Channel 4 and the National Film and Television School (NFTS) have teamed up to run a four-week series of masterclasses and training sessions for independent production companies and freelancers based in the Nations and Regions.

The sessions, produced and co-ordinated by the NFTS and Channel 4’s Leeds-based Nations and Regions team, are aimed at ensuring there are on-going opportunities for indies to develop their expertise and enhance their skills base despite the current restrictions in place due to Covid-19.

Launching on 22 June, each week will be headlined by a Monday Masterclass led by a range of leading industry figures including CEO of Endemol Shine UK, Sophie Turner Laing and Creative Director of Love Productions, Richard McKerrow.

The Masterclasses will be followed by a series of workshops and talks which will focus on specific themes:

Week 1: Development and Pitching
Week 2: Shaping the Story
Week 3: Leadership and Resilience
Week 4: Digital and Innovation
These practical training sessions devised by the NFTS feature exciting voices from the UK television landscape and will cover a number of key topics including; Developing Killer Ideas, Writing Pitches, Your Brand Is You, Sizzle Reels and How To Win At Social Media.

Channel 4 executives will contribute to a range of talks that will give indies and freelancers the inside track on how the broadcaster works. Sessions will include using new and diverse voices and supporting diverse talent, practical tips on pitching programmes, managing budgets, investing in new talent and digital innovation.

Sinead Rocks, Channel 4’s Managing Director Nations and Regions, said: “Channel 4 is committed to supporting the industry and creating more opportunities in the Nations and Regions. It’s vitally important that we continue to do our bit to help develop and nurture talent across the whole of the UK.

“That’s been extremely difficult given the current situation but it’s testament to the creativity and determination of the Channel 4 team in Leeds and the NFTS that we’ve lined up a such a fantastic range of sessions and secured such high calibre talent for the master classes.”

NFTS Director Jon Wardle said: “There’s never been a more challenging time for the production sector. Throughout the pandemic, the NFTS has worked extremely hard to deliver world leading training and high calibre Virtual Masterclasses to our students – the future of the screen industry.

As we look ahead to a new era and with the industry embarking upon its recovery, I’m delighted that together with Channel 4 we can help support independent production companies across the Nations and Regions with the tools they’ll need to navigate the journey of re-focusing and re-defining their output.”

Indies will be encouraged to carefully select and limit people they put forward to attend the online sessions to ensure as many companies as possible can take advantage of what’s on offer.

Channel 4 will reach out to indies and freelancers in the Nations and Regions to let them know about the training opportunities, and we will also share the information with screen agencies and PACT.

Anybody wanting to find out more should contact the Channel 4 team at C4NationsandRegions@Channel4.co.uk