Media Parents

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

Trevor Showler amongst the crowd at the Media Parents Christmas Party

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

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

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

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

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

Media Parents - www.mediaparents.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flexible working champion Media Parents is delighted to be partnering with Creative Skillset to provide FREE Return to Work Training for eight production freelancers in High End TV Drama and one from Children’s TV over the next nine months. The next cohort, covering Manchester, the North and Scotland (it will be taught in Manchester) includes a placement on Victoria and applications are invited until February 15^th, see below for details.

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

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

Freelancers who have taken a career break for childcare and would like help to return to work in High End scripted TV or Children’s TV should contact www.mediaparents.co.ukfor an application form ASAP. Roles covered include but are not limited to

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

• Producer
• Line Producer
• Production Manager
• Production Coordinator
• Production Assistant
• Production Secretary

The course offers paid returnships, mentoring, job-specific refresher training, confidence and presentation coaching, and attendance at an industry conference. Building on five years of success of the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme, this course offers all the tools needed to return to work with confidence in High End TV Drama or Children’s TV.

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

We welcome applicants who have taken a career break due to childcare responsibilities and who are now ready to return to work. Inclusion is important to us, we encourage applications from those currently under-represented in the industry, including women, black, Asian and minority ethnic, and disabled people.

The Media Parents Return to Work in High End TV Programme is supported by the High End TV Levy Fund, managed by Creative Skillset.

Creative Skillset works with the UK’s screen-based creative industries to develop skills and talent, from classroom to boardroom. The High End TV Levy Fund, overseen by the High End TV Council, ensures a sustainable funding legacy to develop industry skills to support the next generation of High End TV drama talent.

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

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

Danny Leitch and Alex Sunderland

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

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

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

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

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

Media Parents Back to Work Team 2017 at Edinburgh TV Festival

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

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

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

meet our event sponsors, S+O Media

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

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

steph keelan, director S+O media

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

olly wiggins, DOP S+O Media

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

http://www.somedia.tv/

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

Media Parents Back to Work Winner 2017 Emma Sayce writes about being mentored by Shine MD Tanya Shaw. Both are attending Media Parents Returners Drinks next Thursday, 16^th November. See the Media Parents watercooler for details.

Emma Sayce with Endemol Shine Global HR Director Bella Lambourne from @mediaparents twitter feed. Emma used social media to generate job opportunities whilst on the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme at Edinburgh TV Festival

Although I was looking forward to my first mentoring session with Tanya Shaw, writes Emma Sayce, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. As a freelancer, I’m used to meeting people who are only interested in the next few weeks/months of my life, and in what I have to offer them. I had researched Tanya’s background enough to know that she has seen the industry from many angles and has risen to the top while juggling motherhood (see below). Via the Back to Work Scheme I had also drawn up a Back to Work Plan, with short- and long-term aims, and a list of contacts I planned to make.

One of the first things Tanya said – a top tip for anyone returning to work after a break – was “choose your jobs carefully. If you accept a job that entails working really long hours and makes logistics at home difficult, you’ll end up thinking TV and parenthood don’t go together. But they do. It’s a case of finding a way of working that is sustainable and won’t exhaust you.”

Shine TV MD, Tanya Shaw. Bio : http://www.shine.tv/team/

My Back to Work Plan is based on building up the work gradually. Tanya recommended using Edit Producing as a way to move around companies until I find a ‘home’ to settle in and push on to the next stage of my career. Companies have very different work cultures, with some being more genuinely supportive of working parents than others.

At Shine there is a wide array of flexible working arrangements for staff. They are trusted to decide when they work and when they can afford to take time out for family. It’s not a case of asking permission. Tanya has seen people working in different ways as she’s journeyed through the industry. Reduced hours, extra holiday, part-time – they’re all possible. And stick to whatever you’ve negotiated – for example, an early finish one day a week – you’ll earn your colleagues’ respect for doing so. Tanya said she often works outside normal working hours, but has a policy of making clear that she does not email replies at these times, to help promote respect for peoples’ lives outside the office.

Much of this tallied with something I’ve found since returning to work – that the attitudes and personalities of the people I work for matter a lot more now. It makes all the difference when you know you can rearrange your hours in order to attend morning assembly and watch your daughter mumble her way through ‘Nelly the Elephant’ without worrying that you might be judged.

“Once you find a work environment you’re comfortable in”, Tanya advised, “initiate those conversations about what you want to do in the longer term. In the TV industry, you have to make your intentions and ambitions clear. Think carefully about what your ambitions might be. And if you’re not sure, do some research to help you decide!”

I have to admit that, before I had children, my main criterion for taking on a project was the subject matter. Now, as a parent, I’m starting to think more long term and more strategically. And more laterally. Talking to Tanya, her overview of the industry made me realise that there are other career avenues in TV that could be worth exploring.

