Industry • Production

Do you Need to Set-Up a Production Company?

This 1-day workshop will provide a practical guide on how to set up a company and how to use it to achieve your goals. Whether your area is scripted drama series, feature films or factual television, whether you are a writer, editor or producer come prepared to workshop your strategy and leave with a clear plan of action.

Course Info

Duration:

10:30am - 5:30pm

Fee:

£225

Capacity:

12 participants

Course Outline

The day will start with why it is important to know the industry you plan to launch into followed by an opportunity to talk about your business proposition and get feedback from the group.  There will be a step-by-step guide to the legal process of setting up a limited liability company as well as the on going costs and responsibilities. There will be discussions about the role of the founder or producer. Are you suited to that?  Followed by a brief run down on business plans which are necessary to attract external sources of finance.

This day’s course will provide you with the opportunity to explore the best way to move forward, to exploit your ideas and establish a business.

Course Aims

To see your proposition in an industry context.
To clarify your aims
To learn the practicalities of setting up a company and running it.
And decide what is the best way forward
And what skills are needed
To learn the fundamental elements of a business plan.

The day will cover the following:

Industry context – where does your offering sit, how competitive is that sector?
Your business plan – get feedback on your plan and analyse your strengths and weakness.
Your role – are you a manager or creator?  Who do you need to help you?
Setting up the company – legal and accounting – what you need to do and the costs involved.
Business plans and external finance – what a business plan consists of and why it’s necessary for external finance.

Tutor

Tracey Gardiner

Producer

Tracey Gardiner

Producer

Tracey Gardiner entered television after a career as a stockbroker in the City, when she joined FulcrumTV. After more than fifteen years at Fulcrum she then set up her own production company, Iridescent Films, which made the three part BBC 2 series PILGRIMAGE with Simon Reeve (a co-production with Lion Television). She is currently the executive producer of a feature length documentary, 100 MEN, funded by the New Zealand Film Commission and MPI Distribution.

Tracey started out making programmes about business and current affairs over twenty years ago but then branched out into science, arts, history and observational documentaries, putting together international co-production deals and private finance to fund projects. Key award winners include: KEYS TO THE CASTLE (BBC) which won A Scottish BAFTA and RTS in 2015; THE WINNER LOSER (BBC), shortlisted at IDFA and winner of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival Award in; HOW M&S LOST ITS BILLIONS (C5) Wincott, Best Documentary; SIGHTHILL STORIES (BBC) Scottish BAFTA; SEND ME SOMEWHERE SPECIAL (BBC) Grierson Newcomer Winner.

The Daily Mail said about PILGRIMAGE: “a truly miraculous journey”, TV Times: “a truly engaging first leg…4 stars”, Daily Mail: “The excellent Simon Reeve returns with a three-part series…illuminating, engaging and enjoyable viewing” and the Mail on Sunday said “a life – affirming new series…4 stars”

On BBC1 documentary TOO OLD TO BE A MUM? (2010) The Telegraph said: The film tiptoed through the ethical eggshells with an equanimity that did its makers proud. The bare facts spoke loudly enough…this was a perfect subject for a television documentary, because the pictures made their own argument.”

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