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Channel 4 Production Training Scheme

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Channel 4 Production Training Scheme

Breaking down barriers, championing the underrepresented, nurturing fresh talent. That’s what they’re all about on the Channel 4 Production Training Scheme. They offer opportunities across the UK – in Belfast, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, and Manchester. Trainees get to work in paid, full time roles for independent production companies for 12 months alongside support and training delivered by thinkBIGGER!

You might have just completed your degree, perhaps you’ve had a bit of work experience in the industry, or maybe you’ve no experience in it at all! For this programme that’s absolutely perfect. They’re all about generating new, raw, underrepresented talent for the TV industry.

With placements starting in September 2024, the Production Training Scheme is a year long, fully paid, training opportunity to learn from some of the best the UK TV industry has to offer.

Bootcamp

To kick off the programme, you’ll spend 1 week in TV Boot Camp – but don’t worry, they wont have you running up mountains SAS-style.

You’ll be in the classroom with Channel 4’s training partner thinkBIGGER! who will give you an introduction to the scheme, and go through what you can expect from the next 12 months.

This week will set you up for success for the scheme and give your career in TV the kick start it needs!

On the job training

Once TV Boot Camp is complete, then the real work starts! You’ll join an Independent Production Company as you learn your trade from the experts.

But don’t worry, they wont leave you high and dry! thinkBIGGER! will be there to check in every month either in person or virtually, to see how you’re getting on and to provide extra training to support your blossoming career.

Pick your path

Are you a natural organiser and great at logistics? Then Production sounds like it’s for you. Or are you more inquisitive with a great eye for detail? Then you’d make a great Researcher! On the Production Training Scheme, you can pick the right pathway for you – with companies across unscripted television, you can find the role that’s best suited to your skill set and interests.

Earn while you learn

Learn from the very best the UK TV industry has to offer, all whilst earning a salary, which is set at £24,000 a year for trainees in the Nations and Regions. Getting your start in the industry when you’ve got no experience and need to earn a living can be really hard – and they know this impacts the diversity of the UK Production industry. That’s why all of the Channel 4 trainees receive invaluable training and get paid for the duration of this 1 year scheme.

How to apply

As a trainee you will be based at the location of the independent production company to which you have apply to. In Birmingham, the production company is Spun Gold who are looking for a Trainee Researcher. To apply for the Channel 4 Production Training Scheme, click the link here and register for an account.

Applications are currently open for the next cohort and are scheduled to close on midday Monday 22nd April 2024. Please note Channel 4 may extend the deadline for some roles if required.

You can find FAQs about the scheme here. If you have any questions, you can contact Channel 4 at 4skills@channel4.co.uk and a member of the team will be able to help.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

ScreenSkills Getting in, Getting on

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Getting in, Getting on: supporting regional talent

This ScreenSkills programme is designed to support talent based in the UK regions to access career development opportunities. It is aimed at those who have either not gained places on ScreenSkills programmes, or are early career/new entrants.

Getting in, Getting on will offer specifically tailored one-to-one online mentoring sessions, where individuals will be ‘Action Planned’ to shape their next steps. Additionally, there will in-person regional roadshow events in ManchesterBristolLeedsBirmingham, and Newcastle featuring helpful workshops along with evening networking sessions with industry professionals .

This programme will be delivered by Addie Orfila, Alison Surtees and Shirley Benson.

The programme is funded by the ScreenSkills High-end Television Skills Fund made up of contributions from high-end television productions made in the UK. 

Who it’s for

The programme is specifically aimed at those who have:

  • previously been unsuccessful at gaining a place on ScreenSkills programmes such as Trainee Finder (early career), Make a Move and high-end TV step-up programmes.
  • completed HETV courses/placements and may have stalled or considered leaving the industry so are looking for next steps and advice to move to the next level or consolidate at current level

We offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which we can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let us know and we will be happy to work with you to meet them.

