This is a brand-new collaboration with Prime Video Pathway, designed to address the acute shortage of archive producers the sector is facing. The programme will offer training and work placement opportunities for those who can demonstrate their strong passion for archive, providing them with the support to build and develop their skillset and network to become the archive producers of the future.

For those who have entered the industry in recent years, we are aware that opportunities to gain experience and access training for career development has been more difficult given the impact of Covid and the challenges of being a freelancer. This scheme has been created to help those who have faced multiple barriers for progression to work in an area they are passionate about.

Many people drawn to archive have so far learnt on the job. This programme is structured and informed by leading industry experts in the field and will provide a solid grounding, filling in knowledge gaps and dispelling misconceptions about the working in this specialist area of documentary and factual programme making.

The Grierson DocLab In Focus: Archive Producers programme will provide eight successful applicants with:

• An intensive online training week
• In-person residential training lab
• A ten-week bursary-supported placement within a UK based production company
• Guided visits to archives and meetings with those working in archive
• Mentoring from an industry professional
• An invite to the 2024 Grierson Awards (the British Documentary Awards), Wednesday 6 November in London

Together with ongoing support from The Grierson Trust, trainees will also have access to networking events, professional development opportunities through a programme of webinars, and will join the Grierson DocLab Alumni network which provides continuing peer to peer support.

What does the programme cover?

The programme will involve an intense five-day online schedule with leading industry professionals, covering a range of areas including:

• The archival landscape and the fundamentals of producing
• Developing the soft skills to enable successful negotiation, working to budget, plus giving and receiving feedback
• Ethical challenges and how to work with challenging subject matter

Leading industry professionals will deliver masterclasses, case studies, panel discussions, plus group and individual exercises over the week to supercharge the learning. Trainees will also attend guided tours and trips, and a short residential to consolidate the training.

Who Should Apply?

The Grierson DocLab In Focus: Archive Producers programme is aimed at people who have two-to-three years’ experience of working in television, film and online content production in roles such as researchers, production assistants, production coordinators, assistant producers, casting researchers, and production managers.

Applicants will need to demonstrate their experience of having worked on productions which have used archive, strong research skills, attention to detail, exceptional communication and organisational skills, and be a creative problem-solver.

We’re particularly keen to hear from talent in the nations and regions.

This opportunity would suit those looking for a career in a job role that suits part-time, job shares and returners to work, which Prime Video Pathway is keen to support.

The Grierson Trust has an established track record of supporting under-represented groups in the documentary industry and therefore particularly encourages applications from those from lower socio-economic backgrounds; disabled people; those from ethnic minority backgrounds and people from the LGBTQ+ community.

Applications will close on Friday 2 February 2024 at 5pm.

To hear more about the programme, ask questions and meet the team delivering the training, The Grierson Trust will be hosting a Discovery Webinar on Monday 8 January 2024 at 6pm.