Skills programme for underrepresented creatives to launch

A new skills training programme to support creatives looking to break into behind-the-camera roles on scripted film and high-end TV productions made in the West of England will launch later this month.

Bristol City Council’s Film Services will run the initiative after it secured almost £300,000 from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Delivered by The Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and Bristol Film Office – the three departments that make up Bristol City Council’s Film Services – the year-long programme will be open to regional participants from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the industry. 

Tailored training will prepare trainees for entry-level crew positions, with the aim of strengthening the pipeline of diverse local crew talent.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who leads the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “The West of England is fast becoming the Hollywood of the UK. 

"Only recently, huge names like Disney+ have checked into The Bottle Yard Studios’ new state-of-the-art and West of England Mayoral Authority-funded TBY2 facility – that's a massive vote of confidence in our world-leading creative industries. 

"But to keep up the pace, we need to tap into the extraordinary wealth of creative talent we have in the West. That means supporting them with world-class training to create that new home-grown creative generation for the sector.