Category: News

  • TriForce Incubator Finalists Announced

    The six finalists have been chosen!

    TriForce Productions, in association with Creative Skillset, have awarded six writers paid development commissions as part of a completely new model of finding and facilitating diverse talent: the TriForce Creative Network Writers Incubator.

    This twelve month initiative aims to change the usual routes of access and mitigate the concept of ‘risk’ that is so prevalent in our industry when engaging with new talent.

    The finalists were chosen from the writers of the shortlisted 20 scripts, all of whom were invited to meet with Fraser and Minnie Ayres (CEO and COO, TriForce Creative Network), as well as Jay Davidson (Assistant Commissioner, BBC).

     

    The Six Incubator Finalists 

    Janice Hallett, Blackout

    Mariama Ives-Moiba, A Family Like Mine

    Sam Benjamin, Liverpool ’81

    Sharma Walfall, Out of Bounds

    Shimon Greenidge-Forsyth, The Ortlan Birds

    Tsonko Bumbalov, Lemongrass and Morphine

    (From left to right: Minnie Ayres, Sam Benjamin, Mariama Ives-Moiba, Janice Hallett, Shimon Greenidge-Forsyth, Sharma Walfall, Tsonko Bumbalov, Fraser Ayres).

     

    What’s next for the finalists?

    Each hotly-tipped writer will be given one-to-one mentoring, training and seminars throughout the year and commissioner engagement from the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky, along with their paid development commission from TriForce Productions.  A personal facilitation fund will also be accessible to go towards necessities such as travel or child care.

    “We’re incredibly excited to be working with these six outstanding talents, we received almost 1000 submissions for this project, so the finalists really had to stand out to be selected. These are names to watch out for over the coming months.”
    Fraser Ayres, CEO


    This programme is supported by Creative Skillset’s HETV Levy.

     

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  • TCN Incubator Selection Day

    Saturday 1st April was the TriForce Creative Network Incubator Selection Day hosted at Spotlight and the TCN team were so happy to meet the writers of the 20 selected TCN Incubator scripts.

    On the interview panel TCN co-founder Fraser Ayres and COO Minnie Ayres were joined by Jay Davidson, Assistant Commissioner at the BBC.  It was fantastic to meet such a talented group of writers, to hear them pitch their projects and learn more about their aims moving forward.

    The final six writers of the TCN Incubator, in association with Creative Skillset, will be announced soon.


    The TCN Incubator Shortlist

    Paula B. Stanic – Cracked
    Amarjit Bassan – Lalit’s Voice
    Sam Benjamin – Liverpool ’81
    Tsonko Bumbalov – Lemongrass and Morphine
    Robert Goldsbrough – Strangers in Moscow
    Tré Gordon – Coconut Boy
    Shimon Greenidge-Forsyth – Song of the Ortlan Birds
    Janice Hallett – Blackout
    Mariama Ives-Moiba – A Family Like Mine
    Zara Meerza – Yellow
    Eleonora Mignoli – Onirika
    Faisal Qureshi – Karachi Vice
    Katie Redford and James Farmer – Sweethearts
    Nicola Sinclair – Twist of Fate
    Katrina Smith-Jackson – Tilbury Rush
    David Stevens – Guardian
    Gail Terry – Dead Ringers
    Sharma Walfall – Out of Bounds
    Charlie Ward – Fragments
    Jonny Wright – Northern Monkeys


    What will the Final Six Chosen Writers Receive?

    • Paid development commission with TriForce Productions
    • One-to-one mentoring on scripts, pitches and personal goals
    • Personal ‘Facilitation Fund’ for travel, child-care, carers allowance etc.
    • Industry professional led workshops and seminars throughout the year
    • Direct connections and introductions to decision makers and commissioners
    • Guaranteed push of project/s to numerous broadcasters & commissioners
    • Support and knowledge share with other ‘incubees’
    • Raising of profile within the industry, through press and exposure


    Very well done once again to the TCN Incubator shortlisted writers, this in itself was quite some feat as the competition was extremely strong.


    This programme is supported by Creative Skillset’s HETV Levy.

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  • The TCN Incubator Shortlist

    TriForce Creative Network, in association with Creative Skillset, are excited present the TCN Incubator Shortlist!

    The standard was extremely high and it was a feat bringing it down to just 20 scripts, very well done to everyone who entered and our congratulations to the shortlisted writers below.


