Season’s Greetings! It’s been a busy year for Directors UK and we’re looking back at a whole year of supporting and celebrating the craft of directing with the Directors UK Advent Calendar.
Every day throughout December we will be reflecting on highlights from 2024, celebrating the craft of directing across a range of genres and formats and revisiting some things you may have missed.
So check back here each day to open another door on the Advent Calendar, or follow along on our social channels: Instagram, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Facebook.
Day 24 - Welcoming over 300 new members into the Directors UK community!
In 2024 we welcomed over 300 new members into the Directors UK community!
The craft, creativity and insight you bring to the membership and our organisation is truly remarkable — and an integral part of our UK arts culture.
We are here to represent and support you and look forward to another year of working on your behalf to promote, preserve and empower the craft of directing.
Day 23 — Owen Tooth: from Directors UK Inspire to EastEnders
Member and Directors UK Inspire mentee Owen Tooth had much to celebrate this year!
He not only directed his first episode of Eastenders, but in so doing became the first wheelchair using director in the show’s 39-year history. In October, we chatted with Owen about his experience on Inspire and our Directing Actors workshop, as well as his approach to directing this beloved series.
In our chat, Owen mentions how his Inspire mentor, Max Myers, supported him with this new opportunity: “Max’s advice is the reason I have an agent today, and his advice is what kept me calm when prep began on my episode of EastEnders. He shared his technique for breaking down a script layer by layer and that helped me make sure I was the most prepared person on the set when the shoot began.”
Read our full conversation now: Owen Tooth: from Directors UK Inspire to EastEnders
You can find out more about Directors UK Inspire here: Directors UK Inspire 2025-26: A Mentoring and Career Development Programme
Day 22 — Representing directors and the craft of directing in the media
This year, the Directors UK Board and team have been busy sharing the realities of working screen directors in print and media.
In March, Andy Harrower spoke to Broadcast about how the cutting of programmes will lead to a loss of significant talent from the sector.
Board Member Abigail Dankwa joined member Ashley Golder on the TV Makers Podcast (Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts) in November, sharing the ins and outs of what a multi-camera director does, as well as discussing how the label of “risk” in hiring is damaging to the screen industries, and what we all can do to change that.
Also in November, our Vice Chair James Hawes spoke to Screen in reaction to the news that long-running series Doctors, will cease production. James spoke about how continuing dramas are crucial to new directors learning the craft. “We [directors] have to tell a story in a very focused way, with all the pressures of production on our backs. How we spend the time, how we spend the budget, how we get the best performances. And there’s nothing quite like the drill and the gym that directors go through on soaps and continuing drama. You are flexing your creative muscles.”
This is just some of the work our team and Board have been doing to ensure there is a greater understanding of the crucial role directors play in TV and film production, as well as their working conditions.
Day 21 — In Conversation: Brett Story and Stephen Maing with Nick Broomfield on Union
This autumn, nonfiction filmmakers Brett Story and Stephen Maing joined us In Conversation with Nick Broomfield on their latest documentary Union, which tells the story of the Amazon Labour Union’s historic victory in the US, under the leadership of the charismatic Chris Smalls.
On the night, Brett and Stephen shared how they drew upon their wealth of documentary experience to capture the raw, passionate and often messy world of a labour movement.
“We had to come to an understanding of what the film was going to be about irregardless of what happened and the chronology of the campaign, and I think for us when we started the film, there were a few things that made us understand it was worth witnessing and realizing in cinematic form.” — Brett Story
Day 20 — A fantastic year of In Conversation events
It's been a fantastic year of In Conversation events hearing from directors across the genres on their approach and journey in filmmaking. These discussions, filled with plenty of insight on the craft of directing, live on through the Directors UK Podcast, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
We’ve plenty more conversations on the way in 2025, so be sure to subscribe!
Day 19 — Multi-camera director Nikki Parsons gives a masterclass on directing live entertainment, on the Directors UK Podcast
In May, BAFTA-award winning multi-camera director Nikki Parsons joined fellow multi-camera director Tim van Someren on the Directors UK Podcast to share what goes into her work directing Strictly Come Dancing and the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
The two discussed how multi-camera directors manage creative leadership on set, collaborating with crew and talent, and so much more in this multi-camera masterclass!
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Day 18 — Louise Hooper on directing The Rings of Power
This year the much anticipated second season of The Rings of Power brought audiences back to Middle-earth.
In August, we sat down with member Louise Hooper, director of episodes 2 – 5, to discuss how she approached revisiting such an iconic world, and how the team went about bringing some fan favourites to the screen for the first time.
Read our full interview here: Making the Impossible, Possible: Louise Hooper on directing The Rings of Power
Day 17 — Over £6.25 million paid to members in our International Distributions
This year we paid out over £6.25 million to our members as part of our two International Distributions.
Our International Distributions are made possible thanks to agreements Directors UK has with overseas Collective Management Organisations (or CMOs). For our International Distributions we receive extensive data from CMOs based in over 25 countries. Our busy Distribution team sorts through thousands of lines of data to ensure eligible credits receive payment.
Our next UK distribution is due towards the end of January 2025, with our next International Distribution due in May. You can see a full timetable of upcoming distributions for 2025 here.
Day 16 — Speaking with Ben Archard and James Tyndall on directing The Traitors
Who wasn’t talking about The Traitors this year?
In January we spoke to Ben Archard (Series Director) and James Tyndall (Mission Director) to learn more about what went into directing the show.
The two talk about how you prep for a show like The Traitors, what goes into capturing all the action in the show’s missions, and what a day on set looks like.
Read our interview here: 100% Faithful: Directing The Traitors
Day 15 — James Strong on Mr Bates vs. The Post Office
This year, Mr Bates vs. The Post Office brought the story of the British Post Office scandal to TV screens, capturing the nation’s attention and putting the scandal firmly back on the front pages in the process.
In January director James Strong spoke to us about how he approached representing real people on screen, the impact the series has made on audiences and government alike, and the vital role played by directors in telling the defining stories of our time.
Read the full interview here: “The job of the director is to tell the best story possible” — James Strong on Mr Bates vs. The Post Office
Day 14 — Jan Genesis speaks to us on Multi-Camera Directing
In March, we delved into the world of multi-camera directing with member Jan Genesis about his career path to working on live broadcasts.
Jan spoke about what goes into capturing those “must see” moments, bringing the live atmosphere to audiences at home, and thinking on your feet when things don’t go to plan.
Read the full article here: Jan Genesis on Multi-Camera Directing
Day 13 — Directors UK Vice-Chair James Hawes spoke at a Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee for British film and High-end television
In February, our Vice-Chair James Hawes spoke at a Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee for British film and High-end television. James spoke directly to MPs about the challenges he and fellow directors face, sharing his insights into plenty of pressing matters, including:
• The importance of protecting copyright as a means of financial support for freelancers, and safeguarding creators’ work amidst developments with AI
• Sharing examples of the changing nature of training pathways into the industry and the need to protect them to ensure talent is retained
• Praising the quality and professional reputation of UK crews and technical staff.
You can read more about James’ appearance at the CMS Committee here: Directors UK Vice-Chair James Hawes calls for IP protection and Freelancer Support at CMS Select Committee
Day 12 — Sharing directors perspectives on the industry
At Directors UK, we work year-round to protect the craft of directing. We push for fairer, more collaborative ways of working with broadcasters and commissioners, that protect and respect the role of the director.
This year we talked anonymously with a member whose experience with a broadcaster made them question their future in the industry. They share their story to help anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
“Directors are creative leaders, and we need creative freedom and responsibility to deliver our best work for audiences — this principle should be at the forefront when it comes to decisions about spending on screen.”
Read More: Protecting the Role of the Director — an anonymous case study
Day 11 — In Conversation: Steve McQueen and Jessica Hobbs on Blitz
In October we were joined by Academy Award-winning director Steve McQueen for a very special In Conversation members event.
Following a screening of his latest film, Blitz, Steve was spoke with fellow director Jessica Hobbs about what goes into making a British epic, how he brought the cosmopolitan London of the past to life, and why he enjoys taking risks as a filmmaker.
You can listen to their conversation now on the Directors UK Podcast.
Day 10 — Celebrating creativity and IP at the 2024 Film the House Awards
In October we attended the Film the House Awards ceremony at the House of Lords. Board Chair Karen Kelly presented the Directors UK Award for Best Film Direction to member Cass Virdee for her film Realness with a Twist.
In addition to celebrating the craft of directing, the event allows our team and Board to make the case for directors’ copyright and IP directly to lawmakers and decision-makers.
Presenting the award, Karen said: “Most directors are freelance. These royalty payments are a key part of how they earn their living – whether they’re directing your favourite soap, quiz show, documentary or drama series. This income has never been more important than over the last year when over 50% of our members have been out of work due to the downturn in commissioning and the seismic shift in the broadcasting landscape... We need to work together to ensure a strong IP system which will secure the future of the UK’s creative talent, such as these directors we are celebrating today.”
Read more: Directors UK at 2024 Film the House Awards
Day 9 — Directors UK Inspire
It’s been a big year for Directors UK Inspire, with 40 directors accepted onto the director-to-director mentoring programme.
