Following the success of Factual Fast Track Scotland and Northern Ireland's first edition, the programme supported by BBC, Channel 4, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland is returning to Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2022.
The year-long development programme will be delivered by Glasgow-based training organisation TRC and is open to senior producers and series producers with a proven track record in network or regional series production. The programme is specifically designed to accelerate the careers of Scotland and Northern Ireland's most talented and creative factual producers.
Successful candidates will benefit from top-flight industry training, paid production placements, commissioner and industry mentors, exclusive access to commissioners, insight into commissioning processes and priorities as well as one to one support.
Factual Fast Track was originally conceived to boost the careers and opportunities of the next generation of factual creative leaders across the UK and it has been welcomed by independent production companies working in these sectors. Companies who have supported the scheme this year have commented:
"Factual Fast Track is hugely valuable to the independent sector in Scotland. Finding the right talent with all the key skills and experience we need for senior roles on productions is challenging. FFT aims to alleviate these issues and hopefully has produced a new raft of senior, experienced, and trained talent that we can work with in future." Jeannot Hutcheson, Raise The Roof.
"It is vital that careers and talent develop in our industry. It is all the more important in a production community like Scotland/Northern Ireland where a critical mass of skills is required to make bigger and bolder productions viable and ensure sustainable, significant growth in the sector." Gerry Costello, IWC
The first cohort to complete this programme in Scotland and Northern Ireland have benefitted from exceptional opportunities. Some have secured their first network series producer credits while others have spearheaded development for major international indies and all have seen their careers move ahead by leaps and bounds.
Applications for Factual Fast Track Scotland and Northern Ireland will open on Friday 14 October via the TRC website. The deadline for applications is Monday 5 December.
Margaret Scott and Claire Scally, TRC's Joint Managing Directors said: "We have been delighted with the success of the first Factual Fast Track Scotland and Northern Ireland and are so pleased our funders have recognised this and are supporting the return of the programme. We look forward to continuing our support for the development of key roles for the industry in Scotland and Northern Ireland through this reputation and career building programme."
Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted, BBC said: "The BBC is committed to backing brilliant Factual talent right across the UK and so I'm delighted that the Factual Fast Track is returning for a second year. This initiative will give talented producers the opportunity to accelerate their careers and work on stand out content that reflects the lives of our viewers across Britain."
Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted at Screen Scotland commented that: "Factual Fast Track 2022 has delivered above and beyond expectations. Returning for 2023 it continues to build on the ongoing strategic development of Scotland's senior creatives. Through close nurturing of factual creative leaders, the programme encourages the continued expansion of top-level productions from Scotland, increasing the range of our factual offering, and its potential for screen sector growth."
More information
TRC
TRC is one of the UK's leading training providers for Broadcast and Digital. TRC is a registered charity based in Glasgow, funded by The National Lottery and Scottish Government through Screen Scotland and BBC Nations and Regions and Channel 4.
Press contact: Claudia Detomaso, Marketing Executive at TRC: [email protected]
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a publicly-owned yet commercially-funded public service broadcaster and has a remit to be innovative, experimental and distinctive. Its public ownership and not-for-profit status ensure all profit generated by its commercial activity is directly reinvested back into the delivery of its public service remit.
As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 is also required to commission UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year.
In addition to the main Channel 4 service, its portfolio includes: E4, More4, Film4, 4seven, Channel4.com, streaming service All 4 and The Box Plus Network, including 4Music.
Screen Scotland
Screen Scotland is the national body that drives development of all aspects of Scotland's film and TV industry, through funding and strategic support. Screen Scotland is part of Creative Scotland and delivers these services and support with funding from Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Find out more at screen.scot and follow us on Twitter and lnstagram.
Northern Ireland Screen
Northern Ireland Screen is the government-backed lead agency in Northern Ireland for the film, television and games industries, driving global growth through boosting our economy, celebrating our culture and enhancing our children's education.
In our strategy, Opening Doors (Phase 11), launched in 2018, we have a clear vision to transform the screen industries in Northern Ireland, ensuring that we have the strongest screen industry outside of London in the UK and Ireland within 10 years, supported by vibrant and diverse cultural voices that are recognized and celebrated equally at home and abroad.
This mission, to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry and culture in Northern Ireland, is supported by intervention in the following areas:
Production and development funding for film, television and digital content;
A free information service and production support for filming in Northern Ireland, including locations FAM trips for incoming productions; help with sourcing crews and facilities; studio facilities Titanic Studios and Belfast Harbour Studios, as well as excellent alternative build space;
Marketing Northern Ireland as a worldwide production location and promoting its product and talent;
Financial assistance for training and skills development;
Production funding for Irish Language and Ulster-Scots programming;
Investment in film education, heritage and archive, film festivals and cultural cinema.
Northern Ireland Screen is a company limited by guarantee, currently employing 28 people and governed by a Board of thirteen Directors. The Chairwoman is Rotha Johnston and Kenneth Branagh is Honorary President.
Northern Ireland Screen is funded by the Department for the Economy and by the Department for Communities and is delegated by the Arts Council of NI (ACNI) to administer Lottery funding for film in Northern Ireland. www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk