11th August 2005
FILM AND TELEVISION NEW TALENT
FT2 celebrates tonight the graduation of 16 young people on the New Entrant Technical Training Programme and the Independent Companies Researcher Training Scheme.
TOM ROBERTS of October Films, who will present the certificates says: "The annual FT2 graduation ceremony is one of the highlights of my year. It is so very encouraging to see the quality of young talent, primed and thoroughly prepared by months of intense training, ready to step forth and contribute to the industry. The Independent Companies Research Training Scheme has only been going for 7 years, but soon I expect to be pitching my company's ideas to a commissioning editor who graduated from the scheme! And I look forward to watching the progress of this graduation class as they make their way."
MELODY HOWSE, graduating as a Researcher says: "The FT2 training scheme is an important and vital scheme for the future of our industry. Throughout my time on the scheme I have gained valuable practical experience and top level training which has been hugely benificial to the productions I have worked on. The scheme is a life changing experience, it really is a unique opportunity for those who are talented and driven enough to get the best training and experience there is in the industry. Although FT2 is a very challenging scheme, the company's involved are hugely supportive and time has proven that some of the best researchers and AP's in the business have come through the FT2 ranks. I hope to be one of them in the near future!"
Graduate Makeup/hair Assistant SANDRINE MUGGLESTONE, now on her first industry contract on "Hex" for Sky 1, says: "The training was really beneficial to make contacts in the industry and get a ground knowledge of how the industry works, the different departments and how they fit together."
ANG RICHARDS, Camera Assistant, who has just completed a contract on "Basic Instinct" says: "It's been really encouraging to be working on a job with a former FT2 trainee who is now working as a Focus Puller."
Tonight is also an opportunity for the graduates to meet and give advice to a further 22 young people who this week have started apprenticeship-style training leading to freelance work in the film and television industry.
HELEN GRINSTEAD, Researcher, encourages: "The FT2 Researcher training scheme has been a much sought after foot in the door for me. I have found the short courses highly relevant but the highlight has certainly been the on the job training. I've worked on programmes ranging from a 1920s murder mystery to a profile of the Beatles to the story of the dark side of science in the 1950s, and everything in between. I certainly feel equipped for life as a fully fledged TV Researcher having completed 18 months on the scheme." and EMILY SEVENOAKS adds: "It has been a fabulous experience - just the right mix of on-the-job training and specialised courses."
Trainees on these schemes have been funded by the film and television industry through the Skillset Freelance Training Fund, the Skillset Film Skills Fund, Channel 4, participating production companies, the European Social Fund and London Central Learning and Skills Council.
JUDY COUNIHAN, Director of Film at Skillset, says: "Congratulations to the trainees graduating today. Skillset supports these schemes because they deliver the highest standard of training and skills development which benefits both the individual trainees and the industry they will now be working in."
ALEC McPHEDRAN, Training and Development Manager, Channel 4 Television says: "Without the fantastic work and support of all at FT2, the industry would not have the high quality people coming through in these important skills areas. Channel 4 supports talent from right across the creative industries and FT2 definitely match our ambitious aspirations."
