“Kickstarting a new generation of camera technicians”
ANNOUNCING: KIT START 2026!
An initiative between Our House Pictures and the Mark Milsome Foundation, supported by Screen Scotland.
Our House Pictures is proud to announce the launch of Kit Start 2026 — a paid work experience programme designed to help aspiring camera professionals from low-income and under-represented backgrounds take their first step into the film and television industry.
Joining last years collaborator Panavision London, we welcome No Drama and Progressive Broadcast Hire in Glasgow, Scotland for 2026. These new collaborations, along with additional funding support from Screen Scotland, means we are able to expand our programme into Scotland.
"Just 16% of people in creative jobs are from working class backgrounds and those from privileged backgrounds are more likely to shape what goes on stage, page and screen"
- Research from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence centre (PEC) highlights class imbalances across the UK's creative industries
About the Scheme
Kit Start is designed to support people who may not normally have access to opportunities in the film and TV industry. This may include individuals who:
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come from a low income background
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do not have family connections to the screen industries
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have experienced barriers to higher education, such as not attending university
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have limited access to training, networks, or professional opportunities because of financial, social, or cultural factors
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come from a community that is underrepresented in film and TV such as people of color, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, individuals from regional or rural communities.
We encourage applicants to self-identify. If you feel that you have faced barriers to access the film and TV industry, then Kit Start is for you.
“There were some people working at Panavision who, like me, didn't go to film school or have a connection already in the industry, showing it is possible ... I also got a good taste of how a rental house operates and what the various jobs entail ... and how that could lead to further career opportunities”
- David Kirk, Kit Start 2025 graduate
What To Expect
Successful candidates will:
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attend an introduction zoom seminar covering what to expect during your time on the Kit Start programme
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be placed with one of our partnering rental houses for 3 days of paid work experience. (London candidates will be placed at Panavision, Greenford and Scotland Participants will be placed at either No Drama or Progressive Broadcast Hire in Glasgow)
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complete the Mark Milsome Safety Passport course
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attend a next steps zoom seminar which includes CV Writing and Networking course
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be set up with an industry mentor who will help guide your next steps to ensure the most is made of this opportunity
During your rental house placement*** you may cover things like hands-on experience in camera kit prep, maintenance, and rental house operations, check in / out kit for long and short-form high-end productions, help prep a job, as to a job sheet - building and checking cameras, lenses, lens control systems, and all camera accessories, spend time with each department, such as filters, video, lenses, grips, meet a professional freelance crew as they prep for a job and build valuable industry contacts to support your journey into the camera department.
“This experience has influenced my career goals, showing me how valuable working in the kit room can be. What made me feel most confident about my career path was seeing how many past employees at Panavision were able to transition into freelancing through the connections they made with the crews they prepped kit for.”
- Tia Agbro, Kit Start 2025 graduate
Applications
KIT START 2026 program is open to applicants from London and Scotland.
Application opening date*: 7th November 2025
Application closing date: 5th December 2025
All applicants must be aged 18+, be a UK citizen or have a right to work in the UK, and be able to commit to 3 consecutive days, 8am - 6pm each day, in February or March 2026.
Applicants must live in the region they are applying for, i.e. London applicants must live in or within commutable distance from London. Scotland applicants must live in Scotland.
Successful applicants will then be invited to interview in January 2026. After which, 6 candidates will be selected, 2 for London and 4 for Scotland. We aim to notify successful candidates by 6th February 2026.**
There will be an access fund available for successful candidates to cover access costs such as travel, accommodation (for participants in Scotland), childcare or disability adaptations.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive industry in which everyone can thrive and encourage applicants from all cultures and communities.
Our House Pictures (OHP) recognises the importance of your personal privacy. The information provided in the privacy notice below sets out how we use and protect any information that you give us.
Kit Start is made possible thanks to financial support from:
Supported by
Keep In Touch / Contact
If you have any questions about the Kitstart programme or your eligibility, please contact us at kitstart.OHP@gmail.com.
We hope to make the Kit Start Programme available to other regions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the near future.
*Dates are subject to change.
**Due to the amount of expected engagement, we will not be able to give individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.
***We can guarantee a commitment to meeting predetermined learning objectives during the placement but any additional training and hands on experience is dependent on factors such as staff availability and work commitments and will be at the discretion of the rental house.
OHP x Kit Start CIC is committed to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First criteria. We pay at least the real Living Wage, provide an effective voice for all staff and freelancers and do not use zero-hours contracts or fire-and-rehire practices. We invest in training and progression, promote Flexible and family-friendly working, and actively work to reduce workplace inequalities by creating fair access to the screen industries for people from underrepresented backgrounds.
For enquiries or partnership opportunities: kitstart.OHP@gmail.com
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