Building Strong Freelance Foundations

4 groups of 5 people sut around tables watching a presenter on screen. There are 2 BECTU Vision banners framing the screen.

Breaking into the film and television industry in Scotland and further afield can be daunting, especially for freelancers navigating new roles and responsibilities. That’s why we created Freelance Foundations, a suite of essential training courses designed to equip new entrants with the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to build sustainable freelance careers.

This collection of short courses brings together tutors with a wealth of film and television specific professional experience in the areas of: finance and networking, psychology and osteopathy, and health and safety along with support from the BECTU Vision team with their track record in supporting new entrants in the early stages of their careers.

The Freelance Foundations package helps participants:

> Navigate the realities of freelance life

> Maintain physical and mental wellbeing

> Learn how to find work, build a network, and manage finances effectively

It is delivered year-round to freelance new entrants and as a package for trainees on Scotland-based film and TV training schemes.

Freelance Foundations includes:

> Hit the Ground Running Induction

> Emotional Resilience

> Practical Strategies for Tackling Bullying and Harassment

> Physical Resilience

> Health & Safety Passport

> Networking & Social Media Skills

> Finance for Freelancers

> CV Workshop

> Participants are also encouraged to take a relevant albert Sustainable Production training course.

Since launching in 2020, we’ve partnered with 29 industry training schemes including:

> Outlander Training Programme

> Good Omens Training Programme

> Gaelic TV Training Programme

> PACT’s Indie Training Scheme

> Screen NETS

> Screw Trainee Scheme

> Screen Start

> Blood of My Blood Training Programme

Together, we’ve delivered 174 courses to 375 new entrants across Scotland.

Explore the full programme: https://bectuvision.org/training/new-entrants/

BECTU Vision Funders Majority Funders: Screen Scotland & BFI Skills Cluster Partner Funders: BBC & Scottish Union Learning in partnership with Bectu