Passport to Production - Sligeach

Course Name: Passport to Production - Sligeach

Date the course commences: Late Feb early March 2025

Duration: 9am – 6pm each day

Cost: free

Venue: Hybrid, in-person element will be held in Sligo  

Tutor:  Juliette Bonass and Pippa Robertson

 

Course Profile: This programme run by the National Talent Academies: Film & TV Crew Academy West is a Screen Ireland flagship programme which is now validated by the Technological University Dublin as a level 6 QQI 10 ECTS credit programme.

 

Passport to Production aims to drive wider representation in the creative screen industry and Screen Ireland, through the newly established crew academies, is eager to encourage new entrants from diverse and underrepresented groups to apply.

To work in the film and TV production sector as a new entrant, you will need diverse skills to get you set-ready.

This 5-day programme is one of the most beneficial stepping-stones to access the film & TV industry and forms the basis of the new entrant’s journey to working in the industry.

The programme will give a broad overview of all the departments and help equip new entrants with the knowledge and some of the essential skills to work on set.  There will be some practical elements during the programme that will be part of a hybrid approach consisting of group activities, industry panel experts, and case studies.  Other essential aspects of the programme include Health and Safety, set etiquette, script breakdown,  self-management, and soft skills in the industry.  International and national industry feedback continually highlights the need for future skills such as problem-solving, adaptive thinking, creative collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

The essential learning from the programme will be put into practice on the 3-week paid structured work placement. 

The programme will be facilitated and delivered by industry experts and design thinkers, including tutors, guest speakers, and panellists.

Each learner must attend each day of the 6-day programme and the 3-week paid structured work placement.

 

Units of Learning

Future Proofing on the Job

• Emotional intelligence, building self–awareness, motivation, empathy, social skills, and confidence starting out.
• Teamwork and collaboration – Understanding how to cultivate a great team environment, how teams interact, collaboration is key, active listening and giving feedback effectively.
• Managing in a stressful yet fun environment
• Thinking outside the box
• Thinking on your feet
• Taking a user-centred approach and brainstorming.

 

The 360 of Set Etiquette

• Who’s who?
• How Departments interact
• Radio Etiquette – the Standard Approach
• Sensitivity around cast and crew
• Production terminology and Jargon
• Essential Production Paperwork
• Copyright, product placement and clearances; the basics.
• Script Breakdown the basics with a practical exercise.
• Overview of Basic Financial Accounts for Film and TV Drama
• Technical on-set jargon – crossing the line, eye lines, camera set up, why setups take so long, essential equipment.
• Shooting on location vs Studio

 

Health and Safety on Set

• Health and Safety Overview legislation/ risk assessments
• Film Set Safety Protocol/Health and Safety Culture
• Your role as a crew member
• Departmental Hazards in Production a broad overview
• From construction site to movie set.
• Bullying and Harassment

 

Self-Management in the Industry

• Navigation through the Industry
• How to manage as a freelancer
• STAR Technique
• CV Clinic
• HR the basics
• Getting Your First Job
• Reading Contracts
• Essential Networking

 

This course will run over 6 days from 9am to 6pm each day.

The in-person days will be held in Sligo Town. Venue TBC

Participant Profile:

This course will be aimed at new entrants who want to work in the live-action film and TV industry.  Please note you must be of working age and NOT in full-time education to be eligible for this course.

To learn more about roles on set, please read this competency framework before applying.

New Entrants who would like to learn more about health and safety procedures in the workplace can learn more with Screen Ireland’s free online Screen Pass course. The link to information is HERE.

 

Participants must be available to take a work placement in the weeks following the programme. This placement may happen outside of Sligo

 

The course is limited to MAX 16 participants.

Irish speakers will be preferred for this iteration of Passport to Production. Selection will be based on application and interview.

Film & TV Crew West is managed by Atlantic Academy

 

Application Procedure:

Please apply online at this link by 1pm on 13th of January 2025

For further information, please email Lorraine.higgins@nationaltalentacademies.ie   

Selection on courses/programmes will be based on the quality of the application and industry experience relevant to the course and participant profile.   We do not accept CVs, so please outline all relevant experience in the application form. 

Screen Ireland courses are open to all, regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

 

Tutor Profile:

Juliette Bonass

 

Juliette Bonass has worked in the Irish Film and Television industry for 14 years. She started working as a producer in 2009 on many short films before going on to co-produce on feature film projects with production companies such as Fastnet Films and Element Pictures. In 2013 she co-produced Brendan Grant’s Get up and Go. From there she co-produced several films with Element Pictures including Gerard Barrett’s Glassland, Darren Thornton’s A Date for Mad Mary and Paddy Breathnach’s Rosie.

 

She also independently produced projects such as Brendan Gleeson’s directorial debut short Psychic and The Last Hotel, Enda Walsh’s directorial debut for Sky Arts.

 

In 2015 Juliette was named a Producer on the Move at the Cannes International Film Festival and was also one of Screen Daily’s Future Leaders in their Future Leaders Producers series.

 

Pippa Robertson

 

Pippa Robertson worked in the film industry for 10 years, initially as an AD and later in her career as an Assistant Production Coordinator.

In 2018 she joined the team at Screen Guilds Ireland (SGI) where she worked for 3 years. During this time, her knowledge of the roles within the industry was further developed as she had the privilege to contribute to SGI/Screen Ireland’s Competency Frameworks; an extensive document which details the key tasks and competencies required for most positions within the industry.

Alongside her work in the film industry and with SGI, Pippa worked closely with Screen Ireland coordinating training courses. Currently, Pippa is a tutor on Passport to Production and is working with Screen Ireland on various projects.