Links

Screen WM have pulled together a number of useful organisations. This list is by no means exhaustive and we are happy to add new organisations.

advice, guidance & reference

4Talent
www.channel4.com/4talent/midlands
4Talent offer advice on training opportunities and aim to keep you abreast of all creative projects/ schemes within the region.

Afro Caribbean Millennium Centre (ACMC)
www.acmccentre.com
Establishment of the only black research unit in the UK and home to New Style Radio. Supporters of a number of creative business initiatives. Piloted, in association with UCE Birmingham, the first community radio journalism course and use radio to promote culture and arts in Birmingham.

Animation Forum (West Midlands)
www.animationforumwm.co.uk
The West Midlands Animation Forum has been set up with the aim of establishing the West Midlands animation industry as a key commercial and cultural force within the region's arts and media sector. By bringing together the region's animators and animation companies to share experiences and knowledge and by encouraging collaborative working, the forum aims to promote a unified face that will help raise the region's profile on a national and international stage.

British Film Institute
www.bfi.org.uk
The British Film Institute promotes understanding and appreciation of Britain's rich film and television heritage and culture. The BFI runs a range of activities and services including The BFI National Library, The BFI National Film and Television Archive and The National Film Theatre.

Business Link
www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business support, information and advice.

Creative Launchpad
www.creativelaunchpad.co.uk
Creative Launchpad is a unique project offering support services to the creative industries, both those operating in it and those trying to support the development of it. A full range of client services offer advice, guidance, business support, 1-to-1 consultancy, training and seminars for creative clients around a structure that will identify what support is required- even if you are unsure of exactly what you are looking for.

Creative Network
www.creativenetwork-staffs.org
The Creative Network has been established to provide support and professional development for designers and creative individuals based in Staffordshire. Creative Stoke www.creativestoke.org.uk A directory of 1000 creatives who work in & around the city of Stoke-on-Trent, information about courses, events, support, grants, news about arts activities & new projects in North Staffordshire.

Digital Delicatessen
www.digitaldeli.co.uk
Digital Delicatessen aims to be a marketplace for creatives, a venture dedicated to the creative community, where you can buy (or sell) digital content. With Film as the flagship, Digital Deli feature the work of musicians, writers, artists, games developers and other forms of digital media. The site is free to join and members are profiled and are able to sell their work online, keeping their rights and 100% of the profits. As with other social communities, members are able to network.

(The) Drum
www.the-drum.org.uk
The Drum is dedicated to developing and promoting contemporary art and culture of British African, Asian and Caribbean communities. The Drum's mission is to lead and facilitate the development, celebration, performance and exhibition of the diversity of Black arts and culture for the benefit of all. The Drum offers programmes, training and education initiatives that are supportive of contemporary Black arts practice.

First Light
www.firstlightmovies.com
First Light fund and inspire the making of short films by young people in the UK.

Ideas Factory (West Midlands)
http://westmidlands.ideasfactory.com
The Ideas Factory aim to help you make the first or next move in your creative career and support your creative development.

Institute of Asian Businesses
www.iab-birmingham.org.uk
The Institute of Asian Businesses (IAB) promotes awareness of and facilitates solutions to, the business needs of its members and the wider Asian community

KAYS
www.kays.co.uK
Sourcing, Advertising, Promotion and Marketing for the Film TV, Video and Broadcast industry.

Kemps Film and Television
www.kftv.com
Kemps Film and Television production services on-line handbook is a search engine for national and international production services.

Mandy's
www.mandy.com
Mandy's is a national and international film and TV production resource.

Media Content Lab
www.mediacontentlab.com
Media Content Lab is a creative multimedia team housed at UCE Birmingham. They offer a range of high quality web development, e:marketing, branding and print design services. MCL aims to develop the commercial market for digital media in the West Midlands region.

MediaNet
www.medianetonline.org
MediaNet is a new media education network for the West Midlands. It connects everyone working in the media and education in the region to enable sharing of good practice, offer training and provide networking opportunities.

Media Talent Bank
www.mediatalentbank.com
Media Talent Bank is a database of creative individuals and freelancers from the West Midlands region, accessible to companies across the UK.

PACT
www.pact.co.uk
Pact is the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.

PLOT
www.plotonline.co.uk
PLOT is a Light House initiative to support the development and growth of the creative media industries in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands as a whole.

Producers Forum
www.producersforum.org.uk
The forum is run by film producers for film producers and meets once a month to network, exchange information and to offer mutual support.

