Unscripted TV step up to PD 2025-2026

Moving up to producer/director (PD) is a huge step. The role requires editorial understanding, technical skills in directing, shooting and sound, leadership skills, an understanding of what works in the edit, responsibility for cast and crew safety, and an ability to stay calm under pressure.

This training aims to up-skill 25 assistant producers (APs), DV directors and junior PDs in the key areas that they need in order to become confident and competent, well-rounded producer/directors. 

The training will run for 4 months, part-time at evening and weekends, with a mixture of online and in-person modules. Subject to market conditions, this will be followed by an 8-week paid PD placement on a production.

The training will cover self-shooting skills, but will also go much further so that the trainees gain a high level of editorial understanding and an insight into edit producing. Following the course they should be equipped to take on a variety of roles at producer/director level – including pure producing or pure directing, PDing with crews, as well as self-shooting PDing.

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

Who it's for

We’re looking to recruit 25 delegates from across the UK.

It’s aimed at APs and DV directors in unscripted TV who want to step up to PD level, and for junior PDs or returners who can make a clear case as to how this training will benefit them. 

We always welcome applications from under-represented groups, including, but not limited to: those from minority ethnic groups; disabled people; people from the LGBT community and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. 

If you’re unsure whether this training is for you, we’re running two webinars where you can find out more:

• Wed 10th Sept – 19:00-20:00 - Book here
• Wed 24th Sept – 12:00-13:00 - Book here

If you are unable to attend either session, we may be able to send you a recording after the second if you email jowoolftv@gmail.com

The training is heavily funded by ScreenSkills, but comes at a cost of £350 per trainee. Trainees are responsible for their own transport and accommodation during the regional shooting training however their travel and accommodation for the London training days will be supported by the scheme.

There are bursaries available for those who require additional support. Please contact jowoolftv@gmail.com for any enquiries about these bursaries before or at the same time as submitting your application.

If you would like support completing the application form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email USF@screenskills.com

Please note, in addition to this holistic step up programme, this year we are also running our returning Become a self-shooting PD programme for those looking to add shooting skills to their repertoire. While you may apply for both, you will not be able to participate in both. Please take this into consideration when applying for either.

What it covers

• One weekend in-person “Camera Confidence and Shooting for the Edit” training at venues in Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and Manchester. Each trainee must attend one weekend - ideally at the location closest to their home address:

• Cardiff – 25th & 26th October 2025 (all day, both days)
• Glasgow  – 8th & 9th November 2025 (all day, both days)
• Belfast – 22nd & 23rd November (all day, both days)
• Manchester – 29th & 30th November  (all day, both days)

• Two days in-person “Interview techniques” training in London for the entire cohort, which includes preparing and conducting different types of interviews, contributor care, shooting and lighting for master interviews, and a networking event.  Dates tbc but are likely to be a consecutive Thursday and Friday in January.
• A five morning Edit Producing course, run online
• Seven evening masterclasses, run online, covering a range of topics with a variety of guest trainers and practitioners.
• A "bespoke bolt-on” of additional training for each trainee, which will take place in a small group, or one-to-one, that can be selected from a menu of options including more in-person camera training, directing crews, a deep dive into legals and compliance, and basic Avid training.
• Subject to market conditions, the programme also includes an 8-week paid PD work-placement, which should be completed before May 2026. Each placement will be subsidised by ScreenSkills but the exact rate will be at the discretion of each host company; it will be at least national living wage.

Trainer

This training is run by Jo Woolf Media Training, in collaboration with a wide variety of industry trainers and practitioners including acclaimed Producers, Directors and self-shooters.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply now’ at the top of the page and follow the instructions to apply for your place. You must log in or register before you are able to complete your application.

You must be an AP, DV Director or junior PD to apply.

In your application you will be asked to select which in-person training you would be available for.

While most questions in the application form are multiple choice or require short answers, three questions will require longer answers. For your preparation, these are:

• Why do you feel you need this training in order to step up to PD? (Approx. 200 words) 
• What aspects of the PD role do you feel most confident about and which do you feel you most need to develop? ( Approx. 200 words) 
• What would be your dream show to PD on and why? ( Approx. 200 words) 

You will also be asked to upload your most recent CV.

If you would like support completing the application form and/or would like us to send it to you in an alternative format, please email USF@screenskills.com

Judging information

Key Dates:

• Application deadline: 30th September 2025
• Successful applicants informed by: 8th October 2025
• Deadline to accept place: 13th October 2025
• Training start date:  21st October 2025

The training provider, not ScreenSkills, will judge applications.

Once your application has been successful you have until 13th October to accept your place and make payment of any course fees.

We understand that freelance television work is unpredictable and plans might change.  We have attempted to make the training dates work with most people’s potential job dates, however if you do need to drop out of the course once payment is made, these are our conditions:

• Any cancellations made before 13th October 2025 will be fully refunded.
• Cancellations made after 13th October 2025 will only be refunded if we are successful in finding another applicant to take your place.