Congratulations to the eight people who have been awarded places on our November Media Parents Back to Work Scheme. Six of them will be attending the Televisual Factual Festival on November 13th and 14th at BAFTA, so if you are also attending please look out for us and say hello! Here come the girls…

Production Coordinator Helen Landeau talks to the BBC's Charlotte Lamb at the Media Parents Back to Work drinks.

helen landeau, production coordinator

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/9357/helen-landeau

Helen Landeau is a BBC-trained Production Coordinator with over 10 years of location filming experience in Factual, Factual Entertainment and History. Helen has recently taken the risk of leaving the corporate world to become a freelance Production Coordinator after being inspired by Back to Work Scheme winner Harriet Wallace’s story in The Guardian. Helen had been in the corporate world for just under 8 years and had used some of her TV skills in various roles across the organisation, but had always wanted to return. Within a month of joining Media Parents Helen has started her first coordinating role, she is hoping to consolidate that experience through the coaching and mentoring provided on the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme. @HLandeau

Jo Molloy, edit producer. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/28/jo-molloy

jo molloy, edit producer

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/28/jo-molloy

In a previous life I used to have quite a successful career in telly – I lived in Los Angeles and worked as a producer/director and series producer mainly on high profile mainstream factual/entertainment documentary series for British companies like September Films, and Lion Television. My kids were born in the States, but it was a quiet time for British TV in Los Angeles so I did a few projects mainly consulting and development or pick up shoots.  When we returned to the UK I decided to focus on being a mum.  For years I didn’t work, then through a contact I starting making a couple of films for charities – pitching, directing/producing and edit producing.  I also spent 4 months working on a DIY obs-doc TV series as an edit producer. It was hard balancing childcare and the long hours but I really enjoyed being in the edit, and I think I have a pretty good idea for what makes a story work. @JoMMolloy

In 2011 my husband and I decided to take a year out and bring up our children in Prague where he’s from, which quickly turned into two years. We’re back in the UK now and I can’t help that niggling feeling that I’m not reaching my full potential, I always loved working in the TV industry and have 15+ years of experience in TV….is it going to waste?  And where do I begin?

Producer Director Rebecca Towers.

rebecca towers, producer director

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/5236/rebecca-towers

I’m a Senior Producer Director with fifteen years experience at the BBC where I worked as a programme producer, journalist and filmmaker across multiple factual genres and formats. Whilst I specialised in politics, I also worked on documentaries, current affairs, news and history programmes.  I have had the pleasure of working on some fantastic flagship programmes during my career and it has been a privilege to make films and content that have had a positive impact on people’s lives.

Shortly after becoming a mum, I left the BBC to spend time with my daughter and to explore work on a wider range of factual filming and writing projects.  Since then, I have produced several short films for television, pitched and produced corporate film content and currently write a monthly interview series, ‘In the Spotlight’, highlighting female talent within the TV and film industry.

Establishing new contacts in factual programming is a key focus and the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is a great opportunity to make new connections, get up to speed on industry news and best practice and to receive tailored advice on building an industry profile following a career break. @RTowers_TV

AP Kate Boddington with her daughter. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/7092/kate-boddington

kate boddington, assistant producer

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/7092/kate-boddington

I made the transition from maternity leave to the world of working TV parents this time last year. Securing mentoring and attending Televisual Factual Festival would not only help me to gain confidence in my ability to juggle work and being a new mum but also give me the chance to focus on nurturing my career and building skills to progress in this highly competitive industry.

Since returning to work following maternity leave I have been able to undertake two short and one longer contract. I would be really keen to make the most of the guidance on offer. I am keen to explore a few career options including the possibility of moving back into a role within a commissioning broadcaster or what steps I should make next in factual TV Production. @kboddington

Gina Mahoney, Edit Producer. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/5582/gina-mahoney

gina mahoney, edit producer

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/5582/gina-mahoney

Since having twin boys in January 2012 I’ve been back at work for two short edit producing stints one for John Torode’s Australia and the other for a reversion of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA.   I think this is a real achievement as when I first had my two boys I thought I may never leave the house again let alone go out to work.

