find us on facebook

follow us on twitter

DV Talent is the UK’s leading independent training provider and career agency for creative media professionals.

Training – We offer an extensive range of courses across film, TV and digital media. We are known as the place where the professionals go for training by the leading programme-makers and creatives in the industry. Our clients include all the major indies and broadcasters, we are key suppliers to the BBC and ITV, and have extensive contacts throughout the creative industries. DV Talent is a member of the Moving Image Training Alliance (Mita). Many of our courses are eligible for Skillset and other funding.

DV Talent have just launched The Talent Manager – the database where leading Indies store their talent contacts.

It is an online software service that helps leading Indies and Broadcasters manage their own networks of people.

It launched in December with 25 partner companies on board - all using the database as their only system for storing production CVs and hundreds of freelancers are signing up every week. It is a virtual filing cabinet for the companies - maintained by the freelancers who want to work for them.

For the freelancers it is a central place where they can post their latest CVs, credits and availability for FREE updating all their employers simultaneously. Individuals can also upgrade to Pro Membership to get enhanced promotion, create their own networks, add testimonies, showreels and much more.

Companies can create lists of contacts, add notes to profiles and post jobs to private networks or the wider site in one simple click of a button. They can see who colleagues and commissioners rate and recommend - share information with peers and advertise positions safe in the knowledge that only suitable candidates can apply, and only the best matches will come to the fore.

Freelancers and Companies that wish to trial the Talent Manager Pro Membership can do so for free for a month (with absolutely no obligation to subscribe at the end of the trial). Companies should contact sarah@dvtalent.co.uk but freelancers can choose pro membership directly via the site.

To register please go to www.thetalentmanager.co.uk – if you click http://www.thetalentmanager.co.uk/join/ae07ef35-36 you will automatically be added to the DV Talent network

Kit Hire – Specialists in providing compact filming kits at the most competitive prices. Our stock includes Canon XF305s (approved for BBC HD delivery) and 105s to Sony EX3s and Z7s, and DSLRs. We are preferred suppliers to both the BBC and ITV and supply many of the most challenging broadcast productions with their tailored equipment needs.

NEW COURSE!!!

THE PREDITOR PROGRAMME - West Wales and the Valleys including North West Wales

Are you an ambitious programme-maker working in the TV, film or digital industries in Wales?

Are you keen to develop your creativity and work opportunities?

The Preditor Programme is an intensive 5-day training course to give producers, directors, APs and others the practical skills to shoot and edit their own broadcast-quality video.

Taught by award-winning filmmakers, this ‘hands on’ course will equip delegates with the technical and directorial skills needed to self-shoot with confidence (on either the Canon XF305 or Sony EX3), and then edit (on FCP or Avid) to create taster-tapes or rough cuts for broadcast programmes, or online video content.

As part of Skillset Cymru’s Skills for the Digital Economy Programme, the course, run by DV Talent, has been commissioned in response to the growing demand for multi-skilling programme makers in West Wales and the Valleys including North West Wales.

Eligible freelancers pay as little as £120.

There will be two runs of this course in 2012. The first course is scheduled to run in mid-March. There are only 6 places available, and will be held in either North, South or West Wales according to demand. The second course will run in May (TBC).

In addition to learning how to use the camera, sound equipment, basic three-point lighting, and editing software, this course also teaches participants the crucial grammar of film-making, including:

· How to structure sequences and get shots needed for the edit,

· How to frame and compose shots,

· how to cut shots together,

· How to storyboard and log shoots, film interviews, GVs and observationally

The course has been designed so that participants work through progressively more challenging modules – from basic camera skills, to filming controllable action and then observational filming, before moving onto post-production including managing the tapeless workflow, and editing a short film/taster tape.

The course is taught using the latest BBC and Channel 4 approved HD cameras and edit software, so that delegates are equipped for network commissions.

PRACTICAL MATTERS

6 places are available on each of the two courses. Participants are required to contribute £500 + Vat to the course cost, although eligible freelancers can apply for bursaries to cover 80% of these fees.

Who is this for? Producers, Directors, Assistant Producers, Development Producers, Researchers and others working in the film, TV or digital industries

Where? TBC – provisional venues include Caerphilly and Bangor

When? 19th -23rd March 2012 and May 2012 (TBC)

Cost? £500 + VAT

Eligible freelancers can apply for a Skillset Cymru Freelance Bursary to be used towards this course lowering cost to as little as £120 inc VAT:

http://www.skillset.org/funding/individuals/cymru_bursaries/article_7900_1.asp

About us: DV Talent is the UK’s leading independent training provider for film and TV professionals. We work closely with the key broadcasters, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well as scores of leading independent production companies across the UK including Shine, RDF, Talkback Thames, Boomerang, Lion, Tinopolis, Betty, IWC, Renegade and many, many more.

Please note: To be eligible for the course, you must either live or work in the ‘Convergence’ regions of West Wales and the Valleys including North West Wales. To check whether you live or work in an appropriate area click here:

http://www.skillset.org/uk/cymru/digital_economy/article_8358_1.asp

For more information on Skillset Cymru’s Skills for the Digital Economy Programme please click here:

http://www.skillset.org/uk/cymru/digital_economy/

Want more information? The course schedule is available here.

To register, or if you have any questions, please email training@dvtalent.co.uk or call 0207 267 2300

“This activity is being carried out as part of Skillset Cymru’s £4.5m Skills for the Digital Economy Programme. The Programme is backed with £2.7m from the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, with the rest of the funds provided by Welsh broadcaster S4C, the trade association for independent producers in film and television in Wales, Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru (TAC) and Skillset Cymru.”

