Flexible working champion Media Parents is launching a new Return to Work programme for High End TV Drama and Children’s TV, supported by the High End TV Levy Fund, managed by Creative Skillset. The programme will return nine experienced freelancers to the TV workplace over the next nine months via free training, mentoring and work placements with the producers of The Inbetweeners amongst others. The deadline for the first course applications is Weds 27^th Sept, click HERE for an application form and scroll down for details.

Fudge Park Productions is one of several HETV indies offering mentoring and placements on the Media Parents HETV Return to Work Programme

Fudge Park Productions, the film & TV company founded by the creators of hit TV comedy series and feature film The Inbetweeners, is one of several indies backing the new scheme. Head of Production Leo Martin said “The “Return to Work” scheme is a fantastic initiative and we’re delighted to be involved”. She will mentor a HETV returner, and the company, currently in production on a second series of White Gold for BBC Two, will offer a work placement to freelancers.

Experienced returners are offered to independent companies to work in production or office-based roles, their salaries will be covered by the scheme. HETV companies who could benefit from the free services of experienced freelancers should make contact with Media Parents.

Successful applicants to the first cohort of the scheme will be attending the scripted sessions at next week’s Broadcast Commissioning Forum. “Media Parents has run a return to work scheme predominantly in factual TV for five years with a 100% success rate, so it’s great to be moving into HETV Drama and Children’s TV too now” said Media Parents Director Amy Walker. For other enquiries please use www.mediaparents.co.uk contact button.

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is open for applications until Wed 27th Sept, scroll down this blog for details. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk

I was delighted to have been accepted on the Media Parents Edinburgh Back to Work scheme. I dearly want to return to the job I love and, in time, move up from Producer Director to Series Producer without feeling somehow apologetic that I have commitments outside the office, writes PD Josie Besbrode. And this is the start of that process. I’m pleased to say that thanks to Media Parents social media coverage I’ve already had an offer of flexible work, and although it was too soon for me to take it up, I hope its a sign of things to come.

Having spontaneously shared my cab from Edinburgh airport to the TV festival with Natalie Hill, an Exec from Hello Halo who was very encouraging about working parents and generally just fun to chat with, I was feeling buoyed. I headed straight in to meet Talent Managers, Victoria Goodwin from the BBC, Simon Wright from Elephant House Studios, and Sallie Leak from True North. It’s been easy to stay within a familiar network circle and it felt good to start expanding that.

I also met up with Development Exec, Morgana Pugh from BBC Studios, who made me feel excited about upcoming projects, which was a welcome reminder of my continued love of the job. Head of Development at Sundog Pictures, Nicky Huggett, also praised how supportive the company is towards staff and freelancers; another cheer. I heard quite few times, in fact, that contrary to my fear, working mums are welcomed. Not only because 50% of factual TV is directed by women and some of them will inevitably procreate but also because they get s*!t done on time. I’m yet to confirm or deny this but pleased to have the reputation.

Nicky Huggett Head of Development, Sundog Pictures with Josie Besbrode PD

A great highlight was meeting Pat Younge co-founder of Sugar Films who was brimming with useful advice. He said to set goals 6 months ahead to avoid being overwhelmed. Books he recommended include Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family, Wild Courage (Elle Harrison) and Strengths Finder (Tom Rath). We also talked about stepping up and how useful it is to be supported through that process.

Which brings me neatly on to Warner Brothers who I am very pleased to be mentored by. Meeting Lisa Cox from Ricochet, who champions working parents, was a delight, and am very excited to continue that relationship.

It wasn’t just networking and free bacon sandwiches, however.  Jon Snow humbled everyone during his MacTaggart lecture when he implored us to open our ears and arms to those beyond the TV elite. David Attenborough talked, need I say more?  Actually he did say, there’s people all across the country capturing fantastic imagery of wildlife in their gardens and local area and therefore the broadcasting of natural history footage should be shared with the audience, which really stuck with me.

Sir David Attenborough in session

Ben  Frow ‘in therapy’ session gave a refreshingly candid account of both himself and Channel 5′s achievements. The day he was sent to boarding school as a young boy was the worst of his life, what proceeded shaped him into the determined, inclusive but also shy and rejection fearing man he is. He likes the production process at Channel 5 to have as little interference from himself and commissioners as possible and confessed when the ratings first came in for their hit show Rich House, Poor House he thought “‘Oh I better watch that”.  And on that note, so must I…

I am exploring job sharing as a possible way ahead – if you are interested please get in touch via events@mediaparents.co.uk and watch this space.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/10764/josephine-besbrode

Sugar Films MD Pat Younge with Media Parents Back to Work winners Josie Besbrode and Emma Sayce

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is open for applications until Wed 27th Sept, scroll down this blog for details. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk

Flexible working champion Media Parents is delighted to be partnering with Creative Skillset to provide FREE Return to Work Training for eight production freelancers in High End TV Drama and one from Children’s TV, from early October.

Media Parents Back to Work Team 2017 at Edinburgh TV Festival

Freelancers who have taken a career break for childcare and would like help to return to work in High End scripted TV or Children’s TV should contact www.mediaparents.co.uk for an application form before September 27th. Roles covered include but are not limited to :

• Producer
• Line Producer
• Production Manager
• Production Coordinator
• Production Assistant
• Production Secretary

The course offers paid returnships, mentoring, job-specific refresher training, confidence and presentation coaching, and free attendance at an industry conference, beginning with the Broadcast Commissioning Forum. Building on five years of success of the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme, this course offers all the tools needed to return to work with confidence in High End TV Drama or Children’s TV.

The first course will take place in early October in Bristol and London, preference will be given to regional applicants. Applications close Sept 27^th and successful applicants will be informed on Sept 28^th or sooner. Two further courses will follow. Please keep an eye on this blog for further details.

We welcome applicants who have taken a career break due to childcare responsibilities and who are now ready to return to work. Inclusion is important to us, we encourage applications from those currently under-represented in the industry, including women, black, Asian and minority ethnic, and disabled people.

The Media Parents Return to Work in High End TV Programme is supported by the High End TV Levy Fund, managed by Creative Skillset.

Creative Skillset works with the UK’s screen-based creative industries to develop skills and talent, from classroom to boardroom. The High End TV Levy Fund, overseen by the High End TV Council, ensures a sustainable funding legacy to develop industry skills to support the next generation of High End TV drama talent.

Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk