Meet the Commissioner (Scripted): Laura Riseam, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Comedy

Join WFTV and meet Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Comedy, Laura Riseam.

In conversation with host Meriel Beale, Laura will be discussing the current landscape of scripted comedy in TV, her thoughts on what makes a great show and sharing insights on how to get a project commissioned.

Recent Channel 4 Comedy commissions include Big Mood, Disability Benefits and Everyone Else Burns.

Event Schedule

18:25: Please join the webinar waiting room

18:30: Meriel Beale In conversation with Laura Riseam

19:15: Audience Q&A

19:30: Finish

Laura Riseam, Commissioning Editor, Channel 4 Comedy

Laura commissions scripted comedy for Channel 4 and its digital platforms working with high-profile established stars and brand new talent on-and-off screen. Laura has commissioned some of Channel 4’s biggest comedies including the multi award-winning Derry Girls, the critically-acclaimed We Are Lady Parts and most recently the ground-breaking comedy series, The Change. Coming up, Laura is working on the new original comedy Big Mood, a vivacious and rebellious portrayal of female friendship starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West; Rosie Jones’s first comedy sitcom series titled Disability Benefits and the return of the hugely successful Everyone Else Burns with Simon Bird.

Host, Meriel Beale

Meriel is an executive producer who's worked with everyone from Joe Lycett and Alison Hammond, to Paul Merton and Claudia Winkleman. Currently heading up the new factual entertainment department for Woodcut, she's developing  ideas with Rosie Jones, Kiell Smyth Bynoe and Sandi Toksvig.  Meriel set up 'Cheer Up, Love!' a series of events designed to bring together freelancers, which included speakers such as Meera Syal, Charlie George and Dane Baptiste. A prominent campaigner for anti-bullying and workplace inclusion, Meriel wants to transform the way we work behind the camera.  Meriel was a 2021 WFTV mentee.

How will the online event work?

This event will be live streamed via Zoom.us. Viewing details will be sent via your confirmation.

Attending participants will not be visible to others and will be muted throughout the session. After the talk, there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask their questions to the panel by using the Q&A feature.

This event is for existing WFTV members only.

If you are not a member and would like to join, membership costs just £100 + VAT/yr , please click here or email admin@wftv.org.uk

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