BAFTA/Qavi Reyez Hear from those who have been supported by BAFTA in the past and their experience working on Project Spark.
For the past week, cinemas across the UK have been showcasing BAFTA’s latest national brand campaign, Project Spark. The 90-second trailer, fronted by award-winning actor Micheal Ward, is a collaboration between BAFTA and Digital Cinema Media with Common People Films designed to inspire the next generation of creative talent to pursue a career in the screen industries.
The film shines a light on BAFTA’s year-round support for creators, featuring stories inspired by real-life examples of individuals who have benefitted from our array of resources and programmes.
The stories of BAFTA’s support encompass those behinds the scenes too. Several crew members who worked on the production of the short film and helped it to reach the big screen are alumni of BAFTA’s scholarships, talent programmes, and bursaries.
BAFTA/Qavi Reyez
“I finally got the opportunity to do the thing I always would love to do - give something back to BAFTA,” says Robert Yuanbo Chen, production sound mixer on Project Spark.
Robert was a BAFTA Scholarship recipient in 2017 and 2018, securing funding towards tuition fees for a Diploma in Production Sound for Film and Television and the National Film and Television School (NFTS). “BAFTA not only helped me financially,” he tells us, “But also helped connect me with top professionals in the industry.”
Robert now works as a location sound recordist, but working on the campaign made him reminisce on the early days of his career in the screen industries, “There was one shot of one of the characters receiving a letter from BAFTA, and the close-up shot on the letter made me feel so warm in my heart as it reminded me of the moment when I got my offer letter from BAFTA.”
Another creative behind Project Spark who received such an offer letter was hair and makeup assistant Tale Imbevore, a recipient of this year’s BAFTA Scholarship. Tale was awarded funding to support her completion of an Advanced Course in Makeup and Hair Artistry at the Iver Makeup Academy.
Reflecting on the shoot, Tale had this to say: “I had a very warm experience on set. I felt as though my contribution was genuinely valued. Despite the fast-paced nature on-set, various members of the crew from the director to the actors to production took the time to check in throughout the day which helped ease any nerves and made me feel seen.
“Working on this project has given me confidence in my ability and motivation to develop my craft.”
BAFTA/Qavi Reyez
Camera assistant Ada Urbaniak reiterates this: “Initially I was a bit shy and didn’t want to get in people’s way,” they admit, “But the camera team really helped me out of my shell, despite them having a lot on their hands, and I massively appreciated that.”
Ada is a recipient of the Prince William BAFTA Bursary and has worked as a runner for Netflix, Warner Bros., and the 2022 BAFTA TV Awards with P&O Cruises. “It’s been encouraging to receive support and work opportunities, especially this year with the lack of work due to the strikes and cost of living crisis,” she shares.
Reece Grant was also awarded the Prince William BAFTA Bursary and helped to bring Project Spark to life in his role of Production Assistant. “My experience working on set was incredibly rewarding,” he says, “I even had the opportunity to make a cameo appearance for one of the scenes.”
Reece studied at the MET Film School and his short film THE HOOD has garnered a staggering 1.9 million views on YouTube. “If BAFTA supports you, you are recognised as a talented filmmaker or actor,” Reece says, “This has given me the confidence to believe in my craft.”
Lighting assistant Marta Vitola also highlights the ongoing nature of BAFTA’s support, and just how crucial collaboration is in the screen industries, “Some of the people I met on this set have invited me to other jobs that have opened doors even further,” she tells us, “It’s great to know that I have people to whom I can reach out and ask for guidance and advice.”
Marta was a participant of the BAFTA X BFI Film Academy Alumni Programme, and her short Tipping Point impressively received a nomination for Best Experimental Film at the 2023 BFI Future Film Festival. “I think it’s really important that new people can enter the industry, especially from working class backgrounds,” she says, “It’s the only way we can represent a large variety of voices.”
BAFTA/Qavi Reyez
Follow your spark by watching our cinema trail here. Learn about the range of resources BAFTA offers, from scholarships to bursaries to mentorships and more, by clicking here.
Word by Jennie Haines
