How to get into the film industry and get funded by writer, director and choreographer Margo Roe

Voice caught up with writer, director and choreographer Margo Roe about how to enter the film industry, what it's like being at Edinburgh Fringe festival and where to begin when creating your own choreography for film. Margo Roe is a writer, director and choreographer from the Midlands, UK. 

How to get into the film industry and get funded by writer, director and choreographer Margo Roe

As part of the Artist Workshop with Voice series, funded by Arts Council England, we interviewed artist Margo Roe about her career, followed by an online skillshare workshop. Margo shared some great advice, including how to choreograph for film. We wanted to share these additional insights from Margo with you, about what to do when you’re looking for funding to make a film and how to get into the film industry. Margo’s recent short film ‘Searching for Cowardice’ was created as part of the BBC New Creatives programme.

How to get funding and get into the film industry 

My advice for an artist who wants to create their own work and get into the industry is to do your research and get practical experience. There are lots of funds, however, you need to dig for them. I find it is good to create a spreadsheet of applications, deadlines and return dates (when you should hear back), then you can keep a visual of what you are applying to, when you need to do it and also how much work you have done. It is easy to feel like you haven’t done anything when you haven’t physically made a film, however, you have to participate all of the work that goes into applications if they are successful or not. 

Speak to people! Now is the perfect time to have a chat with other creatives, we don’t have the excuse of not being in London or Manchester for a quick face to face catch up, so go online and book in a zoom call. E-mail professionals and ask them for work experience. The film and TV industry is hard to get into, you need someone to give you a chance, so have a look online for a film or tv show you like, find out who you need to contact and drop them a email. Once you get your first experience on set you can learn and build from there. The hardest part is getting that first chance. 

Margo Roe's artwork

Find out more about Margo Roe: 770f9c35a6da9fc285e502c3e4e9d73f369c3567.pnghttps://www.margoroe.co.uk/

Name

Young people endure the brutality of the job market in dance short Name, by Priyanka Chavda, Laura Roe and Bart Bazaz. Laura Roe, is a freelance Assistant Director and contemporary dance teacher from the Midlands. Priyanka Chavda is a development producer, from Leicestershire. Passionate about storytelling, she aims to develop and produce films with a unique narrative at its centre. Bartholomew Bazaz is a Midlands based DOP, having worked his way up as a Camera Assistant, with experience Focus Pulling on music videos, commercials and narrative short films.

 

Searching For Cowardice:

What would mass recruitment look like in World War Three? Using the movement of the “Order of the White Feathers” in WW1, we look at how social media would play a role in present-day youth recruitment. We follow Joe, a sixteen-year-old boy who is stuck between expectations and reality. Through physical theatre and movement, we see Joe's struggle with social cowardice, battling with the expectations from the three different influencers in his life.

Watch Searching For Cowardice:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p084lg06

More artist interviews and workshops

Thanks to Arts Council England, we're excited to be offering you a whole series of artist workshops. Join us as we interview creatives and then hand over to them to run a workshop! Perfect if you're doing Arts Award and need to find out about an artist's work and career.

From artists to actors, we've got an insightful series planned for you. First, join the artist on Instagram where they will do a LIVE demonstration or performance followed by an interview from one of our Voice Contributors. THEN, head over to ZOOM where the artists will run a LIVE 30 minute skills share workshop, showing you exactly how to become as amazing at their art form as they are. 

We have 12 artists workshops planned between now and November 2020, so keep checking back for the latest additions. 

Author

Nici West

Nici West Voice Team

Nici is the an editor for Voice. She loves all things books, theatre, music, art, visiting other countries, anything creative, and sometimes attempts to make YouTube videos. Alongside Voice she writes and edits through her own pursuits.You can occasionally find her running marathons dressed as a black dog.

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