Thanks to everyone who came along last night and made the Blue 2.0 Media Parents Summer Party a roaring success! It was great to see Back to Work Sponsors Channel 4, Endemol Shine, BBC and the CDN meeting freelancers at the party. Don’t forget to share details of our Media Parents Back to Work Scheme as we still need applicants. Here are the first photos, more coming soon…

It was rammed! Big thanks to the Blue 2.0 team for making everyone from Media Parents so welcome!

betty's Claire Birch and Ros Attille from Midnight Oil Productions join the party...

Pretzel Films' Head of TV Steve Wynne with show runner Sharon Delwiche.

Atul Setia, Blue 2.0 Chairman & SEO with Executive Director Mark Bos and Alice Lister, Head of Production at ClearStory.

Members including Endemol Shine Exec Producer Matt Holden (pictured, find him) celebrated 5 glorious years of Media Parents on the roof terrace at Blue 2.0 in Soho.

Blue 2.0's Commercial Director Nicola Whitehead with Team BS and Objective Line Producer Allison Dore.

Rawcut MD Steve Warr brought his team along. Rawcut are looking for Edit Producers to start next week and the week after.

Media Parents Director Amy Walker with Melina Media MD Fenia Vardanis.

The boy band Blue 2.0 - with thanks to all of Blue's excellent team of runners for looking after us. More photos to come...

The Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is accepting applicants until August 1st - for details see blog post and email events@mediaparents.co.uk Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events.

Join us at Blue 2.0 TONIGHT with employers and freelancers from the BBC, Channel 4, Clear Story, Ricochet, the CDN, Objective Productions, Firecracker, Barcroft Media, ZigZag, Blast! Films, Endemol Shine, Midnight Oil Productions, Spun Gold, John Yorke Academy, NBC Universal, Melina Media and others for a cracking party…

Join us at Blue 2.0 Media Parents Summer Party this Thursday...

Blue 2.0 and Media Parents are having a summer party at blue 2.0 from 6:30pm on July 30th to celebrate the all-new blue 2.0 and Media Parents’ 5th birthday! We’d love you to join us on the roof terrace for drinks!  The party will be a great laugh, and a brilliant opportunity to network over a glass of wine with execs and freelancers across the board.

Blue 2.0's Commercial Director Nicola Whitehead will be there...

Blue 2.0 will kindly be providing complimentary drinks, and refreshments for earlybirds. If you are a production exec, PM, SP or anyone who books facilities and would like to take part in a the blue 2.0 Aperol Spritz tour at 5:30 please let us know – Nicola Whitehead and Mark Bos at Blue 2.0 are keen to show off their facilities! See more here http://blue2p0.com

Blue 2.0 work with the very best in the business, producing distinctive, creative, audience-pleasing Drama, Factual, Factual Entertainment, Documentaries and Short Form. Our dedicated team of producers, creative broadcast artists, sound designers and support staff have substantial industry experience and knowledge. Everyone on the team is motivated to deliver the highest standards of creative and technical excellence.

And don’t forget that applications are open for the Media Parents GEITF Back to Work Scheme 2015 until July 31st please let your contacts know. Details are on the blog at http://www.mediaparents.co.uk – we’d be grateful if you would pass it on.

More about the Blue 2.0 Team…

Nicola Whitehead, Commercial Director

I began my Post Production career in 1995 as a Runner at blue (now back to blue 2.0). Having worked my way up in the Post Production world as a Bookings Manager, Post Producer and then finally Head of Production I bring a huge wealth of experience and technical know-how to each project. I have overseen award-winning projects such as ‘The Nuremburg Trials – Goerings Last Stand’ (‘Best Specialist Factual’ BAFTA TV Awards) and other high profile productions including, ‘The Beckoning Silence’(International Emmy Winner) , ‘Stephen Hawking’s Universe’ ‘ Great British Bake Off’ (BAFTA Winning) and the multi award winning ‘Live from Space – a lap of the Earth’ for Arrow Media.  From Mary Berry’s soggy bottom to Dermot O’Leary Live in Space (almost) I’ve looked after it all.  I worked through the transition of 4:3 – 16:9, Tape to Tapeless, SD to HD and now HD – 4k and counting.  So I’ve seen a lot of changes, not Black and White to Colour though! I look forward to meeting with you, the Media Parents.”

Blue 2.0's Executive Director Mark Bos.

Mark Bos, Executive Director

Mark has worked in the TV/Film industry for over thirty years. He started in the cutting rooms in Soho. And has worked for Granada in Manchester, BBC, CH4, PBS USA. Mark was also on the launch team for TV3 London. Twelve years at ITV in production as Producer/Director ending up as a Series Producer and two years in front on the camera! Here’s the link (I am not proud) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeV_jwNxe9w Ten years at Fremantle Media in production as Production Executive and running the regional production office and in house post facility. Too many series to list them all but here’s a few Grand Designs, Property Ladder, How Clean is your house, Four Rooms, Escape to the Country. Mark joined Blue 2.0 in early May as Executive Director and is loving the challenge of building a new brand! We all look forward to meeting you over a drink.

The Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is accepting applicants until July 31st - for details see blog post and email events@mediaparents.co.uk Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events.

We’re delighted to announce that Media Parents is partnering with BBC Wales, Channel 4, ITV Studios, Sky, Wall to Wall, Endemol Shine UK, the CDN and GEITF to support parents getting back into TV via the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme for a third year running. The scheme has a 100% success rate in returning experienced TV professionals to the industry, and applications are now closed, see www.mediaparents.co.uk for details. Read on to see what Sky’s Celia Taylor and Channel 4′s Ralph Lee have to say about it… Applications for the scheme have now closed, thank you and congratulations to everyone who applied.

The 2014 Media Parents Back to Work Scheme Winners at Edinburgh TV Festival.

Media Parents (a social enterprise set up to promote flexible working and help working parents balance the demands of media and childcare) is running a mentoring and placement scheme to help parents and carers back in to the TV industry following a career break. Seven successful applicants will be awarded sponsored places at the Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival (GEITF) and returned to the TV workplace via mentoring and networking.

Channel 4's Ralph Lee is a Media Parents mentor.

Channel 4’s Deputy Chief Creative Officer Ralph Lee, a mentor on the Media Parents Back to Work scheme, says “A lot of talented people in our industry face challenges managing the development of their careers and their roles as parents.  It’s great that Media Parents Back to Work Scheme helps people return resume their careers and supports them in achieving a work life balance in a demanding work environment.”

BBC Wales's Judith Winnan with a freelancer at a Media Parents event in Cardiff.

Judith Winnan Head of Factual for BBC Wales comments “BBC Wales has been working with Media Parents to strengthen our relations with the freelance community in Wales and it’s great to be part of a scheme that is specifically aimed at helping experienced professionals return to work.

Media Parents’ Director Amy Walker says “It’s fantastic to be running the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme again at a time when the importance of diversity in the workplace is being recognised, and when the BBC squeeze could see freelancers under greater strain to find work. This successful scheme will offer skilled parents the opportunity to bring their talents back to TV through networking and mentoring. Previous mentors have included Channel 4’s Ralph Lee, BBC Worldwide, Channel 5 and Discovery Channel commissioners – it’s a great network.”

Sky's Head of Non-Scripted Commissioning for Sky Entertainment, Celia Taylor.

Celia Taylor, Head of Non-Scripted Commissioning for Sky Entertainment backs the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme: “As a working Mum I fully appreciate the importance of this scheme and I am really happy to fully support it”.

Richard Thomson, Wall to Wall MD at a Media Parents networking event.

Richard Thomson MD, Wall to Wall, says “We have a number of returners at Wall to Wall and are delighted to be helping other experienced individuals back into the workplace. This is a great initiative.”

ITV's HR Director Sue Harrington

ITV Studios’ HR Director Sue Harrington commented “I’m delighted ITV Studios is able to support this years Media Parents Back to Work scheme.  We’re a family friendly employer and helping talent return after a career break is something we’re very supportive of’.

Bella Lambourne, HR and Operations Director at Endemol Shine UK notes “Endemol Shine UK is delighted to be able to be part of this scheme again after the previous success stories.  Enabling and encouraging talent to return and remain in production is as important as ever for the content industry.”

Endemol Shine's Bella Lambourne at a Media Parents event.

Amanda Ariss, Executive Director of the CDN, comments “The Creative Diversity Network is delighted to support Media Parents’ Back to Work programme which has a great track record in helping parents and carers reconnect with the industry and their peers, and at a time when diversity of talent, ideas and backgrounds has never been more vital to the industry’s creative way forward.”

The CDN's Amanda Ariss.

Successful candidates will be awarded a delegate pass, plus accommodation in Edinburgh, with bespoke mentoring sessions from the sponsors. To apply by MIDDAY AUGUST 5th please send an email to events@mediaparents.co.uk to request an application form, and scroll down this blog for further details. Download here  application form 310715 media parents GEITF Back to Work Scheme

The Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is accepting applicants until July 31st - for details see blog post and email events@mediaparents.co.uk Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events.

Not content with only partnering with Media Parents on the Back to Work Scheme, GEITF is also offering cheaper places : It’s the 40^th anniversary of the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival on 26-28 August and to mark the occasion, we’ve curated an event that promises to be one of most important, entertaining and star-studded yet.

From MacTaggart speaker – Oscar- and Emmy-nominated writer Armando Iannucci – to the “world’s most influential”/ “Britain’s most dangerous” woman Nicola Sturgeon, plus the man currently in the media spotlight, John Whittingdale MP, our programme reflects this most pivotal of moments in broadcasting history.

With 60-plus sessions, new commissioner speed meetings and channel controller drinks, make sure you’re part of the crowd of decision-makers and creative leaders by registering now at www.thetvfestival.com.

