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.

Angus Fletcher coaches at a Media Parents Event

Life coach Angus Fletcher, founder of Streetcoaching.com is offering free coaching sessions for people who would be filmed during coaching.  If you’re a Media Parent with something to overcome – be it motivating yourself to find work, balancing the demands of  TV and parenting, learning new stress management techniques – you name it, Angus would like to hear from you.  Please click here for contact details http://www.streetcoaching.com/

Media Parents members generally admit to a communal dread of networking events, so they were out in force to pick up tips from www.magickey.co.uk life coach Lyn Burgess at a Media Parents event kindly hosted by Prime Focus in Soho.

Lyn Burgess from The Magic Key Partnership is a consummate networker.

Lyn told us we would be analyzing our limiting beliefs and learning how to get rid of them, and we would learn how to make ourselves feel more confident before a networking event.  Bring it on.

So why were Media Parents members keen to network?  For support, to do research, broaden horizons, make money, to get out of the house, make contacts, promote ourselves, share ideas and recommend people.

Media Parents networkers Natalie Barb, Karen Ackerman, Lucy Sandys-Winsch, Lorraine Molloy and Michelle Martin listening to Lyn Burgess.

Lyn told us that it’s rare to actually get a job directly through networking but there’s a phrase called “paying it forward” in networking which is the belief that if you sort out opportunities for others then it will eventually come around for you.  Hope so.

So why NOT network?  It’s hard work, there’s a fear of rejection, shyness stops us, it’s relentless and sometimes boring.  You can end up making a gaffe (Is here the place to admit that last time I was at the Edinburgh TV Festival I bounded up to Jimmy Carr after a great session and said “Well done, Alan.”?)  We’re afraid of bothering people, feeling / seeming needy, we feel fake, don’t want to seem desperate – we’re too entrenched in our limiting beliefs to make the time to do it.

Hazel Palmer, Philippa Robinson and Prime Focus's Sara Hill get rid of some limiting beliefs.

Here’s how to get rid of a limiting belief.  Get a pen and paper. Draw a table top (big enough to write on, and it’s going to have legs in a minute).

Write your limiting belief on the table top. (Ours were about networking, but it could be a limiting belief about anything).  Here are some of the things people wrote: “I’m not good at selling myself to people I don’t know”. “I might not meet the right people”.  ”I don’t feel I’m good enough”. “It’s hard work talking to strangers”. “I’m too old”. Heck.

Then you draw the 4 table legs, and down each leg you write a reason why you feel that way.  So if your limiting belief is “I’m not good at selling myself to people I don’t know” you might write “I’m shy in groups”, “I think of all my career negatives”, “I engage my mouth before my brain” and “I’ve been staying at home too much”.

Next to each leg you write the counter argument – “Even a shy person can try to talk to anyone – what’s the worst that could happen?”, “Remember the praise I’ve had at work, and what I can do”, “I can research, plan ahead and have some things prepared to say”, “I will get out more”.

Scribble out the negatives, score through the limiting belief on the table top, screw up the paper and chuck it in the bin.  You’ll have engaged different parts of your brain to do this exercise – creative, analytical, emotional, physical (who doesn’t find screwing up paper just a little bit satisfying?) – and that process helps you to move on and leave your limiting belief behind.  ”Get it out of your head, onto a page, and then let it go.”

Now close your eyes.

Next Lyn taught us an NLP exercise.  How do we want to feel before a networking event?  Confident! (Unanimous).  Close your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths and imagine a time when you felt confident.  Visualize your state of mind, your surroundings etc and try to feel that you are there, feeling that feeling.  Now, with your eyes still closed, make a gesture with your hand.  Whenever you make this gesture, you will bring back your feelings of confidence.

"This gesture is your 'anchor' - you can't wear it out but you need to use it to feel the benefit", Lyn Burgess.

“This gesture is your ‘anchor’ – you can’t wear it out, but you need to use it to feel the benefit” Lyn told us.