If you have any access needs or require any additional support to complete your application please contact alison@almaisonproducers.net

What it covers

The programme will include:

One-to-one online Zoom sessions – allowing 100 participants a tailored support package covering areas such as CV development and coaching, building a personalised Action Plan.

This will focus ongoing activity, provide personal accountability and ensure a pathway to moving forward. Once selected for the programme, participants will be emailed with details for booking a session and/or attending events.

5 x regional events – these in-person events will offer afternoon workshops covering key areas taken from participant questionnaires. These may include

  • freelancing and resilience
  • CV writing
  • networking techniques

The evenings will be dedicated to networking and invited industry professionals will support facilitated networking so that candidates can build their contacts, share practice, build mutual support and access potential opportunities. The events will take place in:

  • Manchester (March 2024)
  • Bristol (May 2024)
  • Leeds (June 2024)
  • Birmingham (July 2024)
  • Newcastle (September 2024)

Once selected for the programme, participants will be emailed with details for booking a session and/or attending events.

How to apply

To register your interest in this programme, and ensure you meet the criteria please click this link here, and complete the application form

If you are selected to join the programme, you will receive an email confirming your participation and details of how to book your one-to-one session. You will automatically be selected for the networking sessions, with further details of the face to face events circulated in early 2024. You can select on this form if you want to attend the online 1-2-1, the in person training and networking or BOTH.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

Producing Truth 2024

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Producing Truth: for UK documentary feature producers

This programme is for documentary feature producers based in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the English Regions outside of London. 

This programme is specifically focused on building core production and business skills, confidence and a support network for independent producers working on documentaries outside of commercial structures, unscripted or factual TV formats. Participating producers will benefit from a programme tailored to the distinct challenges of developing, funding and distributing independent nonfiction cinema today.

This inclusive programme will follow the producing journey from project inception through to exhibition. Independent documentary involves creative and business risk taking, and strategic planning centred on relationship building. Producers need tools to create the environment for powerful stories and subjects to thrive and to help them manage the unpredictable nature of producing in this field.

This programme is supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions.

Who it’s for

Open to up to twelve mid-level producers based in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and English regions outside of London. The training will be delivered by a consortium of industry leading partners who have specific awareness of local context and networks, independent documentary filmmaking, as well a track record in talent development, training and outreach initiatives.

The outcome of the programme will be to offer real career progression for ‘experienced’ mid-level producers (Completed at minimum one feature length film as the lead Producer) to update their knowledge on production practicalities, gain insights into current distribution and marketplace, guidance and strategies for sustaining livelihood and resilience, and to broaden their professional networks.

ScreenSills offer inclusive training. If you have any needs which they can accommodate during the recruitment process and beyond, please let them know and they will be happy to work with you to meet them.

What it covers

This hybrid programme will include seven online sessions and case studies delivered by field leaders and will culminate in exposure to a professional market where the learnings can be applied. In-depth online sessions and case studies will be delivered as a 2.5hr session on a weekly basis from the 13th May to the 1st July 2024. Additionally the participating producers will attend Docs Ireland market on June 21st, and 22nd 2024.

Course overview:

Sessions will be dedicated to specific fields of the documentary producer skillset, including:

  • business and legals: finance, budgeting and funding
  • international co-production
  • collaborative storytelling
  • producer wellbeing and resilience
  • markets and distribution

The final session, delivered after their in-person attendance at a documentary film market will offer a space for reflection, and guidance for next steps in career development. The programme will be delivered by BFI Doc Society Fund, Docs Ireland, Scottish Documentary Institute, and Screen Alliance Wales.

How to apply

Please click ‘apply now’ on the ScreenSkills website to submit your application. You will need to be logged into your ScreenSkills account to submit your application. The deadline for applications is 22 March 2024.

Screenskills is also supporting ‘BIFA Springboard: Producers’ for fiction producers who are currently working on their second feature film. If you are interested in applying, you can find the course page here.

Contact information

Email: sanne@docsociety.org

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

Duly Noted 2024

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Duly Noted 2024

Eleven Film launched Duly Noted 2021 (DN21) as a training programme for people in comedy and drama development. The workshops were designed to skill up aspiring script editors, arming them with a practical understanding of production and a support network.

