Media Parents

Posts categorised as: Events

media parents CV event gallery

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Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our recent CV event, it was great to see so many connections being made – and even job shares being discussed ahead of our May jobsharing event. Special thanks to companies who joined us including jobsharing talent managers from Twenty Twenty TV, Maverick TV’s Tamara Durnford, Brinkworth Films, Outline Productions and Haresh Patel, who is looking for a flexible producer / business getter for his new VR / AR venture. A good time was had by all. If you’d like CV tips please scroll down, and in the meantime here are some photos of the event, also see our twitterfeed @mediaparents.

Many thanks to everyone who joined us for another great Media Parents evening

Twenty Twenty's job sharing Talent Managers Kate Farnaby and Sophie French have also job shared as Series Producers

Zoe Russell-Stretten from Brinkworth Films (left)

Well done to all those who attended their first Media Parents event, we know you'll be back!

PM jobshare Monica Rubio and Sarah Bell were networking as a pair https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2018/03/5-minutes-with-job-share-post-production-managers/

Thanks to Maverick's Tamara Durnford for meeting so many freelancers

Outline Productions' part time Production Exec Emily Freshwater came into town on her day off for the event - thank you Emily!

RDF West's Emily Knight took the late train back to Bristol after meeting freelancers who will work out of Bristol and Cardiff.

If you'd like to know more about Media Parents events drop us a line and scroll down the blog.

Media Parents' Amy Walker offers free CV advice at any time to Media Parents members.

"I've never seen so many cocktail sausages in my life". Let's leave it there.

FOR MORE CV TIPS PLEASE GO HERE https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2014/01/new-year-new-cv-new-job/

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

April 26, 2018 @ 12:16 am Posted in Events, TV Returners, TV Training Comments Off

Media Parents CV Event April

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Join us on Wednesday 25th May for a Media Parents networking event – CVs at the ready! Meet companies including Warner Bros, All3Media, RDF Media, Outline Productions and Brinkworth Films over a glass of wine to discuss vacancies or bring a CV and gain valuable CV insight from industry experts.

Companies attending are looking to meet Series Producers, Shooting PDs, DOPs, PMs, PCs, strongly editorial Producers and APs, people for development roles coming up, Line Producers, Event Producers, part time researchers, part time project manager / business development person for a start up company. Anyone (variety of roles) with Fact Ent experience especially experience in any of the following: food with big talent, art based shows, rig shows, big event style fact ent ie. formats which are big set-ups. People who will work out of Bristol / Cardiff / West Country. Details of the event and the guestlist are on the watercooler at www.mediaparents.co.uk.

Join us on Wednesday for another great Media Parents event in Central London

Details of the event and the guestlist are on the watercooler at www.mediaparents.co.uk.

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

April 23, 2018 @ 10:42 pm Posted in Events Comments Off

Media Parents Social: Screening with Sir Ian McKellen

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Huge thanks to DLT Entertainment and 2Act Films for inviting Media Parents members to attend Friday night’s Leicester Square screening of The Academy, starring Sir Ian McKellen and Frances Barber.

DLT Exec Michaela Hennessy-Vass talks to Media Parents Development Producer and Voiceover Artist Emma Hyman whilst Sir Ian McKellen talks to a fellow cast member.

We were delighted to spend the evening in the presence of Sir Ian and many of the cast and crew, including the film’s writer, producer and editor Peter Hinton, a Media Parents Networker.  The film was transmitted in four parts with live entertainment from Sir Ian and other cast members in the intervals – a wonderful surprise that complemented the film brilliantly.  The film has been piloted but is yet to find a broadcaster.

Click on the following link to hear Sir Ian McKellen on Frances Barber.

The Academy's Writer, Producer and Editor Peter Hinton takes a bow. Peter is in the NETWORK section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

If you missed the screening, you can see the promo by clicking on the image below.

www.mediaparents.co.uk for great TV jobs, networking and information.

