West Midlands Production Bootcamps

Film | Television | Professional Content Creation | Theatre

Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes on video shoot.
Bootcampers on location at the commonwealth games.
Bootcampers on location at the commonwealth games.
Bootcampers at a meeting on College campus.
Bootcampers at a meeting on College campus.
(Photo courtesy of Common Story) Savhanha Nguyen (Camper from 2021's TV Production Bootcamp)
Behind the scenes in a television gallery.
Hands-on in a TV studio.
Operating a television camera at the commonwealth games.
Camera crew hard at work.
Operating a television camera at the commonwealth games.
Behind the scenes in a television gallery.
Behind the scenes in a television gallery.
Behind the scenes in a television gallery.
Bootcamper in front of the camera at the commonwealth games.
Interviewing an athlete at the commonwealth games.
Bootcamp presenter interviews guest.
Bootcamp presenter in front of the camera at the commonwealth games.

About

Our free bootcamps are aimed at people living in the West Midlands who would like to pursue a career in film, television, professional content creation and theatre.

Through Create Central we have close links with many local TV production companies including Optomen, North One, Full Fat TV and the BBC and our Bootcamps include 2-week industry placements. We also run bootcamps with The Space in the Cultural sector where we work with employers such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Rep, Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Hippodrome. Our previous ‘campers’ are now in paid roles with these companies and many more. So far over 70 contracts have been secured and this is only likely to increase with the growth of production activity in our region. Masterchef is moving its production to Birmingham next year and other companies are expected to follow.

The West Midlands Combined Authority is expecting to see 29,000 new highly skilled jobs in the region’s digital and creative industries by 2030 and these Bootcamp’s aim to help participants develop their skills and experiences in this industry.

The bootcamps are a mixture of classroom sessions, immersive practical workshops, guest speaker sessions and masterclasses and employability skills including a clear understanding of working successfully as a freelancer. The bootcamps are designed to complement and build on academic courses and identify transferable skills from your current career path.

This year we worked with Create Central and leading sports production company Sunset+Vine to enable 150 local people to work in production roles on the Commonwealth Games. The professional production team were very impressed with our ‘campers’ and many have been offered full time roles with companies involved in delivering the Games.

There is no better time to consider a career in production or the creative arts and our bootcamps are designed to help you build on your existing skills or explore a new career plan, grow your industry networks and become a valued member of our inspiring community of professionals. We continue to support everyone as their career develops.

The bootcamps are free for those aged 19+ who meet the application criteria and live in a WMCA postcode, in Coventry or in Warwickshire.

If you’d like further information about the bootcamps and details about the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us:

bootcamps@solihull.ac.uk

Find out more and apply below!

Funding provided by the WMCA.

Bootcamps

Filming Performance

Applications open
Open
Applications close
Starts
Ends
Duration
Mode
Full-time
Delivery
In-person
Location
Blossomfield Campus, Solihull College & University Centre and Stratford-upon-Avon College
Description
The Bootcamp offers an essential overview of how live performances are recorded and allows students to develop critical in-demand skills and a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of live multi-camera filming of live arts performances. The Bootcamp is structured to allow students to participate alongside their existing work commitments. The course is 6 weeks in length and includes mostly in-person sessions, workshops, masterclasses and hands-on training. The schedule begins with a four-week intense workshop where students will hone their filming, directing, producing, vision mixing and editing skills in a professional environment. They will then be given the opportunity to produce their own digital project. The final week will enable editing and explore how digital production can be embedded into an organisation. Throughout the course, students will also attend masterclasses with industry professionals and have the opportunity to create their own content with the guidance of professionals. This Filming Performance Bootcamp is delivered in partnership with the WMCA The Space and ScreenSkills. Funding for the course is provided by WMCA and there are bursaries of up to £2500 per Bootcamper to enable freelance arts professionals and those working in screen industries to participate in the course.
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Learn More