Inspire is designed to encourage Directors UK members across all genres and formats to pursue and manage structured support from a more experienced director.
This year we also had the pleasure of catching up with Alex Di Cuffa, Katerina Philippou-Curtis and Markus Meedt, three directors who were part of the 2022-23 cycle of Inspire. We spoke about how Inspire helped them navigate the next steps in their careers and what they learned along the way: Directors UK Inspire: A Roundtable with Alex Di Cuffa, Katerina Philippou-Curtis and Markus Meedt
Applications for Inspire will re-open Spring 2025. More info on Inspire 2025-26 can be found here: Directors UK Inspire 2025-26: A Mentoring and Career Development Programme
Day 8 - Paul Evans' Industry Blogs
This year our Head of Industry Relations Paul Evans started a regular blog on our site, in which he shares his thoughts on the industry as he meets and collaborates with directors across the UK.
In his first blog, Paul wrote: “My role is to get talking to directors and get beyond the joyful discussions about their craft and onto the pressing need that they have to protect their own interests – as creators, as wage-earners and as citizens of a country that cares about the quality and quantity of its production output.”
Since his first post, Paul has written blogs about topics as varied as holiday pay, collective efficacy, the industry’s “culture of fear” around freelancers, and more.
Day 7 — In Conversation: Lyttanya Shannon and Zoe Hines on Sweet Bobby
This autumn we had the pleasure of hosting director Lyttanya Shannon at a special In Conversation screening of Sweet Bobby.
Adapted from the popular podcast series, Lyttanya spoke to Board member Zoe Hines on her approach to making this story different and the duty of care nonfiction filmmakers have to their protagonists.
Day 6 — Over £13 million paid out as part of our UK Distribution this year!
In January we paid out £11.2 million as part of our UK distribution, and a further £2 million in July as a supplementary distribution.
Our next UK distribution is due towards the end of January 2025. You can see a full timetable of upcoming distributions for 2025 here.
Our busy distribution team work year round to ensure our members receive up to four payments per year, including from UK and international sources. Distribution Assistant Georgina Trott wrote a blog earlier this year to shine a light on the process and how the team turns eligible credits into payments. Read the article here.
Day 5 — Directors UK secures changes for directors working in ITV Continuing Drama
In June we worked with ITV to secure key improvements to directors’ terms and conditions for working on continuing dramas, including expenses and the addition of new retainer fees.
CEO Andy Harrower said: “We welcome the positive engagement we’ve had with ITV. As part of this, we raised our concerns about how directors’ pay has fallen short of recent cost-of-living increases. In addition to the 3% annual uplift offered by ITV, we’re pleased to have secured a further £1,000-per block retainer fee and the planned doubling of expense per-diems, which represents a substantial improvement.”
Day 4 — Lost Boys and Fairies placement
In June BBC drama Lost Boys and Fairies aired. During the show’s production we were able to offer a placement opportunity on the show, with director and member Peter Darney joining the cast and crew and even stepping up to direct second unit!
We caught up with Peter to discuss how the placement went, what directing second unit was like, and the importance of regional productions: Directors UK - Careers - Lost Boys and Fairies: an interview with Peter Darney
Day 3 - Representing directors and creative freelancers at the Labour Conference
In September CEO Andy Harrower and Director of Communications and Public Affairs Victoria Morris represented directors and creative freelancers at the Labour Conference.
Andy spoke on the panel “A New Deal for Working People” making our case for the need for a freelance Commissioner in parliament, and better protections and improved clarity around the category of freelancer. In the coming year, we’ll continue to work with the Government and industry on your behalf.
Day 2 — Speaking to Thea Sharrock on directing Wicked Little Letters
In February we spoke to Wicked Little Letters director and member Thea Sharrock about working with the film’s lead actors Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley, her approach to directing comedy and how her career has shifted from stage to screen.
"More and more, I realise that directing and filmmaking is a people business — surrounding yourself with the right people who want to tell the same story as you do is the most important thing.”
Read the full article here: Thea Sharrock on Wicked Little Letters: “Directing a movie is a bit like having an army behind you”
Day 1 - New Directors UK Podcast! In Conversation: Coralie Fargeat and Ti West on The Substance
We thought we’d open up the Directors UK Advent Calendar this year with a real treat! The Substance director Coralie Fargeat joined us for a special edition of the Directors UK Podcast, In Conversation with fellow director Ti West on what went into making one of this year’s most talked about films.
The two speak about the importance of trusting your vision as a director, the huge effort that goes into getting visual effects right, and so much more.
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