Media Parents

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5 minutes with… Terry Tyldesley, PD/mum/rockstar

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Instead of buying a Harley Davidson, I started a grrrl band. And yes I’m over 40, and rapidly turning into Cheryl Cole’s worst nightmare, writes TERRY TYLDESLEY.

Pink rocker Terry Tyldesley fronts the band Suburban Mousewife and is a Producer / Director. She can be found in the TALENT section of http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/.

Suburban Mousewife are unashamedly lo-fi, political, punky and a bit poppy, and on Friday 6th May we’re playing at Amy Lamé’s Camden Mayoress’ Ball (scroll down for FREE tickets) along with hotly-tipped young bands, and cool DJs.  It’s a world away from PD-ing documentaries and award-winning current affairs, (though there have been a few rock and roll films too).

It’s been a transferrable skillsfest so far. I’ve learned about singing, sound, cabling, new bands, social media and widgets, and making a downloadable EP. My script-writing is being finessed by crafting punchy songs and I’m well on my way to being a Multimedia Parent with a 360º venture, and plenty of programme ideas.

Terry Tyldesley (left) is in the TALENT section of http://www.mediaparents.co.uk please use the link to book her for your next gig.

The band has had an enormous amount of goodwill, and yes, cheering, and played all kinds of trendy venues and small festivals. We’re not just tolerated, we get invited back. Being outspoken females of a certain age (3/5 of us are parents) is our USP, and we played a riotous gig at star jewellers Tatty Devine’s Xmas party.

My bandmates are 4 gutsy women, including a vivacious physics teacher (I’m determined to get her on TV), an amazing art lecturer, an angel-voiced copyright expert turned professional musician, and a local indie legend.

As for my kids, they think it’s just what mums do. They’ve only seen us once, at the sole venue they could legally get into – a street festival. The older one feigned embarrassment and the younger one came up and kissed me mid-song – very sweet, but a bit distracting. My husband is wonderfully supportive and doubles as photographer and roadie.

Terry Tyldesley: "As for my kids, they think it’s just what mums do... The older one feigned embarrassment and the younger one came up and kissed me mid-song – very sweet, but a bit distracting."

Playing in a band is a refreshingly direct way of communicating – you can see why film stars (hello Hugh Laurie) itch to do it. It’s like having your own TV station and no channel controller.  Our favourite song, My Idol Is Me, is all about airhead culture and older women being banished from TV. Simon Cowell won’t like it, but it’s still catchy.

Not everyone’s impressed though. An AP I worked with was completely unfazed by my secret, (now not so secret) life. Her previous PD was also a burlesque dancer.

*** You can win tickets to the ball by entering a competition on the Tatty Devine website:

http://www.tattydevine.com/boutique/blog.php/?cat=1

Gig details: http://www.barflyclub.com/camden/whatson/event/30387.aspx

EP download: www.soundcloud.com/suburbanmousewife

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

May 6, 2011 @ 9:44 am Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

Channel 4 Diversity Fund & Glasgow Event

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If you’re a TV professional in Glasgow on May 12th and want to learn more about Channel 4′s Editorial Ethics policies and do a spot of networking then please use the link at the bottom of this page to apply.  UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS NOW AT CAPACITY, SEE YOU THERE IF YOU HAVE A PLACE ALREADY.

Ade Rawcliffe is a Media Project Manager at Channel 4, and as such she is driving the commissioning of content from new, diverse, grassroots talent throughout the UK.

CREATIVE DIVERSITY AT CHANNEL 4

The Creative Diversity team is a first point of contact for new and emergent talent and oversees Channel 4’s commitment to wider diversity of supply. This includes key licence requirements – to reflect diversity of life across the UK and to ensure that at least 35% of original production is commissioned from outside London, with at least 3% of this should be from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (the Nations).

What is Creative Diversity?

In his first keynote speech as CEO (search David on the Media Parents blog to read more), David Abraham said “We need to look to support great creative individuals, fund the work of smaller companies and reach those parts of the creative culture that other broadcasters cannot or dare not visit.” Creative Diversity signals an entirely new approach to diversity within Channel 4, focusing on diversity of content and supply, with an emphasis on driving the development and commissioning of content from new, diverse, grassroots talent throughout the UK.

What do you mean by diversity of supply?

In an era in which television has consolidated into a number of powerful companies it is important that Channel 4 keeps refreshing its commissioning culture and who supplies our programmes. Channel 4 has a world-class reputation for innovation and is ready to invest in the next generation of creative content. We seek to connect our viewers with ideas and talent that innovates and stimulates. This means accessing quality ideas from the widest range of content suppliers, our output and the people that shape our shows need to be as diverse as the contemporary UK society that they reflect. Channel 4 has much to be proud of in its programme output, but there is significant work yet to be done to live up to these ambitions.

What role does the Creative Diversity team play in commissioning?

