ITV Studios Launches Disabled-Led Production Training Videos

ITV Studios and TripleC Disabled Artists Networking Community (DANC) have launched a series of production training videos created by deaf, disabled, autistic and neurodivergent talent.

The videos were created with the production team of BBC One’s Ralph & Katie, an inclusive series written by five emerging disabled screenwriters. The training videos are available for anyone wanting to learn about high-end TV production and can be accessed for free on TripleC’s website.

The launch is part of the Ralph & Katie HETV Remote Trainee Programme, which was funded by BBC and ITV Studios and hosted by TripleC’s Cherylee Houston and Melissa Johns and chair Laurence Clark. The program offered 30 deaf, disabled, autistic and neurodivergent talent opportunities to go behind the scenes on a 6×30-minute series for six months.

Each video explores a different aspect of production and the different job roles involved, from casting to costume and from script editors to locations, providing new entrants and early-career talent with information that will help them get started in their chosen fields.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to support this TripleC DANC initiative through funding in partnership with BBC,” said Sam Tatlow, creative diversity partner at ITV. “This training and other work such as our ITV Studios Disabled Writers in Development initiative are great examples of how we’re looking to create unique opportunities for disabled editorial talent and encourage those who hadn’t considered a career in production to pursue it. ITV is also proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, in recognition of our continued commitment and work around removing barriers for disabled candidates.”

Johns, actor and disability advocate, said, “This industry, and the stories we tell, will always be richer with more voices, and by not including deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent creatives, we are missing out on such a huge amount of talent, lived experience and truthful representation. All it takes is the willingness and drive from broadcasters and production companies to make the change and TripleC DANC is here to support every step of the way.”