ScreenSkills' remote freelancer training

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screnskills ScreenSkills is launching a free package of remote and interactive training, online talks and masterclasses with industry figures including director Ken Loach. 

The scheme is available to support freelancers in upskilling and staying connected during the downtime currently enforced by the outbreak of Covid-19. 

Media consultant Donna Taberer, the head of talent at BBC Content, is heading up the scheme, which will comprise around six sessions a day. 

Seetha Kumar, chief executive of ScreenSkills, said: “We know the big worry for many freelancers right now is the impact of lost jobs and income due to the Covid-19 crisis. ScreenSkills, with colleagues across the creative industries, has lobbied the Government to act and gave a cautious welcome to news of some financial support for freelancers. 

“However, we thought it was important to play our part in making sure the industry and its workers stay as resilient as is possible in the circumstances. 

“So we have built a range of online sessions - some offer practical guidance on issues such as employment law, others on skills from pitching and development to managing teams and others offering useful industry insights from executives, creatives and commissioners that we hope will be helpful for your return to work when it comes. Still others are just to help you get through the day.

“It’s a programme developed in haste with enormous support from our colleagues across the industry and will evolve in coming weeks. But it is being shared in a spirit of all doing what we can to support the amazing screen industries workforce during this hiatus in production.”

The overall programme includes masterclasses with figures including Ken Loach and Zac Beattie; commissioners’ ‘lunches’; peer-to-peer support groups; Q&A sessions on finance, business skills and working from home, and mini writers’ rooms. 

The specific programme will be released a week at a time to allow everyone a chance to benefit. 
Full details can be found here: https://www.screenskills.com/insight/news/screenskills-launches-free-remote-training/.