Category: diversity

  • Amazon Studios WriterSlam Shortlist!

    The WriterSlam Shortlist has now been announced!

    We are very excited to announce our shortlist for WriterSlam 2019. The shortlisted writers and their scripts are:

    Celia Morgan – Sandra’s Girls
    E. Amato – Majority Rules
    Edward Tew – Flat Earthers
    Grace Link – Crack of Dawn
    Grant Taylor – Shortcutz
    Hannah Robinson – Tesla Girls
    Ishan Ganjoor & Rajiv Karia – Slackney
    Jeffrey Aidoo – Saved
    Lauren Jackson – Take Us Seriously
    Mikey Jackson – Seven Magpies
    Nadene Ghouri – Imerina
    Omari McCarthy – Once Upon A Time In Handsworth
    Racha Sobratee – Being Aisha
    Rachel Main – Castaways
    Rashida Seriki – The Four
    Shay Elliot – The Place for Me
    Stephen George – Deliver or Dai
    Sunnie Sidhu – The Last Age
    Valeria Cutko – Wimbledon Common
    Victoria Ibitoye – The Triple W Society

    What Happens Now?

    This shortlist will be whittled down to 5 finalists by the TCN and Amazon Studios. We will then invite the 5 finalists to take part in a script workshop on Sat 24 August with renowned Exec Producer Michael Jacob. These 5 writers will be taught how to generate an industry standard pitch and synopsis, as well as receiving in-depth advice and expertise. Writers will also be developing their work with an eye to producing a full script by the end of the workshop.

    The 5 finalists will have their extracts performed at the WriterSlam showcase, on 06 September in London, in front of an industry audience alongside family and friends. 

    What is the prize?

    The winning writer will be selected by Amazon Studios. Following their win, they receive a paid development commission and will work with Lydia Hampson, Head of Scripted, UK for Amazon Studios over 3-6 months to develop their idea into a full episode script, with the potential for further development into a series.

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  • Fraser Ayres in Broadcast Diversity Special

    This week’s edition of Broadcast is a diversity special, edited by Sir Lenny Henry, with TriForce Creative Network and Dandi featuring heavily in the issue.

    Check out our CEO Fraser Ayres, in the following articles:

    BAME-led indies locked out

    Producers claim they are still not trusted to deliver diverse shows despite better credentials.

     

     

    Diverse indies bet on digital

    BAME-led indies say they are getting more interest from new players than UK broadcasters.

     

    Diamond still needs polishing

    Critics say the CDN project needs more transparency if progress is to be made on diversity.

     

    As well as our COO Minnie Ayres quoted in an article calling for more female writers:

    WGGB: demand female writers

    Commissioners urged to use their influence to get indies to submit more female-penned scripts.

     

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  • The TCN Talent Pool Launches!

    Looking for work in film and TV?

    We’re launching a new service for crew and production talent. 

    The TriForce Creative Network now has around 35,000 members. We’re regularly approached by production companies and broadcasters looking for crew, at all levels, as well as broadcasters and other organisations looking to fill permanent roles. We’re going to be working more closely with these companies through our new initiative Dandi so the demand is already increasing.

    We want to make it easier for us to connect our huge network with these opportunities so we’d like to invite you to sign up to our new service, the TCN Talent Pool. This is a free, non-exclusive service, so you can sign up to as many other diary services, databases and agents as you wish. We don’t charge a monthly fee or take commission, it’s completely free.

    We’re sure you have a few questions, so you can scroll down for more information.

    Who is it for? 

    Crew
    Currently we’re looking for behind the camera talent at all levels. So whether you’re a make up artist, a series producer, a camera operator, in VFX or post production or any other role, this is for you.

    Creatives
    Are you a director, writer or producer in film or TV? Then this is also for you.

    Other Film and TV roles
    Do you work in Film or TV as a commissioner or development exec? As an office runner or assistant? Then this is also for you.

    All levels of experience
    Whether you’re just starting out, or have been working for years, we want to hear from you.

    Inclusive Talent
    We’re looking for people from ALL walks of life, so whatever your background, you are welcome in the TCN Talent Pool.