“Skillset is the Creative Industries’ Sector Skills Council (SSC). SSCs are licensed by the UK Government and by Ministers in the devolved administrations to tackle the skills and productivity challenges by sector. They are independent, UK-wide organisations, are employer-led, and actively involve trade unions, professional bodies and other stakeholders in their industries. www.skillset.org”

NEWSFLASH: FUNDING AVAILABLE IN WALES AND SCOTLAND!

Great news! There is now funding available for Wales and Scotland based freelancers. This funding can be used on our regional courses and our regular London courses. Please see below the courses we are running in January and February:

Cardiff Courses:

Desktop Editing courses: (2 days)

- Introduction to Editing on FCP X / FCP 7 / Avid MC6

- Advanced Editing on FCP X/ FCP 7 / Avid MC6

Shooting and Camera courses: (2 days)

- Shooting and Directing on XF305/ EX3/ Canon 5d mkii

- Words and Pictures: A Commentary Masterclass with Patrick Uden

Glasgow Courses:

Desktop Editing courses: (2 days)

- Introduction to Editing on FCP X / FCP 7 / Avid MC6

- Advanced Editing on FCP X/ FCP 7 / Avid MC6

Shooting and Camera courses: (2 days)

- Shooting and Directing on XF305/ EX3/ Canon 5d mkII

- Words and Pictures: A Commentary Masterclass with Patrick Uden

London based courses which your funding will be applicable to and that we run on a regular basis:

* Shooting and Directing 360 on the Sony EX3, Canon XF305 or Canon 5Dmkii

* Editing for Online and Crossplatform: FCP 7 and X or Avid Media Composer 6

* Advanced editing for Online and Crossplatform: FCP, FCP X or Avid Media Composer 6

* Words and Pictures: A Commentary Masterclass with Patrick Uden

* An Introduction to Production Management

* Lighting on Location

* Sound 360

* Robert Thirkell's Storytelling Masterclass

* Pitching and Proposal Writing

* Essential Practical 360 Producing

* Essential Skills for TV Researchers

* Essential Skills for Production Coordinators

* Think 2.0

* The Ideas Factory

For more information on eligibility and how to apply please contact: training@dvtalent.co.uk or 0207 267 2300.

The Talent Manager is live!

DV Talent have just launched The Talent Manager – the database where leading Indies store their talent contacts. www.thetalentmanager.co.uk

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND:

Robert Thirkell's Storytelling Masterclass is back!

Robert Thirkell is the person the broadcasters and indies turn to to create - or rescue - their key series, ranging from Jamie's School Dinners to The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off, and Blood on the Carpet to Big Chef meets Little Chef. This inspiring two day course provides a unique opportunity to learn to structure your stories so they have drive and drama, and to create successful formats and fix problem productions.

"Inspirational" Denman Rooke

"Everyone stepping into an edit should have access to this" Tara Jang

“Very good. Excellent examples and tasks. Really knew his stuff. It was fun, the time flew and we learned a lot.” Ian Searle

“I felt the course was very well done, informative and extremely useful. I felt I learnt quite a lot in the time given on the course. Plus Robert was a very engaging instructor and I came away from the course feeling inspired.” Beth Cooper

Who it’s for: An essential course for exec producers, series producers and PDs.

Dates available: 14^th and 15^th January and 25^th and 26^th January 2012

For more information or to book please contact e:training@dvtalent.co.uk t: 0207 267 2300

The Ideas Factory: Successful Development for Creative Professionals

Developing commissionable ideas is the lifeblood of successful TV production – so why do some producers seem to be so much better at it than others?

This intensive, 2-day course equips production professionals with the secrets of professional development including how to:

- consistently generate new ideas – or find the unique take on a mainstream story that makes it work

- identify the main narrative ‘drivers’ to your story

- structure the idea into a commissionable format and write a winning proposal

- find out what commissioners want – get ahead of the pack

- learn techniques for overcoming ‘ideas block’

- learn to evaluate critically your ideas, so you can sift the wheat from the chaff

- demystify cross-platform production – so you can translate TV ideas for the web or mobile

“Really inspiring. Great trainers/consultants, informative, superb handout. Everything can be put to use instantly” – Frances Adie, AP

“The course was informative with a strong practical element which was very useful” – Heddyr Gregory, Producer

“Lots of practical advice, stimulating, information on the industry and who to approach and how” – Annabel Herbert

This course is taught by leading development and cross-platform producers. Places are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Who is it for? Researchers, APs, producers – and anyone else looking to develop ideas for broadcast

When: 11^th and 12^th February

Where: London

For more information and to book, please email training@dvtalent.co.uk or call 0207 267 2300

STOP PRESS:

The Skillset Craft and Technical and Multiplatform funds are now closed. To reflect the lack of available funding and make training affordable to freelancers we are offering discounted rates on our hugely popular courses. For details see our training pages.

DV Talent has always been committed to ensuring freelancers can access training.

To reflect the challenging times, we’re offering a few specially discounted places on some of our most popular courses.

These places are limited, and available only to eligible freelancers.

To find out if you qualify, or for more information, please contact training@dvtalent.co.uk

NEW RATE CARD – We have just released our new rate card for Winter 2010 - 2011. We now hire out the immensely popular EX3, Canon XF305s and 5DMkii DSLR kits. See our hire pages for pricing and information.

Recruitment – We are moving away from the DV Talent agency service, and instead have set up www.thetalentmanager.co.uk Please do take a look and join. There are two levels. One is free and means that companies can find you and put you in their dedicated networks. The second, subscription level, means that you can build your own online network and directly approach the companies.