As part of Netflix and National Youth Theatre’s ongoing investment in the region, this week thirty young people aged 16-25 are benefiting from free Film & TV workshops at Digbeth Loc Studios.
The workshops are part of Netflix and NYT’s IGNITE Your Creativity programme, helping break down barriers for young people from the West Midlands who want to work in film and TV. The scheme is supported by Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight, who is currently filming the movie adaptation of the hit series at Digbeth Loc Studios.
IGNITE aims to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and connections to build networks and confidence. It offers free practical workshops that explore the wide-range of creative roles available, including information on starting salaries and progression to counter the narrative that creative careers are poorly paid and unstable. IGNITE also connects young people with set and backstage visits, work experience opportunities and industry experts. IGNITE has already hosted 23 workshops working with over 600 young people in the West Midlands this year.
The scheme follows research conducted by Netflix and NYT earlier this year which found that the majority (89%) of working class parents don’t want their child to pursue a creative career. Parents favour ‘traditional’ careers in law, finance, medicine and technology for their children because they offer good career progression (60%), good pay (58%) and a stable career path (56%).
Research shows that these ‘traditional’ professions are better at attracting more diverse talent, with only 8% of people working in film, TV and radio identifying as working class.
The problem is further highlighted by young people (16-25) already working in the creative industry. One in four (26%) of them said their parents, guardians or carers are unsupportive of their creative endeavours. Close to three quarters (73%) say their parents view their career as a waste of their education.
Members of Birmingham Young Filmmakers Network are amongst the beneficiaries of the IGNITE scheme and this week’s workshops. BFYN’s Cassie-Philomena Smyth said “Being able to hold sessions at Digbeth Loc Studios has been fantastic for BYFN members, as having access to these spaces makes the career our participants are pursuing feel much more attainable. It’s really encouraging that IGNITE has been so open and welcoming to groups like ours and so willing to share space and contacts. Hearing from industry professionals has given our members a great boost.”
Paul Roseby, CEO and Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre said: “We’re grateful to our friends at Netflix and Digbeth Loc Studios for giving us a chance to empower young talent as we strive to redress the imbalance of access for young underserved and working class creatives. The stats speak for themselves, but many of the young people we aim to work with can’t. IGNITE gives people a practical first step into a rewarding career in the creative industries.”
On Saturday 22 February, Birmingham Hippodrome will also be hosting a free introductory workshop for those interested in becoming an NYT member from 4.30pm-6.30pm. More information and sign up here.
Established in 1956 as the world’s first youth theatre, NYT produces ambitious theatrical productions in local communities, on leading global stages, on screen and in unusual spaces across the UK and beyond.
National Youth Theatre is a creative home for young storytelling talent. Inclusion is at NYT’s heart and its members come from a wide range of backgrounds and all around the UK. Global stars who started their journey with the charity include Ed Sheeran, Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rosamund Pike, Adeel Akhtar, Florence Pugh, Rege Jean-Page, Olly Alexander, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Zawe Ashton, Paapa Essiedu and many more.
Netflix is one of the world’s leading entertainment services, with 270 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching, as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
