Company Placement Scheme (CPS) 2008

Film London's Company Placement Scheme (CPS) supports London-based companies who each provide a short-term paid placement for a new entrant to the film and moving image sector (including TV and animation). Please note: we will not be running the Company Placement Scheme in 2009/2010. 

In 2008, 724 candidates applied for positions at nine hand-picked companies. Of these, 79 were interviewed and 9 were finally selected to engage in a six-month work placement. 

While job roles vary by company, all trainees receive the minimum wage, 12 days holiday, a structured work plan personal to each placement, a named experienced supervisor/mentor within the company, regular monitoring and evaluation of the placement, and after-care career and guidance advice. 


The CPS trainees for 2008 are: Samy Haffar, Eleanor Green, Chee-Lan Chan, Liam Smith, Isabel Stowell Kaplan, Cassie Miller, Laura Kavanagh, Helen Jack, and Faith Taylor. Below they talk about their backgrounds, the placement and their hopes for the future...

Samy Haffar, Motion graphics/3D software trainee at Atticus Finch
My name is Sam. I recently finished a BA course called Film and Moving Image at Leeds Metropolitan University. I'm a 3D animator, and I have also studied 2D computer animation, as well as design and film. I was one of the lucky people to walk into the industry straight after university after securing an internship with Atticus Finch, which is a specialist animation company in central London. Right now I am the company's head 3D animator. My jobs range from animating 3D logos for company's to creating sets and characters for films and music videos. I also take on the design elements for each project I have been set. I have been trained in all adobe design software, all video editing software on the market, and XSI, Motion Builder and 3DS Max for 3D work. I am also working with some brand new equipment called 'Organic Motion' which is a new motion capture system not yet released in Europe. My future ambition is to begin freelancing and then eventually head off to a bigger company such as Pixar or Dreamworks Animation.

Eleanor (Nell) Green, Production Assistant at Matador Pictures
My name is Nell and I am currently working as a production assistant at Matador Pictures. I studied politics at university but have always been interested in working in film and TV drama. Before the Company Placement Scheme I had been lucky enough to secure various short work experience placements and jobs during school and university summer holidays - usually running or junior work in a production office, and after graduating I got some office work at BBC Films. However, the role at Matador has already taught me a huge amount in the short time that I have been there. I've been given the chance to get involved in all stages of making a feature film, including reading and commenting on new scripts, visiting films on set and attending screenings and discussions about films in post-production. As the placement continues I am looking forward to becoming fully involved in the production of our next film and gaining experience which will help me to progress towards becoming a producer.

Chee-Lan Chan, Development Assistant & Office Assistant at Vertigo Films
Having not studied film at University and with very few inside contacts, this placement was the perfect opportunity for an outsider to get in. Prior to this I worked on two film productions as a director's assistant and production assistant, but development is the career path I wish to follow. Here at Vertigo, I am development and office assistant. In my development role I get to learn all about this process, sourcing new talent, sourcing new projects for specific directors, performing research for current projects, reading scripts, writing script reports. In my office assistant role, through the day to day running of the office, I learn about the overall process of film-making, from pre-production through to distribution. I feel so fortunate to be part of the CPS scheme and part of Vertigo, I'm sure it has put me well on the road to a continuing a career in development, and perhaps, eventually, when I am knowledgeable enough, a career as a producer. 

Liam Smith, Post-Production trainee at New Moon TV
I'm Liam; my previous work experience mainly lies in IT where I worked on LAN and WAN configurations before deciding to return to full time education and studying for a degree in Photomedia. After completing my degree I freelanced for a short time in graphic design and photography for a theatre company when I applied for the trainee scheme through Film London. I was offered the position of post-production trainee at New Moon which has given me a great opportunity to learn first hand the processes involved across the production spectrum. My daily responsibilities change all of the time and I'm involved in a variety of areas across the post-production department from media management to editing, which is where I see my career path heading.

