A new scheme to find “raw and diverse” television talent in the North of England has been launched by Northumbria University along with Channel 4.
It’s part of the Northern Writers’ Awards and will offer two new writers the chance to be mentored through the script commissioning process by Lime Pictures and the Red Production Company.
The award opens for submissions tomorrow (14th November) and is open to complete beginners as well as those with some writing experience.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Northumbria University and New Writing North on this new award. There is a wealth of writing talent in the north of England, and the opportunity to identify and nurture that talent is incredibly exciting,” said Lee Mason, commissioning editor for Channel 4.
“Lime Pictures and Red Production Company are hugely respected production companies that have a large amount of experience and advice that will be immensely helpful for aspiring writers. They also both share an incredibly strong reputation for supporting new talent from the north of England.
“We very much look forward to reading submissions from a diverse range of new writers whose work offers a fresh perspective on life in 21st century Britain.”
At Lime, the winning writer will shadow the process from first draft to broadcast script and it “may” lead to a commission to write an original episode of Hollyoaks, to be broadcast on Channel 4.
For Red the winner will receive advice on script development and technique as well as getting support to develop an original idea for broadcast.
Channel 4 said it had a remit to “portray the diversity of contemporary Britain” so it is encouraging submissions from black and minority ethnic, and disabled writers.
The winners will be revealed in a ceremony in late June at the University’s Newcastle campus.
