FLEX

FLEX participants 2021. Image: Lisa Stonehouse

Creative development hub for agile storytellers

The way we consume and watch stories is changing; we no longer need a scheduled slot to get our viewing fix. Technology, and audiences are fundamentally altering the way we make & enjoy content. To embrace this monumental shift, it is vital to inspire and challenge existing, as well as emerging, talent to stay ahead of the curve, and adapt to the needs of audiences and industry.

FLEX is Screen Yorkshire’s innovative, ground-breaking response to this rapidly changing space, funded by The Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN). The programme, launched in June 2021, is supporting writers, directors and producers to develop dynamic, authentic and fluid stories fit for 2021 and beyond. Its fundamental goal is to work with talent that is inspired by the creative freedom afforded by FLEX and ready to innovate to connect diverse stories with new audiences.

Apply to FLEX 2022

Introducing our FLEX 2021 participants

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Makeda Matheson (writer)
2 / 29

Paul Drury-Bradey (producer)
3 / 29

Rebecca Mark-Lawson (producer)
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Martin Clark (director)
5 / 29

Alfie Barker (director)
6 / 29

Paul Blinkhorn (writer)
7 / 29

Emma Nuttall (writer)
8 / 29

Chris Hees (producer)
9 / 29

Mo Ahmed (writer)
10 / 29

Beth Rowland (director)
11 / 29

Lucy Kaya (writer)
12 / 29

Shirley Harris (writer)
13 / 29

Milda Baginskaite (director)
14 / 29

Joe Morris (director)
15 / 29

Rosie Fox (writer)
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Harry May Bedell (writer)
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Amanda Huxtable (writer)
18 / 29

Dan Thorburn (director)
19 / 29

Cat Marshall (producer)
20 / 29

Lewis Mitchell (producer)
21 / 29

Alex Browning (director)
22 / 29

Cathianne Hall (writer)
23 / 29

Hayley Muraleedharan (writer)
24 / 29

Lewis Coates (producer)
25 / 29

Reece Cargan (producer)
26 / 29

Serena Armitage (producer)
27 / 29

Tomasz Frymorgen (director)
28 / 29

Louisa Mackleston (director)
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Alex Bruce (writer)

The story so far......

In September 2021, Flex participants began the programme as individuals and through in-person and virtual team formation sessions led by industry specialists, they have come together to form their own creative teams bonded together by the stories they want to tell. Following the formation of the ten teams on Flex, they have been matched with experienced industry practitioners to mentor them and refine their ideas.

Flex participants are ambassadors of each other’s stories. To develop this ethos, we brought them together for XR, world-building and agile storytelling sessions where they explored the depth of their own ideas as well as those of the cohort. Throughout the six months, participants will be guided by showrunners, commissioners and innovative creators to give them insight into the landscape of the platforms where their stories will sit. Alongside this, individuals benefit from regular development support from the Screen Yorkshire team. Next steps for Flex include allocation of the team development bursaries, meet the commissioner sessions and further in-person events including the final showcase in March.

FLEX participants 2021. Image: Lisa Stonehouse

Our partners

Flex is being delivered by Screen Yorkshire and has been developed with the Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN), a unique, business-facing initiative supporting the TV, film and games industries in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Get in touch with our FLEX team

Jo Schofield, Senior Talent Executive

Jo oversees Screen Yorkshire’s FLEX and ScriptEd talent development programmes and looks after The Insight New Producer Programme, that Screen Yorkshire delivers on behalf of BFI Net.work. Jo also supports Caroline to run the Yorkshire Content Fund, a public-private investment fund for the TV, film, video games and digital sectors in Yorkshire and Humber, open to producers either based in Yorkshire or wishing to film or establish a base in the region.

You can contact Jo on jo@screenyorkshire.co.uk