ITV Studios and the TripleC Disabled Artists Networking Community (DANC) have partnered to launch a series of production training videos created by deaf, disabled, autistic and neurodivergent talent.
The videos, which are fully accessible, are the first of their kind and are aimed at budding technicians and creatives to learn more about drama production.
They have been created with the production team of BBC One’s Ralph and Katie which set an industry benchmark for inclusive working at every stage. The production training videos are available to anyone wanting to learn about high-end television production and can be accessed free via TripleC’s website.
Ralph and Katie, produced by ITV Studios and Keshet Productions in association with Tiger Aspect Productions, is written by five emerging disabled screenwriters, supported by showrunner Peter Bowker. The series directed by Jordan Hogg and produced by Jules Hussey, puts inclusivity at the heart of all its practices in front of and behind the camera.
The launch of the training videos are part of the Ralph & Katie HETV Remote Trainee Programme, which was funded by BBC and ITV Studios and hosted by TripleC’s Cherylee Houston MBE and Melissa Johns (British actors and disability advocates) and chair Laurence Clark (award-winning stand-up comedian and screenwriter). The programme offered 30 deaf, disabled, autistic and neurodivergent talent, opportunities to go behind the scenes on the 6 x 30-minute series for six months.
TripleC has been commissioned by ITV Studios to produce this series of ten-minute videos from the well-received sessions. Each video explores a different aspect of production and the different job roles involved from casting to costume and from script editors to locations, providing new entrants and early career talent with a wealth of information to help them get started in their chosen fields.
Sam Tatlow MBE, Creative Diversity Partner at ITV, said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to support this TripleC / DANC initiative through funding in partnership with BBC. This training and other work such as our ITV Studios Disabled Writers in Development initiative are great examples of how we’re looking to create unique opportunities for Disabled editorial talent and encourage those who hadn’t considered a career in production to pursue it. ITV is also proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, in recognition of our continued commitment and work around removing barriers for disabled candidates.”
Melissa Johns, Actor, said: “This industry, and the stories we tell, will always be richer with more voices and by not including deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent creatives, we are missing out on such a huge amount of talent, lived experience and truthful representation. All it takes is the willingness and drive from broadcasters and production companies to make the change and TripleC DANC is here to support every step of the way.”
As part of the Ralph & Katie HETV Remote Trainee Programme, participants were sent all of the production paperwork as well as viewing rushes and assemblies. Members of the crew offered up their time to be guests in fortnightly Zoom meetings to discuss scripts, location scouting, scheduling, budgeting, set design, editing, casting, publicity and costume.
Disability representation and improving inclusion and accessibility for all is at the core of ITV’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy. From its Diversity Commissioning Fund which ring-fences £80m of the content budget to drive change in racial and disability equity, to initiatives such as the Disabled Writers in Development programme and actions including the launch of Disability Access Passports, ITV is making efforts to improve its on and off screen representation of Disabled people.
Pippa Considine
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