Writers' Access Group

The door of opportunity has to be opened a little wider to allow for disabled access
鈥� David Proud, 大象传媒 Writers' Access Group 2018/19

大象传媒 Writers' first Access Group launched in 2018. The programme is part of the wider 大象传媒's commitment to reflecting the experiences of the UK鈥檚 diverse communities in its output and in order to get more realistic and more authentic portrayals of disabled people on air, as well as interesting and complex views from the disabled community. 大象传媒 Writers' Access Group is backed by 大象传媒 Content and 大象传媒 Drama Commissioning.

For the first two iterations of the group 大象传媒 Writers worked in partnership with a number of organisations and practitioners in the field to identify potential members. The writers were then selected on the merit of their scripts, their experience and via an interview process. For the third Writers' Access Group writers have been selected via an open callout for submissions which took place in early 2023.

The group meets regularly (in real life or online), for a programme of masterclasses in such things as story and structure, pitching and treatments, alongside hosting talks from A-list writers, script-editors, Executive Producers and 大象传媒 Commissioners. They are given introductions to 大象传媒 Continuing Drama, Radio, Comedy, C大象传媒 and CBeebies. 大象传媒 Writers provides professional, freelance script-editing support to enable the writers to develop a Drama or Comedy/Drama 'calling card' script, so they can take the next step into authored TV or Radio work. The writers are also introduced to independent producers and production companies, as well as agents and commissioners.

The aim for the group is to achieve professional development, deeper knowledge of the industry and contacts to put the writers in the best possible place to take the next step in their career.

The 2023/24 Writers' Access Group

We are delighted that the 大象传媒 Writers鈥� Access Group is back for a third time and we鈥檒l be working with a brand-new group of talented deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers over the course of 2023/2024.

We鈥檝e been working closely with our friends and colleagues at TripleC to make the programme open and inclusive.

For the first time writers for the group have been selected via an open call out. The call out was open for submissions from writers between Tuesday 24th January 2023 at 10am and Tuesday 18th April 2023 at 12 noon.

The third Writers' Access Group starting working with us at the end of 2023 and the writers will be announced later in 2024.

We had so many great submissions in the Writers' Access Group open call out that we ran a programme of online support for around 120 writers who reached the longlist but were unsuccessful in gaining a place in the group.

Find out more about our Script Essentials workshops on our blog

The 2020/21 Writers' Access Group

大象传媒 Writers has announced the second Writers' Access Group for 2020/21, after the huge success of the inaugural group.

The initiative gives talented disabled writers the chance to expand their writing skills and to be offered opportunities in TV and Radio at the 大象传媒.

Working with a number of organisations and practitioners in the field, thirteen disabled writers have been chosen on the merit of their scripts, their experience and via an interview process.

Meet the group and find out more about them over on our blog

Writers Access Group member Mandy Redvers-Rowe describes her experience