Channel 4 Northern Talent Network: Script Hubs
We are working with three Script Hubs in Newcastle upon Tyne, Bradford and Online. There are 10 writers in each Script Hub who are collaborating on a series of peer group sessions and professional development workshops across a five-month period. Each group is led by an experienced facilitator writer, with the workshops featuring guest writers, producers, and other broadcast professionals.
Script Hubs Facilitators
Script Hub (Online)
James Harris is a writer and filmmaker based in Middlesbrough. His films have been screened on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Dave, and at film festivals worldwide, and in 2004 he was shortlisted for the BBC’s New Filmmaker of the Year award. He has written for live action and animation, and for TV comedies including Shooting Stars. He now works as a screenwriting mentor for the BFI, is a course designer and workshop leader for Writers’ Block North East, and is an award-winning children’s author.
Script Hub (Newcastle)
Chess Tomlinson is a Geordie writer/performer who trained at RCS in Glasgow and is currently based in Gateshead. They received their first commission as a writer to be one of BBC Comedy’s Laugh Lessons 2021 writer/performers, filming Becoming a Karen, produced by Storymade and NECHH. Chess has projects in development with established and indie production companies and is recipient of an ACE DYCP, Screen Skills, Open Horizons and Comedy 50:50 bursaries. As an Actor, Chess is currently starring in Meet the Richardsons on UKTV and a Sky Bet ad.
Script Hub (Bradford)
Jordon Scott Kennedy is a Bradford-based writer and director. He is strongly influenced by his upbringing in a town that is largely disconnected from the rest of the UK and regularly misrepresented on our television screens. His Channel 4-commissioned short film Youthless was recently optioned by Rollem Productions and has been development into a six-part series. Jordon is currently developing his next short due to shoot early summer.
The sessions began in July 2024 and the programme will finish in November 2024.
Schedule
Thursday 11 July 6-8pm – peer group
Thursday 25 July 6-8pm – peer group
Saturday 14 September 2-5pm – workshop
Thursday 10 October 6-8pm – peer group
Thursday 24 October 6-8pm – peer group
Saturday 9 November 2-5pm – workshop
Once the facilitated sessions and workshops are complete, the aim is that the three groups will continue to meet as self-directed peer groups, maintaining a continuing relationship with New Writing North.
New Writing North’s Script Hubs are funded by Channel 4 as part of the Northern Talent Network. The Bradford Script Hub is produced in partnership with The Unit. The Newcastle and online script hubs receive funding from the North East Combined Authority.
