CoSE:Y UK Film & TV Craft Certificate – My First Factual TV Job.

CoSE:Y UK Film & TV Craft Certificate – My First Factual TV Job.

Applications closed 20th February 2023

 

Factual TV production is absolutely booming in the Yorkshire region – talented, locally-based producers are making high-profile hit shows like A New Life in the Sun, The Yorkshire Vet, 24 Hours in A&E, Helicopter ER, Firefighters, Summer on the Farm, Say Yes to the Dress and Catching A Killer, among many, many others.

Producers like True North, Daisybeck Studios and Candour Productions are always on the look-out for bright, new talent to join their teams, but they often feel entry-level applicants don’t know exactly what it takes to launch a career as a runner, researcher, production secretary or data wrangler.

This 4-month, part-time course (April to July 2023) will tackle this head-on. It will give successful applicants detailed training in all of the roles and responsibilities they’ll be asked to carry out in the first six months of their factual TV careers, within editorial, production management and post-production departments.

We are looking for a trainees who bring a diverse range of experiences to the group and we actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the film and television industries. We offer bursaries for applicants who need financial assistance with covering the fee for their chosen course.

Leeds Trinity Student filming 'Quantaform'

How you will learn

Trainees will learn with an industry professional located at Prime Studios in West Yorkshire. We will endeavour to provide a work experience module on active film or TV sets, however while best efforts will be made, placements cannot be guaranteed.

The course has been designed to match the specific needs of the region’s TV producers and employers at a time of great growth – so top employers are actively supporting the programme.

Screen Yorkshire and the CoSE:Y team will deliver an introduction week designed to prepare the trainees for the specific requirements of factual crew in TV, such as their role within a department, the way departments interact with other departments during production, set etiquette, sustainability training and preparation for freelance life (including CV and application writing, tax, invoicing and networking).

Furthermore, as a trainee of Screen Yorkshire, we provide a real on set experience in collaboration with Leeds MetFilm School on a large filming project at the end of your course. It will consist of a 3-day shoot in studio, with a crew, teaching you set etiquette and how to work in a professional manner. You will put into practise all the skills you have learnt throughout your duration of time training with us, providing you with the confidence to move forward with your career.

What you will learn

On completion of the certificate, you will have a detailed knowledge of all relevant entry-level roles and responsibilities they will be expected to perform in a factual TV production company, including:

  • The work and duties of a development researcher, focused on identifying, researching and securing new programme commissions for a wide variety of TV and other content commissioning editors. This will include best practice on writing treatments and preparing taster or “sizzle” tapes.
  • The work and duties of a casting researcher – tasked with finding and selecting the most relevant, appropriate and articulate contributors for a wide range of TV programmes.
  • The work and duties of a production researcher – performing a vital role assisting the whole production team of a commissioned programme, including liaison with contributors, checking story accuracy, preparing for filming on location. This will also include the important work of a shooting researcher, often a vital support role in factual productions.
  • The work and duties of a production secretary – helping to keep a production on the road by producing call-sheets, risk assessments, consent forms and other vital paperwork and by careful and detailed forward planning.
  • The work and duties of a data wrangler – ensuring the safety of all filmed footage

Find out more from Sallie Leak, Talent Manager at True North, an experienced Producer and Series Producer on a wide range of factual TV shows.

Entry requirements

No previous Film & TV qualification is required to take part in this course. The course is entry-level and is specifically targeted towards those who believe they have the right skills – and personal strengths – to start a career as a runner, researcher or production secretary within factual TV programmes.

No specific qualification is needed – but it is important that applicants watch, consume and enjoy factual content in a range of genres, including factual entertainment, lifestyle and daytime shows, observational documentary and current affairs.

Training is a financial investment for the candidate and the provider and so it should only be undertaken by candidates committed to achieving a high level of proficiency and dedication to the craft. Entrants will be 18 or over and some applicants may choose to undertake this award instead of going to University. Graduates from university or college are very welcome to apply, as are people looking to change career later in life.

Assessment and accreditation

The qualification will be assessed on the basis of written coursework and evidence of technical understanding. Successful students will achieve a UK Film & Television Craft Certification for “My First Factual TV job”, endorsed by Screen Yorkshire and ScreenSkills and recognised by film and television production and production insurers.

Fees and bursaries

Applicants must be 18 years old on 6th February 2023 to apply for this course. For students over this age there is a course fee of £2000 which includes an admin fee, however you may be eligible for bursary support covering the majority of the course fee. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please fill out the bursary application form below when you submit. Payment plans are available for those paying their course fee.

Course dates

The course will run between April and July 2023. Students should note that learning commitments throughout the teaching period are part-time (Full day commitments on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) Full time commitment is expected during the introduction week (17th April – 21st April) and the planned work experience placement.

Applications closed 20th February 2023

Applications received after this date will not be considered. If for any reason you need to submit your application by an alternative method or have any other queries then please contact training@screenyorkshire.co.uk. To apply, please complete and submit our online application form via the button below.

You may be invited to a phone/online interview between February 20th – 10th March. Successful applicants will be offered a place by the end of March and will be expected to accept within 3 days of the offer. We will endeavour to contact everyone who applies, however due to the number of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us by then please assume you have not been offered a place on one of the courses.

The UK film & TV craft courses are part of the Centre of Screen Excellence: Yorkshire, a ground-breaking pilot delivered by Screen Yorkshire and supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funds awarded by the BFI as part of the Future Film Skills programme.

As part of our remit to monitor and improve access to under-represented groups in the industry, we report to our funders on the diversity of applicants to this scheme. We would be extremely grateful if you please could also fill in the diversity form on our website application page through the link below.