Breaking into film 

	An image from 'The Business - A Storyboard Guide to Film'. © Skillset

The film industry is highly competitive. In many areas there are more jobseekers than jobs, but in others there are skills shortages. Skillset offers careers advice and training for the film industry.

Skillset

• Skillset Film - If you want to get in, or get on, in the film industry or if you want to know more about your career options, the Skillset Film website has a definitive guide to film careers and training and gives practical advice on finding work.
• Skillset Careers - As well as online information, Skillset Careers also offers advice on an individual basis.
• Skillset also co-ordinated the DTI Work Experience Guidelines for employers, which have relevance across the audio visual sector.

'Get in the Picture'

The UK Film Council DVD, Get in the Picture - Insiders' Experiences of Working in the Film Industry, is aimed at encouraging school-aged young people - particularly those from minority ethnic groups - to consider a career in film (older new entrants may also find it relevant). It features interviews with British film industry practitioners from a range of backgrounds, who discuss their experiences of working in film. The DVD also includes useful background material, and offers subtitles, audio-description and signing. 

The DVD is now out of stock.

• View the trailer here. The transcript is available here.
• Read the biographies and articles included on the DVD here.

Positive Action Initiatives

There are a range of schemes that specifically focus on addressing the under-representation of particular groups through positive action. Here is a selection:

• Blank Slate - Produced by B3 Media, this UK-wide digital short film scheme supports the next generation of black and minority ethnic talent.
• Compass Point - a National Film & Television School professional development project, run in association with B3 Media, to enable black and ethnic minority creatives and entrepreneurs to fast track their careers
• WFTV's Directing Change - Up-and-coming women directors work alongside an experienced and internationally respected feature film director. Run by Women in Film and Television.
• Skillset Graduate Fellowship Programme - Provides graduates from minority ethnic groups with funded work placements for up to one year in film companies that represent different aspects of the film business.
• MAGIC HOUR - is the digital shorts initiative for disabled filmmakers run by 104 films.