Press Release
DIRECTORS UK JOINS FORCES WITH BBC STUDIOS TO FUND DIRECTOR MENTORSHIP SCHEME SEEKING UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES
9 July 2021
Directors UK is delighted to announce that it is working with BBC Studios Productions to deliver training opportunities across its Continuing Drama Productions over the coming year.
The scheme, which launches later in 2021, aims to find and mentor a number of directors from underrepresented backgrounds to work across EastEnders, Holby City, Casualty and Doctors.
The mentorship is aimed at directors who already have some experience, whether that be short films, pilots, features or television, and are looking to develop their craft.
The mentees will experience dealing with the challenges of prepping, shooting, and editing in a multicamera environment, and will also be introduced to different aspects of the specific requirements needed to shoot each of BBC Studios’ continuing drama productions.
It will comprise of several different opportunities, including:
- A workshop for four directors on EastEnders, plus mentoring for more
- A workshop for four directors on Holby City
- A workshop for four directors on Casualty
- A trainee opportunity for directors at Doctors
Applications for EastEnders will launch first, with the aim to provide training and coaching for upcoming directors.
Andrea Corbett, Head of Career Development and Skills at Directors UK, says: “Directors UK is delighted to be partnering with BBC Studios in this unique training and mentoring scheme that is genuinely seeking to not only source diverse directing talent but offer real opportunities for work and career progression. We look forward to working together to grow and nurture directors.”
Deborah Sathe, Senior Executive Producer at BBC Studios, says: “I’m delighted that EastEnders, Holby, Casualty and Doctors are opening up their doors to provide opportunity to train a new generation of directors on our sets. We know that both the trainee directors and the shows will mutually benefit from the scheme. So many careers have started on the production floors of these shows and we are excited to welcome our next generation of directors.“
To be considered for the EastEnders scheme, please send an email to [email protected] and you will automatically be sent a link to the application form. For all other shows please contact [email protected]
About Directors UK
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of over 7,800 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
Directors UK is the professional association of UK screen directors. It is a membership organisation representing the creative, economic and contractual interests of over 7,800 members – the majority of working TV and film directors in the UK. Directors UK negotiates rights deals and collects and distributes royalties to its members. It also campaigns and lobbies on its members’ behalf and provides a range of services including legal advice, events and career development. Directors UK works closely with fellow organisations around the world to represent directors’ rights and concerns, promotes excellence in the craft of direction and champions change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.
directors.uk.com
@Directors_UK
About BBC Studios
BBC Studios, a global content company with bold British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group, supporting the licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences.
Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents.
Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, its activities span content financing, development, production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries across both its own productions, and programmes and formats made by high-quality UK independents.
Award-winning British programmes made by the business are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, with brands like SCD/Dancing with the Stars, Top Gear, Doctor Who and Bluey. BBC Studios has offices in 22 markets globally, including ten production bases in the UK and production bases or partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The company, which ordinarily makes around 2000 hours of content a year for both the BBC and third parties including Apple, Amazon, and China Mobile, is a champion for British creativity around the world.
It is also a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector through a mix of equity partnerships, content investment and international distribution for programme titles.
bbcstudios.com
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