I think the Media Parents back to work initiative is just what I need to help me gain the confidence to go out and sell myself in the right way.  I could do with some insightful direction for my CV, help to create a good online presence, tips on the most successful ways to approach companies for work and to become skilled at how to network.  I have lots of valuable television production experience in many different genres, including live, entertainment, sport, factual, children’s and most recently food.  Ideally I would like to return to edit producing but not just food shows I would like to broaden my experience again with a view to working back towards producing then series producing again. @MahoneyGina

Becky Sharpe, Shooting PD. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/9464/becky-sharpe

becky sharpe, shooting PD

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/9464/becky-sharpe

I am a London-based Director who has been telling stories and making films in one role or another since I was a teenager. I shoot and am happy to write scripts and voice over. I have a commitment to humanitarian projects in my personal work, doing photographic and film projects with people with disabilities and disadvantaged adults and children.

My career started after Film School at Saint Martins in a Soho Cutting Room on BBC programs and then I independently produced awardwinning short films. I went on to work for broadcast and internet, multi-screen installations, interactive drama, and high budget Corporates for clients such as PriceWaterhouse Coopers, as well as working in Europe and Africa (Sky TV/APTN). I hope to make new connections in broadcast television for full time work – with a view to working as a DV Director and as a Producer/Director. @BeckySharpie

Ali Schilling, Producer.

ali schilling, producer

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/5424/ali-schilling

I left television in 2009. I was extremely fortunate to have worked for some amazing companies on some fascinating factual and current affairs programmes.  I’d travelled all over the world to weird and wonderful places and had worked with some inspirational people. Stopping to have children took me on another journey – equally amazing – but I’ve never lost my love of television and the absolute privilege I felt in making it.

I have explored new areas since having my children.  I’ve worked with Save the Children’s media team, setting up press trips for print and broadcast journalists to STC’s global projects.  With over a decade’s experience setting up international shoots this was an area I felt hugely confident in but it made me realise just how much I missed programme making. I now also run my own family photography business – Ali Schilling Photography – part time.

I am right at the start of re-launching myself back into the television world.  As a parent, I had already identified that a logical first step would be to find work as an Edit Producer as the hours are more regular.  I have edited films I’ve produced and know I have the necessary storytelling skills to craft good programmes.  Many of my old contacts have now moved on and so I have been feeling quite daunted about making that first step.  Recently someone told me about the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme.   It sounds like an incredible opportunity and would not only give me the guidance that I feel I’m lacking but also the confidence I would need as I feel my way back into the industry again.

I got my first non-scripted comedy producer job in 2012 after a 2 year career break in which I gave birth to and looked after my daughter. Prior to this I was an AP within comedy / entertainment for a number of years. I love comedy and would like to focus on working in scripted comedy. I want to be part of a production company / organisation that will help me nurture my current writing, editing and producing skills. Ultimately I want to work as a script editor / writer as I feel that this plays to my strengths and will also hopefully enable me to work more flexibly than producing in either a studio or an edit. @skiddlyboooo

If you would like to join us at the Televisual Factual Festival please see below.

The Televisual Factual Festival.  Exclusive Media Parents discount

13-14th November 2014, BAFTA

The Televisual Factual Festival is the leading forum for business information and debate for factual television filmmakers, business executives and project leaders. With over 50 speakers, 12 sessions, the Pitch for Cash competition with a £5k prize fund and two Meet the Commissioners networking lunches, the Televisual Factual Festival is a must-attend event for anyone working in factual television. Book your exclusive discounted ticket online using the code MPdisc15. APPLY TODAY http://www.televisual.com/festival

Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events. The Media Parents November Back to Work scheme is currently open for applicants. Please scroll down the blog for details.

“I am normally a little skeptical when people mention ‘flexible working’ within the TV industry,” writes Clair Titley, PD on the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme. “In my experience, ‘flexible working’ in TV means that the Production Manager will order you a pizza if you have to work beyond 9pm. The only people I had come across in TV who actually worked flexible hours were Execs or possibly Series Producers – certainly not PDs or APs.” Keep reading and you’ll discover that Clair is currently working flexibly in TV…

2014 GEITF Back to Work Scheme Winners at the Edinburgh TV Festival, featuring Clair Titley, far left, and Media Parents' Amy Walker, 3rd from right.

So when my daughter was about one year old, I threw myself back into work full-time. I loved being back in production – it was a breath of fresh air after a year of nappies. But I really struggled with not seeing my daughter when the inevitable long hours and weeks kicked in. I assumed there was no other way to work though. I then found myself at a cross-roads, not wanting or able to go back to a full-time career, but very reluctant to give up a career that I absolutely love and feel very passionately about.

