Following their successful ‘Foot in the Door’ training scheme in Newport, Ffilm Cymru Wales are now offering people across North Wales the opportunity to learn valuable skills on the set of a major new television series from the makers of Hinterland.
New Welsh and English TV thriller Craith is shooting until December this year, and Ffilm Cymru Wales are working in partnership with Welsh production company Severn Screen and local housing association Grwp Cynefin to provide a programme of free training and production placements on Craith through Foot in the Door.
The scheme is offering people over the age of 18 that are not otherwise engaged in employment, education or training, the opportunity to spend a week learning valuable new transferable skills that can launch a career in the creative industries and beyond. Trainees will receive guidance, advice and mentorship from industry experts, and eligible applicants may also receive support for travel and childcare.
The types of skills and roles you will learn apply not only to film and television, but also to the broader creative and arts sector, including theatre, dance, opera, marketing and fashion, for example, as well as much broader work opportunities, such as work in the construction industry.
Ffilm Cymru Wales has also worked with housing association Tai Calon and has already recruited ten keen participants from Blaenau Gwent to get involved with Foot in the Door in their local area.
Ffilm Cymru Wales’ Head of Creative Business Kimberley Warner comments: “Foot in the Door goes to the heart of our beliefs as an organisation. We’re excited to bring this unique training model to new locations in Wales”.
Ffilm Cymru Wales’ pilot Foot in the Door programme in April 2017 saw individuals from the Newport and Caerphilly areas rub shoulders with Hollywood stars Michael Sheen (The Queen, The Twilight Saga) and Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast, Downton Abbey) on the set of The Raid director Gareth Evans’ forthcoming thriller Apostle. Since their placement, some of those trainees have already secured paid employment in the film, television and wider sectors.
After her experience on Foot in the Door, aspiring make-up artist Jaimie-Leigh Grierson said “From when I was a little girl, I always wanted to work on the other side of the camera and I’ve got a passion for make-up. Foot in the Door has been amazing, and opened my eyes to where I can look to get further jobs in the industry; it isn’t such a strange world now.”
Fellow trainee Norman Porter added “Working in this industry seemed unattainable – but I jumped at this chance and now here I am, and I’ve been working in the art and design department. The sets are phenomenal – I’ve been using my painting, carpentry and arts and design skills; it is hard work but rewarding.”
What will the programme involve?
A free four-day training course to introduce you to the roles and responsibilities on film and TV sets, as well as health and safety practices. This training will be led by production specialists and will feature advice from industry experts.
A free four-day production placement on the set of major new TV series Craith, including guidance from individual departmental mentors.
Post-placement evaluation to support your future development.
What will you get out of it?
Mentoring and training support throughout.
An opportunity to explore your skills and how these can apply to roles in the creative industries.
A better understanding and first-hand working knowledge of how the film/TV industry operates.
A chance to improve your CV, make new contacts and open the door to new opportunities.
What types of placement are available?
Placements on Craith are production (craft) based and will cover the following areas.
- Production Office
Art Department
Costume
Hair & Make Up
Sound
Camera
Grip
Locations
Post-production
Who can apply?
You must be over the age of 18, but there is no upper age limit on this programme, and we welcome a wide cross-section of applicants.
You must reside in North Wales.
Priority will be given to applications from those currently not in employment, education, or other training programmes and from housing association tenants of Grwp Cynefin.
Where to Apply:
People from North Wales can apply to participate in Foot in the Door from 3rd October until 27th October. Full details and online application forms can be found at
http://www.ffilmcymruwales.com/index.php/en/film-educators/foot-in-the-door
Foot in the Door is supported by the Welsh Broadcasting Trust’s Partnership Fund and Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund with BFI’s Film Forever National Lottery funds.
