Ross Collier (Sound Trainee)

What made you decide to apply for your trainee position on the Northern Routes Training Scheme?
I thought it would be a great chance to learn some new skills and make some contacts within the industry.

Please give a brief outline of your previous experience, related to this training position.
I have worked my way though college and uni studying media and sound. I have worked on a few short films as the sound recordist and sound designer and worked on some corporate videos for client's such as P&O and Black and Vetch. I have also been a lecturer at Hull College.

There were nearly 500 applications for 22 places across the north of England, how did it feel to be chosen?
Quite honoured to be chosen to do this. From when I sent off my application I never thought I would get an interview let alone be chosen for a placement, it took a good week to sink in.

What have you been up to so far on your placement?
So far I have been learning all about the kit that we use, learning how to boom op, helping out to set up and de-rig the equipment and most important of all bringing Martin (Sound Mixer) his famous Barley Cup of coffee.

What's been the best bit(s)?
Too early to say yet. But I think so far I've enjoyed every day, even when it's been freezing cold or I'm soaking wet or I have had to get up at 5 in the morning and not got home til 8. I work with a great team, Martin, Lee and Tom are really supportive and it doesn't matter what kind of question I ask, they always answer it.

What are your long term career aims and how do you feel this scheme will help you achieve them?

To work my way up though the sound department with my long term goal to be a production mixer in TV or film.

Case StudyDirector - Abbe Robinson

Director Abbe Robinson couldn't believe it when her film Private Life was awarded the grand prize of the Planet Out Short Movie Awards 2007, the most prestigious gay and lesbian filmmaking prize in the world.

"We were thrilled to win this award - it feels like a fantastic reward for surviving the long journey to get the film made! I know other directors who have won the Planet Out Short Movie Award have gone on to direct feature films, so I hope I will also be able to further my career in that way... the $10,000 prize money will certainly come in handy for future projects!" says Abbe, who has recently worked on Brideshead Revisited as the director's assistant.

Private Life was funded through Screen Yorkshire's Lottery programme, which awards £20,000 to filmmakers who already have some experience. The scheme is aimed at giving participants an opportunity to take a clear step forward in terms of their career development.

Private Life was shot and produced almost entirely in the region, where the story is set. The film features stunning regional locations such as Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Bolling Hall and Industrial Museum in Bradford. Set in 1952 and featuring striking costumes from the period, the results are impressive.

The film has been accepted into the Palm Springs Short Film Festival
which is an Academy Award (OSCAR) qualifying festival. The film has won the HBO Audience Award for Best Short Film at Provincetown
International Short Film Festival and a jury award at Montecatini Film Festival in Tuscany.