“It is still the single best professional development training and networking I’ve ever done. It completely changed my perception of how to combine my career and parenting; and, most importantly for me at the time, really expanded my network. I met my feature film producers through the scheme, as well as a high-end TV director who later invited me to shadow her on an Amazon series.” Laura Scrivano (from piece on Directors Now)
Raising Films is delighted to announce a fully online version of our popular Making It Possible personal and career development programme across July, August and September.
These three cohorts are now fully subscribed. Please use the quick form below to register your interest for future iterations.
Making It Possible 2020 is supported by ScreenSkills using National Lottery funds awarded by the British Film Institute (BFI) as part of the Future Film Skills programme.
The programme is specifically aimed at parents and/or carers across all roles in film and TV who are navigating their way back into the industry after a caring break due to parental and/or caring responsibilities. Or who have already returned but feel their career has stagnated.
Raising Films has run a number of Making It Possible programmes and the tried and tested process will provide successful applicants with a development plan, the tools they need to build resilience and manage their wellbeing as they execute their plan and a peer support network to sustain them beyond the period of the programme. We aim to provide a silent online hot-desk space beyond the initial programme sessions to offer a connected yet focused time for participants to work on their projects and development plans.
“Brings people together in a structured way that is geared towards career development and people in the regions, hugely helpful and I can’t think who else is meeting this need.”
Making It Possible 2020 will take into account the present COVID-19 situation and the issues it has raised, and will continue to raise, for the participants selected to take part in the programme. In the context of the present situation with COVID-19 affecting work opportunities and patterns the Making It Possible 2020 programme will be expanded to explore some of the likely issues being experienced, including:
- Navigating a career landscape that is changing and will continue to adapt and change as the COVID-19 situation shifts.
- Already feeling at a disadvantage within the industry.
- Developing an appropriate mind set in order to turn challenges into potential opportunities.
- Home schooling and the increased pull on participant’s time to manage domestic situations.
- Dealing with obstacles and guidance on practical and psychological approaches.
- Building mechanisms and skills in order to sit comfortably within an uncertain environment.
Making It Possible 2020 is especially pertinent as our industries adapt to the future and as many of us will be in the position of returning to work after the enforced break due to COVID-19 lockdown measures. Everything is going to be uncertain for a while and Making It Possible 2020 aims to instil an understanding that this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
“Making it Possible was an opportunity to meet other industry parents who all had children and they happily shared their knowledge and wisdom with me. It felt like everyone suffered from similar worries and insecurities and I was glad to see I certainly wasn’t alone.”
Structure
Making It Possible 2020 will run online with three distinct groups participating in the programme between July and September across five online sessions. Participants will be encouraged and supported to meet and network with their cohort throughout the programme and beyond. Raising Films will again be working with Blaire Palmer (That People Thing) to deliver the course.
“I’ve been out of the industry for over five years and… this has given me the confidence to network and I’ve made lots of local connections in a location I’ve never worked in before.”
Our Making It Possible Tutor
Blaire Palmer (That People Thing) will lead each course, including the online course. Blaire is a coach and confidante for senior leaders and teams. A former BBC Radio 4 Today Programme producer, she has spent the past 20 years helping leaders work out how to find a way of working that is authentic and based on their values and priorities without compromising their professional ambitions. Blaire speaks about the future of leadership around Europe, is a regular guest on BBC Radio 2 and is often quoted in the media.
“The course offered great peer support and collaboration, encouragement and a feeling that you are not alone. Renewed confidence. Connections to other funding – I’ve just won an award that I probably wouldn’t have applied for if it hadn’t been for Raising Films.”
Who can apply?
Making It Possible 2020 is open to parents and carers within the film and TV industries with a minimum of two screen credits or three years experience in an industry role. Applicants must be looking to develop their careers to the next level and be aged over 18.
Financial support
ScreenSkills is supporting an access fund to help participants with the costs of childcare cover, caring responsibilities and technical requirements.
“We know there are really talented people with skills the industry needs who need a bit of extra support to return to work after time away for parenting or caring duties. Sometimes modest help for childcare, carers or other support at this time can make all the difference, alongside coaching and the insight of peers, and we are pleased to be able to make this happen.” Gareth Ellis-Unwin, Head of Film and Animation at ScreenSkills
“There is a serious need for an effective confidence raising programme. This is actually more of a taboo subject than people will admit within the creative industries.”
Stories about Making It Possible from our community
Choosing to make a feature film in lockdown with three kids
Laura Rees (who participated in Making It Possible 2020) on her decision to do a difficult, stressful and complicated thing at a difficult, stressful [...]
Mini Productions – making shorts and supporting parents
Producer April Kelley is the founder of Mini Productions, the latest recipient of our Raising Films Ribbon. Ahead of going into production on two [...]
Sara Gunn-Smith reflects on the year that was
Sara Gunn-Smith - Marketing and Audiences Officer at Film Hub NI and mother of two – shares their experience of the year that was [...]
MIP 2020, that’s a wrap!
The latest iteration of our ScreenSkills supported Making It Possible personal and career development programme has now reached an end for our three groups [...]
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY 3 JULY (5pm)
Successful applicants contacted by close of play on Thursday 9 July.
Notes for applicants
Dates of group sessions
- Group 1: Monday 13 July, Wednesday 15 July, Wednesday 22 July, Wednesday 29 July, Wednesday 5 August – all taking place at 11am
- Group 2: Monday 10 August, Wednesday 12 August, Wednesday 19 August, Wednesday 26 August, Wednesday 2 September – all taking place at 11am
- Group 3: Wednesday 2 September, Wednesday 9 September, Wednesday 16 September, Wednesday 23 September, Wednesday 30 September – all taking place at 11am, except Wednesday 2 September at 12.30pm
Completing the online application form
The application form allows you to select your preferred group and Raising Films will endeavour to fit you into your preferred group where possible. Your biography (750 words) should outline your professional experience and achievements, including a filmography where applicable. There is also a question that asks you to share why taking part in Making It Possible is important to you right now. All applications will be received in strict confidence. A panel made up of key personnel from Raising Films will consider your application.
ScreenSkills funding requirements
Raising Films is grateful to ScreenSkills for funding Making It Possible 2020. A requirement of this funding is that all successful applicants register on the ScreenSkills website. You can do that via the ScreenSkills website. People with existing ScreenSkills profiles are asked to share their profile URL in the application form. We will be unable to accept anyone onto the programme if they don’t have a ScreenSkills profile.
Financial Support
ScreenSkills is supporting an access fund to help those most in need with the costs of participation. Please indicate on your form if you would like to apply for this assistance and you will be advised if your costs can be supported at the same time as learning whether you have been accepted onto the programme.
Timeline
Application process opens on Friday 19 June at 10am.
Deadline for applications is Friday 3 July at 5pm.
Successful applicants contacted by close of play on Thursday 9 July.
If you have not heard from us by midday on Friday 10 July unfortunately your application was not successful. Due to the volume of applications we expect to receive Raising Films regrets we will not be able to discuss unsuccessful applications.
Your Data
Unsuccessful applications and all materials will be disposed of safely and in confidence. No information submitted will be returned. The responses to diversity questions will be separated and shared with ScreenSkills anonymously. Decision makers will not see this information. By completing the online application form you will be added to the Raising Films mailing list, from which you can opt out at any time. Successful applicants will be required to create a ScreenSkills account.
Read/download the full Making It Possible privacy information.
Read the Raising Films Privacy Policy. Read the ScreenSkills privacy policy.
Our Community
Before applying please read the Raising Films Code of Conduct.
