TRC has announced the return of International Horizons: Scripted, their latest advanced industry programme aimed at scripted drama companies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with a new cohort of producers.
Backed by the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding, Creative Wales, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland, the programme is set to deliver a serious boost to the scripted sector.
The announcement follows a successful pilot edition delivered across six months and spanning three Nations, providing nine selected indies the skills, insight and connections needed to succeed in the competitive world of scripted drama. Participants will receive unrivalled access to industry experts through a series of round table discussions, one-to-ones, case studies and attendance to Content London and Series Mania where they will pitch projects and access co-producing partners.
The nine successful delegates who have been selected to take part in International Horizons: Scripted are:
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Bethan Jones, Red Seam, Wales
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Brian J. Falconer, Out of Orbit, Northern Ireland
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Chris Patterson, Causeway Films, Northern Ireland
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David MacPherson, Inconceivable Productions, Scotland
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Ed Thomas, Fiction Factory, Wales
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Jenny Williams, Pirate Productions, Scotland
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John Giwa Amu, Good Gate Media, Wales
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Louise Gallagher, Hat Trick Productions, Northern Ireland
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Morven Reid, Mam Tor Productions, Scotland
Find out more about the cohort on TRC's website.
Previous contributors to the programme included consultant and former Head of Amazon Studios Europe Georgia Brown, as well as commissioners from Paramount, BritBox, Sky Studios, C4, UKTV, Disney, distribution companies Banijay Rights, All 3 Media, Sony, ITV Studios, BBC Studios, Night Train Media and Fremantle. Leading producers including Simon Heath from World Productions, Jamie Hall from Pulse Films, Lawrence Bowen & Chris Carey from Dancing Ledge amongst others gave master classes on running their companies and case studies of shows.
Claire Scally, Managing Director of TRC said: “The first edition of International Horizons: Scripted has been incredibly successful, and we are delighted to be able to bring it back thanks to our funders’ support. The first cohort has already achieved outstanding results, with several international partnerships and upcoming productions directly resulting from the networking opportunity and training provided by our programme. We are proud to be able to continue championing the talent of an additional group of scripted drama companies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales in the upcoming months.”
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said: “The first year of the International Horizons: Scripted programme proved enormously productive for the participating indies, who gained invaluable insight both from each other and the stellar contributors whom they had access to, so we’re incredibly excited to support year two. Financing for scripted TV production continues to be challenging and enabling indies to secure international partners is key to their future success. It’s fantastic to be partnering once again with TRC and Caroline Levy who did such a great job last time out.”
Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at the BFI, said: “As part of our commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of indie production companies right across the UK, we are proud to fund TRC to play a vital role in providing dedicated business development training and support to indies across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. As they have an ambition to support companies led by underrepresented talent, we hope the support on offer here will go some way to helping level the playing field in a competitive market.”
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Photo credit Siyao Li.