Isabel Stowell Kaplan, Production and Development Assistant Trainee at F+ME
After completing my BA in English Literature and an MA in Text and Performance I was keen to begin work in the film industry. I first completed a short placement at the BBC working on a docudrama, which confirmed my intentions to go into the industry. Following that I completed a placement at a documentary company at which point I applied for the Film London scheme to work as an intern at Film & Music Entertainment. After an interview I was very pleased to be offered the position and have very much enjoyed the work so far - ranging from the development stage, such as writing script reports, to post-production matters.

Cassie Miller, Marketing, Education and Fundraising Assistant at The Phoenix Cinema
I'm Cassie. Before moving to the UK I had a retail career as a buyer for a large department store, but I had always harboured a passion for film. I decided to move to London to do an MA in Film Studies at UCL. I also did some voluntary work for a local arts organisation. Because of my business background, I found out I had a lot to offer a small arts organisation. My placement at The Phoenix Cinema is a great fit because the cinema is run on behalf of a charitable trust so I'm learning about the business of cinema exhibition and also working for a non-profit arts organisation. I get to help out with fundraising, marketing, and education as well as just learning the day-to-day workings of a cinema. I hope at the end of this placement to have a better idea of what career I'd like to pursue within the fields of cinema exhibition and programming.

Laura Kavanagh, Production Assistant at Formosa Films
Since completing an Economics and Business degree in 2001, I have worked in business development, marketing and project co-ordination for arts related businesses. I have always had a passion for film and applied for a production assistant role on the Company Placement Scheme. At Formosa I have researched global film finance, figuring out the tax incentives and funding that is available to film-makers. Another element of my role has been to ensure that the developments of slate projects are kept on track. I have been reading and reviewing scripts and ensuring that script notes and drafts are documented. I have received a valuable insight into the scriptwriting process and the different stages of the collaborative process between the writer and director. I am really interested in this aspect of my job and hope to develop my skills further in this area. This placement has provided me with a great insight into the industry. I have learnt a lot in a short space of time and look forward to getting involved with the pre-production activities required for Formosa's next feature.

Helen Jack, Events Co-ordinator at Birds Eye View Film Festival
I'm Helen and I'm currently working at Birds Eye View film festival, as part of the Film London CPS scheme. I started the job two weeks after completing my degree in Film Studies, and this internship is my first real experience of a full time job in a professional setting. I'm currently working under the title of Events Co-ordinator, which is focused around organising the touring film programmes curated by the festival. In my role I provide administrative assistance to the festival director and programmer, I attend meetings and co-ordinate with different partners involved in our projects. The job has proved to be a great way to meet other people with similar interests and is certainly a role that is consistently challenging. I am hoping to start a post-graduate course in Film Journalism this October, and have been accepted onto an MA course which will begin in October 2009. I feel it's too early to fully commit to any long-term career plans just yet, but I'm certain that my experience at Birds Eye View will play an invaluable role in any future vocational positions.

Faith Taylor, Press & Communications Co-Ordinator at Soda Pictures
I'm Faith. After graduating with a degree in Media & Marketing, I undertook a Masters in Film Business, organised by the UK Film Council. While learning about the business side of the industry, I worked part-time in the football industry and after graduating, I was promoted to the full-time position of Marketing Executive. This experience allowed me to develop my marketing and communication skills which have proven invaluable in preparing for the Company Placement Scheme. At Soda, I handle press and assist the Head of Distribution in the promotion and marketing of theatrical and DVD titles. I have enjoyed this work tremendously, and am hopeful that I will be able to continue working in this industry after the placement concludes.


Please register for Film London's weekly bulletin for updates relative to the CPS scheme and to find out about other training opportunities.

If you have any general queries about the scheme please contact Tessa Inkelaar on 020 7613 7696 or tessa.inkelaar@filmlondon.org.uk.


Find out about the 2006 Company Placement Scheme.