UKTV has announced an anthology series for Dave written, created and performed by diverse groups, a female comedy writers’ initiative, and an extension of its All Voices initiative.
Anthology series
The four-part anthology series will see UKTV team up with TriForce Creative Network, an organisation that works to remove obstacles stopping diverse and emerging talent from progressing in the industry.
The multi-step process will use TriForce’s WriterSlam platform, which is known for discovering writers from all backgrounds, and ask for writing scripts across a range of topics and genres.
Submissions will then be narrowed down to six finalists, who will each receive a paid commission to write a new half hour script which is based on their experiences of living in the UK.
Four of these scripts will then be put forward to be produced and broadcast on Dave, with the potential to turn them into a full series.
UKTV will also work with Dandi.org.uk to support the recruitment of diverse talent across, crew, creative and clerical roles.
UKTV will tap into its inclusive talent network to ensure that there is diversity and inclusion at all levels and stages of this collaboration, and look out for diverse-led indies with whom they can engage with.
Head of scripted at UKTV, Pete Thornton, said: “This is a truly inclusive initiative, and we want to hear from people from ethnic minorities, those from underserved socio-economic groups, the LGBTQ community, those who identify as having a disability and basically anybody who feels that their voice isn’t currently heard clearly on our screens.
“We’re offering dedicated support and mentoring over a three-month writing period and then the opportunity to see your show prepped, cast, shot, edited, marketed and broadcast on Dave next year.”
Female Comedy Writers’ Initiative
Dave has announced their collaboration with Comedy 50:50, to encourage more female voices within its scripted comedy pipeline.
UKTV will fund ten treatments for new half hour comedies for Dave or Gold and will then go on to commission three full scripts, with at least one being commissioned for an entire series.
Pete Thornton commented: “I want to make sure that brilliant female writers have their voices more clearly and frequently heard within the body of scripted comedy that’s currently broadcast in the UK each year."
UKTV All Voices
UKTV also plans to extend their All Voices initiative, which is in partnership with Film London’s Equal Access Network and provides paid positions on UKTV original productions.
At the end of the initiative, participants will have worked on a number of productions across 12 months, giving them a wide range of experiences that they can use to develop their careers going forward.
The 2021 initiative will accept 20 people across a range of production disciplines, who will also benefit from a multi-year mentorship.
UKTV will commit to 20% of production talent coming from underrepresented groups across its originations, and has also increased subtitling on all programming on Dave, Yesterday and Drama.
