Do you live in Bristol, BANES or South Glos and fancy working in film/TV, but just don’t know where to start? Applications are now open for Round 3 of the 2024 West of England Film/High-End TV Workforce Development Programme delivered at The Bottle Yard Studios, which supports local people looking to break into behind-the-camera roles on scripted productions made in the region.

Backed by West of England Combined Authority investment, the industry-led programme is delivered by the Studios in partnership with Bristol UNESCO City of Film and Bristol Film Office. The deadline for Round 3 applications is 5pm on Monday 14^th October 2024.

The Programme offers tailored training to demystify the world of scripted production and prepare trainees for entry level positions in the industry, with the aim of strengthening the pipeline of diverse local crew talent.

Sessions include an Industry Induction Day at The Bottle Yard Studios and a bespoke 5-week training scheme delivered by Bristol training provider Stepping Up, focused on confidence-building, set etiquette and work-readiness, communication skills and teamwork, wellbeing and resilience, as well as digital and financial literacy and how to find work as a freelancer.

After completing the training, participants are added to a New Entrants Portfolio shared with film and high-end TV productions filming in the region. An Access Fund is provided to support any participants who face a financial barrier to taking part.

One recent participant, who took part in Round 1 of the Programme and went on to work as a trainee on a major High-End TV production filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios this Summer, said:

“Working in film and TV felt unattainable to me before the course and there were so many barriers stopping me from being able to work in the industry, not even knowing where to start for one. The Access Fund meant I could afford to do the course and helped provide what I needed to be able to take on the role fully when I was offered the job.”

Applications are invited from residents of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire aged 17 and above* from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in the industry. Underrepresented groups include: young people aged 17-25*, those not in education, employment or training, under-employed people and those on zero-hour contracts, women, people from the global majority, disabled people, people living with mental health issues, carers and care leavers.

The West of England Combined Authority is working in partnership with Bristol City Council’s Film Services (comprising The Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and Bristol Film Office) to deliver the Mayoral Priority Skills Fund. This fund provides flexible grant to meet current priority skills gaps in the region. This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.thebottleyard.com/home/skills/west-of-england-film-high-end-tv-workforce-development-programme-2024/

About The Bottle Yard Studios

The largest film and TV studio in the West of England.