Talent looks west…
All Set West, a bold new skills package designed to power up careers, grow connections and unlock opportunities behind the camera for underrepresented talent across the West of England, is officially underway – with applications now open for the first round of free All Set West Training designed to get industry newcomers set ready for entry-level scripted production roles.
Funded by a £245k award from the BFI National Lottery Places Fund: Skills and Training, All Set West is delivered by The Bottle Yard Studios, Bristol UNESCO City of Film and Bristol Film Office (the three teams within Bristol City Council’s Film Services) in partnership with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA).
All Set West was officially launched – with its new website www.allsetwest.co.uk – to members of the region’s production industry, education sector and community leaders at a special showcase at Watershed in Bristol on Wednesday (30th April). All Set West Training Ambassadors were also on hand to share insights into how the training’s pilot in 2024 has benefitted them.
In addition to free Training, the skills package includes free Membership (opening for registration soon) to the All Set West Hub – a new, inclusive online home for all kinds of opportunities, events and resources relevant to local scripted film/TV production entrants or those progressing through their first few credits – and All Set West Outreach activity being taken into schools, colleges and communities to demystify the industry and widen awareness of careers in the region’s fast-growing scripted production sector. Additional consultation will analyse regional industry skills gaps and set a future strategy for addressing workforce development and retention challenges.
All Set West is funded by the BFI Places Fund, which aims to help develop new and emerging production centres across the UK. It is providing targeted funding to organisations, including Bristol City Council’s Film Services, to pilot new skills and training activity in the region and develop strategic plans that seek to cultivate and encourage more film and television production in the area.
Alex Roxton, Senior Skills Programme Manager at the BFI:
“This partnership between Bristol City Council Film Services and West of England Combined Authority brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise, as well as insight into skills gaps and the local growth potential. We believe that together, they can develop a sector skills strategy and training pathways that realise a skilled and representative local workforce.”
Apply now for All Set West Training
All Set West Training focuses on confidence-building, set etiquette and work-readiness, communication skills and teamwork, wellbeing and resilience, as well as digital and financial literacy and how to find work as a freelancer.
Support is targeted at underrepresented groups including Disabled People (including those with a longstanding physical or mental condition and those identifying as D/deaf or neurodiverse), People from the Global Majority, Women, Those identifying as LGB+, People from a Working class background, Asylum seekers/refugees, Carers/Care Leavers. An Access Fund is available to any participants who face a financial barrier to taking part.
All Set West Training was piloted at The Bottle Yard in 2024/25 under the Film/HETV TV Workforce Development Programme backed by the West of England MCA’s Mayoral Priority Skills Fund. Of the 47 trainees that participated, 32 have since gone on to some kind of paid work in the industry.
Round one of All Set West Training takes place over five weeks in June and July 2025. Applications are open until 31st May 2025. For more information and to apply, visit www.allsetwest.co.uk/training
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Free membership to the new All Set West Hub opens for registration soon. Be notified by adding your details here. For more information, visit www.allsetwest.co.uk and follow All Set West on Instagram (@allsetwest) and LinkedIn (@all-set-west).
