When Cinematographer Mary Farbrother was asked to be an industry evaluator for ScreenSkills Select she jumped at the chance because she felt it was a real opportunity for her to contribute to improving diversity and opportunity in the screen industries.
She believes that to be more diverse and inclusive, measures need to be implemented early on at the recruitment stage, throughout colleges and into mentoring and traineeships.
“ScreenSkills is in a position to encourage the commitment and effort this takes. Seeking out underrepresented and disadvantaged groups is time-consuming and needs resources and imagination. It can mean sustained pastoral support alongside the teaching of technical and academic skills. ScreenSkills can encourage and champion exciting initiatives to achieve this which will build on its regional knowledge of both the industry and the range of different courses. This combines with its overarching eye on the state of industry and the UK's creative film scene as a whole.”
Mary, has a long and distinguished history working in the film and TV industry across storytelling, feature films, documentary and commercials: film and digital. She is a graduate of the MA Cinematography course at National Film and Television School (NFTS). This has given her vast experience of both education and industry which provides a real insight into the whole endorsement evaluation process and judgement.
When asked about the importance of students being industry-ready and the role educators have to play, she reflected that values and soft skills were vital alongside the technical ‘hard’ skills. She strongly believes educators have to instil the need for their students “to be cooperative, team players and be respectful, thoughtful and kind to colleagues. This will help them succeed and improve the overall industry.”
In discussing the role of educators further, she was clear that she felt they were key to ensuring students develop their own voice, are able to make their own films, and, grow and express themselves.
As an industry evaluator she really tests those courses seeking endorsement on their commitment and delivery of both soft and hard skills. This also sits alongside a commitment to gender diversity and increasing opportunities for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She has a vision where there is a 50/50 balance between women and men on the big budget productions and the big roles.
She also signed up to be an evaluator because she feels that through students and the education process there can be “better recognition of the need to keep improving the health of the industry in terms of working practices, fairness and wellness. There is certainly room for educators and ScreenSkills Select to prepare students in making the industry healthier and to change the industry in a good way”. She feels that ScreenSkills Select endorsed courses provide reassurance to student about how important they view this issue too.
When asked about what tips she would give students wanting a career in the screen industries, she mentions two key things:
Firstly, “stay healthy both physically and mentally”.
Secondly, “keeping your creativity on the go” – both inside and outside of formal work. “Keep an interest in everything and your own visions of creativity alive!”
Wise counsel from Mary, who continues to blaze a trail in cinematography and improving diversity within the screen industries.