The Grierson Trust and Netflix have announced the third year of the Grierson DocLab In Focus training programme, this time for aspiring unscripted editors.
The programme is aimed at identifying and developing new talent and tackling skills shortages through providing training.
This year’s programme is specifically targeted at individuals with strong Avid experience who are passionate about building a career in unscripted editing.
The Grierson DocLab In Focus: Unscripted Editing programme will provide up to eight successful applicants with an intensive training course on the key skills involved in working in the genre and the potential for a paid placement on a Netflix production. The programme also includes mentoring from an industry professional and the opportunity to network at the Grierson Awards.
The programme is now open for applications, made through the Grierson Trust website, with training commencing in January 2024. The deadline for applications is November 16th, 2023.
The Grierson DocLab In Focus: Unscripted Editing programme is run in conjunction with leading industry professionals, and covers topics such as: understanding large scale shows and their different workflows; an overview of who is involved on productions and in post-production; case-studies to illustrate the variety of shows that unscripted covers as well as the challenges involved in making them; resilience, self-care and dealing with complex and difficult subject matters; and the art and craft of finding a characters’ narrative in the edit.
Sylvia Bednarz, Managing Director, The Grierson Trust, said: “The Grierson Trust has an important role in finding and supporting talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds to contribute to the long-term creative future of documentary and factual filmmaking in the UK. We are delighted to be partnering once again with Netflix to deliver this industry-leading training programme for aspiring unscripted editors. If you have a strong background in Avid, coupled with a nose for a good story and the knack for spotting an engaging character arc, the DocLab In Focus: Unscripted Editing programme could be the opportunity to take your career in a new and rewarding direction.”
Ben Kelly, Director Unscripted Series, Netflix said: “From editing stories on the fly on location, to taking ownership over multi-stranded stories in big landmark series, unscripted editing is as creative and varied as the content it produces, and needs highly skilled editors to bring it to life. This is the third year of our partnership with The Grierson Trust, and we’re looking forward to working together with another group of talented individuals passionate about documentary making and looking to build their careers.”
Alumni of previous programmes are working at production companies and studios including Firecrest Films, Rogan Productions, Passion Pictures, Ventureland, Plimsoll Productions, The Garden, Voltage TV, Windfall Films, Story Films, RAW, Minnow, Curious Films, 72 Films, as well as on Grierson Award-nominated documentaries.
The Grierson Trust encourages applications from those from lower socio-economic backgrounds; disabled people; those from ethnic minority backgrounds and people from the LGBTQ+ community.
Full details of application criteria, forms, dates and deadlines, can be found at https://griersontrust.org/grierson-doclab/ue-2023. A Discovery Webinar with members of the Grierson DocLab and Netflix teams is being held on Tuesday, 10 October at 6pm for prospective candidates to find out more about what it takes to be an editor for unscripted.
Pictured: alumni of the 2022 scheme
Jon Creamer
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