High End TV Talent: The story so far… 1 Foreword The High End Television (HETV) Council draws together the expertise of the TV Drama Industry and the funds provided by the voluntary levy on High End Drama production. Around £2M is available every year and applied developing the skills necessary to service the buoyant level of production in the UK. Over the last year, innovative programmes and 03 .................................... Foreword partnerships designed to create diversity of opportunity have been at the centre of our work. 04 - 25 ......................Transmitted writing, directing, producing and technical grade initiatives have introduced new players and up-skilled 26 - 39 ............................. Greenlit experienced professionals looking to develop their careers. Looking ahead, the HETV Council will, over the next year, make major investments in the UK CONTENTS 40 - 47 ................In Development Nations and Regions to develop the crew base and FOREWORD nurture local creativity. We will also be looking to expand our work wider to take into account the high level skill needs of the HETV VFX and post production services. UK TV drama is renowned for its The work of the HETV Council is pragmatic, focussed and swiftly reactive. This flows from the industry rich content, high production values experience of production professionals who sit on and dynamic narratives. To ensure the Council. We are, without exception, current this reputation remains training and practitioners with a close understanding of the development behind the camera is crucial. challenges and frustrations of television drama. Whether you are a new entrant, a broadcaster, an The story so far… is a reflection of some experienced freelancer, a post production house, a tiny of the work that the High End TV (HETV) Indie or a diverse trans-national media company; we Council and HETV Levy has been doing. want to hear from you. How can we help you develop your skills and aspirations? How can we support new The HETV Levy is administered by ways of working and consolidate your position in the industry? We move quickly to get you up and running. Creative Skillset. Our touch is light but based on hands-on expertise. We want you, your company or your employees to be excited and looking forward inside a vital, fast moving international television arena. We look forward to meeting and engaging with you. Bryan Elsley, Chair: High End TV Council. Image: Poldark © Mammoth Screen 03 TRANSMITTED Image: Death in Paradise © Red Planet Pictures 04 05 Writers Writers WRITERS BAME TV Writers Boot Camp: Original TV Drama Series Fresh Voices and The London Film School With the support of the HETV Levy, The eleven boot camp writers are: “This scheme has provided Fresh Voices and London Film School me with a toolkit and an • Perrie Balthazar Workshops collaborated to develop instruction manual with a practical bootcamp to enhance the • Catherine Johnson which to build a career. I creative and industry skills of already • Anjum Malik know now how to interrogate experienced BAME TV drama writers. an idea so it can become • Michael Maynard a workable, marketable, The BAME TV Writers Boot Camp commercial television series is practical and intensive, focused • Abigail Mensah without sacrificing, or on enabling the writers to complete • Jon Sen a presentation of their series to compromising my voice.” industry standard. It is industry-savvy, • Sumerah Srivastav Alex Stewart, connecting these writers to production • Omar Khan companies and broadcast executives 2016 boot camp participant. who contribute to the development • Alexander Stewart of their work. It is professionalising, • Paven Virk developing the writers’ understanding of industry structures and relationships • Andy Campbell that will inform their professional practice for years to come. And by More information: [email protected] doing all these things, it is empowering. The bootcamp has run twice supporting eleven writers. From the first cohort two writers' projects were commissioned “I loved it. I applied hoping by production companies BBC Drama it would provide a useful and Left Bank Pictures, and a third was framework for completing invited to write for Coronation Street. my script. Ended up being From the latest cohort one of the writers so much more – it has has been invited onto a BBC shadow writing scheme, another has been given me a new insight into re-commissioned on EastEnders and a different ways to work. third is working on an original series You will achieve what you idea with a major production company. never thought possible – a finished script and bible ready to be read by industry professionals.” Jon Sen, 2015 boot camp participant. 