Have a go, why not?

Stuck for something to say?  Here’s an acronym to help: FORM

Family

Occupation

Recreation

Motivation

If you’re flying solo trying to break into a group then look around the room for signals – eye contact, smiling, a friendly face will do.  You can always ask “Can I join you?” It’s rare that anyone will say no.

Questions from the floor: “How much chat should be about yourself?” “Less than you think”.  Ask questions too.  ”What should you do if you’re out of work?” “Don’t worry about it.  Never apologise for what you haven’t done”. Prepare – research, it will help you feel more confident.  If you want a job at a particular company find out what they’re doing at the moment, watch their stuff. “Identify what you are or what you want and confidence will follow”.  ”How do you approach career gaps?” “With confidence.  If you say ‘I’ve had kids’ in a confident way, people accept it”.

And with that they hit the booze and started networking.

David Vallance and Eoin O'Shea knock it back.

A good time was had by all. As Guy Lambert put it "It ruled. Good times".

Lyn Burgess is a life coach running The Magic Key Partnership www.magickey.co.uk .  As a specialist in the film and television industry, Lyn has experience of working with hundreds of producers, directors, writers and actors since the company was established in 2002.

Much of Lyn’s work with clients revolves around career – keeping things in perspective, improving motivation for freelancers, transition from one role to another, building up confidence and networking for career development.

The Magic Key Partnership runs workshops on a monthly basis and one to one coaching for clients via email, telephone or Skype.

Lyn has kindly offered a discount on one-to-one coaching sessions or workshops to members of Media Parents.

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

If you liked this, you may also like these practical networking tips:

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

Eoin O'Shea's limiting belief was soon toast.

"Get it out of your head, onto a page, then let it go".

Kate Middleton knew that very soon her surname would be her own again, and then there would be no stopping her.

I’m delighted to announce our next event – Tiger Aspect meets Media Parents.

www.mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media.

This is an exclusive opportunity for Media Parents to meet Creative Heads, Executive Producers and Production Managers 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.

Interested?

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, and was supported wholeheartedly by Tiger Aspect’s founder Peter Bennett-Jones.

Helen Matthews is HR Director at Tiger Aspect

There are 50 places available for Media Parents talent to meet Tiger Aspect both in an informal networking session and a timed appointment set-up on the evening. If you would like to attend this event you’ll need to submit your CV and covering letter for selection and admission will be by ticket only through http://mediaparentsmeetstiger.eventbrite.com

This event is for subscribers to  www.mediaparents.co.uk and to encourage new people to join our network, and there will be a small admin charge. Tiger Aspect are inviting experienced talent from across the board to come and meet them – PMs, PDs, picture editors, directors, SPs, execs, EPs, APs, researchers, shooters, co-ordinators, writers so please purchase a ticket and send a CV marked with your full name, job title and ticket number to events@mediaparents.co.uk

If you have any questions please email events@mediaparents.co.uk but hopefully this covers it.

Media Parents thanks Tiger Aspect and Soho House for their support for this event –  www.mediaparents.co.uk – yeah!

www.mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media. If you would like to share your experience on our blog please email admin@mediaparents.co.uk or contact us through the Media Parents site

Media Parents went on a networking jaunt to the Nations and Regions Conference at Salford last week with mixed results : stalked Alex Connock, bungled it with Steve Hewlett, hit it off with Skillset Scotland and convinced a cracking lady MD to write for the blog.  The conference itself was very interesting, and great to meet people, but I am glad that Media Parents is hosting this : https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2011/01/new-year-new-you-jan-5th-event-how-to-network/ Albeit a little late for me.

Media City, Salford - hasn't she grown?

Steve Hewlett chaired (more on him later) introducing a great opening Q&A session with Kirsty Wark interviewing Left Bank Pictures supremo Andy Harries.  Andy Harries is the guy Paul Greengrass called “a bright colour in a sea of grey execs”.  I’m not going to transcribe the conversation, just pick some of the useful or interesting bits. (Hopefully).

On leaving Granada to set up his Left Bank Pictures Harries said “Once The Queen rattled through to The Oscars, I just thought ‘Well, I’ve got to do it’”.  On running his own company: “I’ve never worked so hard in my life”. Quite.

Rumours that Andy Harries has turned to the bottle are just a silly gag.

When Andy Harries rallied and told Kirsty Wark he’d always been a big multi-tasker she quipped “Are you a woman?”  then went on to observe that Left Bank’s showreel, which was of considerable length, solely featured male actors.  Having warmed up, Wark then went on to take Harries to task for working largely with male writers and directors.  He admitted that he could do better, but shortly afterwards we watched a clip of The Royle Family, directed and jointly written by Caroline Aherne.  (Sue Johnston and Liz Smith reduced me to tears in about 2 minutes, which I fear is not proper behaviour at a conference.  I managed silent sobbing but the person next to me probably got wet.)

Kirsty Wark asks Andy Harries "Are you a woman?"

On his intense relationships with writers Harries remarked “If you haven’t got the writer, you haven’t got anything” and on The Royle Family scripts “I thought ‘Jesus Christ this is Alan Bennett in Manchester form’”.  The Royle Family was commissioned apparently as a blind pilot – that’s amazing isn’t it?  Who takes those risks now?

They went on to talk about The Deal, and how David Morrissey had, for the two weeks between his first casting audition and his callback for Stephen Frears, gone and lived in Gordon Brown’s constituency in Scotland so he could nail the accent.  I like that.  We also heard that ITV dropped The Deal just before it went into production because they were in negotiation with the government over their own deal.  Lucky Channel4.  But then fortune often favours the brave.

Final word from Andy Harries on having his pitches rejected by the BBC (3 in a day, apparently) “If you get stuck on looking for a director, or looking for the money, start with the actor”.  The Queen, apparently was inspired by the feeling that Helen Mirren  was somewhat regal – it was only after she expressed interest that the writing began.  If you haven’t got the writer and the talent, perhaps, you haven’t got anything.  ”It doesn’t get any easier” Harries said, “you have to have a level playing field for everybody”.

Next : David Abraham, C4 Chief Exec’s keynote speech. To hear podcasts from the Nations and Regions Conference go here http://www.nationsandregionsmedia.org/

www.mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media. If you would like to share your experience on our blog please email admin@mediaparents.co.uk or contact us through the Media Parents site

www.mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website for people who want to work flexibly in media

Following the success of the Life Coaching session with Angus Fletcher, More Than Resolutions for 2011, Media Parents is delighted to be working with Lyn Burgess from The Magic Key Partnership who will be coaching on How to Network.

At this session for Media Parents members from 7 – 9pm on Tuesday 25th January in Soho, Lyn Burgess will be exploring limiting beliefs (and how to get rid of them), looking at feeling positive (and how to get there quickly) and discussing what to say.  There will be an experiential element to the session plus a Q&A – perfectly timed just before our next event where Media Parents members will have the opportunity to network with execs across the board at one of the UK’s largest indies (more details soon).  To reserve a place at Lyn Burgess’s lifecoaching session please email admin@mediaparents.co.uk

Life coach Lyn Burgess from www.magickey.co.uk

Lyn Burgess is a life coach running The Magic Key Partnership www.magickey.co.uk .  As a specialist in the film and television industry, Lyn has experience of working with hundreds of producers, directors, writers and actors since the company was established in 2002.

Having previously worked in various operational roles, including Human Resources Director, for a number of years within the financial services industry, her philosophy on management has always taken a coaching bias.

The client base for The Magic Key Partnership includes emerging talent as well as Bafta winners and her clients include those making films with micro to multi million pound budgets, and those working within continuing drama on television.

Much of Lyn’s work with clients revolves around career – keeping things in perspective, improving motivation for freelancers, transition from one role to another, building up confidence and networking for career development.

