This year CrewHQ launched SevenUp, a brand-new training and skills initiative designed to support people that love film and HETV and either already work, or want to work below-the-line in production. Working across two levels, the programme specifically aims to support those that have experienced significant barriers to entry and advancement in production, offering 4 weeks of paid work experience for entry level talent and 4 weeks of shadowing at HOD level for existing, mid-level crew who have worked in the industry for 5 years, and have 1-2 credits at their current level.

Applicants were invited to apply for the programme and the successful cohort were given a week of training, with all expenses paid, before embarking on their 4 bankable weeks of production experience, paid at national living wage with all accommodation covered. New entrants will have the opportunity to interview for CrewHQ’s flagship trainee programme, which offers a year of paid support and placements on our HBO, Warner Bros. Television and Warner Bros. Features productions. For existing mid-level crew on the programme, they have the opportunity to shadow heads of department with the aim of fostering connections and creating opportunities to showcase skills, creativity, and behaviours that can result in hiring.

At CrewHQ, we want the industry to be inclusive of everyone, and we recognise that not everyone comes from the same starting point. We hope that SevenUp will contribute to wider change towards building a fairer film industry for all.