Join us at the 2012 Freelancers' Fair on Friday 29 June! Venue: Savoy Place (home to the Institute of Engineering Technology) is at 2 Savoy Place, London WC2 OBL, off the Embankment. Nearest tube stations, Embankment and Temple. Location map here.
Full details of this year's programme are set out below (this is subject to minor change and all updates will be posted on this page). Download the event flyer.
How to book
The event is designed to address the creative interests and practical needs of the freelance community in film and tv and is open to members and non-members.
BECTU members can attend the Fair for free and should use the booking form at the foot of this page.
Non-members are also very welcome; a fee of £10 is payable. Non-members' booking form here. After booking non-members should call the membership dept (office hours) on 020 7346 0900 to pay the £10 fee (non-refundable).
Seven years strong
Now in its seventh year, the Freelancers' Fair is organised by members of the union's Writers, Producers and Directors branch with the support of BECTU staff. We send our warmest thanks to this year's sponsors: Blue Skies Partnership, Creative Skillset, Hencilla Canworth, Pinewood Studios, Production Base and Thompsons Solicitors and to the many speakers and exhibitors who'll be joining us on the day. More than 20 exhibitors (listed right) will take part this year.
2012 programme info - our biggest yet!
Seminars:
10.00 - 11.15 Back to the Future: What lies ahead for British Film? We debate film policy and key recommendations from the Film Policy Review and the BFI's Forward Plan. Our panel will include Maggie Ellis (head of production & talent development at Film London), Roy Button OBE (senior VP and managing director of Warner Bros Productions), celebrated film director, Ken Loach and Martin Spence (assistant general secretary, BECTU).
11.45 – 13.00 Budget Blues: Making shows on a shoestring Investment, or lack of it, governs the range and quality of what we see on our screens and impacts on the way we work. Join senior representatives from pact (the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television) and the BBC to discuss programme finance and whether in the current climate programme makers can continue to innovate to maintain quality.
14.00 – 15.15 Data Wrangling: How to master this key technical challenge Managing your digital workflow and backing up what you’ve filmed securely is one of the most fraught – and potentially fiddly – aspects of shooting tapelessly. This taster session, delivered by a leading programme-maker, will help answer your questions, and show you how to handle your digital footage simply, safely and reliably. The session will also demonstrate how to get backed-up footage into FCP. Session produced by DV Talent.
15.45– 17.00 Get Your Career on the Right Track with top tips from the experts Everyone knows that competition for jobs in film and tv is fierce and never more so than in the current recession. How do you get that all-important first break? Join this session for top tips on how to make your talent shine through, from our panel of industry experts: Caroline Carter, BBC talent executive; Colin Campbell-Austin, people development manager, Channel 4; Alison Small, director of the Skillset Film Industry Craft and Skills Academy; Sarah Lee, director of the Talent Manager website; Carys Morgan, Broadcast Hotshot and head of development at Minnow Films. The session will be chaired by documentary film-maker, Marc Sigsworth.
60 Minute Talks
11.30 – 12.30 Accountancy Question Time, chaired by Steve Sykes, Blue Skies Partnership
Steve Sykes will provide a briefing on key accountancy issues for freelances and then the floor will be yours! PAYE, Schedule D, VAT registered or not, Limited Co or sole trader? Submit your questions for our guest panel in advance to selliott@bectu.org.uk or bring them along to the discussion.
13.00 –14.00 New entrants: is it possible to avoid exploitation?
New entrants are caught in a double bind: they need experience but there is a severe shortage of paid entry opportunities. The national minimum wage exists to protect the vulnerable from exploitation but sadly some employers in our industry are willing to break the law. Join us to find out about your rights, how you can enforce them and what you can do to get paid. Our speakers will include, Martin Spence, BECTU assistant general secretary, Michelle Wyer, assistant director, National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit and a representative from Intern Aware.
14.30 – 15.30 Combining Words and Pictures … Scripting for Factual TV presented by Frank Ash, courtesy of the BBC Academy
This session is for anyone who wants to improve the quality of their commentary writing. Principally aimed at those in factual, but relevant to all. Writing effective commentary is one of the most challenging aspects of programme-making. This session will offer participants an insight into the essential ingredients of writing to complement and enhance pictures and sync, including the type of language to use, and the importance of rhythm and finding the appropriate style for your film. As well as practical tools and tips, the session will look at a number of case studies from different factual TV genres.
16.00 – 17.00 Cast, Direct, Produce: The Importance of Collaboration in the Making of Quality TV Drama
The success of Downton Abbey, Titanic, The Tudors and others suggests that a new era has dawned for British drama. Lyn Burgess, top personal and business coach to the entertainment industry, will chair a conversation on the ins and outs of television drama casting, directing and producing. We’ll discuss the importance of team collaboration, creativity, and imaginative casting to ensure success in quality TV drama. The panel will include a leading casting director, top producers and directors and will be followed by an opportunity to network. PLEASE NOTE: This particular session is aimed solely at casting directors, TV directors and producers.
Advance booking for all sessions is strongly advised. Please avoid booking sessions where the times conflict.
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.
CV/Showreel Clinic
Courtesy of the Crewing Company (which is also exhibiting along with its sister company Alias Hire) visitors can book in advance for a 15 minute One to One to review their promo material. Advance booking essential; places are limited. Prepare to subject your promo material in advance to make the most of the opportunity.
Accountancy Corner
Visitors will also be able to meet with a team of tax experts for advice and information. 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, Creative Skillset, Hencilla Canworth, Pinewood Studios, Production Base and Thompsons Solicitors.
Exhibition and technical area
Our sponsors will join with other high profile exhibitors - including the BBC Academy and C4 People Development - in the Fair Exhibition. Come along and meet with training advisors and many others who want to help your career.
The exhibition will include a technical area this year. More details to follow. Members of BECTU's Hair and Make-up branch will demonstrate how their skills have developed in response to the technical changes.
Page published Tuesday 15 May 2012.
