Screen Manchester

Facility of the Month - TRAFFIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT DESIGN SERVICES At Screen Manchester we are proud to work with a wide range of professional and experienced companies who help make Manchester a premier film friendly destination for productions of all shapes and sizes, from lower budget documentaries to high end drama series and feature films.   It's important that we work with a varied portfolio of companies to service the requirements of all our clients. One major driving force is to help them realise the ambitions of broadcasters, commissioners, executive producers, directors & line producers: in short everyone on production to whatever level is required.   Sometimes requests land on our desk that may seem to appear problematic! For example, how do we close down some of the City's major traffic arteries, like the Mancunian Way? It's times like these that, along with our own specialist skills, we rely on the expertise of November's, "Facility of the Month": TRAFFIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT DESIGN SERVICES and it's Managing Director Simon Gilford. This family run business has over three decades experience in traffic management, they consult and work as a close partner to multiple traffic management providers across the whole UK. Bobby Cochrane, Film Office Manager at Screen Manchester, says, "Simon provides some of the most critical services required by productions and approaches them all with an incredible and instinctive eye for detail. We know when we work in tandem with Simon and his team that our clients will know that their project is being managed and fully serviced with exemplary safety standards and time-critical deliverables built in from inception."   The list of services that they offer is extensive. Anyone who has worked in film & TV production will be aware of how, on occasion, access can be gained to enforce restrictions in places that may seem impossible to close down.   Some of the key elements from the list that productions seek are:   The provision of site safety managers  Temporary Barrier Containment Stewarding plans and traffic management for filming locations Traffic sign designs Diversion Route Planning Swept Path Analysis TM manpower for all aspects of traffic management   Simon says, "Providing support to productions and working with Bobby, Connor, and the team is always interesting and rewarding. Our range of skills here are called on by many different industries. The increase in film production in the North West adds some exciting variety and tests us in new ways. We enjoy the challenges and the opportunity to have a small part in shaping the finished product we see on screen is always appreciated."   So, next time you're driving around the city and spot the tell-tale signs that a film unit has set up camp you're probably, unknowingly, included in bespoke system developed to keep traffic flowing to optimum efficiency in and around a production and Simon and the team will have had a hand in that!

#ScreenManchester and #ScreenAllianceNorth in association with #ReelTimeMedia invite you to join a lunchtime and learn webinar on 13th November at 12.30pm - 2pm, with Michelle Reynolds discussing the benefits of job-sharing on production. You will learn how job sharing can attract, retain and progress the best possible talent. Also discussed will be the best way to recruit experienced talent as opposed to moving crew up too quickly. This will also shine a light on increasing equality in the workplace which can lead to boosting the number of women in senior management positions. Diversity and inclusion needs will also be discussed as will methods of maximizing performance through avoiding burn-out from excessive working hours. Other benefits will include how it’s possible to add to the diversity and relatability of the stories you can tell! Bonus benefits such as learning benefits and extra coverage are also on the agenda. A great opportunity in a work-friendly setting for employers, HODs, production companies and producers. Supported by @BFI with National Lottery Funding. To register interest simply email us with your name, job title and expression of interest to - enquiries@screenmanchester.com

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Getting the chance to work on a feature film set is the stuff of dreams for so many people. Thanks to the teams at Working Title, Parkville Pictures & Focus Features that dream recently became a reality for eight Screen Manchester trainees who worked on forthcoming feature CC Emily. Our trainees were warmly welcomed by the production and have since gained invaluable experience across the Production, Sound, Art, Camera, Costume, Hair & Makeup, Props and Locations Departments. This was supported by Screen Alliance North and British Film Institute (BFI) with National Lottery Funding.

We have been delighted to work with Working Title, Parkville Pictures & Focus Features on 'CC Emily' renowned Director Alicia MacDonald's first feature movie.   Production was based at Space Studios Manchester & our team has worked with the locations department to facilitate filming requests showing off Manchester's wonderful array of iconic & scenic locations.

Only 1 week left to apply to become a part of this amazing opportunity. PGGB's in Manchester for FREE Production Accountant Training. Screen Manchester is offering bursaries & at the end of the course trainees gain a 6 month PGGB Membership! Apply by 29th October: productionguild.com

Today we introduce you to Lauren Billingsley who in this short film tells us about her journey so far as she embarks on a career in the Film and High End TV Industry. Lauren has recently completed her six month traineeship on a forthcoming series of Waterloo Road, BBC One's popular peaktime drama which is produced by Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall and filmed in Manchester. Along with Screen Alliance North and British Film Institute (BFI) with the support of National Lottery Funding we are delighted, at Screen Manchester to be opening doors to future high end production in The North staffed by the best talent on offer - Lauren is a shining example of new faces coming to our Industry. Lauren's is a story of focus and dedication which has already led to this placement that can and will help her get to where she wants to be in her future career. Her application demonstrated ambition and passion for the entertainment industry. An early love of theatre resulted in her graduating from University with a career in Drama. She has since written and directed theatre which included stints at the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her journey towards fulfilling her ambitions to work in the Industry, she acknowledges, will depend on her gaining more hands-on experience of the world of production and working as a trainee floor runner on a busy set has added yet another skill to the already impressive range of knowledge that she can bring to any project.

Today we introduce you to Lauren Billingsley who in this short film tells us about her journey so far as she embarks on a career in the Film and High End TV Industry. Lauren has recently completed her six month traineeship on a forthcoming series of Waterloo Road, BBC One's popular peaktime drama which is produced by Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall and filmed in Manchester. Along with Screen Alliance North and British Film Institute (BFI) with the support of National Lottery Funding we are delighted, at Screen Manchester to be opening doors to future high end production in The North staffed by the best talent on offer - Lauren is a shining example of new faces coming to our Industry. Lauren's is a story of focus and dedication which has already led to this placement that can and will help her get to where she wants to be in her future career. Her application demonstrated ambition and passion for the entertainment industry. An early love of theatre resulted in her graduating from University with a career in Drama. She has since written and directed theatre which included stints at the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her journey towards fulfilling her ambitions to work in the Industry, she acknowledges, will depend on her gaining more hands-on experience of the world of production and working as a trainee floor runner on a busy set has added yet another skill to the already impressive range of knowledge that she can bring to any project.

Screen Manchester and Screen Alliance North represented at last nights Royal Television Society North West’s panel discussion. The subject matter was to highlight discussion around ‘Finding Opportunities in Challenging Times’. The panel had an honest and open conversation around opportunities for locally based new entrants into the sector and how industry needs to support the talent pipeline through schemes such as Placement opportunities, mentoring and Apprenticeships. It’s of course a discussion which cannot be concluded in one evening but we hope along with the fellow panellists it paves the way for ongoing debate and resolution. It was great to see previous Screen Manchester trainees in attendance. Eve Kelly, Ana O. Sanchez Lauren Billingsley, Carla Law and others and fabulous to meet so many passionate and hungry potential new industry talent. Thankyou to Cameron Roach and Beth Hewitt for inviting us to be a panellist alongside such a highly respected group of people Shaunna O'Brien Isobel Glenton Louise Brown and Denzel Adebayo with a special well done to George Wincott and Saleem Miah Quay Street Productions BBC Rope Ladder Fiction HOME SISTER

Screen Manchester trainees, Agraj Pratap Singh, Josh & Darryl took a trip to London to be a part of Crew HQ, a careers day organised by Warner Bros. Entertainment which included talks, networking & a screening of a new HBO show. Supported by Screen Alliance North & British Film Institute (BFI) with #NationalLottery funding.