ONE in four secondary school students don’t see a career in film as a viable option – because they don’t already know someone in the industry.
A study of 500 young people in education aged 13 to 18 found 68 per cent don’t know which school subjects translate into the skills required for careers in film and TV.
One in four secondary school students don’t see a career in film as a viable option[/caption]
New research shows 67% of students have never considered a job in film[/caption]
The Making of Harry Potter is opening the doors to the Great Hall for a free Creative Careers Fair[/caption]
In fact, 67 per cent added they would never consider a career in the industry.
With a third of these (34 per cent) citing a lack of knowledge about the roles available.
The research was commissioned by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which will host a free Creative Careers Fair on 30th September, opening the doors of the Great Hall to schoolchildren in Years 8 to 13.
It comes as the Campaign for the Arts revealed GCSE entries in arts subjects have fallen by 47 per cent over the past 15 years, while A-level entries are down 31 per cent.
A separate report from the British Film Institute has also highlighted a shortage of production crew at all levels due to rapid growth in film and TV production.
Julie Green, education and learning manager at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, which will give pupils a chance to meet professionals who worked on the Harry Potter films – including the head creature sculptor, head prop maker and costume curator – said: “There’s a need for fresh, diverse talent behind the camera.
“But children cannot be what they cannot see, so we’re committed to opening their eyes to the roles available.”
The research also polled 500 parents of children aged between 13 and 18, finding 42 per cent would encourage them to pursue a career in film.
Nearly two in three of these (64 per cent) said the most important thing is for their child to pursue a career they are truly passionate about.
However, 18 per cent are concerned there is not enough investment in creative education, while 27 per cent cited a lack of knowledge, access or resources to support their child on that path.
One in four parents overall admitted they weren’t exposed to a clear route into the film industry during their own education.
And 31 per cent added the lack of visibility of people working in film meant they had little awareness of what jobs were available.
Among students, just 24 per cent could name one or two behind-the-camera roles.
The most common answers were ‘actor’, ‘producer’ and ‘director’ – despite there being thousands of other roles in filmmaking.
The poll also revealed 41 per cent of these students don’t yet know what they want to do when they leave school.
With 17 per cent adding they are unsure where to start when it comes to exploring potential job roles.
The Creative Careers Fair – building on the tour’s education programme that now offers creative classes for students over 16 – will feature talks from industry professionals and demonstrations of how subjects like art, physics, English and design can lead to careers in costume, editing, effects and production.
Julie Green from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which is encouraging teachers to sign their students up for the event, added: “We want to help young people realise there’s a place for them in the industry, whether they’re interested in technology, design, movement, storytelling, or science.”
There is a shortage of production crew at all levels due to rapid growth in film and TV production[/caption]
Among students just 24 per cent could name one or two behind-the-camera roles[/caption]
The Creative Careers Fair building on the tour’s education programme that now offers creative classes for students over 16[/caption]