Creative Diversity is principally at the front-end of the system connecting with talent. There is a dedicated team of Media Project Managers who work at the coal-face of commissioning, identifying ideas, strengthening propositions, funding development, and making companies more compelling for the wider commissioning culture to adopt. It’s a role that many other industries take for granted – A&R in music and fashion buyers work in a similar way. It’s about identifying and selecting talent ahead of the system. We also implement Channel 4’s wider plans for producer outreach. In February 2012 Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt launched a new era of outreach committing Heads of Department and Commissioning Editors to work with more new and regional companies.

Can you fund projects?

Yes. We have dedicated funds and have already funded a number of projects, some of which are on air. We have been tasked with being closer to grassroots creative communities, often in advance of commissioning editors, to talent spot, to shape smart ideas and to develop them for the wider creative diversity of the company. We have soft-launched the £2m Alpha Fund. Any Media Project Manager in the team is able to support diversity of supply and kick-start original ideas that can grow in scale and ambition. As with all Channel 4 funded projects, these ideas must come from companies, unfortunately we can’t provide assistance to members of the freelance community or individuals who aren’t from a limited independent production company.

What is the Alpha Fund?

The Alpha Fund is a £2m development and production fund available to independent production companies, designed to support ideas, talent and emergent companies and to enrich Channel 4’s reputation for creativity. We describe it as a new grassroots innovation and authorship fund which is intended to fund the very first stages of creative ideas. It is a completely unique annual fund aimed at supporting our diversity of supply by providing outstanding talent with a route of entry into an increasingly competitive commercial media environment. When it was launched in January 2011 it was described as follows: “The Alpha Fund is designed to identify and support creative talent at its earliest stage. Our principles are to make the money count, not to tie it up in process and complex application systems.” We have deliberately avoided web-application systems, complex rules or over-bearing contractual hurdles. We think new companies want creative engagement not hurdles.

Do you have targets and quotas?

The Channel 4 remit requires us to be distinctive and innovative. Our Tier 1 regulatory requirements mean that we have to ensure that, in addition to providing 8 hours of News and Current Affairs programming weekly in primetime, at least 65% of our output must originate in the UK, and 35% of those hours and spend must from outside the M25 – 3% of this must come from the Nations.

We are constantly exceeding our content targets, but we don’t have per capita targets based on nation or region. The emphasis is well and truly on getting the highest quality content from the widest possible range of creative suppliers. In his Salford address David Abraham also outlined Channel 4’s voluntary commitment to match regional targets for online output as well: “Channel 4 is passionate about stimulating next generation creativity and together with the two new funds we have announced, we aim to match or exceed our regional targets online, on digital interactive platforms.  It’s a self-imposed target but one we believe to be in the spirit of our role as a catalyst for creativity and is further evidence of Channel 4 Online’s ongoing integration into a single cross platform content division.”

What do you do for Black and Multi-Ethnic companies?

This is another significant strand of our work. In fact, since the launch of the new team, it has been the area we have invested in the most. To date we have commissioned 8 companies with an ethnically diverse background. Channel 4 believes that this is an area in which we can do significantly more and that reflecting a contemporary and culturally diverse Britain is at the very forefront of our creative reputation. Through our proactive membership of the Cultural Diversity Network, we also seek to influence all our production companies to consider the diversity of their talent base.  (Working with Media Parents is one way that companies can show they are fulfilling the CDN Diversity Pledge – contact us through www.mediaparents.co.uk for more info). We have two dedicated Media Project Managers who are based in our London office, and equipped with the funds and the passion to support that creative community.

What do you do for regional talent?

Regional diversity is one of the key strands of our work. The Creative Diversity team evolved out of Channel 4’s Nations and Regions division, which from 2000 – 2010 had a transformative impact on our regional spend : budgets increased from £55m to £125m annually. But we could do more, and we are doing more. The Media Project Managers are more deeply embedded within the creative communities across the UK and the Creative Diversity Team works across the UK with desks in Channel 4’s London HQ, in our Glasgow Editorial Office and in cities across the UK, where there is a significant independent production base. Inevitably, we cannot be in all places all the time, but if groups or networks of producers are keen on bespoke or specific contact, we will always attend. Channel 4 will hold briefings in up to 10 regional cities in 2011.  (Click on the link below to sign up for the Glasgow event on May 12th).

What kind of projects are you looking for?

The Alpha Fund is about commissioning development based on ideas, first and foremost, rather than a checklist of subjects. Like many of our genre departments we care about the passion that a producer brings with their idea. That means we are less keen on ideas that are derivative of shows and/or international formats that already exist.  It’s important to emphasise that Channel 4 is a contemporary UK broadcaster and more likely to be at the leading edge of our society than other comparable channels. This has a real bearing on the diversity of ideas we are interested in. For our team, it’s probably best to avoid derivative and familiar formats. The only requirement is that ideas are clearly targeted at Channel 4 – its audience, its values, and that they “feel” 4 in ambition and focus. There is no limitation on size or scale, but proposals do need to come from companies, rather than individuals.

