October 2009:
Hamlett Films is developing an initiative to enable a group of British-born Ghanaian young people to train as film makers, working towards a cultural exchange with young people in Ghana.

The initial training course will train the group in script development and pre-production techniques, resulting in the development of four scripts to go into production. The films will look at the life of young Ghanaians living in the UK alongside the lives of young people in Ghana. It aims to develop an understanding of the corresponding cultures and act as a basis for discussion. We are working with partners in Ghana, including the Ghanaian Film School and the films will be for broadcast and festival screening both there and in the UK.

We are currently developing the youth training area of our work and are seeking to secure large-scale funding to provide on-going opportunities for young people to receive further training and work on larger documentary projects. The aim is to give participants a solid foundation from which to move on to apprenticeships within Hamlett Films or other production companies and broadcasters.

July 2009:
Following on from the success of the training courses that ran in April, Sian Hamlett is asked to teach a camera and lighting course for FDMX.

The course was designed to enable APs, Directors and Shooting Directors to develop their skills working with the new digital cameras, such as the P3.

June 2009:
As a freelance Director, Sian Hamlett is invited to work with Eelyn Lee Productions on a commission for the Personal Finance Education Group (PFEG), "What Money Means."

PFEG is an independent charity set up to help young people learn about personal finance and how to manage money. This film explored the role of money in society and how it is perceived by young people, focusing on an innovative scheme in primary schools across the UK that teaches children the value of money. The film, co-directed by Sian Hamlett and Eelyn Lee, aimed to inspire teachers to incorporate the scheme into their teaching, showing ideas and examples of how it could become part of their lesson plans.

April 2009:
Hamlett Films were invited to work with the professional training company, FDMX to develop a series of courses aimed at emerging Directors, Producers and APs.

FDMX is one of the leading professional training companies in the South East, delivering training courses at all levels for people working in the film, television and digital Media industries. Sian Hamlett worked with them to devise and implement courses in camera operating, lighting, documentary storytelling and camera technologies and production essentials. Designed for the next generation of film makers, they were aimed at freelancers who wanted to take their skills to the next level.

March 2009:
The four short films scripted and produced by the young people on the Skills Day worshops were completed ready for broadcast on OBTV.

The resulting exciting and provocative films looked at teenage ambition and how new technologies can help and hinder working towards different goals. They were screened by OBTV on the chat show 'Keep It Real' and were used as the basis for a discussion around young people and their goals in life.

View one of the films made as part of this training programme

February 2009:
Skills Day workshops took place in Highway Outreach Project, Tottenham, North London.

Hamlett Films ran four workshops for young people covering all aspects of film making and post-production. These workshops were taught by Producer/Director Sian Hamlett, DoP Winston Wittan and Broadcast editor Nick Calori. Skills covered included research and script writing, camera techniques, editing, title graphics and sound design. Thirty-two young people took part in the workshops. They worked in groups of eight to develop and produce four highly personal films.

January 2009:
In 2009 Hamlett Films were awarded funding from Skillset and London Development Agency for 'Skills Day', part of the digital apprenticeships scheme.

Working with the north London-based outreach group Highway, we developed a series of professional video training workshops for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).

Hamlett Films is committed to training the next generation of film makers including those who may be furthest from gaining employment in the media, or who are at risk. We believe that practical and creative skills go hand in hand towards building confident and successful young adults of the future.