Media Parents is delighted to introduce the latest cohort of the Media Parents High End TV Drama Return to Work Programme which takes place in Manchester next week, and aims to return skilled workers to HETV drama production via training, mentoring and work placements. We are grateful to the lovely team at Dock10 (see below) for hosting this event.

zenna barry

Zenna Barry, returning production coordinator

Production Co-ordinator Zenna Barry established a successful photography business in Manchester to enable her to work around small children. Nine years later, she is back…

mike ogden

Returner Mike Ogden

Mike Ogden trained as a Camera Operator then ran his own small production company. He is returning to HETV drama as a Production Coordinator, with ambitions to be a Production Manager before long.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4273/mike-ogden

katriona edwards

Katriona Edwards worked at SKY before taking extended maternity leave. Crossing over from Producing factual to Production Management in drama she is re-entering the industry at Production Coordinator level. She is based in Wales and looking for work in Wales, Manchester or London.

Sign in and click to view Katriona’s profile link here.

Follow their progress here.

dock10

dock10 is the UK’s leading television facility. Based at the heart of MediaCityUK, The Studios and our specialist post production services are used to make everything from popular television shows, including the award-winning drama Happy Valley, prime-time spectacular The Voice, iconic children’s favourite Blue Peter and the sports fan’s essential Match of the Day – to outstanding VFX based commercials and corporate videos for leading brands. We are very grateful to the dock10 team for hosting the Media Parents HETV Drama Return to Work Programme for Manchester.

Dock10 bookings team

Studiobookings@dock10.co.uk

0161 886 5111

Join Media Parents for training, events and great jobs - www.mediaparents.co.uk

Joanna Crow

Joanna Crow, Thomasina Gibson and Becky Evans, Bristol Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's TV Returners

Winning a place on the Media Parents HETV Drama Return to Work Programme as a TV Drama Producer is a very exciting development for me as a mother and filmmaker. Having worked in Drama and Features for more than twenty years as a 1^st AD (credits include Marcella, Ripper Street, Life On Mars, Spooks, Finding Neverland, The Descent), the last few years with two children as my primary project have challenged my desire to create original and engaging drama.

I developed an opportunity with a local company to become Head of Visual Media which included managed increasing budgets for narrative-driven events, negotiating contracts, rights and deals with Netflix, Universal, Le Fondation Cartier, Aardman and others. I also produced and directed several short-form drama and documentary pieces (with selection at International Film Festivals).

I have continued to act as a consultant scheduler on dramas in development for Mammoth Screen, Kudos Productions, the BBC Drama department and various independents.  Complementing my production skills is my strong love of story: as a distinction level NFTS Script Development graduate, I’ve also continued to work with several writers connected with in the industry and am currently in development on a feature length horror with Neil Marshall (The Descent, Game Of Thrones).

I’m now operating as a development Producer, employing my production and narrative skills in creative ways for different organisations (Sony London Studios/Soho House/Judgeday/Objective Media).  I’m looking for scripts and projects to produce in High-End TV Drama.  Dream job: producing an episode of Black Mirror.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/14989/joanna-crow

Join Media Parents for training, events and great jobs - www.mediaparents.co.uk

Script Editor Becky Evans is the Media Parents Children’s Drama Return to Work candidate. She will soon take up a work placement with Kindle Entertainment via the Media Parents Children’s Drama Return to Work Programme funded by the Children’s Drama Levy managed by Creative Skillset.

becky evans

Script Editor Becky Evans is the Children's TV Returner funded by the High End TV Levy Fund managed by Creative Skillset

Script Editing has always been an important creative relationship for a writer, and it’s continually a privilege to play a role in making good writing even greater. I was lucky enough to be able to turn a love of story into a career that spans across three different genres. I’ve worked in the fast-paced environment of soap opera and series drama (EastEnders/Family Affairs/Holby City), been blessed with production time to be creative in pre-school animation (Thomas the Tank Engine) and enjoyed nurturing young minds in children’s drama formats (CBBC Projects – Living It & Dead Gorgeous).

Returning Script Editor Becky Evans will be placed with Kindle Entertainment via the Media Parents Children's Drama Return to Work Programme

To date I have eleven years’ experience in TV drama working in both script and story editor roles, and also have experience in drama development for future commissions. With a focus on returning to Drama Editorial and a particular interest in Children’s & Family Drama, I’m very excited to be joining Kindle Entertainment on a placement as a Development Script Editor via the Media Parents HETV Children’s Drama Return to Work Programme. Working with the award winning Kindle team will be a fantastic opportunity to revisit the world of story and generally expand my creative experience into 2018.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/15097/becky-evans

Join Media Parents for training, events and great jobs - www.mediaparents.co.uk

thomasina gibson

A freelance producer/director, journalist and author with 20 years’ experience in TV, film and DVD production, Thomasina Gibson has worked with national and international companies including the BBC, SKY, C4, Sony International Television, MGM International Television and the Sci Fi Channel. She is hoping to use the Media Parents HETV Drama Return to Work Programme to find work as a drama producer. She is currently being mentored by Pulse Films Executive Producer Patrick Schweitzer through the Media Parents scheme, funded by Creative Skillset.

Thomasina Gibson

“I recently wrapped my first independent film WE CAN BE HEROES – a family feature starring Alison Steadman and Phil Davis. I took the project from acquiring rights and developing the script through to completion and screening at the Edinburgh and Bath International Film Festivals winning 5* reviews and IMDb’s triple “F” rating. I independently raised the £750k budget via EIS and non-EIS investment.

My body of work includes behind-the-scenes and “Making of…” presentations featuring STARGATE SG-1, SMALLVILLE, SUPERNATURAL and SKY Movie News.  I produced and directed more than 80 short education resources (between 20’ and 45’) for the VEA Group. EUTHANASIA: A DEBATE was screened internationally to critical acclaim. Three further resources were submitted for Children’s BAFTAs.

As a freelance journalist and author I’ve published 8 books and more than 1000 articles in mainstream and genre press including Radio Times, SKY Magazine and SFX. I’m a film and entertainment consultant for Guinness World Records and have been a member of the Children’s BAFTA’s voting panel.

I’m currently participating in the Media Parents HETV Return to Work Programme and loving the entire process.  My ultimate aim is to gain employment in HETV Drama and/or Children’s television.

Join Media Parents for training, events and great jobs - www.mediaparents.co.uk

Do you want to increase your rate? Ask for more flexibility at work? Talk money without cringing? This event on Tuesday 27th Feb 2018 is for you!

"Make friends with Production Managers, they have the intel on rates" suggests Line Producer Jude Winstanley. You got a deal! Pictured with Media Parents Director Amy Walker at Media Parents Art of Negotiation event in 2017.

Back by popular demand, Media Parents’ Amy Walker and Line Producer Jude Winstanley lead this roundtable discussion with fantastic tips for negotiating in TV.

This works : Impact of the previous event included one freelancer increasing her weekly rate by £100/ week within the same contract, doing the job at the same company… Another freelancer wrote to thank us because she had upped her rate by £150/ week on a new contract.

Join us and industry figures including Maverick Television’s Head of Production Maria French, the Head of Production from Sister Pictures and more, in celebrating International Women’s Day with this empowering session.

Media Parents members only, see watercooler for guestlist details. To join please go here : http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/

jude winstanley

Jude is a freelance Line Producer in factual, entertainment and children’s formats and has been working in television production for 20 years. Her most recent credit was ‘Show Me What You’re Made Of’ kids series for CBBC, at Twenty Twenty Kids. She is available for Production Management contracts in Entertainment from mid March.

An event producer for RTS Futures, Jude also delivers guest lectures and workshops for universities, indies, social enterprises and industry bodies and is regularly invited to take part in a wide range of consultations on industry skills development. She is the founder of The Unit List. www.judewinstanley.com

See the watercooler at www.mediaparents.co.uk for guestlist details.

To join Media Parents for great jobs, training and events see www.mediaparents.co.uk

With sadness we are remembering Trevor Showler today, who attended many Media Parents events and has recently passed away. Details of his memorial service in London follow below.

Trevor Showler amongst the crowd at the Media Parents Christmas Party

In his own words, Trevor was an award-winning, creative storyteller offering a versatile breadth of top quality senior media experience including for BBC, ITV, C4, C5, Arte, ZDF, Nat Geo and Discovery Channels. As a Producer Director he had credits in current affairs, history, science and arts production for the BBC World Service, Network Radio and TV. Trevor headed up Specialist Factual and Factual development at ITV Wild & ITV Anglia. As a Series Producer and Producer/Director he made over 150 hours of UK network, international and US series. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends and his partner, Emma Kerr.

Trevor’s memorial service will be held at midday on Saturday 10th March 2018 at St Mary’s Church, 4 Holly Walk, Hampstead NW3 6QU. You are warmly welcome to attend and we hope to see you there.

Trevor’s memorial page is here https://trevor-showler.muchloved.com/

Trevor Showler right, with PD Matt Currington at a Media Parents event

Out of respect we have closed Trevor’s Media Parents account (and donated his subs to his memorial fund) but if you would like to read more about his work please click on the image below to see his personal website.

Media Parents - www.mediaparents.co.uk

Meet ITN Productions, Renegade Pictures, Outline Productions, 7 Wonder, Naked Entertainment, Amplify Pictures, Raw Cut, S+O Media, Media Parents and many more – fielding their MDs, Production Execs, Executive Producers, Directors of Production, PMs and coordinators for Media Parents latest event on Weds 17th Jan.

