In an effort to improve diversity in post-production, Channel 4 has announced the UK's first post-production development programme.
4 Post Production (4PP) will give five mid to senior level people from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to progress their careers in the sector.
Over six months, they will receive mentoring from senior figures in the industry, bespoke skills training, and shadowing and placement opportunities. Each of the five, be they craft or technical talents, will be offered positions with Channel 4's production company partners.
The programme was devised following a panel session hosted by Channel 4 and the award-winning Dialogue Editor and Dubbing Mixer, Emma Butt, earlier in 2023, which discussed diversity in post-production. Channel 4's Creative Diversity lead, Neila Butt, said: “We wanted to translate our conversation into action. We feel the Progression placement developed during the Black to Front project was a real success in making meaningful change.
"When Emma approached us about this issue, we felt it was something we should take action on and lead the way, and we hope that this kickstarts a change across the industry.”
Emma Butt has over 12 years of experience in the industry, and has recently written a paper supported by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity on the lack of diversity in post-production sound. She will mentor the successful applicants alongside other leading professionals.
Emma Butt said: “While efforts continue to improve representation on screen, post-production has continually been neglected. This programme is the first step in addressing decades long imbalance and I’m grateful to Channel 4 for being the first to help progression in our sector.”
Applications for 4PP are now open and will be live until 31 May 2023. Applicants must have 5+ years’ experience in the job role they wish to progress in. More information can be found here.