Screen Yorkshire, in partnership with the Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN), has launched a free, part-time programme, ScriptEd, to challenge the lack of diversity amongst script editors in Yorkshire and the Humber by providing hands-on training and industry insight.
Despite indications in the screen industries that script editors from diverse backgrounds are in high demand, this is not backed up by research. Behind the camera, contributions by Black, Asian and minority ethnic people had fallen from 8.6% in 2018-19 to 5.9% in 2019-20 (Creative Diversity Network, 2021). Only 5.2% of those working off-screen in the industry identify as disabled (Diamond Report, 2020).
Rebecca Mark-Lawson, founder of Tyke Films in Sheffield, said, ‘Script editors are the bedrock of Film and TV, transforming story to screenwriting and supporting writers and producers to elevate projects for audiences. To tell a range of diverse stories we need diverse script editors – Screen Yorkshire’s ScriptEd is the first step in addressing this. We look forward to meeting the first cohort on this fabulous scheme!’
ScriptEd is developed for individuals with a passion and understanding for story who come from an underrepresented community. The programme focuses on nurturing skills within Yorkshire and the Humber – applicants must be from, live or work within Yorkshire and the Humber and be aged 18 or over on 30 October 2022. It is aimed at people who have some early experience with script work.
This programme is funded by SIGN through the Innovative Training Fund, which provides funding to both new and established trainers and training providers to develop courses or workshops that tackle a skills gap or which support the growth of a diverse workforce in the screen industries in the region.
Applications for ScriptEd close on Sunday, 30 October 2022, at midnight. Apply here.