inside: advice to help you succeed in the world of tv
TRANSCRIPT
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INSIDE: ADVICE TO HELP YOU SUCCEED IN THE WORLD OF TV
25YEAR SCHEMESANNIVERSARY
TOPTIPS2015
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GET READY TO TAKE THE FIRST BIG STEP IN YOUR
TV CAREERIf you are reading this after taking part in The Network, then you will be buzzing with ideas and keener than ever to take your first steps on the TV ladder.
Read on, as we have put together some great practical advice from working professionals on how you can do just that. These tips draw on the collective knowledge of our committee and other top industry experts, as well as alumni from The Network and Ones to Watch.
Success in television is all about talent, ideas, energy and perseverance. But it is also about opportunities: finding them, recognising them and, more importantly, seizing them. That is something only you can take full responsibility for. Armed with that attitude and these resources, the sky’s the limit.
The talent schemes team and your Ones to Watch mentor are always on hand to help you – keep us up-to-date with what you’re doing to make the most of us: a resource and advantage that sets you apart in a competitive industry.
And remember, being an alumnus or alumna of The Network is something to be proud of, so make sure to shout about it on your CV and social networking profiles. With this being the 25th year of the tal-ent schemes, you’ll soon begin to find that plenty of people you meet within the industry are alumni too! It’s a great club to be part of.
Campbell GlennieDirector, Talent Schemes
“It’s no longer enough to claim you’re passionate about the media industry, you need to prove it. What evidence sets you apart from the crowd? Where’s your 10 minute script, your short film, your YouTube site?”TAMARA HOWE, CONTROLLER, BUSINESS, ENTERTAINMENT AND COMEDY, BBC, TALENT SCHEMES COMMITTEE CHAIR
“Try and meet as many people as possible. Ask everyone how they got to where they are and find out what other jobs exist.”DANIELL MORRISEY, HEAD OF TALENT, BBC COMEDY
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THE NETWORK 2015 / TOP TIPS
MAKING CONTACTSMaking connections and getting your name out there can feel daunting at first, but be brave and make that first approach - who knows where a new contact could lead you?
APPLYING TO BROADCASTERS AND PRODUCTION COMPANIES
In the early stages of your career what matters is that you develop your skills and spend as much time as possible working in a TV environment. Many broadcasters and production companies offer work experience opportunities but they receive hundreds of applications each month - what can you do tomaximise your chances of securing a placement?
Cast your net wide when searching for a placement, you are just as likely to gain valuable experience working on the BBC’s Religion and Ethics output as you are working on EastEnders. By applying for something less popular you are significantly raising your chances
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Explore all the options when trying to add to your skills and experience. Does your local hospital or university have a radio station or TV channel where you can volunteer? Perhaps you can spend some time at a regional TV channel or local newspaper?
Companies that specialise in corporate videos can be great places to learn camera and production skills and volunteering at key media events, such as the Edinburgh TV Festival and Sheffield Doc/Fest, will help you to understand what it takes to ensure a live event runs smoothly. Plus, they’re a great opportunity to make like-minded TV contacts and see interesting and inspiring sessions for free. Applications to steward at Edinburgh TV Festival usually open in the spring.
Think about how regional opportunities can help you, the skills you learn will be relevant to a career in telly.
NETWORKING
As you hopefully learnt in Edinburgh, everyone can network. If you meet anyone working in TV, have the confidence to ask for their contact details – most people have been where you are themselves and are willing to offer help and advice, but you need to make the first move.
Contacts are vital! Many Networkers have kept in touch with TV execs they have met in Edinburgh. In some cases this has led to work experience and at the very least, an opportunity to discuss their options and gain clarity and direction.
CONTACTING PRODUCERS
Make watching TV work for you. Get to know as much as you can about the programmes you love, and use this information to help you find work experience.
Watch the credits and familiarise yourself with different production companies and the various roles in telly. If you don’t know what a line producer or a production manager does, for example, then find out. Think about the things you like and dislike about a programme, what would you have done to make it better?
It’s relatively easy to find production companies and broadcasters’ contact details on the internet so once you’ve got an idea of who you’d like to approach, why not write to them directly? Show them how passionate you are about TV and how much you knowabout their output. Tell them why you would be an asset to their company and show off your creativity and imagination by outlining some of your ideas. What have you got to lose?
“When meeting someone for a coffee or advice, al-ways ask - ‘Who else would be great to speak to and can I use your name as an introduction’. Your network will start expanding.”
