At an event at the Roxy, Southwark, practitioners from the film and television industry join trainees from two separate FT2 training schemes to wish them well as they launch their freelance careers.
Among those receiving certificates are:
MAURICE O’BRIEN who is now working as a Researcher at Flashback TV on a drama-doc for Channel 4, "Avoiding Armageddon", says: "I came across the scheme when trying to find a way into making documentaries - which is what I really wanted to do, as opposed to just "working in TV". Given the nature of the training it provided and the companies involved, it definitely seemed to be the best scheme out there. I didn't get my hopes up too much as I knew there would be tons of competition. I spent loads of time doing all the applications, etc, but when I eventually got accepted I was delighted and it hasn't let me down. At times the scheme was a bit of a slog, but it was a great feeling being on it because companies treat you with respect and ensure that you are given interesting films to work on and that you get as much experience as possible. Because of the NVQ requirements the onus was also on you to push for experience in everything from Archive to contributor finding, and along with the placements with different companies it's hard to think of how someone could get a better grounding in factual TV. Then there were all the training courses we were sent on also, meeting some amazing filmmakers which gave us their time to tell us about their careers and answer our questions. And to top it all off we finished the scheme having completed two short films, produced and directed by ourselves - one of the most satisfying aspects of the whole thing. I'm sure that the experience I have gained on FT2 will definitely stand to me for the rest of my career."
BECKY THOMAS who is working on the feature film "Inkheart", as Art Department Assistant says, "FT2 has given me great opportunities and experiences. I enjoyed the placements and the courses we were signed up for. It has developed my confidence in my field and I met fantastic contacts that allowed me to graduate and work within an experienced art department on a feature film."
KATRINA BARTON (script supervisor) says, "The training and support I have received from FT2 is of the highest standard and has turned my career around and opened unimaginable doors".
RACHEL AULTON (props), says, "Being on FT2 has been such fun and hard work at the same time. FT2 has given me the chance to work on some exciting and varied productions in the props and art departments. It given me stability over the last two years and the contacts needed to start a career in this industry. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even when I have been outside in the rain and cold, doing a camera placement there was always something to learn. You meet really interesting people along the way and you get to go to some amazing places and film in buildings that the public never sees. The hours have always been really long and it has sometimes not been easy. But what other job can you go from working on a spaceship in the future to a battlefield in the 1930s to a council estate in the east end?"
SHARON GOODE, Director of FT2, thanks all those in the industry who have supported these apprenticeship-style training models, "These industry schemes could not happen without the ongoing support of production companies, staff and crew."
These schemes receive industry money through funds administered by Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries.