The launch exceeded their expectations, with more than 200 applications. Eventually they selected five promising, talented, and kind individuals: Andin Ngwa, Amir Amirsolimani, David Cheung, Marissa Ogbeide, and Uju Enendu.

Then, for Duly Noted 2022 (DN22) Eleven Film had a better understanding of the range of exclusion in scripted television. It is mountainous. It’s entirely intersectional. They decided that approaching it singularly reinforces barriers. As a result, DN22 invited applications from all people from historically excluded groups; this included aspiring script editors who identified as Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ and from lower socio economic and/or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Eleven Film selected a skilled, bright and brilliant final cohort: Andrea Royer, Annie Lockhart, Jon Champion, Lily Shahmoon, Mpona Lebajoa, and Zak Abby.

Last year, Duly Noted 2023 (DN23), after reflecting on their DN cohorts so far, they had a specific focus on increasing the representation of participants from all over the UK! Eleven Film considered the formula of the scheme, injecting funding into regional and national placements, and increasing opportunities for people outside of London. In 2023, they saw the profound impact of targeting the regions and the nations of the UK, and investing in work across happening there. It lead Eleven Film to their wonderful, thoughtful, and hard working, final cohort: Anna Wallace, Asia Goldie, Caitlin Rawlings, Ellie Drewry, Jack Casey, Mark Allen, Nkechinyere Nwobani-Akwanwo, Pasha Tong, and Tamar Saphra.

This year, Eleven Film plan to continue delivering wholly inclusive training with the support of the BBC and Sony Pictures Television, with additional support from Screen Scotland. They’re excited to collaborate so closely with partners who share a passion for changing the landscape. Their joint ambition is to scale up and skill up this year’s cohort building off of the last three years’ progress and combining what they’ve learnt across the history of the scheme.

How does it work?

The Duly Noted scheme consists of a fully-funded week long bootcamp training in a fully accessible venue, in Central London, which will prepare the cohort for on-the-ground placements in production which will follow the workshop stage, and will be based all over the UK.

The training will take place in the spring, prior to a production-based Assistant Script Editor placement for each member of the scheme, earning the DN24 cohort what is likely to be their first broadcast credits. The placements will span a ten to twelve-week period in the summer of 2024. The roles will vary depending on demands of the production, while taking into account participant experience, location and requirements. Placements will be facilitated by the BBC and Sony, and will be in partnership with well-established producers who share their ethos of inclusion and change.

Mentorship

Eleven Film will continue to facilitate a feedback loop between the participants of DN21 and DN22 and this year’s final cohort. Some members of the DN21, DN22, and DN23 cohort will return to facilitate and mentor the participants in this year’s group.

They feel it’s important to not only train up and pay the knowledge forward, but also vital that they nourish and sustain a network of emerging editorial brains who’ll likely be the leaders of our industry tomorrow.

Who can apply?

As always applications are open to all people. Eleven Film highly encourage applications from historically excluded groups; this includes aspiring script editors who are Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ and from lower socio economic and/or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Eleven Film invite applications from across the UK. Ideal candidates will have a track record focused on editorial. They’re looking for individuals with script reading and script development experience (or transferrable skills) under their belts. However, they very much welcome applications from people who’re looking to crossover from other TV or Film production roles.

Is it paid?

To support costs of travel, accommodation and equipment hire, Duly Noted is offered as a paid training opportunity. Participants are compensated for their time during the workshop series and throughout their production role as Assistant Script Editors.

How to apply?

The submissions window opens on Tuesday 5th March.

Applicants will need to email Eleven Film at dulynoted@elevenfilm.com, sending their current CV as PDF, along with a PDF responding to the following provocations:

  1. In what ways do you feel that TV storytelling and the broader industry would benefit from the inclusion of individuals like yourself and the perspective of your community?
  2. What does script editing mean to you – why are scripts and story your chosen path?
  3. Tell Eleven Film about a show you love and why.
  4. Tell Eleven Film about a show you didn’t get along with and why.
  5. Which show would you love to have script edited and why?
  6. Tell Eleven Film why you would benefit from participating in the Duly Noted scheme, specifically.
  7. Where are you currently based and where do you consider ‘home’?
  8. Feel free to let Eleven Film know here if you have any access requirements ahead of a video call interview.

Applications must be submitted by 10AM (GMT) on Friday 22nd March to be considered for Duly Noted 2024.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

Skills Bootcamps in Film Production

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Skills Bootcamps in Film Production

Skills Bootcamps are Creative Alliance’s free, flexible courses of up to 8 weeks, giving you the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.

This is an 8-week course that will be a mix of online and in-person training. It is aimed at people seriously looking to work in this industry as part of the course is focussed on building up your showreel, a professional profile and applying for jobs. Each applicant will create their own film for a professional company that will provide a brief. You will also attend a presentation and interview with the company to present your film. See the full brochure here.

You will learn

In this Skills Bootcamp you will not only learn how to make a film but also how to operate in the industry, what roles there in the sector and how it functions. You will also learn how to build up your showreel and present yourself to the industry in a professional manner to give you the best chance to get a job. 

  • How to use cameras and professional framing of shots 
  • How to operate sound equipment and understand the best way to capture different sounds 
  • How a production in film works and what pre production is needed 
  • How to edit with professional software and create a narrative. 
  • To learn about the industry and how the sector operates.

Course Structure:

  • 85 hours’ worth of live online and classroom sessions.
  • 8 week course – with two-six sessions a week – 10.00am to 1.00pm – 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
  • 3 hour sessions delivered by digital professionals who work in the sector.
  • Full schedule 29th April – 18th June.
  • Special sessions delivered by employers, recruitment experts and Business Owners.

Who can do it?

  • You are looking to get the skills to start your career in Filmmaking: This Skills Bootcamp course was developed alongside employers, and guarantees an interview with an employer looking for talent.
  • You are looking to upskill and develop your position in your job or freelance career.
  • You are to make a start in the Film & TV industry.

Eligibility and Costs

  • You need to be 19 or over and NOT in full time education.
  • You are based within the West Midlands.
  • You have a right to work in the UK.
  • You are looking to start or change your career and looking for employment, or new clients if you are a freelancer.
  • You have the time availability to commit to the course schedule.
  • These courses are fully funded.

The Application Process

  • Register your interest – Go to the Creative Alliance website and click on the “Apply” button. You will be updated when applications are open.
  • Fill Application Form – You will receive an email from Creative Alliance, which will have a link to the application form that you must fill and submit. Please, remember to check your spam folder as well.
  • Screening Call – A member of the Creative Alliance team will contact you to review eligibility criteria. Once all applications have been reviewed you will be informed if you application was successful around one week before the start of the course.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

BAFTA Connect Membership 2024

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BAFTA Connect Membership 2024

BAFTA members champion creativity, provide community, and promote progressive industry practices across the screen arts.

Connect membership is open to talented emerging and mid-career professionals working within the film, games or television industries, and is offered for a three-year term.

Applicants display a promising career trajectory and the beginnings of a recognised body of work, advocate for creative talent and storytelling and are committed to inclusion and progressive industry practice.

Members benefit from a tailored development programme of workshops and events as well as structured peer-to-peer networking, and full-day conferences aimed at developing craft and understanding of best practice and industry landscape.

Applicants should be currently working in the film, games and television industries at emerging and mid-level in their field and be based in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or North America.

Benefits

  • A tailored development programme of monthly workshops and events as well as structured peer-to-peer networking in London, the regions, North America and online.
  • Full-day conferences aimed at developing craft and understanding of best practive and industry landscape
  • A secondary programme of year-round in-person and online industry events, screenings and Q&As
  • Access to BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, including use of the members’ club for networking, meetings and entertaining.
  • Access to BAFTA View, BAFTA’s online viewing platform.
  • Discounted Room Hire at 195 Piccadilly for private screenings and events.
  • Inclusion in the online BAFTA Connect Membership Directory, which is promoted to full BAFTA members and the wider industry.
  • Opportunity to apply for discounted ceremony-only tickets at selected awards ceremonies.

