Producer Theo Barrowclough and co-producer Jennifer Monks jumped at the chance to get involved with ScreenSkills’ new Film Forward programme when crewing up for their independent feature film and believe that Film Forward is a value added for both the programme’s cohort and the production.
DMC Film, where Theo produces a slate of film and TV projects, was the first production company to offer a paid placement to one of the 13 screen professionals selected for Film Forward. Jennifer, who oversaw physical production on the film, worked closely with ScreenSkills to recruit assistant art director, Karen Lau.
Film Forward is designed to create change in the UK film industry by supporting experienced Black, Asian or minority ethnic professionals to advance into more senior roles. Professionals with at least five years’ experience in below-the-line roles in film are matched with paid placements on UK productions. Candidates also receive financial and coaching support and will gain experience in a step-up role that will enable them to apply for future positions at that level.
Jennifer said: “We were crewing up for the production utilising ScreenSkills new entrant programme, Trainee Finder. However, when we learnt about Film Forward we were immediately keen to get involved in the debut of the scheme. When reviewing candidates, I was extremely impressed with the breadth of experience and skills which the candidates had. Working with our production designer Elena Muntoni, we identified that assistant art director, Karen Lau could bring a lot to our production with the prior experience she had. The art department in our film was structured in a way that there were multiple roles that Karen could shadow and Elena, her head of department, could see that Karen had brilliant knowledge and skills to bring into the art department.”
Jennifer continues: “Film Forward is great for HOD’s as the cohort come shoot ready, it’s not like taking on a trainee or new entrant, the individuals can literally hit the ground running.”
Before being selected for Film Forward, Karen Lau worked in the film industry in Hong Kong for nine years as assistant art director and assistant set decorator. Before working with DMC Film, Karen hadn’t worked in the UK film industry, so Film Forward offered her a great opportunity for to gain exposure to the British film industry.
Karen said: “The best part of the Film Forward programme is that it has given me a network. I can tell people I have worked in the UK film industry. I know how it works here now.”
Theo adds: “When we looked at Karen’s CV, it was clear that she had worked in a very different film economy to ours. We thought it could be useful to work with someone who hadn’t come through the same pathways as screen professionals in the UK. Usually at the budget level we were working on, you crew up with people who had worked on projects with a similar scale and similar requirements. So having someone like Karen who had worked on big budget films in Asia brought a different, and really valuable, perspective.”
On why Film Forward is so important, Jennifer said: “Film Forward enables productions to give people a step up and a credit that is appropriate for their level of experience. You are raising people up who are already working in the industry and pushing them up the ladder. Film Forward candidates come with transferable skills and they bring something fresh to the table. It’s an opportunity to give more diverse talent more senior credits. There are a lot of entry level schemes for people from underrepresented backgrounds but Film Forward recognises that there is a diversity of talent already working in the industry. The programme benefits both the cohort and the industry.”
Karen agrees: “Film Forward is important. It opens another channel for us to try different projects and creates opportunities for new art directors and gives us more chance to step up in the future. If I didn’t get onto this programme, I don’t know if I would have got into the UK film industry. It is really helpful for my development and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
According to Jennifer, Karen was a “vital cog in the machine” Karen “helped the art department keep moving forward. Elena could give Karen a brief and she would complete that task, sometimes away from the main unit, preparing for scenes coming down the track, ensuring the department was always one step ahead.”
Theo adds: “Film Forward was a massive value added because it gave us a database of experienced screen professionals from underrepresented backgrounds to choose from. We were able to see who was available, what their credits were and find someone who would clearly bolster the production. That kind of database is invaluable to low budget independent filmmaking and running productions in a progressive way.”
Jennifer: “There is a constant discussion in the industry about how to increase representation and diversity within our productions. Film Forward tackles that issue by giving Producers a pool of talented people who you can engage with. I see Film Forward as just the start of the relationship, it offers skilled people for HOD’s to connect with, not just for the life of the placement but for all their future productions as well.”
Film Forward is delivered by ScreenSkills supported by the BFI with National Lottery funds as part of its Future Film Skills strategy.