Screen Alliance North is celebrating its first year working with partners Liverpool Film Office, North East Screen, Screen Manchester and Screen Yorkshire to improve access to the screen industry and encourage a more diverse and representative workforce.

In April 2023, the four agencies joined together as a lead skills body for the North of England to tackle skills shortages and improve access to quality training provision for diverse talent and communities in the world of TV and film.

Breaking into the industry has always been particularly challenging, with new entrants often relying on luck, a chance connection or the financial backing of family to establish a career behind the camera.

The alliance was set up to address barriers, reach out to diverse and underrepresented communities and help to bridge the gap to industry, building a thriving and skilled workforce across the North. 

The partnership is a BFI Skills cluster, the largest across the UK, funded by National Lottery and works collaboratively with local industry, education and training providers to develop clearer pathways to long-term employment in film and TV production.

Penny Hall, Skills Cluster Partnership Lead said; “We are extremely proud to be providing a great example of how a strong partnership can work together across a vast region, having a greater impact and influence as we work together, yet maintaining our local knowledge, contacts and specialisms as individual offices. Working collaboratively has enabled us to raise our voice at the national level as we develop new networks and forge new links with more national partners and organisations.”

There are many opportunities opening up for screen industry professionals across the North as production ramps up in areas which have previously been underserved and underfunded.

“We want to build the skills base in the North quickly to fulfil the growing demand from production. Bridging the gap from training to industry is vital, as is ensuring the industry is more accessible than ever before. Our four very contrasting regions have different challenges but our local knowledge and shared experiences and resources makes our alliance more effective and wider reaching”, continued Penny who has been in post since July 2023.  “We have so much talent and ambition in the North of England and we want to provide career opportunities for people from whatever background and walk of life.”

Successful Screen Alliance North projects so far include training schemes, shadowing and paid placements on high profile BBC productions, bootcamps, launch of a new crew academy and post production masterclasses.

In March, three successful events took place in Liverpool, Hartlepool and Manchester, supported by the BBC, enabling production companies, local crew and new entrants to come together to discuss and learn about topics such as sustainability, good working practice and inclusion and diversity.

“Bringing people together is so important”, said Caroline Cooper Charles, Chief Executive of Screen Yorkshire and lead partner CEO. “Networking and sharing best practice and ideas is key in an industry where freelance roles predominate. As the industry is growing we want to make sure we are growing sustainably and creating a more happier and healthier work environment going forward.

So far we’ve worked with partners such as the BBC, the Film and TV Charity and Bectu and an advisory group has been set up with key broadcasting, sustainability and skills partners to champion the Alliance’s vision of making the industry more sustainable and improving good working practice.”

With two more years left of current funding, Screen Alliance North are confident they can continue to make an impact and provide a greater resource for local crew across the North of England, supporting them at all stages of their career.

Penny Hall continued. “In our first year, it is apparent how readily the industry has taken to the alliance and have supported us with our work so far. As we fully launch our advisory group we hope to continue to work with more diverse and underrepresented community groups, we aim to become a beacon of sustainable good practice and continue to champion the wealth of creative talent we have across the North. Everyone should get a fair chance to work in this creative and exciting industry.”

For more information visit www.screenalliancenorth.co.uk or email [email protected] to find out how you can get involved in the North’s ever growing screen industry.