It all started with a ScreenSkills mentorship. That’s when I had the courage to shift my career from film critic to post-production.

For ten years, as a film critic, I had the opportunity to meet and interview well-known talents such as David Lynch, Brad Pitt, Isabelle Huppert, Steve McQueen, Xavier Dolan, Peter Greenaway, Alfonso Cuaron, Oscar Isaac… And be in the same room with people that changed the way I watch films, such as Martin Scorsese, Robert de Niro and Cate Blanchett. In my articles, reviews and interviews I was in search of something that intrigued me, be it a reflection about racism, a new form of storytelling or simply highlighting an incredible newcomer.

I also could travel to international film festivals – Sundance, San Sebastian, Venice, Toronto (TIFF), Tribeca, London Film Festival – and to local festivals – Glasgow, Roma, Pesaro, Sundance London… But when the pandemic hit us, I lost interest in writing articles. I wanted the full collective experience, and not merely write about something that people would be watching at home. So I made a shift into the industry. 

I upskilled myself to become what I do today: post production coordination.

It all started with a ScreenSkills mentorship. Perhaps, sharing my experience with you may motivate you.

?1. What does ScreenSkills do?

ScreenSkills is the industry-endorsed skills body for the screen sector. ScreenSkills champion and grow the skills of the UK screen industries now and for the future to ensure a world-leading, agile and inclusive workforce, offering people from every background opportunities to realise their potential.

Did you get it? Read it again. I bet everyone here is looking for someone, an entity that can realise their potential… Well, ScreenSkills don’t do that unless you realise you have potential first… But they help you keep going.

?2. How to write your profile with ScreenSkills?

ScreenSkills is divided into councils. The work of ScreenSkills within each industry in its footprint is guided by skills councils composed of key industry figures. This means that each area receives different funds. Those are the areas:

• Animation Skills Council

• Children’s TV Skills Council

• Film Skills Council

• Games Skills Council

• High-end TV Skills Council

• Unscripted TV Skills Council

So in order to write your profile on their website, you must choose which area you want to work in primarily. This can be tough, but it is essential.

Then you honestly let them know your career level: don’t cheat. This is a filter for future training.

The same applies to where you live and can work. The more specific you are, the higher the chances to be noted, and chosen. It is a question of being focused. 

You then need to add your experience. I deliberately omitted all my previous experience that was not related to film and TV. Yes, all work experience shaped me who I am now, and I am constantly accessing them in my day to day job, BUT it is not ESSENTIAL to get the training, jobs and opportunities that ScreenSkills offer. 

?3. Bursaries, training and mentorship

Once I uploaded all my personal data into the site, I looked for a mentorship experience in post production. I was able to name the professional I wanted to have mentorship with, also because I had known that expert and knew that there was a common interest in collaboration.

Since then, I am constantly upskilling myself with them. I do look at their courses constantly as well as their networking opportunities. Most of their training is free. Last month, I went to their Leaders of Tomorrow event and engaged with several people. Some of them have heard of me but we never met…

I also got a bursary last year. I used the grant to buy a new computer. Find more about their bursaries here: ScreenSkills bursaries: apply for funding to progress your career – Bursaries – ScreenSkills.

?Profiles online don’t do magic

ScreenSkills has recently reviewed its strategy for the next five years. They aim to deliver:  

• Quality: the sector will have a highly skilled and well-trained workforce
• Skills: gaps and shortages will be quickly identified and addressed
• Inclusivity: the UK screen workforce will be more diverse and inclusive, better reflecting the diversity of the UK
• Future-looking: the workforce will be agile and responsive to emerging and future technologies and working practices
• Collaborative: UK skills provision will be pan-sector and collegiate

 

Their approach to deliver talent development counts on partnerships with companies and supporting the workforce.

So you know that uploading your profile online may take some time to be noticed.  

Persistence will get you there. Consistence will keep you there.

We at Film Locos want to facilitate this process. Let us know of your initiatives and how we can help you. I hope that this article can help you somehow.

Film Locos Project Manager and Post Production Coordinator;

BAFTA member; Production Guild member

post.maysa@gmail.com

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