    The TCN Incubator Shortlist

    Paula B. Stanic – Cracked
    Amarjit Bassan – Lalit’s Voice
    Sam Benjamin – Liverpool ’81
    Tsonko Bumbalov – Lemongrass and Morphine
    Robert Goldsbrough – Strangers in Moscow
    Tré Gordon – Coconut Boy
    Shimon Greenidge-Forsyth – Song of the Ortlan Birds
    Janice Hallett – Blackout
    Mariama Ives-Moiba – A Family Like Mine
    Zara Meerza – Yellow
    Eleonora Mignoli – Onirika
    Faisal Qureshi – Karachi Vice
    Katie Redford and James Farmer – Sweethearts
    Nicola Sinclair – Twist of Fate
    Katrina Smith-Jackson – Tilbury Rush
    David Stevens – Guardian
    Gail Terry – Dead Ringers
    Sharma Walfall – Out of Bounds
    Charlie Ward – Fragments
    Jonny Wright – Northern Monkeys

     

    What Happens Now?

    This Saturday 1st April the shortlist will be whittled down to six finalists.


    What will the Final Six Chosen Writers Receive?

    • Paid development commission with TriForce Productions
    • One-to-one mentoring on scripts, pitches and personal goals
    • Personal ‘Facilitation Fund’ for travel, child-care, carers allowance etc.
    • Industry professional led workshops and seminars throughout the year
    • Direct connections and introductions to decision makers and commissioners
    • Guaranteed push of project/s to numerous broadcasters & commissioners
    • Support and knowledge share with other ‘incubees’
    • Raising of profile within the industry, through press and exposure


    Once again congratulations and we look forward to meeting the TCN Incubator shortlisted writers this Saturday!


    This programme is supported by Creative Skillset’s HETV Levy.

     

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  • The TCN Incubator Launches!

    The TCN Writers Incubator has launched!

    We are very pleased to launch The TriForce Creative Network Writers Incubator in association with Creative Skillset. We’re looking for people who are serious about a TV writing career. This exciting initiative aims to change the usual routes of access and mitigate the concept of ‘risk’ that is so prevalent in our industry when engaging with new talent. Tangible and outcome focused, The TCN Incubator seeks to go beyond just another ‘program’ and bring effective and long-standing change.

    You may already be an established ‘jobbing’ writer looking for the chance of your own project, or perhaps you’re brand new and desperate for your voice to be heard – you do NOT need to be represented by an agent to enter.

    What will the 6 chosen writers receive?

    • PAID development commission with TriForce Productions
    • One-to-one mentoring on scripts, pitches and personal goals
    • Personal ‘Facilitation Fund’ for travel, child-care, carers allowance etc.
    • Industry professional led workshops and seminars throughout the year
    • Direct connections and introductions to decision makers and commissioners
    • Guaranteed push of project/s to numerous broadcasters & commissioners
    • Support and knowledge share with other ‘incubees’
    • Raising of profile within the industry, through press and exposure

    What you need to enter:

    Please read the instructions carefully, before filling in the form and attaching your documents here. We need you to provide:

    1. A 15 page extract from a TV script in either word or PDF format. Please ONLY attach 15 pages. The script can be drama or comedy and there is no limit on the number of characters. It can be the first 15 pages, or a 15 page extract from elsewhere in the script. We’re using this extract to assess your ability to write dialogue and create convincing characters, so we suggest avoiding extracts which have a large amount of description. Please name this file using the following format: lastname.firstname.titleofscript

    For information on how to format a TV script, see this page on BBC Writersroom.

    1. Your CV in either Word or PDF format. Please include details of any writing experience, including any commissions, readings or script editing for example. Please name this file using the following format: lastname.firstname.CV
    1. We are also asking you to provide TWO further ideas as pitches of 500 words each. This is part of the form, you do not need to attach another document. While you should submit your strongest ideas, bear in mind showing some variety in terms of the format could strengthen your chances, for example entering a script for a returning drama as well as two pitches for mini-series or features.  This does not apply to genre, so if, say, comedy is more your bag, it is completely fine to stay with that for your script as well as your pitches, although you are welcome to submit different genres for any or all of these if you wish.

    What is the submission process?

    From the submissions a long list of around 20 writers will be selected and invited to a workshop day on Saturday 1st April in London, so that you can meet the other writers and we can meet you!  Over the course of this day interviews will decide the shortlist of 6 writers.

     When is the deadline for submissions?

    Submissions are open from now until 23:59 on Tuesday 7 March

     Who can apply?

