live broadcast.
“It was the perfect production in which to take the step up to LM. I feel the placement has been really successful and I was able to take on more responsibility, mainly around the departmental budget which is a key area I wanted to be across as part of this journey.”
The Make a Move programme also helps provide an on-set mentor to help guide candidates in their new position. Tom Bartram was the location manager on Adolescence and acted as mentor to both candidates during production. He said: “ScreenSkills have been fantastic and I feel privileged to have had the support and also to have had two (brilliant and hardworking) members of my team be part of a placement on this production.
“As Adolescence wasn't filmed in the conventional way, it was hard to predict obstacles or typical issues that we manage as location managers.
“Sharon was also heavily involved with leasing with the neighbouring properties to our character house, these residents really warmed to Sharon and it was great for her to see the whole process through; from prep to film, to a mini reinstate, then to return to film for a later episode.
He believes believe the experience of being on production was “very successful” for Sharon and “enabled her to really understand a departmental budget (not just how to input figures) but how regular budget and cost reports can allow you as a location manager or HOD to make executive decisions whether they be logistical or creative.”
From initial inquiries to career progression, the HETV Skills Fund works closely with productions across the UK to provide the training and practical experience to build a set-ready workforce. Together they help create the shows the world watches and, in the case of Adolescence, the stories behind the headlines.