Applications are now open for a new sixth-form academy co-founded by some of the film industry’s leading figures and aimed at making the industry more diverse and accessible.
Based in a disused television factory in Islington, North London the London Screen Academy (LSA) is set to open in September 2019 to an initial intake of 300 pupils, eventually expanding to a capacity of 800 – 1000. Upon graduating, students will receive a UAL diploma (equivalent to three A-levels).
Unlike performing arts schools, the LSA will focus on teaching all behind-the-camera roles such as costume design, production management and distribution in a bid to make these types of roles more visible to students and so to eventually solve the problem of their lack of social, ethnic and economic diversity.
The LSA has been co-founded by a number of the industry’s most successful figures:
- David Heyman: producer of all eight Harry Potter films, Gravity, Paddington and more
- Eric Fellner, co-chair of Working Title and producer of Les Miserables, Love Actually, the Bridget Jones films and more
- Tim Bevan, co-chair of Working Title
- Barbara Broccoli, producer of a number of the James Bond films
- Michael G Wilson, producer of a number of the James Bond films
- Lisa Bryer, producer of The Last King of Scotland