Make the Cut is a new professional development programme from the Unscripted TV Skills Fund, aimed at helping productions and post houses provide on-the-job training and progression for edit assistants (or equivalent level) to make the step up to junior editor for the first time.
UK unscripted productions which would otherwise not be able to offer the opportunity to step up are encouraged to apply for this support. As a condition of the funding, the production will be expected to nominate someone who can mentor and support the new junior editor on the production.
Productions can apply for up to £15,000 per person, and may apply to step up more than one person.
Who it's for
This step up programme is limited to those currently working as edit assistants (or at an equivalent level in another department e.g. development) who do not yet have a junior editor credit.
We cannot accept applications from individuals. Applications must be made by the production company having identified the person/s they wish to step up - or be in a position to recruit someone with this step-up opportunity in mind.
Training should last a minimum of 3 months – if your edit schedule is shorter than this but you believe there is a good step-up opportunity on your production, please contact Morten Wright to discuss, details below.
It is expected that the participant will receive their first junior editor credit on the production.
What it covers
Make the Cut funding can be used to support the costs of:
- Salary up to a maximum of 70% - the remainder must be covered by the host company
- Edit suite costs directly related to this step-up opportunity
- Software/equipment costs directly related to this step-up opportunity
- Additional training fees
- Mentoring
- Travel and accommodation expenses
Make the Cut funding can’t be used for:
- Retrospective claims: please apply for funding before your proposed participant joins your team, allowing two weeks to process the associated paperwork. If this is not possible then the funding period will start from the date the application is approved.
- Individuals who are already working within the grade they are moving up to, unless there is a robust case that the step up will mean that they are working differently.
- Working on unscripted content that qualifies for HETV tax-credit. If the individual you are looking to support will be working on an unscripted production with a budget of £1m per hour or above, you should instead apply for Make a Move – HETV.
- Working on unscripted content that qualifies for Film tax-credit. If the individual you are looking to support will be working on a feature documentary set for theatrical release, you should instead apply for Make a Move – Film.
How to apply
There is no set application deadline, we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis until the funding pot is exhausted.
In the first instance, we would ask that the relevant line manager on a production contact morten.wright@screenskills.com with a brief summary of the production and why you feel the person who would be stepped up is appropriate for this support.
Following this, you’ll be asked to complete a form via our grants portal.
All those involved in Make The Cut will be expected to record training and progression over the stated period. A template will be provided to do this. Funds paid are conditional on full engagement with completion of the training and progression plan.