The Skillset Business Growth Opportunity Scheme
Skillset's Indie Business Development scheme is building on the success of last year's Business Growth Opportunity (BGO) scheme which gave 38 TV companies expert consultancy and advice to streamline their business planning and make the most of their company's potential. It also provided discounts on training, networking opportunities with leading industry figures including Peter Bazalgette, and a "meet the commissioners" event.
Skillset recruited top industry names - with a wealth of media business experience to draw upon - to work as consultants on the scheme and among the companies benefiting from were At It Productions, makers of T4 and Popworld, and Darlow Smithson, makers of 'Touching the Void'.
Find out what the scheme did for other indies here:
When the scheme launched, Pete Bazalgette, Chairman of Endemol UK, urged Indies to join up, telling them: "Simply put, this scheme is intended to help your bottom line. Take full advantage of it."
Echoing his support, John McVay, Chief Executive of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, said: "The Communications Act signals positive changes to the playing field for Indies. This scheme is a chance for Indies to capitalise on the changing marketplace, helping to position their business to take new opportunities, resulting in long term commercial viability."
The pilot scheme was oversubscribed, and earlier this year, Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, said: "The incredible application response we received shows how much this type of company support scheme is needed in the audio visual industries. It's a great time of change for independent production - with the Communications Act - and many of the SMEs, which make up most of the sector, do not have the resources for the kind of in depth business planning needed to grow in such a competitive marketplace. The pilot Business Growth Opportunity scheme has been a resounding success and Skillset hopes to secure the necessary funding to continue the scheme on a permanent basis to benefit more employers in the audio visual industries."
The new Skillset Indie Business Development Scheme will build on this success.
Developed in consultation with Pact, major broadcasters, Regional Screen Agencies and a selection of successful Indies, the scheme offered more than £10,000 of support to companies, at a cost of around £1,000. The scheme was funded by the European Social Fund and Learning and Skills Council London Central. The Independent Production Training Fund also supported extra places on this scheme for black and minority ethnic owned companies.
Networking Events
As part of the BGO scheme Skillet organised a workshop on current and emerging issues effecting Indies. Panelists at the workshop were Peter Bazalgette, Chairman of Endemol UK, Janey Walker Managing Editor, Commissioning, Channel 4 and John McVay, Chief Executive of PACT. Topics up for discussion ranged from the Communications Act to topical programming content to how best to pitch ideas and win business.
Peter Bazalgette, said:
"To be a successful independent producer in today's highly competitive multi-channel world you are going to need a certain amount of size. One off commissions are decreasing in number. Longer, repeatable series that make a statement in the schedules are the trend, the big prize to go for and to deliver those sorts of commissions to the broadcasters' satisfaction, Indies need scale which takes planning."
Janey Walker, told us:
"Business planning is key to an Indies future success. Every company needs to know what it's trying to do and what its trying to be - the areas they want to work in, how fast they want to be growing. They also have to be very clever in spotting where the gaps and opportunities are - it's such a fast moving business and the copycatting is so quick - you've got to be ahead of the curve in what you're offering to a broadcaster."
Skillset recruited top industry names - with a wealth of media business experience to draw upon - to work as consultants on the scheme and among the companies benefiting from were At It Productions, makers of T4 and Popworld, and Darlow Smithson, makers of 'Touching the Void'.
Find out what the scheme did for other indies here:
- Mandrill Television
- Move a Mountain Productions
- Click here for a full list of participating companies.
When the scheme launched, Pete Bazalgette, Chairman of Endemol UK, urged Indies to join up, telling them: "Simply put, this scheme is intended to help your bottom line. Take full advantage of it."
Echoing his support, John McVay, Chief Executive of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, said: "The Communications Act signals positive changes to the playing field for Indies. This scheme is a chance for Indies to capitalise on the changing marketplace, helping to position their business to take new opportunities, resulting in long term commercial viability."
The pilot scheme was oversubscribed, and earlier this year, Dinah Caine, Chief Executive of Skillset, said: "The incredible application response we received shows how much this type of company support scheme is needed in the audio visual industries. It's a great time of change for independent production - with the Communications Act - and many of the SMEs, which make up most of the sector, do not have the resources for the kind of in depth business planning needed to grow in such a competitive marketplace. The pilot Business Growth Opportunity scheme has been a resounding success and Skillset hopes to secure the necessary funding to continue the scheme on a permanent basis to benefit more employers in the audio visual industries."
The new Skillset Indie Business Development Scheme will build on this success.
Developed in consultation with Pact, major broadcasters, Regional Screen Agencies and a selection of successful Indies, the scheme offered more than £10,000 of support to companies, at a cost of around £1,000. The scheme was funded by the European Social Fund and Learning and Skills Council London Central. The Independent Production Training Fund also supported extra places on this scheme for black and minority ethnic owned companies.
Networking Events
Peter Bazalgette, said:
"To be a successful independent producer in today's highly competitive multi-channel world you are going to need a certain amount of size. One off commissions are decreasing in number. Longer, repeatable series that make a statement in the schedules are the trend, the big prize to go for and to deliver those sorts of commissions to the broadcasters' satisfaction, Indies need scale which takes planning."
Janey Walker, told us:
"Business planning is key to an Indies future success. Every company needs to know what it's trying to do and what its trying to be - the areas they want to work in, how fast they want to be growing. They also have to be very clever in spotting where the gaps and opportunities are - it's such a fast moving business and the copycatting is so quick - you've got to be ahead of the curve in what you're offering to a broadcaster."