Media Parents

Posts categorised as: Events

5 minutes with composer Isa Suarez over the bank holiday

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If you met Composer Isa Suarez at Media Parents Spring Drinks you will have sensed her intelligence, creativity and unconventionality. If you are free this bank holiday Monday you can join Isa who will be playing all the instruments, troubadour-style on a walking, day-long creative writing workshop in Dungeness.

Composer Isa Suarez, right, with BBC Commissioner Caroline O'Neill at Media Parents Spring Drinks. Isa is running a storytelling workshop in Dungeness on Bank Holiday Monday

Join composer Isa Suarez, renowned playwright Anders Lustgarten and wild storyteller @sophiejanesnaps  for a day long creative writing workshop taking you on a journey across the Dungeness coastline as part of @kinetikapeople  @beachofdreamsorg

This experience invites you to explore storytelling through walking, writing, and creative dreaming – responding to the land’s rich history and present-day challenges.

How do we tell stories with the land?

Poetry, story, song and performance will become tools for reimagining the past, present, and future of this extraordinary coastline.

Throughout the day we will learn about historical figures and events that have shaped this land, from the lighthouse keepers, artists, smugglers, lifeboat crews and poets, to the impacts of wars and climate change.

Musician @isa___suarez  will underscore the day and artist @miked_director will help us record what we create as we experience this unique coastline together.

This event is for open-minded folk ready to experiment and collaborate. Over the course of the day, you must be prepared to physically and mentally immerse yourself in the environment – whatever the weather!

If you’re curious and want to join us for a section of our walking workshop, this is also for you!

DM @sophiejanesnaps if you want to find out more, or book here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dawn-til-dusk-telling-and-retelling-dungeness-tickets-1308896999159?aff=oddtdtcreator

To find out more about Isa’s work, go here:

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/12898/isa-suarez

To fully benefit from Media Parents join us here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

May 2, 2025 @ 3:42 pm Posted in Events, Freelancer Profiles, TV Training Comments Off

Insights from Media Parents In Development

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In the hope of empowering and emboldening the freelance community in the current TV climate, Media Parents hosted “In Development”,  Media Parents’ Amy Walker was joined by Miranda Peters and Meredith Chambers, both legendary creators who shared their development thoughts with attending freelancers. Meredith will be attending Media Parents Spring Drinks on May 1st, along with Amy Walker and companies including Soho Studios, Big Fish Little Fish, Mentorn, South Shore, Box to Box and more… To sign up for the last few places subscribe here or see the Media Parents watercooler for link.

Meredith Chambers, Amy Walker and Miranda Peters - Media Parents In Development Online

Miranda Peters – Surviving 9/11 Exec Miranda Peters is Head of UK Development at Candle Media True Stories, Reese Witherspoon’s factual indie. The label, which was launched in 2023 by former ABC News chief James Goldston, hired Miranda Peters from Top Hat ProductionsPeters credit list also includes the BBC’s Exposed: The Church’s Darkest Secret, Paramount+’s  The Box, and Twitter: Breaking the Bird, currently on iPlayer.

Meredith Chambers is an executive producer whose credits include documentaries and formats including … Million Pound Menu (BBC2 and Netflix),Class of ‘92:  Out of Their League (BBC and Netflix) and Celebrity Cooking School (E4).  Meredith was Creative Director at Twenty Twenty where he created First Dates (C4), he was Executive Editor at BBC Wales where he exec’ed the BAFTA winning documentary ‘Between Life and Death’, and as Commissioning Editor for Documentaries at Channel 4, he commissioned and oversaw flag ship series including HospitalWife SwapThe Secret Millionaire and Cutting Edge.

He’s now working with independent producers as a consultant and exec on high end documentaries and formats. Meredith encouraged freelancers to be bold with the ideas they generate and pitch “anything in the middle won’t cut through”. Miranda echoed this “Beckham or Bust” sentiment. “Be strategic with what to pitch – crime pays at the moment – think of how to tell the story of a true crime in a different way.” And that thought goes for all ideas across genres.

"It's Beckham or bust for commissions at the moment" Miranda Peters

She added “Streamers just want hits – these can be surprise hits, but they want absolute buy-in and reassurance that the story is full of hooks, and twists and turns – this is most common in retrospective story telling. They don’t want observational docs (unless they are reality) – the BBC is the only broadcaster in the observational space it feels.”  The BBC has redeveloped its pitching portal Amy Walker added, you can access it here.

