In partnership with the Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN) and Screen Alliance North, and with support of the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, Screen Yorkshire is challenging the lack of diversity amongst Script Editors in the region.
Through its range of talent development programmes, Screen Yorkshire has repeatedly come across a significant lack of opportunity and availability of Script Editors from diverse backgrounds, despite the narrative in the screen industries evidently showing that they are in high demand. This is further evidenced by research. Behind the camera, contributions by Black, Asian and minority ethnic people fell from 8.6% in 2018-19 to 5.9% in 2019-20 (Creative Diversity Network, 2021). Furthermore, only 5.2% of those working off-screen in the industry identify as disabled (Diamond Report, 2020).
ScriptEd provides hands-on training, industry insight and provides selected participants with bursaries and shadow placements to equip them with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in Script Editing.
ScriptEd is developed for individuals with a passion and understanding for story who come from communities currently under-represented within the screen industries. The programme focuses on nurturing skills within Yorkshire and the Humber. Therefore, applicants must be from, work in, or live within the region. Individuals may already be working in editorial, however this isn’t an essential requirement. Screen Yorkshire is keen to encourage applicants from other creative industries, such as theatre, and would like to hear from people who have had some experience in script work regardless of background.
Jo Schofield, senior talent executive at Screen Yorkshire said: “I’m thrilled ScriptEd gets to go again. We have an incredible pool of talent in our region and this is exactly the kind of springboard that will enable people to contribute so effectively to storytelling here, and across the UK.”
Applications open to ScriptEd on Tuesday 26th September 2023 and the programme starts on Monday 6th November. The programme runs in two parts, with an initial intake of 20 gaining access to keynote workshops and industry seminars, running from October to November 2023. Six of the 20 participants will be offered a two-week part-time work shadowing placement commencing December 2023/January 2024. All sessions will be via Screen Yorkshire and both in-person and virtual.