In addition to great advice and a lot of encouragement, Tanya was kind enough to look through the list of contacts I intend to follow up, comment on it, and offer to make some introductions. She left me with a lot to do and to think about before our next meeting. And now that I know what to expect, I’m looking forward to it even more!

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/13729/emma-sayce

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is re-opening for applications until November 17th. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk

UPDATE : Manchester / northern Returners please APPLY by 28th Nov for FREE training.
Flexible working champion Media Parents is delighted to be partnering with Creative Skillset to provide FREE Return to Work Training for eight production freelancers in High End TV Drama and one from Children’s TV over the next nine months. Applications are open again for regional training which will be offered in Manchester or Bristol according to demand, from late November. Applications are open now and will close on Tues 28^th November at midday so please see below for details.

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

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

Freelancers who have taken a career break for childcare and would like help to return to work in High End scripted TV or Children’s TV should contact www.mediaparents.co.uk for an application form before November 17th. Roles covered include but are not limited to

• Producer
• Line Producer
• Production Manager
• Production Coordinator
• Production Assistant
• Production Secretary

The course offers paid returnships, mentoring, job-specific refresher training, confidence and presentation coaching, and attendance at an industry conference. Building on five years of success of the Media Parents Back to Work Scheme, this course offers all the tools needed to return to work with confidence in High End TV Drama or Children’s TV.

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

We welcome applicants who have taken a career break due to childcare responsibilities and who are now ready to return to work. Inclusion is important to us, we encourage applications from those currently under-represented in the industry, including women, black, Asian and minority ethnic, and disabled people.

The Media Parents Return to Work in High End TV Programme is supported by the High End TV Levy Fund, managed by Creative Skillset.

Creative Skillset works with the UK’s screen-based creative industries to develop skills and talent, from classroom to boardroom. The High End TV Levy Fund, overseen by the High End TV Council, ensures a sustainable funding legacy to develop industry skills to support the next generation of High End TV drama talent.

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is re-opening for applications until November 28th. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk

Media Parents is delighted to introduce the first cohort of the Media Parents High End TV Drama Return to Work Programme which began in Brighton this week, and aims to return skilled workers to drama production via training, mentoring and work placements. We’re delighted to be attending the Broadcast Commissioning Forum tomorrow, in the company of the BBC’s Head of Production Talent, Scripted, Jacqui Taunton Fenton.

paula watkins

Paula Watkins, returning PM

Following a successful career as a Production Manager in commercials for Nokia, Opel, McDonald’s and Kellogg’s and more, Paula took a career break to work in education, alongside raising a family. Having developed and managed a large and very successful Performing and Visual Arts and Media department at a VIth form college, and with her children now independent, Paula wants to return to full time production work in High End TV Drama, initially as a Production Co-ordinator, with a view to working back up to Production Manager and beyond. Paula had started working her way back in via production work experience on Silent Witness and The Durrells before successfully applying for the Media Parents HETV Drama Programme, funded by the HETV Levy Fund, managed by Creative Skillset.

fred archer

I am a capable producer who has created award-winning work for corporate companies, award-winning content for short films and am now striving to create award-winning work for High End Television Drama.

I am transitioning from factual to drama, and am open minded to new learning and mentorship to develop my skills. Having taken time out to raise my children, the Media Parents HETV Return to Work Programme will help me regain my skills, training and confidence to move on and up the ladder of High End TV Drama.

jenny madalura

jenny madalura

With a varied career in front and behind the camera and over five years’ experience as international journalist, MTV VJ and lawyer, I bring a great deal of experience to a future career in High End TV Drama production. I have factual and drama experience with the BBC, Central Television and Thames Television, on Kavanagh QC, The Bill and foreign Filipino telenovelas like Little Angel.

At the BBC I researched new programme ideas for Panorama, and worked as a researcher and production assistant on Tim Samuels’ three-part documentary series Power to the People. I am a proud parent of two, with my eldest son who recently recovered from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Jenny is being supported by Media Parents but is not funded by the HETV Levy because she is London-based. The scheme is for regional returners.

Media Parents would like to thank Jacqui Taunton Fenton for accompanying us to the Broadcast Commissioning Forum tomorrow – see you there!

We're delighted to be attending the Broadcast Commissioning Forum tomorrow, in the company of Jacqui Taunton Fenton, Head of Production Talent, BBC Scripted

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is re-opening for applications on Friday 6th October. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk

Flexible working champion Media Parents is launching a new Return to Work programme for High End TV Drama and Children’s TV, supported by the High End TV Levy Fund, managed by Creative Skillset. The programme will return nine experienced freelancers to the TV workplace over the next nine months via free training, mentoring and work placements with the producers of The Inbetweeners amongst others. The deadline for the first course applications is Weds 27^th Sept, click HERE for an application form and scroll down for details.

