The Freelancers' Fair is an annual event organised by the union's Writers, Producers and Directors branch. The 2011 event took place on Friday 17 June at Savoy Place, off the Embankment in London.
The information below was prepared for visitors in the run-up to the 2011 event. Once a date for the event in 2012 has been set, this will be posted here.
Read the 2011 event launch news story. (Final line-up info on this page).
More than 20 exhibitors will take part this year. See flyer for full programme details.
Addressing the creative interests and practical needs of the freelance community in film and tv, the Fair is open to members and non-members.
NOTE: The 2011 venue is Savoy Place (home to the Institute of Engineering Technology), 2 Savoy Place, London WC2 OBL. Nearest tube stations, Embankment and Temple. Location map here.
Skillset, the leading industry training body, is offering 15 'Golden Tickets' worth up to £1000 each for freelancers to spend on training - read on for more info
How to book
BECTU members can attend the Fair for free and should use the booking form at the foot of this page. (booking form removed as the event has now happened).
Non-members are also very welcome; a fee of £10 is payable. Non-members booking form here. Once booked, non-members should call the membership dept (office hours) on 020 7346 0900 to pay the £10 fee (non-refundable).
2011 programme info
Seminars:
- 10.00 - 11.15 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: how to survive TV's Wild West will look at the common contractual issues which workers in the industry face. Our panel includes BECTU's Martin Spence, The Unit List's Jude Winstanley, tax advisor Steven Sykes and Ryan Dunleavy from Thompsons Solicitors. Want to suggest a topic? Email ff2011@bectu.org.uk;
- 11.45 - 13.00 How to Stand out from the Crowd will deliver top tips on how to secure that all-important first break. Jo Taylor, head of 4Talent and Hannah Springham, Broadcast 'hotshot' from 2006 and series director Pineapple Dance Studios will share the stage with Iain Smith OBE a leading film industry figure and producer of (amongst others) Local Hero, The Mission, Children of Men and the A Team. New names added: in addition Elsa Sharpe, author of How to Get a Job in Television and Caroline Carter, talent executive, BBC London Factual and Current Affairs, will join the panel.
- 14.00 - 15.15 DSLR: the new digital revolution? Will DSLR change the industry forever or is it just a fad? Join the discussion. Our panellists will be Dom Bridges, DOP/director, Shelf Stackers, filmed entirely on 5D for the BBC and BAFTA award winning cameraman Mark McCauley who recently completed 3 x half hour programmes reviewing the career of the BBC's veteran Ireland correspondent, Denis Murray. Mark also shot the video for Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth by The Priests, featuring Shane McGowan. Both projects were shot on 5D.
- 15.45 - 17.00 Pitching for success Your chance to hone your skills by offering to pitch or join the audience to learn from key players about this essential stage in getting your work off the ground. The panel will include Dan Berbridge (executive producer, factual entertainment, C4) Jane Stephenson (Media Trust) and Simon Berthon (documentary film-maker and executive producer). Submit your programme idea, maximum 200 words, no later than Monday 13 June (deadline extended) to bectupitch@gmail.com
Advance booking for all seminars is strongly advised.
We thank all our contributors in advance for supporting this year's event. More programme details in the Fair flyer. NB: The latest info on programme content and the speaker line-up will be posted on this page.
New sessions confirmed
Tax and the Freelancer -12.00
The team of tax experts taking part in this year's event (see below) will be delivering a one hour presentation about tax from 12.00. Join this session on the day. The experts will also be available for a number of one-to-ones. Arrive early to book a slot.
Social Media & TV - 15.00
The BBC Academy's Simon Smith, interactive producer, will be delivering a one hour session, starting at 15.00, titled What social media can do for you. The session promises to "cut through the buzzwords and show you how indispensable these platforms are for researching, promoting and developing your work". Simon will share experience and knowledge from a BBC perspective and looks forward to taking questions.
Freelance Toolkit Workshop
Two sessions of the Freelance Toolkit will be delivered by the much-lauded David Thomas of David Thomas Media. 16 places per session. Advance booking essential. - BOTH SESSIONS NOW FULLY BOOKED.
CV/Showreel Clinic
The Bridge Training Company and the Crewing Company (also to be found in the exhibition area) are hosting the clinic and will deliver 30 x 15 minute one-to-ones to help you to perfect your promo material. Advance booking essential. - NOW FULLY BOOKED.
'Accountancy Corner'
Visitors will also be able to meet with a team of tax experts - Martin Anderton (Simia Farrar), Keith Hall (Feist Hedgethorne), Steven Sykes (Blue Skies) and Mike Truman - for advice and information; some questions may be prompted by the HMRC's on-going Christopher Lunn enquiry. Arrive early to book a one-to-one.
Event Sponsors
Once again, we say a big thank you to this year's sponsors: the Blue Skies Partnership, Panalux, Production Base, Skillset and Thompsons Solicitors.
Their representatives will join with other high profile exhibitors - including the BBC Academy, Ravensbourne and The Script Factory - in the Fair Exhibition. Come along and meet with training advisors and many others who want to help your career.
Skillset 'Golden Ticket'
Skillset, the leading industry training body, is offering 15 Golden Tickets worth up to £1000 each for freelancers to spend on training. To qualify for selection, freelancers need to demonstrate at least three broadcast credits.
How to put your name forward? Book to attend the event (links on this page) and then forward your CV to Nicola Clark at BECTU (nclark@bectu.org.uk) with Skillset Golden Ticket in the subject line, to arrive no later than Monday 13 June. All CVs submitted will be reviewed and then passed to Skillset whose bursary team will select the winners. Golden Ticket winners will only be notified when they arrive at the Freelancers' Fair on 17 June. You have to attend to stand a chance of winning.
A team from Skillset will be available on the day to provide further information about the bursary scheme. For those who don't succeed in securing a Golden Ticket this time around, there is still hope. Skillset will notify everyone who submits a CV, and who qualifies for training assistance from the TV Skills Fund, about future financial support.
Exhibition and technical area
The exhibition will include a technical area this year with demos of 3D and HD cameras from Visual Impact and Panalux: Panasonic AG-AF101, Sony PMW-F3 and Arri Alexa. Members of BECTU's Hair and Make-up branch will demonstrate how their skills have developed in response to the technical changes.
The full list of more than 20 exhibitors is set out on this page (updated 11 June). The Fair flyer also available to download from this page.
LAST PAGE UPDATE: 15.30, Saturday 18 June 2011
Contact us if you have queries about the event.
