It’s no secret that 2023 was a hard year for the screen industry. Strikes and delayed productions meant that those working in a range of behind-the-camera roles found their opportunities dry up. This was certainly the case for Christina Sinclair who had to face “a lot of rejections” throughout the year.
The Glasgow local had been working as an assistant producer in unscripted TV, a role that represented the realisation of a childhood dream. “It was watching natural history programs as a child that hooked me in, especially Blue Planet,” she said. “I found them fascinating and just wanted to be on location bringing the stories to life. It took a few years to break into the industry, but my gateway was by going out and making my own films and online content.”
As the downturn started, Christina used this period to gain a new skill and apply for a ScreenSkills bursary to purchase a drone, equipment that she hopes will place her in good stead for her career. “Drone shooting is becoming more and more common on factual programs, especially natural history, so I was at a real disadvantage applying for shooting roles without my license.”
ScreenSkills bursaries are cash grants that aim to remove the financial obstacles preventing career progression. They can be used to cover a wide range of costs, from training courses and equipment to driving lessons and childcare.
Christina had heard about the bursaries “From speaking to colleagues who’d applied for the bursary and been successful.” She continued: “I’m part of an amazing community group called Wildlife Camerawomen for women who shoot in natural history TV, and they really encouraged me to go for it. I’d never applied for a bursary before but knowing that there’d been people like me applying and being accepted gave me the push to try for myself.”
The ease of process was an added bonus with Christina saying, “The application process was super smooth. The guidance on the ScreenSkills website lays out really clearly what you can apply for, what evidence you need to submit and what criteria they check when making a decision on your application. It took concentration and thought of course, but I didn’t have to spend days filling in 10 million forms or writing huge essays either which was really nice.”
It came at just the right time for Christina. “Getting the bursary gave me a real confidence boost when I needed it. 2023 was a hard year in the industry and I faced a lot of job rejections. Finding out my bursary application had been accepted made me so happy, reminded me that it’s not all rejections and reignited my motivation to keep going in the industry.”
In addition to a confidence boost, she hopes her new skills will help further her career opportunities too, “I’ve just gotten my A2 CofC license and am still working on my competencies with the drone so it’s hard to know yet, but there were definitely jobs that I applied for in 2023 that I’d have had a better chance at getting if I had my license back then. So, fingers crossed it will be useful for getting jobs this year!”
The overall impact has been a hugely positive one for Christina, one she believes can help others in the industry too. “If people are awarded bursaries, then they can upskill, so productions get more skilled workers on their team. It also increases the diversity of the workforce. Without bursaries, it would only be a limited number of people who’d be able to invest in personal development, and so always be the front runners for jobs or promotions. Bursaries allow people of all backgrounds to work within the industry and bring their knowledge, ideas and creativity forward. A more diverse workforce with more ideas and creativity equals better productions.
“In fact, I’ve already recommended it to friends and colleagues and will continue to do so. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and it’s been such a positive experience that I think everyone eligible should just go for it!”
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