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BAFTA Crew Skills Development Programme Is Back And Bigger For 2014

28 February 2014
BAFTA Crew Audience

Applications now open for below-the-line talent from across the UK

Programme is funded by Creative Skillset

London, 28 February: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced that BAFTA Crew, the professional networking and skills development programme, is open for applications at http. Following a successful pilot in England in 2013, the programme is expanding this year to include up to three hundred below-the-line film and television professionals from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Events will be held in all four nations, with the aim of supporting emerging crew talent to progress in their careers. The UK-wide programme is funded by Creative Skillset and run in partnership with Creative England in the English regions.

Over the course of the year-long programme, BAFTA Crew members take part in live masterclasses with major BAFTA-winning and BAFTA-nominated talent, at venues across the UK. They will also have access to interactive live streamed Q&A’s, downloadable podcasts and online mini-masterclasses. Speakers in 2013 included director of photography Sean Bobbitt (12 Years A Slave), costume designer Sandy Powell (Wolf of Wall Street), production designer Eve Stewart (Les Miserables) and hair and make-up artist Lois Burwell (Lincoln).

The BAFTA Crew programme is open to talent from the camera, sound (production and post), art, costume, hair and make-up departments, editing, VFX, and production management. Applicants must have four or more television or feature credits and be based outside of the M25 in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. The deadline for applications is Friday 11 April 2014. Participants will be selected by a jury including heads of departments from BAFTA-nominated and award-winning films.

Tim Hunter, Head of Learning & Events at BAFTA, said, “BAFTA are proud to once again be able to offer this fantastic opportunity for crew to come together in order to learn from more established peers, network and develop their skills. We are always keen to inspire and help nurture the careers of creative professionals through our learning programme, and being able to expand BAFTA Crew across the UK this year will be a huge benefit for all of the participants.”

Dan Simmons, Head of Film at Creative Skillset, said, “We are very excited to be working in partnership with BAFTA Crew for a second year as it expands to the nations and continues in the English regions. These important industry insights are inspiring crew nationwide, helping individuals to hone their craft and to develop new skills. By supporting these initiatives we are developing a diverse and skilled workforce for TV and film production, which provides the foundation for an increasingly successful industry in the UK.”

Kaye Elliott, Head of Production Services at Creative England, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with BAFTA Crew after a very successful pilot last year. At Creative England we believe that talented professionals in the industry who are based beyond the M25 should be given equal opportunities to thrive. The BAFTA Crew programme will give film and television professionals in the regions the opportunity to network, learn from Heads of Departments currently working on features, build on their skills and take the vital next step in their career.”

In addition to the skills programme, BAFTA Crew offers access to exclusive social networking opportunities, enabling members to connect professionally with speakers, programme partners and each other. New to 2014, participants in the English regions will also have access to BAFTA Crew: Network, presented by Creative England, a series of bespoke networking drinks for BAFTA Crew members and local industry representatives, which will take place throughout the English regions. Travel bursaries are available to support members attending live events outside their region.

BAFTA Crew has a £15 joining fee and previous BAFTA Crew members are welcome to re-apply (joining fee is £10 for returning BAFTA Crew participants).

For further information, and to apply to BAFTA Crew go to: http

For further information, please contact:

Rosie Mann
Tel: 020 7010 0843
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, scholarships 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 http and www.bafta.org/guru.

About Creative Skillset

The UK’s Creative Industries make a significant contribution to our economy and its growth and are celebrated across the globe. Creative Skillset empowers the Creative Industries to develop skills and talent; it does this by influencing and shaping policy and by securing the vital investment for individuals to become the best in their field and for businesses to grow. As the industry body for the Creative Industries, it works across film, television, radio, animation, visual effects, games, fashion, textiles, publishing, advertising and marketing communications. www.creativeskillset.org

About the Skills Investment Fund

The Skills Investment Fund (SIF) is managed by Creative Skillset and funded by industry contributions with Government match funding to support skills, talent and business development in the film, TV, animation, games and VFX industries. Every pound invested by industry into the SIF will be matched by Government until March 2015.

About Creative England

Creative England 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.

www.creativeengland.co.uk

creative skillset | Department for Culture Media & Sport Creative England