TRC has announced a new initiative to boost production of scripted drama in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the support of the BFI awarding National Lottery Funding, Creative Wales, Northern Ireland Screen and Screen Scotland.
Applications from indies making scripted content are now open for International Horizons: Scripted, an advanced industry programme designed to increase participants’ opportunities in high-end drama in international markets.
A practical response to the ‘fewer, better, stronger’ mantra from broadcasters and streamers as they commission fewer projects with increased impact, International Horizons: Scripted will build the skills, knowledge and networks to enable nine local indies to thrive in the competitive world of scripted drama.
Course design has been led by BAFTA nominated producer and executive producer Caroline Levy who has held senior roles at Paramount and BBC Studios. She brings both a global perspective and deep local understanding of financial and creative challenges in drama production. Her credits include “Deadwater Fell”, “A Gentleman in Moscow” and “Hooten & The Lady”.
The successful delegates will be supported in reaching their commercial and international potential through an intensive 6-month programme focusing on sustaining and growing business with unrivalled access to industry experts. The cohort will learn from those with first-hand experience across legal and business affairs, distribution deals, investment opportunities, financial models and creative solution solving scenarios in music, factually inspired dramas and other areas.
Throughout the duration of the programme, delegates will be given one-to-one support in identified areas to enable them to navigate different broadcaster requirements. Industry networking events will take place in each of the three nations enabling participating indies to forge relationships with industry experts and a wider network who will foster the next generation of narrative content creators.
The programme will also fund attendance to Content London in December and will culminate with an international market visit in 2025, expanding the delegates networks both within the UK and internationally.
Applications are now open to scripted indies based in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The deadline for applications is Monday 2nd September, 5pm.To learn more about International Horizons Scripted and find out how to apply, please visit
Claire Scally, Managing Director of TRC said:
“Working with the national screen agencies we have developed International Horizons Scripted to champion Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales’s scripted drama companies. Building on the successful International Horizons brand, this programme will aim to expand the companies’ horizons internationally in what we hope will be a gamechanger for scripted drama in the Nations. We are excited to be supporting 9 companies in this endeavour.”
Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development at the BFI, said:
“The BFI is committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of indie production companies right across the UK. TRC Media will play a vital role in providing dedicated business development training and support to indies across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, with a particular emphasis on supporting those that are led by underrepresented talent. We hope the support on offer here will go some way to helping level the playing field in a competitive market, and subsequently see that a greater diversity of stories are brought to our screens.”
Joedi Langley, Interim Head of Creative Wales, said:
“The quality of home-grown scripted drama coming out of Wales recently is testament to the talent we have here in Wales. In supporting this initiative Creative Wales is joining other UK nations to support our indies to reach new platforms and help them to access new audiences through high quality content.”
Andrew Reid, Chief Content Officer at Northern Ireland Screen commented:
“We welcome the launch of the International Horizons Scripted initiative, this programme represents a unique opportunity for our local scripted drama companies to expand their reach and make a lasting impact on the global stage. By partnering with TRC we are collectively investing in local talent and creativity, we are not only boosting the local economy but also showcasing Northern Ireland’s rich cultural narratives to a worldwide audience.”
Kieran Hannigan, Head of Scripted at Screen Scotland said:
“Financing for scripted TV production has never been more competitive and we know equipping our Indies with the tools to secure international partners is key to their success moving forward. It’s fantastic to be able to support this exciting new program from TRC, with their enviable track record of delivering brilliant professional development across the UK. We are confident that under the guidance of Caroline Levy, the companies will gain valuable and practical learning through International Horizons Scripted.”
Following Broadcast’s recent Hot Shots announcement, we are very proud to see so many of our TRC alumni featured in four of the different categories.
Iqbal Khokhar, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Post/Craft
Iqbal joined the industry as an Edit Assistant through the rad Scotland 2021 scheme and has since gained broadcast and SVODs credits for Amazon Prime, BBC, CH4, CH5, Sky, Discovery+ and Netflix.
Isha Krishnan, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Production managers
Isha started her career in the industry in 2021 through rad Scotland and has since established herself as a Junior Production Co-ordinator, working with Red Sky Productions since her traineeship.
Ella Jackson, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Researchers & Aps
Ella took part in the 2022/23 edition of our development programme SuperSizer whilst at BBC Pacific Quay and was one of the three development executives to win our Ben Frow pitching challenge. At the time she commented: “Being part of SuperSizer has been a game-changer. It’s given me the opportunity not only to develop my confidence and professional skills, but to establish an inspiring new network of programme-makers. Having the chance to pitch to Ben Frow and his team was a truly amazing and memorable experience – and hopefully the start of many more creative conversations to come!”
Connie Sneddon, selected for Hot Shots 2024 Development Producers
Connie joined our latest SuperSizer edition in 2023 as a Development Producer for IWC Media, where she secured two season of reality show ‘The Agency: Unfiltered’. She commented on her participation to SuperSizer:
“Getting to meet all the SuperSizers in person on multiple occasions really allowed me to solidify new relationships with people at other companies and meeting with so many impressive people on each session was invaluable. However, meeting so many commissioners during our week in London is what helped both my career and company the most. Getting facetime with commissioners I want to pitch to in the future, seeing how they are in person and hearing what they were looking for was hugely helpful to both myself and IWC.”
Congratulations to Iqbal, Isha, Ella and Connie for this achievement! We look forward to seeing the amazing contributions you’ll continue to make in the world of television.
As part of BBC’s Bring the Drama Festival, we will be hosting an online info session over Zoom on Wednesday 27th March, 6pm.
If you’ve always wanted to kickstart your career in Scotland’s TV industry but don’t know how to get started, this is your chance to find out more about the production opportunities available in Scotland.
The event will feature some of our trainees and alumni, and will offer the opportunity to ask them about their experiences on our programmes.
Register for the event here and check out the ERIC creative careers app for more opportunities across the UK.
We are delighted to announce the following panellists will be joining us next week:
Amanda Ajomale | Researcher
rad Scotland 2022
Amanda Ajomale is a Researcher and Screenwriter, alumnus of We Are Parable’s Momentum, TRC’s rad scheme, and Short Circuit’s Convergence. With both a short and feature film currently in development, Amanda’s TV credits include BBC’s The Firm, Bridge of Lies, and the current season of Question Time.
Alf Payne | Researcher
rad Scotland 2023
Alf is a creative scientist who, through broadcast media, aims to bring together his mutual passions of science and storytelling. After moving to Glasgow to study towards a PhD, he decided to take a step away from academic research to pursue science communication work. He is grateful to TRC media and the rad program for facilitating his first experience working on a range of productions, such as The Secret Genius of Modern Life, with BBC Studios. Since the rad program concluded, Alf has since continued to work at Pacific Quay as a researcher working towards his first AP credits.
Kelsey Burke | Production Assistant
rad Scotland 2023
Since graduating from rad Scotland, Kelsey has continued working at her placement company (Hello Halo) where she works across a range of productions as a runner and office assistant.
With aspirations to transition into an editorial role Kelsey is passionate about championing diverse narratives and amplifying marginalised voices, hoping to contribute to a more inclusive media landscape.