NTA Crew Mentoring Scheme

About the National Talent Academy Crew Mentoring Scheme

This scheme is for experienced crew only who have been working in the screen sector for years and are on the verge of upgrading to a HOD role. If you want to check you eligibility, please email crew.mentoring@nationaltalentacademies.ie.

The National Talent Academies Crew Mentoring Scheme offers experienced below-the-line crew members structured mentoring support over the duration of a production where the experienced crew member is upgrading into a HOD role with no-one above them on the production to give department/role-specific guidance.

The scheme has an open application format and can be applied for at any time with a 2-week minimum lead-in time.

For more info on the scheme check out our presentation slides HERE

You can also watch the video of our info session HERE,

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How the Scheme Works

The Mentor provides practical tailored advice and guidance based on their industry experience, on a one to one basis. Mentors are a confidential sounding board, advising the Mentee on key production elements the Mentee will encounter for the first time in the HOD role. Mentors do not act as consultants. They facilitate decision making by helping Mentees to come up with their own ideas and actions.

Mentees apply with the suggestion of a Mentor they feel has the appropriate and relevant level of expertise and experience to support them through the mentoring. The Mentee is allocated a minimum of 5 hours, up to a maximum of 20 hours of mentoring time over the duration of a production. The Mentor must not be working on the same production as the Mentee.

Mentoring can be local or international. Meetings can be online, face to face or over the phone.

The Mentor’s fee of €125 per hour is covered by the National Talent Academies but Mentees will have to cover their own expenses such as travel/subsistence.

The Role of the Mentee

Mentees need to come with a very clear idea of their professional need to focus the process – a precise request must be expressed from the outset.

The Mentee is expected to drive the partnership by organising meetings (dates and times mindful of the mentor’s schedule and commitments), defining goals and preparing questions to discuss specific topics, identify possibilities and agree actions.

Mentees will be encouraged, challenged and supported by the Mentor to learn and grow professionally.

Mentees will be expected to commit to actions and review progress with the Mentor over the duration of the mentorship. Takeaways from the mentorship may be published on the National Talent Academies’ website and social media channels with the prior approval of the Mentor and Mentee.

Screen Ireland has developed the self-led online Mentoring for Mentees course designed to help prospective Mentees to understand the purpose of mentoring and to provide key knowledge and tools for Mentees to make the most of their mentoring partnership. To learn more please visit the course page.

Am I Eligible?

The Scheme is for below-the-line Film & TV industry professionals working in the Irish screen sector with a minimum of two to three years’ experience in their current grade/role, and have an official job offer of an upgrade to a HOD role on a production.

The application process is competitive. Benefit to the Irish Film& TV sector must accrue from the applicants’ participation in the scheme.

Applicants should demonstrate: the relevance of mentoring to professional development; immediate up-skilling requirements and long-term goals; commitment and motivation to continuous development in the Irish Film & TV screen industry.

Application Procedure

Please apply via this LINK.

For further information, please email crew.mentoring@nationaltalentacademies.ie