Key speakers include:
Ben Anderson,  Chris Bryant MP, Frankie Boyle, Kellie Bright, Nick Broomfield, Kay Burley, Julia Davis, Victoria Derbyshire, Stacey Dooley, Rick Edwards, James Harding, Adam Hills, Ross Kemp, Peter Kosminsky, Shane Meadows, Jimmy Mulville, Mark Lawson, John Logan, Richard Osman, Ron Perlman, James Purnell, Sarah Sands, Meera Syal, Katharine Viner
Plus: Channel controllers; US game-changers, YouTube talent; commissioning editors…

To qualify for the special Freelancer rate of £299 you will need to provide an invoice to a company for provision of your services. To find out further information on how to qualify for this discount and to book visit:

http://www.thetvfestival.com/festival/prices-offers/

Passes for freelancers are £299 (+VAT & booking fee) which is a £100 reduction on the 2014 rate.

http://www.thetvfestival.com/festival/festival-programme/

The Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is accepting applicants until July 31st - for details see blog post and email events@mediaparents.co.uk Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events.

Media Parents Back to Work Scheme alumnus Series Producer Ali McBride writes about her latest productions. Ali was a winner on the 2013 Media Parents Edinburgh Back to Work Scheme, and the 2015 Scheme is now open for applications so please apply!

Series Producer Ali McBride relaunched her career via the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/6744/ali-mcbride

It’s been a busy few months since I last checked in.  The good news is that the series I was working on, Call The Council, has finally made it to air.  And fear not – if you missed the first few episodes, it’s on BBC1 every morning at 11am until the 17^th of July and/or iPlayer too.

Seeing it finally make it on air has brought back many memories of what can only be described as a fab production.  It could be that I’m experience that feeling after childbirth, of course… i.e. as soon as it’s over, you forget the pain but I really don’t think so. Looking back, it was genuinely one of those productions that just worked. The reason? Simple – the team… we just clicked.  For those of you who have battled through a daytime series you know it ain’t for the faint hearted.  It’s fast, relentless and unforgiving. As soon as one deadline passes, the next is on its heels and looming large. That said, our team quickly got into our groove and, as with parenting, realised the only way to survive it was with a bloomin’ good schedule!

"It was genuinely one of those productions that just worked. The reason? Simple - the team… we just clicked."

At the helm of keeping us in line was our Production Manager and mum of a 4yr old who worked part-time (or should I say was so darn efficient that she managed the whole production in part-time hours!).  Most of the team locked in edits were parents too actually, often juggling viewings around football training and baby pickups. Now not everyone on the team came in every morning wiping snot off their shoulder but a lot of us did.  And those who didn’t, and remained snot-free, seemed able to stomach the odd witterings about surviving drop offs unscathed etc.

Our production survived toddler tantrums, teething and temperatures – and all done with lots of laughs and good humour.  There was also a quiet understanding that when one of us said ‘I’ve got to go now’ we were able to. No drama, no questions, no glancing at the clock.  Just an understanding and appreciation of what that meant. Sometimes the planets just do align on productions; the right people, the right content, the right attitudes – but whatever it was, I’d love to get that team back together for another run.

At the moment, I’m Series Producing a very different beast of a production. It’s the Current Affairs output for The One Show on BBC1.  This time, there aren’t as many other parents on the team but there really is only so much time a girl should spend talking about teething and temperatures so perhaps that’s not such a bad thing!

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/6744/ali-mcbride

The Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is accepting applicants until July 31st - for details see blog post and email events@mediaparents.co.uk Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events.

We’re delighted to announce that Media Parents will partner with broadcasters, indies and GEITF for a third year running to support parents getting back into TV with our Media Parents Back to Work Scheme – there are 7 places up for grabs this year – so please apply! Applications for the scheme have now closed, thank you and congratulations to everyone who applied.

Media Parents (a social enterprise set up to promote flexible working and help working parents balance the demands of media and childcare) is running a scheme to help parents and carers back in to the TV industry following a career break.

Media Parents (a social enterprise set up to promote flexible working and help working parents balance the demands of media and childcare) is running a scheme to help parents and carers back in to the TV industry following a career break.  The seven places are sponsored by BBC Wales, Channel 4, CDN, Endemol Shine, ITV Studios, Sky and Wall to Wall.

In 2014 six successful media parents / carers were awarded sponsored places at the Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival (GEITF) and returned to the TV workplace – this year we’re offering the opportunity again. Will you win a place?

6 Media Parents Back to Work Scheme winners attended the Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival in 2014, seen here with Media Parents Director Amy Walker.

Successful candidates will be awarded a delegate pass, plus accommodation in Edinburgh, with bespoke mentoring sessions from the sponsors. To apply by July 31st please send an email to events@mediaparents.co.uk to request an application form.

Candidates are required to have 3 years’ experience in TV and should not have worked continuously in TV for more than 12 weeks since their career break. This doesn’t mean you need to have been out of work for 12 weeks, it means you can’t have worked continuously for 12 weeks since you have returned to work.

There is no submission charge but successful applicants must subscribe to either the talent or network section of www.mediaparents.co.uk for one year to prove their commitment to returning to the workplace. Thank you for your interest, we look forward to working with you. Download application form here application form 2015 media parents GEITF Back to Work Scheme

The Media Parents Back to Work Scheme is accepting applicants until July 31st - for details see blog post and email events@mediaparents.co.uk Please join www.mediaparents.co.uk for great jobs, networking and events.