The free one-day training event will also feature writer Tony Marchant of Garrow’s Law and Great Expectations, who will unpick screenwriting in one of 14 masterclasses.

And there’ll be the chance to speed-date with commissioners, talent managers and key execs from ITV, C4, BBC, Shine North, Crewing Company, and many more.

Tickets are being released this week at 10.00am on Tuesday 30 October, giving freelancers the chance to attend some of the event’s 200 individual practical sessions, one to ones and masterclasses. Two subsequent ticket releases are also planned for 6 November and 13 November. Details of how and where to book will be posted on the Academy website and twitter feed.

The one-day event is free for delegates who work in the TV, Radio and Digital industries. They can choose from a huge range of sessions, from ITV producer Kate Oates’ (Coronation Street, Emmerdale) masterclass on continuing storylines and characters; to current affairs, pitching, intellectual property and second screen.

Taster training sessions include a three hour special on screen writing with the BBC Writers room (many of whose ‘discoveries’ have gone on to work at BBC dramas and soaps like Doctors and Eastenders), plus there’s working with smart phones, an introduction to production management, developing and monetising apps, self shooting, editing, top tips for series producing, how to set up a radio indie, introduction to sports journalism, and a gaming workshop.

For the first time delegates will get the chance to play a part in ‘Fast Train Live’: a magazine TV show produced in conjunction with Salford University and broadcast live at MediaCityUK. Participants will be able to take on the studio and production roles involved in the preparation and broadcast of live television

Exec producer Louise Blythe from the BBC Academy said: “This is a collaborative effort between the organisations based at MediaCityUK and beyond. Everyone involved is committed to supporting and developing the talent pool here and it shows in the quality of the content which Fast Train North can offer.”

Kate O’Connor, deputy CEO of Creative Skillset which co-produces Fast Train with BBC Academy, said: “The range of sessions on the programme and the collective expertise that represents is very  impressive. We expect demand to be high so we’re releasing tickets via the Creative Skillset and BBC websites and across three dates to maximise the chances for freelancers to guarantee themselves a place.”