Fast Train arrives…
Wednesday 18 May at White City
Latest update from BBC Academy
Fast Train will be the biggest free training event in the UK for TV, film and digital media freelancers , offering up to 500 freelancers the unique chance to sample a wide range of sessions from the industry’s leading providers. It is sponsored by Skillset and hosted by the BBC Academy at White City.
Here’s everything you ever needed to know, and more, about getting your broadcast career on the fast track!
Short training sessions will be provided by the BBC Academy, BECTU, the Indie Training Fund, DV Talent, ShortCourses@NFTS, Skills2Film, Think Bigger! VET, and Skillset Media Academies, with the support of Channel 4 and many independent production companies.
Skillset will also be on hand to discuss bursaries and guide freelancers through the application process. All attendees at Fast Train will be eligible to receive up to £1000 for training from Skillset via the TV Skills Fund. To find out more, just visit the Skillset stand on the day, or go to www.skillset.org/tvfunding.
Fast Train will comprise practical workshops, half-day courses and short “tasters” covering all aspects of production; In total there will be 122 practical sessions covering career development, technical, multiplatform, social media, creativity, lighting, sound and directing.
ITF is offering the following one-hour top tip tasters from our day and half-day Short Courses:
* Researcher’s Survival Guide – led by creative media trainer Pam Relton
* Cross-platform Storytelling – led by multiplatform producer/screenwriter Sean Coleman (Executive Producer of Cell & Kirill at Endemol)
* Dealing with Difficult People – led by Sue Ahern of Creative People, former producer & head of training for BBC Radio
* Devising & Monetising Successful Apps – led by Jon Davenport, Head of Digital at Hat Trick (producer of Fonejacker)
* Generating Innovative Content – led by creative media trainer Pam Relton
* Multiplatform: Joined-up Production – led by Kirsty Hunter, MD of The Project Factory UK & former Head of Interactive at Lion (producer of Britain from Above & Horrible Histories for BBC)
* Reviewing your Career Options: a workshop for women returning to work in TV - led by Sue Ahern of Creative People, former producer & head of training for BBC Radio
A huge range of master classes and other sessions will also be open to all.
‘How To Make It As An Indie’, run by Pact, will be a practical master class for those thinking about starting their own independent production company.
A host of key industry figures will also be holding master classes at Fast Train. These will include Stuart Murphy, Director of Programmes, Sky Atlantic HD, Sky 1HD, 2 & Pick TV, and Zai Bennett, Controller of BBC3 and Richard Klein, Controller of BBC3.
Karl Warner, Commissioner Comedy Entertainment, BBC1 & BBC3 and Andrew Jackson, Deputy Head of Features, Channel 4 will reveal the secrets for pitching and winning commissions. And the programme makers behind the hit shows of the past year will be telling all.
Want to know how to get your shows commissioned? Desperate to get your hands on the latest HD and 3D cameras? Want to learn the secrets of great writing from developing an idea through to pre-titles tease? Need to know how to sell your series via social media?
Get top tips from the people in the know and hear from the industry’s finest how they did it!
Registration is open now.
To see the full schedule so far, and to book up to 3 free sessions, go to: http://fastrain.eventbrite.com
Minimum entry requirement: two years’ experience in the broadcast industry and/or three broadcast credits.
What happens next?
You submit your choices (the practical sessions and master classes plus Networking drinks) via the site.
You must then e mail your CV to – bbcacademy@bbc.co.uk
Once they have received your CV – they will check to see if you meet the criteria of having worked within the broadcast industry for a minimum of two years and or have three broadcast credits to your name.
If you don’t meet the criteria – you will receive an email stating you have been unsuccessful in your application.
If you do meet the criteria – you will receive an email stating you have successfully reserved a place on your chosen practical sessions, master classes and/or Networking Drinks.
Ten days before the Fast Train day you will receive an email asking you to confirm you wish to still attend your specified practical sessions, master classes and Networking drinks. You MUST reply to this email to ensure you have fully reserved you place. If you do not reply to this email your place will no longer be held and your space will be given away to others.
Registration on the day
The latest you can register to finally secure your place and entry into your chosen session/s is THIRTY minutes prior to the start of your first session on Wednesday 18th May 2011 at BBC White City Fast Train reception. For example – if you session starts at 9:30hrs you MUST have registered at the Fast Train reception desk no later than 9:00hrs. If you have not registered thirty minutes prior to the start of your first session then you will forfeit your place and your place on that session will be given to the first person on the waiting list.
How are the spaces allocated?
All spaces for the practical sessions, master classes and the Networking drinks will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Access
If you require assisted access or have any other requirements you wish to make BBC Academy aware of – please e mail (bbcacademy@bbc.co.uk) to let them know.