SIMON LEE, RESEARCHER, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2013
“You won’t always get a job through networking, but they’ll certainly know you when you go for aninterview”
BENJAMIN SPIRO-HUGHES, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2014
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THE NETWORK 2015 / TOP TIPS
PERFECTING YOUR CVWhether you’re following up with a contact you made in Edinburgh or sending a speculative email to production companies whose work you admire, your CV should act as your shop window - something to grab employers’ attention and create a desire to find out more.
TALENT MANAGER TIPSThough the role varies between genres and companies, talent managers are broadly responsible for off-camera talent on a production. A large part of their job is constantly meeting new people with a view to introducing them to their department/company or to offer career advice, so they’re a great source for application advice:
“Keep a diary of everything you do. This will help you stay on track of your goals and give you a good starting point when writing your CV.”Daniell Morrisey, Head of Talent, BBC Comedy
“Don’t forget the simple things! First impressions count, so when emailing someone, SPELL CHECK, read through before hitting send and make sure your CV is attached.”
Tailor your email to them to the person that you are writing to. Remember that person might get hundreds of similar emails, so yours needs to stand out.” Cheryl Woodcock, Talent Executive - Entertainment, ITV Studios
MAKE IT PERSONAL
One standard CV is not enough. You should have a different CV for each type of role you plan on applying for (e.g. runner, researcher, etc) and tailor it to the type of company you’re applying for.
Continue to tweak your CV for every application you make, emphasising the relevant experience and skills you have to match the role.
INFORMATION TO INCLUDE
• Personal details - as well as your name and contact details, it is useful to include additional details like if you have a driving licence and specific working visas• Personal statement - a short, positive statement to show what type of person you are and the roles you’re looking for• Key skills - highlight what equipment and software you can use, along with other skills you have that set you apart from other applicants• Experience and achievements - include all relevant experience, describing the particular achievements you have made in each role• Training - list any schemes or training courses you’ve undertaken, as well as being part of The Network• Qualifications - only list your most relevant qualifications, starting with the highest type of most recently awarded
Your CV is your opportunity to sell yourself, so use active words (i.e. managed, organised, developed) to describe your skills and experience concisely.
FINDING YOUR FORMAT
Keep your CV to two sides of A4 maximum, and don’t cram too much text on to the page. Try using columns to divide up information more effectively, whilst also keeping as much white space as possible.
Employers need to be able to locate information quickly and can be put off by dense paragraphs of text. Help them scan more quickly by highlighting your key achievements and job roles in bold.
COVER ALL BASES
Always include a covering letter or email with your CV, but keep it brief. Make sure you address it to the right person - if you’re unsure then call the company you’re applying to and find out.
Show that you have some knowledge of the company you’re applying to and use that information to flag up why you are the right person for the role.
BEFORE YOU SEND OUT ANYTHING, REMEMBER TO CHECK EVERYTHING YOU’VE WRITTEN FOR
CORRECT SPELLING AND GRAMMAR!
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THE NETWORK 2015 / TOP TIPS
GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOROnce you’ve made that all important first contact with a company - whether that’s through a well-written job application or some face-to-face networking - you need to follow it up quickly and convert those leads into some work experience or even a job.
FOLLOWING UP WITH CONTACTS
It can be difficult to strike the right balance when following up with contacts. Try too hard and it could become annoying; too little contact could mean that an opportunity passes you by.
Remember that the people you are writing to are pretty busy, so it may take them a week or two to come back to you. If more than a couple of weeks goes by, you can follow up with a short, polite email or phone call. They may just need a reminder to respond to you.
Still no response? Don’t take it personally, focuson finding the next opportunity. Getting a placement or job won’t happen overnight - you may face rejection, or even no response at all. Develop a thick skin and don’t give up.
Most people working in the industry will tell you that it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get a foot in the door. Always keep up-to-date with what’s going on in the industry, keep networking and continue to work towards your goal – with hard work and determination you can reach it.
“Always have programme ideas in mind when you go for an interview. And interrogate those ideas thor-oughly with friends before pitching them. There’s nothing worse than drying up when someone points out a fatal flaw early in the conversation.”
ALAN CLEMENTS, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT, STV
ACE THAT INTERVIEWOnes to Watch Delegate 2014 and Good Food Channel Scheduler at UKTV Tara Magan shares her top interview tips...
Do your research! You would be surprised how many people I interview who haven’t done basic research on the channel or network they are applying for a job on. Do as much research as you can: read up about the company; check their Twitter feed; watch their channels and build a picture of who they are and what is important to them. You want to let them know that you are keen for a job at their company, not just any company that will have you.
The internet is a goldmine for practice interview questions. Print a load of them out and then get someone to run through them in a mock interview. As with everything, the more you practice at being interviewed the better you will become! So don’t be shy to do a run through as many times as possible before the main event...
Don’t underestimate the importance of passion in an interview. It doesn’t matter if you have all the best grades and key experience, if you can’t show a genuine passion and enthusiasm for TV you are unlikely to get the job.
Have an opinion and show your personality - whether that’s telling the interviewer which programmes you’re really into right now or about your blog or latest pet project. Anything that shows a bit of spark and individuality is a good thing.
Don’t turn up in ripped jeans and a vest top. It’s always better to go smarter rather than scruffier for any interview. First impressions count. Oh, and a weak handshake is always a big no no!
“Everyone has to start somewhere, don’t be afraid to take a step outside your comfort zone, you never know where it could lead.”
EMMA OBICHUKWU, FILM STRAND CO-ORDINATOR, CREATIVE SKILLSET TRAINEE FINDER, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2014
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THE NETWORK 2015 / TOP TIPS
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF WORK EXPERIENCEYour perseverance has paid off and you’ve been offered some work experience - congratulations! Now the hard work really starts.
BEFORE YOU START
Try to be as prepared as possible before your first day on the job. These may seem obvious, but there are a few things you need to confirm once you’ve been offered work experience:
• Double check the time and date of when the company is expecting you in.• Check the dress code.• Find out their address and then work out how you will get there. Not just one route but two or three.• Ask what you’ll be working on so you can start doing some research around the topic or programme: this could be either watching lots more of the programme or reading up on it.• Get yourself up to speed with what’s going on around the world. Read the papers: both broadsheets and tabloids. Challenge your assumptions and read something that you wouldn’t ordinarily look at.• Do some research into the ‘language’ of TV so you’ll be able to understand what people are talking about when they refer to things like shot sizes. For example, the BBC Academy have lots of resources online that can help: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/production/television
“Set yourself the goal of consistently over-delivering on your boss’s expectations. Whether it’s a job inter-view, work experience or your first production, make an impact which is over and above the job description and they will always want you back.”
DOMINIC BIRD, HEAD OF FORMATS, CHANNEL 4
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
You must treat your work experience with any company as if it is your job – you want to make a good impression on the people you’re working with just in case a more permanent post does become available. If you’ve worked hard and been helpful they’ll remember you and may offer you something else, if notstraightaway then in the future. People will instantly forget someone who makes no effort at all. Here are some ways to stand out:
• In an entry level role, there may be things you’re asked to do that you think are beneath you. Even if you think it is, don’t complain - be polite and good humoured about it.• Always ask for help if you don’t understand. Don’t sit there and worry and stress about a task you’ve been given if you don’t understand.• Be proactive and ask if there is anything you can do.• Try to tune into the team dynamic and find your role within it – it’s a difficult balance to know when to offer ideas and when to keep your head down.• Find out if you can get a brief meeting with a senior person before you leave to get careers advice.• Thank people when you leave, and send a follow-up thank you email to everyone you worked with.
“Before you leave a company, try and set up a quick meeting with the talent team so you can give them a copy of your latest CV and talk to them about future opportunities at the company.”
SAMUEL BURR, DEVELOPMENT PRODUCER, RDF TELEVISION, ONES TO WATCH DELEGATE 2014
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ADVICE FROM THE ALUMNIGetting work experience is a fantastic first step on your journey to a career in TV, but to progress further you will need to build on that success to land a more permanent job. Having been in the same position as you just a few years ago, we asked our talent schemes alumni for some of their top tips on making it in the industry.
“Some tips for getting your foot in the door:1) Write down a list of the shows you most enjoy. Use your Google-fu to work out who makes those shows. Use your Google-fu again to work out who the highfalutin people at that company are.
2) Write a BESPOKE e-mail, or if you’re feeling mad posh, a letter to the highfalutin people at those company. Explain who you are; why you like their shows so much, and that you’d love to work at their company. Detail exactly what type of work you’re looking for (an internship, running work, research work, etc).
