Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

LIVERPOOL City Council's Film Office is looking for people who want to kickstart their career in film and TV, by joining 'Action,' a brand new skills initiative.

Over the next three years, the Film Office aims to support around 1,000 people in the industry by delivering an innovative, free to access skills programme to build a stronger and diverse screen sector in the Liverpool City Region.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:- "Action! will provide fantastic opportunities for those dreaming of a career in film and TV to make it a reality. The Film Office is working hard to open doors to anyone, no matter what their background, to have the opportunity to work in such an exciting industry. This training will not only assist in tackling the skills gaps within the film and TV industry in the North but provide potentially life changing opportunities for those who need it most."

The programme will include:- career surgeries, training, workshops, industry bootcamps, access to additional employability assets, masterclasses with established crew and opportunities for paid placements on set.

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must b:-e aged:- 18 and over, live in the Liverpool City Region, and have the right to work in the UK and cannot be in further or higher education.

Head of Liverpool Film Office, Lynn Saunders said:- "We're thrilled to be able to announce Action! and cannot wait to see a whole new cohort of film and TV crew coming through our training process and beginning their career in the industry. Under Screen Alliance North, we want to bridge the gap when it comes to training and securing a first job in the industry, working closely with our partners to build a stronger and more inclusive workforce. These opportunities will be tailored to specific skill set to ensure we are providing a real taste of what it's like to work on a production. I'm looking forward to meeting the new cohort and watching them kickstart their careers."

Those interested must register on the Liverpool Film Office Crew database as a:- 'New Entrant' and select the field/department that is of most interest to them.

Once registered, new entrants will be told of upcoming opportunities and, due to the limited places available on each activity, will be asked to fill in an application form.

Action! has been made possible through £2.3m of BFI National Lottery funding which was awarded to Screen Alliance North, a new skills cluster partnership delivered by:- Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire.

Councillor Lila Bennett, Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills, said:- "Developing skills can make dreams a reality and Action! has the potential to be a transformative journey for those lucky enough to be part of the programme. As a City Council we are committed to doing everything we can to give residents the skills they need to be employment ready, and in doing so make sectors like the TV and film industry as diverse and inclusive as possible."

The partnership aims to make the screen sector more accessible and representative and to build a thriving and skilled workforce across the North of England.

For more information about Action! and how to register, please visit the official Liverpool Film Office website.