Criteria

BAFTA welcome applications from emerging and mid-level creatives and executives currently working in the film, games and television.

Film and Television applicants must meet two of the following criteria;

  • Previous experience in short form, theatre, web series or radio
  • In funded development on a debut feature-length project, or your first TV, streaming or online commission.
  • Demonstrable craft, technical, production and editorial credit(s) in feature film and/or television that has been commercially released or distributed in the UK or North America via a distributor, production company, network or major streaming platform.
  • Credits as director, producer or writer for hire – including writers and directors of block/series episodes and writers room credits.

Connect membership is not currently open to actors living and working in the UK. 

Those with significant experience in theatre, commercials and short form may still be considered at the discretion of the jury.

APPLY NOW – CONNECT MEMBERSHIP

Deadline to apply to join in 2024: Monday 1 April 2024

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

Build Your Own Film Night 2024

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Build Your Own Film Night 2024

Learn how to curate and host your own pop-up film event with Film Hub Midlands.

Build Your Own Film Night is a series of interactive workshops that will guide you through all the essential information and skills required to deliver your very own film event. Led by experienced industry professionals, the session will cover everything from choosing films and clearing rights to marketing and logistics.

Throughout the course you’ll pick up all sorts of tips and tricks that will help ensure your event runs smoothly and has a lasting impact on your audience. You’ll even get the chance to put your skills to the test and host your own event at MAC with support from the Film Hub Midlands team.

BFI Film Academy presents Build Your Own Film Night at Midlands Arts Centre delivered by Flatpack on behalf of Film Hub Midlands supported by National Lottery.

Access Bursary

Each session has a fee of £3 but there is a access bursary available for attendees aged 16-25 who require financial support for:

  • Those taking part in the programme and are unable to pay to secure their place.
  • Traveling to and from MAC for each scheduled in-person sessions as part of the programme. Travel reimbursements are up to £20 maximum each journey/session in order to attend.
  • Those attending the screening including sign-ups/participants of the programme and the public attending. Both ticket fees and travel.

Dates and times

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

West Midlands Create Growth Programme

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West Midlands Create Growth Programme

Does your business have creativity at its heart?

  • Does your business have creativity at its heart – design, fashion, architecture, film, broadcast, createch, gaming, immersive, publishing, music, theatre, art, heritage, craft or media? 
  • Are you operating in the West Midlands Combined Authority area?*
  • Do you need help building your confidence as a founder to make decisions on investment, IP, business structures and growth plans? 
*Priority will be given to businesses trading or registered within one of the following areas: Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell, Dudley, Coventry, Walsall, Wolverhampton. They will also consider applicants from certain wider region areas, however a smaller proportion of businesses will be selected from these areas: East Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, Tamworth, North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Warwick, Stratford-on-Avon, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Wyre Forest.

Applications for the Create Growth Programme in the West Midlands are now open. The programme is designed to support growing creative businesses to develop the skills to secure investment and achieve ambitions for growth. It is tailored to the needs of different creative disciplines, their respective markets, governance and distribution models.  Take a look at the website to find out more.  Follow this link to read FAQs before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The programme has two stages running in parallel:

  • Stage 1: 6-month programme starting in April, ‘preparing for investment’ Deadline 1 April  
  • Stage 2: 9 month programme starting in May, ‘get ready for investment’ – Deadline 4 March  

The Create Growth Programme is funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and aims to support creative businesses in planning for growth and exploring and securing commercial investment opportunities. The programme will be delivered by Creative UK in partnership with West Midlands Combined Authority and Create Central.

Stage 1

Stage 1 application deadline: Monday 1st April 

Stage 1 activity will begin in May 2024.

