The Company remains committed to its staff and to the communities in which it operates. The Company is aware of the importance of this role and continues to invest in and support programmes that benefit the industry it operates in and the local community.
Helping and advising those from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in the film, television and wider creative industries remains a priority.
The Company continues to support its nominated charity, ‘First Light’, and its follow-up scheme, ‘Second Light’, a new talent and development training scheme for young Black and Minority Ethnic filmmakers from across the UK. 31 work placements have been organised by Second Light as part of the scheme; and three of these will be taken up after March 2011 within the Company.
The CTBF is the leading UK charity for people working behind the scenes in the film, cinema and television industries. The Pinewood Studios Group gives practical support to this charity as well as The John Brabourne Awards scheme. For further information visit www.ctbf.co.uk
As well as supporting national charities linked to the creative industries, the Company sponsors various schemes and organisations in the immediate areas of Pinewood, Shepperton and Teddington. We work with the Iver Heath Youth Group, now in its fourth year, which aims to give local students an insight into the film and television industry. Support is also given to South Bucks Riding for the Disabled, the Thames Valley Youth Football Club, the Royal British Legion, the Iver Heath Bowls and many other schools, churches, organisations and clubs. Local government initiatives are also widely supported by the Group.
We also have close links to local schools, colleges and universities. An example of how these relationships work in practice was when a team of students from Buckinghamshire New University’s Restoration Department visited Pinewood recently to restore the 16th century fireplace which forms the entrance to the main admin building at the Studios. This work was carried out in time for Pinewood’s 75th anniversary in September 2011.
Created by Screen South with support from Skillset’s Film Skills Fund, the nationwide ‘On The Lot’ initiative was launched in May 2009, attracting close to 600 applications. The programme enabled its five winning participants to gain paid, fulltime, work-based training with host companies based at Pinewood and Shepperton Studios. After successfully completing the year-long training programme, all five participants have now secured positions in the industry, three of these within the Company.
For further details or enquiries please contact:
Ann Runeckles, Group Corporate Responsibility
Pinewood Studios Group
T:+44 (0)1753 656323
E: ann [dot] runeckles [at] pinewoodgroup [dot] com