Screen Hub
http://www.screen-hub.co.uk
With funding from the European Regional Development Fund SH can help to build your new business, create/safeguard jobs, or offer more focused support for an already established business. Screen Hub offers: Free facilities and equipment, industry mentoring, business advice as well as monthly lunchtime network meets.

Shooting People
www.shootingpeople.org
An online daily email network for anyone working in the independent film scene in the UK and USA.

Skillset
www.skillset.org
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging). Skillset aim is to ensure that the UK audio visual industries have the right people with the right skills at the right time so that our industry remains competitive.

Skillset Careers
www.skillset.org/careers
Skillset Careers is the specialist careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) service for broadcast, film, video, interactive media and photo imaging. The website is full of hints and tips and is a great resource especially for those just starting out.

Startin TV
www.startintv.com
Startin TV is a service specialising in helping TV Newcomers get started.

Talent Circle
www.talentcircle.co.uk
Jobs, casting, resources & industry news for those working in indie film or production.

UK Film Council
www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
The UK Film Council is the Government-backed strategic agency for film in the UK. It aims to stimulate a successful, vibrant film industry and to promote the widest possible enjoyment and understanding of cinema throughout the UK.

Working Broadband
www.workingbroadband.co.uk
Supporting diversity in the creative industries.

Work Line
www.workline.org.uk
Work Line offer free and confidential advice to all those working in the Film and Television Industry. You can email or telephone through a work related question to experienced Industry Advisors.

Screen WM are not responsible for content or provision of any 3rd party organisation. This list is for information only.

training providers

01zero-one
www.01zero-one.co.uk
01zero-one provides short courses and master classes in film, TV, interactive and digital media addressing developments in technology, creative content and business management.

Academy Class
www.academyclass.com
Academy Class is an authorized training provider for Adobe, Autodesk, Apple and Quark.

Arista
www.aristadevelopment.com
Arista are a story and script development agency, who run a series of training courses throughout Europe.

Arvon
www.arvonfoundation.org
Arvon runs residential creative writing courses for those who want to write, those who have just started out as well as for the more established writer.

BBC (Training and Development)
www.bbctraining.com
BBC’s comprehensive guide to the training and development courses they offer.

Big Train
www.bigtrain.co.uk
Big Train is a media training company specialising in developing existing freelancers as well as new entrants hoping to work in television, radio, film and interactive media.

Bill Curtis Associates
www.bcassociates.org
Training and production in broadcast and creative media delivered by an experienced team of practitioners.

Brushstroke
www.brushstroke.co.uk
Brushstroke provides training in the art of professional makeup and hair artistry.

CSV Media
www.csv.org.uk
CSV Media delivers work based training in Media and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills for individuals and the voluntary sector.

DV Talent
www.dvtalent.co.uk/training
DV Talent is an agency representing DV people. DV Talent are also an independent training house who run courses lead by current DV filmmakers. The courses they provide range from those for industry freelancers to bespoke courses for the BBC and independent production companies.

Hannon Media
www.hannonmedia.co.uk
Providers of health & safety training and National Vocational Qualification Assessment for the television film and media industry. Training courses have been delivered to professionals within the Film and TV industry from all specialisations- from Producers, Production Managers and 1st Assistant Directors to Location Managers, riggers and Stunt Co-ordinators. The two day Health & Safety Production Training course and follow up assessment will qualify candidates for the NVQ 3 or 4 (the industry standard requirement).

Herbert Media
www.theherbert.org
Herbert Media run a number of services including facilities hire, training, projects and events. Herbert Media has a full range of media facilities including digital video, sound recording, web and animation equipment available for hire to all sectors of the community at subsidised rates.

Herbert Media deliver training courses, projects and events and offer support to organisations and creative professionals in developing their own projects and creative skills.

FT2
www.ft2.org.uk
Film and Television Freelance Training is a training provider for new entrants who wish to become freelance assistants in the construction, production and technical areas of the United Kingdom's film and television industry.

McPhedran Training
www.mcphedran.co.uk
A training company that offers coaching, team building, and leadership skills to people in the creative industries.

Media Skills
www.mediaskills.org.uk
Media Skills is an up-to-date industry led training facility that offers a variety of professional media related courses ranging from entrepreneurial programmes, specialist accredited courses, software development and High Definition training suitable for a wide range of individuals at any level.

Metropolitan Film School
www.metfilmschool.co.uk
Learn filmmaking with the support and guidance of experienced industry practitioners.

Mike Owen Media
www.mikeowenmedia.co.uk
A media consultancy business, with over 30 years experience in the broadcast industry. Mike Owen Media handle public relations for radio stations and the promotion and media management of all their major events.

