On 28th October 2024 the UK Film Training Academy is delighted to announce the start of its first four week course – dedicated to teaching electrical technicians in the specialist skills of film production lighting.
The new film lighting boot camp course is a unique opportunity open to any electrician in the UK who has a City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate to learn all the essential techniques and equipment-handling experience required by production directors in the film industry.
The course will take place at the studio of the UK Film Training Academy (UKFTA) at Park Royal in west London, and it will be delivered by the Academy’s two most senior instructors who have many years’ experience in the sector.
Rob Gavigan and Neal McLaughlin will train and oversee all of the forthcoming courses, which will be held at monthly intervals either at its London studio or at other regional studios throughout the UK.
Founding director Rob Gavigan said “In 2024 we know that one-sixth of the large US film multinationals have opened a new studio complex in the UK. Today the UK now has more studio space for film production than all of California. This is primarily due to the exceptional quality of the skilled production staff in Britain.”
Mr Gavigan added “It’s our ambition to train up to 500 new technical staff for the British-based film industry within the next 12 months, although we believe that figure could be very much more, given the backlog of US TV and film production that has built up since the start of the strike involving film production workers in America.”
These new studio hubs, including those of Universal, Amazon and Netflix will be needing many more trained staff to fulfil their packed programme schedules – hence the need for more fully trained and highly proficient riggers and electricians.
Tim Reynolds, founding director of the UK Film Training Academy (UKFTA), said “The arrival of the biggest and best US studios in the UK means there is an urgent need for more electricians and riggers trained in the latest film production equipment.”
Mr Reynolds added the UKFTA was particularly keen to hear from ex-Forces personnel. He said “Former soldiers have just the right background, the experience and proven initiative to work on tough assignments in film production.
“We welcome applicants from, for example, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Engineers – those who have recently left the Forces and want to work in a dynamic and exciting industry where no day is ever the same.”
◆ The UKFTA welcomes all informal enquiries – please call to speak to one of our advisors. the Online Form for Applicants can call be found here – https://ukfta.co.uk/apply-today
◆ Rob Gavigan’s list of film production credits include Never Let Me Go (2010), Casino Royale (2006) and Under the Skin (2013).
https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0310501
◆ Contact: Marcus Gibson, press officer at UKFTA: 07973 175 159
Member of the Press: Please call if you wish to book an interview with UK staff, watch a future course in progress, receive UKFTA photos or videos, or seek any further information.
◆ Office and Studio address:: 183a Park Avenue, Park Royal, London NW10 7XH
◆ Email: [email protected]
