Bristol Receives Funding For Young People Accessing Film and TV Careers

Underrepresented young people given boost towards local film and TV industry careers

Funding into the south west will see a new skills training programme delivered by The Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and Bristol Film Office, to support creatives breaking into behind the camera roles on productions being made in the region.

The year-long programme will be open to residents of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire aged 17 and above who are currently underrepresented in the industry.

This includes people from backgrounds who are not in education, employment or training, under-employed people and those on zero-hour contracts, women, people from the global majority, disabled people, people living with mental health issues, carers and care leavers. An Access Fund will also be provided to help participants facing financial barriers to taking part.

The programme is being funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This will provide training focusing on things like confidence-building, set etiquette and how to find work as a freelancer. It will also launch a digital New Entrants Hub to help signpost people in the West of England interested in making film or high-end TV their career.

In total, it is hoped that up to 750 people will engage with the programme, with 45 undergoing the 5-week training course which will help them get a job in the industry.

“We’ve long made the case that targeted skills investment for scripted crew in our region is essential if we’re to develop this often-overlooked segment of the screen workforce,” Laura Aviles, Head of Film, Bristol City Council says.

“Film and high-end TV production levels in Bristol and the West have been increasing steadily in past years, supported by The Bottle Yard’s expansion and the region’s Film Offices facilitating more productions on location. With this success comes the opportunity to grow our local talent base – which is crucial when the existing crew base hits capacity, something we anticipate as we move on from last year’s US writers and actors strikes. We are delighted to have secured this funding to deliver a programme designed to help local entrants understand and navigate the fast-paced world of production they are not yet familiar with, to support them in identifying the right opportunities and having the confidence to step into industry roles that suit their talents and ambitions.”

The south west has seen an abundance of productions being filmed last year including Rivals, Alex Rider, The Outlaws, Borders and Malory Towers.

Featured Image: The Winter King by Simon Ridgway for ITV X at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol

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