Market Place

Last October a call went out for applicants to an exciting new programme. Market Place: Skillset's New Entrant Training Scheme for the Sales Sector is a six-month comprehensive work placement and training scheme where six successful applicants get the opportunity to undertake a paid, six-month job placement supported by a full six-month training course.

Delivered by Film London and Film Export UK, the scheme aims to provide people starting out in the industry with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to establish a successful career in film sales - be it in acquisitions, business affairs, publicity and marketing, or a sales role.

The six host companies chosen by Film London and Film Export UK to take part in Market Place are: Bankside Films, Focus Features, Goldcrest Films Independent, Jinga Films, Odyssey Entertainment and The Salt Company. Depending where they are, trainees may gain experience in several different areas including acquisitions, business affairs, publicity and marketing or sales.

As well as on the job training, the new entrants engage in a series of classroom-based learning sessions that give them a more thorough knowledge of the industry. Support is also provided through a company mentor, advised by Film London, to give more specific guidance.

• Bankside Films is a small independent sales company founded in 2007, which represents between eight and ten films per year. They focus on  providing international distributors with quality feature films for theatrical release. Successful projects include In Search of a Midnight Kiss and Life and Lyrics.
  Working with Bankside is Jamie Giles. After graduating, Jamie had a job in publishing before leaving to pursue a career in the film industry. He worked with the UK Film Council and HanWay films before applying for the Market Place scheme. Jamie hopes to learn more about distribution and sales, with the ultimate aim of becoming a producer.
  
• Focus Features International is known across the world for its work in production, sales and distribution. They are committed to bringing moviegoers the most original stories from the world's most innovative film-makers. Recent releases include Milk, In Bruges, and Burn After Reading.
  Their trainee is Kannayo Okolie. During her university holidays, Kannayo undertook work experience at MTV, Twenty Twenty TV and Molinare, as well as volunteering on the Britdoc documentary film festival and working as a Compliance Editor on Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. Kannayo's experiences at the festival sparked an interest in film sales, publicity and marketing that encouraged her to apply for the scheme.
  
• Goldcrest Films Independent is the sales arm of this leading film production company. Established in 1977, Goldcrest financed, produced and distributed such celebrated classics as Chariots of Fire, Gandhi and A Room with a View. They have since built up a name as a post-production powerhouse.
  Pietro Greppi is undertaking a placement with Goldcrest. Pietro studied Film & TV Production and Management for the Arts in New York and Milan before gaining work at production and distribution companies Ubu Films, Killer Films and finally Magnolia Pictures. He hopes that the Market Place scheme will provide him with the knowledge needed to continue his career within the UK film industry, and to make the choice between marketing and distribution or production and development.
  
• Jinga Films is an international sales company founded by producers, for producers. They distribute films without the usual costs, focussing on quality genre films with strong international casts - recent examples are Jetsam and Summer Scars.
  Jinga are the host company for Alex Pearson. Alex comes from a production background, having played a part in the making of over 30 short films whilst studying at the London Film School. His graduation piece, shot in Pinewood Studios, went on to win awards at film festivals across the world. He gained some experience of the sector whilst working at Verve pictures, Spier films and Scion films. Alex hopes that he can channel his passion for film into a successful career as a sales agent.
  
• Odyssey Entertainment is a film sales and finance business launched in 2002, which has become a leader in the field of independent feature animation with films such as Valiant and Renaissance. Odyssey also has a history of working in partnership with leading US distributors Warner Brothers, Disney and Miramax.
  Jennifer Corcoran will spend her six months at Odyssey. Jennifer completed her degree in History at Goldsmiths University last summer, and then spent six months volunteering on film festivals including Raindance, Northern Lights and the London Short Film Festival. She is particularly interested in pursuing a career in acquisitions.
  
• The Salt Company supply several services to help to get films made - from financing, to packaging, to aid with launching and selling a film in the international marketplace. Films include Donkey Punch and City of Men.
  The Salt Company will be supporting Chris Dennis. Chris has had a varied career within the film industry, including stints on both the Edinburgh and London Film Festivals, as well as working in-house at arts cinemas and as a screenwriter on a feature film. He hopes that his placement will lead to further work in acquisitions and publicity in a worldwide arena.