Jo Schofield has been appointed to the role of Talent Development Manager at Screen Yorkshire, to help spearhead a new move by the organisation towards developing writing, producing and directing talent.
In this newly created role, Schofield will design and deliver a suite of talent development initiatives, building partnerships within the industry to showcase the region’s emerging screen talent. This will kick off in late spring 2021 with the launch of a new talent development programme, in partnership with The Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN).
Screen Yorkshire Head of Creative Caroline Cooper Charles said: “I’m so excited that Jo has joined Screen Yorkshire on our new adventure to develop the region’s next generation of story-telling talent. Together we’re looking forward to working with writers, directors and producers who can hop nimbly between platforms and formats, creating strongly authored and ambitious narratives and helping to future-proof the screen industries in Yorkshire and the Humber.”
Screen Yorkshire’s increased focus on talent development will build on its national Insight Producer Development Programme, which Screen Yorkshire is delivering on behalf of the BFI. Participants have included Barrington Robinson, who is now co-producing BBC crime drama The Responder by Tony Schumacher starring Martin Freeman; Sophie Reynolds, who is currently producing the second season of the Emmy-award-winning comedy series State of the Union created by Nick Hornby and directed by Stephen Frears, starring Brendan Gleeson, Patricia Clarkson and Esco Jouléy; and Douglas Cox, who has achieved great success with his lockdown horror Host.
Jo Schofield, Talent Development Manager at Screen Yorkshire said: “I’m thrilled to join Screen Yorkshire. It’s a return to my Yorkshire roots, and offers a fantastic opportunity to work with the incredible array of talent we have in the region. I’m very much looking forward to working with Caroline and the team, to support the possibilities of what can be achieved by our inspiring creative community.”
Alongside her new part-time role at Screen Yorkshire, Jo will retain a part-time role at The Film and TV Charity as Hub Manager for Northern England, supporting people who work behind the scenes in the UK film, TV and cinema industry. Jo was involved in establishing one of the charity’s first regional hubs, embedding the charity’s strategy to support workers with partners across the area.
Screen Yorkshire has been supported by the BFI’s National Cluster Growth Fund using National Lottery funding to support the development and growth of the Yorkshire screen sector.
Jon Creamer
Share this story
