The Production Guild of Great Britain has set up a £500,000 fund to bolster the UK skills base of production managers, assistant directors and other in-demand roles.
Netflix and production finance company Entertainment Partners have each pledged to put £250,000 into the PGGB Talent Development Fund, which will invest in specialist production training for film and high-end TV.
The PGGB said that with an estimated 20,000 extra production crew needed by 2025, the fund would support roles in which the industry is known to face shortages, such as production accountants, production managers, line producers and assistant directors.
“This investment comes at a pivotal time,” said PGGB chief executive Lyndsay Duthie. “This new fund will help upskill future production talent, add value and create a real legacy.”
The Guild announced the fund at its inaugural Talent Showcase where film and TV mental health and wellbeing charity 6ft From the Spotlight was awarded the Earl of Wessex Award.
The charity created the role of wellbeing facilitator and has trained 30 people to take it on. To date, they have supported more than 1,000 crew on productions including Sky drama Gangs of London and Amazon’s The Peripheral.
