HUNDREDS of stakeholders in film and television took to the new Shinfield Studios to witness the launch of an initiative which is set to make the industry more accessible.
Screen Berkshire, previously known as Berkshire skills cluster, received £600,000 of funding from the British Film Institute to train and develop new and emerging production talent, removing some of the barriers which prevent some from breaking into the profession.
Representatives from Resource Productions CIC, Shinfield Studios and the University of Reading, who partnered to create Screen Berkshire, delivered speeches to guests inside the studio’s Stage 1, a 20,000 square foot soundstage.
They were joined by programme supporter Bedlam Productions and its co-founder Gareth Ellis-Unwin, who won Academy Awards and BAFTAs as producer of The King’s Speech.
Mr Ellis-Unwin: “Today is really an embodiment of what we can achieve when we work together. The power of Screen Berkshire is to unite.
“This is genuinely the first occasion where you’ve had industry, the supply chain and higher and further education joining together in schools outreach to be able to deliver and localise initiatives.
“This has the opportunity to really bring about meaningful impact and change.”
Students from Bedlam Productions and a local filmmaker took part in a simulation shoot for a short movie in a neighbouring soundstage, which guests were able to enjoy and familiarise themselves with the filming process from a gallery.
The shoot also gave excited students the opportunity to experience a professional filming environment.
He added that the cluster will also enhance the local workforce, with students being trained to make their first forays into film and television. It will also help to negate some of the social obstacles which deter some from the industry, with Mr Ellis-Unwin saying, “there’s still a long way to go.”
Shinfield Studios is located in the University of Reading-owned Thames Valley Science Park. Prof John Gibbs, head of school and professor of film at Reading, spoke about Film and Televion BA alumni, Natalia, who also came through Resource Productions.
Sarah Whybrey, director of skills and workforce development at BFI, explained that the organisation is looking to make inroads on production sites outside of London, which has been the historical hub of the country’s finest screenplays.
The organisation’s skills funding has taken a more localised approach to smooth the progression from education to industry.
Former leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Clive Jones, said: I’m really pleased that Screen Berkshire gave a shout out to Wokingham Borough Council and the assistant director Rhian Hayes, who looks after business and economic development.
“To recognise that she and her team have helped them to bring together all these organisations here and helped get Shinfield Studios off the ground, I thought it was really nice of them to do that.”
The event also gave students the opportunity to network with industry leaders.
