A mentoring scheme for under-represented production and post-production talent to enrich their careers through international connections has been launched by ScreenCraft Works, a new virtual community, with the support of Brunel University London.
The ScreenCraft Works International Mentoring Scheme provides structured career development for marginalised craft talent wishing to work flexibly in time and place. The scheme will match a mentee with a mentor from a different country, to share knowledge and experience, widen employment and peer-to-peer networks and bring new cultural perspectives to local and international productions. It is a virtual scheme designed to be as inclusive and green as possible.
Elizabeth McIntyre and Rebecca del Tufo, co-directors of ScreenCraft Works, said: “With new, dynamic flexible-working and virtual production cultures, ScreenCraft Works aims to widen access to healthy career development in those craft roles which can be conducted remotely and internationally. Our mentoring scheme will support marginalised talent at all career stages, celebrating the diversity of creative and technical expertise. In an often-fragmented world, we want to connect the broadest range of global talent and amplify the breadth of craft contribution to screen magic.”
Supported by Brunel, the scheme will roll out a variety of mentoring programmes which connect mentees and mentors from all countries in all craft roles.
Niki Ashby, Senior Lecturer in Digital Film Technologies and Programme Lead for BA Film Production and BA Film & TV Studies, says: “Brunel University London is delighted to be a part of the ScreenCraft Works International Mentoring Scheme. Providing opportunities for under-represented talent in film and TV craft roles is a commitment we share with our partners.
"With our inclusive, international and green approach to preparing students for local and global careers, this scheme aligns perfectly with our teaching values.”
The scheme’s first mentoring programme opens today for applications from both mentees and mentors. It will match mentees who are based in the UK with a mentor from another country. The programme is part of the ScreenSkills Mentoring Network, which is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funds as part of its Future Film Skills strategy.
Jane Saunders, Mentoring Manager at ScreenSkills, says: “ScreenSkills is pleased to be working on a new cross-border mentoring scheme, where international knowledge exchange enriches both local productions and international co-pros, as well as supporting under-represented craft talent”.
The programme will run for nine months and is designed to be conducted alongside any work. The UK-based mentees can be any nationality and be at any career stage. The volunteer mentors will typically be one or two career stages ahead of their mentee. Mentees will take part in online one-to-one mentoring sessions and networking events, attend online masterclasses and be invited to give their own talk. The common language is English. Participants will be supported by ScreenSkills and ScreenCraft Works throughout the programme.
For further information about the ScreenCraft Works International Mentoring Scheme and to apply to be a mentee or mentor, go to
www.screencraftworks.org
Reported by:
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