Outreaching talent

Under an earlier name, one of those Create Studios helped along the way was Harry Potter film director David Yates. And today our work continues to help young people get a step onto the artistic ladder. We work with around 7,000 people annually, mostly under 25, and have made 80 media productions for over 30 partners.

We run two Saturday morning workshops, Media Circus and Media Plus, to encourage children and teenagers in filmmaking, animation and games. We also develop special filmmaking projects and provide jobs for paid interns, young apprentices and first-time freelancers. We have received funding from First Light – a national scheme which supports projects giving young people in-depth film production experiences – on multiple occasions.

We reach young people from social backgrounds who would never normally have these opportunities, and it transforms them – their career aspirations, behaviour and attitude. Through our outreach programme we are able to help a diverse talent pool get into the industry, via conventional routes of university and film school, or other ways like the Creative Apprenticeships and responsible internships.

Sherylee Houssein started working with Create when she was 12. Now 21, she has just finished studying at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), and is a freelance specialising in sound. “Create came to my school, and led me to be enthralled in the world of film! Icehouse, which Create worked on with the students, went on to win Best Thriller at the First Light Movies Awards 2006 and was the starting point to what would become my career.” Sherylee got involved in other films and eventually became Co-ordinator of Create Studios young persons’ group YourFilm, before being accepted into NFTS.

Simon Olney, 23, attended Saturday morning workshops, got involved in YourFilm and volunteered on a range of projects, including some funded through the First Light scheme. Simon got a place on one of the country’s top film degree courses, and is now working professionally in the industry, specialising in lighting and camera work. When we last asked him to come and freelance for us he was too busy shooting for the next six weeks.

We are also keen to use the latest employment methods. Through the Advanced Apprenticeship scheme we took on our first Apprentice, Patrick Chinery, 21, who joined as a project assistant via the Future Jobs Fund. Over the 12 month apprenticeship Patrick gained post production, DVD authoring and CGI skills. Patrick said, “I’ve had the opportunity to grow and develop my skills in a professional and welcoming environment, as well as use my growing skills in real projects.”

These examples prove how important it is that we continue to fund community media and arts – to ensure that we grow a diverse and skilled generation of artists who will shape the creative industries of the future.