Hamburg pilot project against skills shortage in film

The list of people needed for a film or series production is long. Actors, Directors and camera operators make up the smallest percentage. Unit managers keep things together even in stressful times, lighting technicians provide the right light - and Hair & Make Up artists give the cast their distinctive look in front of the camera.

Jobs like these are in demand like never before: the production volume in Germany has increased massively in recent years due to the new streaming platforms alone. Executive Producers are having great difficulty finding sufficiently qualified and available staff for their film or series shoots. In addition, there are very few traditional apprenticeships in the film industry. Most filmmakers have acquired their knowledge and qualifications through internships and assistant jobs.

Together with the film and TV industry in the north, the MOIN Film Fund and the Hamburg Media School have therefore developed a 12-month trainee programme in which interested people from other industries receive both a theoretical foundation and practical work on a cinema film set. The academic part of the programme will take place at the Hamburg Media School - the curriculum includes general modules such as "Film History", "Film Law" and "Calculation" as well as specific topics that are explicitly dedicated to the individual professional fields. The practical part of the programme takes place in Hamburg film companies such as production companies, costume companies, camera rental companies or sound studios. During the practical phases, the trainees are given a comprehensive insight into their respective professions and are supported by mentors. The trainees are paid by the film companies and the programme is financially supported by the Hamburg Ministry of Culture and Media, the Social Welfare Authority and the MOIN Film Fund, such asDr Carsten BrosdaSenator for Culture and Media of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, explains: "An attractive labour market is looking for new talent. Well-trained professionals are a prerequisite for good films. With this pilot project in close cooperation with the social welfare authorities, we want to train urgently needed skilled workers and give the film industry good opportunities for development."

"GetOnSet" is aimed primarily at professionals from other industries who are keen to move into the film industry, such asDr Melanie LeonhardSenator for Labour, Health, Social Affairs, Family and Integration, emphasises: "With this model offer, we want to support Hamburg's film industry in attracting skilled workers. In view of the changing world of work, many people want to reorient themselves professionally. The project is also intended to offer them an opportunity to develop new perspectives."

Helge Albers, CEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, adds: "Regardless of whether you work in a hairdressing salon, in tailoring or in the commercial sector - with 'GetOnSet' we want to inspire you to get a job on a film set and make it much easier for you to enter the industry."

By combining theory modules and practical work, the trainees can join and work in almost any film production after 12 months. To take part in the programme, you don't need any previous experience in the film industry - and you don't need perfect German either, asUlrike Dobelstein-LütheHead of Continuing Education at the Hamburg Media School, emphasises: "The entry into the trainee programme should be made as easy as possible for several reasons: We want to motivate people with different backgrounds and experiences to take an interest in new perspectives, make it easy for them to enter a new professional field and show that a (lateral) entry - including into the film industry - is possible."

"I would like to thank the Hamburg film companies for opening their facilities to the programme, the Hamburg Media School for providing the film theory foundation, and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg for supporting the programme financially," says the MOIN Film Fund CEOHelge Albers.

HOW CAN I APPLY?

The application phase for those interested starts at the end of May and the training programme begins in October. More information onwww.hamburgmediaschool.com/weiterbildung/getonset

All film companies interested in the "GetOnSet" programme can register with the Hamburg Media School by 20 May 2022:

Ulrike Dobelstein-Lüthe, +49 40 413468-69, u.dobelstein-luethe@hamburgmediaschool.com

The long-term aim is to train up to 15 specialists per year.

In addition to "GetOnSet", MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein also offers an information format for interested career starters. With the online event series "Let's Talk About Filmjobs", filmmakers from a wide range of fields provide insights into their work. More atwww.moin-filmfoerderung.de/filmjobs