Development Researcher for Television Factual Production

Applications open
Open
Applications close
Starts
Ends
Duration
inclusive
Mode
Full-time
Delivery
In-person
Location
Blossomfield Campus, Solihull College & University Centre
Description
We will be working closely with local production companies and respond to current commissioning briefs to develop original ideas for television factual programmes. You will learn about the commissioning process for broadcast and on demand services, how to develop ideas, write treatments and create sizzle reels. Identifying and nurturing new onscreen talent and sourcing ideal contributors is an essential element of the development process and we’ll explore the methods and stages involved.
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Sound for Film and Television

Applications open
Closed
Applications close
Closed
Starts
Ends
Duration
Mode
Full-time
Delivery
In-person
Location
Blossomfield Campus, Solihull College & University Centre and Stratford-upon-Avon College
Description
Through practical workshops and guest lectures The Sound Bootcamp will focus on sound production skills for film and television. Exploring areas such as appropriate equipment and techniques for recording sound on location and in studio, operating boom and radio mics, capturing additional effects and foley sound for broadcast, the practical workshops and guest lectures, will give you technical and editorial skills and an understanding of professional sound production processes. You’ll learn and be able to identify the range of roles available in the sound department in both production and post-production including Sound Supervisor, Sound Assistant (1st and 2nd) Boom Operator, Production Sound Mixer, Foley Artist, Dubbing Mixer, ADR Recordist and SFX Mixer/Editor. This entry level training for aspiring Sound Assistants will run for 6 weeks and include a 2-week placement with local industry partners whose aim is to establish a local pool of freelancers for future location and studio productions. There will also be an opportunity to work on a Live Broadcast Production with the RSC.
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Content Creation for Business

Applications open
Closed
Applications close
Closed
Starts
Finished
Ends
Finished
Duration
Mode
Full-time
Delivery
In-person
Location
Blossomfield Campus, Solihull College & University Centre
Description
This Bootcamp will focus on professional production content for social media platforms and business websites. For those if you who enjoy making your own social media content, this Bootcamp aims to provide you with the foundations to convert your passion into a business. We will explore the type of content for different platforms, audiences and customers. How to work with clients, project planning and negotiation skills. You will be supported to work on live briefs from a number of local companies including Wasps Rugby Club and Purity Brewery and gain an understanding of the production and business process.
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TBC

What people are saying about our TV Production Bootcamp

I’ve loved everything about the Bootcamp. It’s allowed me to connect with new people and opportunities. I hope more people from diverse background get a chance to do the Bootcamp as they’ll not only benefit from the programme, but they will also be able to build their connections in the region!

Samira Jeylani

Bootcamp gave me the opportunity of working on a placement! Getting industry contacts, advice and being able to introduce myself; having that direct line of communication to people was amazing!

Christian Fink

It was a perfect stepping stone to a career I want to get into.

This Bootcamp helped me build confidence and knowledge up. The connections I made and experiences and opportunities from taking part in the Bootcamp were invaluable. Now I can connect more and feel like I can seek more opportunities.

Salma Akhtar

I did a degree in Sport Science and was always interested in telly so this Boot camp allowed me to combine my passions!

It prepares you for work in media. It allows for a lot of networking so hopefully be a springboard for other projects. It also helped with employability by exit interview training and CV building.

Nekoda Hope

Creating local opportunities for talented people.

Colette Foster, Full Fat TV

The standard of the bootcamps is always really high, there is a general perception that television is a glamourous world but the reality is it is hard work in all weathers and the one’s who really want to do it for the right reasons are well prepared by the bootcamps for the world we work in.

Andy Richardson, Production Manager on BBC’s Doctors

Related News  

Solihull College & University Centre
West Midlands Combined Authority
Create Central
The Space

The College has received significant investment from GBSLEP to help its creative courses support students into employment. This investment has helped repurpose art studios into contemporary arts delivery spaces and provided a new edit suite, a large supply of cutting-edge camera equipment and updated IT equipment. In addition, this GBSLEP funding has repurposed an area into a hatchery and meeting space for graduates and local businesses. This funding will enable the College to support and deliver innovative programmes of which this bootcamp is the first.

Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership