Library Subject Guides
Introduction to PYWIP's Educational Resource Package Duration: 50 minutes approx.
Introduction to Play Your Way Into Production (PYWIP) Educational Resource Package
Working with One to One Development Trust we (SIGN) have created Play Your Way Into Production, an interactive, educational game about a day working on a TV/film set in a junior role, i.e., a Grip Trainee, a Runner and a Trainee Sound Assistant. The overall goal of the game is to help potential new entrants to the screen industry understand the tasks and duties of three different job roles and develop skills which are traditionally gained through (unpaid) work experience. The game is aimed at anyone who wants to understand more about the industry, the different roles available, the technical language used and the tasks that might be required on set. We also envision that educators in Higher and/or Further Education institutions may wish to incorporate the game and this complementary Educational Resource Package (ERP) into their teaching, to stimulate discussion about the challenges of the industry, and employability/progression routes within the sector.
MODULE OVERVIEW
Duration: 50 minutes This module outlines the structure and content of the PYWIP ERP, and aims to provide group or independent learners with guidance on how it could be used. We have curated a Glossary of common jargon terms used in the Screen Industries, so that learners can become familiar with the everyday specialised vocabulary and slang utilised. Additionally, we have put together a directory of suggested external resources that will help users to expand their learning, according to their interests and needs.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this module, users will have gained an understanding of the purpose of the ERP, its structure, and a summary of the research on which it was based. Learners have the opportunity to complete the PYWIP professional skills audit to gauge their level of experience and confidence with a number of individual competencies, prior to working through the ERP. Completing the skills audit allows users to tailor their use of the ERP in order to choose modules according to their specific needs. Finally, students have some time to explore a Glossary of terms, which covers jargon, slang, and specialised vocabulary used in the industry, as well as examine a directory with suggested external resources including training and professional development support organisations, reading recommendations, films, amongst others.
OUTLINE
- Educational Resource Package (ERP) structure
This Educational Resource Package gives players of PYWIP the chance to expand their reflection on and understanding of competencies and practices that were represented throughout the game; these are often called “soft skills” and are key for individuals’ professional and personal development.
The Educational Resource Package (ERP) includes:
The ERP comprises 11 individual learning modules (this one included), with theoretical and practical information, as well as suggested activities to help apply and consolidate knowledge around the following competencies:
Each module is expected to last approximately 50 minutes to complete, however users can adapt them ad hoc according to the time available. We recommend that this Introductory module is worked through before the rest of the modules so that learners are familiar with the educational package contents. Equally, we recommend that the It’s a Wrap! Getting your foot in the door module is used once you have gained insight into the competencies you want to explore further. The other learning modules can be used in any order, and in any combination. Although the learning modules are primarily designed to be of use in Further and Higher Education settings for groups of up to 30 people, they can also be used by independent learners.
Each module starts with an overview, which briefly revises the scenarios, characters and elements highlighted throughout the game, and explains how these relate to the specific module competency. Most modules include two sections with informative content, activities that can be conducted in groups or used by individual learners, a call to action to finalise the session and links to external resources for further development of the skills covered.
- Our Research
Screen industry employers report that they are unable to recruit graduates with the right skills for a variety of entry level roles in film and television, such as runners and production assistants. They cite a lack of industry understanding and a lack of “soft” or “people” skills as barriers to employment (Grugulis and Vincent, 2009; Nickson et al., 2012; Carey et al. 2017). Traditionally such knowledge and skills can be picked up through in-person work experience on set; but work experience is usually unpaid and therefore not accessible to many.
Recent research in the use of applied/serious games, and XR technologies for training purposes has indicated that situational skills training can be facilitated through these novel approaches (Ebner and Holzinger, 2007; Connolly et al., 2012; Hewett et al., 2020).
Further details of the projects can be obtained by contacting Jude Brereton at jude.brereton@york.ac.uk.
References
- Link to the PYWIP Glossary
There are many terms that have been traditionally used in the Screen Industry for many decades, and as such their meaning can be hard to determine from their actual linguistic structure, i.e. they have no literal translation but are used as metaphors or colloquialisms. We know language can be tricky, so we have curated a Glossary of jargon and slang common to the industry to make all those on-set words easier to understand, especially for those who are just getting started.
If you can think of more words, terms, sayings, or phrases that are often used in the Screen Industries and that aren’t already in the list, please contact us and we’ll add them to the PYWIP ERP Glossary.
- External Resources Directory
We have created a brief External Resources Directory for further development of specific aspects that relate to each competency. You will see that some of the links in the directory are also suggested within the ERP learning modules. We have tried to make sure that any workshops or training that we recommended are free and open to all, but there may be exceptions. Neither SIGN nor One to One Development Trust are linked to, nor work directly with, the linked organisations in any way. These external resources are just recommendations that our team of researchers thought could be useful to those who engage with the PYWIP game and this educational package.
CALL TO ACTION! (5 minutes)
We have developed a Professional Skills Audit consisting of a brief survey to gauge your level of confidence and skill in the competencies covered by the ERP prior to, and after, you have worked through the resource. Your data will remain anonymous, and you will receive a downloadable PDF of your responses once you submit your responses to the survey. When you download this PDF you will be issued with a unique response ID, which you are asked to store in a safe place that you can always access, as this ID reference will be essential if you wish to:
1) Withdraw your survey responses from our records. Since your survey responses remain anonymous, you will need to tell us your response ID if you request that we delete your data.
2) Access the follow-up survey once you have completed the modules. Using your response ID is the only way we can track your data so you can get a before/after reference on your confidence and skill levels to assess your progress.
Read our Privacy Notice for more detailed information on how we collect, store and use your anonymous data.
