Talent & Business
Opportunities
& Resources
We’ll post opportunities from across the industry, plus business resources from local and combined authorities here. This page is updated regularly, please check back.
Pathways to Finance Drop in – NECA & Innovation SuperNetwork
If you’re in Newcastle on Wednesday 2nd October, join one of our innovation finance team members at Floe, Newcastle from 10am-4pm holding a drop in session.
If you’re an early-stage business or looking to scale, our team can talk you through the support options available to you through our new Pathways to Funding programme. We will be happy to talk through your business and answer any questions you may have. No need to book, just drop in!
Tuesday 2nd October – 10am – 4pm
The purpose of the course is to offer 12 writers new to television drama an insight into how the industry works and to provide a “dry-run” of what it can be like to write under a television drama commission, specifically for one hour series and serial drama, and to work with them as they write an original drama script.
Writers will be expected to write an original C4 / E4 one-hour drama series or serial pilot episode, and 2-3 page outline / pitch for the series / serial as a whole.
Closing date: Friday 4th October at 5.00 pm
Investment ABCs for SMEs – NECA & Innovation SuperNetwork
In this workshop, we’ll walk through common fundraising terms, unpacking increasingly important jargon. We’ll begin by providing a quick recap on types of investor and wrap up with a quick game of Buzzword Bingo to test who among us is investor (conversation) ready.
What will you learn?
We’ll cover specific terms around:
- What an investor’s “investment thesis” is
- Your target market
- Discussing your financial model
- Talking about your business bottom line and more
Thursday 10th October – 9:30am
BBC Audio Indie Development Fund
The objective of the Indie Development Fund is to support and champion indies which are based Across the UK, and whom share the BBC’s creative diversity ambitions. Once again, £250,000 is available for independent audio production companies to apply for. Successful applicants will receive funding of between £10-25k in addition to mentoring from BBC commissioners.
The Indie Development Fund is delighted to announce that for the first time, all BBC radio networks will be participating. For the first time, successful indies will receive support and insights from across BBC Music or Speech, not just one radio station.
Closing Date: 21st October 2024
BIC Innovation – Sunderland BIC
The BIC now offers grants of 40% contribution towards projects valued between £5k and £40k which can be classed as:
- New to the business (processes, tech or automation)
- New to the marketplace (or integration into new markets)
- To create jobs (1+)
The grant is available to eligible companies based in Sunderland and is funded by UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) and delivered via City of Sunderland Council.
Closing Date: 31st October 2024
FREE online lectures – UK/UA Animation Lab
We can now announce the six FREE online lectures that will be taking place this autumn as part of the UK/UA Animation Lab programme for all animation professionals; both in Ukraine and internationally.
The series of lectures will last approx. 75-minutes, including a Q&A, and will take place every other Wednesday afternoon (4pm UK time); aiming to give a better understanding of how the industry works, how to pitch a project, how to promote yourself, and more.
September – November
Securing Investment Drop In – TVCA & Innovation SuperNetwork
If you’re in Middlesbrough on Tuesday 12th November, join Gary Lynch, our Access to Finance & Investment Manager on the ground floor at BOHO One, Bridge St West, Middlesbrough TS2 1AE from 10am-4pm for a drop in session.
If you’re an early-stage business or looking to scale, he can talk you through the support options available to you through our new Tees Valley Securing Investment programme. He will be happy to talk through your business and answer any questions you may have. No need to book, just drop in!
Tuesday 12th November 10am – 4pm
Future Filmmaker Awards – Sony
Free to enter, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards elevates original voices that bring a fresh perspective to storytelling. The shortlisted filmmakers are flown to Los Angeles for an exclusive four-day event to gain unparalleled insight into all aspects of the filmmaking process to advance their careers. After the workshop programme the filmmakers will attend an awards ceremony at the Sony Pictures Studios.
Aimed at breakthrough artists and independent filmmakers worldwide, there are four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation and Student.
Closing Date: 12th December 2024
Get Better Business Skills – NBSL
Learn the art of business with inspired business skills sessions and tailored one to one mentoring support specifically for you and your business needs. This fully funded flexible programme covers Marketing, Business Planning, Sales & Service, Change & Process Management and ToNetZero.
Ongoing
New Writing North Screenwriting Weekender
Taking place early next year, this packed weekend of TV industry talks, workshops and networking is aimed at writers who want to improve their screenwriting skills, get industry know how and make new connections.
You’ll hear from leading screenwriters, production companies, agents and commissioners on a range of topics including writers rooms, getting an agent, writing a strong spec, structuring TV drama, writing for different genres and much, much more.
Early bird tickets are available here
Making sustainable content is a shared goal for everyone, whether you’re working in film production, making news or writing the next BAFTA winner.
The albert Academy is your home for accurate, relevant and tailored training, providing courses for you whatever your level of experience, role or objective.
These interactive workshops and courses are created by experts with direct industry experience and backed by UK content makers and commissioners. There are also specialist courses available created in collaboration with leading industry bodies; ScreenSkills and the BFI.
As a Creator, My SMASH free tools help you create the professional film and television pitch presentation your idea deserves.
Our SMASH Pitch Protector ensures your IP is safeguarded, giving you peace of mind.
Once your Snapshot Pitch is ready, you can upload it to one of our active Call-Outs or share a QR code or link with commissioners and financiers, knowing your IP is secure with SMASH.
Sunderland Business Support Fund – NECA
NBSL, in partnership with Sunderland City Council, have launched the new Sunderland Business Support Fund (SBSF) thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This Grant programme will help local growing businesses to access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects.
SBSF will provide up to 40% funding for projects that cost between £3,000 and £6,000 (VAT costs cannot be funded).
The North East Combined Authority’s website showcasing their business support and funding. Includes toolkits for Starting Up, becoming Net Zero and lots of financial advice and funding opportunities.
Tees Valley Business Support – TVCA
Tees Valley Business Support website helps businesses based in Tees Valley access support, advice, programmes and contacts to help establish your business and make it thrive. Includes advice on finance and funding.
Resources for businesses based in the North East Combined Authority. Access useful downloads, guides, and other resources to help you with your net zero journey.
Resources for businesses based in the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Get fully funded consultancy support and up to £2,000 grant funding for your business, alongside easy access to online tools and regular webinars and workshops.
Intellectual Property Support – NECA
Book an IP Surgery to ascertain how IP applies to what you do; understand the different types of IP; take action to avoid future IP infringement and get started with using IP protection.
You will also learn how to search IP registers and look at the application process to obtain registered IP protection.
BBC Comedy Short Films are designed to give up and coming talent an opportunity to bring their comedy ideas to life. They’re a way for writers, directors and producers to develop and showcase exciting new worlds and memorable comedy characters.
We’re currently prioritising ideas that align close to our genre brief so we’re keen to hear comedy-first ideas that feature high gag rates and strong comic characters.