Stage 1 has been designed for businesses who want to grow and explore commercial investment pathways. Over six months, you will be placed in a cohort of businesses with access to: a course of workshops designed to unlock your commercial capacity and describe routes to investment and growth; two one-to-one mentoring sessions to define and refine your business ambitions; access to the Ethical Equity Simulator – a unique piece of software that enables users to learn about the different types of investment from a practical point of view. Stage 1 closes with a diagnostic session with investment mentors to help you plan the next steps on your investment journey. 

Stage 2

Stage 2 application deadline: Monday 4th March

Stage 1 activity will begin in April 2024.

Stage 2 is an intensive investment readiness programme for businesses who are ambitious to get commercial investment. Over nine months, you will receive: on-going one-to-one mentoring to address your challenges and craft a bespoke nine-month journey for your business; a course of workshops covering business foundations and sector-specific challenges; opportunities to meet and pitch to investors.

How to apply

Fill in the EOI form to express interest in Get Investment Ready (make sure to read the FAQs before starting and reach out to the team if still you have any unanswered questions). 

Once the team has looked at your EOI they will be in touch to discuss if they think you are eligible for Stage 1, Stage 2, or to discuss different options and opportunities. Please allow up to 4 weeks for a response to the EOI.  

Businesses may be invited into a diagnostic process, which will allow for their investment and business mentors to look at the potential of your business and its future invest-ability. 

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

New Writers Collective 2024

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New Writers Collective 2024

A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR UNCREDITED WRITERS

The TV Foundation, the umbrella charity behind the Edinburgh TV Festival, has once again teamed up with leading international TV production and distribution group, All3Media, to support undiscovered, diverse writing voices, through its New Writers Collective. The TV Foundation and All3Media have been supporting and celebrating unrepresented new writers together since 2018, expanding the New Script Award into the New Writers Collective last year to deliver more for emerging voices.

The New Writers’ Collective an initiative designed to discover and support new TV writers. The successful cohort will attend an intensive residential writers’ retreat with professional guidance from The TV Foundation and from experienced executives and creatives from across the All3Media Group.  They will help the writers develop their ideas and scripts and provide expert tips and advice.  The writers will also be offered professional networking opportunities and receive complimentary delegate passes and accommodation at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival in August.

The New Writers Collective is perfect for you if … 

  • You’re an aspiring writer looking for your first paid TV writing experience or representation
  • You want to join a supportive network of writers to take the next leap in your writing career and form invaluable industry connections
  • You’re interested in an exclusive deal with All3Media

Key Information

  • Applications Open: Thursday 22 February 2024
  • Applications Close: Thursday 21st March 2024
  • Submission Fee: £24

Application Timeline

  • Applications assessed: April 2024
  • Participants notified: Early May 2024
  • New Writers’ Collective Residential Workshop: June 2024
  • The Edinburgh TV Festival: Tuesday 20th August – Friday 23rd August

All submissions to the Collective will be chosen from an expert jury drawn from All3Media’s labels as well as a representative from All3Media International.

Apply here via the online form. Please read the FAQ’s and the Ts+Cs for more details on eligibility, the application process, and being on the programme.

 

For more industry information, visit Film Birmingham’s news page. Or add us on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

Channel 4 New Writers Scheme 2024

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Channel 4 New Writers Scheme 2024

Channel 4’s New Writers Scheme is a one-stop-shop for new writers with a burning desire to write TV drama. It is open to unrepresented new writers looking for their first writing credit. This scheme is aimed at those currently underrepresented in the TV industry. Channel 4 are particularly keen to hear from Deaf and/or disabled people, ethnically diverse people and people from lower socioeconomic groups.

This is a unique opportunity to gain the skills needed to forge a successful writing career, and tell stories which reflect the diversity and creativity of the place where you live. Over 8 months, you will benefit from expert industry training and insights, mentoring and introductions to scripted drama production companies. You must be available to attend in person training days in Bristol, Glasgow or Leeds around every two months. At the end of the scheme, you will submit a spec script for feedback from Channel 4.

