development

Channel 4 launches 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.

E4 partners with Wall Of Comedy creators

From left to right: Tafara Makopa, Joivan Wade, Percelle Ascott (Credit: Channel 4)

Wade and Ascott both starred in E4 series Youngers, after the success of their YouTube series Mandem On The Wall.

The duo launched hit online platform, Wall of Comedy in 2015, spanning YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, all of which has achieved over 3.5 billion views so far.

The pair also starred in and co-produced viral sensation, Shiro’s Story, a three-part drama told mainly through rap, inspired by real-life events in South London.

Commissioners explain how to get an idea on TV

Anna Cronin (Chair), Damian Kavanagh, Catherine Lynch and Kate Stannard (Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)

“If you are defensive and precious about your idea, and you won’t let it evolve, whether that’s in your brainstorm or when you’re pitching to the commissioner, it’s just never going to go anywhere,” explained Catherine Lynch, creative director at Initial TV, which makes ITV gameshow Tenable

Initial’s head of development Kate Stannard agreed: “What you end up seeing on telly is often quite different to the thing you first said in the room.”

Pitching Script to Screen

Sharing their experiences and insights into developing and pitching scripted content with be actor, stand-up and writer Tom Davis, development producer Lara Singer and MDs of Shiny Button Productions Andy Brereton and James De Frond.

Meet the panel:

Andy Brereton

Internship opportunity with Youngest Media

An intern will be expected to pitch ideas for game-changing TV shows, develop content for new platforms such as Snapchat or Facebook Live and create new games to play on your mobile device.

As well as developing ideas to meet set briefs, you’ll also have time, space and resources to develop your own thoughts. Successful candidates will be mentored by the experienced and successful Youngest Media team, and will work in a fun, relaxed and creative atmosphere.

Tips in 60 seconds... How to succeed in entertainment development

Entertainment television is a tough game to get into. So how do you succeed in a genre where big ideas and big personalities dominate?

Ross McCarthy is the former Head of Unscripted at Buccaneer Media and previously Executive Producer and head of Development at Outline Productions. He is behind some of entertainment's most high-profile brands, from Health Freaks and Million Dollar Intern to Britain's Big Wildlife Revival and Desi Rascals. In this video he shares some tips on how to succeed in entertainment development.