In the ninth episode of The ScreenSkills Podcast, launched in partnership with The Adobe Foundation, we turn the spotlight on all things animation and children's TV. 

With the Children's Media Conference taking place in Sheffield, we joined the conversation by speaking to those working in animation and live-action children's TV. ScreenSkills' Animation Production Liaison Executive, Kieran Argo, sat down with BAFTA winning producer and Director of both Animation UK and the British Animation Awards, Helen Brunsdon, to explore trends, challenges and opportunities across animation.

We then hear from Eline van der Velden, producer and founder of Particle6, a production company at the forefront of using technological advances within production. She discusses her work as part of the Children's TV Skills Council, her career and how she's adopting a scientific approach to help boost creativity.

Member of the ScreenSkills team, Matt Brothers, tells us all about the work of the Animation Skills Fund and we hear more about the landmark training programme offering vital entry points to animation and live-action children's TV, DreamBIG.

In our eighth episode, we hear from those using their experiences of working in production spaces to improve the wellbeing of those working behind the camera in the screen industries.

Laetitia Nneke and Annika Hagemann - both producers and previous candidates of ScreenSkills training programmes - tell us about the training and workshops they've delivered to members of the workforce. They discuss how their knowledge has informed their teachings, the need to anticipate areas of tension as early as possible and the importance of establishing communication lines across all levels.

Andy Glynn from the Film & TV Charity then joins us to discuss the charity's Whole Picture Toolkit. The free online resource was designed to support people at all levels of production, guide managers to look after the mental health of crew members and how to embed practices that have real lasting impact.Sarah McCaffrey was an aspiring actress before she moved into production. In response to industry demand she then combined her experience of working in film and TV as a psychotherapist (MBACP) to create Solas Mind. She tells us more about her journey and how her company tailor bespoke services to companies, studios, crew and freelancers to support the wellbeing of those working in screen.

In episode 7, we explore new research from ScreenSkills and 4Skills, conducted by Ampere Analysis, on the size and profile of the UK screen workforce. We hear from those involved in the study about how the findings will guide future policy, investment and decision-making.

We also speak to Sophie Morgan and Sarah Lazenby, the team behind Channel 4’s Fight to Fly, about the importance of accessibility and representation in television — both on and off screen.

Plus, we introduce Who Am I, a new segment spotlighting the people behind ScreenSkills. First up: bursaries programme manager Fergal McBride on how ScreenSkills bursaries help remove financial barriers to career progression.

Episode credits

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Faith Falayi and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock.

In episode 6, we speak to intimacy coordinator Yarit Dor about her journey in the industry. From being the West End’s first Intimacy Director to working on the likes of Wicked, Rivals and Peaky Blinders, she tells us what it takes to succeed in the role, how she collaborates with different departments and what misconceptions there are about the position.

We then learn all about the Animation and Children’s TV Skills Fund’s DreamBIG! programme, a new entrant initiative designed to provide the required training and production experience to those looking to take their first steps in their screen careers.

Listen to the episode now via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode credits 

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Faith Falayi and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock. 

In this episode we're putting the workforce at the centre of the conversation. We’re joined by CEO of the Film and TV Charity, Marcus Ryder, to discuss the findings of their Looking Glass survey and what measures can be introduced to improve the health of our industry’s workforce.

We then learn all about the High-end TV Skills Fund Leaders of Tomorrow programme, an inclusion initiative designed to improve the diversity of those in leadership roles across the sector. Programme manager Hannah Green provides a programme overview while members of the new and previous cohorts tell us how the programme is helping develop their careers. 

Episode credits 

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Faith Falayi and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock. 

The first episode of the new year takes the opportunity to look ahead at what the next 12 months have in store for the screen industries. We’re joined by industry journalists Jake Kanter and Manori Ravindran to explore the key trendsand forecasts across film and TV.

Robyn Winfield-Smith, Artistic Director of Liminal Stage Productions and Development Researcher at Hat Trick Lab, demystifies the future technologies and AI shaping the production landscape. 

Elsewhere, members of the ScreenSkills team in the Nations tell us what they're looking forward to in 2025 across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Episode credits 

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Gabby Sharrock and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock. 

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly present part of conversations within UK screen content production. But when it comes to the practical side of reducing the carbon footprint, what steps can be taken to have real, measurable impact? In this episode, we hear the personal views and experiences of those at the forefront of embedding change across the screen industry and learn just what a green-focused production looks like.

Episode credits 

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Anna Green and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock. 

In this bonus episode we meet the Discover! Creative Careers team as they go on the road to excite and energise 11 to 18-year-olds about opportunities in the creative industries in England. Programme Lead Mary Rose shares highlights from around the country, including an event with The Adobe Foundation in Rotherham and the launch of a new partnership with YouTube in Wigan.

Episode two of The ScreenSkills Podcast is here! We speak to broadcaster, author, motivational speaker and star of his very own animation CBeebies show, Dr Amit Patel. We caught up with him at the ScreenSkills and Adobe Foundation Skills For Change conference where we asked him your questions in our Ask Me Anything feature.

We’ll bring you some of the highlights from the conference too where industry leaders spoke across four panels on issues around equity, diversity and inclusion and how to embed practices into productions and workspaces across the UK.

Episode credits 

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Anna Green and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock. 

Welcome to episode one! In our debut episode, we sit down with Emmy-nominated sound designer Chad Orororo and screenwriter Tony Schumacher, the creator of the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama The Responder, to explore their career paths and experiences in the industry.

Chad and Tony share the challenges they faced throughout their journeys, including navigating feelings of being an outsider, and the training programmes that supported their growth. They highlight the impact of the ScreenSkills New Writers Mentorship and Leaders of Tomorrow initiatives, developed by the High-end TV Skills Fund, as well as the Film Forward programme, developed by the Film Skills Fund, and how these opportunities helped shape their careers.

In our "Demystifying" segment, Eli Beaton from the TV Access Project (TAP) joins us to break down the 5As - a set of guidelines for disability inclusion - and offers practical advice on adopting these practices to create more accessible working environments.

Finally, in our "Storytime" segment, we chat with hair and make-up designer Annie Little. Annie shares her experience of entering the industry later in life and how participating in Skills Fund programmes like Trainee Finder and Leaders of Tomorrow gave her the confidence to launch BLCKSTR, a platform where she trains artists in working with textured hair and make-up for medium to deep skin tones.

Episode credits 

This has been a ScreenSkills podcast in partnership with the Adobe Foundation hosted by Matthew Walsh and Carley Bowman. It was produced and edited by Gabby Sharrock with guest-booking by Anna Green and marketing by Natalie Tandoh. The design and imagery was created by Gabby Sharrock.