Both Meredith and Miranda talked about the “why” of your film. Amy  added -  ask yourself in any genre, “Why? Why now? and Why this producer/ production company?”. Someone investing in your idea will undoubtedly be thinking about who they’re investing in, from on-screen to production talent.

Miranda shared that her company Candle Media True Stories accepts pitches from independent producers. They can expect to get a deal of between 1 and 20% of the production fee depending on how developed the film is. And if it’s a streamer budget, that could be a healthy chunk. In the crime space story spots (from a newspaper etc) can work, with elements that touch you, a rich, layered story. “Streamers want a story not only with twists and turns but that can feel like a new story completely from one episode to another – turning itself on its head.” Development teams are combing every area for adaptable stories – books, articles, plays – “It doesn’t have to be a new story, it can be an old story, well told”. Likewise pegs like anniversaries can be a good springboard.

"You need something no-one else has got" Meredith Chambers

Meredith stressed the need for “something no-one else has got – talent relationships and access can secure a commission. Be bold with where you aim your sights at this point – the talent is looking for projects too, it’s not just production that is struggling for work at the moment. There are some big names available – even doing daytime!”

“Titles say it all” says Meredith, in the fact ent and features space. Broadcasters may have first look deals and want to suggest talent, get involved with casting and producing in detail from an early stage. Often it’s relationships that get the commission over the line – as Miranda illustrated with the relationships that secured her recent access for documentary “Twitter: breaking the bird, currently available on iPlayer.

Whether you try to go it alone, creating a pitch deck, sizzle (“It doesn’t have to be glossy” says Meredith – “it can be two sound bites that make me think I must hear more”) and pitching direct to broadcaster via one of the portals “SKY replied to me recently within a week” Amy observed.

Join us for Media Parents Spring Drinks on May 1st, Central London

Or, if you decide to link up with a production company in advance, three key pieces of encouragement surfaced here:

Firstly, from Miranda “It’s your idea, stick to your guns and negotiate, taking the idea to several production companies to get a better deal if you need to”. Secondly, from Meredith, ”Even if you warehouse it through a production company and don’t get the best deal – you’ve still got something away. Your name is on it somewhere, it’s on your CV to your credit. Go for it and go boldly!” Thirdly from Media Parents’ Amy Walker: “There are plenty of freelancers on Media Parents who pitch ideas either to indies to get jobs, or who get series away. Don’t block yourself and if you want another opinion on an idea, reach out to Media Parents, Meredith through his Media Parents profile, or pitch to Miranda via Candle True Media. You just never know…”

Contact Meredith Chambers by logging in, here.

Contact Miranda Peters here.

Contact Amy Walker at Media Parents here.

Our next event is in person drinks in Central London on May 1st, join here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

April 17, 2025 @ 1:17 pm Posted in Events, How To, News, TV Training Comments Off

Media Parents In Development Event

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Join Media Parents Director Amy Walker as she digs into Development with some of the best… Guests include Candle Media’s Head of UK Development Miranda Peters and exRDF/ Electric Ray MD Meredith Chambers, discussing how to land indie meetings with your ideas, and how to approach a JV if that unicorn crosses your path.

Click here to sign up for a free ticket.

Meredith Chambers, Amy Walker and Miranda Peters - Media Parents In Development

miranda peters

Surviving 9/11 Exec Miranda Peters is Head of UK Development at Candle Media True Stories. The label, which was launched in 2023 by former ABC News chief James Goldston, hired Miranda Peters from Top Hat ProductionsPeters credit list also includes the BBC’s Exposed: The Church’s Darkest Secret and Paramount+’s The Box.

meredith chambers

Meredith Chambers was until recently co-MD at RDF, and before that co-MD at Electric Ray, where he oversaw shows like  Million Pound Menu (BBC2 and Netflix), Class of ‘92:  Out of Their League (BBC One and Netflix), Alone at Home (C4), Call That Hard Work (BBC One) and Celebrity Cooking School (E4).

Prior to this Meredith was Creative Director of Twenty Twenty where he created international hit First Dates (C4) and other successful titles including The Hoarder Next Door (C4) and My Transexual Summer (C4).

