LISTEN HEAR Shadow Writing Scheme begins
Turnip + Duck is proud to announce the launch of "LISTEN HEAR" - An Introduction to Writing for Animation for Blind and Visually Impaired Writers. This groundbreaking animation writing scheme will give blind and vision-impaired writers the opportunity to participate in the making of our new 52 x 7’ pre-school series Maddie + Triggs for CBeebies and RTÉ Kids.
The scheme is supported by Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet and The National Talent Academy for Animation. Ten participants have already begun working with writer and mentor Dee Roycroft on an introductory writing programme, and will soon join the production to shadow our writing team and learn the ropes of animation storytelling in a professional context. As the participants move into the shadow scheme phase of the project, they will get to develop their episode pitches with series writers Emma Hogan, Davey Moore, Jayne Kirkham and Dave Ingham, as well as the series creators and showrunners Aidan O’Donvoan and Colm Tobin. With Dee’s guidance, participants will be given the opportunity to create an original script from start to finish, in a real life professional context.
The stakeholder support demonstrates the commitment of the Irish screen industry to creating a more diverse and inclusive environment, something Turnip + Duck has championed from day one with Maddie + Triggs both onscreen and off. Additionally, Coverfly and Final Draft have kindly agreed to donate ten copies of their industry-standard screenwriting software to the participants.
Colm Tobin, Managing Director of Turnip + Duck says, “Saying you’re going to produce an inclusive show is one thing, but actually following through and doing it is another. We’re delighted to have gotten all key stakeholders aligned in support of LISTEN HEAR, and we can’t thank the NTAA, CCIS, and Final Draft enough for their support.”.
Aidan O’Donovan, Creative Director of Turnip + Duck says, “Huge credit has to go to our series writing team also. Our aim on Maddie + Triggs was to create a supportive, horizontal writing structure that encouraged collaboration, and their enthusiasm for sharing their experience and knowledge with the next generation of animation writers is a wonderful extension of that ethos.”
