CrewHQ worked with The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) to develop a new course aimed at supporting women in production looking to step up into leadership roles. RADA are experts in their field and have a track record of success in providing hands on, intensive learning around personal impact, resilience and leadership, but to date these have focused on corporate clients at a prohibitive cost to freelancers.

This innovative new programme is specific to the needs of crew in film and high-end TV and is built on insight from a number of industry professionals. The first pilot of workshops were delivered to a cohort of production supervisors, location managers, art department supervisors, and 2nd ADs in summer 2023. The programme content has been developed to focus on confidence and communication, setting boundaries, the importance of effective feedback, presentation skills, resilience, influence styles and creating an inclusive culture.

Following the successful pilot of workshops, valuable feedback has helped us to shape the content of the programme going forward to ensure it can be made even more industry specific to develop and support our next generation of female leaders in film and TV production.

The aim going forward is to run this programme on an annual basis which will be open to applications from mid-level female crew, and we look forward to sharing more details on the programme in the coming months.

Participant feedback included, “I didn’t only learn how to be a better leader, I learnt so much more about myself and how to be authentic and kind to myself. I learnt how to recognise my qualities and strengths that are already in me and make me a leader. I learnt how small changes can make a powerful impact.”

“I’ve come away with so many tools and knowledge that I’m able to take away and it’s been a fantastic group with fantastic tutors.”