14th March 2006 FT2 celebrated 21 years of training new entrants for freelance work in junior technical, production and craft grades of film and television production on the 14th March.
Former trainees, current trainees and industry champions joined together to celebrate the successes of the last 21 years and look forward to the next.
Without the support of the industry such apprenticeship style training would not be possible and FT2 thanks the industry for their valuable and ongoing input and for all the birthday greetings and comments received, including:
MIKE LEIGH, Thin Man Films and Patron of FT2, said:
"Happy Birthday FT2!!!!! What a fantastic achievement!! And for me, having had such wonderful FT2 trainees on my last eight feature films.......... Well what can I say?! It's a GAS!!!!! I'm so sorry I can't be at the party, but have fun everybody, and lots of love and thanks from Me and Simon Channing Williams"
JOHN McVAY, Pact Chief Executive said:
"As one of FT2's founders, Pact is delighted that the organisation is still working with production companies to deliver top quality freelancers after 21 years. Indies rely on a continuous flow of highly skilled freelancers and that's why they are major contributors to the Skillset funds which back industry accredited training providers like FT2. We look forward to seeing a steady stream of FT2 graduates entering the work place over the next 21 years."
DINAH CAINE, Chief Executive of Skillset, Sector Skills Council, said:
"Congratulations to FT2 on a long and illustrious history of serving the training needs of the industry. In their 21 years FT2 has helped to populate the industry with skilled new entrants who are working across film and TV today. Happy Birthday and well done on your many achievements over the years."
MARTIN SPENCE, Assistant General Secretary of BECTU said:
"BECTU is proud of its involvement with FT2 from its birth (née JOBFIT) and sends hearty congratulations on its 21st anniversary. BECTU thanks its technicians for their every day cooperation in the practical education of FT2's trainees, who are so important to the future of the industry, and their assistance in the selection, assessment and monitoring structures which give FT2 its own distinctive personality. BECTU and its members are immensely proud of FT2 and its 21 years of success. It is a great example of all parts of our industries coming together and producing something that works brilliantly. The FT2 training programmes offer just about the best way to get started in the industry because FT2 is actually part of our industry. It is that knowledge and insight coupled with a commitment to equality and diversity that distinguish FT2 from other training providers. BECTU is very happy to work with all our partners to ensure that FT2 and its unique contribution continues to grow year by year. FT2 has proved itself the best and long may it remain so."
DAVID MARTIN, Chief Executive of The Production Guild, said:
"Congratulations to FT2 on reaching its 21st Anniversary. I and the Production Guild's 600+ members are extremely pleased that FT2 has maintained its place over two decades as the leading source of new craft and technical talent for the British Film and Television industry. Our members know the quality of trainees that they can expect from FT2 and deeply appreciate - as many of them have been involved in recruitment and selection over the years - that they have been selected for their passion, energy and commitment to working in the industry. Production Guild members have consistently said to me that they are keen to contribute their Skillset Film Skills Contribution from their picture budgets as they know it goes to directly support FT2 and the other long-standing, industry new entrant schemes. So here's to Sharon, the FT2 Team and Board and the hundreds of trainees that have gone through FT2's doors to enter the industry to date, and here's to a hundred or so more in future years."
IAN D. TOOTLE, Chair – The Production Managers’ Association, said:
"In an era when professional industry training has either declined or vanished entirely in some sectors, Production Managers have recognized over a distinguished period of time that FT2 is the authoritative and reliable source of committed, enthusiastic and talented trainees without whom the future of the UK film and television industry would be diminished.
Having an FT2 trainee on a production for a period of time has lasting mutual benefits. The production benefits from the quality of FT2’s training programmes and the quality of individuals who have undergone a thorough and rigourous selection process and the trainees benefit from ‘hands-on’ experience in a variety of professional environments which will serve them invaluably in their future career path. The Production Managers’ Association salutes FT2 on this significant anniversary and looks forward to a continuing trusted relationship over many more years to come."
NATALIE HUNTER, Management Development Advisor, Channel 4 Television said:
"We have been sponsoring trainees from ethnic minority backgrounds on FT2's New Entrant Training Scheme for the past 19 years and have been very impressed with the quality of the scheme, the applicants, the commitment of the trainees and of FT2. Channel 4 are proud to be associated with FT2 and hope that the industry continues to benefit from the excellent trainees who graduate from this scheme."
KATE DREWITT, Learning & Development Consultant, ITV Productions said:
"ITV would like to wish FT2 a happy 21st birthday and many thanks for their fantastic contribution to training the next generation of programme makers."
DENNIS FRASER MBE, H/F BSC, Chairman of ASPEC said,
"I have worked with FT2 for the past 10 years and have found FT2 very professional in the training needs of our industry. In all my expectations of raising the standards in the industry I've had full co-operation and professional help in all my areas from them. I would like to thank them and wish them all success in the future."
ROBIN VIDGEON BSC FBKSTS said:
"In today's ever changing world in the film industry, FT2 offers the best system of education. By its formula of students spending time in all the key areas over the 2 year new entrants course, they learn the basics of how films are made, and the core disciplines of the various departments."
JOHN WOODWARD, Chief Executive Officer, UK Film Council said:
"Over the last 21 years FT2 have provided a springboard for people seeking to develop a career within the British film and television industry. A well deserved Happy Birthday and I hope that you continue to provide this valuable service to the British Film industry."
CHRIS MARCICH, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Motion Picture Association, said:
"The Motion Picture Association would like to congratulate everyone associated with FT2 over the past 21 years. Congratulations and thanks go to supporters and, in particular past alumni, on playing an essential role in continuing to maintain a creative community of the highest professional standards for which the UK film industry is renowned."
JOE DUNTON, Chair of the Cine Guilds, (below with Tudor Gates, BECTU and Chair of FT2) said:
"FT2, the original and the best training programme for the film industry."
FT2 would also like to thank all the former trainees who have provided case studies detailing what they have done since leaving FT2, including advice to young people entering the industry.
