At Screen Manchester we are so fortunate to work closely with several organisations and businesses who are focused on making the Film & Television Industry more inclusive and as Mental Health Awareness Week arrives we will be introducing you to some of these wonderful people.
We were fortunate to bring many of these people together at one of our Screen Alliance North Connected Communities events in 2024 thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding. It was a wonderful event and everyone left feeling empowered and inspired to take the learnings back to their respective workplaces.
We start today with The TV Access Project and spotlight their “5As” initiative. We are also excited to be hosting one of their events and welcoming their team to Space Studios in June.
The 5As provide guidelines for disability inclusion in UK television production, and can be applied to all areas of the industry, both behind and in front of the camera. All members of the TV Access Project are signed up and committed to implementing the 5As.
To introduce you to the 5As take a look at these brilliant animation videos.
Our Industry is of course powered by freelancers and TAP has commissioned free training which applies the 5As to different areas of the TV Industry, giving clear advice and case studies as to how they can be applied as the foundation for developing, delivering and maintaining an accessible and inclusive working environment.
This opportunity is for people all over the UK who have three credits in roles the training covers. This also includes anyone at early, experienced and expert career stages working in Unscripted TV, High-end TV, Children’s TV, Animation and Film.
Each course on the 5As is an interactive two-hour session provided online. Participants will learn how the 5As are applied to your area of the TV industry. This training will each be delivered twice a year between 2025 and 2026. The training is available for those working in the following areas or roles:
- Production management
- Team leaders
- Recruitment
- Casting contributors and talent
- Recces and location
- Live studio and broadcast
Do take a look at the videos and learn more about this important work that is helping shape the way we approach disability – this month of course with a focus on Mental Health in particular.