Extract
2.1 Film Industry
Developing UK Film Talent was a film skills research project commissioned in June 2002 by Skillset, the UK Film Council and the National Screen Agencies. One of the aims of the research project was to consult with industry and understand the skills, talent and company development needs of individuals and employers entering or within the UK film industry.
The report focused on the following 10 key themes which were: communicating and informing (industry opportunities); collecting and analysing information (industry intelligence); careers information, advice and guidance at all levels; pre-entry to the film industry (resolving mismatch between education provision and industry need); post entry to the film industry (relevant continuing professional development); business skills; improving diversity in the workforce; digital and new technologies; nations and regions (building a sustainable industry across the UK).; and, finally, investment (industry's understand of Government's skills agenda).
One of key themes in terms of specific skills was the need for business skills in the industry. This was the need to ensure that those just starting out and those already in the industry, often in 'micro-businesses' or self-employed, have the necessary business and management skills to make the most of their creative and technical expertise. A second key theme in terms of this report relates to digital and new technologies. The report noted that the need to keep pace with new technologies is a major retraining issue affecting all sectors of the film industry.
The Developing UK Film Talent report laid the groundwork for the UK film skills strategy encapsulated in the 2003 report A Bigger Picture. It is a complete training and education strategy for the British film industry.
As the report indicates, three "golden threads" run through the strategy. It notes these are:
1. the need to encourage and deliver a more diverse workforce, both culturally and socially. This is fundamental to the industry's future relevance . It is essential that all sectors become more accessible to currently under-represented groups
2. the nations and regions of the UK are central to the successful delivery of this strategy. Skillset's Approved Training Partners have a vital role to play in developing and nurturing talent and supporting the growth of a UK film industry
3. the implications of new technologies, as a result of the accelerating pace of change, need to be taken into account so that industry can be in front of, rather than behind, that curve.
This strategy will be implemented over the next few years.
It will deliver:
• an expert film-specific careers information, advice and guidance network
• an integrated approach to skills provision
• industry-approved relevant training and education provision
• a small network of Screen Academies providing creative and commercial skills
• coherently developing skills and talents in priority areas.
In addition, it notes a new emphasis will be placed on support for business, management and leadership skills.
Aspects of the skills development priorities and strategic threads contained in Developing UK Film Talent and A Bigger Picture are echoed in the television sector report.
