PRS Foundation and Amazon MGM Studios launch new targeted initiative 'Prelude' to support talented composers and address under-representation in media composition

20 November 2024 - Press release

 

• Lucy Hackett, MIRARI, Rebekah Reid and Ruth Lyon, selected to receive £2,500 each in grant support and mentoring
• Prelude was launched at Kings Place with an In Conversation with Bastille's Dan Smith and Nainita Desai
• Nainita Desai, Sofia Hultquist and Tawiah announced as ambassadors for the initiative

 

PRS Foundation, the UK's leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, together with Amazon MGM Studios have launched a new joint initiative, Prelude, to support UK-based composers take their first steps and address under-representation within the world of media composition.

The four composers each receiving talent development bursaries of £2,500 and mentoring are:

• Lucy Hackett
• MIRARI
• Rebekah Reid (Täpp Collective)
• Ruth Lyon

 

This pilot initiative is designed to support composers from under-represented backgrounds working in original music for film and television productions, by developing the skills and networks of talented music creators within the industry, with the ultimate aim of boosting their creativity and careers.

Supported composer Rebekah Reid said "It's always been a dream of mine to compose for film and media and it feels incredible to be selected for the Prelude programme with PRS Foundation and Amazon MGM Studios. I feel so close to breaking through into the film/media industry as a composer, and having the opportunity to work with a leading film and TV production studio will help me to advance to the next level, and successfully establish my name as a Black/British female film composer in the media industry.

Prelude was launched at Kings Place in London this week on Monday 18^th November 2024 (see press images) with an on-stage In Conversation with the multi award-winning Bastille's Dan Smith, discussing his journey from artist into media composition, and multi-award winning TV, film and games composer Nainita Desai, before the grantees were revealed.

Grantees were then joined on stage by Prelude composer ambassadors including Nainita; Sofia Hultquist (AKA Drum & Lace) whose credits include I Know What You Did Last Summer and Red, White & Royal Blue for Amazon MGM Studios; and independent alternative-soul singer songwriter and TV and film composer Tawiah.

Joe Frankland, CEO at PRS Foundation said, "We're incredibly proud to be launching this new initiative together with Amazon MGM Studios. At PRS Foundation we know that underrepresentation and complex barriers exist across all parts of the music industry, including for talented composers and songwriters looking to develop careers in media composition. While it is key to recognise the circumstances, challenges and barriers, fundamentally, it is something we must tackle collectively to support the array of talent we have in the UK to reach their potential. Huge congratulations to Lucy Hackett, MIRARI, Rebekah Reid and Ruth Lyon on being selected for this inaugural cohort of Prelude, the calibre was so high, and we were so impressed with all the applications received. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the impact of this support for the grantees over the coming months and the opportunities that open up."

Louisa Rainbird at Amazon MGM Studios said. "At Amazon MGM Studios, we are dedicated to diverse, inclusive storytelling both in front of and behind the camera. We are delighted to be partnering with PRS Foundation on Prelude, with the aim of supporting the next generation of media composers."