    How does it work?

    All you need to do is fill in the form and upload a CV and profile picture.

    When we work with production companies and broadcasters, they tell us what they are looking for in terms of roles, level of experience etc… We’ll then look through our talent pool to find people who match the requirements the best. We might contact you at this point to do a quick availability check and then we’ll hand over the details of the relevant people to the production company for them to contact you directly. (You’ll see a box you will need to tick on the form giving us permission to do this).

    That’s it. We can’t promise to keep you working constantly but it is another place to find work and it’s all free to talent – we don’t believe you should pay simply for the opportunity to be considered for work.

    We’ll be looking at developing the service going forward, with feedback from users about what they want to see – e.g. job adverts, email updates etc… But to start with we’re keeping it nice and simple.

    Will my data be safe?

    We take looking after your data very seriously. This database is not publicly searchable. Only TCN employees will be able to view your details.  We will contact you before submitting your details to employers for suitable roles.

    How do I sign up?

    Just click the button and go to our online form to sign up for free.

    Register Now

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  • Content London Partners with TriForce Creative Network

    We’re very excited to announce that TriForce Creative Network will be partnering with C21’s international drama conference, Content London in November 2018.

    As well as showcasing TriForce Short Film Festival finalist’s work to an industry audience, we’ll also be hosting a WriterSlam event at the conference, with many delegates from across the globe expected to attend.

    It’s a fantastic opportunity for the talent we support to be seen by scripted execs from both the UK and the US, and helps us further our aims to offer as many career development opportunities as we can to the talent we support.

    We’ll be announcing more information about the WriterSlam event shortly, so make sure you’re signed up to the mailing list so you don’t miss out.

    You can read all about the partnership in C21 here.

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  • TriForce Launch ‘One-Stop’ Diversity & Inclusion Support Service

    The team behind TriForce Creative Network have launched a new support service called Dandi. Specifically created for the arts and entertainment industry, the service will help companies and organisations diversify their workforce and reach out to a broader range of talent- on and off screen. Dandi will also offer an industry recognized ‘stamp of approval’ which will be especially useful to production companies looking to show their commitment to broadcasters’ diversity targets.

    A ‘bolt on’ diversity and inclusion department for organisations, the services offered by Dandi will be available to a broad range of companies, including broadcasters, production companies, distributors, theatres and agents. Dandi provides a bespoke service that covers consultancy, recruitment support, organising networking events, as well as offering support on bigger talent development initiatives.

    Dandi is not about creating another training scheme or initiative, but about making it easy for the industry to access diverse talent, at all levels, without increasing the time and resource pressures so inherent in our industry.

    #NoMoreExcuses

    Fraser Ayres, CEO of Dandi and TriForce Creative Network, explained “As TriForce Creative Network we’ve been at the forefront of developing and nurturing diverse and inclusive talent for 15 years. Dandi has been created to offer a one stop shop for organisations to connect with talent from across the UK. By signing up to Dandi, organisations will be helping to support the vital work we do to open up opportunities in the industry to talent from all walks of life.”

    Proceeds from the organisation will support the work TriForce do to improve access into the industry – including programmes such as MonologueSlam UK, the TriForce Short Film Festival and WriterSlam.

    Dandi was launched today at the Media Production Show at Olympia, as part of the TriForce Creative Network’s seminar on alternative routes into the industry. Speakers included Ade Rawcliffe, (Head of Diversity for ITV Commissioning), Miranda Wayland, (Diversity Lead, BBC Studios) and Fraser Ayres, CEO of TriForce Creative Network.

    Dandi has been widely welcomed by the industry as a “brilliant and necessary” service.

    I have been waiting for a talent service like Dandi – in a world where finally diversity is being taken seriously, it will be invaluable to be able to tap into the expertise and relationships TCN has.

    Samantha Lawrence – MD, Monkey Kingdom (a division of NBC Universal)

    The TCN have been nurturing and supporting diverse talent for many years. Dandi helps pull together their talented network in one place for production companies to utilise with ease. It’s a great help in crewing up and addressing on and off-screen diversity and making sure production companies can meet broadcasters D&I targets.