You support the Cultural Diversity Network – what role does it play in your work?

Channel 4 is a signatory to the Cultural Diversity Network Pledge and as such, is committed to improving diversity within its own operations and across the industry as a whole. However as a publisher broadcaster, it is the responsibility of each independent company to ensure the diversity of its workforce. We do however encourage all of the independent companies supplying our content to sign up to the CDN Diversity Pledge.

The Cultural Diversity Network Pledge has been a great tool in encouraging our industry to embrace diversity in all its forms. As one of the UK’s major broadcasters, C4 seeks to attract its audience from the broadest range of backgrounds and attitudes, as a reflection of contemporary UK society.  However for Channel 4 content to be diverse, we need to ensure that our suppliers are also embracing the diversity challenge.

Do you fund digital ideas?

Channel 4 has pioneered a number of ways of supporting digital creativity across games, interactive education and cross platform commissioning. After a period of internal change we now have a group of dedicated cross-platform online commissioners – ‘embedded in TV genres’ – who frequently work with new and emergent companies and digital agencies.  Creative Diversity team contribute to this general trend.  The first raft of commissions facilitated by the Creative Diversity team, were in the interactive games and entertainment sector in Dundee, an emergent hotspot of new media production. The Alpha Fund will sit alongside Channel 4’s Convergent Formats Fund, also worth £2 million in 2011.  David Abraham described this investment as follows: “The Convergent Formats Fund will invest in ideas, apps and creative concepts for the next generation of connected TV like YouView.  It will pioneer new ideas for a new generation of broadcast television and the objective is to become the partner of choice for the most imaginative digital media companies in the UK.”

Do you give slate or company development funding?

No, not normally. We are keen to work on the best ideas and try to make them happen, rather than fund the range of a company’s work. We understand that particularly for smaller companies, funding development is expensive, as well as important, but we’d rather focus on the best idea rather than cover the overhead, that’s why funding from the Alpha Fund is on a project by project basis. There is no limit to how many times in a year you can approach the team for funding, you just need to be armed with your best ideas.

Where do I get further information?

Almost all the information you will need is in this document, and anything we haven’t covered, our staff can talk to you about face-to-face. We have a corporate producers’ site at www.4producers.co.uk but we believe that face-to-face dialogue is always more effective. Channel 4 runs briefings across the UK, from creative breakfasts to sessions with genre commissioners. If you feel disconnected from one of these networks, then talk to a Media Project Manager.  Channel 4 wants to be the best broadcaster to business with for new, independent creative companies. If you have any thoughts about how we might improve our performance in indie relations or Creative Diversity, please contact the Director of Creative Diversity, Stuart Cosgrove.

Ade Rawcliffe.

Ade Rawcliffe Ade’s role as Media Project Manger at Channel 4 is driving the commissioning of content from new, diverse, grassroots talent throughout the UK. Prior to joining Channel 4, she worked as a Producer across both the BBC and the independent sector with credits including Big Brother, Right to Reply, and The Big Breakfast. She is always looking for ways to develop diverse talent and plays a key part in Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to reflecting the diversity of contemporary Britain in all its variety. Ade is a Nigerian from Macclesfield and has worked in the North West of England, where she maintains close contacts

Caroline Cawley

Caroline Cawley is Creative Diversity’s team co-ordinator leading on all major events for the team along with some brand new projects. She is also working on a new strategy to engage Channel 4 with diverse and isolated groups such as the Trans Community. Her sensitivity and open mind are key in this role.

Caroline gained a wealth of experience in Events and Marketing for a range of luxury Scottish brands, prior to joining Channel 4’s Nations and Regions Department over two years ago.

Charlotte Black is based in Bristol and works across the South West and Wales. She has worked as an Executive Producer and Senior Talent manager at Channel 4 since 1990 when she joined as a Commissioning Executive in the Factual Department. Charlotte is currently on sabbatical and will return to the team later in 2011. Charlotte Black began life in TV as a series producer in the independent sector making docs and features programmes for a variety of companies including Planet 24, Wall to Wall, Wild and Fresh and Diverse and her passion is ensuring creative diversity by casting in a risky way.

Ian MacKenzie Ian is a Media Project Manager for Channel 4’s Creative Diversity team.  Working out of Glasgow; Ian’s portfolio encompasses companies across Scotland, Wales and the West Country.  His previous role at Channel 4 was as Acquisitions Manager for 4DVD, securing commercial hit successes such as Skins, Inbetweeners & Misfits.

Ravi Amaratunga.

Ravi Amaratunga is Creative Diversity Team Assistant working across all Media Project Managers Portfolios and overseeing several projects of his own. Ravi comes from a film and drama background, having previously worked in the independent sector as a development executive and producing several digital and live action short films.

Stuart Cosgrove is the Director of Creative Diversity, he was formerly Channel 4’s Commissioner of Independent Film and Video, Controller of Arts and Entertainment and acts as a senior figure in commissioning, overseeing our activity outside London as Director of Nations and Regions. Stuart also represents Channel 4 as a strategic partnership manager across the UK, and chaired Scotland’s national Digital Media Strategy – Digital Inspiration.

