Foot in the Door Initiative Elects Two Trainees
Posted on Oct 20, 2024 by Samara Husbands
The Mark Milsome Foundation’s Foot in the Door mentorship selects two trainees, offering health and safety training, industry mentorship, and workshops to support underrepresented camera talent
With a mission to encourage young talent and promote on-set health and safety, the Mark Milsome Foundation (MMF) has selected two trainees – Henry Piekarczyk and Codie Rees – for its annual Foot in the Door (FITD) mentorship initiative. A one-year scheme which brings budding talent from full-time education into the industry, FITD provides opportunities for camera department trainees from underrepresented backgrounds. Tutors around the UK are invited to nominate two graduating students.
Piekarczyk and Rees will train in health and safety via the MMF Production Safety Passport, be matched with industry-established mentors, take part in site visits and workshops with technical houses and receive additional support from the Foundation, including advice from agent Sarah Prince.
“For so long, film and TV have been a place where who you know has been more important than what you know,” begins MMF chair Samantha Wainstein. “While in recent times that has begun to change, it is still hard for even the most talented students to get a foot in the door. Our scheme offers support and mentorship for a small number of exceptional individuals who – for various reasons – might struggle to get that crucial first job.”
FITD is made possible by Mission Digital, Panavision, Panalux, Cinelab, First Aid Matters, Garden Studios and CallTime.
First published in the November 2024 issue of Definition.