Earlier in his career Meredith was Executive Editor at BBC Wales where he created award winning shows including the BAFTA winning documentary ‘Between Life and Death’, and Commissioning Editor for Documentaries at Channel 4 where he commissioned and oversaw flag ship series including Wife SwapThe Secret Millionaire and Cutting Edge.

amy walker

Media Parents Director Amy Walker will chair Media Parents In Development. She alternated her production career with spells of physical recovery and mental stimulation in development. Having worked in factual and docs as a director, PD, commissioned development exec, and showrunner, Amy moved into Talent Execing. After a spell in commissioning at Discovery, she went on to showrun a BAFTA-nominated series for Channel 4, followed by series 1 of a now longrunning drama doc streamer series for Arrow Media/ Discovery.

A diversity and flexible working champion, Amy set up Media Parents, a selective TV jobsite, networking and training organisation. She designed the website in 2010, and has since supported the return and retention of hundreds of experienced TV freelancers.

Click here to sign up for a free ticket.

Our next event is online on April 1st, see mailing list for more details. Scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers, join here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

March 14, 2025 @ 5:37 pm Posted in Events, How To, News Comments Off

Join us for Media Parents Spring Drinks!

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Join us on May 1st for Media Parents Spring Drinks in Central London. New additions to the guestlist include BBC Commissioner Caroline O’Neill, Colette Foster and Catherine Welton from FullFatTV, Louis Froude from Samphire Films, Zara McFadden and Katherine Bovey from ITN, Charmaine Evans from STV, Gayl Paterson from Dragonfly Film & TV and Rowan Bray from ClearCut. Scroll down for the guestlist which is now closed.

Companies represented include Arrow Media, BBC, Box to Box Films, Brinkworth Productions Ltd, Big Fish, Little Fish, Dragonfly, FullFat TV, ITN, new indies Samphire Films and Soho Studios, South Shore, STV, We Are Doc Women and of course Media Parents. Scroll down for the guestlist so far.

Media Parents Jan Drinks provided a great opportunity to meet or reconnect with companies like Strawberry Blond

Huge thanks to Film+TV Charity for hosting the last ones, we had a great time and made some great connections. If you would like to see our gallery for a flavour of what goes on, go here: January Drinks or here: Autumn Drinks. Look forward to seeing you there!

Caroline O’Neill

Colette Foster

Catherine Welton

Rowan Bray

Gayl Paterson

Amy Walker

Commissioner

Founder and CEO

Chief Creative Officer

MD

Talent Manager

Director

BBC

FullFatTV

FullFatTV

ClearCut

Dragonfly FTV

Media Parents

Bill Thomas Director Arrow Media
Charmaine Evans

Clare Richards

Head of Talent

PD / Founder

STV

BBC / We Are Doc Women

Iain Pelling Co-Founder Arrow Media
Ian Lamarra Founder & CCO Soho Studios
John Deol PD/SD/Edit Producer South Shore
Tina Lohmann

Lewis Froude

Head of Production

Production Exec

Soho Studios

Samphire Films

Justine Walton Jake Dawson Film+TV Charity
Mark Dolan Series Editor Brinkworth Productions Ltd
Zara McFadden Head of Talent ITN
Ros Attille Head of Children’s Big Fish, Little Fish

FREELANCERS include

Meredith Chambers: MD / CEO

Read Meredith’s blog contributions to our online development event here.

Anna Coane: SP / S Edit Producer

Read Anna’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/2251/anna-coane

Anika Pilnei: EP / PD

Read Anika’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18539/anika-pilnei

Daren Tiley: offline editor

Read Daren’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/9614/daren-tiley

Richard Hughes: Shooting PD and DOP

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/6200/richard-hughes

Tom Colvile: Shooting PD https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/7749/tom-colvile

Kasia Uscinska: PD / Edit Producer https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/1582/kasia-uscinska

