Dublin-based production company Turnip + Duck has launched a new animation writing program for blind and visually impaired writers.

Supported by Ireland’s National Talent Academy for Animation and Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet, LISTEN HEAR—which is in a pilot phase at the moment—is designed to introduce up-and-coming creative talent to the craft of scriptwriting for animation. 

An inaugural group of 10 participants have just started a first phase of mentoring with kids TV writer Dee Roycroft (Silly Sundays). They’re all based in the Republic of Ireland, but they vary in age; some are fresh out of college, and others are older but new to the industry. 

The seven-week program follows an introductory training period that lasted six weeks. After their mentoring sessions with Roycroft wrap up, the mentees will move on to shadow the full-time writers on Turnip + Duck’s upcoming preschool project Maddie + Triggs (52 x seven minutes). 

In this phase, they will get to develop their own spec scripts, working with creators/showrunners Aidan O’Donvoan and Colm Tobin and the show’s writing team (Emma Hogan, Davey Moore, Jayne Kirkham and Dave Ingham). Maddie + Triggs follows along as a visually impaired girl and her dog look for melodies in everyday sounds. Currently in production, the 2D-animated series will debut this fall on commissioning broadcasters CBeebies (UK) and RTÉ Kids (Ireland).