New Writing North, in partnership with Channel 4, Northumbria University and Lime Pictures, is on the look out for talented new writers whose work offers a fresh perspective on life in 21st century Britain.
Three aspiring television writers from the North of England will be selected as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards to receive a bespoke 12-month package of training and development from staff at the independent production company, Lime Pictures.
Two new writers will be on attachment to Hollyoaks, while the third writer will be based in Lime Pictures’ children’s drama department, where The Evermoor Chronicles (Disney), House of Anubis (Nickelodeon) and Rocket’s Island (CBBC) were all produced.
These exclusive opportunities have been created as part of the Northern Writers’ Awards, the annual talent development programme run by New Writing North, which has supported 197 writers since 2000.
As part of Channel 4’s 360° Diversity Charter, entries are particularly encouraged from writers who are currently under-represented in the industry, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBT and disabled writers.
The three winning writers will each receive bursaries of £3,000 to support their time at the studios, where they will receive mentoring from Lime Pictures staff. Each writer will shadow the process of script development, from story conference through to broadcast script, and at the end of the development period may have the opportunity to undertake a paid commission for an episode of a Lime Pictures serial.
The Channel 4/Northumbria University Writing for Television Awards were launched in 2014, with the first winners announced in June 2015. Winners Nuzhat Ali, from Bradford, and Sharma Walfall, from Manchester, are currently undertaking development periods with RED Production Company and Lime Pictures respectively.
Claire Malcolm, Chief Executive of New Writing North, said: “New Writing North and Channel 4 share a commitment to increasing the diversity of writers who are engaged with creating the stories that we see on television. Re-balancing who is writing TV drama helps to better reflect the world that we all represent and opens the doors to exciting new writing that will bring new ideas and energy into the landscape. This fantastic project allows us to place writers at the heart of TV, both in popular drama and this year in children’s fiction development, an important and fundamental part of TV drama. It’s both a fast-track process and an unrivalled opportunity to support new writers into the often difficult-to-enter world of writing for television.”
Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Engagement) at Northumbria University, said: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Channel 4 and New Writing North to support the Writing for Television categories in the Northern Writers’ Awards 2016. These exclusive awards are a fantastic opportunity for new writers to work with established production companies and launch a successful career in television.
“Northumbria University is committed to supporting new writing and creating unique opportunities to enable emerging talent to see their work in production.”
Lee Mason, Channel 4 Commissioning Editor, said: “At Channel 4 we are committed to finding and nurturing new talent, particularly from people who are under-represented in the broadcast industry. We know there is a wealth of writing talent in the north of England and I hope writers will take up this fantastic opportunity to launch their careers. We’re really thrilled to be partnering Northumbria University and New Writing North and we’re delighted that Lime Pictures are committed to this fantastic development opportunity.”
Di Burrows, Producer at Lime Pictures, said: “Lime Pictures is very pleased and proud to be involved in this award for a second year. Our aim is to provide new writers with the chance to develop their skills through working alongside the Hollyoaks and the children’s drama editorial teams. With our full support, this is a fantastic opportunity for writers to immerse themselves in the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of writing for television and experience first-hand the special challenges involved.”
Writers based in the North of England have until Wednesday 3 February to enter the awards. Entrants should be new to television writing, but may be published in another form. Enter online at www.northernwritersawards.com
