Screen Crafts & Digital Skills Bootcamp

Photo credit Production Park

Screen Crafts & Digital Skills Bootcamp

Applications Close 12 noon, 28th October 2024

Screen Crafts & Digital Skills Bootcamp for York and North Yorkshire is a part-time programme over 4 months, designed to give people the opportunity to explore the essential craft and digital skills required for today’s creative industries.  

This Skills Bootcamp is delivered by Screen Yorkshire and funded by the Department for Education, and is an integral part of the Government’s Skills for Life strategy. The York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority supports the roll out of Skills Bootcamps across the entire region.

The Skills Bootcamp will provide hands-on experience at entry level for those interested in learning the fundamental requirements of working in the fast-changing screen industries. Screen Yorkshire has designed a programme working with industry partners Viridian FX, XPLOR at Production Park Wakefield and Sticks and Glass.

We are looking for a diverse group of applicants based in and around York and North Yorkshire. The programme is open to those interested in pursuing a career in the screen industries, as well as freelancers already working in the industry, graduates, and those with relevant experience from other sectors seeking a career in the screen industries.   

The Skills Bootcamp will be delivered from December 2024 – March 2025 via a series of workshops, site visits and talks delivered by industry professionals.

What is the aim of the programme? 

To provide the participants with a hands-on experience and entry level skills fundamental to audiovisual production processes, and specific to; art department, factual, post-production and lighting. This Skills Bootcamp will provide learners with conventional, practical craft skills and enhance those by introducing participants to a range of digital skills. Taking the cohort through a Virtual Production pipeline allows us to introduce participants to a wide range of skills, programmes and toolkits e.g Unreal Engine, which will develop learners awareness of the current immersive digital industry.

How will the programme work?

Participants will apply for and focus on one of four areas throughout the programme; art department, factual, lighting and post production. The cohort will come together during the introduction week in December for an overall insight to the screen industries and what it means to forge a career in those areas.

From January to March participants will learn and immerse themselves in their chosen craft discipline and then come back together to realise a joint project in the virtual production volume at Production Park. Once the training is completed, Screen Yorkshire will continue to support participants with their progression into work opportunities in the screen industries.

More information on the available specialisms:

ART DEPARTMENT

The Art Department plays a crucial role in bringing a film’s visual world to life, focusing on the design, construction, and decoration of sets and props. Learning about the Art Department involves understanding various roles, including production designers, art directors, set decorators, and prop masters, who work together to create the visual environment that supports the story. Key skills you will learn include drafting by hand, CAD, Sketchup, Adobe Photoshop, Unreal Engine, and understanding a virtual production pipeline. Collaboration with other departments, especially camera and lighting, is essential to ensure that the visual elements enhance the overall look and feel of the piece.

POST PRODUCTION

Post-production is the final phase of filmmaking where the raw footage is transformed into a polished, cohesive piece. It involves several critical processes, including editing, sound design, visual effects (VFX), and colour grading. Editors work to assemble scenes, ensuring smooth transitions and pacing that aligns with the film’s vision. VFX artists will use  DaVinci Resolve to create digital elements and manipulate footage for visual storytelling.

FACTUAL

Working in factual production involves creating content that is grounded in real-world events, people, and places. This includes documentaries, news, and educational programmes. Learning about factual production requires an understanding of research, storytelling, and ethical considerations when dealing with real-life subjects. Key skills you will learn include conducting thorough research, interviewing techniques, and the ability to present facts in a compelling narrative. Factual filmmakers often work with smaller crews and budgets, which means multitasking is essential, from planning and shooting on location to overseeing post-production.

LIGHTING

Set lighting is a fundamental aspect of filmmaking, essential for creating the right atmosphere, mood, and visual style. Understanding set lighting involves understanding various types of lighting equipment, such as key lights, fill lights, and backlights, as well as modifiers like gels and diffusers to control the intensity, colour, and direction of light. In addition, knowledge of how lighting affects a scene’s tone and the appearance of actors on sets will be covered. Key skills you will learn include learning the role of a gaffer, best boy and electrician, as well as gaining an understanding of how a director of photography works.

