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Skills Development and Networking Programme For Film and TV Crew Launches

4 December 2012
Cinematographer Danny Cohen

BAFTA, Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy and Creative England have today announced the launch of BAFTA Crew, a major new skills development and networking programme for experienced craft and technical crew working in film and television in England.

IMAGE: Danny Cohen presenting a masterclass in cinematography

BAFTA Crew is now open for applications

BAFTA Crew is designed to develop the film production skills and contacts of crew across England with the ultimate aim of supporting the production infrastructure and developing ‘below the line’ talent outside of the capital.

The initiative includes live and online masterclasses delivered by film industry professionals, drawn from BAFTA’s highly successful pool of winners, nominees and members. The programme will cover creative, technical and operational topics across departments. BAFTA Crew Members will also be part of a network of professional peers and have closer access to Creative England’s Production & Location Services team who help crew national drama and feature film productions.

Programming for the masterclasses will be based on BAFTA’s ongoing series of masterclasses with British Academy Film Awards nominees and winners. Recent speakers include talents such as Production Designer Sarah Greenwood (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina), Editor Mat Newman (Drive), Cinematographer Danny Cohen (The King’s Speech, Les Miserables) and Production Designer and Set Designer David and Sandy Wasco (Seven Psychopaths, Inglourious Basterds, The Royal Tenenbaums).

The programme also offers an opportunity to build on Creative England’s series of crew nights, which visited 10 centres of film and television production in 2012, including Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham and Brighton, attracting around 1,600 creative professionals.

Tim Hunter, Head of Learning & Events at BAFTA, said:

“BAFTA Crew continues BAFTA’s commitment to developing talent in the film, television and games industries. Our Film Awards give us unique access to some of the world’s pre-eminent behind the scenes film talents, who, our experience shows, are as obsessive as we are about supporting the industry and the next generation of filmmakers. We’re delighted to work with our partners, the Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy and Creative England, to offer film crew outside of London access to these professionals, helping them gain new skills whilst strengthening their professional networks.”

Kaye Elliott, Creative England’s Head of Production Services and Locations, said:
“The outside London production industry is growing all the time and it’s our job to ensure the regional offer is understood and freelancers based outside London can make the most of every opportunity. Part of our remit is to look at any potential skills gaps in the regions and it’s clear from talking to people at our crew nights that there’s a huge demand for the opportunity to learn new skills and make new contacts. This partnership with BAFTA and Creative Skillset gives us the chance to meet that need by sharing the learning and experiences of some of the most well respected names in the industry, and we’re delighted to be involved.”

Sarah Trigg, Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy, said:
“For many professionals working in film, the most useful and inspiring lessons to be learned come from the experiences of those leading the way in their profession. BAFTA Crew offers an excellent opportunity to bring these experiences and stories to the regions and thus contribute to the professional development of local crews.”

BAFTA Crew opens for applications on Tuesday 4 December 2012 and the deadline is Monday 18 February 2013. It is open to applicants with two or more TV broadcast or feature film credits who live outside the M25, and the final group will be selected by a panel of established professional peers at the end of February. Three hundred ‘below the line’ professionals from Sound, Art, Post-production, Camera, Costume and Production Management will be invited to join the group.

Find out more about the programme here:


Further Information:

For further information, please contact Kindred Agency...

Elizabeth Porter | Tel: 020 7010 0851 | Email: [email protected]

Hollie Rendall | Tel: 020 7010 0829 | Email: [email protected]


About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org and www.bafta.org/guru.


About Creative England

Creative England Logo [web crop]Creative England is a national agency that invests in and supports creative ideas, talent and businesses in film, TV, games and digital media. We aim to grow the brightest, the best, and those with the most promise so that individuals and businesses can achieve their full creative and commercial potential. We help identify future opportunities to grow the economy and generate jobs.

With offices in Salford, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham and Elstree, we are a national agency with strong local and regional links. www.creativeengland.co.uk


About Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy

[[MEDIA:{"IMAGE":"http:\/\/static.bafta.org\/images\/width100\/new-ce-logo-offwhite-250px-20139.jpg","WIDTH":"100","ALIGN":"Left","ALT":"Creative England Logo [web crop]","CREDIT":null}]]The Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy supports UK film production by investing in the skills of emerging talent and film professionals working in the craft and technical departments. Its work includes placing film trainees in paid jobs on UK feature films and supporting professional crew with resources, training and qualifications.

Its work is made possible through funding received from industry contributions to the Skills Investment Fund (SIF), the voluntary levy on productions filmed in the UK, and is part of Creative Skillset’s ‘A Bigger Future 2’ initiative.

www.craftandtech.org


Bafta Crew Press Release (222.5 KB)