Neurodiversity: flexibility of thought in TV 2023

This session is part of the ‘Connect & Inspire’ strand which offers a variety of sessions, from in-person networking and online roundtables to in-depth case studies, designed to promote the sharing of knowledge and the building of relationships across Unscripted TV. 

Neurodiverse Media Community founder Nick Ransom explores the stories of media talent with neurological conditions and how accessible they find the industry. What do people think of accessibility in 2023? Is the media representing neurodiversity within its recruitment?

Who it's for

This is an unmissable session for those keen to learn about how TV treats people with a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, dyslexia or dyspraxia. With neurodiversity still a very new term to people in TV, Nick will also invite questions for both himself and his panel to answer.

The majority of the USF online short course offering is for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com so we can assess if an exception should be made.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help.

Nick Ransom is a new on-screen journalist and has appeared across Sky and ITV. Being autistic himself, in 2022, he worked on the BBC Two series Inside Our Autistic Minds with Chris Packham, as an assistant producer. He also runs the Neurodiverse Media Community group.

He strives for better autistic representation in the media as well, now working as a neurodiversity consultant. He says: “I am inspired by the progress we are making in this area but I am still worried about the working conditions and inaccessibility of our industry. For neurodivergent people, these challenges can be unbearable. We have to change that and fast.”

Meera Mistry is a freelance producer of documentaries and short films. She has worked with major broadcasters, including BBC, ITV and Channel 4. In 2019, Meera produced the documentary My God, I’m Queer (Channel 4) which won at the Asian Media Awards 2021 for Best Programme/Show.

Meera, who is dyslexic and dyspraxic, believes it’s really important in the industry for neurodivergent people to be heard. She says “our brains just function differently, we can do anything but TV makes it harder as it’s not made for us.”

Harri Shanahan is a freelance development researcher and filmmaker. They directed and animated the award-winning feature documentary Rebel Dykes (Channel 4) via Bohemia Media and the BFI. Following a recent SIGN placement devising animated TV shows for children, Harri is keen to build on this experience and continue working in animated kids' TV.

Harri, who is autistic and dyspraxic, feels encouraged by the recent move towards neurodivergent representation on and off screen in TV, but says "it needs to be more than a trend and a buzz word. I hope the conversations now taking place about inclusion and accommodation people will be the start of a wider movement towards improving the culture of creative work, for everybody."

Michael Roberts is a filmmaker, video coach, actor and screenwriter from the Wirral. He created Take the Cake Productions in 2012 and in 2017 wrote, filmed, produced and performed in his own sitcom called Morbid, set in a funeral home. Now his own boss, he is a shining ADHD success story.

Diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4, Michael feels that a diagnosis doesn’t hold him back and that ‘creatively’ having ADHD gives him an advantage against competitors. He says: “I think differently and see things differently and can offer something unique to my clients.”

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘apply for ticket’ and follow the instructions to apply for your place: you must login or register before you are able to complete your application.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.