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TV Futures is a structured training opportunity for people who want to work in TV, as new entrants, or who are already working in the sector in a junior role.
The programme will enable trainees to gain valuable skills in multiplatform content production, taking part in seven days of professional workshops in technical and non-technical skills, mentoring with experienced TV practitioners, networking opportunities and advice on career planning. Participants will also join the scheme’s web community, where information and advice will be shared through blogging, forums, tips and case studies.
Through a series of outreach events across the region and a talent day at the BBC, four new entrants have been selected to take up 12-week BBC placements, starting on 17 January 2011. They are:
Oneil Rose
"I studied media at both college and university and have a great passion for it. My main goal in life is to become a film director. I am very creative and enjoy sharing my skills with others. My main strengths lie in filming, script writing and directing. I have mainly worked on real life projects based on factual events, like documentaries or promotional films, but I really have a passion for drama also and look forward to engaging in more of that. I have always believed in striving to reach a goal and believe this is what motivates my determination to get to where I want to be. I aim to work with my strengths and improve on my weaknesses so I’m always ready to learn and grow in my abilities. I have had many roles in the media field (editor, producer, cameraman, director) so I understand the importance of each role and through this have respect for whoever is taking that role. I believe in a positive team atmosphere which is helped by good communication." Oneil was a Runner in the BBC's Factual department, working on Bargain Hunt and Flog It. View Oneil's full profile and blogs.
Jack Coathupe
"I'm a passionate and enthusiastic hard worker, with an wide interest in media roles, such as camera work, runner, directing - anything that gives me a chance to show my energetic imagination and helps me to meet as many people as I can. I have experience as a freelancer for 'Kandu Arts', which gave me a chance to work with a huge range of ages, talents and genres, including short films created by youth development, a healthy eating cookery show and a disability awareness documentary. I directed, shot and edited all these myself, so I have had a taste of all stages of production. I was previously a qualified plumber for 4 years, but realised that my true passion was within media, TV and film. I studied a national diploma course at Wiltshire College and worked for clients individually and as a group via the college internship with Richard White. I have a growing profile of short films and videos that I create in my spare time using my own facilities, which are budgeted via part-time or freelance paid work, and generated from a shot, prop, costume, or anything that just ignites a passionate idea." Jack was a Runner in the BBC Points West newsroom. View Jack's full profile and blogs.
Charlotte Loving
"I first became interested in moving image when studying for a Foundation Degree in Fine Art at the Arts University College Bournemouth. I then pursued this through my BA and later MA studies in the same subject. I explored notions of time and memory practically through video, teaching myself to shoot using a Sony Z1 and edit with Final Cut Pro. In the meantime I began volunteering with PVA MediaLab, who introduced me to more formal methods of film and documentary making, whilst I helped out with their film club for young people. My MA had been funded by a local scooter club founded by my father in 1976, so as a ‘thank you’ to them and with their 35th anniversary approaching, I decided to use my skills to produce a short film which chronicles some of their experiences and anecdotes of the late 70’s. I teamed up with a local photographer and ex member of the club, and the film is currently in production, with a view to completion in mid 2011. We have not pursued any funding or commercial sponsorship for the project, instead completing it on an entirely voluntary basis, with a hope to gain experience and have fun along the way." Charlotte was a Runner in the BBC Factual department, specifically working on the One Show. View Charlotte's full profile and blogs.
Katy Bigley
"I recently graduated from Durham University with a First Class Honours BA degree in English, History of Art and History. Whilst studying I became involved in several arts projects within the university and beyond, and volunteered for multiple local organisations. I worked on Durham’s inaugural Arts Festival in 2008, collaborating with local artists and others based further afield. I later co-chaired the Arts Committee for Grey College and in my final year at Durham, I established and ran a photography society. Since graduating I’ve spent 4 months working for Intel, using my holiday, evenings and weekends to gain as much voluntary experience as possible in galleries and media organisations - both locally and in central London. Fortunately, in November I was lucky enough to land a place on the TV Futures training scheme - my first-step toward a career in TV production." Katy was an assistant in the BBC Production Co-ordinator Pool, mainly working on Comic Relief. View Katy's full profile and blogs here.
Eight junior professionals have also been selected from production companies in the region to participate in the training. They are:
Abigail Seabourne, Office/Production Runner, Tigress Productions
"Since graduating from University College Falmouth with a degree in Broadcasting in 2009, I’ve gained valuable work experience with Films@59 and Endemol in Bristol and am now working at Tigress Productions logging on an observational documentary series.
I have a huge interest in anthropology, natural history and cultures from other countries and will soon be taking a year out of working in the UK to broaden my general life and work experiences. I am looking to do voluntary conservation and underwater filming in Malaysia and Borneo, as well as gain more location and research experience in Australia, New Zealand and Canada with a view to becoming a Producer in the future. TV Futures has been a fantastic experience and has enabled me to understand the changing broadcasting model, so that I can successfully develop and work on multi-platform projects."
Alan Ferguson, Production Assistant/Researcher, GRACE Productions
I’m 24 years old and in 2009 graduated from Southampton Solent University with an honors degree in Television and Video Production. I then joined GRACE Productions as a Production Assistant and Researcher on documentaries, where I’ve gained broadcast credits on BBC Panorama and BBCthree.