September 9, 2012 @ 9:40 pm Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

BBC Fast Train Event in Manchester

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Fast Train North is produced by the BBC Academy and Creative Skillset and is designed to support the development of the North’s world-class talent pool. The event is held in the BBC and the University of Salford buildings at MediaCityUK. Fast Train features more than 200 individual sessions and they are all free of charge. For example there are training sessions involving scripts, studio camera, the BBC Sports post-production system; sessions in Adobe and others in FCP as well as self-op camera, video journalism, tapeless workflow and Intellectual Property.   You can also book a 1-to-1s session with a talent exec, commissioner or production exec of your choice. There are key execs attending from the BBC, ITV, C4, Blakeway and Nine Lives Media (or of course the Crewing Company…) among others. Book your place via the Eventbrite link above. There are also masterclasses running through out the day where panels of specialists debate key issues in content making and answer challenging questions from the chair, and also from you in the audience. There are about 14 masterclasses, including one where you can pitch to win £5k; as well as sessions about current affairs, live soaps; drama, comedy and Children’s content.     Masterclass contributors booked so far include: Tom Edwards, Tony Prescott, Kate Oats, Robbie Sanderson, Matt Cleary, Alex Gardiner, Steve Boulton, Mike Lewis, Andrew Sheldon, Brian Hardman, Danny Brocklehurst, Steven Marchant, Jem Stone, Holly Goodyear, Sam Lewens and Rebecca Papworth as well as many others. Follow the link to book and DON’T worry if sessions are ‘sold out’ – there are TWO more ticket releases.  You can attend for a morning or an afternoon or both, and you are also invited to the 6pm networking drinks, sponsored by ITV. http://fasttrainnorth.eventbrite.com/
If you have more than 3 years’ media experience see www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information.

September 4, 2012 @ 2:08 pm Posted in Events, News Comments Off

Media Parents : how to network

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I recently took part in a networking workshop at the BBC, writes Amy Walker, chaired by Simon Smith from the BBC College of Production.  Joining me on the panel were Michelle Matherson, BBC Factual Talent Exec, and Caroline Meaby who runs the MGEITF Ones to Watch scheme.

Networking: Simon Smith, BBC College of Production; Newsnight Producer Brendan Miller & Caroline Meaby from MGEITF, Media Parents Director Amy Walker and BBC Factual Talent Exec Michelle Matherson.

Michelle talked about how to move on up in your TV career and how to get your CV noticed (liberally sprinkle your covering letter with programme ideas), and Caroline talked about the great networking opportunities at Edinburgh TV Festival  via the Ones to Watch scheme, so if you have between 3 and 5 years’ TV experience you can apply – this also includes people who have had time out to raise children.

Here come some tips for networking when you get to Edinburgh, or when you join us at one of the brilliant Media Parents networking events. Whenever I talk about networking people generally roll their eyes and tell me they are rubbish at it, but I think anyone who likes talking to and finding out about people can be a successful networker – and enjoy it - so please read on.

An arty shot of the latest Media Parents networking event. Please see www.mediaparents.co.uk for more details of our events, and jobs.

Nervous? Prepare in advance. Find out who’s going to the meeting, what they do or what programmes they’re making, and when you get there try to connect with people who are in your field.

Guest lists from Media Parents events are usually published on the watercooler at www.mediaparents.co.uk in advance of the meeting, so you can work out who you’d like to talk to.  At larger meetings where you don’t know people use Google images to work out who to make a beeline for – yes, it’s professional stalking but it works. If you know the delegate list or guestlist you can probably earmark someone to talk to.  Most people are delighted to be approached.

Why am I doing this? Think about your reasons for networking, it will help you focus and stick to your guns. Don’t expect to get a job immediately – you’re primarily making contacts at this stage. People network for different reasons - to gather and exchange information, and to make friends as well as get jobs. It’s unlikely that you will hear about work straightaway, but you might make a contact that eventually leads to work – so play the long game.

Media Parents drama TALENT Kathy Hughes talks to Angela Effanga at the Media Parents networking event in May.

Be yourself and put your best self forward. Think about how you’re presenting yourself – do you look like someone who can efficiently deliver a TV programme that looks good? Create the same impression of yourself that you’d want to put across at a relaxed job interview, so wearing similar clothing can help. Use social media, like the Media Parents website, to connect after the networking event. You can also take business cards to exchange.

Enjoy yourself. Don’t go overboard with the wine and get plastered, but do remember, networking is really just professional gossiping – it’s fun.

It’s a two-way conversation – LISTEN too. There is nothing worse than being talked at. Share what you know – about who’s hiring, or about where’s good to work – what goes around comes around.

Stage fright? Lyn Burgess from the Magic Key Partnership teaches this acronym to prompt conversation if you dry up:

Family

Occupation

Recreation

Motivation

There’s a link to Lyn’s networking session for Media Parents at the end of this blog.

Media Parents Talent, Editor Leo Carlyon whips out a business card complete with QR code to give to Phil Stein at Media Parents drinks.

Follow up. Take business cards with you. I recently saw an Editor hand over a business card with a QR code on the back, it made it very easy to reconnect. Use social networking to follow up afterwards – you can use the Media Parents network to reconnect too and as most people’s profiles have photos on them it’s easy to track people down if you’ve forgotten names.

Be more visible online. Think of social media as your professional megaphone – make sure your profiles are up to date, or direct people to one up-to-date source like your page on www.mediaparents.co.uk. Make sure you represent your professional self well - keep photos and public facing information on message!

Take your leave politely. If you’re stuck with someone, or get the feeling they’re stuck with you do say “It’s been lovely to talk to you. I think we should meet some other people too.” Everybody understands that.

And do thank the organisers of the event afterwards, it’s nice to be remembered for good manners.

Thanks to all of those who came along to the Media Parents networking event in May, book the babysitter for June 12th! More info soon at www.mediaparents.co.uk

More on the BBC College of Production here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/collegeofproduction/

Useful links on networking:

https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2011/01/media-parents-lifecoaching-session-how-to-network/

https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2010/12/how-to-network-effectively/

The next Media Parents event is on June 12th. See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information.

June 1, 2012 @ 12:59 pm Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

Encounters : Calling All Filmmakers and Animators

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Calling filmmakers and animators
Submit your shorts to Encounters by 6 June for a chance to showcase your work at the UK’s leading short film and animation festival! 

See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information.

 
Call for Entries 2012 – Deadline 6 June

As a dedicated short film festival, Encounters is one of the best-known showcases and networking events for emerging film talent, providing filmmakers and animators with an amazing platform for their work as well as the chance to rub shoulders with industry professionals in a dynamic, fun and informal setting. The festival’s international juries will discern a whole host of awards this year, including the UWE European New Talent Awards (animation and live action) only for graduating students or first time directors, with €1,000 prizes up for grabs. Not forgetting that we are also the leading UK gateway to the world’s most prestigious short film and animation awards, including the BAFTAs, Cartoon D’Or, European Film Awards, and Oscars®!

Short films completed from 1 Jan 2011 and under 30 mins in length from every genre are eligible for submission. The deadline for entries is 6 June, with an early cut-off this week for our Children’s Jury Award programme (25 May).

All submissions, whether or not they are selected for the Encounters programme, will be made available for festival delegates at the festival and online via our Digital Viewing Library.

Visit www.encounters-festival.org.uk to submit.

May 31, 2012 @ 12:15 pm Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

Meet Media Parents at BECTU Freelancers Fair Friday June 29th

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Come say hi and workshop your CV with Media Parents at the BECTU fair on June 29th. See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information.

Join Media Parents at BECTU Freelancers fair on Friday 29th June.  Get free CV advice from us and take part in the seminars on offer below.  Entry costs 10 pounds for non BECTU members.

Seminars:

Starting with one that I’ve taken part in on the BBC/TRC Media Series Producer Programme, so I know it’s good!  Media Parents Editor Leo Carlyon also went to this session at the FastTrain event this week and thought it was great:

14.30 – 15.30 Combining Words and Pictures … Scripting for Factual TV presented by Frank Ash, courtesy of the BBC Academy

This session is for anyone who wants to improve the quality of their commentary writing.  Principally aimed at those in factual, but relevant to all. Writing effective commentary is one of the most challenging aspects of programme-making. This session will offer participants an insight into the essential ingredients of writing to complement and enhance pictures and sync, including the type of language to use, and the importance of rhythm and finding the appropriate style for your film. As well as practical tools and tips, the session will look at a number of case studies from different factual TV genres.

10.00 – 11.15 Back to the Future: What lies ahead for British Film? We debate film policy and key recommendations from the Film Policy Review and the BFI’s Forward Plan. Our panel will include Maggie Ellis (head of production & talent development at Film London), Roy Button OBE (senior VP and managing director of Warner Bros Productions), celebrated film director, Ken Loach and Martin Spence (assistant general secretary, BECTU).

11.45 – 13.00 Budget Blues: Making shows on a shoestring Investment, or lack of it, governs the range and quality of what we see on our screens and impacts on the way we work. Join John McVay from PACT and Kate Townsend from Storyville.

14.00 – 15.15 Data Wrangling: How to master this key technical challenge Managing your digital workflow and backing up what you’ve filmed securely is one of the most fraught – and potentially fiddly – aspects of shooting tapelessly. This taster session will help answer your questions, and show you how to handle your digital footage simply, safely and reliably.

15.45– 17.00 Get Your Career on the Right Track with top tips from the expertsEveryone knows that competition for jobs in film and tv is fierce and never more so than in the current recession. How do you get that all-important first break? Join this session for top tips on how to make your talent shine through, from our panel of industry experts: Caroline Carter, BBC talent executive; Colin Campbell-Austin, people development manager, Channel 4; Alison Small, director of the Skillset Film Industry Craft and Skills Academy; Carys Morgan, Broadcast Hotshot and head of development at Minnow Films.  The session will be chaired by documentary film-maker, Marc Sigsworth.

60 Minute Talks

11.30 – 12.30 Accountancy Question Time, chaired by Steve Sykes, Blue Skies Partnership

Steve Sykes will provide a briefing on key accountancy issues for freelances and then the floor will be yours! PAYE, Schedule D, VAT registered or not, Limited Co or sole trader? Submit your questions for our guest panel in advance to selliott@bectu.org.uk or bring them along to the discussion.

13.00 –14.00 New entrants: is it possible to avoid exploitation?

New entrants are caught in a double bind: they need experience but there is a severe shortage of paid entry opportunities. The national minimum wage exists to protect the vulnerable from exploitation but sadly some employers in our industry are willing to break the law. Join us to find out about your rights, how you can enforce them and what you can do to get paid. Our speakers will include, Martin Spence, BECTU assistant general secretary, Michelle Wyer, assistant director, National Minimum Wage Compliance Unit and a representative from Intern Aware.

16.00 – 17.00 Cast, Direct, Produce: The Importance of Collaboration in the Making of Quality TV Drama

The success of Downton Abbey, Titanic, The Tudors and others suggests that a new era has dawned for British drama. Lyn Burgess, top personal and business coach to the entertainment industry, will chair a conversation on the ins and outs of television drama casting, directing and producing.  Join Lyn, producer Madonna Baptiste (Margaret Thatcher:The Long Walk To Finchley), director, Diarmuid Lawrence (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) and Jill Trevellick (Merlin) to discuss the importance of team collaboration, creativity, and imaginative casting to ensure success in quality TV drama. The session will be followed by an opportunity to network. PLEASE NOTE: This particular session is aimed solely at casting directors, TV directors and producers.

Advance booking for all sessions is strongly advised. Please avoid booking sessions where the times conflict.

Freelance Toolkit Workshop

Two sessions of the Freelance Toolkit will be delivered by the much-lauded David Thomas of David Thomas Media. 16 places per session. Advance booking essential.

CV/Showreel Clinic

Courtesy of the Crewing Company (which is also exhibiting along with its sister company Alias Hire) visitors can book in advance for a 15 minute One to One to review their promo material. Advance booking essential; places are limited. Prepare to subject your promo material in advance to make the most of the opportunity.

Accountancy Corner

Visitors will also be able to meet with a team of tax experts for advice and information. Arrive early to book a one-to-one.

BECTU members free, non members use this address to book your place:

http://www.bectu.org.uk/events/2012/06/29/713

Come say hi and workshop your CV with Media Parents at the BECTU fair on June 29th. See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information.

May 19, 2012 @ 11:37 am Posted in Events, News 1 Comment

5 minutes with… PD Evy Barry, pitching at the BBC FastTrain Event

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Media Parents PD Evy Barry writes about her experience of pitching at the BBC’s FastTrain Event, a free training day for freelancers on May 16th. Plus top five pitching tips from the speakers at the event listed at the bottom of Evy’s post.

PD Evy Barry (right) is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/385/evy-barry

Having registered for various sessions at the BBC FastTrain freelancer training event, which I read about via Media Parents, I was interested to see a call for ideas for the pitching session.

The pitching session was expected to be one of the most popular sessions and a good opportunity to get some face time with some of the top commissioning editors from ITV, Channel 4, BBC and Channel 5.

I sent in an idea called ‘Can You Raise It?’ which was about tapping into the burgeoning philanthropical efforts of members of the public who would team up with an inspired celebrity for a unique challenge that would capture the public’s imagination with incredible feats of endurance and bravery and oh I could go on – but I only got 2 minutes to get the idea across.  Any longer and I would be silenced by the klaxon.

Part of the brief was to choose who to pitch to.  I picked Jo Clinton Davis at ITV as I felt this was where I could most see the idea as a programme.  I got an email on Saturday morning saying I had made it through the short list.  This gave me until Wednesday to work the idea up.  I began to identify what I could say in two minutes – which is not as long as you would think.

I was intending to read/perform my pitch until I had a coaching session with Frank Ash at the BBC Academy about an hour before the big event.  He was really inspirational and made me think carefully about what I was going to say.  He asked me what the two most important things I wanted to get across were and to make sure I included those two things at all costs.  Start with explaining the concept clearly and make sure you know why you want to make the programme.  Frank told me to just have some bullet points on a piece of paper and to talk to the panel passionately instead of reading out loud.  He also advised me that two minutes doesn’t give you long to explain your programme so don’t have too much to say.  The commissioners can always ask you questions afterwards.

The prospect of performing instead of reading made me feel a bit underprepared but what was the worst that could happen?  I pitched third of eight and reassuringly when I opened my mouth words started coming out!  I managed to get the concept across, and the two most important points, and the why should this programme be made now – and then the klaxon went off.

The audience clapped and all of the commissioners congratulated me on a well delivered pitch.  There was constructive criticism too especially with regard to getting celebrities to commit themselves to anything but short filming schedules, and that there should be more of a twist to the idea to make the idea more commissionable.  Obviously it is a crowded marketplace to get a charity idea commissioned.  I had deliberately targeted ITV as the BBC have Sport Relief, Comic Relief etc, C4 – Secret Millionaire and C5 Starlight and they did all point this out but and they also said this – if you come to something from a new angle it can be something they would be interested in.

Overall it was a very positive experience and I learned a lot.  I hope the crowd, and I don’t think there was a spare seat in the house, enjoyed it as much.  It was certainly an opportunity all around to get a masterclass in pitching…..And as Frank Ash said “You are doing well if you get one in ten ideas commissioned.”

Top Five Pitching Tidbits from Commissioners at FastTrain

  • Think : Why you? Why me? Why now? before you pitch. If you can’t answer these questions for the comm ed, don’t try.
  • Danny Cohen “Our job is to find great ideas AND great talent” – so you need to make yourself known to commissioning editors.  Watch this space for a Media Parents meets the Commissioners event later this year.
  • When a big idea comes it can be explained in a sentence.
  • Zai Bennett is looking for “boysy” ideas for BBC3 and science.  BBC1 want the next Apprentice big fact ent format for 9pm.  BBC Daytime is not getting enough fact ent pitches – they are scaling back their long runs of shows and want more variety.
  • Pick your moment to pitch – a chance meeting in the loo could be the place to ask to pitch, not to do the pitch itself!
PD Evy Barry is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk  After concentrating on a few of her own projects she is now looking for work. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/385/evy-barry

See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information. To join us please go to www.mediaparents.co.uk See you at our networking drinks on Thursday 17th May.

May 17, 2012 @ 10:59 am Posted in Events, News 1 Comment

Media Parents Event : How to Market Yourself with Reuben Milne

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Huge thanks to Reuben Milne from Spark Creativity for running this informative and enjoyable session and to ENVY post production facility for hosting in their bar. Photos below, tips to follow shortly!

Reuben Milne of Spark Creativity addresses Media Parents in the session How to Market Yourself

See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information. To contact anyone on the Media Parents blog please go the the NETWORK part of the Media Parents site. To join us please go to www.mediaparents.co.uk

January 19, 2012 @ 10:03 am Posted in Events, News 1 Comment

Media Parents CV Event LONDON gallery and tips

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Nina Bhagwat and Glynn Ryland from Channel 4.Photos from Monday's CV Event in London, tips will be added soon! Thanks to Glynn Ryland from Channel 4, Nina Bhagwat from Think Bigger, Steve Wynne from Rival Media, Helen Matthews, Ali Wood, and to Sara Hill and Prime Focus for hosting - and thanks to everyone who took part.

Glynn Ryland and Steve Wynne from Rival Media.

Independent HR Manager and Trainer, Helen Matthews.

Nina Bhagwat : Make it easy for the person reading your CV to give you a job. Cater for a short attention span – you have ten seconds to make an impression so get the top 1/3 of your CV right.

Steve Wynne : Pay attention to your covering letter – I still get letters that start “Dear Sir / Madam” and include spelling mistakes. Letter should say “I’ve seen one of your shows” and I’ll always be interested if you know someone I know.

Glynn Ryland : Do the "So What Test" – if it’s not relevant, take it out. We tend to want to write detail – save that for the interview.

Helen Matthews : Less is often more in a covering letter, or even on a CV – keep it relevant.

Helen Matthews : Learn to spell “definitely”.

No Gimmicks : don’t include gimmicks when you send in spec CVs – you may be remembered for the wrong reasons.

"Gimmicks don’t work but sweets do!" Steve Wynne

Q: What should old people do? How do you make it look like you’re not over-qualified? A: People are always most interested in the most recent thing you have done, and in the most relevant credits for that job so tailor your CV. Create a box with “selected credits between X and Y years”.

See www.mediaparents.co.uk for great networking, talent, jobs and information. to contact any of the people in these photos please go the the NETWORK part of the Media Parenset site. to join us please go to www.mediaparents.co.uk

November 24, 2011 @ 1:04 pm Posted in Events, News Leave a comment