    As is the TriForce way – pretty much everybody! There are no age, class, ethnicity, (tick your box here) restrictions. This is a fully inclusive initiative aimed at finding the best unheard talent from all walks of life, from across the UK. End of.

    Building on the success of our writers initiative WriterSlam, we are asking for people who can show some experience in writing, but we’re quite flexible about what this might be. You might have had a TV development commission, have had a play script or short film script produced, or had a reading of your script with actors. This can be something you’ve produced yourself and it doesn’t need to have been a paid job – we’re keen to get the most excited and driven, not necessarily the most experienced.

    You must also be based in the U.K.

    The TCN Writers Incubator is a fully supported opportunity like no other giving you as a creative all the tools and opportunities to succeed, as well as providing direct access to fresh, developed new talent for the industry as a whole.

    This programme is supported by Creative Skillset’s HETV Levy.

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  • Channel 4 Chooses MonologueSlam Actors

    Channel 4 and TriForce Creative Network Announce Ten New Faces for Channel 4 Drama

    A UK wide talent search through MonologueSlam UK saw 10 actors selected to be championed by Channel 4 Drama

    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 from 2016 was invited to the national final on December 12th where Channel 4 selected their top 10. They have committed to explore ways to champion the winning actors’ careers with Channel 4 Drama.

    The ten selected actors are Hannah Margaret from Leeds, who was also crowned National MonologueSlam UK Champion 2016, Adaya Henry and Joanna Gay winners of the Birmingham heats, Frances Pooley the Leicester winner, Winston Sarpong, winner of the Essex MonologueSlam, and Connor Mills, Maia Watkins, Richard Rowe-McGhie, Debra Baker and Kayla Meikle from London.

    Fraser Ayres, co-founder, TriForce Creative Network, says; “We are very excited with Channel 4’s commitment to this fantastic group of actors. We’ve seen them develop through the MonologueSlam UK initiative over 2016 and we know they’re ready for this opportunity. We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with Channel 4 in 2017.”

    Ramy El-Bergamy, Channel 4 On Screen Diversity Executive, says; “We’re incredibly excited about the 10 actors we’ve selected through this year’s MonologueSlam UK programme. The standard was incredibly high at the final, and with access to talent from all over the UK, we’ve been able to select a diverse pool of new talent that we will champion in Channel 4 Drama over the coming year.”

    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. Maintaining that it should always be free for actors to perform, TriForce has produced a hugely accessible event for all performers, with an ethos of inclusion. The regional heats start again on 27th February 2017 with the first London heat at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

    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.

    Congratulations to all of the actors!

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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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  • TriForce Creative Network in Broadcast

    Trifore Creative Network has been featured in a Broadcast article along with other fantastic organisations leading the way in training people for the industry and increasing diversity.

    TCN co-founder Fraser Ayres outlines exciting new initiative for 2017, more details to be announced soon!

    Read the article here.

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  • TriForce COO Minnie Ayres Interview

    Get to know a little more about TriForce COO Minnie Ayres, the history of the Network and some exciting details about the upcoming TriForce Short Film Festival!

    Read the article here on Those London Chicks, a blog co-founded by Karen Bryson, actress and producer of Family Reunion (a TFSFF 2015 winning film).

    TriForce Short Film Festival is this Saturday 3 December at BAFTA.  To see more information on the festival, the films, seminars or how to book tickets see the TFSFF website.

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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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  • WriterSlam Drama 2016 Finalists

    The WriterSlam Finalists have now been announced!

    We are very excited to announce our 5 finalists for WriterSlam 2016. The finalist writers and their scripts are:

    Onyinye Egenti and Adele Oni – Lost Queens
    Emily Mazzeo – Greenhouse
    Conor McGinnity – Bandit Country
    Keith Saha – Looked After
    Katrina Smith-Jackson – Tilbury Rush

    What Happens Now?

    The 5 finalists will take part in a script workshop 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 event on 14th November at St James Theatre in Victoria. The event is open to the public and will have a large industry attendance. To come along and support new talent, book your ticket here.

    What are the prizes?

    The winning writer will receive a paid development commission from TriForce Productions, culminating in an industry table read in Spring 2017 supported by Sky Drama.

    The runner up will receive a guaranteed place on the BBC’s Introduction to Continuing Drama workshop – their invite only workshop for writer’s hoping to write for the BBC’s award winning continuing dramas; Holby City, Casualty, Doctors and Eastenders.

    All 5 finalists will have their work showcased in front of the industry panel, with representatives from the BBC, Channel 4, Sky and TriForce Productions.

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