A creative short course for those new to producing.
Encouraging applicants from a working-class background.
Are you a storyteller who enjoys making things happen?
Do you like working in a team whilst guiding the way?
Do you love film?
Taking place across three days, one in person and two half days online, this short course is designed for those who may not know exactly what a film producer does but have the skills it takes to become one. The weekender aims to support an undiscovered cohort of producing talent from the South East of England (as defined by the BFI) and provide them with the foundational knowledge to apply for future rounds of the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund.
Full of practical activities, with industry insight and examples, this masterclass will take you through the creative role of a Producer. Including introductions to topics such as:
● developing concepts from early ideas to script, then to screen
● managing relationships
● budgeting and money management
● contracting and legal
● production and building your team
● post-production, distribution and networking
Participants will leave with a greater awareness of how to establish themselves as a producer and successfully manage a short film production.
No previous film production experience is necessary.
This course will be led by Film Producer duo, Abiola Rufai and Elizabeth Rufai.
Applications are now closed.
Fees
The course is free.
We will also cover travel costs to and from the in-person day to those who request it at application without question.
We can also discuss individual needs with each successful applicant and try to assist with any other barriers applicants may have.
Venue
29 November – BFI London South Bank (Blue Room)
30 November – Zoom (1/2 day exact time tbc)
01 December – Zoom (1/2 day exact time tbc)
Background Info
Who is this programme designed for?
You do not need to have any previous knowledge of film production in order to apply.
Transferable skills such as drive and creativity, good communication, collaboration, organisation and leadership skills, as well as an interest in film and the film industry, are all that’s required. As you apply, you should start thinking about what stories you would want to tell and therefore what films you might want to make. Think about where your interest lies and what messages or themes are important to you and that you would like to portray in your films. This can help guide your enthusiasm and help your application stand out.
Alongside the eligibility criteria, this year we are particularly encouraging applicants who would identify themselves as from a working-class background. Whilst not a requirement, we hope to designate at least five of the ten slots available specifically to those who identify as from a working-class background.
What is a film producer?
Without a producer, a film doesn’t get made. Producers develop the idea right from the initial concept through the entire filmmaking process right through to the end product. They also make the film happen through organising and scheduling, budgeting and hiring, creative problem-solving and overseeing, and marketing and distributing. They act as the cog that brings everyone else together, to work in partnership.
What can I expect to get from this short course?
Through this course we wish to help delegates build foundational skills in short film production, identifying potential avenues into such a role in film production. In particular we want to build delegates’ knowledge and experience, so they are able to apply to future rounds of the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund.
Why are you particularly encouraging applicants from a working-class background?
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) recently conducted research that found that only one in four screen workers are from working-class backgrounds. The lowest it has been in over a decade. We have also seen this statistic reflected in the applications we receive to BFI NETWORK South East for funding. This is most evident in the representation of producers from a working-class background. We therefore want to encourage and support a cohort of new producers from a working-class background to highlight potential roles and avenues into roles within film.
What do you mean by ‘from a working-class background’?
Defining the term working-class is not a simple exercise. The term means different things to different people. Across all creative industries people struggle with finding the “right” way to define the term working-class. Some, may refer to your eligibility for free school meals growing up, your current accommodation type or whether you were the first person in your family to attend university. You may have also heard other phrases used interchangeably such as ‘lower socio-economic background’ or ‘living paycheque to paycheque’. The BFI ask the following two questions to try to determine somebodies social economic background:
When you were 14, what did the main income earner in your household do for a living?”
What type of school did you mainly attend between the ages of 11 and 16?
However, we appreciate this may not be the only way of identifying as from a working-class background. Therefore, we are seeking applications from people who self-identify as from ‘a working-class background’. There is one question about this in the application form, but no eligibility criteria associated.
All EDI data submitted, both at application and awarded stage, are done so anonymously and are in now way associated or reviewed directly alongside any application.
Why is the in-person day in the London if this programme is for the South East?
The South East region of England (as defined by the BFI) stretches from Norfolk to Brighton and from Reading to Broadstairs therefore the most accessible location for everyone to travel to, from all over our region is London. We will provide offer travel subsidises to those that request it in the application.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the programme you must:
- Have an interest in producing
- Be over 18 and not in full-time education
- Have a passion for cinema and an idea about what stories you want to tell
- Be based in the South East of England (as defined by the BFI, please note this does not include London)
- Be able to attend all 3 sessions: the in-person event at BFI London Southbank on Friday 29 November and the virtual Zooms meeting the following two days (travel subsidises given to those that request it).
How to apply
Complete the application form at the bottom of this page by midnight, Sunday 29 September 2024. You may also attach video or sound recordings in place of text when submitting this form.
As part of your application, please also complete a Diversity Monitoring Form. We’re collecting this information to help us evaluate our work to increase diversity and inclusivity in the sector. The information you provide here will be anonymous and won’t be connected to or identifiable with your application.
Before applying, please ensure you have read through the Eligibility Criteria section above and that you fulfil the criteria.
Please note: you will not receive a confirmation email on completion of the application form. After submitting the form, please scroll back down to the bottom of this page where you’ll find a message confirming your application.
If you need any support in completing your application, or have any queries about the application process or your eligibility, please contact us at: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk
Applications are now closed for this programme.
Carbon Pictures Bio
Abíólá Rufai-Awójídé
Elizabeth Rufai
Together, Abiola and Elizabeth form a producing duo that reflects a shared eclectic
taste, which has been developed over a range of professional experiences across
their careers. Between them is a range of experience in film, high-end television, and
short film production, working both with and within companies such as BBC Film, BFI
Network, Channel 4, Film4, Lionsgate UK, Sid Gentle Films and Somesuch.
Over the last few years, they have established a notable familiarity with stories that
stand out. Abiola worked as co-producer and producer on two consecutive series of
the multi-award-winning Disney+ show ‘Extraordinary’ (2023), which went on to win
the 2024 Royal Television Society Programme Award for Scripted Comedy, and be
nominated for the 2024 TV BAFTA Scripted Comedy award. Abiola was also
Associate Producer on the multi-BAFTA nominated ‘How To Have Sex’ (2023),
directed by Molly Manning Walker, which was awarded Un Certain Regard at the
2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Elizabeth, a 2023 graduate of the National Film and Television School’s Producing
MA, produced the 2024 BAFTA winning short ‘Jellyfish and Lobster’ (2023), written
and directed by Yasmin Afifi. ‘Jellyfish and Lobster’ is in development as a feature
film as part of the Carbon slate. Elizabeth is currently working as Associate Producer
on a BBC/BFI feature film with Devisio Pictures and Somesuch.
Abiola and Elizabeth have been selected for Screen International’s 2024 edition of
Screen Stars of Tomorrow and are developing a slate of projects that reflect an
affinity towards cross-cultural stories and a desire to develop narratives that thrive in
specificity but also great potential for global reach.