A new training workshop designed to teach those working in production about the psychological considerations needed at each part of the production cycle in order to ensure legal and ethical compliance with changing legislations, has been launched by Leeds based Media Psychologist and MD of the Yorkshire Academy of Film and Television Acting (YAFTA), Charlotte Armitage.
As a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Media Ethics Advisory Board, Charlotte has played an active role in discussions with Ofcom and PACT on the broadcast code and is currently managing the psychological duty of care processes for an MTV production.
Charlotte said: “Following the high-profile cases evidencing the need for psychological support for on-screen talent throughout the production cycle, the industry is now at a pivotal point of change, and we’re proud to be part of developing more robust processes in this area. Alongside our training workshops we are also one of the first companies in the UK to offer a complete outsourced, independent service that provides stringent psychological support to production companies, using HCPC registered psychologists with experience of working in film & TV production. The support offered reflects changes to psychological duty of care procedures as announced in the recent Ofcom consultation.”
Currently studying for her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and resident Psychologist for BBC Radio Leeds, Charlotte has long been an advocate of improved and robust health and wellbeing practices within the media sector. Armitage adds: “At YAFTA, we have always stressed the importance of ethically sound processes, psychological resilience and the importance of psychological wellbeing support within the industry – whether you are in front of or behind the camera. Working with the BPS and Ofcom on the new Broadcast code, which includes additions to duty of care responsibilities for production and broadcasting companies, has highlighted that there is still an significant way to go to increase the awareness, training and ‘commitment to change’ required from all of those involved in these processes to really start to embed the changes required.”
The one-day workshop takes place at YAFTA on Kirkstall Road on 26th January 2020. Places can be booked on the YAFTA website.
