Productions contributing to the Film Skills Fund are eligible for funding to support an individual taking a step up in their career across all departments.
At the end of their training, the professional will be in, or be able to apply for, the new grade in which they have been working.
Productions can access up to £15,000 to fund an individual receiving training if stepping up to a head of department role. For all other step up roles, productions can access up to £10,000 per individual.
For more information, please contact Celia Small.
An example of ‘moves’ could be a production coordinator moving up to a production manager, first assistant sounds to sound mixer or an individual moving from unscripted TV to film. Make a Move can apply to any job grade other than a trainee position.
Make a Move funding can be used for:
- Short courses
- Mentoring
- Travel and accommodation expenses
- Shadowing
- Salary
Make a Move funding can’t be used for:
- Retrospective claims. Please apply for funding before your prospective candidates join your team to allow us at least two weeks to process the associated paperwork.
- Individuals who are already working within the grade they are moving up to unless there is a robust case that the step up will mean that they are working differently (ie moving from factual or film).
- Individuals who have been supported by Make a Move in the last two years.
Q: What is Film Make a Move?
Make a Move is a programme that encourages the on-the-job training of crew members identified by the film production as ready to move up into a more senior role. At the end of their training, the professional will be in, or be able to apply for, the new grade in which they have been working. An example of ‘moves’ could be a production coordinator moving up to a production manager or someone moving from unscripted TV to film. Make a Move can apply to any job grade other than that of a trainee and a participant’s placement would need to run for a minimum of 4 weeks.
Q: How does a film production access Make a Move?
Productions contributing to the Film Skills Fund are eligible for funding to support an individual taking a step up in their career. The amount of funds that a production can access is allocated from the production’s Film Skills Fund contribution. An individual can not apply for Make a Move on their own, this request needs to come via the production.
Q: How much can a production access?
Productions can access up to £15,000 to fund an individual receiving training if stepping up to a head of department role. For all other step up roles, productions can access up to £10,000 per individual.
Q: Is there a limit to the financial contribution ScreenSkills can make?
Yes, this will depend on several factors, including the budget of the film and their contribution to the Film Skills Fund. Please note, as a production that has contributed to the Film Skills Fund also has access to our Trainee Finder programme, we have ringfence 60% of the production’s allocated amount to Trainee Finder. 40% of this can then be used against the Make a Move opportunities.
Q: Who is the right candidate for Make a Move?
The candidate needs to be identified by the production. The candidate will need to be working within a below-the-line role and is keen and ready to make the step up in their career and is finding this challenging to do on their own.
Q: What is the process for confirming a Make a Move placement?
1. Production contributes to the Film Skills Fund
2. Production identifies the ‘stepping up’ candidate
3. Production completes the Make a Move proposal form
4. ScreenSkills sets up a meeting with the candidate and their allocated supervisor
5. Candidate confirmed they’re happy to take part in the programme
6. ScreenSkills approves the Make a Move placement
7. The supervisor and participant complete the first half of the placement plan
8. Production submitted a grant request form for the placement
9. ScreenSkills sends the offer letter – to be signed by the production
Q: Who employs and pays the Make a Move candidate?
The production employs the trainees on a fixed-term contract and they are paid through the production payroll.
Q: What paperwork does ScreenSkills issue?
An offer letter is issued between ScreenSkills and the production. The production will issue the Make a Move participant with their own fixed-term crew contract that covers their terms and conditions, dates, location, expenses allowance, overtime rate (if applicable), and the allocated supervisor’s contact details. The allocated supervisor and participant will also complete a ScreenSkills placement plan, in which they set out their objectives for the duration of the placement and can track their development.
Q: How does the production claim the funding?
The production invoices ScreenSkills at the end of the placement. Funding for the agreed amount can only be provided if the production has submitted, signed and returned all the necessary paperwork for ScreenSkills’ records: a signed offer letter, a fully completed placement plan and proof of participant’s payment for each week worked.
Q: What does the production need to do in relation to the placement?
The production allocates a named supervisor to support the participant and provides the contact details of the supervisor to ScreenSkills. The supervisor’s role is to be the point of contact and guidance for the participant and support their production needs.
Q: What can Make a Move funding be used for:
• Short courses
• Mentoring
• Travel and accommodation expenses
• Shadowing
• Salary
Q: What can’t Make a Move funding be used for:
• Retrospective claims. Please apply for funding before your prospective candidates join your team to allow us at least two weeks to process the associated paperwork
• Candidates who already have credits in their ‘step-up’ role that they are applying for on a film production
• Individuals who are already working within the grade they are moving up to unless there is a robust case that the step up will mean that they are working differently (i.e. moving from factual or continuing drama)
• Individuals who have been supported by Make a Move in the last two years
• Trainee to assistant roles if they are the most junior person within the team
For more information please contact Celia Small at celia.small@screenskills.com.