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FT2 PRESS RELEASE

31/3/2010

FT2's SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Film and television industry guests join FT2 patrons, board and staff

tonight in the Haymarket, London to celebrate 25 years of high quality

technical, craft and production new entrant training.

FT2 patron MIKE LEIGH says:

"How wonderful to celebrate FT2's 25th Anniversary, and how very lamentable

it is that this is the last!! I've had the privilege of working with many

FT2 trainees over the years, and I'm really sad that there won't be any

more."

BRIAN KELLY, Chair of the FT2 Board, says:

"For 25 years FT2 has been a major force in opening doors for skilled

and talented young people to the film and TV industry. Paid traineeships

to encourage diversity, great counselling and support, on-the-job

learning that the industry prefers - everything that you could possibly

want. Not just 'training & development' but 'FT2 training &

development'!

Sadly this story is coming to an end. A great story full of imagination,

innovation, intelligence and, latterly, a great deal of courage. The

silver anniversary should be an occasion for celebration and it will be,

but it will also mark the end for a great institution and the loss of a

great team of dedicated and gifted people. Nevertheless, it remains true

that when you say the words FT2 you can't help be proud of an

achievement that will be remembered for a long, long time."

SHARON GOODE, Director of FT2, says:

“It is wonderful that so many people can join us to celebrate our Silver

Jubilee. We are so proud of our former trainees and the progress they are

making in the industry. This is a day of celebration - but also a day of

sadness, as after 25 years FT2 will be closing down next month.

Funding-wise we have been between a rock and a hard place for three years

now and it is to be hoped that the industry can put in place a new

organisation with a more long term and confirmed funding base.”

BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUNDING IT HAS BEEN DECIDED BY THE FT2 BOARD THAT FT2’S TRAINING ACTIVITY WILL CEASE IN MARCH 2010 AND A TIMETABLE HAS BEEN DRAWN UP FOR WINDING UP THE ORGANISATION.

THE FT2 BOARD IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SECTOR SKILLS COUNCIL AND POTENTIAL PARTNERS ABOUT A PROPOSED NEW CRAFT AND TECHNICAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE.

PEOPLE INTERESTED IN NEW ENTRANT TRAINING ARE REFERRED TO SKILLSET’S WEBSITE – www.skillset.org

GOOD LUCK BIFA NOMINEES

4 December 2009

FT2 would like to thank the following productions for providing on the job placements for our trainees (and many for also employing former FT2 trainees) and wish them the very best of luck for the British Independent Film Awards on Sunday:

AN EDUCATION

(FT2 trainees in sound, wardrobe and design; FT2 graduates in design)

NOWHERE BOY

(FT2 trainees in camera, sound, script supervision, post production and production; FT2 graduates in design and grips)

BRIGHT STAR

(FT2 trainees in design and grips)

THE YOUNG VICTORIA

(FT2 graduates in production, location, camera and sound departments)

SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL

(FT2 trainees in edit and sound; FT2 graduate in grips)

ME AND ORSON WELLES

(FT2 trainee in grips; FT2 graduates in camera, post production, grips, design, costume and production)

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS

(FT2 trainees in camera, sound, grips, design, wardrobe, makeup;

FT2 graduates in design)

We thank all crew involved for their support with our training. Without the help of industry practitioners and productions such on the job training would not be possible.

FT2 apprenticeship-style training is funded by the industry via the Skillset TV Freelance Fund and the Skillset Film Skills Fund.

CHANGING TECHNOLOGIES AND NEW TALENT

30 July 2009

At a graduation event this evening at Doggetts, South Bank, London, twenty nine young people will receive certificates confirming their successful completion of a 44 week pilot film and television industry apprenticeship-style training scheme “Changing Technologies for New Entrants”.

Assistant Editor Sam Karr receives her certificate from Marcia Williams, Head of Diversity at the UK Film Council.

This FT2 training has been funded by the industry through Skillset’s Film Skills and TV Freelance Training funds.

Skillset's Director of Film Neil Peplow says:

"Skillset's own research reveals that keeping abreast of new technologies is a high training priority for workers in the film industry. I am delighted that Skillset has been able to support this fantastic scheme, delivered by FT2, to help make sure that new entrants in our industries are able to hit the ground running and are skilled in these priority areas."

Neil Peplow and Kate O'Connor of Skillset

Some of the graduates comment on their training:

Assistant Editor, EVE DOHERTY, says:

“I have had extensive placements on both television and feature length dramas, working in the cutting room alongside experienced industry professionals. Each placement has been a learning curve; intensive but enjoyable, being a part of the crew, making great contacts and gaining a real insight into the film and television industry. The support from my supervisors, my industry advisors and the staff at FT2 has been exceptional, and the experience I have gained through the scheme has been invaluable.”

Two generations of FT2 trainees - Sound Assistant Ishmael Harris with his father Mark Harris, a Post Production Supervisor and former Jobfit trainee.

Makeup/hair Assistant, JADE CLARKE, says:

“The Changing Technologies training has been an invaluable experience. Without it, I would not have had the hands-on training that is so essential in this industry and I would not have made the contacts I have, who I am certain will now be my future employers.”

Wardrobe Assistant, BETH GILLMAN, says:

“FT2 has given me an amazing opportunity to work very closely with some high profile, experienced and well-respected people in the industry, all of whom have been very generous with their knowledge and expertise. I feel that I have seized this opportunity to learn and am confident I can work professionally within the world of costume after my training comes to an end. For now, although I have no concrete offers of work, I have possibilities of work in the pipeline, a set of very supportive contacts, and the confidence that I will be a well-valued member of any team.”

Assistant Production Co-ordinator, KERRIE LLOYD, says:

"The changing technologies scheme has given me fantastic opportunities to work in the industry and make contacts that will help secure jobs in the future. Without FT2 I cannot imagine how I would have met some of the great industry professionals that I have or worked on such high profile shows."

Trainees celebrate (Beth Gillman far R and Kerrie Lloyd centre)

FT2 Director, SHARON GOODE, congratulates the completing trainees and comments:

“So far 15 of the completing trainees have already secured their first freelance contracts in the industry. We look forward to hearing news shortly from the rest on their first jobs as assistants and wish them every success for the future.”

Camera Assistant Daniel West with Sharon Goode