2017 03 16 film and tv careers talk

INTRODUCTION

The Grierson Trust commemorates the pioneering Scottish documentary maker John Grierson: the man widely regarded as the father of the documentary.

Each year, The Trust celebrates the best documentary filmmaking from Britain and around the world with the British Documentary Awards - more fondly known as The Griersons - as well as encouraging young filmmakers though its outreach and education schemes.

GRIERSON DOCLAB In partnership with Bertha DocHouse

A national new entrant scheme for 12 trainees aged 18-25

-4 Day training residential-Attendance of Sheffield Doc/Fest with full industry pass-Two week paid placement with production company-Shoot/Edit Weekend-Industry mentor-Ongoing bespoke support-Invitations to Grierson events and those of partners

OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES • Support fresh voices and new talent• Increase the talent pool from which industry can connect with• Breakdown barriers to entry• Support industry’s effort to be more diverse in its fullest sense

SUPPORTERS 2017

TIMELINE 2017• Tues 4 April, 5pm - closing date for applications• Thurs 20 April - notified shortlisted group• Thurs 27 April - selection day (Birmingham)• Fri 28 April - notified of place on DocLab• Sun 21 to Thurs 25 May - DocLab (Birmingham)• Fri 9 - Mon 12 June - attend Sheffield Doc/Fest• Fri 29 Sept - Sun 1 Oct - shoot/edit weekend

(Birmingham)

• Watch a wide range of factual programmes on different platforms

• Do your research• Think beyond school and the classroom• Show us your passion• Check your application and CV. Then

check it again

TIPS FOR APPLYING

What drives you?

What’s with the Purple Cow?

The Bigger Picture

Creative Industries Strategy 2014

What we associate with feature films

What we probably don’t imagine

Skills needed by the film industry

• In-demand roles• Production Manager• 1st, 2nd & 3rd ADs• Costume Supervisors• Steadicam• DITs• Digital asset

management• Studio management• Script supervisors• 3D Rigging

• Priority skills• Make-up in HD• Wig application• Period hair• Prosthetics• Sound recording• Editing 3D• Pre-visualisation

Genres

•News/current affairs•Factual/Factual Entertainment/Entertainment•Drama/Comedy•Post Production•Children’s TV Production•High end TV drama

https://creativeskillset.org/assets/0001/8052/The_Full_Picture_-_The_Demand_for_Skills_in_UK_TV_Production.pdf

Television Industry Skills

https://creativeskillset.org/assets/0001/8052/The_Full_Picture_-_The_Demand_for_Skills_in_UK_TV_Production.pdf

https://creativeskillset.org/assets/0001/8052/The_Full_Picture_-_The_Demand_for_Skills_in_UK_TV_Production.pdf

Skill Shortages• Editors with editorial

knowledge and experience (edit producing), rather than basic technical competencies (craft editing).

• Production Managers or Production Coordinators

• Edit Support or Edit Assistant

https://creativeskillset.org/assets/0001/8052/The_Full_Picture_-_The_Demand_for_Skills_in_UK_TV_Production.pdf

Examples of technology impacting on film/TV

• Cloud and collaborative workflows

• Media management• Drone cameras• VR/AR• Go Pros• 3D printing

Source of image: CosProp http://www.cosprop.com/

Stages of making a film

Careers in Film Primary

Thinking Outside of the Box Production accountants to make sure films come

in on budget (maths)

Production designers (art, design, architecture) to define and create every visual aspect of a film

Producers (law, business studies, maths) to develop projects, find the finance and pull the different players together

Script supervisors (English) to ensure that there is continuity in the script

Riggers and carpenters (construction) to build sets

DIT or digital imaging technicians (ICT, computer science, physics/STEM), to back up the camera and sound files, checking for technical errors

Compositors (STEM, art, computer science), to put together all the various layers of computer generated images in visual effects

design accounted for £131 million of services exported in 201110.

Award Winning VFX (visual effects)

The Skills ShortageUK National Shortage Occupation ListRelates to jobs under Tier 2 of the new five-tier system.

If the job is on the shortage occupation list then an employer can offer the job to an overseas person without having first fulfilled the Resident Labour Market Test by advertising the vacancy in the UK. The list is current at 14 November, 2011 but is subject to change at any time..

Producers and directors in the following roles within visual effects and 2D / 3D computer animation for film, television or video games: 2D supervisor, 3D supervisor, computer graphics supervisor, producer, production manager, technical director, visual effects supervisor.

Graphic Designers roles within visual effects and 2D / 3D computer animation for film, television or video games: compositing artist, matte painter, modeller, rigger, stereo artist, texture artist

Routes InHistorically most of those entering the industry come in as university or private institute graduates but, as it's a young industry compared to the others in the creative industries, new entry routes are emerging.

Creative Skillset Tick that shows that degree courses are industry accredited. Runners don't tend to need any specific qualifications, but basic maths and English skills are recommended, along with a showreel or portfolio of work.

Apprenticeships are also now available.

Elysium, thanks to TriStar Pictures, a contributor to the Skills Investment Fund

• Scientific • Technical• Engineering• Artistic• Maths

= Stunning scenes and effects

VFX is STEAM Driven

VFX is spreading

Film TelevisionGames VR/AREventsArchitectureScience/Medicine

Image courtesy of Double Negative VFX, © Property of Warner Bros

Developing a Portfolio

The Foundry – VFX SoftwarePixologic Sculptris – VFX Software

Blender – 3D AnimationAutodesk – 3D tools, Maya, AutoCAD, 3DS

MaxLightworks – Editing Software

Merida – it’s all in the hair!

© Courtesy of Disney-Pixar

Creating the hair and a wet dress

© Courtesy of Disney-Pixar

Getting noticed

Who are you?

What are your skills?

What are you passionate about?

What’s your BRAND?

Are you resilient?

What Employers WantPersonal attributes•A positive attitude: a ‘can do’ approach, good work ethic and willingness to learn•Good personal presentation •Honesty and integrity•Reliability•Timekeeping and personal organisation•Team working, collaboration and co-operation•Flexibility•Commercial awareness and customer focus Skills •Communication – oral and written•Numeracy•Computer literacy/IT skills.

What skills do you need?

• Has a film related degree• First aid certificate• Can speak foreign

languages• Has made a short film• Has a driving license• Has a university degree

https://stephenfollows.com/how-to-find-a-job-in-film-and-tv/

Ranked in order according to employers

1. Has a driving license2. Has a university degree3. Has made a short film4. Can speak foreign

languages5. Has a film related degree6. First aid certificate

Creative Skillset

• BBC Academy• FDA• Creative Choices /CCS• UK Film Export• Creative England

• The Network• 4Talent• BBC Writers Room• Broadcast• Televisual• So You Want to Work in

TV• The TV Collective• The Sky Academy• The Grierson Trust

Television

Action Plan

Share the Plan

Final Thoughts

1. Be resilient2. Be bold3. Do a Skills audit4. Always double check grammar &

spelling!!5. Research, Research & Research!!6. Don’t be a MEDIA WANNABE!7. Be prepared for opportunities – 90

second pitch 8. Work out how to convey your

passion

CONTACT DETAILS

training@griersontrust.org

Twitter: @griersontrust@yenyau

Website: http://www.griersontrust.org/