Attending the programme will equip applicants with:

  • Confidence in taking the first steps towards a craeer in the screen industries.
  • An understanding how screen industries work.
  • Hands-on entry level, practical craft and digital skills specific to the chosen craft discipline.
  • An understanding of how to thrive in an onset environment.
  • Practical advice on how to successfully work as a freelancer.
  • Knowledge and understanding of immersive & virtual environments.
  • An understanding of how Unreal Engine and similar programmes and tools are used in the screen industries.
  • An understanding of how to work on a project from brief to realisation.
  • Knowledge on preparing an industry relevant and craft specific CV.
  • Guidance on job opportunities and next steps.

I’ve been overcome with delight at every stage, receiving support and encouragement and giving me a renewed vigour for life when I had lost interest in pretty much everything. I thought that was it for me but I’m 43, I’m not done yet! I just needed it teasing out of me.

John Cooper - Screen Yorkshire trainee 2022

Sticks and Glass, Leeds

How will you learn?

The delivery of the course will be a mixture of face-to-face practical workshops, presentations, site visits, online training sessions, group and 1-2-1 mentoring support. Most of the in-person sessions will take place in Harrogate and Leeds, with two sessions taking place at Production Park Wakefield, and the potential for other locations across Yorkshire.

Who is it for? 

Applicants must be 19+ and live within or around the York and North Yorkshire region  (limited places available to those living in other parts of Yorkshire)

No prior film or TV experience is required, just bring your passion for the screen industries. 

All learners are expected to continue engaging with Screen Yorkshire for up to 6 months after completing the training, or until they secure an employment related outcome. This may include paid work experience, short or long-term employment contracts, or career progression within their current role. Learners will have a guaranteed interview arranged by Screen Yorkshire

Who we encourage to apply:

  • People with an interest in working in the screen industries.
  • People who have worked in industries with transferable skills and experience in other sectors.
  • Employees or freelancers already working in the screen industries who are looking to sidestep into another department or want to specialise in one of the four craft specialisms on offer.
  • Graduates, who have a degree in a relevant screen or adjacent discipline, who  are looking to enhance their practical and digital knowledge in one of the areas on offer 
    .

We actively encourage applicants from groups who are currently underrepresented in the TV, Film, Games, and other relevant Industries.

Applications will open 1st October

To apply for the Screen Crafts and Digital Skills, please complete the application form and EDI monitoring forms below.

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.

Applications close 12 noon, 28th October 2024

EDI Monitoring Form Application Form

Programme Timeline December 2024- March 2025

The ability to attend all sessions, or at least as many as possible, is essential. Please see the below programme timeline for session timings.

All Day Sessions

2nd  December          – Industry Introduction Week, 09:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Thursday
3rd – 5th December – Industry Introduction Week, 09:30am – 05:00pm, Monday – Thursday
9th – 11th December – Electrical Training,      10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday (Lighting Course only)
20th-22nd January      10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
27th-29th January       10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
3rd-5th February         10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
10th-12th February     10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
17th-19th February      10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
24th-26th February     10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
3rd-5th March               10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
10th-12th March           10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday
17th-19th March           10:00am – 05:00pm, Monday – Wednesday

 

Equipment needed?

It is highly recommended that applicants have their own laptop computer so they can work on their projects in their own time. If you don’t have your own laptop or desktop computer, please still apply and let us know, as we may be able to help.

Course Fees

This Skills Bootcamp is free of charge for individuals or self-employed.

 

This course has not only equipped me with a solid understanding of virtual production and Unreal Engine but has also facilitated invaluable connections within the industry. Armed with newfound skills and insights, I'm confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to future projects involving virtual production.

Sam Priestley, Digital Skills Cohort, 2024

This Skills Bootcamps is funded by the Department for Education and is an integral part of the Government’s Skills for Life strategy. The York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority supports the roll out of Skills Bootcamps across the entire region it serves.