BAFTA Los Angeles / Adrian Carr

Newcomers Program

02 August 10

Participants in our Newcomers Program are provided with mentoring opportunities, mixer events, educational seminars, and invitations to screenings and events.

The Board created the Program because it felt that professionals and students are most in need of support when they first arrive in Los Angeles from the UK, and believes that BAFTA can extend a supportive hand to them at this stage in their career.

We believe young people are most in need of support when they first arrive from the UK...

Applications for the Newcomers Program are accepted year-round, but are reviewed and accepted once per calendar year. The Newcomers Committee will review applications and if necessary interview the applicants. The Committee also acts as a liaison between the Newcomers and BAFTA, introduces Newcomers to suitable mentors, arranges events for the Newcomers to meet each other and arranges mentoring to those who request it. If any Members are interested in serving on the committee, or in providing mentoring, please send an email to office@baftala.org with the words "Newcomers Committee" in the subject line.

Eligibility

The applicant must:

• be a UK citizen,
• be either: a full time student at a film, drama or other professional school connected with film or television, or
• have full time employment (whether paid or unpaid, i.e., we include interns), or be working on a full time basis if self-employed, in film or television, or related professions, and
• have lived in Southern California for less than 2 years unless they have previously been a full time student in a film or television arts related course.

In addition to meeting these basic criteria, the applicant should be able to demonstrate his/her quality to the Committee. Factors to be considered will include his/her academic qualifications, any prior industry experience, the nature of the course and the institution where he/she is studying, or the nature of the business where he/she is working and his/her position there, and generally whether this is someone who would benefit from an association with BAFTA in Los Angeles, and vice versa. In short, we are looking for the next generation of our peers in their respective fields.

There is a two year time limit on inclusion in the Program, subject to annual review, to be revisited in the future if need be. Applications for inclusion for periods of less than a year will be considered, but six months will normally be the minimum. Annual renewal will not be automatic and will be contingent on the individual continuing to meet the basic criteria and demonstrating that they are benefiting from an association with BAFTA Los Angeles, and vice versa. In exceptional circumstances, an individual's participation in the Program may be terminated at any time by the Committee in its sole discretion. Applicants will be asked to attend an in-person interview.

There is currently a cap of 35 people in the Program at any one time.

Those chosen for the Program will be asked to pay an annual fee of $125 (plus processing fee of $25). In addition, successful applicants will be asked to act as volunteers at events at least once every six months, to help us out, and to increase their visibility and make them feel more vested in the organization.

If any of our Members know of any potential candidates for this Program, please forward this information to them. Any questions, comments or suggestions about the Program should be sent by email to office@baftala.org with the words "Newcomers Committee" in the subject line.

Application Procedure

Applicants should provide the following in writing:

1. Name and contact details;
2. Details of education, both standard and professional (film, drama etc...), including names of the institutions attended, dates of attendance, subjects studied, grades, class of degree, and/or any relevant awards. No need to go back earlier than 14;
3. Details of any entertainment-related work experience, including names of employers, positions held, location, responsibilities and achievements, with dates;
4. Dates that you have lived in or visited Southern California;
5. Give name and contact details for two references;
6. Confirm that you are either (i) a full time graduate student at a film, acting or similar professional school, or (ii) have full time employment (whether paid or unpaid, i.e., we include interns), or are working on a full time basis if self-employed, in the entertainment industry and related professions; and provide details Explain why you think you would benefit from being in the Newcomers Program;
7. Attach copies of the relevant pages from your current British passport;
8. Confirm that you have read and understood the above, and that if you are accepted into the Newcomers Program, you intend to fully participate in the program.

Applicants may either mail a letter and enclosures to BAFTA at 8469 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069; or send the materials by email to BAFTA Los Angeles with the words "Newcomers Committee" in the subject line. Do not send a check at this time.

Applications will be considered once a year. Please note that the 2012 Application Deadline has now passed. The next closing date will be confirmed shortly.

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