If you’re considering a television career, Waterloo Road has some fantastic opportunities available.
Following the huge success of three previous Production Development Trainee Schemes, Wall to Wall Media and Rope Ladder Fiction in association with HOME and Screen Manchester are on the search for applications from anyone keen to join the next six-month paid programme, which will start in April.
The initiative aims to provide on-the-job training in junior roles for the next generation of talent for the scripted broadcast drama sector and achieves this through hands-on experience designed to build skills by directly working on this Made in Manchester TV hit.
It works!
Here’s what some of the scheme’s current crop of graduates have to say…
Assistant Director trainee Oliver Mortimer says: “My time at Waterloo Road has been an enlightening, exciting and dream-fulfilling experience in not only the AD department but into the lifestyle of a TV freelancer.”
Props trainee Anne O’Neill adds: “In the last five months I have gained a variety of skills and networks that will hopefully help further my career in the props department. It is such a great idea to help people gain direct experience in the TV Industry.”
Rope Ladder Fiction’s founder Cameron Roach says: “We’re thrilled to be announcing a third cohort of our trainee scheme, in partnership with Screen Manchester. The previous cohort of trainees have all gone on to secure freelance work within the sector, and it’s brilliant to see their individual careers flourish.
“The BBC’s continued investment in Waterloo Road, here in Greater Manchester, is genuinely ensuring that a sustainable pipeline of emerging screen talent is secure.”
Pursue your passion
Dina Slater, People Partner at Warner Brothers Discovery, adds: “By providing ongoing training opportunities and mentoring through our structured programme, we’re supporting people from all walks of life to pursue their passion in this fast-moving and ever-changing industry.”
Elli Metcalfe, Screen Manchester’s Crew and Facilities Manager, says: “It has been wonderful to meet and then watch the progress of all our trainees who are thriving and already finding their way into the industry across a range of departments.”
The application process
The Waterloo Road Production Development Scheme is made possible with the support and assistance of HOME Manchester and Screen Manchester, who have recently formed part of the BFI and National Lottery-funded Screen Alliance North. The application process for this placement will be conducted in several stages:
Stage One: Application Form: Please fill out the online Application Form found here via www.screenmanchester.com
Stage Two: Skills Training Day: Applicants will be selected to attend a Skills Training Day held in person on Thursday 14th March 2024. Here you will be introduced to how the production industry works with specifically designed workshops held by Industry Professionals. The Waterloo Road Production Crew will be in attendance, and you will have the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with Crew members. After the event participants will then be selected to go onto the interview stage.
Stage Three: Interviews: Interviews will take place on the 25th/ 26th/ 27th of March with the relevant departmental crew. To apply for this opportunity candidates will need to be:
* 18 years of age and over
* Available for a full 6-month engagement from April 2024
* Available for a full Skills Day on 14th March 2024, at Space Studios Manchester: A purpose-built facility consisting of 6 stages covering 85,000 sq ft. Home to award-winning TV, film and commercial productions
* Available to work an 11-hour day, this is a full-time placement
* Production will be based in Manchester. To apply you must live in the Manchester area.
* This opportunity will be a PAID placement should you gain a position.
The deadline for application is 5.00pm on Friday 23rd February 2024 and the scheme welcomes and positively encourages applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries. For assistance with an application please contact elli@screenmanchester.com
