UKTV has a announced a collaboration with Film London’s Equal Access Network, designed to secure employment for underrepresented groups within the TV industry.
The All Voices initiative will give new entrants, mid-level professionals and returners to the industry the opportunity to work in paid, full-time roles on UKTV Original productions.
North One Television, Mercury Productions, Firecracker Films, Brown Bob Productions and other production companies have lent their support to UKTV’s All Voices.
The roles will be paid at standard industry rates and will cover all levels of a production, including running, directing, executive producing, production management, sound recording and production accounting.
UKTV director of commissioning Richard Watsham said: “The quality of programmes we make and the way in which we serve our audiences can only be improved by having a greater mix of voices both in front of and behind the camera.
“The TV industry is often seen as being elitist and not representative of the breadth of society. UKTV’s All Voices initiative has been designed to help break down these barriers and ensure that UKTV Original productions are made by a diverse team of people who truly represent the world we live in. We are excited to work with Film London’s Equal Access Network to pilot this scheme which seeks to place upward of 12 people in essential roles at every level of UKTV Originals.
“It was important to me that we were able to offer opportunities not just to first timers, but also to those who are struggling to stay in the industry or are finding it hard to return. It’s essential that we get a greater diversity of voices at every level of the industry if we’re to safeguard it and make it relevant for future generations. My hope is that, if successful, we can roll out opportunities across all UKTV productions at a later date,” he added.
