After
attending The Network, I found myself with a clear focus and
direction as to where I wanted my television career to begin, and ultimately
lead to. This really helped me to improve my CV, and gave me a confidence to talk about what it was that I
hoped to achieve in my career.
Before The Network, if I was asked what I
ultimately wanted to achieve, often I would come across as unsure, purely
because I always thought that people would see my ambitions as naive and unattainable.
But speaking with so many talented and successful people through The Network,
it was obvious that they had all started from exactly where I was right now -
and if anything, they appreciated my drive and commitment to reaching
my desired career goal.
At the moment, that ambition is to become a Drama
Television Producer as my main passion in life at the moment is telling
stories, and through The Network I was able to work alongside some of those
people currently working in that role in the industry, including Lizzie Gray, Producer, Waterloo Road (and one of the leaders of The Network's Scriptwriting and Directing Workshop). After a brilliant few days in Edinburgh I made sure
that I stayed in touch with those people who I had met and who had inspired
me, particularly Lizzie.
Then,
when I saw a Floor Runner position advertised with Tiger Aspect, I took
everything I had learned from The Network, tailored my CV specifically to the
job, told them all about where I wanted my career to go through Drama, and
applied. A few weeks later, after I managed to find some short-term Runner and
Logger roles with other companies to improve my CV, I got a phone call from
Tiger Aspect to have an interview that following week. One of my interviewers was familiar with The Network, and was very impressed with everything I had to say
about it. Not only that, but when I talked about people I had worked with
whilst there - particularly Lizzie - they were even more intrigued.
The following morning I received another phone call from Tiger Aspect - offering me the Floor Runner role! They told me that I was the 'wildcard' applicant, but they had followed up with Lizzie Gray and she had given me a very good recommendation!
The following morning I received another phone call from Tiger Aspect - offering me the Floor Runner role! They told me that I was the 'wildcard' applicant, but they had followed up with Lizzie Gray and she had given me a very good recommendation!
This
is the most important thing I learned from The Network. Everyone we met there
has already been in our position when they started their careers, and they
all appreciate what we are going through. The scheme itself is not about
meeting people and impressing them enough in the hope that they will give you a
job in the future - it is simply about getting your name out there.
Getting advice from these people is much more beneficial than simply asking for
work experience or job opportunities - the industry is so inter-connected that
if you can impress someone with your passion and dedication, even if it's
simply through the odd email every few weeks, then you are going to make an
impression not just on them, but those people who they may come to work with in
the future. The Network is an opportunity to make a countless number of
connections.
I
never appreciated just what a tight-knit industry television was - and you also
never know, if you send a simple 'thank-you' email to just one of those
connections made in Edinburgh, what impact that could have on you down the
line. For all future Networkers, simply bear in mind that the connections you make in
Edinburgh are much more valuable to you if you approach them with a slow-burn
attitude. Don't be pushy with the people you meet, and ALWAYS reply to any
email you get from them, even if it's a rejection email, with a simple
'thank-you'.
Since Prisoners' Wives ended I've worked on a new prime time drama for ITV called 'Love and Marriage'; worked on 'Coronation Street' and 'Emmerdale', both of which I have just signed freelance contracts for; a new Karl Pilkington travel series called 'The Moaning of Life' for Sky One; I worked on the recent Peter Kay Comic Relief sketch; and I have spent days on a new BBC Two pilot, a feature film for BBC One, and a commercial for Co-Op! So the past seven or so months since the Network have been incredibly busy!
The best moment so far was definitely seeing my name on the credits for Prisoners' Wives last week - I felt it finally solidified the fact that I'm now working in TV! I've also found that you never know where or who you're next job is going to come through. As well as my own team (AD's) recommending me for other jobs, I've even gotten work from Script Supervisor's, make-up artists, actors, and even vrivers'! You literally never know when a nice deed on set might come back and help you I'm the future - you NEVER stop Networking!
I wouldn't have secured my Floor Runner job had it not been through The Network, which is why I believe it is an invaluable talent scheme for anyone wanting to begin a career in Television Production. And if you're not already thinking about applying - DO IT! This was my third attempt at applying, and it all couldn't have worked out better.
Since Prisoners' Wives ended I've worked on a new prime time drama for ITV called 'Love and Marriage'; worked on 'Coronation Street' and 'Emmerdale', both of which I have just signed freelance contracts for; a new Karl Pilkington travel series called 'The Moaning of Life' for Sky One; I worked on the recent Peter Kay Comic Relief sketch; and I have spent days on a new BBC Two pilot, a feature film for BBC One, and a commercial for Co-Op! So the past seven or so months since the Network have been incredibly busy!
The best moment so far was definitely seeing my name on the credits for Prisoners' Wives last week - I felt it finally solidified the fact that I'm now working in TV! I've also found that you never know where or who you're next job is going to come through. As well as my own team (AD's) recommending me for other jobs, I've even gotten work from Script Supervisor's, make-up artists, actors, and even vrivers'! You literally never know when a nice deed on set might come back and help you I'm the future - you NEVER stop Networking!
I wouldn't have secured my Floor Runner job had it not been through The Network, which is why I believe it is an invaluable talent scheme for anyone wanting to begin a career in Television Production. And if you're not already thinking about applying - DO IT! This was my third attempt at applying, and it all couldn't have worked out better.
Will McDonagh @WillMac06
Congratulations, Will, and thanks for sharing all those top tips. To get a taste of what Will and his fellow delegates worked on at The Network, check out the mini-episode of 'Waterloo Road' they made here:
And if you're new to the TV industry and would like to take part in The Network yourself, check back here http://www.mgeitf.co.uk/home/thenetwork.aspx from February 2013 to find out how to apply!
