A 2023 programme of HETV Movie Magic short courses run by Sgil Cymru, in association with Grand Scheme Media and Addie Orfila Training.
Applications are now open for online courses in Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting, the industry standard software for the film industry. These courses are free, thanks to the support of the ScreenSkills High-End TV Skills Fund, made up of contributions from UK high-end TV productions.
Online training will be delivered in Wales over 4 months, to enable professionals working in high end television to get a better understanding of the essential software used for scheduling and budgeting on HETV productions.
Who are the courses for?
The training is open to people already in the industry who are working or moving over to work in HETV as production managers, ADs, production accountants and line producers but who have yet to get to grips with the Movie Magic software.
We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds; people with a disability; people from the LGBTQ+ community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to meet them.
What do the courses cover?
Movie Magic Scheduling
Effective and efficient schedules are vital for all productions, and this course will take HETV trainees through the essential elements of creating them, using the globally-used, industry-standard software, Movie Magic scheduling.
Beginning with breaking down a drama script into elements, trainees will learn the key drivers of a great schedule and will have a step-by-step interactive introduction to Movie Magic scheduling software. They will use the software and together will create a production schedule and learn how to manipulate it according to changes within a production.
- Introduction to Scheduling
- Marking-up a Script
- Breakdown Sheets: Element Manager and Category Manager
- Inputting Information
- Strip Board: Sorting, Daybreaks, Titles and Boneyard
- Calendar Manager
- Scheduling Procedures
- Reporting (Day-out-of-days)
- Exporting/Printing
Movie Magic Budgeting
Effective and efficient budgets are vital for all productions and this course will take HETV trainees through the essential elements of creating them, using the globally-used, industry-standard software, Movie Magic budgeting.
Trainees will be shown how to use the programme and then will spend time putting into practice what they have learned in a fun and informative way. We will take you through the process of setting up a budget from scratch and navigating through the software.
- Overview of EP Movie Magic Budgeting
- Introduction to Budgeting
- Setting-up your Budgeting format
- Basic Controls and Navigation
- Top Sheet, Account Level and Detail Level
- Exercise in Globals, Groups and Fringes
- Currencies
- Budgeting Principles and Practices
- Reporting/Printing
How is the training delivered?
The training is delivered online via the Zoom platform. Participants will need a PC or Mac with stable internet connection. Zoom can be accessed through a web browser or downloaded to your device.
Trainees will be given access to Movie Magic training licences and subscriptions and will need to install the relevant Movie Magic software on a laptop which should be brought to the training session.
When are the courses?
Each course lasts one day, and participants have a choice of four different dates to attend. Participants are welcome to apply for both Scheduling and Budgeting courses if they require training in both packages.
Scheduling
- 21st October
- 18th November
Budgeting
- 22nd October
- 19th November
Who is the course tutor?
The course tutor is Dewi Griffiths. Dewi entered the film industry in the mid 1980s having graduated from the then Polytechnic of Wales (now USW). Initially an award-winning film editor, he moved into the Production Department on seminal 1980s S4C, BBC and HTV drama projects. He rose through the ranks of Runner, Location Manager, 3rd, 2nd and 1st Assistant Director, working on high end feature film and TV drama. These productions took place all over the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. He ran large complex drama series for Sky, Channel 4 and ITV before producing his own films through his company Garland Stone Productions. Dewi then ran the MA in Film Producing at the University of Glamorgan before being headhunted by the head of the University of Southern California Film School, and former head of the American Film Institute. Dewi headed up Producing and was Head of Production at their satellite campus, The Red Sea Institute for Cinematic Arts in Jordan, overseeing over 500 films, many of which were internationally award-winning projects. Dewi returned to USW in 2016 to run the MA in Film Producing. He continues to develop film projects, write novels and work in the British Film training industry.
How do I apply for the course?
Applications can be made via the Screenskills website.
Apply for the Movie Magic Scheduling course here.
Apply for the Movie Magic Budgeting course here.
The closing date for applications will be 7 days prior to the training day. Places on each course are limited to 12 participants, so we encourage applications as early as possible. If you would like the course delivered through the medium of Welsh, please notify us when you apply.
About ScreenSkills
ScreenSkills is the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based creative industries – animation, film, games, television including children’s and high-end, VFX and immersive technology. We work across the whole of the country to build an inclusive workforce with the skills needed for continued success, now and in the future. www.screenskills.com