NASMAH
www.nasmah.co.uk
NASMAH is an Association for Professional Makeup Artists and Hairdressers working in the Film and Television Industry, and provides a number of courses in this field.

(The) National Film and Television School
www.nftsfilm-tv.ac.uk
The only UK film and television school based in its own studios. The National Film and Television School is a leading international centre for professional training in the film, television and related media industries.

NFTS animation
www.nftsanimation.org
Part of the National Film and Television School, dealing exclusively with animation training and development.

(The) New Technology Institute (NTI)
www.ntibirmingham.co.uk
Apple accredited Training and resource centre.

PACT
www.pact.co.uk
Pact is the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.

Raindance
www.raindance.co.uk
Dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film in the UK and around the world, and offers a range of film training courses.

Ravensbourne
www.rave.ac.uk
Ravenbourne aim to offer a creative environment in which to learn skills, gain experience and develop contacts to prepare individuals for the fast-moving world of the creative industries.

Remote Trauma
www.remotetrauma.co.uk
Remote Trauma specialises in supporting production companies in the key areas of risk management: safety, health and security.

Screen WM
www.screenwm.co.uk
Our aim is to support, promote and develop the screen media industry through areas such as production, education, exhibition, archive and skills development. SWM are a skillset approved training provider.

SCRIPT
www.scriptonline.net
SCRIPT is the West Midlands agency for dramatic writers. Whether you write for stage, screen or radio, SCRIPT can help you develop your work.

(The) Script Factory
www.scriptfactory.co.uk
The Script Factory aims to fill the gap between writers and the industry, offering training for writers and people who work with writers.

Soho Editors (Training)
www.sohoeditors.com
Soho Editors Training provides expert, certified training to the global creative media industry. SET are able to cater for all users, regardless of experience by employing expert trainers, all of whom have active careers as professional post- production operators, as well as first tutors. SET can deliver training at their central London training suites, or at business premises, anywhere in the world. As well as certified courses, SET can create bespoke training packages for organisations to entirely match their needs.

Symbiosis
www.symbiosis.com
For professional Apple, Adobe or Macromedia training - Symbiosis are an accredited training centre based in the Midlands` offering authorised software training courses.

(The) Technology Innovation Centre (TIC)
www.tic.ac.uk
TIC is a faculty of the UCE, Birmingham and a national centre of excellence for learning, innovation and technology transfer.

VET
www.vet.co.uk
VET is a media industry training provider delivering courses which address the skill and knowledge gaps of the modern media practitioner.

Vivid
www.vivid.org.uk
Vivid focuses on experimental media arts research, development and production.

Screen WM are not responsible for content or provision of any 3rd party organisation. This list is for information only.

partner organisations and funders

Bafta
www.bafta.org
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. Bafta focus attention on the highest achievements of films, video games and television programmes shown in the UK each year in order to motivate and inspire those who make them, and to educate and develop those who watch them.

Business Support for the Creative Industries (BSCI)
www.birmingham.gov.uk
Through this programme Birmingham City Council has assisted many creative companies, provided funding for our MAP programme and are now funders of our DRIVE programme.

Learning and Skills Council (LSC)
www.lsc.gov.uk
LSC are responsible for funding and planning education and training for over 16-year-olds in England. Screen Plan & Select, Moving Up, Writers Passage and Enhance & Advance are all successful schemes which have been part funded by the LSC through the European Social Fund.

Light House
www.light-house.co.uk
Wolverhampton's Media Centre Light House aims to increase the enjoyment and understanding of technologically based media, in particular film, video, photography and new media.

MACE (Media Archive for Central England)
www.nottingham.ac.uk/film/mace
MACE exists to enrich the life and experience of the East and West midlands by collecting and preserving its moving image culture and history and making it widely accessible.

Midlands Arts Centre (MAC)
www.mac arts .co.uk
MAC is the most visited arts centre in the Midlands, with over 500,000 visitors a year who come to MAC to enjoy theatre performances, music, comedy, plays for children, literature and poetry events, courses, family shows, films and free exhibitions.

PACT
www.pact.co.uk
Pact is the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.

(The) Rural Media Company
www.ruralmedia.co.uk
The Rural Media Company is one of the leading media companies in the West Midlands, with a superb record of innovation and creativity in the fields of content production and media education.

Screen WM are not responsible for content or provision of any 3rd party organisation. This list is for information only.

unions, guilds and associations

Association of Motion Picture Sound
www.amps.net
AMPS aim to promote the science, technology and creative application of all aspects of sound and image recording, re production and associated processes for motion pictures, television and allied media, and to enhance the status and recognition of the contribution of those engaged in this field.

