The ITV Academy has announced the return of ITV’s successful writing initiative "Original Voices." "For a writer ‘Original Voices’ is the best career opportunity you could ever apply for," David Proud who went on to secure a permanent role on Coronation Street after successfully completing the initiative, said.
The initiative gives all applicants from under-represented groups the chance to work on Britain’s biggest soap operas. Specifically, it welcomes applications from People of Color, Deaf Disabled and Neurodivergent people. After previously alternating between the UK’s best-loved soaps, this year the initiative will be offered concurrently across both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, creating more opportunities for emerging writers to get their first television drama experience. Applications are now open and will close on 24th September 2023, with placements to begin in February 2024.
Working alongside ITV's expert writers, candidates will gain an understanding of the story-to-script process of two of the busiest programs on TV as the scheme will house two placements at each soap, running alongside each other for a 12-week paid placement. Successful candidates will continued to be mentored with ITV Studios’ Continuing Drama production. "It gives people hands-on experience at the heart of Continuing Drama and you become a fully valued part of the writing team. It changed my life and now I try to honour that original voice in the episodes I write," Proud said. "If you have something unique to say then apply, as you might end up getting to say it in our writer's room!"
The students will also get the chance to write a shadow script alongside one of the show’s current writers, commissioned at the same time as the current writer’s script, followed by one year of mentoring post the initiative closing. “Original Voices has opened up doors and given invaluable real-time experience to aspiring writers, some of whom go on to become regular writers on ITV’s most iconic soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale," John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama, said. "This initiative gives fantastic opportunities to new diverse talent so they can sit at the table, have a voice in the room and be a part of key creative conversations.”
