Applications open for BAFTA Crew programme

BAFTA has published a report on the success factors which may help those from underrepresented groups succeed in the creative industries - identifying key practices which can help both employers and employees to ensure that those sectors are healthily diverse and that opportunities remain open to all. Addressed in the paper are factors of race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class and physical disability, all of which are shown to be factors which can adversely affect an individual's chances of long-term success in creative fields.

The factors found to be most likely to affect the chances of sustained success in a employee's career in the creative industries were:

• taking an active role in their own career progression;
• finding an outlet to achieve creative satisfaction;
• finding and embracing opportunities to learn and develop skills;
• building beneficial relationships with a range of people;
• using various support mechanisms to boost confidence;
• developing strategies to overcome negative experiences;
• demonstrating relevant characteristics and approaches;
• external influences around company infrastructure and the wider industry

It was also found that companies could and should be making efforts to ensure that those from underrepresented sections of society were receiving adequate incentive and assistance to ensure that systemic and ingrained barriers to success were able to be surmounted.

"High levels of film and television production and games development, key policy drivers, and a spotlight on addressing inequality and increasing diversity, have all led to a new focus on career sustainability and progression, in addition to entry-level opportunities," reads a precis to the report.

"The latest Creative Employment Survey 20152 found that employment levels of women in key occupations across film and television, and in games generally, compare unfavourably to general UK workforce statistics, and the overall proportion of people from BAME (black, Asian or minority ethnic) backgrounds is significantly lower than wider economy workforce data for London and the South East, where much of the film and television industries in particular are based."

The report comes alongside the opening of applications for BAFTA Crew membership - an initiative aimed at helping to establish and sustain the careers of young people and newcomers to the games industry by facilitating the free exchange of knowledge and experience. Several of the key findings of the report are reflected in the opportunities offered by the Crew experience, which is just one of a number of initiatives being offered by BAFTA, both to address these known inequalities and improve the health of a career in Games, TV or Film more generally.

Successful applicants to the Crew program will receive access to a series of 'masterclass' sessions with established figures in their chosen fields, as well as live streams and round tables with BAFTA-nominated talent, in London and across the UK. They'll also be invited to bespoke networking events with guests including BAFTA members, BAFTA-identified new talent and industry partners, plus additional online networking events. Limited free tickets to other BAFTA events will also be available, and some bursaries will be granted for travel.

Additional information is available here. Applications close on March 22.