Association of Studio and Production Equipment Companies
www.aspec-uk.com
Consisting of a number of leading Film, Television and Broadcasting facilities
companies, ASPEC exists to provide a collective voice within the industry.

British Academy of Composers
www.britishacademy.com
A single voice for all music writers across all genres. The Academy engages with other areas of the music industry and campaigns to protect the value of copyright and to create a better environment in which music writers can flourish.

BAFTA
www.bafta.org
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. Bafta focus attention on the highest achievements of films, video games and television programmes shown in the UK each year in order to motivate and inspire those who make them, and to educate and develop those who watch them.

British Board of Film Classification
www.bbfc.co.uk
BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body, which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912, and videos since the passing of the Video Recordings Act in 1984.

British Film Designers Guild
www.filmdesigners.co.uk
The British Film Designers Guild has members in every grade of the art department, from draughtspersons to costume designers, set decorators to production designers, and was formed with the aim of raising the standards and the profile of the art department and protecting the interest of its members.

British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society
www.bksts.com
BKSTS aim to encourage, sustain, educate, train and represent all those who are involved creatively or technologically in the business of providing moving images and associated crafts in any form and through any media.

British Screen Advisory Council
www.bsac.uk.com
The traditional media of film, television and video are converging with fixed and mobile telephony, and with cable and satellite technologies to form one huge inter-related business offering new audiovisual services via digital television, the Internet and personal hand-held devices. BSAC brings together high level executives and specialists from both the traditional and new sectors to develop industry-wide views and to represent these views to policymakers with one voice. The Council is committed to serving this country's audiovisual industry by enhancing its prosperity, effectiveness and reputation.

British Society of Cinematographers
www.bscine.com
The society aim to promote and encourage the pursuit of the highest standards in the craft of Motion Picture Photography. They also aim to further the applications by others of the highest standards in the craft of Motion Picture Photography and to encourage original and outstanding work.

Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union
www.bectu.org
BECTU is the UK trade union for people working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, and interactive media.

Directors Guild of Great Britain
www.dggb.co.uk
Represents directors in all media: film, television, theatre, radio, opera, commercials, corporate, multimedia and new technology.

DV Talent
www.dvtalent.co.uk/training
DV Talent is an agency representing DV people. DV Talent are also an independent training house who run courses lead by current DV filmmakers.

Equity
www.equity.org.uk
Equity is the only Trade Union to represent artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. The main function of Equity is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment and to endeavour to ensure these take account of social and economic changes.

Film Distributors' Association
www.launchingfilms.com
FDA is the trade body for theatrical film distributors in the UK - the companies that release films for UK cinema audiences.

(The) Guild of British Camera Technicians
www.gbct.org
Dedicated to upholding standards in the film and television industries, whilst seeking to progress through innovation. The GBCT represents DOP's, camera operators, 1st and 2nd AC's, grips, gaffers, script supervisors and still photographers.

(The) Guild of Location Managers
www.golm.org.uk
The Guild of Location Managers is a UK-based non-profit organisation of professional Location Managers working within the film, television and advertising industries.

(The) Guild of Television Cameramen
www.gtc.org.uk
GTC are not a trade union, but it is an authoritative source of advice and information on all matters concerning television cameramen.

Musicians' Union
www.musiciansunion.org.uk
The MU is the only UK trade union for all musicians, whatever genre of music you work in.

NASMAH
www.nasmah.co.uk
NASMAH is an Association for Professional Makeup Artists and Hairdressers working in the Film and Television Industry, and provides a number of courses in this field.

New Producers Alliance
www.npa.org.uk
The NPA is a national membership organisation and registered charity dedicated to providing essential training and networking opportunities for filmmakers. Led by industry professionals, the NPA assists independent filmmakers in developing their skills, contacts and creativity in line with working industry practices.

Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television
www.pact.co.uk
PACT are the UK trade association that represents and promotes the commercial interests of independent feature film, television, animation and interactive media companies.

PRA Producers Rights Agency
www.producersra.com
The PRA is jointly owned by PACT and ITV and represents UK Television and Film producers in connection with performers, writers, musicians, music rights owners and production crews.