Somehow I got chatting to Amy Walker from Media Parents over the phone and told her my situation. I think her words were “You can’t tell me its not possible!” and she persuaded me there was an alternative to the all-or-nothing scenarios. I applied for the Media Parents Back to Work scheme and suddenly found myself in Edinburgh at the TV Festival networking again.

Clair Titley, left, is being mentored by Channel 4's Deputy Chief Creative Officer, Ralph Lee, via the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/6048/clair-titley

It’s amazing when you get talking to people, whether its the BBC’s former Chief Creative Officer Pat Younge, or junior production staff, how common the issue of juggling family life and work life is. But I also discovered that although there tend to be very few flexible jobs advertised – there are people out there who are willing to consider different ways of working. It might mean finding more creative solutions to a role, whether that be job-sharing or longer pre-production periods – but perhaps there is some hope after all? Someone also pointed out that some productions might even greatly benefit from only having to pay me part-time, but still gaining all my expertise.

So I’ve returned from Edinburgh with a bunch of new contacts, including Channel 4′s Deputy Head of Features Alex Menzies, and Channel 4′s Deputy Chief Creative Officer Ralph Lee as my mentor, some new ideas and most importantly, more confidence in asking for flexible working. Before, if I asked a potential employer about working part-time I was sure I could see their eyes glazing over – and I would assume that the conversation had ended. But by the end of the festival, having spoken to a variety of other mums and carers in TV, I found that there might be ways that my flexible working might help employers – it just requires a little more creativity on both sides to work out how!

Clair Titley is now working flexibly, 2 or 3 days a week in Bristol.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/6048/clair-titley

Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events. The Media Parents November Back to Work scheme is currently open for applicants. Please scroll down the blog for details.

It was slightly surreal: receiving a message on my phone from Media Parents’ Amy Walker congratulating me for winning a place on the Back to Work scheme. Was she really telling me that I was going to be going to the Edinburgh Television Festival? In less than a week? She only blooming was!

2014 GEITF Back to Work Scheme Winners at the Edinburgh TV Festival, featuring Radica Anikpe, 4th from left, and Media Parents' Amy Walker, 3rd from right. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4077/radica-anikpe

They say it takes a village to raise a child, I would add that it takes no fewer folk to facilitate the removal of one slightly over-excited writer/presenter/carer from London to Edinburgh for four days.

Radica was too excited to take any more photos beyond this point.

The pre-festival networking coaching session acted like balm to my petrified-of-networking soul. The upshot? Networking is just chatting, and remembering that it probably won’t lead immediately to a job, it’s just a chat, yeah? Nerves soothed, we were straight into the festival.

The festival is a full fathom immersion into the world of television, surrounded by those who make, commission and present it.  You are surrounded by the great and the good. Look, that’s Kirsty Wark! Look, that’s Peter Fincham. Look, that’s Stuart Murphy!

It was an inspirational trip, with the sessions alone being worth the cost of a ticket. Highlights for me included an informative session on sizzle reels: keep it long enough to cover the subject and short enough to remain interesting, and be wary of over-promising and thus shooting yourself in the foot come production.

Phil Edgar-Jones’ controller session was fabulously entertaining, especially as he had chosen clips with the aim of soothing sore heads (it was the morning after the big do, ouch!). His Sky Arts channels are all about celebrating genius in new and innovative ways and he is always happy to receive a short email with a programme idea.

Radica Anikpe, papped at GEITF, is now working in development at Channel 5 thanks to meeting Andra Heritage at the Media Parents Back to Work event.

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s hour on how they create their shows was an insightful look at how much rigour they apply to writing and performing.

I have a funny feeling that it could be one of those career-defining moments, but it is a little too early to be making predictions. I will say that it was a full-on, exciting, experience that I grabbed with both hands and not a little gusto. I schmoozed like I have never schmoozed before. Thanks to Amy I have a meetings in the diary with not one, but two commissioners and list of agents to email, and CVs sent to the BBC, among others. Never mind the ready-made peer group of my fellow winners.

Thanks Edinburgh, you were splendid. 2015, yeah?

