ScreenSkills has launched a new cinema ad campaign encouraging people with existing skills to transfer into the UK’s booming film and television sector, focusing on reaching those in hard to recruit roles and mid to senior grades.
The Find Your Future campaign videos feature seven people who have used ScreenSkills programmes to develop or start their screen career journey. The videos will run in national cinemas, online and across social media from 23 September with the aim to inspire people to explore the opportunities that are available and consider using their skills to transfer into the UK’s booming film and television sector.
The campaign is an initiative from ScreenSkills supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds as part of its Future Film Skills strategy.
ScreenSkills Chief Executive Seetha Kumar said: “UK screen is a growth industry so there is plenty of work available – but we can’t recruit people to jobs they don’t know exist. People might think that unless you start your career in screen, it's probably too late. However, the reality is that many people have joined the screen industries at a later stage in their careers using skills they have acquired elsewhere.
We hope this campaign will help to showcase the vast array available of roles available and inspire people to consider using their skills to work in the UK’s booming film and television sector.”
Neil Peplow, BFI’s Director of Industry & International Affairs, said: “We recently conducted research which highlights a large percentage of young people are not aware of the vast number and range of career opportunities available in the film and television production sector. Therefore, we welcome the return of this campaign to help communicate that message to young people, but also those who can transfer into the industry, using their existing skills and experience.”
See the videos and read more about those involved:
- Sharon Soor from Slough – who used the Skills to Screen course to move from her job in an MOT company to become an assistant accountant.
- Daniella Orsini from Northampton – a stop motion animator and director who developed her career with help from the Animation Budgeting Clinic.
- Andy Lowe from Bury – a gaffer who completed the Leadership and Management for Film Professionals course.
- Dave Jones from Maidstone – a unit manager who used ScreenSkills’ Veterans in Focus programme to join the film industry after serving as a Royal Marine for nine years.
- Harfun Li from Edinburgh – who transitioned into film from TV as an assembly editor/1st assistant editor, after completing the Film Forward programme.
- Mel Cummings from Manchester - a concept artist who completed a ScreenSkills mentorship programme which helped her realise her skills were perfect for film
- Angela Effanga from London – stepping up to a production manager role through ScreenSkills Film Forward programme.