Skills to Screen: Bristol

Do you have experience in events, logistics, as an electrician, or in office administration? Did you know you could use your skills in film and television?

Skills to Screen: Bristol is a development opportunity for anyone living within a one-hour commute of Bristol who has at least five years' existing experience they could transfer to a role in film or television.

Across one weekend (28 and 29 March, as well as networking on 8 April), attendees will learn more about the film and television industries and where their skills could fit, through information sessions, panel discussions and hands-on workshops. This will be followed by a networking event with industry practitioners looking for talent to hire.

Become part of Skills to Screen

We are looking for people with skills in three areas where there are identified industry skills gaps:

• Locations: The location in which a film is set has a huge impact on its look, feel and story. It’s the job of location managers to find that place and make sure it’s accessible, safe and not too expensive to hire. If you have experience in events, marshalling or logistics (including the military, police, fire service, ambulance service and security), then you may have the skills to work in this department. Click here for a job profile.
• Electrical Department: The electrical department is responsible for the lighting of films. It’s run by the gaffer who works with the director of photography to work out how the team is going to achieve the desired lighting effects. Once filming is underway, lighting technicians (sparks) set up the equipment, position lights and manage bulbs and filters. The team also needs qualified electricians to do jobs like access the building's power supply safely, take a feed from the fuse box, remove existing light fittings and wire props like table lamps and fires. Click here for a job profile.
• Production Office: Production coordinators run the production office, which is the administrative office responsible for managing a film production. Activity includes organising equipment, supplies and staff, as well as coordinating travel, accommodation, work permits and visas for cast and crew. Production coordinators also distribute shooting schedules, crew and cast lists, scripts and script revisions. Click here for a job profile.

How will Skills to Screen: Bristol work?

If you are successful in your application to become part of Skills to Screen: Bristol, you will be invited to attend the insight weekend at The Bottle Yard Studios on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March. The weekend will include practical information sessions, discussion panels and hands-on specialist workshops, all designed to take a closer look at what is required to work in the identified departments.

It will be followed on Wednesday 8 April by an evening of networking with a range of industry practitioners. This is an opportunity for Skills to Screen attendees to meet studio and production company staff and managers from across the departments.

Skills to Screen attendees will be kept informed about upcoming opportunities, and also be highlighted as having attended this programme on our ScreenSkills talent directory.

Please note that once accepted onto Skills to Screen, future paid work in the film and television industries is not guaranteed. You must proactively follow up on opportunities and the industry contacts you have been introduced to and ensure your CV and ScreenSkills profile are kept up-to-date.

If you are interested in working in the production office, you may also be eligible for the Production Coordinator Training Programme: Bristol and Cardiff. The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 16 March.

How to apply

To meet the Skills to Screen criteria, you must have at least five years’ experience in a role with skills transferable to the identified departments. This is not an entry-level scheme. We are looking for individuals who are interested in developing their existing skills and extending their work into the film and television industries.
Skills to Screen connects local talent to the film studio in their area. For Skills to Screen: Bristol, individuals must live within a one-hour commute from Bristol and must be able to attend both the full weekend (28-29 March) and networking event (Wednesday 8 April).

There is a short application form to complete, which will ask for details on your current skills and experience and the department you are interested in learning more about. This information will be used to select attendees.

Skills to Screen is a Diversity & Inclusion initiative that aims to help create a screen industries workforce that reflects the diversity of the UK population, in line with the BFI Diversity Standards. We actively encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.

If you have any questions, please contact skillstoscreen@sceenskills.com

ScreenSkills Skills to Screen: Bristol, in association with Calling the Shots is supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.