The Magic Key Partnership runs workshops on a monthly basis and one to one coaching for clients via email, telephone or Skype.

Lyn has offered a discount on one-to-one coaching sessions or workshops to members of Media Parents.

Lyn Burgess 0845 129 7401

07801 366418

lyn@magickey.co.uk

www.magickey.co.uk

If you would like to read more about networking, click here:

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

To reserve a place at the How to Network coaching session please email admin@mediaparents.co.uk

Please find yourself on the Christmas Party photos below and comment to identify yourself!  Thanks to all those who came and made it a great party!

2. Media Parents Director Amy Walker, centre and Jo Tracy, right.

3. Emily Freshwater, Will Bulman, Kylie McCarroll (lovely nails), Amy Walker, lady in pink, Jo Tracy.

4. Robin O'Sullivan and Elliott Cranmer, left, Rebecca Dowell and Michelle Dalton, right.

5. Sarah and Zain Sabur.

6. Amber Rose, the first Media Parents baby to be born, and Zoe Fryer.

7. Rear : Anna Brabbins, Clare Richards and Tim Allan. Front left, Media Parents Director Amy Walker, Julann Smyth, Emily Freshwater.

8. Jill Robertson tries to get away from Elliott Cranmer, right.

9. From left Mikhael Junod, Caroline Bourne, Rosie Bowen-Jones, Sarah Andrew. Foreground Benjamin and his mum.

10. Media Parents first baby-off. From left Linsey Winton and Raphy, Zoe Fryer and Amber Rose, Samantha Williams and Nyome.

21.

22. McCracken Jnr, Jean Manthorpe, Hazel Palmer

22. Jude Parker, Alex Evans, Eoin O'Shea.

23. Background Anna Bonnadio, Corinne Sweet and Teresa Nunn.

24. Teresa Nunn and Lubna Bhatti with some enormous glasses of white.

25. Karen Jenkinson and Heidi Cross

26. Toral Dixit and Angus Fletcher

27. George Hencken, left, Jane Lush, Alison Martin, Kate Gibbard

28. Alison Matthews.

29. Alison Matthews talks to Nina Ferguson, foreground.

30. Mikhael Junod, Angus Fletcher and Kat Hencken.

31. Erica Wolfe-Murray, Shurwin Harwood, Jean Manthorpe.

32. Gorgeous.

33. Amy Walker and Raphy talk to Jean Manthorpe and Carl Callum.

34. Linsey Winton, Lyn Burgess, Amy Walker and Raphy Winton.

35. Corinne Sweet and Iain Mitchell.

36. Nyome Williams and Donald.

37.

38.

39. Anna Brabbins, Claire Grossmith and her dad.

40. Donald, Ronald and little cracker Nyome Williams.

Many thanks to all those who came along and made it a great event, and to ENVY for their kind hosting.  Happy Christmas from Media Parents.

17. Media Parents Director Amy Walker, shamelessly minesweeping. Julann Smyth was a graceful victim.

18. Lucy Sandys-Winsch, left.

19. Hello! Clare Richards, Tim Allan (as Curtis Brown), Anna Brabbins.

11. Jean Manthorpe and Erica Wolfe-Murray, right.

12. Angus Fletcher, foreground, Farrah Jaufuraully, centre, Corinne Sweet, rear right of frame.

13. Jane Lush and Kate Gibbard with Alison Martin.

15. This lady was not buying any of Jake Sumner's chat.

16. George Hencken foreground, with Alex Evans, Eoin O'Shea, Jude Parker and Hazel Palmer's hair.

In November Media Parents held a meeting in Bristol called “Can TV work more flexibly in the South West?”  Many employers and freelancers from across the South West gathered to have their say.   The overwhelming message of the evening?  If you want to work flexibly you’ve got to start by having the courage to ASK…

A full list of those attending can be found elsewhere on this blog: https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2010/11/media-parents-flexible-working-meeting-bristol-who-came/ It's worth looking at the attendance list to see some of the employers who support flexible working, and some of the talent that wants to work flexibly. They can all be found at http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/

Media Parents Director, Amy Walker :

“I hope we will be able to discuss the viability of flexible working from both a business and creative standpoint this evening, that we go away better informed and inspired to make positive changes.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/ is all about flexible work that suits you – as a freelancer or as an employer.

