Our Membership Mentoring Programme launched in summer 2024, and is designed to expand on the work we do to support and develop our industry leading Membership, and to give both mentors and mentees the opportunity to further their careers, upskill and reflect on their journeys so far.
At the event, some of our mentees and mentors told us about their experiences and how they have benefitted from the Membership Mentoring Scheme.
Stuart Jerome Learmonth, 1st Assistant Director (AD), who was paired with Marcia Gay, also a 1st AD, said that he was looking for guidance in his transition into the role: “Having Marcia’s support - someone who is supremely experienced in her role as 1st AD - made that transition much easier.”
Stuart also mentioned how he has generally benefitted from the programme: “The Membership Mentoring Scheme provided a sense of community, a sense of belonging and support at a time in our industry where a lot of people out there were struggling. I can say, hand on heart, that this has been something that's really boosted me in my career and makes 2025 something to really look forward to and to really relish as a member of the Production Guild.”
We also spoke to Producer Sally Llewellyn, mentored by Sarada McDermott, who is a Producer as well. Sally said that her main problem was that she didn't have many contacts in the industry: “The scheme has been invaluable because Sarada looked at my skills and encouraged me in terms of how I work, what I need to do, who I need to contact within the industry and how I need to position myself. The Membership Mentoring Scheme is much more than just mentoring someone. The mentors take a holistic approach, trying to find out how to best help the mentees.”
Lee Tolley, a Production Coordinator who was mentored by Production Manager Bertie Spiegelberg, said that “it was great to see Bertie’s trajectory and to realise that there's a path there that I could follow. Otherwise, it's a little bit like being in the jungle with a machete, hacking away on your own.”
Ann Ormesher Johnson, an Assistant Accountant, who mentored her fellow Assistant Accountant Laura Craig, told us that “it was just wonderful to be able to exchange all these experiences, trying to help the mentees the best way we can.”
Bianca Gavin, Chair of the PGGB Board and Head of Production at Pulse Films, summed up the benefits of the inaugural scheme, saying "the Film & TV industry is complex, mysterious and lacks the structure and transparency of other industries. To support development in an inclusive way, the Membership Mentoring Scheme offers us the opportunity to provide wisdom from people who have already walked that path. We all know that can be truly life changing."
Details of the second year of our Membership Mentoring Programme will be announced in the coming months. Visit our webpage for more details on the scheme, as well as all current Mentors and Mentees.
