The UK is the fourth biggest exporter of films globally (Economic Observatory, 2025). Wicked, How To Train Your Dragon, Barbie, Mission: Impossible and Jurassic World Rebirth are just a few of the blockbusters filmed either on location or at one of the country’s vast Hollywood-style studios.

Behind every film is an army of creatives - writers, directors, lighting technicians, costume, hair & make-up specialists - bringing ideas to fruition. At BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy, based near Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, they specialise in equipping young people who want to get into the film industry (as well as theatre and TV) with the skills they will need.

What’s On recently spoke to the academy’s head of student recruitment, Zoe James, to find out more...

A Birmingham academy is training young people to become the theatre and film-makers of the future. 
Each year BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy - based near the city’s Jewellery Quarter - helps fledgling arts professionals gain the essential skills they need to be successful in the industry.

“We concentrate on the behind-the-scenes roles in theatre, film-making and production,” says BOA Group’s head of marketing & student recruitment, Zoe James. “For every performer in front of the camera or on stage, there are at least eight people working behind the scenes - from costume designers and make-up artists to producers, directors, set builders, and camera operators.

“Those behind-the-scenes roles can be so many different things. We cover anything from prop-making to scriptwriting, doing the hair and make-up, lighting, sound - everything that’s needed for theatre and movies.”

The academy provides free full-time courses for young people aged between 16 and 19, with students coming from across Birmingham, the West Midlands and neighbouring counties.

Students choose their speciality at the beginning of their two-year course, giving them plenty of time and opportunity to build up expertise and experience.

“The students who come to us know they want to work in this industry,” Zoe continues. “It’s such a niche academy - they choose us because they know this is where they want to go. And because they’re specialising from the very beginning, they can start on that route very early and get all the work experience they need.

“We have the connections across the industry to help with work-experience placements. We have people coming into the academy to meet the students, talk about what they do and make those connections. We have some students who go on to university, but others go straight into the industry, as they’ve already done so much work experience.”

The young people also have the opportunity to work on BOA’s own stage productions, creating sets and props, managing the lighting and sound, and taking on roles within stage management.

“We work very closely with BOA Creative, Digital & Performing Arts, based at Millennium Point, and they do so many shows, including Les Misérables and Frozen. BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy produce a Christmas show each year - last year it was The Wizard Of Oz. Whenever they’re staging a show, Stage & Screen Production Academy students are always there, working behind the scenes.”

Two-year full-time courses for 16- to 19-year-olds include Broadcast, Film & Content Creation; Makeup & Hair for Theatre, TV & Film; Production Arts and Stage Management; Technical Theatre and Live Events; and Writing, Directing & Screen-craft.

Former student Jess took Level 3 Broadcast, Film & Content Creation at the academy, from 2022 to 2024, and is already making waves within the industry.

“After leaving BOA Stage & Screen, I was fortunate to go straight into freelance employment within the BBC,” she says. “And in the September, I went on to study management at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. I now work for some of the biggest entertainment brands and UK festival names - including Merlin Entertainments, Y Not Festival and Boardmasters - in their coordination and marketing departments.

“There are so many opportunities that BOA Stage & Screen has to offer; you just have to be willing to go for it. BOA provided me with a platform to push my way into the industry. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard work and requires so much resilience, but that’s the thing I eventually loved, as it prepares you perfectly for the industry.”

After two years on the Level 3 Technical Theatre and Live Events course, between 2021 and 2023, student Gee moved on to Guildford School of Acting to specialise in lighting.

“I always wanted to be on the stage and was already at a BOA school, studying musical theatre,” Gee recalls. “All I thought about was how I’d make it look. I wanted to be part of the backstage community. I found a love for lighting tech & design and applied for BOA Stage & Screen.

“It’s a school that teaches you all aspects of theatre, live event and screen. It gives you a great amount of the knowledge you need, with opportunities to put that work into practice through shows.

“I’ve carried out roles such as production electrician and follow spot. Whilst at university, I’ve been doing freelance work with different lighting companies and working in places such as Kilworth House Theatre. Most recently I was the stage electrics for the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s pantomime.”

Former student Sam, who graduated last year after taking Level 3 Broadcast, Film & Content Creation, says the work-experience element of the course was a huge bonus.

“BOA Stage & Screen is the best place to get you into the industry. The industry links and contacts that you get are second to none, and the whole two years is worth it when you get to go fully solo on the final project.”

BOA Stage & Screen is taking applications for courses beginning this autumn. Applicants need to complete the online form and then attend a workshop, where they can also discover more about the academy and the courses on offer. Places are offered based on the aptitude workshops. Deadline for submissions is Friday 27 June.

For further information on BOA Stage & Screen Production Academy, visit the website: boa-stageandscreen.co.uk 

By Diane Parkes