Multi-Camera Drama Directing Workshop With ITV Studios

Directors UK and ITV Studios are pleased to announce a fantastic training and mentoring opportunity for emerging directors.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street are at the heart of British cultural life. Not only do they entertain a mass audience on a nightly basis, they continue to employ, train and nurture a huge population of programme making talent.

Commencing on 28 March 2019, ITV Continuing Drama will be delivering a Multi-Camera Drama Directing Workshop giving potential new multi-camera drama directors an insight into what goes into making these shows. It is the aim of the course to give a broad understanding that will help individuals shape their future careers and hopefully open the door to similar productions in the future.

The key learning exercise will be an introduction to the principles of shooting multi-camera with an opportunity to direct a complex multi camera scene in a fully crewed studio. The scheme is open to anyone but priority will be given to people from BAME backgrounds, individuals with a disability and women, as we believe these are under represented groups within our industry and within the soap directing community. The scheme will be run by ITV Studios supported by Directors UK.

The workshop will run at the Coronation Street building in Manchester from Thursday 28 March to Thursday 4 April 2019. Following the course we would hope to be able to offer two individuals the opportunity to be mentored by an experienced director in order to further hone their soap directing and multi camera skills.

This opportunity will take approximately 7 weeks and be arranged at a time which is mutually suitable in 2019.

What are we looking for?

An ideal participant will already have some experience of drama directing in either a television or theatre environment, with some knowledge of how TV drama is shot either or location or in a studio. You may or may not be experienced at drawing out a performance from actors, but you should certainly be well equipped at identifying powerful acting and be aware how a visual language adds value to the storytelling. Because of the pace at which continuing dramas operate, you should be able to demonstrate a flexible yet practical approach to directing, evolving how you work creatively to meet ever changing situations in a high volume environment.

The director should also be able to demonstrate an ability to effectively collaborate with every team member involved in the production process. Applications are welcomed from any director who meets the criteria set out above. Although all applications will be considered on their individual merits, in order to promote diversity and to increase participation of those who are currently under-represented in TV drama, use may be made of the positive action provisions in the Equality Act 2010 when deciding between two equally qualified and talented applicants.

How can I apply?

There will be no charge for the training. Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs may be covered on application to Directors UK.

Please send your CV, a statement outlining your suitability for this scheme, and a link to your showreel to [email protected]. Please label your email “Continuing Drama Multi-Camera Directors’ Training”.

The deadline for applications is Monday 18 February. You must be a member of Directors UK to apply.

Should you be shortlisted, selection interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 25 February 2019.