July 27, 2023
Announcing the third year of prestigious Grierson DocLab In Focus: Production Management programme
The Grierson Trust and Netflix have announced the third year of their successful partnership on the prestigious Grierson DocLab In Focus training programme for aspiring production managers. The programme is aimed at supporting the UK’s documentary and factual industry by identifying and developing new talent and tackling skills shortages through providing training.
Netflix and The Grierson Trust team members with the 2022 Grierson DocLab In Focus: Production Management trainees.
The training initiative seeks people with transferable skills key to production management roles who are UK-based, aged 18+ (with no upper age limit) and who have at least three years’ experience in an office-based role, whether from outside of the screen industries or within. The programme is now open for applications with training to commence in November 2023. The closing date for applications is Friday, 22 September 2023.
The eight successful candidates will receive intensive training, mentoring from a leading industry figure and a paid three-month work placement on a Netflix documentary production. Trainees will also receive continued support from The Grierson Trust, including networking events, professional development opportunities and mentoring as part of the Grierson DocLab Alumni group.
The training, led by industry professional Birte Pederson, will cover: the documentary genre and formats; budgeting, cashflows and production paperwork; health and safety and risk assessments; demystifying post-production; jargon-busting; managing and looking after personnel; the importance of diversity and inclusion on a production; and when to consider stepping up to the next level in your career.
Read more about the programme
Sylvia Bednarz, Managing Director, The Grierson Trust, said: "We are thrilled to be partnering with Netflix again to deliver this industry-leading training programme for aspiring production managers. We hope it helps address skills shortages and contributes to sustaining the long-term creativity of documentary filmmaking in the UK. We are proud to see alumni of this programme thriving in the documentary industry, and look forward to welcoming the next cohort of trainees.”
Alison Small, Grow Creative Manager, Netflix said: “We’re delighted to support The Grierson Trust in opening up the industry to those passionate about documentary making. Production management is vital to the success of every project, but an often overlooked part of the creative process. This is the third year of our partnership with Grierson, and we’re so proud to continue our work to improve representation at all levels of the creative process, and offer opportunities to work on Netflix titles.”
Alumni of previous programmes are working at production companies and studios including Curious Films, 72 Films, Pitch Productions and Rogan Productions.
The Grierson Trust has an established track record of supporting under-represented groups in the documentary industry and therefore particularly encourages applications from those from lower socio-economic backgrounds; disabled people; those from ethnic minority backgrounds and people from the LGBTQ+ community. The Trust also encourages candidates from geographical areas across the UK that may have fewer opportunities in the screen industries to apply.
Full details of application criteria, forms, dates and deadlines, can be found at www.griersontrust.org/grierson-doclab-pm-2023.
A Discovery Webinar to find out more about the initiative, the role and the key attributes needed by those working in production will be held on Wednesday, 9 August 2023, 6-7pm.
