BAFTA award-winning Director Michael Hines, who is critically-acclaimed for his work on the beloved Scottish comedy show Still Game, delivered a workshop to young people at Kibble’s Skills Academy about his career as a successful Film and TV Director.
Throughout the school holidays, Kibble’s Skills Academy launched ‘Future Ready’, a summer programme focused on getting young people ready for employment. The project is fully supported through Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership’s employability grant programme. The academy welcomed young people aged from 16-years-old who live within Renfrewshire to get involved with taster sessions for different career options as well as CV preparation and interview techniques. The teenagers have explored a different industry including creative arts and digital media to science, how to start up your own business, AI & technology, and sustainability.
Michael Hines started out in a theatre and dance company teaching young people therefore was delighted to return to his origins and accepted the invite from The Skills Academy to inspire youngster and share his take on the film and tv world.
As avid-fans of Still Game, young people were instantly intrigued about meeting ‘the Director’ with one researching him online beforehand and the group discussing the earning potential of having a career behind the camera lens.
Michael introduced himself to the young audience and asked if any were interested in pursuing a career in the film and television industry and was pleased to see many were, he enthusiastically shared the variety of roles and departments available from filming, editing, costumes and set design. It was thought-provoking for youngsters to see how their artistic talent or own interests could be valued within film and television production.
An insight into the process of creating a comedy series like Still Game was given too and an outline of the number of weeks allotted to prepare locations, shoot and edit. It’s fast-paced with a high level of attention to detail required.
We were taken on Michael’s career journey – he talked us through the early days of teaching himself how to do camera work and having to become a magician to earn before directing and working alongside producers, actors and editors. It was also exciting to hear the director discuss moviemaking as Michael is fresh from launching his debut feature ‘Man and Witch’ in the US.
A piece of life advice from Michael was to learn how to advocate and stand-up for your opinion or viewpoint as you may have to justify your creative choices. Michael also broached the interest youngsters had wondering if a Director could become rich and famous. He shared that budgeting is key as most professionals in the industry operate as free-lancers and must learn to manage finances across multiple short-term projects for the full-year. It was an honest account reinforcing that enthusiasm and hard-work ethic are essential to building a successful career in the film and tv industry.
Young people were keen to ask Michael his favourite thing about directing Still Game and the project he is most proud to have been a part of.
The session had an impact on young people who were inspired that a career in creative arts is possible. The group of youngsters have a range of interests and one is particularly talented in creating colourful artwork, which has the potential to bring to life any film and tv set design.
Lisa, Head of the Skills Academy at Kibble, said: “The Future Ready programme has been incredibly popular with young people across Renfrewshire and we are thrilled there has been such a good uptake from professionals to come into the centre and share their skills and insight in order to inspire our future generations.
“Many of our young people at the Skills Academy were very familiar with Michael’s work and came armed with a host of questions to ask him.
“Michael’s workshop was very insightful and incredibly well-received by the attendees and we would like to thank him for giving up his time to come and join us on our Future Ready venture.”
Michael, Film and Television Director added: “I really enjoyed talking to the group at the Skills Academy.
“They were engaged, interested and inquisitive.
“I would urge any professional to give a little of their time – you’ll get so much in return.”
The visit was a highlight of Future Ready, The Skills Academy’s summer career taster sessions, which is fully supported through Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership’s employability grant programme.
