There is an adage/idiom/saying "you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job" and I'm sure this particular 'Catch 22' is true of most careers but it's certainly true of 'meedja'.
At BBC Writersroom we are always looking for ways to square this particular circle. Although we work with writers at any stage of their career we often meet very talented writers who haven't yet written for broadcast. It occurred to us how much talent and access to equipment and manpower the country's universities have, but the films that come out of their courses tend to be single short films. Short films are great, I've produced several myself, but they are seen as a director's medium and they don't really reflect what the BBC does. The majority of BBC output is series and serials, episodic drama, be that shows with continuing serial story lines or repeating formats. It's very hard for writers and crews to have experience of this without actually doing it - which brings me back to the opening 'Catch 22'…
So last year we decided to see what would happen if BBC Writersroom brought together a group of writers who didn't yet have a broadcast credit and helped them create a short series that could be made by students and released on the web. Over the course of a few months I met weekly[ish] with writers Maeve Larkin, Hannah Pike, Luke Bailey and Joe Quick to take them through the process of devising a show from scratch. We also brought in other industry professionals to talk about how the processes work across the industry. We teamed up with MA Students at the University of Salford and I took them on an intensive crash course in how to make a TV show.
At this point I should say a public thank you to the guest speakers who gave up their time and expertise:
Chris Gill [Leadwriter on Hollyoaks]
Lynn Roberts [Production Manager, Prisoners Wives]
Ian Barnes [Oscar Nominated Director of Wish 143]
Scott Bates [1st Assistant Director, Fresh Meat]
Elizabeth J Newman [Associate Director, Octagon Theatre Bolton]
This project was a big learning curve for all involved, me included! And now, the results of this trial run are available for all to see…
So I give you 'InSecurity', written by writers who've never had a broadcast credit and made by students who'd never been near a professional production…
Watch the Making of InSecurity - a great introduction to the whole production process from pitching ideas to storylining, character development, scripting, pre-production, scouting locations, filming and editing
Editor's Note: This week we are launching Future Talent in the West Midlands. Future Talent is your chance to create your own online drama, interactive or comedy pilot. Do you think you could do better than the team behind InSecurity?
Find out more about Future Talent including Who Can Apply and How to Enter
Book your place on free sessions running 10-13 November 2014