    Anjani Patel – Head of Diversity, PACT

    I regularly see great projects from companies that are struggling to fulfil ITV’s Social Partnership requirements on diversity. With 15 years of the TCN’s talent development work behind it, Dandi is exactly the support they need. Their mark of approval shows me that production companies are serious about inclusion and are actively doing something about it, which gives me confidence they’ll be able to hit those targets. 

    Asif Zubairy – Commissioning Editor, Comedy and Entertainment, ITV

    I’ve seen first-hand the tangible outcomes The TCN have generated over the past 15 years and the impact it’s had on our industry – both on and off screen. I love the fact that they are now launching Dandi off the back of the strong foundations they’ve already laid down. I’m sure it will be another great step towards making our industry a more inclusive and diverse place. It has my 100% backing.

    Kwadjo Dajan – Co-Founder and Creative Director, Drama, Sugar Films

    When presented with projects that don’t hit our vital D&I targets, there is now a place I can direct production companies to that can effectively and tangibly solve their issues. If I see the Dandi mark, I know they are truly committed to an inclusive workforce.

    Saskia Schuster, Comedy Controller, ITV

    For more information on Dandi and the support they offer, the team have launched a new website – dandi.org.uk.

    For more details on Dandi – please go to dandi.org.uk

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  • The TCN named as a CE50 company

    We’re very excited to reveal that TriForce Creative Network has been names as one of Creative England’s #CE502018 companies to watch in the coming year!

    Every year Creative England announces the CE50 list, celebrating the achievements  of the 50 best up and coming, innovative and disruptive individuals and companies across film, games and digital tech.

    It’s great to be recognised among such illustrious company for the work we do opening doors into the film and TV industry for talent from all walks of life, especially in our 15th anniversary year. 2018/19 will see some big announcements from us, so make sure you keep up to date with us and sign up to the mailing list.

    You can view the full announcement and list of all 50 companies on the Creative England website.

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  • Professor Stefan Allesch-Taylor CBE commits £1 million to support diversity and inclusion in the UK short film industry

    We’re very excited to announce that TriForce Creative Network will be working with Professor Stefan Allesch-Taylor CBE, on his newly launched £1m fund for short film.

    UK based philanthropist, executive producer of multi-award winning short films and TriForce Short Film Festival partner and judge, Professor Stefan Allesch-Taylor CBE has announced he is committing £1 million to short films with the aim of supporting diversity and inclusion in the UK film industry, and promoting upcoming talent from across the UK.

    Allesch-Taylor commented: ‘It’s about promoting diversity and inclusion in the UK film industry at this critical time. It’s about producing short films which showcase best in class talent. The UK is proudly multi-cultural and if there’s any doubt about that remember there are over 300 languages spoken in this country.  I don’t think the news cycle has ever been more daunting than it is now – much of which is being driven by what divides us. Supporting diversity and inclusion in all walks of British life has never been more important. The film industry has been in the spotlight recently and frankly it’s clear to everyone it needs a serious and meaningful shake up.  Promoting diversity and inclusion has to be a key part of that.’

    He continues: ‘Helping filmmakers get their first break, or to be able to take the next step in their careers, is really rewarding and by focusing on short films the filmmakers and talent are under real pressure to make an impression in a structured and professional way. We have no preconceived ideas of the type of short films we’ll back and I think that’s what makes it interesting for my team. It’s a continuation of what we’re already doing. I want to get the message out there now to go beyond the borders of my immediate network and open up the opportunity to all UK talent.  I’m interested in a completely transparent approach to promoting talent on its own merit alone. These grants will ensure the integrity of that process.’

    The money will be administered by Allesch-Taylor’s team which will work alongside talent development organisation TriForce Creative Network, the organisers of the annual TriForce Short Film Festival.

    While there are no strict guidelines for eligibility, the grants will typically range between £5,000 and £20,000, and will primarily be awarded to UK projects.

     ‘I don’t care what background you have, if you are in the film industry in the UK, then we all need to be thinking about the issues of diversity and inclusion in a genuine and positive way right now.’