06 07 Writers Writers Screenplay Studio4 Avatar Productions Acme Films and Channel 4 The Screenplay project was a development "The Screenplay project has had an Studio4 is a project run by Acme Films programme for forty writers from BAME immeasurable impact on my career. in partnership with Channel 4 and the backgrounds who were nominated by Having written for a continuing drama HETV Levy, to develop and engage under- Image: Run © Channel 4 production companies, agents and and several self-generated short films, represented BAME writing talent. A number of these pitches have been picked broadcasters. It was delivered by Avatar where next was always a big question. up by Beth Willis and her team at Channel Productions in partnership with BBC Thanks to Screenplay the answer is In its first year, six talented writers were 4 Drama and Studio4 has projects in paid Independent Drama, BBC Writersroom working with a top producer who identified from over a hundred submissions development across both C4 and E4. and the HETV Levy. has a fantastic track record in Deep to create and pitch their own Channel 4 or Sehgal and the opportunity to work E4 series. The six Studio4 writers are: Shortlisted writers received a residential with one of Britain's top screenwriters development programme, senior industry in Paul Abbott. The support and mentoring and an extensive series of encouragement through Screenplay masterclasses with leading writers is genuinely invaluable." Victoria Asare-Archer won Nida Manzoor was named as including Peter Moffat and Bryan Elsley. the BBC Writersroom IdeasTap a Broadcast Hot Shot in 2015 They also received dedicated script editor Nick Ahad Inspires competition and having written and directed support over the course of their project Writer was a semi-finalist in the her short film 7.2, which development. Screenwriting Goldmine premiered at the London Film Other writers who were part of the competition with her original TV pilot, Festival. Nida is adapting the book, Sophie The first commissioned full script project included: which was also shortlisted for the London Khan is Not Obliged for ITV Studios, as well was from Nick Ahad, mentored by Vinay Patel, Daniel Lawrence Taylor, Ella Screenwriters Festival contest. as developing her first feature. Paul Abbott (State of Play, Shameless, Carmen Greenhill, Dale Phillips, Faisal A No Offence). Qureshi and Dare Aiyegbayo. Matilda Ibini was on the Royal Nathaniel Martello-White’s Court Writers Programme and debut play sold-out at The became the Soho Theatre’s Young Vic and his new play BBC Writersroom writer-in- will premiere at the Royal residence. Her debut play Court in 2016. He’s just been co-won the Alfred Fagon Audience Award given the greenlight to direct his short 2015 and her plays have been performed CLA'AM with Acme, Creative England and at the National Theatre, Birmingham Rep, BBC Films. Royal Exchange Theatre and Hackney Showrooms. Zam Salim received Best Director and Best Feature at Aneil Karia’s graduation piece the British Academy Awards from the NFTS won the RTS Scotland 2012 for his first Student Award which was feature Up There. He was broadcast by the BBC. He was chosen as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit named as a 2009 Broadcast 2013/14 and One to Watch by Moviescope Hot Shot and his second short won the New magazine in 2013. His most recent work European Talent Award. He was selected Dropping Off Michael won the Audience as one of Screen International's 2014 Stars Award at the Glasgow International Film of Tomorrow and is currently developing his Festival 2015. Image: The Indian Doctor © Avatar Productions first feature withRook's Nest. More information: [email protected] 08 09 Writers Writers TV Writers’ "The training course was a very successful "Michael is a genuine star of the future. "Lime Pictures’ Gospel Truth project, Development Fund endeavour for both Richard and Hat Trick. His writing is bold, intelligent, endlessly supported by the HETV Levy, discovered With the HETV money we were able to give imaginative and has no creative inhibitions. four very different writers who brought funding to Richard to write a script as well He's an artist. The page is his canvas, the a real passion and energy to the Writers A pilot programme initiated by the HETV as set up two writers rooms and employ a pen is his brush and he has an effortless Room. The four writers all contributed Council to provide funding to help develop script editor for the day. As a result of the ability to paint pictures with words. hugely original episode stories which were and support emerging writers and script training Hat Trick have now optioned the It's been an absolute joy working with edited by the showrunners and we are now editors across the UK. idea and Richard is currently writing the him, and I hope this is the start of many in the process of writing up the Series Bible final draft of the script before we send it collaborations to come. Michael Wiafe. to prepare for broadcasters. We are delighted The fund was open to production out to broadcasters.