Training

Women in Film and TV: Four Nations Mentoring Scheme 2024

The mentoring programme is designed for women looking to take a significant step in their career. WFTV have four dedicated regions that our schemes cover: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Drama producer and 2023 mentee Claire Russell has described the mid-career scheme as “Outstanding! It’s hard to find the words. It has been amazing, inspirational, uplifting, life-changing!”

You are eligible to apply for this scheme if you have five (Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland) or seven (England) years’ experience or more in the film and TV industry. As well as the input of a mentor you will also benefit from a series of seminars, training sessions and peer-to-peer feedback designed to boost your confidence, enhance your skills and give you ongoing support.

WFTV Mentoring scheme purpose

1. Empower and boost mid-career women.
2. Give skills, increase profile and confidence.
3. Help overcome a career obstacle or challenge.
4. Create courageous inspirational leaders.
5. Launch and maintain women in the highest echelons of the industry.

What makes the WFTV scheme unique

• Industry leading mentors guiding their mentees.
• Unique peer-to-peer mentoring and training.
• Learn skills and techniques.
• Life coaching.
• Lifelong network.

Who WFTV want to help

• Mid-career women – England 7+ years experience.
• The scheme is about progressing and growing in your career, not starting again or figuring out what you want to do.
• The scheme is about building a professional cohort who will pay it side-ways, backwards, and forwards. They do not want people who will take and not give back.
• Each cohort is choses not just on the basis of the individual, but also of the make up of the group to make it the most diverse in terms of roles and genres.

Advice for the application form

You can apply via the application form HERE.

• Read all the questions in advance and think through before answering.
• Don’t write War & Peace!
• Not too little, not too much, just the right amount!
• Be honest, write from the heart.
• Many people find the exercise of completing the form starts to help with career transformation.

Key dates

• Applications open – Thursday 6 July, 10:00
• Information webinar – Thursday 6 July, 13:00 – 14:00
• Applications close – Monday 11 September, 17:00

If you want to find out more about the scheme you can watch their mentor producers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales talking about the scheme here, or you can attend an online session on 6th July to hear from Sarah Wright, their Director of Mentoring, and WFTV’s CEO Katie Bailiff. For Mentoring Scheme FAQs, please head here.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Midlands Art Centre – Introduction to Filmmaking

Learn the art and techniques of film making and develop your ideas from script writing, filming, and editing.

What will you learn on this course?

Learn all the necessary skills to make a short film. Experience the entire process from developing ideas, writing a script, producing, directing, filming and editing.

You will work with MAC’s professional cameras and specialist sound recording equipment and learn how to edit using Final Cut Pro in MAC’s dedicated media studio.

This is a practical course taught through demonstrations and guidance from the tutor along with hands on experience. You will work in small groups to realise your ideas, enabling you to experience all aspects of short film production.

On completion of this course, you can expect to have developed an understanding of the film making process and produced your own short film.

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for adults aged 18+ years. It is open to beginners and improvers, suitable for those who are completely new to film making and those with some existing skills, including those who have attended the course before.

This course may be accessible for people with disabilities. The room is wheelchair accessible. A support worker or carer may assist; carers must book a complimentary ticket if attending to provide support. Please contact us to discuss your specific accessibility needs.

Do you need to bring anything?

Please bring a 32GB USB stick or external hard drive so that you can take your work home. MAC cameras and computers are provided whilst on site only. If you wish to film off site, you will need to provide your own equipment.

Are there any additional costs?

The course is priced from £169.50. All materials are provided. A memory stick must be provided at your own cost.

Who teaches this course?

Martin McNally graduated from Winchester School of Art (Southampton University) with a 2:1 Fine Art BA Hons, and has since gained a PTLLS teaching qualification. He has a love for all types of creative expression, however, drawing, animation and filmmaking in particular are at the core of his practice.

Autumn course dates

• Wed 13 Sep 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 20 Sep 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 27 Sep 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 4 Oct 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 11 Oct 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 18 Oct 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 25 Oct 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 8 Nov 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 15 Nov 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 22 Nov 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 29 Nov 7:30pm – 9:30pm
• Wed 6 Dec 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Online booking for this event opens at 09:00 on 01 Jul 2023.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Channel 4 x NFTS: Script and Story

Channel 4 and the National Film and Television School (NFTS) have an exciting week of online sessions that are all free and open to anyone to join. The theme of the week is Script and Story. Kicking off on Monday 26th June, these exciting sessions will offer unique insights from a wide range of film & television experts, who will share their expertise and discuss the opportunities & challenges of successfully bringing your stories to life on the screen.

