Write Across Birmingham and the Black Country
14 December 2023
Kit de Waal and Sir Lenny Henry
BBC and Create Central launch new writing scheme in Birmingham and the Black Country for aspiring scriptwriters
The BBC and Create Central are joining forces with a number of the West Midlands’ leading creative organisations to launch a writing scheme that will support new writing talent from across Birmingham and the Black Country.
Through a series of engaging workshops, expert-led sessions and networking opportunities, the new Write Across Birmingham and the Black Country programme will provide up to 12 aspiring writers with a crucial insight into writing for TV.
The eight-week scheme, which runs from June to September in 2024, will cover the foundations of storytelling for the screen, while demystifying the process of writing for television.
BBC Writers, which works to support scriptwriting talent, and Create Central, which aims to turbo-charge the creative content sector in the region, are partnering with Birmingham Rep, Script Sirens, Dudley Creates, Creative Black Country and Black Country Touring for the scheme.
Jessica Loveland, Head of New Writing for BBC Writers and BBC Drama Commissioning, said: “We are delighted to be bringing ‘Write Across’, our regionally focussed writer development programme, to Birmingham and the Black Country in 2024.
“We’ve been working closely with six inspiring local cultural organisations to help shape this iteration of the programme for early career writers based in the region. We are looking forward to officially launching the programme and opening applications in the new year and working with the next wave of fresh and exciting voices from Birmingham and the Black Country.”
Sir Lenny Henry, said "As a Create Central Champion, I'm really excited we're getting this new opportunity for budding writers in Birmingham and the Black Country up and running. It's backed by incredible local organisations that are all set to support fresh talent in turning dreams into reality. It's like the opening act of a blockbuster movie for the next wave of storytelling legends in the West Midlands!"
Kit de Waal, author of My Name is Leon and Create Central member, said "I'm absolutely thrilled that our collaboration with the BBC, as part of our wider partnership with them in the West Midlands, is paving the way for incredible opportunities for local talent. I'm eager to dive into those scripts, and to champion these talented writers as they embark on their career journeys."
This is the second year of the ‘Write Across’ scheme which was successfully piloted in Liverpool last year. The programme forms part of the BBC’s commitment to create more opportunities outside of London as part of the ‘Across the UK’ strategy and agreement with Create Central and West Midlands Combined Authority. By 2027/28, the BBC will be spending at the very least, an extra £700m cumulatively across the UK - generating an additional economic benefit of over £850 million. This will not only dramatically increase opportunities for jobs and training but improve representation on and off screen.
For more information on how to apply for the scheme, visit the BBC Writers website at www.bbc.co.uk/writers.