B3 Media launches B3 Origin - a mentoring programme tailored to help diverse voices go to the next level

  • Diverse creatives (Black, Asian and minority-ethnic) still struggle to be represented in the UK creative industries.

  • Selected artists will have the opportunity to receive further bespoke development support and a B3 Catalyst bursary award to advance their early-stage ideas.

  • B3 Origin is based on B3 Media’s flagship TalentLab programme, which guided various alumni to award winning work and prosperous careers.

  • The programme is now open for applications until 18.00 BST, 5th July 2023.

B3 Media’s mentoring programme B3 Origin gives Black, Asian and minority-ethnic creatives the space and support they need to move their projects forward.

For Black, Asian and minority-ethnic creatives, it is a huge struggle to be seen and heard in the UK broadcasting industry.

Creative media arts network B3 Media’s online programme supports emerging talent. Through B3 Origin, B3 helps a cohort of creatives working on their projects, and the programme will be tailored to their needs and goals. Creatives will receive four weeks of one-on-one mentoring from an industry professional matched to their needs from B3’s network. These sessions are designed to foster diverse stories from ambitious applicants and help them take their idea through the crisis and beyond. The programme will end with a pitching session in front of industry practitioners.

We are thrilled to announce that Nelson George, the acclaimed author, director, producer, and master storyteller, will lead the development week. With a remarkable portfolio that captures the essence of the black experience in America, Nelson has made significant contributions to the industry. From producing The Chris Rock Show and Hip Hop Honors; Executive Producer and Co-Writer on the successful Netflix series ‘The Get Down’, created by director Baz Luhrmann and Pulitzer-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis. Queen Latifah won the Golden Globe for playing the lead in George’s HBO directorial debut, ‘Life Support. Nelson’s other work includes HBO documentary, Say Hey, Willie Mays, Finding the Funk and The Black Godfather. Currently, Nelson is editing the highly anticipated documentary A Great Day in Hip Hop Revisited and serving as an executive producer on the Tupac Shakur series, Dear Mama.

B3 has a proven track record of running successful professional development schemes for filmmakers and other film industry professionals. The online programme B3 Origin has roots in B3 Media’s acclaimed TalentLab, which helps Britain’s emerging Black, Asian and minority-ethnic creatives get their projects off the ground and take their careers to the next level. B3 alums have had their work shown at Cannes and Sundance, won BAFTAs, and presented at major arts venues and cultural institutions.

B3 Origin is open for applications until 6pm BST, 5 th July 2023. To find out more and to apply, visit www.b3media.net/b3-origin

We’re looking for a wide range of creatives, including but not limited to:

Musicians

Spoken Word artists

Animators

Graphic artists (2D/3D)

Filmmakers

Writers

Theatre-makers

Digital / multimedia artists

Visual artists

Quotes from our lead mentors:

“The new marketplace for storytelling is both global and super-interactive. No one’s just going to do a TV show, or just a film, or just a documentary. Everyone does everything. And so, what we’re going to try and do is talk about storytelling on multiple levels and how in any level of content you deal with, you have to have these building blocks in place.”

Nelson George, Writer/Producer/Director and B3 Origin Mentor

“For aspiring multicultural creatives, connecting with audiences locally and globally can be a significant challenge. The demand for diverse content has exploded in the past five years. But how do you stand out from the noise and discover your unique voice in a fast-moving and ever-changing media landscape? How do you effectively connect with your target audience through impactful storytelling? At B3 Origin, we’re here to explore these questions and provide valuable insights for the artists and storytellers of the future”.

Marc Boothe, B3 Founder & Creative Director/ B3 Origin – Programme Producer

 
 
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