4TALENT AWARDS 2008
We're scouring the country for the UK's most exciting young creative talent for the 4Talent Awards. From filmmakers to comedy writers, animators to actors, journalists to radio presenters - we want to hear from YOU.
Quick navigation
What are the Awards for?
What's in it for the winners?
Who are the judges?
What are the entry criteria?
What are the categories?
What's the deadline?
Apply now
What are the Awards for?
Part of 4Talent's purpose is to act as talent spotters - not for toothy wannabes in a saccharine-sweet variety show way, but for the people who'll be providing Channel 4, E4, More4, Film4, 4Radio and channel4.com with original, challenging, ground-breaking, risk-taking, intelligent and entertaining content in the future.
But we're also serving the wider industry: the independent companies that help British creative media lead the world, and without whom Channel 4 couldn't exist. Across 20 categories the 4Talent Awards tip exciting individuals with the potential to make a difference, as judged both by commissioners and the producers who supply them.
What's in it for the winners?
First of all, you're being judged by the people who could be commissioning you in future - you'll be firmly on their radar.
Secondly, besides a rather fetching trophy and champagne-fuelled awards ceremony, you'll also receive a full-spread interview and photoshoot in the November issue of 4Talent magazine, and a nationwide press push backed by Channel 4.
Who are the judges?
There'll be 40 in total - 20 Channel 4 commissioners, and 20 independent production judges. We're still confirming some of them (it's a big job!), but so far we can announce:
Kate Vogel, Editor, 3 Minute Wonder (C4)
Sarah Mulvey, Commissioning Editor, Documentaries (C4)
Robert Wulff-Cochrane, Senior Development Editor, Drama (C4)
Caroline Leddy, Commissioning Editor, Comedy (C4)
Victoria Pile, Writer, Green Wing, Smack the Pony
Shane Allen, Commissioning Editor, Comedy (C4)
Ben Caudell, Creative Director @ Zeppotron
Liza Marshall, Head of Drama (C4)
Charlie Pattinson, Exec Producer @ Company (Shameless)
Cath Lovesey, Editor, Music (C4)
Lana Webb, Head of Music @ Remedy
Debbie David, Commissioning Editor, T4 (C4)
Richard Cook, Exec Producer @ Eyeworks (T4, Popworld)
Matt Locke, Commissioning Editor, Education (C4)
James Kirkham, Manager Director @ Holler
Dorothy Byrne, Head of News & Current Affairs (C4)
Alice Tonge, Art Director, 4Creative (C4)
Ewen Spencer, Freelance photographer (shot for Skins)
Ruth Fielding, Managing Director @ Lupus Films
Andy Pipes, Development Producer, Channel4.com (C4)
Adam Gee, Commissioning Editor, New Media Factual (C4)
James Estill, Senior Producer, 4Talent (C4)
What are the entry criteria?
Specific requirements for each category are outlined below; detailed briefs from our judges will be revealed over the coming weeks.
The main restriction is that all entrants must be under 30 on 31/12/2008. These are 'new talent' awards, and while we fully accept and understand that anyone could come fresh to a creative profession when considerably older than 30, capping entries with an upper age limit helps us to compare them as fairly as possible.
There's no minimum age limit, but you'll be judged on track record so will need to have some quality work to show us!
All entrants must also:
1) Complete the online form below
- Ask someone for a 100-word reference. This could be from a fellow creative who admires your work, an employer who'll back you as an individual, or a client who's been blown away by what you've created for them.
- Include website(s) and/or links to further work wherever possible. This could be your personal site, a showreel on YouTube, MySpace profile, Facebook group or anything that helps give us the bigger picture.
* AND *
2) Send any supporting material BY POST
FAO: Helen Byrne, 4Talent Awards, Units 1&4 Progress Works, Birmingham B9 4AL.
- An up-to-date CV
- A one-page self-sell, outlining the projects you're most proud of and clearly identifying your role in each of them. A 4Talent Award recognises you as a creative talent to watch and will take all the work you submit into account.
