United Kingdom
Film Training
Academy
United Kingdom
Film Training
Academy
The UKFTA was created by Robert Gavigan, one of the UK’s most experienced film electricians, in early 2023.
In 2023 we ran a highly successful pilot course (See Testimonials) and having accomplished immediate employment for the participants we have been asked by the film studios to run more courses and to extend the programme nationally, the first of which will be in the North-East of England.
Robert has spent over thirty years working in the Film Industry. Working directly on set Robert has racked up an impressive list of credits, including Layer Cake, Casino Royale and The Banshees of Inisherin. Using this experience and recognising the exponential growth both now and in the future taking place in the Film Industry, Robert came up with the idea to create a training methodology that would bring efficiencies to the major studios who are investing heavily in this country whilst providing a platform for potential candidates to gain entry into the industry. Recognising the skills gap (in what is a Sovereign capability) Robert has assembled a team capable of scaling future courses. Robert's Favourite Film is Carlito's Way and his Favourite Actor is Al Pacino.
Neal has been involved in a number of successful businesses across many sectors. Initially qualifying as an electrician, Neal has experience in working on film sets and supporting the delivery of our training to date. Neal will continue to support the delivery of our training as UKFTA rolls out its courses on a regional and international basis while helping the Academy to identify new strategic partners. Neal's Favourite Film is Sean of the Dead and his Favourite Actor is Robert De Niro.
Tim has been involved with a number of successful early stage and growth companies, both here and abroad, over the last thirty years.
Tim is best known for his work saving Bletchley Park over a 20 year
period. During this time, Tim converted derelict Second World War codebreaking buildings (including the historic Mansion House seen on the new £50 note) into The Bletchley Park Science and Innovation Centre, which housed over 60 companies and created over 400 jobs in a deprived region. Tim was also Chairman of the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park for a number of years where he oversaw the building of a world class museum housing the worlds first computer, Colossus.
Whilst at Bletchley Park Tim also personally financed and helped set up the Museum’s Education Programme (which has to date seen over 30,000 students pass through) along with establishing national Cyber Security
standards which continue to be used to recognise new talent within the industry.
Tim is Chairman of Bletchley Park Consults.
Tim's Favourite Film is Blue Velvet and his Favourite Actor is Dennis Hopper.
John moved from Somerset to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1980 to attend Polytechnic and study Business Studies Marketing and Advertising.
Having finished the course he worked in and managed record shops whilst promoting concerts. In 1988 he set up Overground Records releasing to-date 196 physical releases and in 1996 established Wipe Out Music a music publishing company. This brought him into contact with many music supervisors and he was responsible for placing the music he represented into many films such as The Commitments, Ocean’s 8 and Tomb Raider.
He still lives in Newcastle and is committed to seeing the region becoming a powerhouse in the creative industries and was responsible for the establishment of the UKFTA in the North-East.
John's Favourite Film is Get Murphy and his Favourite Actor is Cillian Murphy
