News / television
Channel 4 launches scheme to find unrepresented writers
A new initiative from Channel 4 will give new and unrepresented drama writers in the South West their first break.
The broadcaster’s Bristol hub has designed the scheme in collaboration with Bristol UNESCO City of Film and its partners BFI NETWORK, UWE Bristol and The Bottle Yard Studios.
Now open to applicants, the C4 TV Drama New Writers Scheme will offer 12 successful applicants six months of support to help them achieve their first writing credit.
is needed now More than ever
The initiative’s opportunities include industry mentoring, introductions to drama production companies and in-person writing workshops held in Channel 4’s Bristol hub in Finzels Reach.
At the end of the programme, applicants will be able to submit a draft script to Channel 4’s drama commissioning editor, Gwawr Lloyd.
He said: “Launching this TV Drama New Writers scheme is a fantastic opportunity for the channel to identify talent from the region and to work with them to help us get authentic, original stories on screen – reflecting audiences back on themselves”.
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Bristol mayor Marvin Rees called the scheme an “exciting opportunity”, saying it would “strengthen the region’s writing talent-base, hopefully leading to new stories that represent the diversity of our city and the wider region’.
Only to unrepresented writers with no current credits, the scheme builds on the promises for diversity made when Channel 4’s Bristol hub was established in 2018.
Lloyd said “ensuring that the nations and the regions are represented in its dramas is a real priority for Channel 4”.
“Its the perfect opportunity for the Channel 4 Bristol hub to collaborate with our local partners to give stories that matter the platform they deserve.”
Main photo: Nick Wall / Channel 4
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