ON TRACK - SOMERSET FILM

PROJECT SUMMARY
“On Track’ is a pilot business support project for the film and video sub-sector of the Creative Industries. The project will assist a minimum of twelve rurally isolated businesses to improve their performance.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Somerset Film is a registered charity dedicated to production, training and education through digital media. Somerset Film has been encouraging and enabling moving image makers in Somerset and area since 1995.

The key aims of ‘On Track’ are to address the problems experienced in rural areas by those seeking to improve their business within the sector and to provide high-quality sectorspecific guidance, training, networking and support.   We aim to work with at least 12 local rurally isolated businesses and help support the retention and development of local talent within the sector by increasing opportunities for networking and raising awareness of the range of potential employers in the area.

We also intend to support the creation of a wider pool of up-skilled and committed local micro-businesses in the sector and help reflect developments within the industry locally, regionally and nationally.

We will be providing one to one support to create an action plan with SMART targets for business growth – four hours per business.  We will also provide companies with a place at the ‘Forward Motion’ marketplace a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event co-ordinated by Somerset Film on behalf of the participants. With the support of Somerset County Council Economic Development team, Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Creative Business Boost, the top 100 businesses in Somerset will be invited to attend alongside other identified businesses outside the region (e.g. North Somerset, Devon, Bristol), major charities, purchasing officers from Local Authorities and other agencies.

The event also coincides with a young people’s film festival so attendees will include young people interested in developing a career in the industry plus other aspirant/established filmmakers who will benefit from meeting a range of potential employers in the area and understanding their employment needs.

Companies accepted on the programme will also receive a cash grant of £250 towards marketing materials for use at the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event.   They will then be provided with ongoing advice in a series of workshops and we will create networking opportunities for them.

We also hope this programme will help us assess the potential for rolling the pilot out to benefit other businesses in the film and video sub-sector of the creative industries in Somerset.”