Investing in Producing Skills

The programme will operate as a partnership between the proposed Placement Producer and the hosting producer, any submission to the programme must be jointly developed.

We envisage that successful proposals will involve the execution of a producing project and that the bursaried producer will be supported, taught and mentored by their host for the duration of the placement. We appreciate that the specific nature and responsibilities of each project will vary significantly and will need to be negotiated between the participant and the host prior to application.

FST is keen to encourage a range of models and would consider supporting a producer to spent one day per week in an organisation, or a number of organisations, for an extended period. FST is providing no fixed job description however applicants are expected to meet the key elements described below.

Flexibility is the key to this project’s success; a producer and host should be able to work together for the equivalent of a minimum of three and maximum of 12 weeks. Weeks need not be consecutive. FST invites participants and host companies to submit outlines of working models which they feel will best meet the programme objectives.

A host can be freelance or company-based and can be in Scotland, the rest of the UK or working internationally. FST would be happy to accept applications for producers to carry out placements across a number of host organisations. Hosts can be funded on any basis including Foundation companies.

Project Specification and Application process

FST invites joint proposals from the potential producer placement and their host.

These proposals should be in the form of a written application, up to a maximum of 2 sides of A4, which should be supported by additional information, such as the applicant’s CV or any other relevant information including information on the hosting organisation (please keep this to a minimum).

Applications should demonstrate:

•The Placement Producer’s commitment to Scottish theatre, identified by producing experience.
•A clear rationale for the partnership expressing why the host company and Placement Producer have chosen to work together. We expect a statement outlining this from both parties.
•An articulation of how the relationship will extend the Placement Producer’s knowledge of producing skills and methods and a clear concept of how this will benefit their professional development and advance Scottish theatre.
•A clear outline of how the host will integrate the Placement Producer into the producing and creative process, guaranteeing a high quality learning experience through the execution of a producing project.
•An articulation of how the Placement Producer will be supported during the placement including supervision and coaching/mentoring.
•That the infrastructure of host the organisation, or structures arranged for the placement, are such that the Placement Producer will be in a supported role and not the main producer on any producing project proposed in the placement.
•A full budget, including travel and accommodation expenses, incorporating the weekly bursary stipend of £350 and the 15% contribution from the host organisation.

Whilst we recognise that having a Placement Producer is beneficial for the host company please note that the key aim of this programme is to ensure an effective learning experience for the individual. The application should clearly outline what the key areas of development will be, why this is the right environment/partnership to ensure this development and how the individual will be supported throughout.

Assessment
Applications will be selected by a panel of experts, who will evaluate each application against the criteria and defined expectations of both the producer and host.

Bursaries
Host companies will be expected to make a commitment of 15% of the total bursary cost (£52.50 with an FST contribution of £297.50 per week) plus 15% of the total expenses. A bursary will be paid at a stipend of £350 per week for the duration of their project, which can run for the equivalent of 3 – 12 weeks full time.

In addition to this, the successful applicants will be awarded reasonable travel and accommodation expenses to facilitate their project as appropriate (15% of which will be contributed by the host company).

For producers employed in Foundation funded companies, FST would award travel and accommodation expenses only. However FST would welcome applications for individuals to carry out placements in Foundation organisations.

Closing dates
Round 1: 30th September 2010
Round 2: 21st January 2011

Proposed placements should not start within 6 weeks of the closing dates.

Productions must be completed by the end of December 2011.

Please submit applications to kirsty.bailey@scottishtheatre.org

Funded by Creative Scotland

Cost:

Documents

FST Producers Placement Programme 2010.11.doc