BAFTA Names New Intake For UK-Wide Skills Development Program

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced the names of over 200 individuals, selected by an industry jury, to take part in the BAFTA Crew initiative, which aims to support the development of the film and television industries outside of the capital.

BAFTA Crew, which began last year in England only, is now a UK-wide programme that gives below-the-line craftspeople the chance to develop their skills and network with their peers. It is funded by Creative Skillset and run in partnership with Creative England in the English regions.

This year's successful participants hail from across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and outside of the capital in England, and represent craft areas including camera, sound (production and post), costume, hair and make-up, editing, VFX, and production management. In addition to new participants, over 40 below-the-line talent will return to benefit from BAFTA Crew for a second year.

Over the course of the 12-month programme, BAFTA Crew members will take part in masterclasses with major BAFTA-winning and BAFTA-nominated talent, at venues across the UK and online. BAFTA- and Oscar-nominated production designer Andy Nicholson (Gravity, Divergent) kicked off the live programme at Watershed, Bristol on Saturday 31 May and BAFTA-nominated and Oscar-winning editor Mark Sanger (Gravity, Alice in Wonderland) will follow with a masterclass at Cornerhouse, Manchester on Saturday 14 June. A limited number of public tickets for the live events will be available from the venues.

The masterclasses in England will be followed by bespoke networking drinks for BAFTA Crew members and local industry representatives entitled 'BAFTA Crew: Network, presented by Creative England'.

BAFTA Crew also provides access to interactive live streamed Q&A's, the first of which will be with BAFTA-nominated composer and music editor Michael Price (Sherlock, The Lord Of The Rings trilogy) on Thursday 12 June. The Q&A is exclusively for BAFTA Crew participants; however members of the Creative England National Crew Database will also be able to watch online. The programme also offers downloadable podcasts, online mini-masterclasses and exclusive social networking opportunities.

The industry jury was comprised of professionals from across the craft and technical areas. They included BAFTA-winning hair and make-up designer Frances Hannon (Captain Phillips, The King's Speech), BAFTA-nominated sound mixer John Casali (Anna Karenina, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy), BAFTA-winning editor Mark Day (Ex Machina, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) and BAFTA-nominated sound editor Joakim Sundström (20,000 Days On Earth, Seven Psychopaths). The jury was overseen by Nicky Ball, Creative England's National Crew and Facilities Manager, with support from BAFTA Cymru, BAFTA Scotland and Northern Ireland Screen.

Tim Hunter, Director of Learning & Events at BAFTA, said: "There is a wealth of incredible below-the-line talent in the UK and the exceptionally high standard of applicants to BAFTA Crew this year is testament to that fact. This year's participants represent a strong and diverse group of professionals - a combination of both fresh faces and those building on their experiences of last year. We look forward to helping them develop their craft both by learning from an exceptional range of speakers, and through networking with each other."

Dan Simmons, Head of Film at Creative Skillset, said: "It's wonderful to welcome back BAFTA Crew and now as a UK wide initiative, helping participants across the country hone their craft and strengthen their network."

Further information on the programme, including a full list of BAFTA Crew participants, is available at http://bit.ly/BAFTACrew.

Full list of BAFTA Crew Jury Members

Nicky Ball - Creative England's National Crew and Facilities Manager
Simon Bowles - Production designer (Belle, Hyde Park on Hudson, The Descent)
John Casali - Sound mixer (Anna Karenina,_Fast and Furious 6, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy)
Peter Cavaciuti - Camera operator (Finding Neverland, Thor, Skyfall)
Mark Day - Editor (Ex Machina, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 & 2, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
Liz Griffiths - Set decorator (About Time, Hot Fuzz, Ginger and Rosa)

Frances Hannon - Hair and make-up designer (Captain Phillips, X-Men First Class, The King's Speech)
Jane Petrie - Costume designer (Suffragette, How I Live Now, Fish Tank)
Barry Ryan - Production manager (This Is England, Dead Man's Shoes, Four Lions)
Philip Sindall - Camera operator (Mamma Mia!, Nanny McPhee, The Hours)
Joakim Sundström - Sound editor (20,000 Days On Earth, Seven Psychopaths, Berberian Sound Studio)

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world's most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures, scholarships and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit http://www.bafta.org and www.bafta.org/guru .

About Creative Skillset

The UK's Creative Industries make a significant contribution to our economy and its growth and are celebrated across the globe. Creative Skillset empowers the Creative Industries to develop skills and talent; it does this by influencing and shaping policy and by securing the vital investment for individuals to become the best in their field and for businesses to grow. As the industry body for the Creative Industries, it works across film, television, radio, animation, visual effects, games, fashion, textiles, publishing, advertising and marketing communications. www.creativeskillset.org

About Creative England

Creative England invests in and supports creative ideas, talent and businesses in film, TV, games and digital media. We aim to grow the brightest, the best, and those with the most promise so that individuals and businesses can achieve their full creative and commercial potential. We help identify future opportunities to grow the economy and generate jobs.

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