91Èȱ¬

We take an industry-leading role developing, training and diversifying the production community that underpins the success of our commissions, working hand in hand with producers and screen agencies across the UK to help grow and enrich the production pipeline.

How we work with companies

We are proud to work with a wide range of companies of varying sizes and levels of experience, from all over the UK. We offer bespoke, targeted support to production companies so that together we can bring the best content to our audiences.

Development is a huge part of what we do. Where needed we can fully fund the process from the first outline or story document, to acquisition of IP, to the creation of scripts and bibles, with the aim of getting programmes or ideas all the way to screen.

We are committed to helping grow small and emerging indies, particularly those with diverse leadership and/or based in the Nations and English regions. We want to help each company reach their full potential - and can use a number of different editorially-led approaches to do this.

To help nurture new companies we have a named commissioning contact responsible for engaging with and supporting companies in each of the Nations and the English regions. Visit our homepage to find a list of commissioning contacts. For further advice and support for your company please speak to our commissioning editors, or find a range of resources on the links below.

We have a partnership with Netflix to co-commission ambitious new dramas that will increase representation of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent both in front of and behind the camera. Find out more on our creative brief page.

Useful links

How we help grow production talent

We are passionate about realising a fair, equal and diverse production pipeline. Our focus is on developing production talent via commissioned titles, channeling funding into high-impact initiatives which produce measurable outcomes, and around titles filming in the Nations and the English regions.

To grow diversity and representation in the production sector we are aware that one size does not fit all, and areas of under-representation and need can vary widely according to where a production is being filmed and the particular strengths of the production team. We believe the best way to achieve real change is by collaborating with those working on the ground, listening to their experience and their knowledge, and being guided by where they think opportunities exist to develop talent – from entry level to more senior personnel taking a step-up - from script editors to directors and producers.

We utilise the 91Èȱ¬ diverse talent development fund along with other schemes and initiatives to help productions improve diversity, on and off screen.

We have a partnership with Netflix to co-commission ambitious new dramas that will increase representation of deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent both in front of and behind the camera. Find out more on our creative brief page.

We encourage independent production companies to talk to their commissioning editor about the ways we can help them grow new talent in their production.

Some examples of the additional support we have recently offered productions to develop new talent:

Silent Witness

One of the 91Èȱ¬â€™s working closely with the 91Èȱ¬â€™s Creative Diversity Team and access co-ordinators to bring disabled talent into the production team across all levels, widening opportunities and providing a pathway for talented individuals to grow and progress.

Waterloo Road

Twenty junior trainees from the Greater Manchester area were given six-month placements across 10 areas including assistant director, camera, sound, hair and make up, accounts and script editing and a Stepping Up scheme across script writing, directing and production offered a mix of training, mentoring and hands on experience for individuals seeking to develop their careers in the industry. Additionally, extensive local outreach was carried out with over 300 young people aspiring to careers within broadcast.

Grime Kids

Partnering with the creative youth space We Are Spotlight, 12 young people from East London will produce a behind the scenes film which will include set visits, cast and crew interviews, song and soundtrack production, editing and packaging. The scheme runs for a whole school year and they will also benefit from theoretical and technical training.

Granite Harbour

Six Scottish trainees were placed in a variety of roles including sound, location, camera and director shadowing. Throughout the placements, which extended from the production prep stage to end of shoot, the trainees benefitted from training support and bespoke courses.

Ralph & Katie

Five disabled writers worked on scripts for series one and over 35 disabled, deaf and neurodivergent trainees were placed on the production.

Small Axe

Fifteen placements co-funded with Amazon for both stepping up and trainee roles, from entry to senior posts.

Shetland

Ambitious trainee scheme in partnership with Screen Scotland, Dandi and Silverprint, supporting entry, mid and senior level roles across editorial and crew.

The A Word

Supporting an emerging director to step-up and deliver one episode and funded six trainee placements.

EastEnders/Casualty/Silent Witness/Dr Who

Ongoing schemes supporting a range of trainees across crew and creative roles including writers, script editors, directors, hair and make up and camera operators.