Regarded as a a pioneering industry-led action plan for better mental health in the film, TV and cinema industry, the Whole Picture Programme has been announced.

Nearly nine people in 10 (87%) working in the UK’s film, TV and cinema industries have experienced a mental health problem, according to a major study commissioned by the Film and TV Charity. That compares with two in three (65%) people in the UK population, prompting an urgent action plan and taskforce backed by leading studios, broadcasters, production companies and cinema groups.

The ground-breaking study was conducted by the Work Foundation and included a survey of more than 9,000 industry professionals

Key Findings

• Workers are twice as likely to experience anxiety compared with the national average
• Workers are three times as likely to have self-harmed compared with the national average
• Over half of workers have considered taking their own life (compared with one-fifth nationally) and one in 10 have attempted to do so

The Work Foundation’s in-depth report, The Looking Glass, says “the survey findings suggest that there is a mental health crisis within the UK film and television industry”. The Film and TV Charity convened a summit on mental health last month. Industry leaders agreed an initial £3 million commitment to fund an urgent action plan, known as The Whole Picture Programme, which will launch in April. The industry-led Film and TV Taskforce on Mental Health will work closely with experts in mental health. The action plan – to be co-designed by industry partners – will include an enhanced 24/7 Film and TV Support Line and industry-wide behaviour change campaign.

Alex Pumfrey, Chief Executive of The Film and TV Charity, said: “I’m pleased to be working with the members of the new Film and TV Taskforce on Mental Health to spearhead a movement for change. Devastating though the findings from our research are, we firmly believe there is cause for optimism.

As a cohort, we are committed to working closely together to address the widespread issues, building an industry that has ‘great work’; where people are much better supported, in which bullying and the stigma of mental health is relegated to history; and where working practices take account of the very human nature of our work. As the charity supporting the film, TV and cinema workforce we often hear the stories that others don’t. We can no longer shy away from the need for real change.”

What Industry Supporters Say

Zai Bennett, Managing Director, Content at Sky, said: “The Film and TV Charity has delivered a compelling case for investment in the mental health of our industry’s workforce. We are proud of Sky’s reputation as a great place to work, and the Whole Picture Programme will allow us to enhance the support available to our own employees and extend valuable services into the freelance community and across the industry. We want to provide an exciting, vibrant and safe place to work, knowing that our industry will put people first.  We are delighted to play our part in the funding and launch of the Whole Picture Programme.”

Jonathan Allan, Chief Operating Officer at Channel 4, said: “Channel 4 actively supports the collaboration with other industry leaders to provide better mental health care and support for our people. An industry’s culture cannot be changed by one organisation acting in isolation, so by working together, we are sending a clear message to employees, freelancers and the next generation that their mental health and wellbeing are our priority.”

Julian Bellamy, Managing Director, ITV Studios said: “Our people, both behind and in front of the camera, are the lifeblood of this industry and as our Duty of Care Charter makes clear, their mental health and wellbeing is our top priority. At the heart of ITV’s social purpose strategy is our Mental Wellness five-year campaign and as part of it, we back taking an active role in the Taskforce and this programme. We support this initiative which brings the industry together to reiterate and say to our teams, we are there to support you.”

Paul Farmer CBE, Chief Executive of Mind said: “The Film and TV Charity’s research has revealed the scale of the mental health crisis in the film, TV and cinema industry – and a collaborative and industry-led approach to tackling this is crucial. I am totally behind the principle that ‘it will only work if we do this together’ and am really pleased to see such widespread and positive engagement from the industry. At Mind we look forward to working with the Film and TV Taskforce to make a real difference for the mental health of the industry.”

Heather Carey, Research Director at the Work Foundation, said: “The film and TV industry is one of the most creative and rapidly growing parts of the UK economy; but the results from the Looking Glass survey paint a concerning picture of working life in this industry.

Across a range of measures, those working in the sector experience significantly worse mental health outcomes. Our research has surfaced the underlying and interlinked causes – from working conditions and culture, to the capability of the industry to provide support to those that need it most. Many of these risk factors are heightened amongst the diverse talent the industry is working hard to attract; and it is particularly concerning, given skill shortages evident in UK film and TV, that 63% of workers have considered leaving the industry because of worries about the impact it has on their mental health.”

About the Film and TV Charity

The Charity works behind the scenes of the film, television and cinema industry in the UK. From research to writing, through casting and production, to editing, sales, distribution and exhibition, the organisation supports the lives of everyone involved.

• The charity recently piloted a free, confidential, independent Film and TV Support Line to provide 24/7 support for everyone working in the industry on issues such as debt, depression and harassment. People can access the service via phone 0800 054 00 00, online chat at filmtvcharity.org.uk or by emailing support@filmtvcharity.org.uk
• The Film and TV Charity was founded as the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund in 1924 and later became The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund. Alex Pumfrey was appointed CEO in October 2017 and the organisation and embarked on a bold new mission to extend its reach and impact as The Film and TV Charity. HM Queen Elizabeth II has been Patron of the charity since 1952. Registered charity no. 1099660
• Follow the charity on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @FilmTVCharity

The Work Foundation is a leading British, independent authority that provides consultancy and in-depth research on the world of work and improving the quality of working life.

Source: The Film and Television Charity

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Enter Stage Write, an annual West Midlands scriptwriting competition, will return to Birmingham in 2020 for its third edition where budding writers have the opportunity to see their work brought to life.

