Resources

Building a successful career in film and TV is about knowing where to look, who to connect with and how to find the right opportunities. 

This guide is your toolkit focused across Yorkshire and The Humber.

Four key websites to bookmark today:

• ScreenSkills: The ultimate hub for job profiles, e-learning modules, industry training, and a dedicated jobs board.

• Screen Yorkshire: The gateway to the region's industry and for training opportunities, access to their crew database, and the trainee hub.

• The Film & TV Charity: Keep this number saved. They offer a free, 24/7 support phoneline for anyone working in film and TV.

• TripleC: A vital gateway organisation supporting deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent (DDN) creatives. Sign up for their newsletter to access their jobs board.

Need to bridge the gap between education and your first paid set? 

Look into these targeted training and trainee schemes:

• Apply to a BFI Film Academy Introductory Course - we run one in Scarborough - as well as developing your filmmaking skills, you get access to so many other BFI opportunities and training resources, year-round support and the opportunity to gain a set of industry focused 'set ready' Google Badges to show potential employers your existing skills and experience. Apply here.

• Screen Yorkshire Schemes: Look out for the Yorkshire Screen Diversity Programme (formerly Beyond Brontës Bootcamp), Local Landscapes, Global Horizons and the Screen Craft and Digital Skills Course. (These schemes are vital for building a network and landing roles like Floor Runner or Production Assistant)

• ScreenSkills Trainee Finder: An essential database matching trainees with productions. Also check out their Getting Into the Screen Industries online training programme, their new Screenskills Training Passport, Freelance Toolkit and other opportunities. If you're not sure about the difference between a Best Boy and a Foley Artist, they have a useful role directory. And a bursary scheme for financial support and a brilliant online Freelance Toolkit for a reminder of the nuts and bolts business side of things.

• Film Hub North: offers a range of training programmes for filmmakers across the North of England

• Channel 4 Production Training Scheme: Excellent for those looking to break into television.

• Netflix runs an apprenticeship scheme with the London Screen Academy but you have to sign up to be a member of Film London's Equal Access Network (it's free to join)

• Other key training hubs: Creative Access, MAMA Youth Project, TRC Media, BBC's Get In! and ThinkBIGGER!.

Jobs in film and TV aren't always listed on standard job sites. You have to be proactive. 

Here is how you find them:

• The Direct Approach: Contact Heads of Departments or crew members whose work you admire. Email to say you'll be visiting the area, ask for a quick coffee and attach your resume.

• Word of Mouth: Attend events, networkers, and film festivals. Meet people and let them know you are looking for work. Film Hub North and most of our Yorkshire based film festivals host networking events.

• Industry Job Boards: Bookmark the official careers pages for the BBC, ITV, Creative Access Jobs Boards, Triple C and Channel 4 (4Jobs / 4Skills).

A huge percentage of crew calls happen on Facebook. Join the groups that make sense for your specific location and department:

Key Northern/Regional Groups:

• TV Talent North

• Northern Freelance TV Production Staff

• People in TV - Northern England

• Northern England/Scotland Film/ TV Crew Contacts

Essential UK-Wide Groups:

• People in TV: Runners (Facebook)

• TV/Film Crew Availability (Facebook)

• Film Crew UK (Facebook)

• Film/TV Industry Networking Group (Facebook)

• UK Film & TV Jobs - Loving Your Work (LinkedIn)

• ukfilmwork (Insta)

• Film & TV Production Crew UK (Facebook)

These organisations are leading the charge for a more inclusive, supportive and healthy environment.

• The Talent Manager & Talented People: Essential databases for freelancers to host their CVs and find production work.

• Women in Film and TV (WFTV): A fantastic networking and support resource.

• Solas Mind: Provides professional, bespoke therapeutic support and mental health services specifically for production companies, crew, and freelancers.

• BAFTA & RTS Futures: Great for early-career development, getting started guides, and high-level networking. Also Prince William BAFTA Bursary offering financial support to help assist junior creatives with the costs of progressing their career in film, games and TV. 

• BECTU ratecards info for a handle on rates and new entrant guide.

• Call Time run a free service for productions to book experienced crew.

• The King's Trust free business resources and templates and The Enterprise Programme (for 18-30 year olds) - free business workshops, mentoring and start-up grants and loans.

• Filming In England: Funded by the BFI and managed by Creative England, the site offers bespoke, comprehensive production support to feature film and high-end TV looking to film in England, outside of London (for London see Film London). It's worth getting their New Entrant Handbook - it's a useful starter pack. They have a Crew Directory here.

• LinkedIn - set yourself up with a professional profile on LinkedIn, it's used a lot in the creative industries.

• Gov.uk's essential guide to setting yourself up as a sole trader.

• Diversity & Inclusion Networks: Keep an eye on organisations like Gritty Talent, DandI, Media Trust, and The TV Collective for targeted opportunities and community support.

contact us: reelfilmmaking@reelsolutions.uk