The Grierson DocLab In Focus programmes were created to directly address skills shortages in documentary and factual programme making by identifying new talent and providing training and career opportunities. Discussions with programme makers across the genre have pointed to the increasing shortage of skilled archive producers, at a time when demand for archive-led productions is growing, as a particular concern.

The Grierson DocLab In Focus: Archive Producers programme is aimed at people with a deep passion for documentary and factual programming, and 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, casting researchers, and production managers.

Building on The Grierson Trust’s successful DocLab In Focus programmes for production managers and unscripted editors, which are now in their third year of operation, the DocLab In Focus: Archive Producers programme will provide up to eight successful applicants with an intensive training course including a combination of lectures, workshops, case studies, and guided tours to UK archives. Each trainee will also have a 10-week paid work placement within a UK production company, working alongside an archive producer on a documentary single or series.

The Grierson DocLab In Focus: Archive Producers programme will be led by Sam Dwyer, who has worked in film and TV for nearly 35 years, starting with a job as an usher in a Manchester arthouse cinema, getting her first introduction to production on a live daily TV show.

Since then she has set up her own company of experienced Archive Producers, Fourth Drawer and her projects have included studio-scale productions (No Time to Die, Rocketman), factual dramas (The Reckoning, Chernobyl, Small Axe) and art projects (for Steve McQueen, Damien Hirst, Michael Landy, Jeremy Deller) as well as commercials and podcasts.

She is known for her documentary work which often has a focus on music: Marley and Whitney (Kevin Macdonald); The Stone Roses: Made of Stone (Shane Meadows); Squaring the Circle (Anton Corbijn); Who Killed the KLF? (Chris Atkins); Crossfire Hurricane (Brett Morgen); Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten (Julien Temple). She has most recently worked on The Princess; John Galliano: High And Low; Made In England: Marin Scorsese Presents Powell and Pressburger and is in production on Asif Kapadia's epic dystopian documentary, 2073.

Applicants will already be able to demonstrate strong research skills, attention to detail, strong communication and organisational skills, and be creative with problem-solving. 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 open on Wednesday 29 November 2023, through The Grierson Trust website with a closing deadline of Friday 2 February 2024.

Sylvia Bednarz, Managing Director, The Grierson Trust, said: "Through discussions with filmmakers, producers and talent managers working in the documentary and factual genres, it was clear that our industry is facing an increasingly acute shortage of skilled archive producers. We are thrilled to be launching the Grierson DocLab In Focus: Archive Producers initiative in collaboration with Prime Video Pathways to address this industry need by identifying and developing a new cohort of archive producers.”

Tara Erer, Head of Originals UK & Northern Europe, Amazon Studios and Prime Video said: “Archive producers are often the unsung heroes behind the highest profile, critically acclaimed documentaries and feature films. Without their skills and experience, this type of content, which is increasingly in demand, simply could not be created. Our collaboration with The Grierson Trust on this new programme will reskill and upskill individuals working in the industry, and improve career opportunities, particularly for freelancers who we know are facing a very difficult time at the moment.”

Grierson DocLab In Focus Alumni:

Alumni of previous programmes are working at production companies and studios including Firecrest Films, Rogan Productions, Passion Pictures, Ventureland, Plimsoll Productions, The Garden, Voltage TV, Windfall Films, Story Films, RAW, Minnow, Curious Films, 72 Films, as well as on Grierson Award-nominated documentaries. Several alumni have also gone on to be highlighted as industry Broadcast Hot Shots in Post and Craft, including Ira Putilova, Acelya Kancelik and Will Hewitt.