Sam Lang: PD / Cam Op

PD https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/917/samuel-lang

Amy Walker
Anika Pilnei
Anna Coane
Bill Thomas
Caroline O’Neill
Catherine Welton
Charmaine Evans
Claire Seeber
Clare Richards
Colette Foster
Cristina Balduin
Daren Tiley
Dom Longmuir
Elena Samia Coveney
Eliza Frost
Fiona Cushley
Francesco Ficarra
Gayl Paterson
Hannah Bairsto
Heidi Perry
Iain Pelling
Ian Lamarra
Isa Suarez
Jackie Garbutt
Jake Dawson
Jennifer Franich
Jim Shreim
Jo Tracy
John Deol
Justine Walton
Kasia Uscinska
Katherine Bovey
Katie Rice
Kelly Ann McHale
Leonie Hodge
Lewis Froude
Lucienne Powell
Lucy Maxwell
Luke Williams
Mark Dolan
Martin McAleese
Marvin Browne
Mavreen Brown
Mel Moore
Meredith Chambers
Michele Kimber
Michelle Akpata
Natalie White
Rachel Chatterjee
Rain Chapman
Richard Hughes
Richard Hughes +1
Rowan Bray
Ros Attille
Rosa Devlin Holmes
Sally Hall
Sam Lang
Simon Davies
Sunita Shroff
Teresa Hagan
Timo Behnke
Tina Lohmann
Tom Colvile
Tony Lee
Tosca Barnes
Verity Hughes
Vicky Pannell
Vince Knight
Zara McFadden

Still a few places left for subscribers so please sign up here to be assured of a place, booking details on the site watercooler.

Our next event is online on April 1st, see mailing list for more details. Scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers, join here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

@ 5:18 pm Posted in Events, News, TV Returners Comments Off

Don’t give up on your creative calling mid career

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Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8th, there is a clarion call to creatives from several of this year’s longlisted BAFTA films, writes Media Parents’ Director Amy Walker. If you haven’t heard the call yet, it urges mid career (and later) creatives (women particularly, caregivers, creatives of all genders) not to give up on their creative calling, difficult though that may be. If you are feeling stuck reading this, rest assured you are in good company, and there are empathetic people cheering you on. You can read the Film + TV Charity’s recent Looking Glass Report (and get funding support) here. The secret of a sustained creative career isn’t always brilliance, it’s largely about not giving up, right?

Nightbitch is a dark, dark comedy starring Amy Adams, rising from the creative ashes of her lowest, lost moments of motherhood. You don’t have to be a mother or a middle aged woman to find yourself laughing out loud at this film that reflects most of our struggles at the moment. Adams’s character fights her situation, her husband, her heritage, her self – to rediscover self-expression. It’s not easy, it skirts insanity via magic realism, and – no spoilers here – it is a fight worth watching (and fighting)!

The Substance, if you haven’t already seen it, is a darker, Faustian dive into the extreme choices we may feel forced to make to maintain our later careers/ selves. And in The Last Showgirl, Pamela Anderson’s character Shelly grapples with society and her daughter’s condemnation for putting her now dying career in entertainment before motherhood. And for what? So interesting… Back in Europe (way, way back) Firebrand is about agency. Please watch it if you haven’t seen it, I imagine you will be cheering.

These powerful, funny, important films imprint on you. We need to sit exhausted and uncomfortable with the themes of resistance and persistence – if we can, we need to dig deep – and act.

If you can’t find work, create. You can create opportunities for work or meetings via our online Development Meet coming up on March 19th. If you are taking work outside TV to pay your bills, there is no shame in that. You can still say you work in TV even if you’re not right now, you have earned that through your previous experience. If you’re determined to get out or reinvent yourself, we have a great blog coming up that is going to inspire and empower you.

Even if you do none of the above, come for a drink at our London drinks on May 1st. Inertia never helped anyone. Do whatever you need to pull yourself out of the hole. Creativity doesn’t have to be paid. If it makes you feel better to rest, rest. But if it makes you feel good to be creative, create.

If you would like to discuss anything related to TV work, you can log in and use the Media Parents watercooler (anonymously if you like) – request collabs, share inspiration, have a moan…

Our next event is on March 18th, see mailing list for more details. Scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers, join here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

February 25, 2025 @ 3:47 pm Posted in Events, How To, TV Returners, TV Training Comments Off

5 minutes crunching some TV numbers

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It’s been an intense couple of months looking for work. So I rejoined Media Parents to attend last week’s January networking event, and to apply for jobs. I’ve had work through Media Parents in the past, and been to their networking events before, so despite the state of the industry, I felt confident I would feel welcomed rather than competed with, and would enjoy myself. At the event we introduced ourselves by name and job title around the room and I found myself listing a long list of potential job titles to a round of applause.

