The acclaimed ScreenSkills Trainee Finder programme which places trainees on feature films, high-end television and children’s TV productions is increasing recruitment for 2019 to meet demand.
The programme, which has forged a strong reputation for delivering new recruits from a wide range of backgrounds to the industry, will double recruitment to 150 candidates for film and increase the numbers in high-end television from 80 to 120.
Films which have taken ScreenSkills Trainee Finder trainees in the past include Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Peterloo, Stan and Ollie, and Lady Macbeth.
Participating high-end TV dramas have included Bodyguard, No Offence, A Very English Scandal, Peaky Blinders, Game of Thrones and Outlander. Trainees have also been placed on children’s shows such as Millie Inbetween and Class Dismissed.Film Trainee Finder is looking for trainees who are passionate about a career in the following departments and grades: art department, assistant director, camera, costume, edit, hair and make-up, locations, production accountants, production office (suitable for aspiring production managers), production sound (location) and video assist departments.
High-end TV Trainee Finder is seeking trainees in the following departments and grades: art department, camera, costume, post-production (editorial), floor runner, hair and make-up, locations, sound (location) and production office runners.
Kaye Elliott, Director of High-end Television, said: “We have worked really hard via our extensive outreach work to ensure the programme is inclusive and accessible. One of the successes of the scheme has been that as so many productions want to be involved, we are able to offer opportunities to candidates across a wide range of skills shortage areas, based across the UK. Everyone benefits – the trainees, the productions and the long-term success of television production.”
Gareth Ellis-Unwin, Head of Film, said: “From studio blockbusters to independents, we work with some of the biggest names in film as well as those making debut features to make sure that Trainee Finder trainees add genuine value to the production while receiving invaluable experience. It’s an incredibly accessible scheme – only two written references are required – and we are immensely proud of the programme’s excellent diversity and inclusion statistics to date. It’s a powerful message of support that industry is increasingly keen to engage with a programme that now has a strong track record of delivery.”
Criteria for applicants
The programme particularly welcomes applications from under-represented groups and has a strong record in finding and supporting candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. ScreenSkills encourage applications from people at the start of their screen career. They require two references but do not require a university degree. There is no upper age limit, making it open to applications from people seeking to transfer their skills from other sectors to film or TV.All successful applicants are required to take part in an induction that includes health and safety training, set etiquette and managing yourself as a freelancer, which equips all trainees with skills and understanding prior to being placed on a production. Applicants should apply for a place on either the film or TV scheme (not both).
Applications are open from 12 November to 7 December. Full information at www.screenskills.com/traineefinder19
ScreenSkills, formerly known as Creative Skillset, is the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen industries – animation, film, games, television including children’s TV and high-end drama, VFX and immersive technology. We work across the whole of the country to ensure that UK screen has access now, and in the future, to the skills and talent needed for continued success.