CrewHQ supported HBO high-end TV drama series House of The Dragon with training during their location shoot in North Wales. Working with the production, CrewHQ secured placements for local residents including a mix of entry level roles and opportunities to upskill existing talent in the film and TV industry. Throughout the location shoots, 91 work opportunities were provided, including 24 paid placements for new entrants in a variety of below the line roles including props, crowd and camera.
As part of this, CrewHQ in collaboration Sgil Cymru delivered dedicated, practical Location Marshal training to over 50 local residents, from education leavers to the newly retired. The training included insight into the Locations Department’s structure and function with a focus on entry level roles and potential career paths, along with practical instruction around set etiquette, use of radios and tasks such as building hair and make-up stations and setting up gazebos. Screen Alliance Wales supported recruitment locally via their jobs portal, which also helped find trainees for the cinematographer shadow programme.
Aspiring new entrants were given their First Break via the ScreenSkills’ scheme of the same name, where CrewHQ supported by engaging HODs in the workshops and worked closely with the production to arrange placements in various departments.
A Welsh consultant was recruited locally by CrewHQ to support all trainees and act as a ‘fixer’ locally for the production.
“Filming in Wales has been such a joy and being able to work with so many Welsh natives in their hometowns has been amazing. If we return (as we hope to!) there are many talented crew who we would love to work with again.”
Bryony Chaplin, Unit Production Manager
As a result of the various interventions and training initiatives, dozens of local trainees were recruited to work on the production, including a local blacksmith into the armoury department. We look forward to rolling out a number of similar programmes with productions regionally around the UK.