Radica Anikpe is now working in development at Channel 5 thanks to meeting Andra Heritage at the Media Parents Back to Work event. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4077/radica-anikpe

Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events. The Media Parents November Back to Work scheme is currently open for applicants. Please scroll down the blog for details.

To cheer on the Media Parents GEITF Back to Work Scheme winners, and open admissions for our new Back to Work Scheme we had a drinks party in central London, attended by Discovery Commissioner Helen Hawken, Channel 5′s head of in-house content, Wall to Wall’s Head of Talent Susie Worster amongst other employers and a host of great freelancers. The evening was sponsored by Promotion Hire whose friendly team also joined us for the evening. Here are some photos from the night, and details of how to apply for our next scheme are below – applications close on October 20th and there are 6 places up for grabs with entry to the Televisual Factual Festival in November included.

Discovery Commissioning Editor Helen Hawken with Channel 5's head of in-house production Andra Heritage.

Vera Productions MD Rebecca Parkinson, with PD Ana Garcia.

2014 Back to Work Scheme Winner Radica Anikpe, right, is being mentored by Michelle Chappell, Commissioning Editor at Channel 5.

2014 & 2013 GEITF Back to Work Scheme winners Anna Coane, comedy producer, and Harriet Wallace, factual producer.

Susie Worster, Head of Talent at Wall to Wall talks to Producer Becky Jones.

Vera MD Rebecca Parkinson talks to BBC Comedy's Charlotte Lamb and Producer Julie Clive.

Brook Lapping's Paul Birmingham talks to freelancers.

2013 Back to Work scheme winner Sidra Khan has been working for Channel 4 as an edit producer since taking part in the scheme.

Rachel Tierney, PD, 2014 winner (left) talks to AP Hina Zaidi.

Production Coordinator Helen Landeau talks to BBC's Charlotte Lamb.

Caroline, Jude, Peter and Alain from Promotion Hire, sponsors of the event.

Media Parents' Kerry Jones and Amy Walker. Amy is currently Head of Talent at The Garden Productions.

Our latest Back to Work Scheme offers support to freelancers returning to TV after a career break. Six entrants have the opportunity to win a pass to the Televisual Factual Festival in November, in addition to a personalised mentoring programme. Media Parents provides individual coaching on every aspect of returning to the workplace. In addition to mentoring from relevant people at broadcasters and indies, Media Parents offers sessions on getting the most from mentoring, networking, CVs, personal branding, interviewing and stepping back into the workplace. The scheme is subsidised by Skillset which is offering a bursary for 80% of the course fee. For more details please email us at events@mediaparents.co.uk. Applications have now closed but you can still get tickets for the Televisual Factual Festival on November 13th and 14th.

The Televisual Factual Festival.  Exclusive Media Parents discount

13-14^th November 2014, BAFTA

The Televisual Factual Festival is the leading forum for business information and debate for factual television filmmakers, business executives and project leaders. With over 50 speakers, 12 sessions, the Pitch for Cash competition with a £5k prize fund and two Meet the Commissioners networking lunches, the Televisual Factual Festival is a must-attend event for anyone working in factual television. Book your exclusive discounted ticket online using the code MPdisc15. Offer expires 31st October http://www.televisual.com/festival

Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, events and training.

We’re delighted to announce a stellar line-up of companies and freelancers in attendance at the Media Parents Back to Work Drinks on October 1st. Media Parents GEITF Back to Work Scheme Winners from 2014 and 2013 will be attending. We’re sorry the guestlist has now closed, but we will be launching a new Back to Work Scheme, in conjunction with Skillset and the Televisual Factual Festival, so please do apply when the details are made public. Meanwhile here are company attendees at the drinks :

Helen Hawken - Director of Programming, Factual, DNI
Caroline Ross – Director of Human Resources, Shine Group
Priscilla Baffour – Industry Talent Specialist, Channel 4
Susie Worster – Head of Talent, Wall to Wall
Rachel Ayres – Talent Coordinator, Shed Media Group
Paul Birmingham – Production Manager, Brook Lapping
Andra Heritage – Head of Channel 5 in-house Production
Miranda Wayland – ITV Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Charlotte Lamb – Talent Coordinator, BBC Comedy
Amy Walker – Head of Talent, The Garden Productions / Media Parents
Kerry Jones – Media Parents
Caroline Bingham – Business Development, Promotion Hire
& the Promotion Hire team

Freelancers attending :