The Opportunity  

The BFI (British Film Institute) and ECB have partnered on filmmaking training to help participants communicate and tell powerful stories with the moving image. These are highly transferable skills which can provide benefits across our lives and careers. The BFI is the UK's lead organisation for film and the moving image, using their knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding of film and the moving image. 

The course will equip 100 successful participants with filmmaking and editing skills that enables them to create a variety of compelling video content on behalf of their cricket organisation’s activities and projects. 

The application process for this course is open to any employees and/or volunteers in the cricket network who have a keen interest in using video to tell cricket stories from their organisation or community.  

Please note, the application process will be managed by the England and Wales Cricket Board and the BFI. Therefore, any details provided will be shared with both organisations at later stages of the process, purely for the purpose of recruiting into this role. By progressing with the application process, we will take this as confirmation that you are happy for your details to be shared with the above-named organisations, for this purpose. 

The Experience 

This course is an introductory smartphone filmmaking course for those participating, volunteering, or working in local community or grassroots cricket.  

Participants of any ability are invited to learn filmmaking and editing skills and will be encouraged to tell stories about their local club and community with short and impactful videos for their club’s website and social media channels. These videos will also be reviewed by the ECB and BFI and, with the consent of the producer, will be shared through their social media channels across cricket.   

The practical course is made up of 2 x 2.5 hour online sessions and 3 x 1 hour optional drop in clinics delivered between March and early April 2023. It is free to attend other than the required purchase of a smartphone shooting app. 

Filmmaking skills are becoming increasingly important across work and life, and the transferable communication skills which participants will gain include:  

• How and what to film using your smartphone 

• The art of storytelling 

• Simple smartphone shooting techniques and settings 

• Simple editing and transitions   

• How to manage your clips and export them to different settings 

• Different smartphone and desktop (laptop/PC) apps 

• Introduction to more intermediate level shooting, editing and effects  

You will receive a Certificate of Training at the end of the course. Participants who receive a Certificate of Training from a BFI course have received high quality training from a film industry expert hand-picked by the British Film Institute, gaining practical experience creating video content. 

The Structure 

The training consists of 2 x 2.5 hour online sessions; one on filming and the other on editing, with attendance across both sessions required. The training will be split into 6 groups as below. Please state your preferred group within the application. Please note, you will not be able to mix/match dates with other groups, so if your preferred option is Group 1, please be available for both sessions.

Each participant will also be entitled to up to 3 hours of mentoring by the BFI tutors shortly after the training, on the dates below: 

Session Group 1:

• Filming - Wed 01/03/2023 18:00 - 20:30 

• Editing - Wed 15/03/2022 18:00 - 20:30 

Session Group 2:

• Filming - Sat 04/03/2023 10:00 - 12:30 

• Editing - Sat 18/03/2022 10:00 - 12:30 

Session Group 3:

• Filming - Sat 04/03/2023 13:30 - 16:00 

• Editing - Sat 18/03/2022 13:30 - 16:00 

Session Group 4:

• Filming - Mon 06/03/2023 18:00 - 20:30 

• Editing - Mon 20/03/2023 18:00 - 20:30 

Session Group 5:

• Filming - Wed 08/03/2023 18:00 - 20:30 

• Editing - Thu 23/03/2023 18:00 - 20:30 

Session Group 6:

• Filming - Sat 11/03/2023 10:00 - 12:30 

• Editing - Sat 25/03/2023 10:00 - 12:30 

The dates of the drop in clinics are: 

• Mon 27/03/2023 19:00 - 20:00 

• Wed 29/03/2023 19:00 - 20:00 

• Sat 01/04/2023 10:00 - 11:00 

At the end of the course, you’ll be expected to create a short video (guidance of no longer than 2 minutes) telling a story of cricket in your local community. The subject of your video can be up to you, but we’re keen to uncover untold stories from across the country which can inspire the next generation of people to say that cricket is a game for them. 

The Application process 

• Please submit your application by 29/01/2023 

• Candidates’ applications will be anonymously reviewed by the ECB panel and will be informed of the decision by 09/02/2023 

• If you’re successful, your contact details will be shared with BFI, who will then contact you with more information about the course by 17/02/2023 

• The course is free, but participants will need to purchase smartphone shooting app (Android users – Free, IOS - £1.79* )

* Please note these prices were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change before course starts. You will be advised of which app(s) you need to download in a welcome letter. 

• You will need a smartphone, a laptop/pc and access to zoom.   

Successful participants will be asked to complete a short pre-course questionnaire about their existing skills and what they hope to achieve. 

Please note, applicants under 18 years old will require written parental permission to attend.