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BBC
invests £185,000 in second year of talent scheme
A
further twelve experienced TV producers have been selected to take
part in a high-level training scheme aimed at developing the next
generation of senior production talent throughout the BBC's Nations
and Regions.
The
BBC, who will invest £185,000 in the second year of the Executive
Producer Programme, operates the scheme in partnership with the
Research Centre for Television & Interactivity.
And
following the success of the first programme, the scope has been
extended to include candidates from the English Regions for the
first time.
Those
selected for this year's programme come from Scotland, Wales, Northern
Ireland, Manchester and Birmingham with six of the participants
from independent production companies and six from BBC in-house
departments.
The
successful participants from Scotland are:
·
Simon Parsons, BBC Scotland
·
Gary Chippington, BBC Scotland
·
Jacqui Hayden, Wark Clements
From
Northern Ireland:
·
Eamon Hardy, BBC Northern Ireland
·
Dermot Lavery, Double Band Films Ltd.
·
Chris Jones, Green Inc Film & Television Ltd.
From
Wales:
·
Rob Finighan, Aspect Television Ltd.
·
Chris Stuart, Presentable Ltd.
·
Elin Ryhs, Teledu Telesgop TV
From
Manchester and Birmingham:
·
Anna Cox, BBC Manchester
·
Robin Ashbrook, BBC Manchester
·
Gurdip Bhangoo, BBC Birmingham
The
initiative is one response to the BBC's commitment to increased
network production made outside London.
The
year-long training schedule of events and sessions is co-ordinated
and delivered by the Glasgow-based Research Centre for Television
& Interactivity in partnership with BBC Nations and Regions.
Throughout
the year-long programme, monthly masterclasses, workshops and specialist
training will be provided.
The
networking opportunities of the scheme are central to its success.
In its first year (from June 2002 – June 2003) channel controllers,
genre commissioners and executives from production, finance and
business affairs all shared their expertise to bring the producers'
knowledge, awareness and understanding to the highest levels.
Speakers
of note included: Jana Bennett, BBC Director of Television; Jane
Lush, BBC Commissioner for Entertainment; Sara Geater, BBC Director
of Rights and Business Affairs; Roly Keating, Controller, BBC FOUR
and Jane Root, Controller, BBC TWO.
Colin
Cameron, BBC Controller of Network Development for Nations and Regions,
welcomed the expansion of the programme:
"It
is vital that the production bases outside London attract and retain
talent which has the confidence of the network commissioners.
"This
programme is a great opportunity to bring the best producers in
the Nations and Regions into the heart of BBC Television's strategic
thinking."
Carol
Sinclair, Director of The Research Centre said:
"It
is terrific news that the BBC is making such a significant investment
in this high-end training initiative for network television producers.
"We
have fantastic talent from around the UK on our scheme this year
who will play an important part in bringing additional network commissions
to the Nations and Regions."
The
programme will be managed by the Research Centre's Denis Mooney,
formerly executive producer at Scottish Television and Granada,
who has a wealth of broadcast experience and has held several senior
management roles across all programme genres.
Commenting
on the successes of the first programme, Denis said:
"The
producers on the first scheme thrived on the challenges and opportunities
the training offered them.
"It
is good news that the second intake will include producers from
the English Regions and that we will be able to expand the pool
of executive producer talent there also."
The
programme will start in July 2003.
Notes
to Editors
The
Research Centre is an independent company with charitable status
delivering a full range of training and skills development programmes
for independent production companies in the Nations and Regions
of the UK.
These
projects are funded by European Regional Development Fund, Scottish
Enterprise Glasgow, Invest Northern Ireland and two of the UK's
main broadcasters – Channel Four Television and BBC.
All the
BBC's digital services are now available on Freeview,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable.
Freeview
offers the BBC's eight television channels, interactive services
from BBCi, as well as 11 BBC radio networks.
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