EXCITEMENT is on show for all to see as a new TV production academy has been launched in Bradford by the makers of an upcoming BBC detective series.
Screen Academy Bradford promises to "nurture and develop the next generation" of TV talent.
It has been set up by Magical Society, which will start filming BBC One crime drama Virdee in and around the city soon.
The academy will offer "exceptional training, support and opportunities" across all areas of TV production to an initial cohort of more than 20 people, who will help with the creation of Virdee - which is an adaptation of Bradford-born writer AA Dhand's best-selling crime novels.
Bea Neumann, head of skills and industry engagement for Screen Yorkshire, which champions film and TV in the region, said the organisation is "delighted to support and deliver training for the Bradford Screen Academy".
She added: "It is a great initiative, which aligns perfectly with our mission to help diversify our regional workforce and allows us to strengthen further our long-standing relationship with Bradford's creative community.
"For the trainees, it will be incredibly inspiring to be part of such a local story and high-quality production right on their doorstep."
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said Screen Academy Bradford and the production of Virdee will play a big part in the activities leading up to Bradford being city of culture in 2025.
She added: "Screen Academy Bradford is great news for the district, building a pipeline of creative talent to support the show and giving more opportunity to budding producers and screen talent."
West Yorkshire mayor Tracey Brabin, who is also backing the initiative, said: "I'm thrilled that our support for film and TV production training is going to help bring AA Dhand’s amazing work to life for millions of people to see on screen.
"With job opportunities on the rise in our thriving creative industries, this programme will help address the urgent need for local, skilled and experienced crew.
"And as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire, it will pave the way for a new generation of behind-the-scenes talent to flourish, no matter what their background or circumstances."
Kaye Elliott, director of the ScreenSkills High-end Television Fund, which supports training in the TV sector, added: "The Bradford district and wider Yorkshire has a rich screen history and continues to go from strength to strength as a destination of choice for high-end TV content to be made, which is why it is so important to continue to invest in local workforce development.
"As the High-end Television Fund celebrates ten years of industry-led skills initiatives, these new training programmes will further support the region's thriving production community and ensure the area remains a world class location for high-end TV."
Screen Academy Bradford is headed by Ameenah Ayub Allen, producer of the Bafta-nominated film Rocks, and actor Madiha Ansari.
Virdee will be 'captivating'
Virdee, which is a six-part series, was announced by the BBC last month.
It will introduce Detective Harry Virdee, a Bradford cop disowned by his Sikh family for marrying Saima, who is Muslim.
Harry struggles with the abandonment, constantly attempting to reunite with his family.
And with his personal life in chaos, he must hunt down a killer targeting the Asian community.
When the murderer kidnaps a local MP's daughter in Bradford and holds the entire city to ransom, Harry realises that he is going to need the help of his brother-in-law Riaz, a drugs kingpin who runs the largest cartel in the county.
Pulled together in an alliance which could ruin them both, Harry must make a choice - save himself and his family or save his city.
But he will not be able to do both.
Sacha Dhawan - who has appeared in Doctor Who - will play Harry.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: "With Sacha in the lead role of Harry and Bradford providing the perfect backdrop, I can't wait for viewers to be captivated by this series."
Screen Academy Bradford is inviting applications from anyone aged 18 or over who is not in full-time education.
Applicants should visit www.screenacademybradford.com to register and find out more information.
The deadline to apply is Saturday, September 30.
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