Masterclass: Running a factual indie in 2020 with Firecracker Films

Running an indie has arguably never been so difficult. The competition is brutal, budgets have fallen, expectations have increased and broadcasters have become more risk averse – and that was all before Covid19 came along to make things even harder. Freelancers working for production companies don’t always get a full sense of everything it takes to survive and be profitable. Jes and Elspeth will talk candidly and answer questions about the creative, managerial and commercial challenges they face dealing with their teams, broadcasters, talent and contributors.

This session is aimed at any freelancers wanting to get the inside track on what it takes to run a successful independent television company in an ever changing TV landscape.

This is an audience Q&A session so do come along with your questions to put to the speakers.

Speakers

Jes Wilkins is Chief Creative Officer of Firecracker and has been responsible for many successful and attention grabbing factual hits including Big Fat Gypsy Weddings (C4), Mums Make Porn (C4), The Sex Clinic (E4), Emma Willis: Delivering Babies (UKTV) and Jamie: Drag Queen at Sixteen (BBC3) - the BBC3 documentary which inspired the West End musical and upcoming movie Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Elspeth O’Hare is Creative Director of Firecracker Scotland. Since launching in 2016 Firecracker has become one of the most successful factual companies in Glasgow with shows like The Class of Mum and Dad (C4), Save Well Spend Better (C4), The Customer is Always Right (BBC1), The Great British Urine Test (C5) and Getting Hitched: Asian Style (BBC Scotland).

This event is supported by the ScreenSkills Television Skills Fund which invests in training for the freelance television workforce thanks to contributions from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

It is part of a ScreenSkills programme managed by the Indie Training Fund to support freelancers to upskill and stay connected, helping keep the industry resilient in these difficult times.

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘get ticket’ to reserve your place: you must login or register before you are able to get a ticket for this event. A booking confirmation with a joining link to the session will be sent to you via email.

If you are no longer able to use your ticket, we ask you to please contact support@screenskills.com  so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.