    Professor Stefan Allesch-Taylor CBE will be attending the TriForce Short Film Festival on 2 December, as judge and partner. To see the festival schedule and buy tickets, visit tfsff.com/schedule-2017

    GET IN TOUCH

    Expressions of interest from filmmakers, please contact Charles Kay: [email protected]
    (Please include: Short Films Professor Stefan Allesch-Taylor CBE in the subject line).

    Twitter: @stefanmeansbiz

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  • #SIDK nominated for Creative Diversity Network Award!

    Creative Diversity Network bring together organisations who employ and/or make programmes across the UK television industry to promote, celebrate and share good practice around the diversity agenda. They seek to engage and empower the industry to drive change, and understand the business case for wider representation and inclusion.

    Each year the CDN host awards to celebrate game changers in the industry who are striving ahead and making change.

    We’re excited to announce that TriForce Productions ITV2 panel show with a comedy twist ‘Sorry I Didn’t Know’ has been nominated for Best Entertainment Programme. Two teams of comedians (Chizzy Akudolu, Jo Martin, Jimmy James Jones, Toby Williams, Paul Chowdhry, Judi Love) took viewers on a tour of black history across the globe in a laugh out loud 30 minute special.

    Click here to find out more about the awards and the other nominees.

    The winners of the CDN awards will be announced on the 12 June.

    Current members of the CDN are BAFTA, BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5/Viacom, Creative Skillset, PACT, ITN, ITV, Media Trust, S4C, Sky and Turner Broadcasting.

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  • TCN in Screenwriting Goldmine Newsletter

    Screenwriting Goldmine’s December newsletter has a piece on TriForce Productions and an interview with Minnie Ayres, COO of TriForce Creative Network and Executive Producer of TriForce Productions’ first programme Sorry, I Didn’t Know.

    Screenwriting Goldmine’s Newsletter

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  • WriterSlam Drama 2016 Winners

    The WriterSlam Drama Edition 2016 was an absolutely incredible event last night held at a new venue for us, the Studio in the stylish St. James Theatre, Victoria.  We launched straight in with a powerful first piece, Lost Queens by Onyinye Egenti and Adele Oni.  Our wonderful host Chizzy Akudolu (Holby City) had a chat with the audience after this and it was fantastic to see what a range of talented people were in the crowd too!  There were writers, directors and producers on top of other industry ninjas and on the judging panel was Oliver Kent (Executive Producer, Casualty and Holby City), Lizzie Gray (Executive Producer, Sky Drama) and our own Fraser Ayres, actor, writer, co-founder of the TCN, also director of the WriterSlam actors.

    The second and third pieces were strong also, with Bandit Country written by Conor McGinnity, followed by Looked After by Keith Saha.  Our DJ for the evening was the lovely DJ Kellz who kept the party feel throughout with some great tracks.

    In the second part of the show we had the two final pieces, Greenhouse, a great high-concept script by Emily Mazzeo and a marvellous piece by Katrina Smith-Jackson, Tilbury Rush.

    While the judges deliberated the audience were treated to actress and singer Buckso Dhillon-Wharley’s silky voice performing songs like Etta James’ At Last so beautifully that even the writers’ frayed nerves had to have been soothed.

    The had come to decide on the winners and the writers most certainly made it a difficult job, so much so that Oliver Kent decided that the runners up prize of a place on the invite-only BBC’s Introduction to Writing for Continuing Drama course would be instead given for the writers of two of the pieces.  This course is for writer’s hoping to write for the BBC’s award winning continuing dramas; Holby City, Casualty, Doctors and Eastenders.  As the winning pieces were Looked After and Lost Queens, however, the prize was in fact given to three writers, Keith Saha for the former and Onyinye Egenti and Adele Oni for the latter!

    The first place winner of WriterSlam 2016 was awarded to Katrina Smith-Jackson and she wins a paid development commission from TriForce Productions, culminating in a Sky Drama table read in spring 2017, complete with an industry audience!

    It was an inspiring event, congratulations to all the writers and our thanks to the brilliant WriterSlam 2016 ensemble, Jack Hickey, Jayne Wisener, Karen Bryson, Michael Salami, Niamh McGrady, Robert Boulter, Savannah Steyn and Steve Toussaint.

