diversity

Beyond Tokenism – Cardiff

Creative Diversity Network and RTS Wales are inviting the Welsh unscripted production community to take part in an in-depth conversation about diversity and representation on-screen. 

Areas for consideration include casting diverse contributors (with a particular focus on disabled and BAME contributors), appropriate use of language and reflecting the whole of Wales.

This is an opportunity for everyone to share their own experiences and open up the discussion on the challenges and choices around representation.

Broadcast Hotshots shine at RTS Futures event

RTS Futures and Broadcast Magazine BAME Hotshots Christmas Party at the Hospital Club

RTS Futures turned the spotlight on TV’s diversity – or lack of it – at its final event of the year where a panel of young Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) talent revealed their struggles and triumphs in the industry.
 
The panel was drawn from Broadcast’s 26 BAME Hot Shots of 2015, which the magazine announced in August.
 

Joanna Abeyie’s TV Diary

Something I haven’t quite mastered is closing the countless tabs running in my mind. But do I truly want to? My weeks are a blend of managing my consultancy, Blue Moon & Partners, alongside my various non-executive director and trustee roles. These include being a Civil Service Commissioner and a City of London Common Councillor. While a portfolio career can feel chaotic to some, I’ve designed mine to share my expertise in equity, people and culture across multiple industries.  

Our Friend in Scotland: Nichola Kane on STV's diversity initiative

STV News at Six is Scotland’s most watched news programme – something we’re very proud of and like to mention rather a lot. But big viewer numbers also bring big responsibilities. We have to ensure that our coverage properly reflects our audience.

Two years ago, we needed to increase the number of people of colour appearing on our programmes. We were also falling short of a 50/50 gender split, and we wanted to make sure more of our stories were inclusive of people with disabilities.

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.

Inclusion can fill new studio jobs

In South Bucks alone, more than 20,000 jobs will be created in the next two years by new studios.

The session explored the idea that the industry should not be “doing” diversity, but rather focusing on developing an inclusive environment in which all talent can flourish. Only by casting the net more widely to discover where this talent is will film and TV start to meet such ambitious employment targets.

Legacy of the Black Square

After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, many companies worldwide issued statements of solidarity and support and posted black squares on their websites and socials.

‘Legacy of the Black Square’ saw experts analyse the impact of that tumultuous time; on programming and commissioning, promises made, what has been delivered so far and what may be to come.

On the panel were:

You too can work in TV ….. opening the UK film and TV industry to all

The UK’s rapidly expanding film and TV industry is a substantial contributor to the UK’s GDP, however, widespread skills shortages are being experienced across the UK screen industries. 

This RTS event in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University has assembled an expert panel in front of a student and industry audience. Following the discussion, the panel will answer questions from the audience and consider how the screen industries can accelerate their move to becoming an industry that fully represents the UK population.