It all started at The Network...

So here I am, in mid production of possibly one of the best shows of 2013, being trained by a comic genius in the art of sitcom writing and gaining hands on experience of TV show development and production. And it all started at The Network.

When the Network opportunity appeared on my laptop screen, all I could think was fantastic opportunity, although another application to fill out, and probably more rejection. 

But, you've got to be in it to win it. I gave the application my best shot, and...I was put on the waiting list. But - amazingly - someone dropped out and in August I was on the train on my way to Edinburgh.

The Network programme was incredible, workshops, talks and CV clinics. As a budding screenwriter my favourite moments were attending an interview with Charlie Brooker, participating in a drama workshop with BBC Writers Room and working with the cast and crew of Waterloo Road.

All of these opportunities left me inspired to get stuck into the industry.  But how?  Networking, of course!

Like most of us, I enjoy meeting new people and good conversation, and in essence that's what networking is, the only difference is that these conversations might be with people in the industry that could potentially give you (or at least direct you towards someone who can give you) a job.

So that's what I did - I met all sorts of people on my networking journey - a lot of lawyers, but also producers and execs. I was happily batted from one person to another person better able to help me, on several occasions, until I landed in front of a development exec at Kudos. 

He said he'd enquire about getting me in for work experience, and he actually did!

Within a month I was being a runner at Kudos for a week. Before I said goodbye I built those all important relationships. Consequently I was invited to do some more work experience with Kudos' sister company Brown Eyed Boy. 

Now this is the part where the magic happens! On my first day, literally minutes after I'd arrived, the position of writer's assistant on Brown Eyed Boy's new sitcom for ITV: Vicious, was being discussed in the office. It was then or never. I bit the bullet and asked the M.D. Gary Reich if he would consider interviewing me, and to my delight he said 'yes'. The interview went wonderfully - Gary really took an interest in me after witnessing my work ethic throughout the work experience period, he was impressed by my CV and we both agreed that this was the perfect position for me right now as an aspiring TV writer! He had also, coincidentally, been on the equivalent GEITF talent scheme when he was just starting out too.

Cherish on set of the recording of Vicious

So, I got the job: working as writer's assistant to Gary Janetti, writer and producer of Family Guy and executive producer of Will and Grace. What a first gig in TV! It was also a plus that the actors starring in the show are none other than legends Ian Mckellen, Derek Jacobi and Frances de la Tour! 

So here I am, in mid production of possibly one of the best shows of 2013, being trained by a comic genius in the art of sitcom writing and gaining hands on experience of TV show development and production. And it all started at The Network!  

My advice to anyone, eager to get into the industry is dare! 

Dare to apply, dare to keep trying, dare to say hello, dare to ask for opportunities. The worst anyone can say is 'no'. God bless you on your journey.

 Cherish : )

Cherish invited The Network team along to watch the  recording...VIPs!

You can read more of alumni's success stories on our website here 


Applications for The Network are open until 21 April 2013, please go to our website for more info and to apply

Season's Greetings....

Hi Festival Friend,
 
I hope you’re very well and looking forward to the festive season.


This is just a quick email from me and the Festival team to say we hope you have a good break over the coming holiday period.  I also wanted to introduce you to those who have kindly agreed to join the 2013 Festival Advisory Committee.   They’re already working hard to bring you what I hope will be the brightest and best Festival ever.
Welcome to a few new faces....

                        
To see the full Advisory Committee in all their glory click here.
To see the latest additions to the Festival Executive Committee click here.  And finally to see the 2013 Talent Schemes committee click here.


I’m thrilled to be Chairing the 2013 Festival, and as you can see I’ve got the benefit of some brilliant people from across the industry to make it one to remember.

So from me, my deputy chair Ed Havard, Festival Director Louise Benson and everyone else on the Festival team, we hope you have a restful break and a happy new year.
 
Best wishes


Karl

Your Festival needs you…

Autumn is a special time here at the Festival.  We’ve finally put away our Clairol foot spas and dragged ourselves back to the office after the craziness of Festival season and are full of the joys of planning as 2013 appears on the horizon.

Liz and I met Karl Warner this morning to begin plotting.  Many of you know Karl, and he’s been a great friend of the Festival and the schemes  (The Network and Ones To Watch) for a number of years so it’s brilliant to have him at the helm and we’re thrilled to have him on board.   And if you do know Karl you won’t be surprised to hear he’s already full of ideas on how to make the 2013 Festival more creative, more inspirational and more relevant than ever.  And it’s not even Christmas yet!

We’ve read the delegate feedback, requesting more chances to meet commissioners, more structured networking, more access to international delegates and more coverage of digital issues and we will be working on this for 2013! 

We know how much you loved Steve Levitan, the team behind Sherlock, the creator of the original Homeland, the audience with Ruth Jones and our very own Olympics closing ceremony.

We’re over the moon that this year’s date change (amongst other things!) resulted in over 20% more delegates, with indies and digital companies up 40% respectively and international delegates up nearly 25%...

And we’ve got a brand new advisory committee that we’ll be announcing very soon.  

They’ll be pulling out all the stops to put together the kind of world class sessions that you’ve come to expect, featuring legends from both sides of the camera alongside creatives, powerbrokers , kingmakers and rising industry stars, plus some of that leftfield crazy stuff that makes Edinburgh so very special.

But we really really want your ideas too!  

If you’ve got a fantastic idea for a session (and it does need to be good – we’re only interested in the best) then pop it on an email and send it over. 

Email Benson.Louise@mgeitf.co.uk or comment below... I can’t promise we’ll run it but I promise it’ll get properly considered.  The Festival is made for the industry by the industry and your ideas are its lifeblood.  So don’t hide your light under a bushel – put your best foot forward today!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Louise x
Follow me on Twitter @lulubenson