Innovative job share scheme launched for women in film
Friday 9th December 2005
LONDON
A groundbreaking initiative to help women film practitioners returning to work was announced today by Skillset, Sector Skills Council.
Timeshift will provide job sharing roles on film productions for teams of eight women with an allowance paid towards child care cost in addition to their salaries.
The unique scheme is a part of A Bigger Future, the UK Film Skills Strategy, a five year joint initiative by Skillset and UK Film Council, funded by lottery money and industry investment, to address creative and skills development within the film industry.
Judy Counihan, Director of Film at Skillset, said :
"Timeshift is a landmark scheme set to break the mould in film production. Skillset's research shows that women are under-represented in the production world, especially older women. And we all know the difficulties in juggling career and family responsibilities but this is especially true for women working in film where the freelance working patterns and irregular hours can make it impossible. This scheme will help female talent fulfil their potential and help the industry hang on to the experienced and skilled practitioners it needs to go forward."
Skillset's and the UK Film Council's 2005 Feature Film Production Workforce Survey found that women make up 33% of the workforce. 35% of women earn less than £20,000pa compared to 18% of men. In the higher salary brackets 30% of men earn £50k+ compared with 16% of women. This is despite women being more likely to be qualified to graduate level than men (60% compared with 39%). There were almost no women in the camera, sound, electrical and construction departments while the majority of those working in make-up and hairdressing were women.
Candidates for Timeshift should have a minimum of 3 years working experience and must apply in teams of two in the following grades:
For further information and to download an application form please visit www.skillset.org/timeshift or contact Arit Eminue on arite@skillset.org
Timeshift is backed by the European Social Fund Equal Programme.
A Bigger Future addresses the skills development of all jobs across film from script development through to exhibition (screening films in cinemas), covering both new entrants and professional development for the existing workforce. For more information on all A Bigger Future film skills initiatives visit www.skillset.org/film
ENDS
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE
Eve Ragout
eve@skillset.org
07968 010 325
020 7520 5752
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. Investing Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education, with the aim of delivering lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike.
3. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by Skillset and the UK Film Council with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales.
4. Funded through the European Social Fund, EQUAL is an initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work, through transnational co-operation. EQUAL also includes action to help the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers. EQUAL operates across identified thematic fields which embrace the four pillars of the European Employment Strategy and support for asylum seekers. EQUAL funds activities implemented by strategic partnerships called Development Partnerships (DPs). Each Development Partnership will address one thematic field of its choice.
LONDON
A groundbreaking initiative to help women film practitioners returning to work was announced today by Skillset, Sector Skills Council.
Timeshift will provide job sharing roles on film productions for teams of eight women with an allowance paid towards child care cost in addition to their salaries.
The unique scheme is a part of A Bigger Future, the UK Film Skills Strategy, a five year joint initiative by Skillset and UK Film Council, funded by lottery money and industry investment, to address creative and skills development within the film industry.
Judy Counihan, Director of Film at Skillset, said :
"Timeshift is a landmark scheme set to break the mould in film production. Skillset's research shows that women are under-represented in the production world, especially older women. And we all know the difficulties in juggling career and family responsibilities but this is especially true for women working in film where the freelance working patterns and irregular hours can make it impossible. This scheme will help female talent fulfil their potential and help the industry hang on to the experienced and skilled practitioners it needs to go forward."
Skillset's and the UK Film Council's 2005 Feature Film Production Workforce Survey found that women make up 33% of the workforce. 35% of women earn less than £20,000pa compared to 18% of men. In the higher salary brackets 30% of men earn £50k+ compared with 16% of women. This is despite women being more likely to be qualified to graduate level than men (60% compared with 39%). There were almost no women in the camera, sound, electrical and construction departments while the majority of those working in make-up and hairdressing were women.
Candidates for Timeshift should have a minimum of 3 years working experience and must apply in teams of two in the following grades:
- Production Accountants
- Assistant Production Accountants
- Production Co-ordinators
- Boom Operators
- Production Design Assistants
- Costume Assistants
- Art Department Assistants
- Prop Buyers
- Locations Assistants
- 3rd ADs
- Assistant Editors
For further information and to download an application form please visit www.skillset.org/timeshift or contact Arit Eminue on arite@skillset.org
Timeshift is backed by the European Social Fund Equal Programme.
A Bigger Future addresses the skills development of all jobs across film from script development through to exhibition (screening films in cinemas), covering both new entrants and professional development for the existing workforce. For more information on all A Bigger Future film skills initiatives visit www.skillset.org/film
ENDS
SKILLSET PRESS OFFICE
Eve Ragout
eve@skillset.org
07968 010 325
020 7520 5752
Notes to Editor
1. Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries covering Broadcast, Film, Video, Interactive Media and Photo Imaging. Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) are licensed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. SSCs are independent, UK wide organisations developed by groups of influential employers in industry or business sectors of economic or strategic significance. SSCs are employer-led and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the sector.
2. The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad. Investing Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development, export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education, with the aim of delivering lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike.
3. A Bigger Future is a joint strategy developed by Skillset and the UK Film Council with the support of the Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, Scottish Screen and Sgrin Cymru Wales.
4. Funded through the European Social Fund, EQUAL is an initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work, through transnational co-operation. EQUAL also includes action to help the social and vocational integration of asylum seekers. EQUAL operates across identified thematic fields which embrace the four pillars of the European Employment Strategy and support for asylum seekers. EQUAL funds activities implemented by strategic partnerships called Development Partnerships (DPs). Each Development Partnership will address one thematic field of its choice.