My First Job In Film
In The Know

These links provide some additional resources and opportunities to give you everything you need to get closer to that first job.

Training
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Many people gain technical expertise and experience on a course. A huge number of courses in different areas of film-making are available at a range of educational institutions nationwide.

The costs can be significant and may need to be considered in terms of the benefit received from the training. On the other hand, scholarships and bursaries are available at some institutions and the springboard of relevant training can prove invaluable.

A Bigger Future 2 is Skillset's national 3-year film skills strategy, funded by the BFI, which will address the five top training and education priorities for the UK Film Industry. We provide funding to train those who urgently need the professional skills to help strengthen the UK Film Industry.

The Met Film Schoolalso provides a range of full-time and part-time courses in London, all taught by working film industry professionals. The school is part of the Met Film group, giving students access to the facilities used by its production and post-production houses within the industry.

The Imaginox Academy of Creative Arts, was set up in 2009, in order to deliver not only online education to a global community but also, to connect groups and individuals across the industry, facilitating a true cross-fertilisation of talent and creativity. They are an interactive online film training, development and networking platform, bringing you directly into contact with the Industry’s finest talent.
Short Courses
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Shorter courses may prove a better option for some people as a means of further training. Many of the places that offer longer educational opportunities also offer short courses. There are also a range of institutions that specialise in specific short courses.

Raindance offer courses designed to spur on aspiring writers, directors and producers.

The Script Factory focuses on training and opportunities for writers and bridging the gap between script and screen.

Industrial Scripts offer training and feedback for film-makers. Run by a team of established script consultants, they offer professional responses to scripts and courses designed to help people get work as readers or an overview of micro-budget film-making.

A multitude of courses run in a wide variety of places, from local community centres to one-off seminars by industry experts. The local screen agencies provide a good starting point for looking into local activities.
Books, Website and Magazines 
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A staggering number of writers have approached the art and business of film-making to pass on their knowledge and experiences. Reading from an assortment can greatly enhance an understanding of the multi-faceted work of creating films.

Some books discuss the practicalities of film-making, often focussing on a single area such as screenwriting or shooting shorts. Others act as case studies of notable companies or individuals, focussing on spectacular successes and disasters alike.

 Some specialist books shops include:

The Cinema Bookshop specialises in literature concerning the screen arts.
- 13-14 Great Russell Street, London W1. 020 7637 0206

The Screenwriters Store has a wealth of resources and scripts.
- Suite 121, Friars House, 157-168 Blackfriars Road, London. SE1 8EZ. 020 7261 1908

Recommended Websites

Deadline Hollywood
IMDB
Screendaily
Apple Trailers
Variety
Find any Film
Launching Films.tv

Recommended Magazines

Little White Lies
Movie Scope
Screendaily
Variety
Additional Opportunities
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Those looking for funding towards projects early in their career may have some success with their local screen agency. In particular, the agencies run the ‘digital shorts’ programme, designed to provide opportunities to emerging film-making talent. Applications are usually open once a year for aspiring writers, directors and producers.

Screen agencies:

EM Media
Film London
Northern Film & Media
Vision and Media
Screen South
Screen West Midlands
Screen Yorkshire
South West Screen

Skillset has one of the largest resources on film careers online. It offers funding for training and a careers service.
Competitions and Festivals
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Winning an award or managing to get a film placed in a festival can be a great way to raise its profile and those of the film-makers. There is no substitute for getting your work out to an audience.

Some of the most popular national competitions include:

• Virgin Media Shorts - 2-minute short films

• Reed.co.uk Short Film Competition – 3-minute shorts with an ‘I love Mondays’ theme.

• 2 Days Later – Horror shorts made in a 48-hour timeframe.

Prizes range from cinema screenings to money for future projects.

There are a wealth of short film competitions nationwide, each with a different focus and objective. A quick search online tailored to your specific interests and objectives will suggest opportunities.

Likewise, an array of festivals cater to specialist and mainstream tastes. An understanding of the major international festivals is, however, useful for new entrants. They include:

- Berlin
- Cannes
- Edinburgh
- Sundance
- Toronto
- Venice

Trade Bodies
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These organisations represent the interests of industry employees in a variety of ways.

BECTU
The independent union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas who are primarily based in the UK.

BKSTS
The BKSTS encourages, sustains, educates, trains and represents all those who are involved in the business of providing moving images and associated crafts in any form and through any media.

Directors Guild of Great Britain
The Guild represents directors in all media: film, television, theatre, radio, opera, commercials, corporate, multimedia and new technology. It is a trade union, offering help with contracts, a campaigning voice, policy to influence the future of the industry, and advice for members to meet and share their skills.

Directors UK
Directors UK, formerly DPRS, represents a UK community of film and television directors. The organisation is also the campaigning body seeking to protect and enhance the creative, economic and contractual rights of directors in the UK.

Equity
Equity is the only trade union to represent artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. The main function of Equity is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment throughout the entire world of entertainment and to endeavour to ensure these take account of social and economic changes.

Guild of Location Managers
A non-profit making organisation of professional Location Managers working within the film, television and advertising industries, formed to maintain standards of professionalism within the industry with regard to filming on location.

Pact
Pact is the UK trade association representing and promoting the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, digital, children's and animation media companies.

New Producer's Alliance
The national membership and training organisation for independent new producers.

Production Guild
The Guild works on behalf of its members to improve employment opportunities, offer professional advice and to lobby the government on issues which affect the industry.

Production Managers' Association
The PMA is a professional body of film, television, corporate and multi-media production managers. Within the film and television industry the Association provides a unique network for both freelance and permanently employed production managers.

Women in Film and Television (WFTV)
Women in Film and Television UK (WFTV) is a membership association open to women with at least one year's professional experience in the television, film and/or digital media industries.

Writers' Guild of Great Britain
The Writers' Guild of Great Britain is the TUC union for all professional writers working in television, radio, film, theatre, books and multimedia.

Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI)
The official professional organization for the film commissioners who assist film, television and video production throughout the world.
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Careers in the Film Industry
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In The Know
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