Silverprint Pictures and ITV Studios, in partnership with Directors UK, are pleased to announce an excellent new opportunity for a director of colour.
Addressing the stark underrepresentation of directors of colour in scripted television, Silverprint Pictures are excited to provide an opportunity on their new four part event drama, The Long Call, for ITV.
The successful applicant will work alongside and be mentored by Lee Haven-Jones, who is directing all four episodes of the drama.
Applicants must be a Full or Associate members of Directors UK.
The Long Call is an evocative and gripping four-part event drama inspired by the best-selling novel from award-winning writer Ann Cleeves. The atmospheric crime drama is driven by an intriguing and flawed protagonist, Detective Inspector Matthew Venn, who has returned to live in a small community in North Devon with his husband, Jonathan. It’s a place Matthew walked away from 20 years ago, after being rejected by his devout Christian Brethren family.
The placement director will join Lee in late pre-production, and over the course of 14 weeks will become embedded in the production team throughout filming and for a short period in both pre and post production. They will also have the opportunity to direct some 2nd Unit material. The director will receive payment for their contribution and participation in the programme, and overnight accommodation will be provided throughout production if needed.
Upon completion of the scheme, the successful applicant will be given an opportunity to apply for, and to be considered for, available new roles to direct future episodes of ITV Studios-made dramas and other primetime drama series in their own right.*
Location
The production of The Long Call is based in Bristol and is filmed entirely on location, mainly in Bristol and North Devon. With late shoots, often in rural settings, personal transport is advised. In addition, whilst we navigate COVID-19 it is written into the production protocols that individual private transport must be used for all cast and crew. For shortlisted candidates, we will discuss at interview stage how best to support if they do not have access to transport.
Under current COVID restrictions, guidelines and protocols, much of the prep and post-production is being carried out remotely/at home, apart from location scouting which, together with the shoot itself, is being strictly carried out in accordance with the government and industry guidelines. The Long Call is shot mostly on single camera (Sony Venice). The cutting rooms are in Cardiff.
Dates
Scheduled dates are:
Tech recces will take place in the week commencing 22 March 2021
Principal photography will run from 6 April 2021 through to 11 June 2021
Post production starts 14 June 2021, delivering in October 2021
These dates may be subject to change.
How to apply
The successful recipient will need to have previous directing credits of scripted TV drama, most likely on a continuing drama series or a series of short films.
Specifically, applicants must evidence their story-telling skills through the understanding of the episode one script (provided later in the application process) and have thoughts on what their visual ambition would be for the show, whilst also evidencing the ability to effectively collaborate with HoDs and every team member involved in the process. Please reference these criteria in your application statement.
Applicants must be a Full or Associate members of Directors UK.
Please send your CV, showreel and a covering statement supporting your application to [email protected] using the criteria stated above.
DEADLINE: 12 Noon, Friday 12 March
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview on Thursday 18 March 2021 via Zoom/Teams. The aim would be to announce the successful director during the week of 22nd March 2021.
*Applicants are not guaranteed a role at the end of the scheme and all applications for future directing roles will be considered solely on merit.
This opportunity is permitted as Positive Action within the 2010 Equalities Act and acknowledges the under-representation of women and directors of colour currently working in the TV industry (Source – Who’s Calling the Shots? -Gender inequality among screen directors working in UK television August 2018 and Adjusting the Colour Balance, Directors UK, September 2018).
