Movies and television programmes are big business. While many will be familiar with what the industry has made – Guardians of the Galaxy, Barbie, Top Boy for example – fewer are aware of the process of getting a film and TV drama from an idea to the screen.
Plus the increased range of ways in which films or programmes can be seen - in cinemas, on TV, or through streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney Plus - means there's a greater demand for skills in the industry than ever before.
Production companies making films and TV dramas are looking for carpenters to build the sets, accountants to keep the books, people who know the law to negotiate the selling of rights - and much more!
Delivered in collaboration with ScreenSkills, this online event featured a range of professionals working in roles that underpin the film and TV industry.
The panellists were:
Alia-Lauren Clain, a Sound Trainee through the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder scheme.
Freya Baker-Duffin a former BBC Production Coordinator Apprentice who is about to become a Camera Trainee through the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder scheme.
Neka Tamana a former ScreenSkills Production Accountant Apprentice
The live event took place in March 2024 and was chaired by Margaret Burgin, Head of Careers at ScreenSkills. Margaret has responded to several of the questions received from participants during the session and has collated useful links and resources - download a copy of the FAQs.
Lesson plan: Our 'focus on the screen industries' lesson plan can support your planning and engagement around the recorded event and films.
Additional resources
Use our 'Focus on the screen industries' lesson plan to support your engagement with this event
ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for the screen industries – film, television (including children's, unscripted and high-end), VFX (visual effects), animation and games.
They train the people who make the shows the whole world loves and are supporting continued growth and future innovation across the country by investing in the skilled and inclusive workforce who are critical to the UK screen industries' global success.
They provide insight, career development and other opportunities to help people get into the industry and progress within it.
This online industry insight took place as part of the BBC's Bring the Drama festival which takes students behind the scenes of film, TV and theatre. The festival features a six-part BBC Two and iPlayer series that opens up the world of screen drama, alongside a programme of events, opportunities and resources delivered by the festival's industry partners. Find out more.