TVDRAMA
Channel 5 has teamed up with Clapperboard for a new director training scheme aimed at creating opportunities for diverse talent in episodic drama.
Clapperboard has selected Munir Malik, who previously directed episodes of Channel 4’s Hollyoaks and ITV’s Emmerdale, as the first director to participate in the pilot scheme. Malik will helm an episode of Channel 5’s The Good Ship Murder that will air later this year as part of season three.
During production, Malik will work closely with lead director Steve Hughes and receive support from Clapperboard through production and postproduction.
The pilot scheme will run throughout this year, with the intention of cementing it next year and offering more directors the opportunity to break into episodic drama via a wider application process.
“We’ve achieved real momentum with our drama on Channel 5, and as the slate expands further, it’s really important that we continue broadening our talent pool behind the scenes,” said Paul Testar, commissioning editor for drama at Channel 5 and Paramount+. “We know how important it is for new directors to get credits in prime-time TV, and we hope this scheme will be an important stepping stone to directors, particularly at a time when the traditional breakthrough opportunities in continuing drama are getting fewer.”
Mike Benson, managing director of Clapperboard, added, “We know what a rich seam of directing talent work in continuing drama–but often the opportunities to move on to direct a peak drama series can be limited. We hope this partnership with 5 will provide an ongoing opportunity for directors to further diversify their experience and CV.”
Malik commented, “It’s a major career milestone to be given the chance to step up on the prime-time show The Good Ship Murder. I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow with the support of the brilliant director Steve Hughes and the teams at Channel 5 and Clapperboard. I am very much looking forward to getting stuck in.”
