Next generation of comedy talent from across the UK named in ±«Óãtv's inaugural Comedy Collective
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±«Óãtv Director of Comedy Jon Petrie today announced the 10 recipients of a supercharged bursary scheme – the ±«Óãtv Comedy Collective – for up-and-coming writers, producers and directors to develop their careers further in scripted comedy.
The ±«Óãtv Comedy Collective is a commitment to nurture the next generation of comedy talent. Previous ±«Óãtv comedy bursary winners have gone on to make BAFTA award-winning TV series, secure script commissions, get agents and produce radio shows.
Speaking at the ±«Óãtv Comedy Festival, in Cardiff, Jon said: “Some of the best writers, producers and directors in TV and film started their careers on ±«Óãtv Comedy shows and we’re committed to giving the next generation of talent their big breaks. The ±«Óãtv Comedy Collective supports on and off screen talent from across the UK and will provide brilliant opportunities to our first cohort. I can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Each bursary winner will receive up to £10k worth of paid shadowing on a ±«Óãtv Comedy production, along with an allocated production mentor, plus a £5k development grant to put towards new material at the end of their placement. They will also have a dedicated point of contact within the ±«Óãtv Comedy Commissioning team to help guide them through their year, as well as access to the Comedy Collective representatives.
The ±«Óãtv Comedy Collective comprises of estate representatives, Geoff Schuman and Paul Whitehouse (for Felix Dexter), Tessa Le Bars and the Galton Family (for Galton & Simpson), Lucy Ansbro (for Caroline Aherne) plus the new producer and director representatives, Ash Atalla and Christine Gernon, alongside the alumni of previous ±«Óãtv bursary winners.
The Collective will work in partnership with ±«Óãtv Northern Ireland, ±«Óãtv Scotland and ±«Óãtv Wales, with the support of ±«Óãtv Writersroom, ±«Óãtv History, ±«Óãtv Academy, BAFTA and a range of screen agencies including North East Screen and Creative Wales.