Soldiering On

Soldiering On Awards: People's Choice Finalist Services To Film

The Soldiering On Awards have announced that voting is now officially underway for the People's Choice Award, recognising the achievements of those who have served their country and the diverse people and groups who work together in support of the Armed Forces community.

The gong, sponsored by Forces Network, is being selected by public vote before the winner is announced at a black-tie ceremony on April 20.

Members of the public have until midnight on March 12 to give a huge boost of morale to people who deserve all the support we can give them in their dedication to the Armed Forces community - through one easy click on a voting website.

Services To Film is a 100% veteran-owned company, providing ex-service personnel with employment as extras in the UK film industry, whilst at the same time raising funds for service charities.

The company has provided work for more than 700 veterans - working on films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Fury - and has paid them almost £400,000 so far.

Whilst on resettlement after seven years of service in the Light Dragoons, founder Charlie Rotheram was offered a role as an extra on Les Miserables.

The extras agency had specifically requested that individuals had 'military experience'.

Charlie told Forces Network:

"It quickly became apparent that of the 60 people who had gone on this job as military experience extras out of 60... only four people had been in the British military."

He realised that there was an opportunity to start an extras agency that provided temporary work for genuine veterans.

Not only was there a demand from the film industry for reliable and conscientious individuals, but the temporary nature of the work provided a stepping stone for those on resettlement to be able to have an income whilst establishing themselves in their new life outside the military.

Thus Soldier In Blue (SIB) was born in 2014, before later becoming 'Services to Film'.

Primarily providing veterans as extras for the UK film industry, it's helped create films such as Darkest Hour and Transformers: The Last Knight.

It's provided tank crews for Fury, starring Brad Pitt, drill instructors and military drummers for Testament of Youth, and former fast jet pilots to advise X-Wing 'pilots' in Star Wars on how to act more realistically.

Another day of fun and games on set for an advert for UKTV...! pic.twitter.com/srJg17tQvu
— Services To Film (@ServicesToFilm) June 1, 2016

Charlie says his time in the Army has helped him to run Services To Film, adding:

"I did seven years in the regulars... and I've now done nearly as many years in the reserves... I think service-people have got a tremendous amount to offer the film and TV industry."

Veterans have worked on numerous projects and become regulars, working around their other jobs and self-employment, while others have only done one job for a few days as they looked for employment or were between jobs.

The company says this has provided invaluable income to these individuals at a critical juncture in their professional careers, and given them a vital financial crutch.

It's also given groups of service leavers time on set together where they can share their plans for the future and discuss resettlement opportunities, as well as enjoying a bit of forces camaraderie.

Services to Film has around 3,000 veterans registered on its website/database, with a charity partnership agreed with Walking With The Wounded, which will receive 10% of the company's profits in 2018.

Charlie runs the company in his spare time, alongside his main job and whilst also serving as a sub-unit commander in the Royal Yeomanry as a reservist.