    The next WriterSlam will be a comedy edition in spring/summer 2017, with the next Drama Edition returning autumn/winter 2017.

    TriForce Productions comedy panel show Sorry, I Didn’t Know is available to view here until 3rd December: SIDK.  Remember to tell us your thoughts using #SIDK and tagging @TriForceEvents on Twitter so we don’t miss it!

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  • Channel 4 teams up with MonologueSlam!

    We’re very excited to announce that Channel 4 are now officially supporting MonologueSlam UK! Recognising that traditional routes into the industry are becoming more expensive and less accessible, Channel 4 are teaming up with us to find new acting talent across the country.

    Please see the press release below for full details!

    CHANNEL 4 TO PARTNER WITH TRIFORCE CREATIVE NETWORK TO SUPPORT DIVERSE TALENT

    More than 20 actors will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and potentially make their big break into acting

    Thursday 27 October 2016: Channel 4 is partnering with TriForce Creative Network’s  MonologueSlam UK to support new acting talent from all backgrounds.

    The MonologueSlam UK showcase gives actors across the country the chance to perform in front of a panel of industry judges, including the Channel 4 Drama Commissioning Team.  The most promising talent will be invited to the national final on December 12th where Channel 4 will select the top 10 and explore ways to champion their careers with Channel 4 Drama.

    Fraser Ayres, co-founder, TriForce Creative Network, says; “We believe that all talent should be nurtured regardless of a performer’s background or circumstance.  MonologueSlam uncovers the freshest untapped talent, and we’re delighted that Channel 4 is on board to make 2016 our biggest year yet.”

    Ramy El-Bergamy, Channel 4 On Screen Diversity Executive, says;  “Increasing diversity both on screen and off is hugely important to Channel 4 – we’re excited to be partnering with TriForce Creative Network on their MonologueSlam UK programme to tackle the issue of on screen diversity head on. The beauty of MonologueSlam UK is that gender, race, colour, sexuality and social background don’t come into it, it’s purely down to talent and it gives us direct access to a hugely diverse pool of talent.”

    MonologueSlam UK is a nationwide, professional actors’ showcase culminating in a national final in December at Theatre Royal Stratford East. It is the only showcase supported by Spotlight and Equity, and is open to all. After a rigorous audition process for each show, 22 actors are given the opportunity to perform in front of a select audience including the industry panel.

    The overall winner of each regional heat throughout the year then goes on to perform at the national final in December, where the champion is crowned. TriForce has produced a hugely accessible event for all performers, with an ethos of inclusion.

    Previous talent uncovered by the event includes Chizzy Akudolu who went on to star in Holby City as well as Sorry, I Didn’t Know, the comedy panel show produced by TriForce Productions which takes viewers on a tour of black history across the globe.

    Channel 4’s support also allows TriForce to offer travel expenses for performers taking part in the national final for the first time.

    Actors can visit http://monologueslamuk.com/ for more information on how to get involved.

    Please see below for upcoming events:

    MonologueSlam UK at Theatre Royal Stratford East

    Mon 31st October 2016

    C4 judges: Manpreet Dosanjh and Lisa Walters

    MonologueSlam UK at Mercury Theatre, Colchester

    Mon 7th November 2016

    C4 judges: Manpreet Dosanjh and Lisa Walters

    MonologueSlam UK National Final at Theatre Royal Stratford East

    Mon 12th December 2016

    C4 judges: Manpreet Dosanjh and Lisa Walters

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  • #SIDK in Broadcast!

    Our CEO Fraser Ayres is in Broadcast Online this week, talking about our new show on ITV2, Sorry I Didn’t Know and why it’s refreshing to see a commercial broadcaster lead the way in diversifying content.

    What’s interesting in ITV’s approach is that instead of insisting they know what audiences want, they reached out to ‘fresh’ voices to find out what different demographics actually want to see on screen – and most importantly, gave them a broadcast platform.

    To read Fraser’s article in full, click here.

    Sorry, I Didn’t Know airs on Thursday 3 November on ITV2 at 8.30pm

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