MONDAY 26TH JUNE 2023

10:30 – 12:00 Masterclass with John Yorke – In Search of the Perfect Story

In this opening masterclass, John Yorke, widely acknowledged as the UK’s foremost expert on story, will take you on a tour on the origins of narrative structure, and how you can apply it to tell increasingly powerful narratives. There will be the chance to ask John questions at the end of the session.

16:00 – 17:00 Writers’ Rooms: Managing One, Working in One and Putting Them Together

In this session, screenwriter Matthew Barry will focus on UK & UK writers’ rooms. He will address frequently asked questions, unpack some of the concerns and potential pitfalls, as well as give advice on how to get the most out of the room, whatever its size or duration.

TUESDAY 27TH JUNE 2023

09:00 – 10:00 Drama Compliance – How To Get Away with Murder!

Join Channel 4’s Drama Compliance Editors, Danielle Jenkins & Ritu Emmerson, as they help you to navigate the tricky world of complying script content and how Channel 4 can support you.

11:00 – 12:00 Adapting Games Narrative to the Screen

Screenwriter Jessica Sinyard will join in conversation with Neil McPhillips (Head of Games, Operations) and Alan McDonald (Development Executive and screenwriter) from Blazing Griffin to discuss the challenges and nuances of adapting gaming narrative to the screen, from both a games and a screenwriting/production perspective. How do you translate the interactive experience into a linear story.

14:00 – 15:00 Adapting for the Screen

In this session, screenwriter Andrea Gibb (Mayflies, Elizabeth Is Missing, Swallow & Amazons) & Claire Armspach, Head of Drama Development at STV will discuss what the opportunities and pitfalls are of adapting from a book or real-life source material.

WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE 2023

10:00 – 11:00 Comedy Writing – The Mask Slips

Screenwriter & director, Hannah Robinson, will discuss the theory of the Comedy Mask and the techniques with which to make your comedy scripts work harder. There will be the chance, at the end of the session, to ask Hannah questions.

12:00 – 13:00 From Soaps and Continuing Dramas to Getting Your Own TV Show

In this session with Ben Wadey, Commissioning Executive at Channel 4, we will explore the pathways available through development and the transition from soaps to continuing drama to getting your own TV show commissioned.

14:00 – 15:30 Script Analysis & The Magic of Feedback

Join Jordi Wijnalda (filmmaker, festival programmer and film teacher) as he examines how a screenplay can actually improve on the way to becoming a film. This one-off interactive workshop examines some of the intricacies of script analysis – as well as the power of critical, yet generous, feedback – on the journey from script to screen. It aims to enhance the working relationships between writers, directors, producers, and those closest to them in the creative process and, by extension, the lasting quality of the films they make together.

THURSDAY 29TH JUNE 2023

10:00 – 12:00 Pitch Me Perfect

Whether you’re writing, directing, or producing, and whether your project is a short, feature, or TV series, you’ll likely be doing a lot of pitching! The good news is that pitching skills can be learned easily and adapted to your project, pitching circumstances, and your own personality. This session covers it all. Learn to identify your project’s hook and make it exciting, prepare effectively, and deliver a perfect pitch in various situations. Discover strategies for managing nerves, showcasing authenticity, and creating connections. PITCH ME PERFECT is a fun and interactive session with ample Q&A time. The session is led by Sasha Damjanovski, writer, director and producer and coach specialising in pitching and public speaking.

13:00 – 14:00 Script Editing & Development

David P Davis (Founder & Creative Director of 5 Acts Productions) and Gwawr Lloyd (Drama Commissioning Editor, Channel 4) discuss the realities of the script development process, with views from both sides of the table.

15:00 – 16:30 Virtual Production and Storytelling

Screenwriter Steven Lally will take us through the creative processes involved in the making of Fireworks – one of the very first films in the UK to be made using real-time Virtual Production technology within an LED volume. This session will include a screening of the film and a chance to ask questions at the end.

FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 2023

10:00 – 11:00 Next Steps For Your Script

Join New Writing North alongside a panel of industry speakers, as they host a session for inspiring screenwriters with advice and expertise on building your profile, sustaining a career, finding an agent and looking for opportunities.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

BFI NETWORK x BFI Film Academy+ Midlands online mentoring 2023/24

BFI NETWORK, with support from the BFI Film Academy+, is providing Midlands-based film producers, directors and screenwriters with the opportunity to spend three 60-minute mentoring sessions with an industry professional who will advise on projects and/or creative practice.

