Dream BIG! announces participants for a new entrants training programme for Children’s TV
Dream BIG! Is supported by the ScreenSkills Children’s TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK children’s TV productions.
Eight trainees will have their first job as production coordinators or researchers at leading producers of Children’s TV - from Horrid Henry producer Novel Entertainment, Broadcast award-winning The World According to Grandpa producers Saffron Cherry, and Glasgow based Hello Hallo Kids - creators of Let’s Go for a Walk.
Participants will receive job specific training delivered by thinkBIGGER!
The programme will encompass practical training, industry masterclasses, personal development skills, mentoring and paid work, with a particular focus on attracting underrepresented new entrants to Children’s TV and enabling them to build a successful career.
Dream BIG! trainees
“To me, The Dream BIG! Programme seemed perfect for those like myself who always wanted to have a kickstart in the industry but they’re not quite sure how. I couldn’t be more over the moon to have been given the opportunity to get training through mentoring and real experiences. It’s truly a “pinch me“ moment and I cannot wait to get started”
Fatima Jawara, Trainee researcher - Hello Halo Kids
“Since finishing university, I’ve been applying no stop for industry jobs but never getting anywhere with it. Then my good friend sent me a link to Dream BIG! and once I read it, I fell in love with the program so I decided why not give it a go! To work not just in the TV Industry but CHILDRENS TV! It was like it was made for me. The fact that I could do my application via video due to my dyslexia that itself made me feel validated and accepted. I hope to get out of this programme more opportunities not just jobs but networking events and to be surrounded by like-minded individuals”
Carys Martha, Trainee Production Co-ordinator - BBC Children's
“We’re so delighted to have been able to take part in ScreenSkills’ & ThinkBIGGER!’s inaugural Children’s TV programme this year; we’re proud of our Children’s TV heritage and to be able to welcome new entrants who genuinely want to work in our genre is an ongoing objective for us. ThinkBIGGER! make that possible with an excellent offering to candidates and companies alike, providing unstinting advice and support and, most importantly, a diverse range of talented individuals who we know will have so much to contribute to our industry in years to come.”
Lucinda Whiteley, Creative Director at Novel Entertainment
“Children’s TV has been a leader at representing all groups on TV, and we are delighted that ScreenSkills have given us the opportunity to provide roles for brilliant disabled and diverse candidates to work behind the camera”
Heloise Beaton, Disability Lead - thinkBIGGER!
Notes:
Participating companies and broadcasters include Zodiak Kids, Novel Entertainment, Hello Halo, BBC Children, Saffron Cherry Productions and Lion TV.
Dream BIG! Is financed by ScreenSkills through the ScreenSkills Children’s TV Skills Fund with contributions from UK children’s TV productions.
thinkBIGGER! Ltd is a training and consulting company who manage Channel 4’s Production Training Scheme, Motion Content’s new Researcher Training Programme, ITV Studios Production Training Scheme as well as consulting for ScreenSkills, Bafta and others on disability.
For all enquiries please contact Heloise Beaton, Dream BIG! project manager