Berkshire film industry launches training and jobs drive
Screen Berkshire seeks to help people get into film and TV production
Last updated 3rd Oct 2023
An organisation formed to provide opportunities for work and training in Berkshire's booming film industry has been launched.
Screen Berkshire will support the ongoing growth of the film and TV production industry in the region.
At a launch event, held at Shinfield Studios south of Reading, guests from across Berkshire attended to celebrate the county’s BFI Skills Cluster, made possible through a National Lottery funding.
Shinfield Studios is a Screen Berkshire partner alongside the University of Reading and Berkshire-based Bedlam Film Productions. The organisations were brought together and are led by Slough-based social enterprise Resource Productions CIC, which also established the Berkshire Film Office, with all six local councils.
Dominique Unsworth MBE, CEO of Resource Productions CIC said:
“Berkshire is at the heart of Britain’s booming film and TV industry, and is already home to world-class studios and crew.
“Screen Berkshire is focused on providing opportunities for Berkshire people of all backgrounds to train or update their skills, to help match the continued high demand for skilled crew. A more diverse production staff, and a broader pipeline of technical and creative talent, is crucial to the future of the industry. Through Screen Berkshire, we have the plan and the partners to achieve it.”
The three-year programme aims to create opportunities for new entrants to the workforce, those from underrepresented backgrounds, individuals upskilling and over 50s jobseekers returning to work. Alongside this mission, Screen Berkshire has the goal of supporting existing crew to upskill and re-skill as well as supporting productions who are producing in the region by offering a single source to help access crew, facilities and locations.
At Tuesday’s launch event, industry and local guests including the freelance crew community, production and facilities companies, students, MPs and local dignitaries joined the Screen Berkshire team on sound stage 1 at Shinfield Studios to learn more about Screen Berkshire’s mission.
Guests were also invited to observe a film shoot simulation. Overseen by Berkshire's own Oscar winning producer Gareth Ellis-Unwin, the shoot was a live action sample scene for a short film by local filmmaker Grace Derriman. The crew comprised local trainees and established freelancers working alongside BFI Film Academy, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) and Department for Education (DFE) Bootcamp alumni, as well as students from the University of Reading and other further education students from Berkshire colleges, to give them the experience of professional filming conditions.
Shinfield Studios hosted the event on one of its 13 completed sound stages. The site will be fully operational in early 2024 and includes 18 sound stages, a 9-acre filming backlot, workshop facilities, contemporary office space, sustainable facilities and production support facilities, such as post- production services.