13 candidates have completed their training and received a first taste of children’s TV and animation production through the ScreenSkills DreamBIG! in Children's TV programme.
Developed to provide aspiring new entrants with the skills and production experience needed to develop a career in the industry, the programme offers practical training, industry masterclasses and mentoring with industry professionals. Candidates on the programme also receive paid placements at production companies specialising in live-action and animated children’s TV.
Originally launched by the Children’s TV Skills Fund in 2021, this year’s iteration was also supported by the Animation Skills Fund with placements part-funded by The Adobe Foundation. The programme is run by training provider thinkBIGGER! with a focus on enabling new entrants to build a successful career within the sector with this year’s 13-strong cohort – representing the programme’s largest to date – each receiving a placement in either a production coordinator or production assistant role.
Shelley Gill, Talent Manager, thinkBIGGER!, explained: “We've had such an incredible response that as well as live action placements, we've also been able to have animation join us this year and combine the two funds together. We've had an amazing reaction from both the companies and the trainees.”
Describing elements of the training those on the programme receive, she explained: “Before they start their host companies, candidates get an incredible whirlwind experience of a TV bootcamp where they learn everything from the roles in each of the departments, how they work, the role of a production assistant and a coordinator, and a plethora of different training from understanding the etiquette in an office. Some of them come from backgrounds where they've never worked in an office so it's about understanding the etiquette and how to get in and get on and nail those really important first impressions.”
Brandon Zapata was one of this year’s candidates, receiving a placement as a production assistant with animation company Magic Light. He said: “The training was really, really helpful. Again, I didn't realize that being part of production was an option. I knew about animation and being an animator and that side of it, but never production. I didn't realize there was a completely separate thing. And the training completely blew my mind because it went into so much detail, in so many skills that we were taught. It really, really, really helped a lot. And he prepared me really well for when we started the placement because I already felt like I already knew kind what I was doing.”
Fellow candidate Holly-Jasmine Kilvington received a placement as a production coordinator with BBC Studios. It allowed her to work on Blue Peter, a show she’s watched for most of her life. She said: “It was actually a dream come true! The show’s changed so much, but it's quite a cool show to say that you've worked on because everyone knows it. It was amazing. I still have my three badges from when I was I applied for them when I was like 10 or something.”
She continued: “We had some great midway training setting you up for the end of the project, so things like CV and networking advice. They were really supportive, and it was the mentoring that went throughout the programme that was the most helpful. You always knew that there was someone at the end of the phone if you were panicked about something or you needed some advice on how to speak to your boss.”
Jazmyn Barlow, who received a production coordinator placement with Terrific Television, was enthusiastic with her advice to those thinking about applying: “Absolutely apply! If you're even looking at it and thinking about it, just click the button, make sure you've got a stunning application, make sure you just know what makes you stand out and be really different.”
She added: “I got to see everything in my coordinator role and I really love the whole process. I think it's really important, especially if you don't have those connections, to come onto a programme like this because it gives you that starting point that you really need.”