Warner Bros. Creative Talent Invests in Skills and Training for the Next Generation in the U.K.

(April 25, 2013 – London, U.K.) – The day before the state-of-the-art film and TV production facility, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, is inaugurated by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Warner Bros. announces a major new program of investment in skills and training for the U.K.’s creative industries. Launching in September 2013, Warner Bros. Creative Talent will support the next generation of U.K. creative industries’ talent with scholarships attached to work placements and mentoring, apprenticeships and training courses, giving young people of all backgrounds invaluable industry experience and insight across Warner Bros.’ U.K. film, TV, games and theatre operations. The multi-layered, nationwide investment encompasses twelve scholarships at some of the country’s most respected higher education institutions*; six apprenticeships with roles ranging from set-lighting to post-production; two trainee positions on every Warner Bros. film production in the U.K.; twenty-five, year-long training course places for young people at inclusive theatre company, Chickenshed; twenty work experience places for schools local to Warner Bros.’ London HQ; and five work placements on the upcoming West End musical, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” with the most talented of the students receiving an additional three month placement. In addition, following the British Film Institute’s recent announcement regarding its transformational plans for film education in the U.K., Warner Bros. and Film Nation U.K. will be collaborating to inspire and educate thousands of school-aged children around the country about the film industry. Warner Bros. Creative Talent is part of Warner Bros.’ long-term commitment to the U.K.’s creative industries, which has seen significant, recent investment in Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden; in TV production company, Shed Media; in leading video games companies Rocksteady Studios and TT Games; in Soho post-production house, De Lane Lea; in the forthcoming West End musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory;” and in Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. The program builds upon Warner Bros.’ recent investments in education and training, which has seen the company become the single largest contributor to Creative Skillset’s Skills Investment Fund (SIF), investing over a £1million over the last nine years and hosting a range of educational classes reaching around 25,000 school children every year at its hugely popular Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter visitor attraction. The classes, inspired by the iconic “Harry Potter” movie series, introduce young people to the skills involved in the movie production process. Moreover, for the last five years, Warner Bros. has also been the principal partner of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). The support provided since 2008 has enabled the Academy to develop a film, TV and radio division, helping to further its reputation as a centre of excellence for both stage and screen acting. Alongside scholarships, the continuing partnership will aim to equip future RADA students with the skills required for the latest generation of games and films. Working with Warner Bros.’ Rocksteady Studios, RADA students will develop key motion-capture and voice-over skills. Each year, Warner Bros. runs a successful intern program for over 40 students who spend a paid year with the company during their sandwich degree courses. To complement this established internship program, twenty Year 10 students (aged 15-16) from schools local to the company’s central London HQ will be offered short-term work experience opportunities with Warner Bros. Kevin Tsujihara, CEO, Warner Bros. said, “The U.K. is known for world class creativity and innovation, and some of Warner Bros.’ greatest successes have been produced with British talent. Warner Bros. Creative Talent reinforces our global commitment to supporting the industries and communities in which we operate and our continuing investment in talent.” Josh Berger CBE, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. U.K., Ireland & Spain, said, “As we continue to make more films, TV shows, video games and stage plays here, as well as investing in state-of-the-art studios, we will be calling upon the very best talent the country has to offer. To that end, it is crucially important to us to invest in the next generation, so that we not only have a diverse pool of exceptional talent to work with, but that we also play our part in maintaining the U.K.’s position as a global creative industries leader.” Dinah Caine OBE, CEO, Creative Skillset, commented, “We welcome this significant investment in skills by Warner Bros., which builds upon its industry-leading contribution to the Skills Investment Fund, beneficiaries of which are already working on Warner Bros. productions here in the U.K. It has been incredibly exciting collaborating with Warner Bros. on this new program, which will undoubtedly inspire and train young people through education classes for schools right through to post-graduate training and, by doing so, help ensure the U.K.’s competitive advantage.” Alan Rickman, actor and Vice Chairman, RADA, added, “The long line of RADA graduates who have appeared in Warner Bros. productions over the years inspired a partnership that has gone on to be nothing short of transformative in the way that it has allowed the Academy to develop its film, TV and radio division and help prepare students for their future careers. As we now embark on the next stage of our relationship, RADA students will continue to benefit from the innovations that Warner Bros.’ generosity has enabled.” * The higher education scholarships will be available at the following institutions - the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the National Film & Television School, University of the Arts London, Glasgow Caledonian University, Ravensbourne and University of Hertfordshire, and selected courses at other institutions. This year, Warner Bros.’ film, TV and games production slates include the movies “Man of Steel,” “The Great Gatsby,” “The Hangover Part III,” and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug;” home video releases “Argo” and “Game of Thrones;” new and returning TV shows such as “The Following,” “The Voice” and “The Big Bang Theory;” and the video games “Injustice: Gods Among Us,” “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” and “Cartoon Universe.” ###