The National Youth Film Academy (NYFA).
“I would not recommend the NYFA to anyone who is looking to improve their skill set in the film industry”. Do not waste your money on these “courses”. A lot of people give their reasons here.
Peter Wilson NMUK.
It seems that the spell at Her/His Majesty’s Pleasure has done little to persuade Vladimir Peter Wilson to join the ranks of honest upstanding citizens. A look at his latest activities.
Callum Johnston (aka Common Wisdom). Stone Empire Films.
Big red warning signs over this individual.
John Pavlakos fails to pay his cast and crew…again.
Producer John Pavlakos has struck again. The man with the worst reputation for non payment of his workers in the business has made another film.
Worthily Films – avoid!
Despite numerous requests from many people, neither of the owners of this company, Steve Dodsworth and Chelsea Leigh Macleod, were able to say why this work would not be paid at least the legal minimum. * This post has now been UPDATED
Thinking about a career in the screen industries?
Have you been thinking about a career in the screen industries but don’t know where to start?
Aaron Thomas. It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye.
Sigh. Another dodgy company has slithered out of the shadows. This film catchily (or not) called “It’s so hard to say goodbye“. Strong recommendation to freelancers to tread carefully if offered work by him or any of his companies.
Crew Network: Avoid.
There must have been a moment in time where some exec said: “hey, why don’t we set up a thing where we gather up some TV jobs and then charge people to apply for them”? Another company after your hard-earned for very little: Crew Network, run by Rhian Howells.
Maia Films. Kennington Film Studios. Fortemus Films.
Avoid this company. The individual behind Maia Films/Kennington Film Studios/Fortemus Films (Andrew Greener) has a longstanding and very poor record for failing to pay freelancers who work for his companies on time, and sometimes at all.
Janet Marrett. Kashif Boothe. Mediathirsty Productions.
This company has recently recruited someone to work on a production and then failed to pay them the minimum wage to which they are entitled.
Spoke TV/Northern Dragon Media. Andy Lewis
Unpaid workers on YouTube production “Shaun & Bez: Call The Cops”.
Are you interested in working in Film?
No experience? No contacts? No worries – here’s a great place to start. “Set Ready is a training and employment programme that supports the next generation of film and tv talent as they take their first steps into production and on to set.”
Root2Fruit Media.
Please note that a considerable number of people have recently been left unpaid after working on a production for Joe Gaffney, Jermaine Pinnock and Root2Fruit Media.
Charlie Southall. Dragonfly.
It seems that Southall has also achieved some local notoriety in his home town of Brighton. The Brighton and Hove News also got up to date with some of his activities over the years, including those who have taken him to court over unpaid bills and had other entanglements. Particularly unpleasant…a long history of bilking freelancers - and plenty more besides…
TVCrewFinder – another site to avoid.
It’s not acceptable to charge freelancers for the right to apply for jobs. We’ve asked the company how this fits in with the regulations that forbid any company from charging job seekers for work finding services…
No pay, but you are allowed to take the dog for a walk…
Sherry Roberts and her Shitzu. I asked Sherry why she was not paying this person at least the minimum wage for their work. She replied by denying that the work was ever offered as unpaid (rather odd, given the presence of the words “non paid” on the advert).
New review in for the National Youth Film Academy.
They have a major issue with answering their own phones. If you manage to get through to them, there isn’t much further conversation other than “I don’t know his schedule”. All in all, I cannot help but feel as though they have preyed upon my eagerness to enter the industry.
A new low for the National Youth Film Academy.
The National Youth Film Academy has been a regular feature on the pages of The Watercooler over the past few years. Unsurprising when there are so many ex-customers who have had poor experiences of the over-priced and under-delivering “courses” they offer. More individuals with poor experiences of the over-priced and under-delivering “courses” the NYFA offers.
John Pavlakos – AVOID.
Every time this individual sets up a company or production, he leaves a trail of unpaid people behind, and it is still happening. WARNING: there is a strong chance you will not be paid if you work for or supply kit to this individual.
Ascendant Fox Films. Bart Ruspoli, Hester Ruoff.
This company has recently employed a number of freelancers on terms which look to be in contravention of HMRC’s guidance on taxation of junior workers (including Runners). A warning for any freelancers working for (or intending to work for) a company called Ascendant Fox Films.