Production Unlocked (BBC Academy Live)

Full description

Join us on Thursday 21 May for a day of free masterclasses, panel discussions, and expert advice for those who work in, or want to work in, the creative industries.

11:15-12:15
Digital First: Storytelling for Youtube and TikTok

Hosted by BBC Academy trainer Patrick Flavelle alongside Anthony Browne from BBC Three, this panel explores the BBC’s digital‑first strategy and its new and evolving partnership with YouTube.

The conversation brings together local production teams selected for the BBC Digital Accelerator programme, launched in collaboration with North East Screen, to share how they are developing and delivering bold, short‑form video content for 16–24‑year‑olds across YouTube, TikTok and other social platforms.

We’ll hear from Andrew Eastel from Northern Child and Spencer Curtin from Wander about how they have adapted their storytelling techniques to meet the creative and practical demands of digital‑first production. Expect insights into audience, platform‑specific formats and what it takes to cut through in a fast‑moving digital landscape.

13:00-14:00
BBC Writers’ Long Story Short: Doppelgänger

Hosted by BBC Writers’ Jess Loveland, this session opens with a screening of Doppelgänger, a BBC Three short film made in Newcastle by an entirely North East‑based creative team.

Following the screening, writer Alison Carr, director Zak Harney, producer Zahra Zomorrodian and executive producer Maria Caruana Galizia (Candle and Bell) join us for an in‑depth conversation about the making of the film. The panel will explore the power of short‑form storytelling and discuss how initiatives like BBC Writers’ Long Story Short help shine a spotlight on the rich talent, skills and production capability of the North East.

14:15-15:15
Turning Up The Volume: The North East Music Scene Today

The North East’s music scene – and its grassroots venues – are booming.

With BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland and Sonic Futures taking place in Hartlepool this week, and looking ahead, the Mercury Prize returns to the North East for the second time this autumn, while the BBC Proms have just announced their return to the region this July. The region is firmly in the spotlight.

Join BBC Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders, the North’s music development agency Generator, BBC Introducing and others to explore what’s driving the success of the North East music scene – from local venues and emerging talent to global events and cultural investment – and why the region’s sound just keeps getting louder.

15:30-16:30
North East Drama: Then, Now and What Comes Next

Thirty years on from the BBC’s Our Friends in the North becoming one of the most acclaimed dramas ever made, drama production in the North East is entering a new era of opportunity. Building on decades of growth, the region is now seeing a major boost in high‑end TV and film production.

In this panel, Lonesome Pine Productions, recently commissioned by BBC to produce The Northumbria Mysteries with Robson Green and other industry partners discuss the impact of increased drama production in the region and what it really takes to deliver premium TV and film. The conversation will also explore the current and emerging skills gaps facing production offices, and what needs to happen to ensure the North East’s drama sector continues to thrive.

Aimed at those looking to enter the industry, returners, and people transferring from other sectors, this session offers practical insight into the roles, skills and career pathways needed to take advantage of new opportunities in TV and film drama production across the North East.

16:45-17:30
Meet the Commissioners

Hear directly from a panel of TV commissioners as they discuss their commissions from the North East, what they’re actively looking for next, and how best to approach them with your pitch in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape.

Joining the discussion are representatives from the BBC and Channel 5, alongside North East Screen’s Development Director Lisa Laws, who will highlight key developments in the region, including Crown Works Studios in Sunderland and the new music venue on Gateshead Quays.

Essential viewing for producers, writers and creatives looking to understand what commissioners want – and how to get on their radar. This is a valuable opportunity to gain insight into how the current commissioning climate is evolving – and how to navigate it successfully.

⏰ Time: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm

RESGISTER FOR LIVESTREAM OF THE EVENT HERE