Channel 4 seeks young creative talent in Glasgow

28 October 2015

C4 Pop Up arrives at The Scottish Youth Theatre on Tuesday 10 November 2015

Channel 4 today announces its new national talent search C4 Pop Up will take place in Glasgow on Tuesday 10th November at The Scottish Youth Theatre.  

The initiative launched this year and has been set up to attract diverse groups of young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds right across the UK to a career in the media.

The day will include practical workshops, networking, challenges and the chance for young people to meet industry specialists.

The C4 Pop Up programme is reaching even deeper into communities to find 16-24 year olds who may not be sure if a career in the media is for them – or those with creative talents but with no identifiable route into the industry. It also aims to tackle the increasing skills gaps within the creative industries as well as the growth in ‘bedroom creatives’.

C4 Pop Up events aim to provide sustainable career opportunities and career progression for young people from the surrounding areas. Each event will provide networking opportunities with local creative industries and skills workshops designed to improve attendees’ employability in TV and film – all leading towards industry work experience opportunities.

The initiative is part of Channel 4’s acclaimed industry grassroots talent scheme 4Talent and forms part of the broadcaster’s 360° Diversity Charter. The Glasgow event follows a successful launch in Bournemouth, watch highlights from the day here, as well as days in Norwich and Wolverhampton.

Applications are now open to attend the C4 Pop Up in Glasgow via http://4talent.channel4.com/4talent-days.

At each C4 Pop Up event, details of an annual industry related challenge will ‘Pop Up’ to encourage young people to compete to win a host of life changing industry prizes including Channel 4 Head Office visits,  access to courses and technical equipment. The challenges will enable competitors to work closely with TV commissioners and production companies and create something real – such as make a documentary or create an online marketing campaign – in order to showcase their talents. Winners will be revealed at a finale event at C4 HQ. The ultimate ambition will be to create a Pop Up alumni that will connect diverse entry talent to the industry whilst providing virtual networking opportunities for young people across the UK.

Channel 4’s 4Talent team has partnered with specialist agency MyKindaFuture to work with local creative companies, public services, social support partners and charity organisations to proactively seek groups of diverse young talent to participate in the C4 Pop Up programme.

Laura Boswell, Industry Talent Specialist, Channel 4 said: “Channel 4’s 360 Diversity Charter represents our biggest ever commitment to diversity at every level – C4 Pop Up is for anyone wanting to get into the industry and is a key part of delivering the spirit of the Charter. We will reach deeper than ever into communities to find undiscovered creative talent to future proof the industry, keeping it current and cutting edge – and at the same time encourage young people that a career in the media is possible for anyone.“ 

William Akerman, Founder and MD of MyKindaFuture, said: “I am excited that we’ve partnered with Channel to deliver C4 Pop Up – part of the broadcaster’s 360 Diversity Charter. Not only will the young people taking part get the chance to see that the media industry could be for them, they’ll benefit from the events taking place in and around their home towns. This kind of activity is crucial in making young people aware of the different career options available to them.”

Ends.

Press contact: Claire Cumberland, ccumberland@channel4.co.uk / 0207 306 8315

Notes to Editors

About 4Talent

4Talent is Channel 4’s acclaimed industry talent scheme. C4 PopUp builds on its award-winning 4Talent Days which have so far connected with 3000 young people since they launched four years ago. 92% of attendees said the days helped to focus their career progression

4Talent’s approach reflects Channel 4’s mission to break down barriers and engage with and develop the widest range of talent. By demystifying the media sector, 4Talent aims to help young people from all backgrounds navigate their way into a hugely competitive industry

4Talent is aiming to open the eyes of over 1000 socially disadvantaged people per year through programmes such as C4 Pop Up.

For more information on 4Talent and its initiatives visit http://4talent.channel4.com/about-us

About Channel 4’s 360° Diversity Charter

360 means Channel 4 will show leadership in diversity at every level. Headline activities include: 4Talent’s grassroots social mobility drive; C4’s Commissioning Diversity Guidelines; in-house diversity targets for C4 staff and leadership; funding seven Deputy Commissioning Editors; £500k investment in a new generation of disabled production talent for C4’s coverage of the Rio Paralympics

About MyKindaFuture

MyKindaFuture works with over 4,500 schools and have societies in over 50 University campuses. Trusted by students and educators alike, with over 32 years’ experience working with young people and their influencers.

MyKindaFuture helps employers reach the next generation of talent from school leavers to graduates, and recruits them on to work experience, internship, apprenticeship and graduate programmes. They use a mix of face-to-face workshops, online challenges and rich video content.

They provide employers with a unique platform of career focused undergraduate talent, across all year groups and degree disciplines, to tap into for their recruitment. They work with leading companies such as Nestlé, Lloyds Banking Group, Channel 4, PwC, Tesco, HSBC and Allen & Overy. As well as entrepreneurs and government organisations.