This development programme is targeted at emerging writers from the Nations & Regions, with three regional cohorts based in Bristol, Glasgow and Leeds. With up to 8 writers in each regional cohort, you will build your skills, knowledge and networks to develop and write scripts reflecting your regional identity with a particular focus on diverse perspectives.

Channel 4’s New Writers Scheme ran as a pilot in the West & South West of England in 2022. It was developed by Channel 4’s Bristol hub in partnership with Bristol UNESCO City of Film, BFI NETWORK (delivered regionally in the South West by Watershed), UWE Bristol and The Bottle Yard Studios. Its purpose was to support partner ambitions to develop TV drama talent and increase representation of regional stories on screen. Following on from the successes of this pilot and working again with their partners at the BFI Network, they are now expanding the scheme to continue to support more writers across the Nations & Regions.

ELIGIBILITY/CRITERIA

  • The scheme is open to all new writers who are not represented by an agent. Please note that Channel 4 cannot accept applications from writers with representation or a writing credit for television.
  • You will be able to demonstrate a burning desire to write television drama.
  • You may have had experience in writing for theatre, radio or made short films though this is not essential.
  • Submissions will be your original work.
  • Submissions will be assessed on the strength of the writing and the originality of the pitch.
  • You must be able to commit to attending in-person training days (around every 6-8 weeks) at your chosen regional location, alongside regular virtual masterclass sessions and meetings with your mentor and script editor.

COURSE CONTENT

The scheme will cover fundamental elements of writing drama for TV including masterclasses from some of the best producers, directors and writers in the industry on subjects such as:

  • TV Format and genre.
  • Story and structure: Essential elements that go into creating a dynamic and compelling story.
  • Character and dialogue: How to create memorable and original characters.
  • Pitching.
  • How to write outlines and treatments.
  • Navigating the industry and finding & working with an agent.

TIMETABLE

  • Applications for the scheme will be open from Tuesday 6th February 2024 to midnight on Friday 1st March 2024.
  • Channel 4 will be hosting a one hour online Q&A webinar for applicants on Monday 12th February at 1pm. To register for this event please click here.
  • The interviews will be held virtually in late May/June 2024. The scheme will begin late June/July 2024.
  • If you are selected you must be able to travel to a series of training days and events between July 2024 and February 2025. In-person sessions will take place every 6 to 8 weeks and will rotate around the 3 regional hubs (Bristol, Glasgow and Leeds), alongside virtual events.

*C4 can provide financial support for travel if your circumstances would otherwise exclude you from being able to attend the in-person sessions. As the course is part-time and sessions are scheduled to ensure most people can attend them around a full-time job, the scheme is unpaid, and C4 therefore would not cover wider costs/expenses other than travel to/from these sessions for those who need it.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

PART ONE: Please submit the following documents as one merged PDF file*:

  • A CV, highlighting any credits or relevant experience if applicable.
  • The first eight pages of an original script idea for a new Channel 4 TV drama series.
  • A separate drama series pitch document for a different idea for a series no longer than one side of A4.

For guidance on the current commissioning priorities please follow this link: https://www.channel4.com/commissioning/4producers/drama

*For information on how to merge files into one document please visit this link: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/merge-pdf.html

PART TWO: Please also answer the following questions and upload as a PDF file:

  1. Please tell Channel 4 why you would like a place on this scheme and how would you benefit from participating?  (150-200 words max)
  2. This scheme is aimed at amplifying underrepresented voices in TV drama. Please tell Channel 4 about your background and how you hope to bring your unique writing perspective to the industry? (150-200 words max)
  3. What steps have you taken to advance your writing and experience so far? For example this may be training, voluntary work or theatre experience. (250-300 words max)

APPLY NOW:

* Please apply via the correct link below for your chosen regional location. Please note that applicants must only apply once, and this should be to the regional hub closest to where you are based. Additional applications will not be accepted.

Please access the Q&A webinar recording here and insert the passcode: V.Y6SfSx or visit the channel 4 website for more details.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or require any adjustments please email  4Skills@channel4.co.uk

 

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