Press Release
DIRECTORS UK LAUNCHES UNSCRIPTED TRAINING
7 March 2022
Applications open today for ScreenSkills and Directors UK’s Become a Self-Shooting PD.
Designed to address urgent skills gaps in Unscripted TV, the training is funded by ScreenSkills’ Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from BBC, Channel 4, Sky, A+E Networks UK, Discovery UK, Channel 5 and Netflix matched by production companies.It will be delivered in partnership with DV Talent and The Story Consultant.
Become a Self-Shooting PD is a UK-wide comprehensive training course taking place in Bristol, Belfast, Glasgow, London and Manchester. Successful applicants will receive hands-on technical training on all aspects of a self-shooting producer/director role.
The training, by acclaimed self-shooting PDs and series producers, will equip participants with the technical and editorial skills required of an accomplished self-shooter, as well as an understanding of the key requirements of an edit. By the end of the course, the participants will be delivering rushes with strong storytelling at their heart – assets that drastically reduce the likelihood of schedule and budget overruns. Additional masterclasses will cover commentary, interview techniques and a chance to network with talent managers.
Andrea Corbett, Head of Career Development and Skills at Directors UK added: “From pre-shoot planning, to insights into sequence construction and decision making on location, participants will learn how to tell a story effectively and will develop approaches for producing successful coverage and eradicating uncertainty - leading to a strong and confident experience in the edit. They will learn techniques to help manage the complexities that accompany the self-shooting world, while also gaining skills in running a team with strength, fairness and safety as guiding principles.”
The course is suitable for people with 3-5 years’ experience in the industry and who are looking to step up a grade or widen their skillset, but you do not need a broadcast shooting credit to apply. The eligibility criteria is flexible to accommodate those returning to the industry, or with little shooting experience. Applications are welcome from both members of Directors UK and also from non-members passionate about pursuing a career as a self-shooting PD.
Matt Born, Managing Director of DV Talent said: "Gaining comprehensive camera skills both technically and editorially is crucial for PDs, especially if they’re unable to get into the edit with their work. Along with some of the best, acclaimed self-shooters in the business who are loaded with tips, tricks and anecdotes, we’ve designed a unique course, that will leave participants feeling confident when it comes to all aspects of shooting for broadcast.”
Andy Harrower, Directors UK CEO said: “To see the Unscripted TV Skills Fund finally become a reality following years of calling for much needed investment in unscripted skills training is fantastic. With this funding, Become a Self-Shooting PD provides an opportunity for talent across the UK to take the next step in their career. By equipping the attendees with everything they need to move directly up and into the workforce, we can address the skills gaps and the producer/directors will be ready to start their next job immediately.”
Sarah Joyce, Head of Unscripted and Children’s TV at ScreenSkills added: “We are delighted to be working with Directors UK to deliver this new programme for shooting PDs. This is a business-critical role as well as one where there are known shortages, so to be able to train a UK-wide cohort with the skills needed to succeed in this role is really important. As with all investment through the Unscripted TV Skills Fund, there is a focus on participants working in the nations and regions as part of our ambition to create a bigger, stronger pool of talent for productions to access for the great content they are making, wherever they are based.”
For more information on the course, for details of how to apply, and for information on bursaries, please visit: https://www.thetalentmanager.com/courses/182/screenskills-and-directors-uks-become-a-self-shooting-pd-delivered-by-dv-talent
The course is being delivered in partnership with The Story Consultant and DV Talent, the school for film and TV professionals, and supported by thekitroom.co.uk and thetalentmanager.com.
About Directors UK
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of nearly 8,000 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of nearly 8,000 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
About DV Talent
DV Talent is the UK's leading independent training provider and career agency for creative media professionals. We offer an extensive range of courses across film, TV and the digital media, taught by many of the creative industries' best-known and most influential filmmakers, developers, journalists and acclaimed TV producer/directors and series producers. Our clients include all the major Indies and Broadcasters, we are a preferred supplier to both the BBC and ITV, and we are known as the ‘’professionals' film and television school’’. DV Talent is a member of the Moving Image Training Alliance (Mita).
About The Story Consultant
Nic Guttridge is The Story Consultant. With over 25 years of frontline experience, Nic provides high-level story consultancy, production support and editorial trouble-shooting to filmmakers, production companies and networks across all aspects of unscripted filmmaking. He is a mentor for the Documentary Campus Masterschool and Campus Istanbul, a former Directors UK Board Member and former Chair of Directors UK’s Factual Committee.
About ScreenSkills
ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for the screen industries – film, television (including children's, unscripted and high-end), VFX (visual effects), animation and games. We are supporting economic recovery and future innovation and growth across the nations and regions by investing in the skilled and inclusive workforce who are critical to the UK screen industries' global success.
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