Mediaparents.co.uk is a new jobs and social networking website which collects short-term contracts, part-time, job share and regular hours media jobs in one place so experienced talent can find them.

We all know the hair-raising stat about 5000 women leaving TV and 750 men over 3 years.  But that’s not the only one –  compare the percentage of people in the national workforce as a whole who are parents – 62%  - with industry norms for TV:

% of men in TV who are parents : 34% And women in TV who are parents: 21%

Media Parents are now largely considered to be a diversity group. Within a relatively short time, the Cultural Diversity Network has named working with Media Parents as one way to fulfil its Diversity Pledge – the one which Channel 4 has said companies must be signed up to or Channel 4 will no longer commission from them.   So please GET INVOLVED!”

Chris Hutchins (centre) Head of Talent for Factual and the NHU at BBC Bristol

Chris Hutchins, Head of Talent for Factual and the NHU at BBC Bristol : “Our workforce doesn’t reflect the diversity of our viewers – and that includes parents.  We NEED to change. I’m committed to making flexible working work here at the BBC and I will persuade my colleagues to get on board.”

Chris is the new head of talent at the NHU and BBC factual.  He’s been in the new post since September and was Series Producing before that.  He claims that most of his team does or has worked flexibly, and that he’s always encouraged this.  It makes people happier.

“Parents are better time managers and so very desirable employees.” Chris admits that this is easier to achieve on some projects more than others, especially within the NHU it’s possible though – it can be a good use of budget to have part time workers.  Chris’s own mother was an actress, so he’s familiar with the problems she had juggling care of him and his brother.

Chris is trying to convince other BBC departments that flexible working can work for the employer. If anyone feels the BBC isn’t getting it right, let him know.

COMING NEXT : Annie Warburton from Skillset and the Bristol Anchor Partnership speaks.

With thanks to Chris Hutchins and BBC Bristol for hosting, to Harriet Wallace, Kate Edwards, and Rachael Power for taking notes, and to Amy Organ for taking photos.

On November 17th Media Parents Series Producer Alison Martin organised a debate for the RTS in Southampton called “TV – No Career for a Woman?”  Here’s Alison’s summary of who was there and what was said. http://www.mediaparents.co.uk is working to provide solutions to many of the issues raised below so do join us!

The "TV - No Career for a Woman?" panel in Southampton

• Mandy Cooper (Former TV Producer now Head of Communications at Dorset Cereals)
• Lorraine Heggessey (Former controller BBC1 and CEO Talkback)
• Dermot Caulfield (Series Editor, Bang Goes The Theory – a single dad with 3 small kids)
• Ruth Pitt (Executive Producer and Screen Yorkshire Board Member)
• Fiona Phillips (TV Presenter and Journalist)
• Jo Ball (MD Ricochet)

Here are the headlines:

• People were shocked by the Skillset report findings in terms of women leaving the industry over the last 3 years (750 men versus 5000 women)
• It may be easier for women to get into television, but it’s getting harder to keep them
• There was disagreement over whether the Miriam O’Reilly case shows ageism or not
• Women are making enormous sacrifices to stay in TV, and many are giving up because they can’t see a way to balance work and home
• Lorraine and Fiona had some great anecdotes about their struggle to the top
• A rough manifesto for change was put forward
  

Lorraine Heggessey (right)

LORRAINE HEGGESSEY: (making her first appearance on a public stage since leaving Talkback)

