The UK's leading forum for TV producers, broadcasters and content makers.
Money raised from the event is invested in The Network and Ones to Watch talent schemes which identify and support emerging talent to promote a healthy and diverse future for the TV industry.
Happy Friday and thanks to everyone who joined us for our twitter chat yesterday lunchtime! Or those of you who missed it, yesterday The Network hosted a twitter chat all about getting into TV with experts from ITV, BBC and Channel 4.
We were absolutely inundated with lots of top questions! Here are some of the great insights our expert panellists shared:
A lot of recruitment forms ask for an original idea for a TV show. How can you make your idea stand out from the rest?
A: Really think carefully about the channel/slot/audience, many people are sloppy on this key part of the pitch.
A: And remember we're all looking to engage a global market so you want an idea that can travel.
Do production companies care more about degrees or Work Experience?
A: I would say work experience unless a specialist show and need specialist skills or knowledge.
A: Get as much job experience as you can - broad work placements in a range of environments.
A: Experience and passion and ideas are more important than grades! It’s about really wanting to work in telly!
What do companies look for when assessing applications for work experience?
A: Make your application targeted, show you've researched them and know about their company/show.
How can I really stand out from others when applying for graduate jobs / internships etc.?
A: Stop thinking about others, and think about what you have done! Have ideas, be creative.
A: Be clear about your ability/skillset, show what additional attributes you can bring.
A: Just be yourself & if you are passionate about the role and have the right skills you will stand out.
A: Be passionate, do your research and be clear about why you want to work at that company.
How important are showreels in terms of becoming a presenter? And is local radio good experience?
A: Pretty essential, people need to see you are comfortable and look good on camera! Local radio experience is grea.t
A: You need to display your presenting ability and skill to engage/sell co-presenting/links/debates it depends.
What are the chances of a good script for a show being picked up if it’s sent into the script room for BBC/itv etc?
A: I'd suggest that you get an agent, ITV don't have a Writers Room to see unsolicited scripts.
Is working as a runner a good place to start if you have no broadcasting experience?
A: It’s the BEST starting point, if you have no experience or unsure of the role you want - gives you great insights.
This twitter chat was just a taster of the expert advice and insight you will get in Edinburgh if you win a place on The Network – and of course, you’ll get to ask your questions face to face and in more than 140 characters! Good luck with your application!
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
As anyone who’s been watching ITV2 on a Thursday Night will
testify, reunions are pretty hot right now (the Big Reunion is my not-so-guilty
pleasure: 5ive + B*Witched+ Atomic
Kitten = 90s pop nostalgia heaven!) So to cheer up the seemly never ending
winter, we thought we’d orchestrate a reunion of our own…
Atomic Kitten. Not Network alumni. Didn't get on our guestlist.
So last Tuesday night saw us brave the cold at the Camden Roundhouse,
a legendary London venue that usually hosts the hottest music and performance
acts (properly hot acts, mind, not a faded
90’s pop star in sight) but, for one night only, we had the venue set up to
welcome the brightest TV talent in the UK: our Network alumni.
Not Atomic Kitten. On the list!
And what a reunion it turned out to be. Networkers from the last 3 years came from across
the UK (including 3 from Scotland – hello Kirsten, Andrew and Alison!) for an evening
of masterclasses, career focus and just generally catching up with old mates
and talking telly!
Network alumni. Two of these ladies came down from Scotland for the evening - that's impressive dedication.
We wanted the evening to capture the spirit of The Network
in bite sized chunks so we put together a mix of what we do in Edinburgh. Some fantastic speakers took up our invitation
to deliver masterclasses. The evening
kicked off with chat from Sara Geater and Suzy Lamb. Sara’s CEO of super indie FremantleUK, (you
know, the group behind such blockbuster programmes such as The X Factor,
Britain’s Got Talent, Celebrity Juice, QI and The Apprentice). Suzy is Head of Production at Thames, Executive
Producer of ITV’s Saturday night smash Take Me Out, and has a career spanning some
of the biggest entertainment shows of the past two decades. Plus she worked with Mister Blobby! Sara and Suzy gave insight into their jobs,
their career paths and spoke honestly about the qualities you need to succeed
in TV. I know everyone in the audience was
deeply impressed by their down to earth attitudes and obvious love for what
they do. Inspiring.
Sue, Sara and Suzy from FMUK mingle with Networker Yvette Spedding.
From the world of big budget shiny floor formats to compelling
documentary making. C4 factual commissioner extraordinaire David Glover gave an
all too brief (i.e. the hour simply whizzed past!) lesson into documentary filmmaking. David’s an engaging and passionate speaker,
and had the audience rapt, as well as illustrating his talk with some fab clips
including President Obama and The Plane Crash (one of his commissioned). Plus he let slip some of his glorious indiscretions
(which I won’t repeat - Chatham House rules apply for alumni events, I’m
afraid) brilliant stuff. Thank you to
the lovely James Cooper from Square Eyes for hosting the chat.
