Inside Pictures is a business training and leadership programme for the next generation of Europe’s film executives and producers.
About Inside Pictures
Inside Pictures comprises three intensive one-week modules and a tailored project and is now in its sixteenth year. The programme takes place in London and Los Angeles between June 2019 and January 2020. The scheme develops cutting edge industry business knowledge, management skills, profile and a cross-industry contact network needed for leaders from across the industry to thrive in the global business of film. Seminars, workshops, studio visits and networking events cover all aspects of the international film business. This is from development through production, financing, worldwide distribution, marketing and exhibition and the latest digital developments.
There are 20 places available for executives and producers with at least five years’ experience in film or an associated creative industry.
The programme is suited to those already working in feature films. It may also benefit you if you work in an associated creative industry, such as television if you have transferable skills and are committed to a career in film.
You might be running your own company or be encouraged to apply by your employer. To benefit most from this programme you will have proven business experience in film or a related creative industry. This may include, but is not limited to, the following fields: production, development, acquisitions, directing, marketing, distribution, exhibition, advertising, sales, legal, talent representation and finance. Click here to read testimonials from alumni across a range of these sectors, or find out more here about what the programme entails.
How to Apply
Before you apply, Inside Pictures recommends that you take the following steps:
- Read through the Inside Pictures website: especially the page pertaining to fees, scholarships and bursaries, so that you are clear on the costs involved.
- Make sure you can commit: Applicants need to be sure they can commit to the dates of the course prior to applying and will be asked to confirm their availability on the application form. Please note that full attendance is one of the terms and conditions of participation. The dates of the modules tend to remain the same from year to year, i.e: Interviews: mid-April, Module One: second week of June. Module Two: third week of September, Module Three: second week of November, Module Four: second week of the January following the start date.
- Speak to alumni to find out what kind of course it is, what will be expected of you, and whether it’s the right thing for you at this stage in your career. Inside Pictures management can put you in touch with alumni if necessary.
- Reach out to the Inside Pictures team. If you have any questions or wish to be put in touch with alumni please contact info@inside-pictures.com.
Application Form
You can find the online application form here. You will have to login or register for a ScreenSkills account to complete the form. Please note: there is no built-in facility to save the application form. The page can be left open and will not time out, but if you close it you will lose your information. Therefore, Inside Pictures strongly recommends that you prepare your answers fully before filling out the online application.
The application form asks for information about you, including your availability for interview and the programme dates, why you want to apply, your references, scholarship application and an Equal Opportunities questionnaire. When applying you will need to upload the following:
- a photograph
- your CV (we do not take kindly to being sent biographies instead)
- a signed and dated reference
- Equal Opportunities monitoring form
Producers
If you are applying as a producer, you should insert a list of your credits into the template provided. This is to get a sense of the sorts of films you have made, their scale, budget, distribution and genre.
Competition is particularly tough for producers, as they are over-represented compared to other sectors. Inside Pictures asks that any producer applying have already completed one feature that has been through the international distribution cycle. At the application stage, all producers must provide a minimum of five credits, with key information about each film. If you wish to supply a more thorough filmography, you are welcome to upload one via the application form.
Scholarships
If you wish to apply for a scholarship to contribute to your fees, you should do so at the application stage via the appropriate section on the application form. Inside Pictures will not consider scholarship requests after the application.
Inside Pictures management will determine the first pass at an allocation of scholarships, and representatives may contact participants to ask whether they would be able to accept a place with a lower amount of scholarship than they originally asked for on their application. It is therefore crucial that you apply for a scholarship at the application form stage if you wish to be considered for one, so that Inside Pictures management can be clear about each applicant’s situation. Management will not consider application forms and scholarship requests received after the deadline.
References
Inside Pictures asks applicants to provide two references at the application stage: this is a written reference to include with your application and is to vouch for you in your professional capacity. It should be from someone in the industry with whom you have worked extensively during the last year. It should not be from someone in your company or someone who works with you on a daily basis. The reference should be on company letterhead paper and should be dated. It should bear the name, company, job title and signature of the referee.
Judging
The Inside Application process happens in three stages:
Stage 1: Application form
You should submit your application online, via the application form. Selection for interviews will take place after applications have closed. Inside Pictures will contact shortlisted applicants in mid-March.
Stage two: Interviews
Interviews Round One:
- Conducted over Skype with our Programme Directors around mid-March
- Those who have not made it through to round two will be advised shortly after
Interviews Round Two:
- Conducted in London with a panel of interviewers, comprised of alumni and Programme Director Julia Short, in mid-April
- Please make every effort to attend in person (although Inside Pictures cannot cover any travel costs)
- If an applicant cannot attend in person, a Skype interview will be offered instead
Stage three: Selection
- Successful applicants will receive an acceptance email in the third week of April
- Inside Pictures will inform applicants at this stage as to what amount, if any, of scholarship it is prepared to offer
- The new line up of participants will be made public before the Cannes Film Festival
Source: screenskills.com
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