And some tips once you’re at the company:
1) TAKE THE INITIATIVE. You’ll told be told do lots, of course, but you should always be looking to do jobs you weren’t asked to do. Coming up with ideas, suggesting new talent, learning technical skills. Maybe even set yourself challenges, like “come up with 3 ideas for a TV show every week and pitch them to my boss””
MATTHEW MARSH, DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT PRODUCER, ELECTRIC RAY, ONES TO WATCH DELEGATE 2014
“Don’t gossip. Just don’t do it. Be better than that. You’ll rise above quicker than all the gossips.”
“Perseverance is key! You will face a lot of rejection when hunting for jobs but it only takes one ‘yes’ to start a brilliant career!”
SARAH JOYCE, RESEARCHER, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2013
“Watch TV. It’s amazing how many people I meet that don’t actually watch it. People who want to get into TV, should be getting into the industry for the right reasons. If you’re passionate about TV then you will excel.”
JAMIE FISHER, DEVELOPMENT JUNIOR RESEARCHER, FREMANTLEMEDIA UK, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2013
“Make friends with your colleagues - at whatever level in your career, go the extra mile to make their job easier and they’ll do the same for you!”
CHARIS PLATFORD, PERSONAL ASSISTANT, INNER CIRCLE FILMS, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2014
“Don’t wait for job posts, go and meet as many people as possible. Prepare a spreadsheet of the 40 places you want to work and email every single one and see if the talent person will meet you for a 20 minute coffee, even if they say they don’t have any current positions!
It took me 7 years to realise I NEEDED to learn how to shoot and edit. I avoided it for too long because I assumed I’d be rubbish at it & missed out on a lot of opportunities. Girls especially - make sure you sign up for as much free technical training as possible. Your skill set is as important as your enthusiasm and passion to work in TV.”
GEMMA KIRBY DAVIS, VP DEVELOPMENT, JANE STREET PRODUCTIONS, ONES TO WATCH DELEGATE 2013
“The admin side of things is just as important. If your producer wants your notes on time - write them and
submit them on time.”
“This industry is built on relationships. Build good ones. Not ones that help you climb the ladder but ones with people who help you to be your best and realise
your creative and career potential.”
“Always offer to make the teas. Kitchens are a great place to meet people - eventually you’ll be asked, ‘What are you working on?’ - which is a great moment to do your spiel and say ‘Let me know if you need a hand on anything’.
Get a driving licence.
Learn how to use Final Cut Pro, Premier Pro or even Avid Media Composer. It’s a great skill to have, especially in development, where it’s not uncommon for you to be asked to film and cut a taster tape.
Ask to sit in an edit. Helps with your story telling and gives you ideas on how to shoot for an edit.
Get familiar with archive researching and the copyrights/clearance of it all. It’s a real asset and can set you apart.
Find an opportunity to log. Always interesting to see how producers or producer directors ask questions.”
SIMON LEE, RESEARCHER, THE NETWORK DELEGATE 2013
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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MENTORA mentor can be invaluable for helping your to develop and achieve your career goals. The talent schemes team have done some of the hard work for you, by pairing you with a Ones to Watch mentor, but it’s up to you to make the most of out of this invaluable resource...
BEING A GOOD MENTEE
Having a mentor is a privilege and an invaluable opportunity that can be extremely beneficial to your career growth. To ensure you get the most out of mentoring, you need to have an objective to give you and your mentor a focus for the partnership. Your objective should be something a mentor can help you with. Your career goal may be to get a new job, but your mentor cannot (usually) gift you your dream job – so think about things you specifically want to learn about, or skills and experiences you want to develop that your mentor can help with. To get the best from each meeting you must prepare a question, query or goal to work on with your mentor - you set the agenda.
As your mentor is providing their knowlegde and expertise on their own time, you need to be proactive to make the most of this valuable relationship. Don’t expect them to put in all the legwork - it’s up to you to make sure you stay in contact and set regular meetings.
ESTABLISHING THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP
When you first meet your mentor, talk about how you will work together. Things to discuss include:• your career goals• confidentiality and boundaries• the level of feedback you would like• your expectations of each other and of mentoring• frequency and duration of meetings
KEEP IN TOUCH...Even though Edinburgh is done for another year, our lines of communication are always open, and we love hearing from you - if you’ve just landed a great new job or been to a particularly inspiring industry event, let us know! And keep an eye out for future alumni events (via Facebook and Twitter), which are a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new contacts.
All photos © Kat Gollock, 2015
Email Campbell - [email protected] Holly - [email protected] Naz - [email protected]
See our website for more great TV resources: www.thenetwork-tv.com
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