David Glover (L) and James Cooper
As it was so near to Valentine’s Day, we couldn’t let our
alumni go home without a date so our very own Cupid Rhiannon fixed up some
speed dating with some of the industry’s best talent managers. In a fabulous space overlooking the bright lights
of Camden Town, a top team had one to ones with Networkers and some fledging relationships were forged –
we heard of at least one job interview offer that came as a result of the speed
dating! A HUGE thank you to NBC Universal's Nicky
Searle, BBC's Daniell Morrisey & Cecila Lawrence-John, ITVs Vikki Barron & Mairie Mactague, Channel 4's Jasmine Hayer, Cineflix's Jessica Wilson, Fever Media's Ruth
Stevenson, and Amy Walker from Media Parents for giving up your evenings and being part of a frenetic
but extremely fruitful event.
BBC's Daniell Morrisey works his CV magic
And of course it wouldn’t be a Network reunion without lots
of catching up with old mates – some beautiful friendships were rekindled- ahh! Big thanks to our fabulous alumni for coming down
and making it all happen. Who needs 90s
pop stars- you lot really rock.
We want your application to be the best it can be. So here are quite a few tips to make it stand out.
We welcome applications from people with an interest in ANY area of TV. The TV industry is very broad and there are literally hundreds of roles you can consider! We have profiled some of the most popular on our website here - Want to work in TV? Which Job is for me? and the Creative Skillset website is also useful guide: www.creativeskillset.org/careers/.
You don't need to have had any experience of working in television BUT you will have to demonstrate that you LOVE TV. It’s not enough just to say you like watching TV. Can you prove you have lots of ideas? What have you done that demonstrates your interest? Do you have a YouTube channel? Do you blog about TV? Has TV changed your life in any way? Remember, we don't want to hear about student projects that you doing as part of your course, you need to tell us what exciting, creative things you've been doing in your own time.
The TV industry thrives on ideas, so show us that you are capable of coming up with things that haven’t been done before or looking at things from a fresh perspective.
We want to get an idea of who you are so use your own voice and be honest! Please tell us what you think, rather than what you think we want to hear.
Make sure you check your application carefully for spelling and grammar mistakes. If you know spelling and/ or grammar isn't your strong point, do ask someone to check it over for you. It’s scarily easy to miss your own mistakes!
Make note of the word count and don’t go over it. You don’t necessarily have to use the maximum number of words, but please do make sure your answers are as complete as possible.
Please make sure you have supplied accurate contact details, including email address and mobile number.
Please use a personal email account (e.g. Hotmail, Gmail, etc.) rather than one supplied by your work/ college as we’d like to keep in touch with you and offer you future opportunities.
When describing your idea for a new programme, consider the following step by step guide
STEP 1: The Idea
What is your idea?
Think about what audience it would appeal to. What age are they? When/what time are they likely to watch TV?
Think about what channel your programme is most suited to and why. Is the programme in keeping with the channel brand?
What is different about your idea, what makes it unique?
Are there any similar shows?
STEP 2: How would the show work
Think about how the format would work. Is it a series or a one off?
What is the content of the show? How many episodes? How long would each programme be? Would it work as a long running format?
Would there be talent/presenter in it? What is it about the talent you've chosen that appeals to the audience and the channel?
Thinking about your audience, where in the schedule would it sit, what time and what day?
STEP 3: The Pitch
Can you sell the idea in a sentence?
Titles matter. What title will hook this particular audience?
What are the strong points about your idea that you should emphasise?
Why should your programme be commissioned?
How can your idea engage people beyond what they see on TV? For example, is there scope for interaction through websites, phone lines and social media?:
Applications are considered and places awarded by The Network committee,so this is your chance to get your ideas read by some of the biggest names in the TV industry! Visit thenetwork-tv.co.uk to apply today! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE CRITERIA FOR 2014 HAS CHANGED. IF YOU ARE IN FULL TIME EDUCATION YOU MUST BE IN YOUR FINAL YEAR OF COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY AND AVAILABLE TO WORK IN 2014.
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 TalentSchemes 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
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 Festivalmore 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
Here at Festival Towers we love hearing stories about great things our Networkers have achieved post-Edinburgh, and of course, it gives us a warm glow of self-satisfaction to know we've helped them. One of 2012's Networkers was Will McDonagh. Will attended The Network straight after completing an English degree at Lancaster University. One month later, he landed himself a runner's job on major BBC One drama, 'Prisoners Wives'. Here's how he did it...
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!
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.
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!
A: Stop thinking about others, and think about what you have done! Have ideas, be creative.