HOW IT WORKS

You will have three 60 minutes mentoring sessions via Zoom. Filling in this short application before the sessions will help your assigned mentor understand where you are right now, as well as where you’d like to be in your filmmaking practice. These questions will also help you to focus on what you want to bring to the session and what you’d like to achieve in your time working together.

Once assigned to a mentor we will send you their name, email address and a copy of your answers; it will be your responsibility to organise sessions directly.

ABOUT OUR MENTORS

All of our mentors are full-time professionals working in the film industry. They bring a wealth of industry insight and experience to our programme.

PRIVACY

We may share your name, email address, and Skype ID with external mentors and coaches to help your development. For more information on our privacy policy, see our website HERE.

HOW TO APPLY

You can apply by completing their form HERE.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

HAVE YOUR SHOT AT CUTTING YOUR OWN TRAILER FOR HORACE OVÉ’S “PRESSURE”

BFI & Intermission Film are running a film trailer editing competition for the forthcoming re-release of Horace Ové’s landmark feature PRESSURE (1976). Hailed as Britain’s first black feature film, PRESSURE is a hard-hitting, honest document of the plight of disenchanted black youths in 1970s London.

PRESSURE has been restored by the BFI National Archive and The Film Foundation, with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. Previously very hard to see in cinemas, this vital partnership allows us to bring this key, Black British film to the big screen to be (re)discovered by audiences.

Entrants will submit a 30-90 second trailer for the re-release, after which three shortlisted entrants will be offered free in-house mentoring and training with Intermission’s award-winning editorial and production team to craft and polish their trailer, alongside a bursary of £500. These trailers will then be judged with the winning trailer spearheading the BFI re-release campaign for PRESSURE this coming autumn, ahead of its release on 17th November.

The winner will also receive an additional £500 and a fixed-term position with Intermission to work on future projects and further their career.

No experience is required to enter the competition, and they encourage entry-level applicants to take part. The final fixed-term position at Intermission will be an entry-level role. Applications close on Wednesday 28th June 2023 at 5pm.

They are pleased to be working with sector leading partners BIFA, The Kusp and Ghetto Film School to seek out new creative talent. As well as Ninja Tune Production Music who have kindly provided tracks for the competition.

TIMELINE

• Application deadline Wednesday 28th June 2023 at 5pm.
• Three shortlisted entrants will contacted by the end of July 2023.
• The shortlisted entrants will be invited to come in-house to Intermission Film for free mentoring and training at their London office, as well as receiving £500 each. This will be for one day a week, for three weeks in August – three days in total.
• The winner will be offered an entry level full-time fixed-term position at Intermission in Autumn 2023.
• Horace Ové’s feature PRESSURE release Friday 17th November 2023.

GUIDELINES

• The trailer must not exceed 1GB in size
• The trailer must not be shorter than 30 seconds, or longer than 90 seconds.
• The music must only be chosen from the music selection provided by Ninja Tune Production Music, or the picture provided. You may record your own voice over or your own music if you wish.
• All entrants MUST be the SOLE EDITOR of their own trailer.
• The feature file must ONLY be used for the trailer editing competition. The file MUST NOT be shared with any third party or shared online.
• Please only use the assets they supply for your entry’s edit.
• Entrants can use any editing software. Please note they do not provide editing software for entrants to use.
• Three shortlisted entrants will be offered in-house mentoring and training with Intermission, alongside a £500 bursary.
• Entrants must be available to attend Intermission’s offices for mentoring/training. They can be flexible with dates/times to suit the entrant’s other commitments.
• Travel bursaries are available upon request. If successful, they can discuss your travel and access requirements.
• They regret that they are unable to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications, but all applicants will receive either a declination email or an invitation to the next stage.
• No experience is required to enter the competition, and they encourage entry-level applicants to take part. The final fixed-term position at Intermission will be an entry level role.
• The competition is open to students, so long as they are able to commit to a full-time fixed-term position in Autumn 2023, should they be successful.
• Intermission and BFI are committed to ensuring that they support applicants from a range of backgrounds and they encourage applications by those currently underrepresented in the industry.
• You must be a UK resident to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

Entrants must submit an interest form via the Google Form HERE in order to receive the full feature for their edit.

Once entrants have completed the edit of their trailer, they must submit their MP4 file (H264 or equivalent) via the Google Form HERE.

If you have any questions, please email films@intermissionfilm.com and they will get back to you as soon as possible. In the spirit of fairness, please note that they are unable to give informal feedback via this email but are happy to answer any questions you may have.

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.