What sets the screen industry in Northern Ireland apart?
The screen industry in Northern Ireland really punches above its weight. For such a small place it’s absolutely teeming with creative talent. Breakout hits like Derry Girls, Blue Lights, Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland and Nothing Compares have built on the enormous ambition and entrepreneurial spirit of the sector. Northern Ireland is a small place, with big dreams and world-class crew.
Since you joined in January 2024, what has been a highlight in your role as Training liaison manager for Northern Ireland?
There have been so many! Meeting more of the talented freelancers working here and helping to connect them with what ScreenSkills has to offer has been incredibly rewarding. Setting up the first ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Working Group in Northern Ireland has really strengthened our relationships with those working in the genre here. And set visits have been another real highlight. Since my background is in unscripted, it’s been awe-inspiring to see the mammoth production machine of high-end TV in action. And partnering with other organisations across film, animation, HETV, unscripted and children’s to maximise our impact, like the Film Skills Fund’s recent sponsorship of a networking event for documentary editors at the brilliant Docs Ireland Festival.
What can freelancers based in Northern Ireland look forward to from ScreenSkills in 2024?
I’m excited to see the development of Northern Ireland-based talent currently on long-form training programmes like the Producing Truth and BIFA Springboard programmes and training for 2nd time feature producers in both scripted and documentary, all of which are supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund. Supporting independent film in Northern Ireland is crucial, so upcoming programmes from the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund for filmmakers to look out for include First-time features for producers, plus the return of the popular Working on physical celluloid for the production office and Physical celluloid film refresher for the camera department.
In terms of upcoming training in high-end TV, the Northern Ireland Working Group has invested in a host of training for 24/25 across many roles and skills including Steadicam, Clearances, VFX, 1st Assistant Director, Music Supervisor, Production Coordinator and Grip department training.
In Unscripted there’s a raft of training covering key areas including compliance, storytelling for shoots and the edit, plus funded placement opportunities for production assistants, edit assistants, junior editors and in-person Mastering Development: Team Enrichment training.
What is a critical focus area for industry in Northern Ireland in 2024, and what is ScreenSkills doing to address this?
Partnerships are essential to make sure the training, placements and programmes we deliver meet the needs of freelancers and the industry do not duplicate what’s already taking place and deliver value for money. So, I’m always looking for ways in which ScreenSkills Skills Funds can collaborate as well as being keen to partner with external partners too.
Also it’s vital that we ensure our training is as inclusive and accessible as possible for everyone working in, or looking to join, the industry.
I’ll be looking forward to working more closely with those in animation and children’s TV to address how best ScreenSkills can support them with bespoke training and new opportunities. We’re talking to some productions as we speak to try and get some of our trainees and candidates from other programmes onto exciting placements in children’s TV.
With the range of online support and learning available on the ScreenSkills website I’ll be raising awareness and pointing people to the guidance and training readily available to everyone and looking to further develop the pathway to career progression for freelancers in all parts of Northern Ireland.