I also take a leading role in helping to produce films for GRACE’s corporate clients, creating and tailoring films to their individual needs. The TV Futures scheme has helped me considerably in understanding the business I want to make my career in. It was well planned and structured, and the teaching and mentor talent was superb. Not only do I feel more confident in what I do, it has only re-enforced my passion for working in this sector.
Alasdair McCartney, Development Researcher, Icon Films
"I’ve always been fascinated by science and nature, and having graduated
with a degree in Zoology from the University of Bristol I spent over a
year and a half working for the fantastic organization Wildscreen - primarily as a media researcher on their ARKive project. I was then lucky enough to get - and survive - an interview with Harry Marshall at Icon Films,
landing a role as a development researcher last May. I’ve been at Icon
for nearly a year now, working on and developing ideas and stories for
the likes of the BBC, Animal Planet and National Geographic Channels, as
well as conducting talent-searches and getting involved in the odd bit
of pre-production.
I’m passionate about storytelling and
translating interesting, exciting and entertaining subjects for wider
audiences, and couldn’t have hoped for a better start to my career in
television. I really feel that this experience, combined with the
invaluable and insightful TV Futures training scheme has set me up
incredibly well to be able to achieve my ambitious goals. And having
spent almost the entirety of my life in the Westcountry, I’m moving on
to pastures new in London early this summer – not ever doubting that
I’ll be back in Bristol at some point in the future!"
Catherine McLoughlin, Production Assistant, Calling the Shots
I have a visual arts background and studied Photography at Falmouth University before I started work for several community art projects. These included mental health groups, environmental charities and schools.
My first taste of working in film was on ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’ at PinewoodStudios, which was about as weird and wonderful as I had ever dreamed. It certainly sparked an interest that has grown and grown - and luckily been satisfied!
I have been part of the team at Calling The Shots, a Bristol based film production company, for 6 months, and am now working on projects for Honda, Relate and the new Bristol museum MShed.
I keep up with personal projects too. I’m currently finishing off a year long documentary about a fledgling allotment and orchard, and the residents of the small rural village who own it.
Cecilia Shakerley, Junior Researcher, Twofour Group
(no pic)
Oliver Jones, Junior Researcher, The Corner Shop
My background is in live events, production and hospitality management. I studied Theatre and from there gained an interest in Production. I went on to study music and music business in Brighton before moving back to Bristol and working at the Thekla as their Production Manager.
I left Thekla after couple of years to go traveling and when I returned I was hired as the GM at The Lanes, a large multi-function venue on Bristol’s Denmark Street. After a year and a half there I felt it was time to look for a change from working in live events and hospitality and asked The Cornershop if I could do some work experience with them - after a couple of days they offered me a job which I gladly took.
That brings us up to now and I am still working as Junior Researcher and Production Coordinator for The Cornershop, a comedy and entertainment company here in Bristol.
The bulk of the work is in developing new ideas, creating pilots and teaser tapes and looking for new talent. I also have recently been freelancing for Team Rubber working on content for the South West Screen/ iFeatures production ‘Eight Minutes Idle’.
In the long term and in a perfect world I would like move to London and join a company where I can develop creatively and build a career. I have a keen interest in how the web and entertainment are going develop together in the next decade and would like to work with people that are exploring the possibilities.
Natalie Cross, Assistant to Head of Rights and Head of Sales, Aardman Animations
I joined Aardman Rights, the marketing, sales, licensing, product development and live events department of Aardman Animations, in 2009 after completing a degree in English and Drama at the University of Bristol. Originally employed as a temporary Administration Assistant, I progressed to Assistant to the Head of Aardman Rights and Head of Sales in January 2010, and now additionally manage Aardman’s attendance at national and international trade shows and assists with the live events’ programme.
I’m looking to move into television production, with an ultimate ambition to work in production coordination and, eventually, management. While participating in South West Screen’s “TV Futures” course in multi-platform production, I’ve gained a broad range of knowledge and skills from pitching and commissioning, to budgets and schedules, digital marketing and social media. I’m also undertaking basic training in Final Cut Pro and editing craft skills.
I have a keen interest in television and drama theory, and also produce the Bristol Shakespeare Festival in my spare time.
Rebecca McEwan, Junior Production Coordinator, Icon Films
It took me a year after graduating in Law from Durham University to realise that instead of seeking a high pressured, high paying job as a lawyer, I wanted to work in television for not very much money and perfecting my brew making. At least this way, I would be doing something for which I have a passion. I arranged work experience in a small company in London and this gave me the experience I needed to push me to work solidly in a shop for nine months, saving money so that I could make the leap and move south to pursue my new career path.
It worked. Another two work experience placements later and attendance on a Final Cut Pro course and I was offered the job as Runner at Icon Films. Since then, Icon have nurtured me and encouraged me to get involved in all areas of television. They are training me to be multi-skilled so although I was promoted to Junior Production Coordinator on River Monsters, I am also heavily involved in the post-production technical elements and I help the team a lot with researching the productions. I am still uncertain of my ultimate goal, but being in this environment, it allows me to explore all possibilities.
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