Shaping screen talent: conceptualising and developing the film and TV workforce in Scotland

Kelly, L. W. and Champion, K. (2015) Shaping screen talent: conceptualising and developing the film and TV workforce in Scotland. Cultural Trends, 24(2), pp. 165-175. (doi: 10.1080/09548963.2015.1031482)

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Abstract

Together with ‘creativity’, the concept of ‘talent’ has emerged within UK and global policy discussions as being central to unlocking economic success within the creative industries. At a crucial time of political and technological change, Scotland finds itself competing within a highly competitive global market to identify, attract and retain creative talent and strengthen its skills base. As such, developing ‘talent’ is a key aspect of the Scottish Government’s Strategy for the Creative Industries (2011). However, while creativity has been interrogated across academic disciplines in recent years (Schlesinger 2009; 2007, Bilton 2010; 2006), talent remains under-theorised within the academy and lacks a clear definition across policy and industry. Taking the screen industries as its focus, this paper draws on empirical data derived from a series of knowledge exchange workshops funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh designed to initiate dialogue between academics, policymakers and stakeholders within Scotland and beyond. In doing so, it examines the various ways in which screen ‘talent’ is conceptualised by these groups and raises questions regarding how particular understandings may impact on policies designed to identify, attract and retain a diversity of skilled screen industries workers both onscreen and behind the scenes. We argue that there should be greater precision regarding the discourse used in policy to emphasize the importance of the development of particular and discrete craft skills rather than a stress on flexibility and mobility. We suggest that policymakers and educators must acknowledge and encourage transparency regarding the precariousness of building a career within the screen industries.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Champion, Dr Katherine and Kelly, Dr Lisa
Authors: Kelly, L. W., and Champion, K.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities
College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Theatre Film and TV Studies
Journal Name:Cultural Trends
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:0954-8963
ISSN (Online):1469-3690
Published Online:07 April 2015
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2015 Taylor and Francis
First Published:First published in Cultural Trends 24(2): 165-175
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
651311Shaping Scotland's Talent: Change, Flexibility and New Pathway's in the Screen IndustriesLisa KellyThe Royal Society of Edinburgh (ROYSOCED)N/ACCA - THEATRE FILM AND TV STUDIES