Channel 4 launches UK media industry’s first post-production development programme

4 May 2023

In a UK first, Channel 4 has launched a programme to improve off-screen diversity in the broadcast industry’s post-production sector.

4PP (4 Post Production) will offer five mid to senior level people from underrepresented backgrounds the chance to progress their careers in post-production. Over six months they will receive mentoring from senior figures in the industry, bespoke skills gap training and shadowing and placement opportunities.

Developed by Channel 4’s Creative Diversity team in partnership with award-winning Dialogue Editor and Dubbing Mixer Emma Butt, the programme will offer career development opportunities to five mid to senior level post-production craft and technical talent, in positions with Channel 4’s production company partners.

The first-of-its-kind programme was devised following a panel session hosted by Channel 4 and Emma Butt earlier this year, which discussed diversity, equity, and inclusion in post-production. Emma has over 12 years’ experience in the industry and has recently written a paper on the lack of diversity within the post-production sound sector in TV, supported by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.

Channel 4 Creative Diversity lead, Neila Butt says: “Following our session on representation within post-production we wanted to translate our conversation into action. We feel the Progression placement developed during the Black to Front project was a real success in making meaningful change. When Emma approached us about this issue, we felt it was something we should take action on and lead the way, and we hope that this kickstarts a change across the industry.”

Emma Butt says: “While efforts continue to improve representation on screen, post-production has continually been neglected. This programme is the first step in addressing decades long imbalance and I’m grateful to Channel 4 for being the first to help progression in our sector.”

Successful applicants will be mentored by Emma Butt and other leading industry professionals throughout the programme, and will receive bespoke skills gap training, shadowing and placements over a six-month period, funded by Channel 4’s training and development strategy, 4Skills.

Diane Kemp and Marcus Ryder from the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity said: "We are delighted that Channel 4 is working with Emma Butt and using the important work she did with the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity to identify and address talent gaps in the industry. This is an excellent example of why we believe that practitioners and academics must work together if we are to meaningfully increase diversity in the media industry.”

Applications for 4PP are now open and will be live until Wednesday, 31st May. Applicants must have 5+ years’ experience in the job role they wish to progress in. More information can be found here.

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For further information:

Amber Roberts | Corporate Press Officer

Amroberts@channel4.co.uk

 

 

Notes to editors:

Channel 4’s Creative Diversity Team

The Creative Diversity team sit at the heart of Commissioning and work across all genres and platforms.

The team delivers increased representation on screen and behind the camera, encourage greater inclusion, and ensure that portrayal within our programmes is authentic, challenges stereotypes and reflects the lives of everyone living in Britain today.

Read more about the Creative Diversity Team and watch panel event with Emma Butt here:  Creative Diversity | Channel 4

 

About Emma Butt

Emma is a freelance Dialogue Editor and Dubbing Mixer. She has written a paper on the lack of diversity within the post-production sound sector in TV, supported by the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity. She recently won ‘Achievement of the Year’ at the Women in Film and TV Awards. Her paper can be found here.