Confirmed judges include Chris Sudworth, director of artistic programme at Birmingham Hippodrome; Sean Foley, the multi-Olivier Award-winning actor, writer and director and newly-appointed artistic director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Darcia Martin, director of Hollyoaks and BBC’s Call the Midwife; Lisa Walters, producer of Backlight TV’s 4Stories series for Channel 4 and David Ralf of Bunker Theatre London.

To Apply

Competitors are invited to submit a ten-minute long script, with the potential to see their work adapted onto the small screen. The winning script is judged both by words on the page and performance on the stage during a marquee grand final, which takes place in the Patrick Studio at Birmingham Hippodrome on March 11. The competition’s prize will see the top three scripts being made into short films as well as performed as a stage play, along with a cash prize of £1000.

Writers have until February 11 to submit their entries to the competition, which is open to anyone living in the UK. For more information, click here.

About Enter Stage Write

Enter Stage Write was founded in 2017 by actor, producer and solo entrepreneur Natalie Edwards of the Transition Stage Company in Birmingham to promote regional inclusion and better representation in the creative arts industries in the United Kingdom.

Natalie Edwards said: “This is an opportunity to bring creative leaders with the power to give visibility and opportunity for emerging writing talent nationwide and celebrate them here in the West Midlands.”

Chris Sudworth, director of artistic programme, Birmingham Hippodrome, said: “We are delighted to partner with Enter Stage Write to showcase wonderful new work in the West Midlands. The programme chimes perfectly with the artist development and producing journey we have begun at the Hippodrome, supporting the creation of work that represents and reflects our great city.”

Enter Stage Write will expand beyond the West Midlands for the first time in 2020 when a franchise event is held in Belfast.

Previous Enter Stage Write champions include Abraham Adeyemi whose script won the competition. Adeyemi was awarded funding to direct the film and make his directorial debut, which had a private screening at Soho House Dean Street. The film will make its world premiere at a to-be-announced BAFTA/Oscar-qualifying festival in 2020.

Source: www.expressandstar.com

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CBBC is looking for 8-14 year olds to take part in the next series of Marrying Mum and Dad, the hit TV show where kids organise their parents’ Big Day. If your parents are planning a marriage or civil partnership, this could be the perfect opportunity for you to plan the ultimate themed day for them.

Ed Petrie, who co-hosts the show with Naomi Wilkinson, said: “Letting 8-14 year olds plan your entire wedding day may sound like a ridiculous idea – and it is! But in the best possible way. ‘Marrying Mum & Dad’ weddings are exhilaratingly bonkers, heart warmingly wacky and utterly unique. A day your family will truly remember forever!”

The show will film from March until August 2020.

How to Apply

Applications are now open and families can apply by  clicking here.

You can then either email back your application form to marrying@bbc.co.uk or post it to: Marrying Mum and Dad, BBC Scotland, CBBC, Zone, 4.01, 40 Pacific Quay , Glasgow.

The deadline for applications has been extended and now the closing date is Monday February 17, 2020.

The form is  available to download here.

Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk

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See the full winners’ list below (winners in bold).

Past Projects

To Apply

AS it is annual awards season, Solihull’s Minwood Lane film school rolled out the red carpet for its very own glamorous black tie Oscars 2020.

The children’s screen acting academy and agency celebrated the achievements of rising young talents at a special awards ceremony in Dove House Theatre, Solihull. And the young stars certainly dressed the part!

Rather than ‘best actor’ and ‘best actress’ the young stars received awards like ‘most dramatic performance’ for parts in films they have created in the school’s first academic year – and every child received one. The first anniversary awards were presented by the children in the style of a recorded live show. Much like the real Oscars there was a giant ‘Oscar’ balloon, red carpet and sweet cart.

Founder, actor and drama teacher Kamilla Woodburn, said: “Children gave their own their own thank you speeches. On young actor revealed a scroll list of people she would like to thank! All children received an award, we had categories such as thespian award, artistic actor award, characterisation award, performance growth award and dedicated ensemble award. At Minwood Lane our motto is be expressive, be educated, be empowered and be encouraged to be a unique individual.”

Minwood Lane Arts Management (MLAM) was set up for young creatives by 32-year-old Kamilla. A professional actor she started acting at eight and attended Carlton Television Workshop, Birmingham Theatre School and Redroofs School for the Performing Arts. She then trained as a secondary school drama teacher but her dream was always to set up her own drama school for children and young adults. The mum-of-two, who has 80 pupils, aims to teach children how to act for screen with workshops ranging from screen fighting to behind-the-camera work. Projects include animation, short film and live theatre adaptations of Shakespearean plays.

So far films have been modern day adaptations of Shakespeare for children, including The Tempest, Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Pupils are currently working on Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet to be screened in the summer. Her own experience includes stage, film and radio roles including work at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham Rep and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. She even played one of the Hogwarts’ students in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and II – while pregnant.

Kamilla said: “You couldn’t tell I was pregnant because of the cloak. For Deathly Hallows part II I was six months pregnant – and they had made me a new costume! It was an amazing experience and we were really well looked after. All the main cast were chatty on set.”

The acting academy runs after school clubs across Solihull and Shakespeare for toddler sessions in Solihull and nurseries in Harborne, Birmingham where pre-school children make mini-films. Minwood Lane runs evening and weekend classes for children and adults, holiday clubs, parent and toddler group sessions and actor representation.

For further information visit: admin@minwoodlane.com or minwoodlane.

Source: solihullobserver.co.uk

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In an exclusive interview with BirminghamLive, Steven revealed work is set to start in March 2020 – once contracts have been finalised and signed. The 39 acres earmarked for the media village –  which will be privately funded –  will be “a two minute walk” from the proposed Birmingham Curzon Street HS2 station.

Source: www.birminghammail.co.uk

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