(The) Production Guild of Great Britain
www.productionguild.com
The Guild of Film Production Accountants and Financial Administrators (GFPA) and The Guild of Film Production Executives (GFPE) merged to become " The Production Guild of Great Britain." The Guild aim to improve members' employment opportunities, inform, advise and guide members, encourage, develop and sustain recognition of members, encourage and foster new producing and accounting talent, as well as lobby and campaign on issues which may impact on the competitiveness of the UK as a global feature film and television drama production centre.

Production Managers’ Association
www.pma.ukjustlawsites.co.uk
The PMA is a professional body of Film, Television, Corporate and Multi-Media Production Managers. Within the Film and Television Industry, the Association provides a unique network for both freelance and permanently employed Production Managers. The PMA provides invaluable information and support for its members, regular social events, workshops and training courses. An online availability list provides a service for Producers and Production Companies looking to employ highly-skilled Production Managers for entire productions, short contracts or one-off production budgeting.

UK Post & Services
www.ukpost.org.uk
UK Post & Services is the trade body that represents the film and broadcast service industry. They support and promote the commercial interests of companies involved in post- production, audio, visual and special effects, DVD, camera, lighting and equipment hire, outside broadcast and studios.

Women in Film and Television
www.wftv.org.uk
WFTV is a membership association open to women with at least one year's professional experience in the television, film and/or digital media industries.

Writer’s Guild of Great Britain
www.writersguild.org.uk
Work on behalf of writers for TV, Film, radio, theatre, books, poetry and video games.

Screen WM are not responsible for content or provision of any 3rd party organisation. This list is for information only.

Looking for work

4Talent
www.channel4.com/4talent/midlands
4Talent advertise the latest creative jobs in the region.

Broadcast now
www.broadcastnow.co.uk
Television and radio industry news and jobs.

Broadcast freelancer
www.broadcastfreelancer.com
On line details of jobs, news and future productions for freelancers.

Mandy’s
www.mandy.com
Mandy’s is a national and international film and TV production resource.

Media Talent Bank
www.mediatalentbank.com
Media Talent Bank is a database of creative individuals and freelancers from the West Midlands region, accessible to companies across the UK.

Production Base
www.productionbase.co.uk
Insiders’ network for film & TV production Opportunities.

Production Managers’ Association
www.pma.ukjustlawsites.co.uk
An online availability list provides a service for Producers and Production Companies looking to employ highly-skilled Production Managers for entire productions, short contracts or one-off production budgeting.

Shooting People
www.shootingpeople.org
An online daily email network for anyone working in the independent film scene in the UK and USA.

Soho Editors
www.sohoeditors.com/jobs
A thorough understanding of post- production methods combined with an in-depth knowledge of regesteried talent result in the accurate 'matching' of talent to client. The department, staffed by very experienced industry professionals, prides itself on being pro-active and focused on the needs of the client. Through a careful and thorough vetting process Soho Editors are able to guarantee the quality of all contractors, carefully matching the skills and experience of the talent to the client's specific needs.

Startin TV
www.startintv.com
Startin TV is a service specialising in helping TV Newcomers get started.

Talent Circle
www.talentcircle.co.uk
Jobs, casting, resources & industry news for those working in indie film or production.

Screen WM are not responsible for content or provision of any 3rd party organisation. This list is for information only.

sharing information and ideas

01zero-one
www.01zero-one.co.uk
01zero-one, offer London based training for TV, Film, Post Production, Interactive, New Media and Digital Design industries. 01zero-one work with new entrants as well as established professionals to provide cutting edge and innovative training. They are providers of short and bespoke courses, networking, talks, events, showcases and private hire facilities.

Bulletfilm
www.bulletfilm.com
If you have a film or a show reel that you want the world to see, why not try this new way of film distribution? Show your work to viewers around the world and have your work / show reel watched by industry professionals. You will also be included in a directory of working professionals.

Deviant Art
www.deviantart.com
An online community of artists where new entrants or the more established can post work to share with others as well as sell work. Dedicated to those interested in any genre of photography or writing, Deviant Art also run online animation competitions and feature regular tips from those at the top of their field.

Ewida
www.film.ewidi.com
Ewida is a venture sponsored by The London Academy of Media, Film and TV. The three main things that you can do at Ewidi are: Publishing, searching and interacting with other users who are interested in the same/similar field as you. Available in 28 languages, Ewidi is a free, quick and global why of sharing ideas/information.

Shooting People
www.shootingpeople.org
An online daily email network for anyone working in the independent film scene in the UK and USA.

Screen WM are not responsible for content or provision of any 3rd party organisation. This list is for information only.

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Skills Development

Links

advice, guidance & reference

training providers

partner organisations and funders

unions, guilds and associations

Looking for work

sharing information and ideas