The Unscripted TV Skills Fund’s (USF) bursary initiative for senior development roles aims to help professionals stay connected to the commissioning landscape when they are between contracts.
Designed to support those at producer level or above in unscripted TV, the bursary can be used to assist with the costs of attending industry events and festivals, alongside the associated travel, childcare and accommodation costs. In doing so, it provides continued access to the essential industry updates and networks that allow senior level professionals progress and develop their careers.
At this year’s Sheffield DocFest, running from 10-15 June, the bursary enabled seven recipients attend the UK’s largest factual-led festival, take in screenings, panel discussions and meet and share ideas with leading industry figures.
We caught up with some of those supported through the bursary to hear how the initiative helped them.
Vicky Matthews: Having 20 years’ experience as a Producer/Director working across premium documentaries and specialist factual entertainment, Vicky moved into development where she’s created premium documentary and high-concept factual projects for UK and international broadcasters and streamers.
“The ScreenSkills bursary enabled me to attend Sheffield DocFest and Creative Cities Convention, where I gained valuable insight into the changing commissioning landscape, built new industry relationships and strengthened my understanding of premium factual, impact storytelling and audience-led development. The experience has been instrumental in helping me shape my next career move.
“As a freelancer, the current market means opportunities to attend industry festivals can be few and far between. I'm incredibly grateful to have had the chance to be there, because the insight, inspiration and connections I've gained have been genuinely invaluable. I've come away with a much deeper understanding of where the industry is heading and a stronger network than when I arrived.”
Ralph Perring: Executive Producer Ralph has delivered premium factual television for leading broadcasters Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Discovery+. The bursary provided him with a festival pass, travel and accommodation alongside a 12-month digital subscription to Broadcast magazine.
"The bursary was VERY successful. The support funded my trip to the Sheffield DocFest and helped me to feel connected with my colleagues (many of whom I bumped into or arranged to meet) - but also with the documentary making community in general. Plus, I got to see some great films from all over the world. It was totally inspiring. I definitely have a huge to-do list of ideas for writing up now, but also for reaching out to contacts (old and new) that were a direct result of the festival - so hopefully it will help me generate work / commissions etc… It was also very inspiring and helps me keep a positive outlook when looking for work which helps enormously.”
Bushra Siddiq: Bushra is a Senior Development Producer/Development Executive. Having worked in television for 20 years, she currently develops premium factual and documentary projects for broadcasters and streamers including Netflix, Channel 4, Sky Docs, Amazon and the BBC. The bursary provided her with a festival pass, travel and accommodation.
“Receiving the ScreenSkills bursary to attend Sheffield DocFest came at a particularly valuable time. Like many freelancers, I’ve been navigating a challenging period for the industry, and the opportunity to attend the festival enabled me to reconnect with commissioners, production companies and peers, build new relationships, and gain valuable insight into where the industry is heading. It was also a chance to explore new areas of development and reinforce existing relationships that I’m hopeful will lead to future opportunities. It also gave me both the insight and the opportunity to reflect on how I can continue to shape my career within an ever-changing industry.”
Patrick Carnegy: A Development Producer that spent 8 years at KEO Films, Patrick has worked on multiple projects including Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland. Last year he went freelance and has had development stints at Double Act and BBC Studios, as well as developing his own projects. Having already purchased a ticket to the festival, the USF bursary support provided Patrick with travel and accommodation for the festival.
“DocFest this year was incredibly useful for making new contacts, I met a number of directors and development producers and execs that I didn’t know before. This has already led to starting to work on some new projects, which definitely wouldn’t have come about if I hadn’t been at Sheffield.
“Just going to Sheffield probably wouldn’t have been possible without the support from ScreenSkills, as it is a tricky expense especially when I was between contracts and hadn’t had some income for a little while. I think also generally going to Sheffield is just great for lifting spirits a bit at a time when the industry is incredibly hard for a lot of people. It’s a breath of fresh air seeing projects on the big screen, and getting to speak to people about their own difficulties getting projects commissioned at the moment. I definitely came back from it feeling more positive and inspired about development work, something which can be hard at times!
“The support was incredibly helpful. Sheffield DocFest is one of the most useful events for documentary and television in the UK, especially on a development side. I went to a number of the commissioning panels and discussions, they provided really great insight into what the channels and broadcasters are looking for. Hearing it directly in a speech or panel, along with clips of projects coming out soon gives so much more context that commissioning briefs that are sent out or online. The networking events are also one of the rare times you get a chance to speak to commissioners or members in their team, in person and outside of more formal pitching calls. That's incredibly useful for trying to build up more of a personal connection with them.”
Elly Steinberg: Elly is a Development Producer with scientific background. She has developed factual slates for major UK and US broadcasters, including BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, National Geographic, Disney, Apple, Vice TV, and Discovery Plus. Through the initiative, she received a festival pass, travel, hotel and childcare costs as well as a 12-month Broadcast Intelligence subscription.
“It was really helpful to be able to afford to network in person, which is costly but can be really effective in a ‘who you know’ industry. For example, great to hear from commissioners and industry leaders on panels where there are Q&A, and a more nuanced discussion about channel needs compared to official briefings. It's also great for meeting and collaborating with on-and-off-screen talent and thinking about who else I could approach. Made two new contacts at Sheffield DocFest and pursuing work opportunities with both.
“Finally, it signposted me to more training (if I need it) and it will be good to have those contacts and nurture the relationships. I'm looking to diversify beyond broadcast TV and networking and learning about other ways to use my skills has given me a roadmap of what else I could try.”