• “I know Jay and it’s not true she dislikes women” (re O’Reilly case)
• Argued that moving Countryfile to primetime was “a hugely courageous decision”, and you have to consider what’s right for the slot
• Says dozens of beautiful young women come to see her, wanting to be presenters, and they won’t stand a chance because they don’t have that special something
• Told a hilarious story about having to have dinner at short notice with the gangster Mad Frankie Fraser when one of her daughters was a baby – she took her to the restaurant and had to breastfeed her in front of him
• Was shocked at the Skillset figures and wondered whether women took redundancy because the blokes would fight, so the women would say “all right, I’ll go then”
• Said that earlier in her career she felt she had to “out-bloke the blokes”
• People assumed when she got the BBC1 job that she would be useless until proved brilliant, whereas people assume men are brilliant until proved otherwise
• Thinks women are getting better at asking for more money
• Describes one Sunday evening when she was trying to match her daughter’s white socks ready for school, and she thought to herself “I bet Alan Yentob doesn’t have to do this!”
• Has always paid to get the housework done, so she can concentrate on the kids
  

Fiona Phillips and the panel at RTS No Career for a Woman Event

FIONA PHILLIPS:

• Has battled to find a work/family balance, which often led to clashes with her husband over child-care
• Once had to interview Victoria Beckham at short notice and couldn’t find childcare, so took her baby with her and fortunately Posh’s mum was there and ‘scooped my baby up’ and looked after him. She recalls her son playing on a mat with Brooklyn
• Says she “finds it cringeworthy” to think about what Miriam O’Reilly is doing, because presenters “have to get on with it and take the good times with the bad”. But she laments that there are not more older women on screen (she loved watching Cilla Black) and asks why, by contrast, there are “so many wrinkly old blokes” instead
• Still feels guilty that she was working too hard when her mother was ill
• Recalled one former boss calling her into his room (he had his feet on the desk) and demanding “Phillips, darn my socks will you!”
• Says she sometimes wishes she had “a real profession…I always wanted to be a doctor”!
  

Jo Ball, MD Ricochet, right

JO BALL:

• Was a single parent from the start of her career
• Struggled to find a balance in the early years
• Thinks “maybe we should all have babies a bit younger”
• Recommends women move to the regions to improve their chances of getting a work-life balance
• Says work pressures are “probably the reason why I only have one child”
• Also thinks “you have to accept that having a child is going to eat into your time
• Argues strongly that age and beauty are not the issues around women presenters. “it’s not about how you look, it’s about personality”
• Points to Sarah Beeny as the quintessential woman on screen. “She’s a brilliant presenter with 4 kids. She does it her way”. Thinks women generally should be a bit more ballsy
• Fights hard to keep her top women staff whatever their domestic commitments – “Some people are just too valuable to lose”
  

Mandy Cooper, ex TV Producer, left

MANDY COOPER:

• Left the industry (was a series producer at the BBC) because she wanted a better work-life balance
• Moved to Dorset to raise her family
• Laments the collapse of TV jobs in the regions, which afford many women a better balance and often give them access to relatives who can help with childcare
• You also avoid long commutes, ie wasting hours on the train when you could be at home with the kids
• “TV’s not the only job there is”!
• Loves her work in PR
• Mentors are a really useful way of helping women stay on track in their TV careers
  

DERMOT CAULFIELD:

• Became a single dad of three kids under 10 when his wife died a couple of years ago
• Was treated “like a minor celebrity” by other people, which single mums never get
• Culture of presentee-ism is problematic: “doing the job well is not about how long you stay in the office”
• Admits he rarely goes filming in order to manage his family commitments better
• Says he became a dad very early and felt isolated from the other blokes he worked with, because they were always going out while he stayed in
• Didn’t quite realise how much support he’d had from his wife (a doctor) until he lost her
• Argues that it’s easier for people in the higher echelons to manage family commitments, because they have the cash to sort childcare etc
• Competition for jobs doesn’t help women with restricted working hours: “I advertised for a runner and had over 100 applications. With that kind of competition you’re going to employ the person best placed to give you 100%”
  

Ruth Pitt chaired the panel and invited comment from the audience

• One woman said she had an abortion so she could take a job
• One said she had just left the BBC at 42, disillusioned, had sacrificed having kids for her career – and now feels she made a big mistake
• One said she felt ‘over the top’ at 35 and was wondering ‘what next’
• One was a PHD student, investigating the gender gap in TV with Skillset
• Several people said the collapse of ITV in the regions had been devastating for many women
• One man said “let’s face it, women are better than men!”
  

