Could you work on Peaky Blinders and other top TV shows? – New scheme offers training and workshops for creative talent in the West Midlands
By Paul Jenkins
Copyright expressandstar
Kudos Knight is partnering with Create Central, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Solihull College & University Centre to deliver training courses labelled ‘Bootcamps’ for talent, aligned with the new series of Peaky Blinders which was announced on Thursday.
There will be opportunities for 60 people from the West Midlands region, while the scheme will offer three specific courses – one for those starting out in scripted production; one aimed at mid-level crew, and a third for those with skills transferable to TV production such as carpenters, artists and hair and make up stylists.
The schemes will be of a combination of talks, practical training and masterclasses delivered by a range of senior production roles with the ambition to provide crew ready to take up roles in high end TV made in the West Midlands, including Peaky Blinders.
The BBC announced two new series of Peaky Blinders focussing on a “new generation of Shelbys, ” – they will be filmed at the Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham.
On the partnership, Martin Haines, joint MD at Kudos, said: “The West Midlands has huge potential to be a world-renowned centre of excellence for high end scripted television production.
“Kudos Knight’s pipeline of projects is coming to fruition, and I’m delighted we are going to be making Peaky Blinders in the region. ”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “It’s boom time for our region’s entertainment industry, with our first major studios up and running and investment pouring in from some of the biggest names in the world of TV and film.
“That’s why we’re investing heavily in our young people so they have the skills to land exciting careers in our fast-growing entertainment sector and help make the West Midlands the creative capital of the UK.”
Ed Shedd, Chair of Create Central, said: “Our hugely successful industry-first model, pioneered through Create Central’s boot camps, is all about connecting diverse local talent with real jobs.
“Partnering with Kudos Knight, WMCA and Solihull College on this exciting new scheme will help us continue to fill vital skills gaps while opening up genuine opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build long-term careers in high-end TV production.”
Applications for the Kudos Knight Peaky Blinders Bootcamp schemes are open on the Solihull College & University Centre’s website.