- Video, audio and/or other assets as outlined for each category
Why post? We can't process hundreds of emails with big audio and video attachments. If everything we require is available online (on your personal site, YouTube etc), please indicate this on the below form and supply all required links. Any queries, please drop us a line at 4talent@channel4.co.uk.
What are the categories?
For last year's 4Talent Awards, we simmered hundreds of entries across the whole creative spectrum into a final 20.
This year, things are different: you'll need to pitch yourself in one specific category. If you'd be confident entering several then we'd suggest the Multitalented Award; if you don't fit into any of them but are unstoppably creative in some other field - illustration, fashion design, fine art or experimental dance, say - there's always the enigmatic Wildcard Award.
1) Short Documentary
Screen only (not radio)
Required: up to 3 docs of up to 10min + 50-word synopses
2) Long Documentary
Screen only (not radio)
Required: up to 3 docs of 10-60min + 50-word synopses
3) Dramatic Writing
Playwriting and screenwriting for stage, film and TV (not radio - see Off-Air Radio category)
Required: up to 3 scripts + 50 word synopses
4) Dramatic Performance
Acting and performing for stage, film and TV
Required: video showreel (up to 10min)
5) Directing
Film and TV, including producing-directing
Required: up to 3 films + 50 word synopses
Optional: video showreel (up to 10min)
6) Comedy Writing
Stage, film and TV (not radio - see Off-Air Radio category)
Required: up to 3 scripts + 50 word synopses
7) Comedy Performance
Stand-up, film and TV (not radio - see On-Air Radio category)
Required: video showreel (up to 10min)
8) Presenting
Screen only (not radio - see On-Air Radio category)
Required: video showreel (up to 10min)
9) On-Air Radio
Presenting, DJing or acting for radio only (including podcasting)
Required: audio showreel (up to 10min)
10) Off-Air Radio
Producing and/or writing for radio only (including podcasting)
Required: audio showreel (up to 10min)
Optional: up to 3 scripts + 50-word synopses
11) Music
Bands, singer-songwriters, producers, MCs
Required: up to 3 CDs (min 3 tracks)
12) Production Music
Soundtracks or stings for film, TV, stage and radio
Required: up to 3 CDs (min 3 tracks)
Optional: video showreel including your music (up to 10min)
13) Music Video
Directing, including producing-directing
Required: up to 3 full music videos
Optional: video showreel (up to 10min)
14) Innovation
Exciting, original, ground-breaking approaches to creative media
Required: any relevant supporting assets for your project(s)
15) Multi-platform
Producers who successfully span several media in their projects
Required: any relevant supporting assets for your project(s)
16) Animation
Required: up to 3 full animations (any length)
Optional: video showreel (up to 10min)
17) Journalism
Online, print, broadcast or all three (including radio)
Required: up to 3 article clippings and/or up to 3 audio-visual clips (up to 5min each)
18) Photography
Including photojournalism and artistic photography
Required: up to 10 of your best shots
19) Multi-talented
For those who excel in two or more creative fields
Required: a selection of your work across at least two disciplines
20) Wildcard
Covers any creative field that's not outlined above
Required: any relevant supporting assets to demonstrate your work
More detailed criteria and individual judges will be revealed over the coming weeks, so please check back for more information about each category.
What's the deadline?
Both your completed online form and any posted supporting materials must be received by 5pm on Friday 29 August 2008 - you can deliver it by hand if necessary! Any material received after this date will not be considered.
The 20 winners will be notified by 31 October 2008.
Apply now
Step one is to fill out your online application below - this will be stored in a secure database and matched with your supporting materials when we receive them. Any case-specific queries, please email 4talent@channel4.co.uk.
* = required fieldEntrants who do not submit all the required material will not be considered - although we may contact you before the deadline to follow up additional material if we haven't received it.
Previous winners of a 4Talent Award are not eligible to apply again.
