Freelancers' Fair 2011: Book Now

Photo by C. Knowles, 2010.  

Booking for the 2011 Freelancers' Fair is now open! Once again this year's programme, designed for workers in film and TV, offers something valuable for newcomers and experienced operators alike.

Seminars for 2011 focus on:
• advice and guidance on the common contractual problems freelancers face;
• tips on how to secure that all-important break in a sector rife with competition;
• the pros and cons of DSLR for today's film-makers; and
• the key ingredients for the best pitch.

An open event:
BECTU (Media and Entertainment Union) members can attend the event for free, Non-members pay £10.

Advance booking is advised and is essential for visitors wanting to attend workshops or one-to-ones. Visitors are requested not to book for sessions where times conflict.

Workshops and one-to-ones:

David Thomas of David Thomas Media returns to deliver two of his popular Freelance Toolkit workshops. (Each workshop runs for two and a half hours and participants will want to stay the course so should not book for other sessions running at the same time).

The day also offers 30 visitors the chance to give their CVs and/or showreels a 'medical' via a 15 minute one-to-one hosted by the Bridge Training Company and the Crewing Company. (The first 30 takers will each be offered a time-slot which fits in with the other sessions they would like to attend. They will be asked to send their CV/Showreel in to the advisors ahead of time to secure their places).

Meet the tax experts:

In addition, a team of tax experts - Martin Anderton (Simia Farra), Keith Hall (Feist Hedgethorne), Steven Sykes (Blue Skies) and Mike Truman (Mike is editor of Taxation Magazine but will be attending in a personal capacity) will come together in the 'Accountancy Corner' to answer visitors' questions, some of them prompted no doubt, by this year's Christopher Lunn enquiry.

Fair Exhibition

Outside of the formal sessions, and running all day, more than 22 industry organisations, large and small and reflecting the wide-ranging interests of the industry's workforce, will deliver this year's exhibition.

This year's exhibition area will also host briefings and Visual Impact will present some of the hottest new HD camera equipment including the Panasonic AG-AF101, Sony PMW-F3 and Arri Alexa with hands-on demos and advice on workflows.

Writers, Producers and Directors branch

Now in its sixth year, the Freelancers' Fair is devised by leading representatives of the union's Writers, Producers and Directors branch (WPDs) who work over many months to use their contacts and understanding of the industry to deliver an event which connects with future and current union members.

Mike Dick, chair of the WPDs branch, commented:

"Once again our WPD members have designed an excellent programme. We'll be answering some tricky questions but we'll also be supporting creatives as they strive to be the best they can be in a challenging industry. Congratulations to everyone for all their hard work so farm."

Full exhibitor list

Exhibiting at this year's event will be: BBC Academy, Bournemouth University, Bridge Media Training, Directors UK, DV Talent, Film Crew Pro, Guild of British Camera Technicians, Indie Training Fund, London Film School, Moviescope, National Film and TV School, ProductionBase, ProductionWizard.com, Ravensbourne, Research Register Ltd, Script Factory, Skillset, Soho Editors Training, The Knowledge, Thompsons Solicitors, VET and Visual Impact (24-7 Drama).

For more information and resources go to www.bectu.org