FOCUS Bootcamp is a 3-day course followed by 1:1 consultancy sessions aimed at new and emerging screen companies that want to develop the skills, knowledge and contacts they need to grow and thrive.
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Course OUTLINE & Dates
Bootcamp will expand your understanding of strategic business development processes and equip you with the tools, behaviours and techniques to develop and grow as a successful screen production company.
Through a series of seminars, workshops and case studies, you will develop your business development strategies, engage in peer-to-peer learning and networking, and gain insights into the current screen landscape and how to maximise opportunities for company growth.
FOCUS Bootcamp takes place over 3 days, over a mixture of online and in-person (Glasgow) sessions.
Each participant company then benefits from 1 x 1:1 consultancy session with Bootcamp Workshop Leaders on mutually agreed dates/times.
Topics covered include:
Company Strategy & Leadership, including company structure, team management, leadership approaches, business strategy – mission, vision, values, personal brand, SWOTs, the importance of strategic thinking.
Finance, including tax, accounting, tax credits, investment, co-production deals, managing cash-flow, and identifying and monetising company Intellectual Property (IP).
Commissioning, Sales & Distribution, including mastering the TV market, establishing a development process, pitching to commissioners, working the film markets, working with agents, and navigating the streamers.
Participant companies will also complete a worksheet as they progress through the programme which forms the basis of their evolving company growth strategy and helps highlight areas of business need. In the 1:1 consultancy sessions, Workshop Leaders will meet with participant companies to advise on actions highlighted in their worksheets and provide support to deliver a full Company Business Development Strategy incorporating creative, business & financial projections.
PROGRAMME LEADS & SPEAKERS
FOCUS Bootcamp 2023 was led by FOCUS experts, Jen Topping and Mark Raeburn.
Jen has 20+ years of experience working for TV broadcasters, publishers and tech companies, including BBC, Channel 4 and Xbox. She works with clients across TV, film, digital and the arts. She helps them develop and implement plans to grow their businesses, improve and transform their operations, build talented teams and take advantage of online platforms to find new audiences and income streams.
Mark was Head of Programme Finance at Channel 4 for eight years, overseeing a budget of £700 million. He now supports a handful of select indies in both a financial and commercial capacity, including Minnow, Curious, and Salamander Media. Mark has also previously worked at Warner Brothers Distribution, Castle Rock International, Renowned Films and many other independent production companies.
Guest speakers will include representatives from Business Gateway, Screen Scotland and from Scotland’s established independent production companies – previous FOCUS Bootcamp speakers have included Black Camel Pictures, Firecrest Films, Synchronicity Films and Two Rivers Media.
OUTCOMES
Participant companies will work towards building a robust portfolio of company documentation and information that can inform their 3-5 year company growth plans as well as being be used for raising funding and investment e.g. preparing applications for business and content development funding such as C4 Emerging Indie Fund, BBC Small Indie Fund, Screen Scotland funding, BFI UKGSF International Business Development funding.
Clear understanding of current and future trends in the Scottish, UK and global film, TV and animation sectors.
Understanding of how to operate successfully as a Scottish independent company in an increasingly competitive and global market.
Opportunities to broaden networks of key industry contacts and build collaborative partnerships with other FOCUS companies.
LONG-TERM BENEFITS
Participant companies become FOCUS alumni and gain priority access to FOCUS events and access to senior industry executives, along with the existing FOCUS cohort, through the FOCUS Consultancy Fund, to help deliver on their business growth strategies.
BOOTCAMP PARTICIPANTS’ TESTIMONIALS
· super useful, really helpful... with lots of info I hadn’t even thought about...
· excellent Bootcamp; it’s helpful to take a step back and start with the big picture…
· super helpful & interesting to hear current, real-life experience... with openness & honesty…
· highly knowledgeable speakers, great sessions
· a good mix of topics / approaches…
· in-depth, well presented, engaging…
FEES
The total cost of the June 2023 Bootcamp was £180 per company (excluding VAT).
Payment is due on receipt of invoice and prior to the course start date.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To apply to FOCUS Bootcamp, companies must:
be based in Scotland
be a screen sector company producing film, TV or animation content for broadcast or distribution
not have access to expert business development support in house or through a parent company
be willing to take part in monitoring and evaluation work
be in a position to accept de minimus aid
be incorporated (but your company doesn’t need to be one-year old)
be a micro-business within the first 3 years of trading
commit to attending all 3 days of Bootcamp and participating in the 1:1 consultancy sessions
Successful applicants will be required to sign a Participation Agreement/Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
Assessment CRITERIA
Up to 12 participant companies were accepted onto FOCUS Bootcamp 2023. Eligible applications were assessed using the following criteria:
a demonstrated commitment to growth and change
a demonstrated ability to benefit from business development support
a demonstrated appropriate ambition