Skills partnership with Pinewood signals new era in film training
A new skills partnership between one of the world's pre-eminent film brands and one of the UK's leading film schools gives a much needed boost to UK film making.
Skillset, Pinewood and the Skillset Screen Academy at the London College of Communication (LCC) and the Ealing Institute of Media (EIM) today announced the launch of a joint initiative to tackle skills gaps in UK film making.
The Skills Partnership was launched by Barbara Follet MP, the Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, at a ceremony held at Pinewood Studios. The partnership will bring together under one roof the business acumen and scale of operation of Pinewood with the advanced teaching in craft and technical skills at the Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM.
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Creative Media Industries and driving force behind the initiative, was on site to applaud the signing of the partnership. Dinah Caine, Skillset CEO, hailed the initiative as a breakthrough for UK film-making.
"This is a remarkable achievement that is only made possible because of the hard work and commitment of Pinewood and the Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM.
"We know that UK talent is regarded as the best in the world. But their commitment to skills training ensures that films being shot in the UK will continue to have access to a highly skilled workforce," she said.
The event also saw the opening of the first office of the Skillset Screen Academy on site at Pinewood. It will act as a base for the delivery of advanced training schemes like Set Crafts Apprenticeships and the 35mm project - a joint industry/education training initiative that combines the best of set building skills with those of production, design, writing and directing.
Barbara Follet MP said:
"For UK filming to maintain its global standing, it not only needs people who are talented, excited and have good ideas - they must also be well trained and work ready.
"The foresight shown by Skillset, Pinewood and the Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM should be applauded and should serve as inspiration for future industry / education partnerships," she said.
Pinewood is one of the worlds' pre-eminent film brands and host to some of the most successful films in history. The Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM is part of a UK wide network of ‘Centres of Excellence' in film education and training. In less than three years, it has firmly established its reputation as a leader in teaching key craft and technical skills as well as becoming an assessment centre for the film industry itself.
Ivan Dunleavy, CEO of Pinewood Shepperton plc said:
"For UK film making to maintain its competitive edge, it must continue its' investment in maintaining and developing a talented workforce.
"Which is why Pinewood is delighted to be leading the way in skills training with this skills partnership with Skillset and the Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM," he said.
Rob Buckler, Director of the Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM, said:
"The Skillset Screen Academy at LCC and EIM is thrilled to launch this groundbreaking partnership which sets a new benchmark for education and training in film-making.
"It's a win for the film-making industry and a win for people wanting to start out or further their careers in film," he said.
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Notes for Editors
About Skillset
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenge by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the industry.
About the Skillset Screen Academy Network
The Skillset Screen Academy Network is a network of institutions institutions identified by the UK Film Industry as 'centres of excellence' in film education and training. The Network is made up of six Skillset Screen Academies and the Film Business Academy at Cass Business School.
The Screen Academy Network is ensuring the UK film industry has a highly skilled workforce, by providing the best training to new entrants and film professionals. The Academies use Skillset's research to tackle skills shortages by offering short courses for established film professionals who want to improve their skills as well as offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses to help people enter the industry.
About Pinewood Group
Comprising Pinewood, Shepperton and Teddington Studios, the Pinewood Studios Group is Europe's leading film and television facilities. The impressive heritage of these studios dates back to the early 20th Century. The Studios incorporate 34 stages, one of Europe's largest exterior water tanks, a globally unique underwater filming stage, 10 digital television studios, post production services, a selection of backlots and a wealth of media specialists on site.
Recent film and TV productions shot at the studios include Quantum of Solace, The Wolf Man, The Boat That Rocked, Mamma Mia!, Sweeney Todd, The Bourne Ultimatum, Little Dorrit, Lily Allen and Friends, Gladiators, Cranford, Weakest Link, My Family, Harry Hill's TV Burp, The IT Crowd.
Visit Pinewood Group for more info.
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Contact
Nick Gowland
e: nickg@skillset.org
t: 0207 713 9812 / 07598 160802