From Media Parents last event - join us at the next one on Weds 17th Jan

S+O Media are producing a brilliant handout for the event that guides you around the Sony FS7, Panasonic EVA, Sony F5 and Alexa Mini plus the chance to see those cameras demoed and get your hands on them.

The Head of Production’s Guide to Kit Hire with S+O Media – brilliant networking plus everything you need to know about what to hire, what not to hire and how to make your money go further. Meet Heads of Production and other specialists and get your hands on the latest kit. Sign up for a ticket ASAP, see the guestlist and ticket link  on the watercooler at www.mediaparents.co.uk.

Join us at the next Media Parents event on Weds 17th Jan

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 over the next nine months. The next cohort, covering Manchester, the North and Scotland (it will be taught in Manchester) includes a placement on Victoria and applications are invited until February 15^th, see below for details.

Mammoth Screen offers Media Parents returners placements on Victoria, shooting in Yorkshire in 2018. Photo credit : ITV

Our first cohort of returners is already under way, having trained in Brighton, and attended the Broadcast Commissioning Scripted Forum at BAFTA. Returning Production Manager Paula Watkins has completed her work placement with Fudge Park Productions on BBC Two’s White Gold, and is being mentored by BBC Production Executive Jacquie Glanville. Fred Archer is also training alongside Paula and looking for a Production Assistant placement.

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.ukfor an application form ASAP. Roles covered include but are not limited to

Mammoth Screen offers Media Parents returners placements on Victoria, shooting in Yorkshire in 2018. Photo credit : ITV

• 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 attendance at an industry conference. 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.

In addition to applicants for the scheme, Media Parents would love to hear from High End TV drama or children’s TV production companies able to offer mentors and/ or work placements for returners. Please use the contact tab at www.mediaparents.co.uk to reach us.

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.

Join Media Parents for Christmas drinks in a great atmosphere. An informal night without a CV in sight, Media Parents and Clear Cut cordially invite you to let your hair down with the industry’s funnest over a few drinks. Here are a few pics of our summer party with the Clear Cut team.

Media Parents' Amy Walker and Joanna Gretton with Maverick's Tamara Durnford

Danny Leitch and Alex Sunderland

Clear Cut Pictures is an award-winning post production facility with a 24 year history of providing full end to end post production bespoke services to all the major production companies for broadcasters both in UK and internationally. Rowan (above right) and her team look forward to welcoming you to Christmas drinks.

Thank you Rowan and her team, and to everyone who came and made it a great night - hope to see you at Wednesday's Christmas drinks!

See the watercooler at www.mediaparents.co.uk for guestlist details for our Christmas drinks on Wednesday 6th December. Please note that entry is by ticket only and numbers are limited so do return your ticket if you are unable to attend. Thanks – we look forward to raising a glass with you!

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

Media Parents holds annual drinks for returners to celebrate our Factual winners of the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme at Edinburgh TV Festival. This year we’re also celebrating the HETV Drama / Children’s Returners from the Media Parents Return to Work Programme funded by the HETV Levy, managed by Creative Skillset.

Media Parents Back to Work Team 2017 at Edinburgh TV Festival

Drinks take place on Thursday 16th Nov and will be attended by HOPs and MDs from Merman, Shine TV, Sugar Films, Hat Trick Productions, Fudge Park Productions, Sister Pictures, Amplify Productions, execs from Maverick, Curve Media, Shine TV, our sponsors S+O Media and Creative Skillset, the Media Parents team and, of course, many talented returners. If you would like to join us please contact us via the contact button at www.mediaparents.co.uk with your name, job title and company (and a CV if you are a freelance returner).

Media Parents HETV Drama Returners Paula Watkins and Fred Archer with Media Parents Director Amy Walker and Jenny Madalura, networking at BAFTA

Applications are open for returners to apply for our latest cohort of free HETV Drama / Children’s TV training until Friday 17^th November, please scroll down this blog for application details.

meet our event sponsors, S+O Media

S+O Media is a televisual crewing and facilities house based in West London. With over twenty years of production experience, S+O continue to provide the very best technical support and skill base of DoPs, Camera Ops, Sound Recordists, Gaffers and Sparks to the TV and Film industry.

Steph Keelan and Olly Wiggins set up S+O after the birth of their first daughter. With a background in production, Steph wanted to create a facilities house that was open and communicative, sharing knowledge and supporting clients to achieve the highest production value possible.

steph keelan, director S+O media

Now their children are older, Steph has returned to producing and directing, with her first documentary Swim the Channel airing last summer on BBC FOUR.

olly wiggins, DOP S+O Media

Olly is now an established Director of Photography, and continues to shoot and camera supervise for a variety of programming.

http://www.somedia.tv/

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is open for applications until November 17th. Scroll down this blog for details. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk