First Break - Aberdeen Drama: Open Doors event

This event has now passed.

 

GET YOUR FIRST BREAK IN TV DRAMA

Returning BBC drama series, Granite Harbour, is being filmed in Aberdeen!

• Are you aged 18+ and not in full-time education?
• Live in Aberdeen or within Aberdeenshire?
• Would you love to work behind the camera in TV drama but have no prior experience?

Join our free online event to find out more about the First Break programme.

ScreenSkills’ First Break programme has opportunities for you to get paid work experience on series 2 of Granite Harbour, in Aberdeen.

You’ll get careers advice, a training session explaining what to expect and the chance to apply for a paid placement on the production. 

You could work in a range of different departments. For example, make-up, costume, art - props, production, assistant directing and locations.

We are looking for people who are keen to learn, who are enthusiastic, hardworking and who are passionate and interested in working in TV drama.

Come along, meet the crew and see what it’s all about.

To find out more about the kind of roles involved in making a TV drama, look at our film and TV job profiles.

--------------------------------------------------

Accessibility

ScreenSkills is committed to embedding inclusion in everything we do. If you have any accessibility requirements or further questions before booking, please contact us. The event will be hosted on Zoom. Please let us know if you need support accessing Zoom. Feel free when joining the Zoom meetings to include any preferred pronouns in your meeting ID name.

The event will start with an introduction in the main Zoom area before dividing participants into Zoom breakout groups to chat with members of the production. 

We can provide live captioning and a BSL interpreter upon request. Please let us know if you require these services or any other access support. 

Email: firstbreak@screenskills.com

Or call Vicki Ball: +44 (0)20 7713 9808. 

Who it's for

To be eligible for this First Break opportunity, you must live in Aberdeen or within Aberdeenshire. 

You must be 18+ and not be in full-time education.

To participate you will need to set up a ScreenSkills profile online. Please follow this link to do so before you book your place. You will only need to do this once and you should keep your login details in a safe place so that you can access them when you need to.

We understand that the screen sector may seem difficult to get into, but opportunities through First Break are open to anyone from any background. 

If there is something that's stopping you, such as needing access to BSL interpretation, childcare or access to a reliable broadband signal, let us know when you book your place and we'll do what we can to help.

Please note First Break opportunities are not for:

• Actors - this is a behind-the-camera support programme and is not able to support those looking to develop their on-screen career.
• Individuals who have worked in production at any level previously in high-end TV, paid or unpaid. This is not a role for existing trainees. Find additional support for your developing career here.

What it covers

How does First Break work?

The first step is to apply through this page to attend our First Break Open Doors online event.

Stage one: Open Doors event

Held online via Zoom on Tuesday 12 September 2023, 18:00-20:00.

Meet members of the TV production crew and ask them about their different departments such as production, assistant directing, hair and make-up and costume and find out about their jobs. Find out who makes the sets you see on TV, who chooses the locations, and how filming works.

Stage two: TV 'Need to Knows' training day

Held in-person.

Participants who attended the Open Doors event will be given information and invited to apply to attend a one-day training session.

It will introduce you to how the TV drama industry works and key skills for working on a TV set. You will meet industry professional trainers who will provide top tips for CVs and guidance about working as a freelancer.

Stage three: two-week paid work experience

Based on location in and around Aberdeen for a two-week period in October or November 2023 onwards.

Applications for the work experience will open after attendance at the TV 'Need to Knows' training day.

Participants will be given the opportunity to apply for the two-week paid work experience programme in one of three job role groups based on preferences, they will then have the option to rotate around the three departments within each group. These will be identified when attending the training day.

PLEASE NOTE: This production will be shooting mainly outside, exterior shoot days with a lot of fast paced movement around the city centre involved.

There may be some late night or nighttime shoots.

The work experience placement is paid at National Living Wage. 

After the work experience placement, ScreenSkills will provide the participants with careers support that will include the following:

• Assistance looking for opportunities – full-time employment/job vacancies, apprenticeships and further and higher education
• Signposting to local organisations that provide opportunities
• Further information about working as a freelancer and securing new opportunities
• Help with interview techniques, CV writing, online content, and promotions
• A work-ready one-to-one planning session
• The option to join alumni networking events

ScreenSkills has developed five free e-learning modules called Getting into the screen industries to support people who want to get their first job in screen. You may want to take these modules.

How to apply

Click get ticket to book your place and find out if a career in TV drama could be for you.

Contact information

Phone: +44 (0)20 7713 9808
Email: firstbreak@screenskills.com