We all introduced ourselves to the floor at Media Parents January networking. It's really helpful for everyone to know who's who

At Thursday’s event Amy explained that freelancers applying for roles through Media Parents will be in a group of up to 10 applicants. Many jobs are exclusive, but where they are listed elsewhere, employers say they look at Media Parents applicants first. How do they know? Application mails via the site are branded. Why do they like it? Media Parents is the only selective jobsite, requiring freelancers (not just restricted to parents) to have at least three years TV experience before joining. So much less sifting for hiring companies. From attending the event I can vouch that most people have much more experience than three years. So Media Parents is win, win for freelancers and hirers.

Media Parents Jan Drinks provided a great opportunity to meet or reconnect with companies like Strawberry Blond

I just want to say thank you so much for the networking evening and for the work that you do at Media Parents. I am so glad I made the journey. I am just reaching out to the people I met there. I’d say that I picked up contacts from 30% of the people in the room, including some employers I would love to work with.

I did some more stats for myself which I found interesting and really clear. I thought I would share them with you. I usually go from job to job without too much of a gap. Or have done for many years.

Researcher Hannah Bairsto, seen here with HOP Tina Lohmann, said it was the best networking event she had attended because it was friendly and relevant

Here are my stats as a freelancer of 23 years in two months of job searching, December 2024 to Jan 2025, prior to joining Media Parents:

****Job applications: 24 – for PD/SD across ob doc/fact ent/talent led genres.

Average number of applicants: 200 – 300 for every job (guestimate from the large numbers of applicants per job on the large jobsite I’ve previously been applying through + assuming they are not exclusive to that site).

Number of interviews – 3 (12.5 % hit rate)

Number of jobs got: 1 and it has been delayed until end of 2025.

***Number of speculative reach outs to talent managers / people I don’t know - 20

Number of emails back – 5

Expressions of interest for future work – 5

****Number of existing contacts with actual real work on the horizon who would earmark me – 1

*** number of my industry contacts who have called me saying do I want work? – 0

This element has been wiped out and was always there before. Although it formed 40% only of my work contracts.

For more info about Media Parents January Drinks scroll down this blog

Reason for these stats: My contacts are not in work, or have left the industry, or have many mouths to feed in terms of who they are hiring. I understand many jobs are not advertised (as backed up by yesterday’s Media Parents email and ring round) – but, I agree with Talented People’s Industry Health Check that broadcaster and streamer-approved candidates are going from one job to the next. If the same people are working on what is being commissioned then like any eco system it will start to fail or massively diminish and no longer flourish. Even the bits that are left.

Prognosis:  Doing what I did before is unlikely to find me work on the basis of these stats. Hence joining Media Parents to increase my reach and opportunities.

Actions:

  • Apply for jobs on a platform with a great reputation / less competition
  • Meet new people and build new relationships (watch out for Media Parents next event which will be online on Feb 19th)
  • Write for this blog which has a reach on social and direct mail of 35K people in TV. I’ve made this post anonymous as I feel it’s a bit contentious, but I will be writing, I will

Our next event is on Feb 19th, see mailing list for more details. Scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers, join here:https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

February 7, 2025 @ 2:02 pm Posted in Events, Freelancer Profiles, How To, TV Returners Comments Off

Media Parents January Drinks

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Media Parents was delighted to hold January Drinks on Thursday 30th Jan, hosted by Film + TV Charity in their glorious Central London building. The wine sponsors for this event were https://storytailors.tv/ – thank you!

Heads of Production from Raw Cut and Strawberry Blond, Tina Lohmann and Jess Hamilton meeting Media Parents freelancers in the crowd

What happens at Media Parents drinks? There’s no agenda! We are keen to get TV companies, freelancers and organisations in a room to catch up. If it’s your first time at an event we make an effort to meet you, and introduce you to other people who could be useful to you to know. If it’s not your first time at a Media Parents event, we are pretty confident you loved it the first time!

PD Sam Lang with Comedy Producer Anna Coane

Curve Media's Head of Production Ruth Cody and Exec Claire Simpson worked the room

Story Films Production Exec Donna Blackburn introduced the company's slate, with StoryTailors' Martin McAleese, Curve Media's Claire Simpson, EdTVFest's Dulcie Bushill and freelancers looking on

Strawberry Blond MD Steve Wynne made it back from Leeds

PM Amy Swan successfully navigated a career move from editorial into PMing global series, seen catching up here with Media Parents Line Producers Flo Crum and Katy Southwood

New contacts made and swapped between PD Kasia Uscinska and Editor Liz Convey

Film + TV Charity Community Development Manager Lucy Maxwell introduced the space, counselling and financial support that is offered, see below...

January Guest List

Donna Blackburn

Tina Lohmann

Kate Maddigan

Line Producer

Head of Production

Head of Studios

Story Films

Rawcut

Renowned Films

Steve Wynne MD Strawberry Blond
Jess Hamilton HOP Strawberry Blond
Claire Simpson Exec Curve Media
Hilary Platt

Olivia Evans

Zara McFadden

Ops & Finance Director

Development Producer

Talent Manager

ITN

ITN

ITN

Martin McAleese Head of Production Partnerships StoryTailors
Dulcie Bushell Programmes Producer EdTVFestival
Alon Ziv Creative Director / Exec Nola Creative / Lion TV
Ruth Cody HOP Curve Media
Amy Walker Director Media Parents
Stephanie Weit Managing Partner StoryTailors
Katherine Bovey Development Executive ITN
Katie McAfee Talent Executive Tinopolis
Lucy Maxwell Community Development Manager Film+TV Charity
Matt Holden SP Little Bird
Ros Attille Head of Children’s and Young Audiences Big Fish, Little Fish

(log in to click through on profile links)

Michele Kimber: PM

Read Michele’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18138/michele-kimber

Anna Coane: SP / S Edit Producer

Read Anna’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/2251/anna-coane

Anika Pilnei: EP / PD

Read Anika’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18539/anika-pilnei

Daren Tiley: offline editor

Read Daren’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/9614/daren-tiley

Flo Crum : Production Exec

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/5245/floury-crum

Katy Southwood: Line Producer/Production Executive

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18573/katy-southwood

Richard Hughes: Shooting PD and DOP

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/6200/richard-hughes

Tom Colvile: Shooting PD https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/7749/tom-colvile

Anthony Willis: PD / Writer / Editor

Read Anthony’s latest blog

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18343/anthony-willis

Claire McMahon Brown: Snr Producer / Edit Producer

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/15530/claire-mcmahon-brown

Jules Seymour: SP

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/126/jules-seymour

Kasia Uscinska: PD / Edit Producer https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/1582/kasia-uscinska

Katie Rice: PD

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/10020/katie-rice

Liz Convey: returning offline editor

Stephen Mizelas: Director / SP

Sam Lang: PD https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/917/samuel-lang

Matt Currington: S/PD

Avigail Cenci di Bello: Producer / Writer

Hannah Bairsto: Researcher

Gaby Koppel: SP

Tom Ranson: Director

Quinton Smith: Editor

Barney Snow: S/PD

Janet Awe: Development/ Producer

The Film and TV Charity supports everyone working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema, including full-time staff, freelancers, writers, production teams, and more. It offers a 24/7 confidential support line, legal and financial guidance, Stop-Gap Grants, a Bullying Advice Service, and free counselling. The Charity is also working to change the culture of our industry,  providing resources like the Whole Picture Toolkit for mentally health productions, financial guidance and wellbeing advice, as well as promoting equity and inclusion across the industry. For more information, visit its website or call 0800 054 0000. You can also sign up for its monthly newsletter for updates on services, events, and opportunities. Every day at Storytailors is a thrilling ride—we’ve set up Keanu Reeves to race through the Slovenian countryside, transformed a Romanian salt mine into a playground for MrBeast, and ensured Ford’s latest EV glides effortlessly through Bhutan for Amazon Prime. With a network of over 1,500 vetted media professionals across 150+ countries, we deliver everything from full production to local access, film permits, crew hire, and logistics for entertainment, documentaries, and drama. Our clients include leading indies like the BBC, Plimsoll, Nutopia, and Box To Box, as well as major streamers like Netflix and Disney. https://storytailors.tv/work-with-us/

No photos of Media Parents' Amy Walker this time so here is one from Media Parents Auntumn Drinks

At Media Parents we’ll do anything we can to help TV  freelancers work, and TV companies find great freelancers. Join us! Message via our contact button for returns for this event.

Scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers, join here: https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/signup/?t=freelancer

January 26, 2025 @ 9:38 pm Posted in Events, How To Comments Off

Say Hello to Tinopolis Talent Exec Katie McAfee

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Tinopolis talent exec Katie McAfee won our hearts at Media Parents Autumn Drinks! First by being there and being fun, meeting people irl and via our zoom link up – and secondly by offering this brilliant December CV Surgery!

Katie McAfee zooms with remote Media Parents members at our Autumn Drinks. Get your CV in front of her this December

Twelve lucky Media Parents members will have the chance to send in their CVs to Katie via Media Parents by the end of November. Then on December 5th Katie will offer each person five minutes of tailored advice on zoom. If you would like to take up this amazing offer please join Media Parents and see the watercooler for event details. Sign up quick!

tinopolis

Katie McAfee the Talent Exec for Tinopolis Factual which includes the production companies Mentorn Media, Firecracker Films and Pioneer Productions – all making content across the factual spectrum for UK and US broadcasters. Some of our productions include:

Traffic Cops, Inside the Force, Question Time, Emma Willis Delivering Babies, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Open House the Great Sex Experiment, Mother Undercover, Gold: a journey with Idris Elba….

To find out more about the event and book in, see the watercooler at https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/

Our next event is on Dec 5th, scroll down the blog for more info www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers go here: https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk

November 15, 2024 @ 5:43 pm Posted in Events, TV Training Comments Off

Media Parents Autumn Drinks Gallery

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Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for Media Parents Autumn Drinks – we had a great time! Freelancers met with hirers including ITN, All3Media, Dragonfly, Yes Yes Media both in the room and live from the event on zoom. We were so well looked after by the ClearCut Pictures team led by Rowan Bray and Phil Knowles – thank you! Watch this space for more, join us at Media Parents to join in!

Join us inside... Media Parents for networking, jobs, training and community https://www.mediaparents.co.uk

Big Fish Little Fish Head of Children's and Young Audiences Ros Attille has a serious discussion about fashion with the ClearCut team. Richard studies the floor

Dragonfly's Head of Talent Gayl Paterson chats with freelance PD Tom Colvile

“Thank you for a lovely evening!” Jo, Exec Producer

Freelancers Mav Brown PM and Tom Colvile, with Story Films' LP Donna Blackburn

All3Media's Annie Conlon, centre, and PM Michele Smith left.

“Glad it was fun,  it felt very retro to be meeting in person!   I think it was a mixture of reassuring those who are looking for work and networking for those in work, seemed a really positive event.” Rowan, ClearCut Pictures

Producer Katie Flamman with Offline Editor Daren Tiley, very pleased to be back on the blog after all this time. Editor Liz Convey behind

PD Lorraine Molloy, left, made it all the way from Cornwall. PD Heidi Perry with ClearCut MD Rowan Bray. Thank you so much for lovely hosting

“Thanks for a brilliant meet up last night, it was really nice to catch up with some familiar faces, and meet some new ones too. And it was so nice of Clear Cut to host again.” Anna, Producer / SP

Huge thanks to Offline Editor Alex Kirkland who hosted a simultaneous zoom from the event, joined by freelancers and companies

Tinopolis' Katie McAfee was no sooner through the door than she was zooming - thank you Katie

It was great to have you around and I’m glad everyone enjoyed themselves. Was good to see everyone get over the initial awkwardness and socialise.” Phil, ClearCut Pictures

Director of Production Sarah Buckenham from Yes Yes Media meets with a returning freelancer

Thank you Zara McFadden ITN for making everyone laugh on zoom

“Great to meet the other night. Really good event and good energy in the room!” Jim, SP

I love this pic of Producer Julie Dawson-Wills

Box to Box's LP Emily Freshwater and Scripted PM Richard Godfrey had a laugh with the zoom attendees

This is just a quick note to how much I enjoyed yesterday evening’s Autumn Drinks at ClearCut Bloomsbury. Thank you for arranging the evening and making sure that I was meeting other invitees that might be relevant to my career.” Richard, PM

“A quick thank you for organising the event last night. It was great (and a bit strange) to be among so many people. And thanks also for all you’re doing to support everyone just now.” Tom, SP

Media Parents' Amy Walker with returner Steph Carpanini - thank you Jo Woolf for the photo!

A good time was had by all. It can be a lot to get to an in person event after working remotely, or looking for work for a while. The energy in the room was great, and the garden was good to escape to too!

“Thank you so much for organising such a lovely event last night. It was so nice to meet yourself and so many others in real life!

Thanks also very much to Clearcut for hosting – and I’m so sorry that we outstayed our welcome! How did it get to 9pm so quickly?!” PD, Eliza

Spot the back of Little Bird TV SP / Exec Matt Holden. Thanks Jules Seymour for the photo

Yes Yes Media's HOP Sarah Buckenham with Lucy Maxwell, Community Development Manager from Film + TV Charity. FTVC have available funding for freelancers who need stopgap help to pay rent and bills, and also have free available counselling support for freelancers - get in touch with FTVC to find out more

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for Media Parents Autumn Drinks – we had a great time! Freelancers met with hirers including ITN, All3Media, Dragonfly, Yes Yes Media both in the room and live from the event on zoom. We were so well looked after by the ClearCut Pictures team led by Rowan Bray and Phil Knowles – thank you! Watch this space for more, join us at Media Parents to join in!

www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in TV

October 18, 2024 @ 5:35 pm Posted in Events, News, TV Returners Comments Off

Event: Ace Your Job Applications with Media Parents

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Back to School comes with its added pressure of Back to Work for some of us, writes Media Parents Head of Talent Amy Walker. Media Parents is offering subscribers brilliant free coaching workshops, online and in person, to make sure your online applications hit the spot. Participants are a mix of freelancers looking to improve their applications and returners working on their application tactics for relaunch. It’s always a friendly and supportive group online and in person.

Join Media Parents for jobs, masterclasses and networking

Join us on Friday September 20th at 10:00 for a cracking overview session : Ace Your Applications – and get (back to) work. The 45 minute online / in person event will be led by Media Parents’ Amy Walker. The session will be followed at 11:00am by a second online / in person event focusing on TV CVs. This small interactive event has big ambitions to help you navigate best practice in TV CVs and gives us the chance to workshop. Led by Media Parents Head of Talent Amy Walker it is one in a series of events giving an overview of TV applications – cover letter, CV wins, Zoom presenting and interview tips – so you nail the opportunities that are out there.

Amy Walker leads Media Parents freelancers in an Ace Your Job Application Masterclass online

To find out more and sign up to sessions go here. All sessions are free to Media Parents subscribers – if you are not yet a subscriber go here to subscribe, or message us here for more information.

Friday Oct 11th Event

Click here for a ticket to Ace Your Applications General Event 10am Friday 11th Oct

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1014480196577

Click here for a ticket to Interviews and Networking Masterclass Friday 11th Oct 11am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/interviews-and-networking-friday-11th-oct-ace-your-job-application-tickets-1014508651687 As this session is also about job interviews please bring a list of questions you anticipate at a job interview.

If you would like to join Amy Walker in person for this final training event, you can book a place at no extra cost in the gorgeous private room at renowned gastropub The Crown, Hastings. Taking a day out by the sea can be a great way to clear your mind and bring a fresh perspective to your career path. The food at The Crown is great so I highly recommend booking for lunch afterwards. Email for details.

Events are free to subscribers, informal and in a small group. You can join camera on or cam off and ask questions in the chat. If you are not a subscriber or you have questions in advance hit us up via the contact button on Media Parents website.

Keen beans can prep in advance for the event by reading and working with Media Parents CV blog with tips from loads of industry employers, and Amy Walker and TV friends’ cover letter tips.

If you’re looking for work at this point and some extra support would help see the links below for the Film + TV Charity’s FREE Counselling service. Having worked with and interviewed many returners I would urge you to talk through the barriers of getting back to work before your interviews, so these feelings have been aired and are not the focus of your interview conversation. This helpline from Film + TV Charity 0800 054 0000 is not The Samaritans – it’s for people who want to talk and offload the problems of TV, or not working in TV, yet. https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/get-support/get-help-now/

Media Parents Autumn Drinks in London Tuesday October 15th

www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. Join our latest event on Friday 11th October from 10am til midday.

August 26, 2024 @ 9:10 pm Posted in Events, How To, News, TV Returners, TV Training Comments Off