Susie Wright prior to becoming a Media Project Manager, Susie worked in the Channel 4 Commercial Affairs Department having spent 4 years working at the regional screen agency for Northern Ireland putting together funding packages for feature films and TV projects and offering support to the local industry. This experience has been a vital part of her current role which involves in particular, engagement with the NI sector. A graduate of languages and law from Newcastle University, she is perfectly placed to engage with the regional screen industry in the North East of England and beyond.

Click on this image to sign up for Channel 4's Editorial Ethics Day in Glasgow on May 12th.

www.mediaparents.co.uk for great talent, networking, jobs and information. click on this image to sign up for the FREELANCERS DAY

April 20, 2011 @ 12:20 pm Posted in Events, News 1 Comment

FREE training day for FREELANCERS in London

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www.mediaparents.co.uk for great talent, networking, jobs and information. click on this image to sign up for the FREELANCERS DAY

April 14, 2011 @ 10:21 am Posted in Events, News Comments Off

Media Parents on the Southbank for International Women’s Day

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Annie Lennox  and her Equals charity http://www.weareequals.org/ posed the question “When will we really know men and women are equal?”  Media Parents members met on the Southbank on March 8th to discuss it and network.  Here is the story of our 100th International Women’s Day told in pictures by Media Parents TALENT John Ferguson.

Annie Lennox posed the question "When will we really know men and women are equal?" Annie Lennox by John Ferguson. The following speech bubbles represent some of our answers to that question.

Suzette Coon, Writer by John Ferguson. Suzette is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

Phil Stein, PD by John Ferguson. Phil is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

"When I can continue my media career after having kids". Amy Walker, Media Parents Director, by John Ferguson. Amy Walker is in the NETWORK section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

Jeremy Westgate, Camera Operator by John Ferguson. Jeremy is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

Farrah Jaufurally, AP, by John Ferguson. Farrah is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

Jean Manthorpe, Editor, centre, and Media Parents by John Ferguson. Jean is in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

With many thanks to John Ferguson, Photographer. John can be found in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

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

March 18, 2011 @ 1:15 am Posted in Events, News 1 Comment

Brighton Media Parents coffee morning for IWD

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Media Parents TALENT Debbie Deeney organised the first Media Parents coffee morning in Brighton on March 8th, and writes here about the experience.

People who dropped in for coffee with Brighton Media Parents: Debbie Deeney, Mary Hui, Catherine Head, Helen Page, Annabel Laister, Maggie Bowler and her friend, Jacqui Partridge and Farrah Jaufurally who has just got a job in Brighton through Media Parents.

So as well as a lovely sunny day and a great coffee house, I celebrated International Women’s day on the 8thMarch by meeting some truly lovely ladies in Brighton and having a chat over coffee and cake.

I would have normally have spent the day looking for work, looking for a matching pair of kids gloves out of the 7 ‘ left hands’ by my front door, or looking for divine intervention as to what to make for tea!   Today was a refreshing break and reminded me that the people make the media industry a great place to work.

The topics of chat were (but not limited to) modern technology training, skillset bursaries, pressures on youth of today, local office/desk space, childcare, post office queues, losing confidence when job hunting, effects of the financial downturn on the industry and worrying women.   We also talked about some of our Dreams for our Daughters in support of the White Ribbon Alliance and dreams on a whole for women of the future.

The beautiful children that came with their mums have to be the most chilled smiley bunch I have ever met (so very pleased mine weren’t there to ruin this) and it was a really relaxed, informal setting for a lovely time and a catch up with new people.

I hope there will be more coffee mornings in Brighton.

If you’re interested in events in Brighton please email brighton@mediaparents.co.uk

Debbie Deeney is a Production Manager / Exec who can be found in the TALENT section of www.mediaparents.co.uk

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

@ 12:07 am Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

Happy International Women’s Day from Media Parents

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Happy International Women’s Day from Media Parents!  Hope you have a great day.

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

The first email about Media Parents as an idea went out on International Women’s Day a year ago today, and since then Media Parents has become a fully automated website with more than 300 talented subscribers and a reach of thousands, working with more than 100 indies, hosting great events detailed on our blog which gets more than 12,000 hits a week.

If you can’t join us on the southbank or in Brighton to celebrate International Women’s Day today (scroll down the blog for details of events) then why not take some positive action and tell a friend or a new company about us?

We’re placing experienced people in good jobs all the time and getting great feedback from employers so do encourage employers to give Media Parents a go – it’s all FREE, so why not? Working with Media Parents is also one way to show that your company is fulfilling the Cultural Diversity Network’s pledge.

Contact us at admin@mediaparents.co.uk or on 0207 281 0540 for more information on the site, or about holding your own networking event with Media Parents talent – have a look at the photos of our last one here : https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2011/02/tiger-aspect-meets-media-parents-gallery/

Have a great day,

Amy Walker

Director, Media Parents

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

March 8, 2011 @ 9:17 am Posted in Events, News Comments Off

100th International Women’s Day March 8th

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What are you doing to celebrate the 100th International Women’s Day on March 8th?  All you need is a camera…

Annie Lennox is leading the Equals campaign at weareequals.org

All you need is a camera (stills or video) on March 8th, to celebrate the 100th International Women’s Day.

Everyone is encouraged to take stills photos for Annie Lennox’s Equals debatewww.WeAreEQUALS.org – just write on a piece of paper what equality means to you and snap it.  See our blog http://www.mediaparents.co.uk for Annie Lennox’s take on it.

You can also record short video messages ‘Dreams for my Daughter’ for the White Ribbon Alliance which are wishes for women’s futures – i.e. “I hope my daughter won’t have a battle to continue her media career when she becomes a mother”.  Email us at admin@mediaparents.co.uk for more info on where to send the footage and Equals photos.

A series of events is being held on the Southbank on March 8th (and all next week) in recognition of International Women’s Day including the Equals Soul Train event which takes place on the 8th from 3 – 6pm at Jubilee Gardens on the Southbank.  Everyone is welcome.  For more info about the Soul Train Event please click here: soultrain_eflyer To help out by filming this event please see www.mediaparents.co.uk jobs section.

The Media Parents IWD Do

Media Parents are gathering at the Southbank Centre on March 8th, to celebrate the 100thInternational Women’s Day.

If you’d like to come along to meet more Media Parents please join us at the Riverside Terrace Cafe in the Southbank Centre (Royal Festival Hall) between 1 and 2:30 pm on Tuesday March 8th, and Media Parents who would like to attend should bag a FREE ticket so that we can find each other. Children are welcome at the event – please create tickets for them and indicate CHILD as part of name.  If you have difficulty finding us please call 020 7281 0540.

Supporting Oxfam’s initiative “A Bit of a Do” everyone is encouraged to eat lunch together and take photos for Annie Lennox’s Equals debate which encourages people to discuss when we’ll know that men and women are really equals.

Media Parents will also be recording short video messages ‘Dreams for my Daughter’ for the White Ribbon Alliance which are wishes for women’s futures – i.e. “I hope my daughter won’t have a battle to continue her media career when she becomes a mother”.

The Media Parents IWD Do is part of a series of women’s events being held on the Southbank on March 8th, including the Equals Soul Train event which takes place from 3 – 6pm at Jubilee Gardens on the Southbank.  Everyone is welcome.

More information about Media Parents:

www.mediaparents.co.uk is a jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media.  It is an independent site which aims to keep experienced talent in media by making it easier for people to find flexible work, and be part of a brilliant network.  The site currently offers jobs in TV and film, working with more than 100 companies including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Brighton Media Parents have taken up the baton and will also be celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th.  Meet for coffee at Add the Colour, 64-65 North Road BN1 1YD (between Church and Trafalgar Streets) between 10:30 and 2pm.  Debbie Deeney is organizing for Media Parents, let her know you’re coming at brighton@mediaparents.co.uk or just drop by.  Children welcome.

There will also be a Media Parents / Green Room evening event in Brighton at Madame Geisha, 75 East Street, Brighton BN1 from 6:30pm please email brighton@mediaparents.co.uk with “evening do” as the title if you’d like to come along.

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

March 3, 2011 @ 11:44 am Posted in Events, News Comments Off

March 22nd Event : Identifying Transferrable Skills

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

If you want flexible media work, you may also want to look elsewhere for other kinds of flexible work in a tight spot, but where do you look and what else can you do?  Media Parents is working with coach Alastair Hill at an evening session on March 22nd called Identifying Transferrable Skills.  Join us?  Email events@mediaparents.co.uk with the event name in the title bar.

Introducing Alastair Hill:

Alastair Hill of AHA Associates.

Alastair is a certified professional coach, licensed career counsellor and certified Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner. He is a member of the International Coaching Federation and Association for Coaching.

Alastair sharpens his coaching skills with regular coaching supervision and is continuously developing himself in leadership, management and coaching.

In a recent feedback exercise, the word’s commonly used by Alastair’s clients to describe his coaching style were: “personable”, “empathetic”,  “(infectiously) energetic”, “intuitive”, “incisive” and “tenacious”.

Alastair is married with two children and lives in Berkshire in the UK. http://www.ahaltd.co.uk/

Please email events@mediaparents.co.uk for more information on this event.

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

February 27, 2011 @ 12:05 am Posted in Events, News Comments Off

Tiger Aspect Meets Media Parents… gallery

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Tuesday Feb 15th was the first Media Parents networking event that has focussed on Media Parents talent meeting Execs from a single company – Tiger Aspect.  Tiger Aspect Meets Media Parents was a unique opportunity to put faces to names in a relaxed atmosphere at Soho House Basement.  Because Tiger Aspect’s productions cover such a wide range of genres, Execs and 50 talented people from across the board at Media Parents – Factual and Features, Drama, Comedy, Production Management, Children’s and Entertainment – were able to network into the night.  Media Parents would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to make the event a great success.

Watching the Tiger Aspect showreel outlined the breadth of the company's output.

Toby Ward, Head of Production for Comedy & Entertainment and Che Charles, PD.


Sophie Clarke-Jervoise, Head of Comedy, Tiger Aspect.
Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to network and meet fantastic people at Tiger Aspect, I got to see Ruth, Toby and Richard who were all excellent and made me feel positive about getting back into tv after having a baby.

I got to meet some of my production heroes in a relaxed atmosphere.  Thanks.
Just a quickie to say thank you so much for hosting a fab night (and for all your hard work)! I really enjoyed myself and got some invaluable advice from other media parents and TA Execs. It’s so great to have access to people that you wouldn’t ordinarily have. Media Parents are doing such a good job – keep up the good work!

“Everyone here very positive!”

Ruth Pitt, Executive Producer, Factual and Features and Elaine Carlton, PD.

Frith Tiplady, Head of Production for Drama and Richard Thomson, Director of Operations.

Danny Jackson, Writer and Philippa Catt, Production Executive, Comedy & Entertainment.

Wow – thanks so much!  I really enjoyed the evening and honestly can’t imagine that it could have gone any better.  I liked the people I met very much and they seemed to get a lot out of the evening.

PD Matt Rene and Matt Bennett, Executive Producer, Factual and Features.

Comedy Producer Henry Klejdys and Rebecca de Souza – Script Executive.

I found it very useful and I’m glad I came, you and everyone at Tiger Aspect were very helpful and open. I found out I already know someone on the development team…

Rebecca Mulraine, Head of Production, Factual and Features and Leo Carlyon, Editor.

First of all a big thanks for a great event. It was really good to have a named person to aim for (in my case Richard Thomson) as well as the opportunity to talk to others. I had a great chat with Ruth Pitt and she was keen for me to make further contact after the event. Wine and nibbles gave it a real sense of occasion.

Richard Thomson and Terry Tyldesley, PD.

50 people from Media Parents were able to meet the Tiger Aspect team.

I enjoyed myself and actually both Ruth Pitt and Rebecca from factual asked me to get in touch with them to arrange meeting/coffee.

Sharon Van Der Maas, HR Manager, and Helen Matthews, HR Director, Tiger Aspect.

Teresa Nunn, PM and Emma Cockshutt, Head of Legal and Business Affairs.

thanks for putting on a great evening and I really appreciate talking to such wonderful people… Media Parents is going to only get better and better!

Ruth Pitt with Simon Jowett, Writer and Richard Thomson.

Philippa Catt and Iain McCallum, Head of Press and PR.

There was a very positive vibe to the evening and it was also nice to catch up with former colleagues and contacts. It felt like proper networking and was truly a fantastic opportunity to meet new people in the industry – and I hope that goes both ways for Tiger!

Writer Ming Ho, Camera Operator Hazel Palmer and Presenter Hayden Turner, centre.

Toby Ward and Entertainment Producer John Fitzgerald.

Drama Producer Jo Tracy, and Factual PM Emily Freshwater.

Drama Exec Abigail Webber.

Frith Tiplady, Toby Ward and Sophie Clarke-Jervoise.

PD Alison Grist and Presenter Hayden Turner.

Cat Muir, Screenwriter.

Terry Tyldesley and Ruth Pitt.

Edit Producer Sue Bennett and Jean Manthorpe, Editor.

Exec Producer Kathy O'Neil and Matt Bennett.

Jean Manthorpe and PD Annie Conlon.

HR Assistant Emma Fox.

Writer Ellin Stein and Rebecca de Souza.

SP Aileen McCracken and Production Co-ordinator Maggie Walsh.

Series Producers Gill Waddington and Lucy Sandys-Winsch.

With thanks to Tiger Aspect and Soho House for their generous support for this event, and to Leila Amanpour for taking the photographs.

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

www.leilaamanpour.com

February 20, 2011 @ 9:04 pm Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

Tiger Aspect meets Media Parents 12th Feb – Who’s Coming

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www.mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media, and companies who support that and want to benefit from experienced, diverse talent.

Tiger Aspect meets Media Parents is an exclusive opportunity for Media Parents talent to meet Creative Heads, Executive Producers and Production Executives from Tiger Aspect. The Company is renowned for the breadth and depth of its portfolio. Tiger Aspect produces Drama, Comedy, Entertainment, Factual, Children’s and Animation.

Tiger Aspect HR Director Helen Matthews was so impressed by the talent she met at the Media Parents CV Event (see blog.mediaparents.co.uk) that she persuaded Tiger Aspect’s managers to take part.

Media Parents talent will be meeting…

Helen Matthews is HR Director at Tiger Aspect

Head of Comedy Sophie Clarke-Jervoise and Head of Production for Comedy & Entertainment Toby Ward.  Entertainment Executive Producer Matt Bennett, Entertainment and Comedy Production Executive Philippa Catt.

Drama Producer Rebecca de Souza, and Head of Production Frith Tiplady.

Factual Executive Producer Ruth Pitt and Head of Production Rebecca Mulraine.

Director of Operations Richard Thomson, HR Director Helen Matthews and HR Assistant Emma Fox, amongst others.

Here are their biogs…

Sophie Clarke-Jervoise – Head of Comedy

Sophie Clarke-Jervoise – Head of Comedy.

Sophie joined Tiger Aspect in November 2005 as Head of Comedy and has responsibility for overseeing Tiger Aspect’s comedy activity, managing the department, developing original programming as well as working on a number of series already in development. Her most recent credits at Tiger Aspect are Benidorm, Grandma’s House, Harry & Paul, Sky One’s ’Little Crackers’, The Catherine Tate Show, The Vicar of Dibley, Ladies of Letters and the forthcoming Mount Pleasant for Sky One.


Philippa Catt – Production Executive, Comedy & Entertainment

Philippa Catt – Production Executive, Comedy & Entertainment.

Philippa joined Tiger Aspect in Aug 2001 as a Line Producer and went on to work on various scripted comedy projects eg, Lenny Henry in Pieces,  Swiss Toni, Vicar of Dibley, The Catherine Tate Show and Benidorm. In June 2009 she became Production Executive, working with the Head of Production across all Tiger’s comedy and entertainment output/development.

Before joining the Tiger family,  Philippa worked at TalkBack Productions for 6 years as a Line Producer/PM on projects such as Smith & Jones, They Think It’s All Over,  11 O’Clock Show, Jam & Brass Eye Special.

Toby Ward – Head of Production, Comedy & Entertainment

Toby Ward - Head of Production, Comedy & Entertainment.

Toby Ward joined Tiger Aspect in 1997 and is currently Head of Production for Comedy & Entertainment working across such shows as , Benidorm, Harry & Paul, Catherine Tate Show, Ross Kemp Gangs / Afghanistan, Argumental and Joanna Lumley’s Nile. Prior to Joining TAP Toby was a freelance PM / accountant working on projects such as Spitting Image, Poirot & London’s Burning.
Helen Matthews – HR Director (pictured above).

Helen Matthews joined Tiger Aspect as HR Director in September 2007, with overall responsibility for Tiger Aspect HR.

Helen had previously worked at the BBC in various HR roles, leading the HR recruitment and freelance contracting teams across London programme making departments, including Drama, Entertainment, Children’s, Radio & Music, Television and Sport.

Prior to the BBC, Helen had worked at various independent companies and broadcasters, including Planet 24 and ITN, as well as heading up the HR strategy for deckchair.com in early 2000.

Richard Thomson – Director of Operations

Richard Thomson - Director of Operations

Formerly Head of Television Production for Endemol UK, Richard was appointed Operations Director for the Digital Media division in May 2008. Responsible for all digital activities including the online elements of television projects such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Sexperience, Gok’s Fashion Fix, and children’s series “Roar” and “I Can Cook”.

As Head of Production at Endemol, Richard worked closely with the Executive Producers across the company to oversee projects as diverse as Big Brother’s Little Brother andShattered for C4, Golden Balls, Soccer Aid, Extinct, 24 Hour Quiz for ITV and both series of The Farm and Cosmetic Surgery Live and The All Star Talent Show for Five, as well as more traditional documentary series for the BBC and Channel 4.  His slate included live events, reality programmes, docusoaps, ob docs and several documentary series and one-offs.

From 1996 to early 2001, Richard was Head of Production, Arts and Features at London Weekend Television and prior to that was a founding director of documentary production company Cafe Productions.

Ruth Pitt – Executive Producer, Factual and Features

Ruth Pitt - Executive Producer, Factual and Features

Ruth Pitt is an executive producer at Tiger Aspect Productions and has just completed a film for BBC2 on social mobility. She was formerly Executive Director of Screen England, creative director of documentaries in BBC Religion and Ethics, head of documentaries at Granada Television, executive producer at Century Films, reporter/presenter at Yorkshire Television and founder and managing director of Real Life Productions. She has presented, produced and executive produced numerous films and series as well as chairing the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. Awards include Royal Television Society, Grierson, Broadcast Production, International Emmy, Sandford St Martin and New York Film Festival.

Matt Bennett – Executive Producer, Factual (not pictured)

Matt is a freelance Director and Executive Producer who has worked on shows such as Trawlermen, Who Do You Think you Are?, Ross Kemp on Gangs, Ross Kemp in Afghanistan, Joanna Lumley’s Nile and Ross Kemp Return to Afghanistan. During 2010, he was Commissioning Editor for the factual department at Channel 5 where he commissioned and oversaw a wide variety of new commissions from Nature Shock and Extraordinary People, to long running obs doc series Emergency Bikers.

Matt has returned to Tiger as an Executive Producer to oversee the next Ross Kemp Afghanistan series for SKY 1 and the next Joanna Lumley series for ITV1, as well as developing and winning commissions from other UK channels.
Rebecca Mulraine – Head of Production, Factual and Features

Rebecca Mulraine - Head of Production, Factual and Features

Rebecca Mulraine joined Tiger Aspect in 2005, initially working on a series called ‘Sexual Fantasies’! Rebecca previously worked for a number of smaller independents, mainly on documentaries; her first job was as a production secretary for Norma Percy.
Once at Tiger Aspect, Rebecca PM’d a number of factual/features productions before moving on to become a Unit Manager for the Features Department, then Head of Production for Factual and Features when the departments merged in 2008.  Rebecca now looks after all department finances, liaising with production teams and negotiating with broadcasters, plus closely managing personnel within the department.  Her key objectives are to ensure that ‘Factual and Features’ is a happy, creative environment where production staff are keen to work to the best of their abilities towards producing great programming.  Recent productions include The Home Show (C4), Paul Merton in Europe (Five), Who Stole all the Best Jobs (BBC 2), Restoration Man (C4), The Big Silence (BBC 2), Island Parish (BBC 2), Surgery School (ITV), Fry and Laurie Reunited (UKTV).
Frith Tiplady – Head of Production, Drama

Frith Tiplady - Head of Drama Production

Frith Tiplady joined Tiger Aspect in May 2006, as Head of Production for Drama. Having started off in the industry as a runner and then the locations department, she previously worked as a freelance Line Producer on such shows as Clocking Off (BBC 1), Sparkhouse (BBC 1), Burn it (BBC 3) Flesh & Blood (BBC 2) & Brookside (Channel 4).

She is responsible for overseeing the financial, logistical, personnel and broadcaster liaison aspect of each production within the drama and film department; endeavouring to ensure that the creative vision is realised. At any one time, overseeing a diverse range of drama programmes in various stages of production and over forty projects on the TAP drama slate. Shows include Robin Hood (BBC 1) Secret Diary (ITV2), The Deep ( BBC1), Blood & Oil  (BBC 2) White Girl (BBC 2) The boys are Back (feature film).
Rebecca de Souza – Script Executive, Drama
Rebecca de Souza is a script executive at Tiger Aspect Productions and is currently in production with two dramas: a three part serial for BBC 1 called ‘Public Enemies’ by Tony Marchant about an offender and his relationship with his probation officer; and a returning series called ‘Bound’ about a group of women who are united by the fact that their men are serving time in prison while they are left on the outside.  She has produced, executive produced and script edited many programmes including ‘Recovery’ starring David Tennant and Sarah Parish; ‘Murder’ starring Julie Walters; ‘Bodily Harm’ starring Timothy Spall, ‘Family Business’ starring Jamie Foreman ‘My Fragile Heart’ starring Sarah Lancashire and most recently a children’s sitcom ‘Me and My Monsters’ for CBBC.
Iain McCallum – Head of Press and PR (not pictured).

Iain McCallum has been Head of Press and PR at Tiger Aspect since 2004. In this time he has devised and implemented a great many successful, creative and resonant promotional campaigns for all Tiger Aspect’s key projects. These in turn have been further exploited to amplify Tiger Aspect’s programming globally and to help secure future deals.

Working closely on projects from the development slate through to the final TX means that Tiger Aspect’s programming is nurtured and given voice and promotional push from earliest point of entry. Iain considers this to be of tantamount importance to the success of any project these days as visibility and noise around any production is what can turn a great idea into a future worldwide entertainment brand. He loves working with the talent, their agents and of course his Tiger Aspect colleagues to shape the future of every project.

Sharon Van Der Maas - HR Manager

Sharon Van Der Maas – HR Manager

Sharon Van Der Maas joined Tiger Aspect as HR Manager in April 2010 covering maternity.

Sharon has worked in the Media industry for the past 10 years as a HR professional with  Channel Five, Virgin Radio, Pearl and Dean Cinema, and Primesight Outdoor.   During this time, she has been responsible for delivering both operational and strategic HR to the businesses.

Prior to working in Media, Sharon has worked for Gillette and the NHS as a HR professional delivering operational HR to multi locations for both professional and technical teams.

Since having a family, Sharon has returned to work on a part-time basis.

Emma Fox - HR Assistant

Emma Fox – HR Assistant

Emma joined Tiger Aspect in January 2010 and is responsible for the smooth administration of the HR department. She also manages the Runner’s Apprenticeship Scheme.

Prior to joining to joining Tiger Aspect Emma worked in HR roles in the retail and travel sectors after graduating in 2007.

www.mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media, and companies who support that and want to benefit from experienced, diverse talent.

February 13, 2011 @ 10:31 pm Posted in Events, News Comments Off