The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced the call for applications for BAFTA Crew, the professional networking and skills development programme for below-the-line film and television practitioners. Applications are open at http://bit.ly/BAFTACrew to individuals from across the UK and, for the first time, to professionals living in London. The deadline for applications is Thursday 19 May 2015.
BAFTA Crew aims to support career progression by connecting crew talent with their peers and established industry figures throughout the country. The initiative is supported by Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, which is funded by the BFI with National Lottery funds, through the Skills Investment Funds, and run in partnership with Creative England in the English regions.
Applications are invited from UK-based professionals with two or more television or feature film credits in the camera, editing, VFX, production management, sound (production and post), art, costume, or hair and make-up departments. Participants will be selected by heads of departments from BAFTA-nominated and award-winning films.
This third year of the programme follows a successful pilot in England (outside the M25) in 2013, expansion to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2014, and the launch of sister programme BAFTA Crew Games, for games industry professionals.
In 2015, BAFTA Crew members will have access to:
- live masterclasses with major BAFTA-winning and BAFTA-nominated at venues across the UK.
- a series of interactive live-streamed Q&As and downloadable masterclasses, focusing on a range of craft and technical subjects.
- exclusive online networking opportunities, enabling members to connect professionally with speakers, programme partners and each other.
- a series of bespoke networking events for members and local industry, run in partnership with Creative England in the English regions and at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly in London.
- travel bursaries to support members attending live events outside their region.
Speakers in 2014 included cinematographer Chris Menges (The Killing Fields), hair and make-up artist Frances Hannon (The Grand Budapest Hotel), costume designer Sammy Sheldon Differ (The Imitation Game), and production designer Andy Nicholson (Gravity).
Tim Hunter, Director of Learning & Events at BAFTA, said, “BAFTA Crew has proven to be a brilliant model for skills development, offering participants the opportunity to learn from established industry professionals, and from each other. Having introduced the programme across English regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, it’s fantastic to open it up to Londoners and expand the skill-sharing network even further. Along with BAFTA Crew Games, which launched last year, the Crew model has become a key way for BAFTA to identify and support emerging talent across the film, television and games industries.”
Gavin Humphries, Film Partnership Manager at Creative Skillset, said, “Welcome back BAFTA Crew. It’s great to be working with BAFTA and Creative England again offering insights from the UK’s top film talent and continuing to build our world class crews of the future.”
Kaye Elliott, Head of Production Services at Creative England, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with BAFTA Crew again in 2015. At Creative England we believe that talent is everywhere and professionals in the industry should be given equal opportunities to thrive where ever they may choose to live and work. The 2014 programme delivered a premiere series of master classes by Heads of Department at the top of their game. We look forward to working together to deliver this year’s BAFTA Crew programme, providing film and television professionals in the regions the opportunity to network and build on their skills and further their career.”
BAFTA Crew has a £25 joining fee for new members and previous BAFTA Crew members are welcome to re-apply (joining fee is £15 for returning BAFTA Crew participants).
For further information, and to apply to BAFTA Crew go to: http://bit.ly/BAFTACrew