MANIFESTO FOR CHANGE

The panel agreed the following could help keep women in TV:

• More flexible working (but NOT full-time work for part-time pay) http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/ is a great place to find flexible working options – or any jobs – we let the talent choose if the work is right.
• Good mentoring schemes The Women in Film & TV scheme is up and running but full for this year,  Media Parents has been approached by companies offering to mentor so if you’re interested either as a mentor or mentee please email admin@mediaparents.co.uk

• More opportunities in the regions, where work-life balance is easier to achieve Media Parents is going regional – join us at one of the Christmas Parties, and watch out for much more regional activity from early 2011
• Support for women to set up their own companies Media Parents blog, facebook and watercooler are all great places to share information and resources
• More high-profile role models not afraid to talk openly about their commitments Read the Media Parents blog to see some of the great events that have given people a platform to talk about their experiences this year – and if you have something to say please make contact admin@mediaparents.co.uk
• More job-sharing http://www.mediaparents.co.uk enables you to find other freelancers with a similar skillsbase, and indicate to employers who your chosen jobshare partners would be.  See elsewhere on the Media Parents site and https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk for information about companies who support flexible working in media, and how to approach them.

Media Parents member Alison Martin

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alison Martin trained as a journalist at ITN. She reported and presented for Meridian’s regional politics programme and ITV – “…on the day Diana, Princess of Wales died I was part of ITV’s presenting team tasked with telling the nation the terrible news.”

A life on the road beckoned… After a stint as a Senior Producer at GMTV Alison switched to the BBC producing Watchdog and then Rogue Traders. “Whilst making Rogue I fell pregnant. I spent the nine months squeezing my bump into cramped vans as we filmed undercover. When it came to confronting the rogues I was ordered to stand behind a burly security guard!”

Alison was part of the start up team for the BBC’s flagship early evening magazine – The ONE Show where she was responsible for the topical and current affairs output. Now she freelances in TV and is developing her writing and presenting work.  Find her at http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/ is a new jobsite for people who want to work flexibly in media. 5,000 women and 750 men have left TV in the last 3 years (Skillset figures), and the other creative industries are following this pattern. Media Parents wants to help change this trend and keep hold of talent by creating a platform for employers to find experienced workers.

To find out more, why not join us at one of the Media Parents Christmas Parties – they’re not just for Media Parents members so do bring friends and introduce them. There will be a healthy mix of companies, freelancers and broadcasters!

LONDON : from 4pm on Tuesday December 14th we will be at
ENVY, 50a Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JW
Children are welcome in the afternoon (please bring your own toys!)
Adults only from 6:30pm. Drinks and mince pies for early birds.RSVP : admin@mediaparents.co.uk
http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/downloads/party-invite.jpg

BRIGHTON : from 6:30pm on Tuesday December 7th we will be at
Madame Geisha, 75 – 79 East Street, Brighton BN1 1NF
Annabel Laister and Gilly Smith are organising this and all are welcome.
RSVP : brighton@mediaparents.co.uk

BRISTOL : from 6:30pm on Thursday December 9th we will be at
Goldbrick House, 69 Park Street, West End, Bristol BS1 5PB
in the Champagne & Cocktail Bar on Level One
It’s a paying bar but mince pies at least are on me!

Please RSVP marking your email with the location of the party to
admin@mediaparents.co.uk You can also RSVP by clicking the contact button on the Media Parents site.

Wrap up warm!