Creative industry careers showcased at TV and film behind-the-scenes event

Secondary school careers and guidance staff have gone ‘behind-the-scenes' to learn about jobs in the screen industry in the Highlands and Islands.

UHI North, West and Hebrides hosted the event at its Alness campus in partnership with, IntoFilm, a charity that promotes screen education for young people, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and Screen Highland.   

Freelancers working in the television and film industry facilitated a series of hands-on workshops and gave an insight into their craft as part of the event, which aimed to demystify the screen industries and promote creative industries qualification and career pathways, including UHI’s BA (Hons) Contemporary Film Making in the Highlands and Islands degree programme. 

Guest speakers included Cailean Watt, a documentary producer and director (BBC Highland Cops); Mike Webster, a director of television drama and Discovery Channel documentaries (Jenny Graham’s Round The World Adventure); Gordon McIntyre, a locations manager (Skyfall); and Lindy Cameron, a producer and film editor (CBBC Katie Morag and American Cousins). 

Peter Noble, Head of Creative Arts at UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “The event was an opportunity to showcase the breadth of creative arts opportunities available across UHI North, West and Hebrides. Our students can explore film, sound production, music, art, jewellery, fashion, textiles and creative writing, supported by a diverse team of staff based throughout the region. This means students can pursue their creative ambitions locally, without needing to relocate to the central belt.” 

Nicola Kettlewood, Scotland Programme Lead at Into Film, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with UHI North, West and Hebrides and DYW to deliver this event.  Through it, we aim to demonstrate the range of roles available within the screen industries as well as signposting these jobs as being accessible for young people from the Highlands.”  

Stacie MacDonald, DYW school coordinator for South Highland, said: “Working in partnership with UHI North, West and Hebrides and Into Film has allowed us to bring a range of new skills and information to young people and educators across the Highlands. The film industry is a viable Highland career, and exploration of it should be encouraged within education. With excellent training, facilities and connections such as those provided via Into Film, and the UHI team at the Alness campus, we can set young people on their career path confidently.”  

Lindy Cameron, Cromarty based producer and film editor, said: “It was great to meet the careers advisors and to see how much they want to give their young folk good steers for their onward journeys after their school education ends. They were all enthusiastic to learn about the potential there is in moving image as a career path and to hear about the wide range of roles that exist within the industry - something to suit all strengths and skill sets. I think that establishing a link with industry practitioners and people doing vital work in education is a really great initiative.”   

 Jane Young, Careers Advisor at Skills Development Scotland, said: “The event was fantastic and highlighted that young people have opportunities to get into the screen industries in the Highlands.  I’ll be advising young people about the creative industries provision at UHI North, West and Hebrides.”  

A behind-the-scenes follow-up event will be held at Eden Court at the end of September, which will be aimed at S3 and above pupils across the Highlands and Islands. 

Pictured, below, secondary school careers and guidance staff, along with representatives from IntoFilm, DYW, Screen Highland and UHI North, West and Hebrides: