4 minute read
VIEW FROM THE TOP•GARETH ELLIS UNWIN, CEO, SCREENSKILLS
GET INVOLVED
When I arrived at ScreenSkills in February 2018, I was a producer determined to do my bit for an industry which has given so much to me, and which I love. Four years on, training is certainly higher on the agenda as film and television battle skills gaps and shortages and the competition for crew looks set only to get fiercer.
Recent research we commissioned forecast that film and high-end television production in the UK could be worth £7.66 billion – up from £5.64 billion in the last full year. The latest figures show film and high-end television currently generate the equivalent of 122,000 full-time jobs. The new research, which was supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding under the Future Film Skills strategy, estimates that continued growth will require the equivalent of between 15,130 and 20,770 additional full-time crew within three years.
The experts who prepared this research for us described this return on investment as “compelling” – and acknowledge that the personnel needed to meet demand “may be understated”. But in a way, the data masks what we are really talking about – more jobs in an industry that people want to get into, creating greater wealth for the UK
This is almost certainly no surprise to many of you. You know production is busy. You know it’s big business. What I would like you to think about is how you might be able to play a part – as I am proud to say I think I’ve done – in helping encourage the next generation of talent and support existing crew to progress.
And there are many ways productions can help. Although in recent years ScreenSkills has received National Lottery investment from the BFI, that is in its final year and is now, in any case, exceeded by the voluntary industry contributions to the ScreenSkills Skills Funds – what old hands still call the levy. (We changed the name because the Government’s introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy rather confusingly meant there were two “levy” lines on big productions.)
Productions of all scales – whether low-budget shorts or multi-million pound blockbusters – are encouraged to pay-in. For film and high-end TV, the contribution is based on a certain percentage of UK budget spend, capped.
But it isn’t just about the money. It’s about providing opportunities too. Offer paid placements on your productions – whether you are a producer, a director or an HoD. We know that nothing beats the practical experience of being on a film or TV show even for those who have undertaken vocational learning at college or university.
ScreenSkills runs a number of programmes where contributing productions receive a subsidy to offer paid placements across a wide range of skills shortage departments. Trainee Finder, our flagship new entrant paid placement programme, currently has more than 300 individuals – a great, diverse mix of talent – waiting to be placed across film, high-end, children’s and animation productions.
All receive an induction that includes set etiquette and advice on everything from health and safety to managing their finances as a freelancer, so that they can hit the ground running when they join you. But there are other programmes too. In film, for example, we run Film Forward, which is a career progression programme for experienced Black, Asian and minority ethnic crew.
Separately, ScreenSkills runs skills transfer programmes, for example, for the Armed Forces veterans whose logistical skills I became aware of when I made my film Kajaki: The True Story (2014, DP Chris Goodger) and which translate well into the logistics and marshalling demands of locations and unit management. This year we have been also running a transfer programme for people accustomed to working with Black hair and makeup for people of colour due to experience working in Black hair salons, department store beauty counters and music videos.
Outside the workplace, there are other ways in which you can share your experience and passion, whether through volunteering as a mentor, directly with us or through one of the partner organisations we support, or speaking at careers events or acting as an industry assessor for ScreenSkills Select courses – college and university screen-related courses seeking the endorsement of ScreenSkills as recognition that those courses are relevant to working in the sector.
Finally, let’s all work together to make this a better, more welcoming industry in which to work. Alongside the work on practical and technical skills, we have been developing a range of training to help create behavioural change. Free e-learning modules are available in unconscious bias, tackling bullying and harassment and mental health awareness alongside further training in areas such as leadership and management and inclusive recruitment. Do them. Ask your teams to do them.
If we are genuinely concerned that people are not joining or are leaving because the screen industries don’t always have the best of reputations, then let’s change that. It’s something everyone can help do.
I would like you help encourage the next generation of talent and support existing crew to progress
Gareth Ellis-Unwin Head Of Film & Animation ScreenSkills