Fudge Park Productions is one of several HETV indies offering mentoring and placements on the Media Parents HETV Return to Work Programme

Fudge Park Productions, the film & TV company founded by the creators of hit TV comedy series and feature film The Inbetweeners, is one of several indies backing the new scheme. Head of Production Leo Martin said “The “Return to Work” scheme is a fantastic initiative and we’re delighted to be involved”. She will mentor a HETV returner, and the company, currently in production on a second series of White Gold for BBC Two, will offer a work placement to freelancers.

Experienced returners are offered to independent companies to work in production or office-based roles, their salaries will be covered by the scheme. HETV companies who could benefit from the free services of experienced freelancers should make contact with Media Parents.

Successful applicants to the first cohort of the scheme will be attending the scripted sessions at next week’s Broadcast Commissioning Forum. “Media Parents has run a return to work scheme predominantly in factual TV for five years with a 100% success rate, so it’s great to be moving into HETV Drama and Children’s TV too now” said Media Parents Director Amy Walker. For other enquiries please use www.mediaparents.co.uk contact button.

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is open for applications until Wed 27th Sept, scroll down this blog for details. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk

I was delighted to have been accepted on the Media Parents Edinburgh Back to Work scheme. I dearly want to return to the job I love and, in time, move up from Producer Director to Series Producer without feeling somehow apologetic that I have commitments outside the office, writes PD Josie Besbrode. And this is the start of that process. I’m pleased to say that thanks to Media Parents social media coverage I’ve already had an offer of flexible work, and although it was too soon for me to take it up, I hope its a sign of things to come.

Having spontaneously shared my cab from Edinburgh airport to the TV festival with Natalie Hill, an Exec from Hello Halo who was very encouraging about working parents and generally just fun to chat with, I was feeling buoyed. I headed straight in to meet Talent Managers, Victoria Goodwin from the BBC, Simon Wright from Elephant House Studios, and Sallie Leak from True North. It’s been easy to stay within a familiar network circle and it felt good to start expanding that.

I also met up with Development Exec, Morgana Pugh from BBC Studios, who made me feel excited about upcoming projects, which was a welcome reminder of my continued love of the job. Head of Development at Sundog Pictures, Nicky Huggett, also praised how supportive the company is towards staff and freelancers; another cheer. I heard quite few times, in fact, that contrary to my fear, working mums are welcomed. Not only because 50% of factual TV is directed by women and some of them will inevitably procreate but also because they get s*!t done on time. I’m yet to confirm or deny this but pleased to have the reputation.

Nicky Huggett Head of Development, Sundog Pictures with Josie Besbrode PD

A great highlight was meeting Pat Younge co-founder of Sugar Films who was brimming with useful advice. He said to set goals 6 months ahead to avoid being overwhelmed. Books he recommended include Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family, Wild Courage (Elle Harrison) and Strengths Finder (Tom Rath). We also talked about stepping up and how useful it is to be supported through that process.

Which brings me neatly on to Warner Brothers who I am very pleased to be mentored by. Meeting Lisa Cox from Ricochet, who champions working parents, was a delight, and am very excited to continue that relationship.

It wasn’t just networking and free bacon sandwiches, however.  Jon Snow humbled everyone during his MacTaggart lecture when he implored us to open our ears and arms to those beyond the TV elite. David Attenborough talked, need I say more?  Actually he did say, there’s people all across the country capturing fantastic imagery of wildlife in their gardens and local area and therefore the broadcasting of natural history footage should be shared with the audience, which really stuck with me.

Sir David Attenborough in session

Ben  Frow ‘in therapy’ session gave a refreshingly candid account of both himself and Channel 5′s achievements. The day he was sent to boarding school as a young boy was the worst of his life, what proceeded shaped him into the determined, inclusive but also shy and rejection fearing man he is. He likes the production process at Channel 5 to have as little interference from himself and commissioners as possible and confessed when the ratings first came in for their hit show Rich House, Poor House he thought “‘Oh I better watch that”.  And on that note, so must I…

I am exploring job sharing as a possible way ahead – if you are interested please get in touch via events@mediaparents.co.uk and watch this space.

http://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/10764/josephine-besbrode

Sugar Films MD Pat Younge with Media Parents Back to Work winners Josie Besbrode and Emma Sayce

Media Parents HETV Drama and Children's Return to Work programme is open for applications until Wed 27th Sept, scroll down this blog for details. Media Parents - join now for brilliant jobs and events at www.mediaparents.co.uk