Media Parents

September is synonymous with the back-to-school rush when reality slaps us hard in the face as summer memories fade and we resume our 9 to 5 timetable writes Senior Producer Jodie Chillery.

September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, giving us an even harder dose of reality faced by an increasing number of families worldwide, many of whom would do anything to endure the routine slog of back-to-school preparation. So would you settle in on a cosy September evening for a 90 minute documentary on the subject?

You’d be forgiven for finding alternative viewing, but if Nile Rodgers and Joely Richardson can throw their weight behind it, then perhaps so can you. If you need further persuasion this opening paragraph from The Telegraph’s TV review might do it.

“A documentary about children with cancer might sound like punishingly grim viewing. A sort of misery safari for rubberneckers to wallow in tragedy. Kids Like Us (Sky/NOW) defies all such expectations. This feature-length film is uplifting, frequently funny and really rather beautiful.”

I wrote about my experience working on this project here (https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2024/03/5-minutes-with-senior-producer-jodie-chillery/) back at Easter. Now I can shout about it, and it is possibly the most shouted about film I’ve been involved with. When I started out on BBC’s Watchdog, long before social media and when BBC1 primetime consumer affairs shows regularly courted 8 million viewers, I used to get a bit excited, butterflies as the title music rolled and we went live to the nation’s households.

As the years went by, traditional TV audiences diminished along with the novelty of my career, that buzz I felt as a fledgling runner never quite replicated. Last week, Kids Like Us, a 90 minute feature documentary produced by Echo Velvet in association with Children With Cancer UK and available now on SKY/NOW TV was played out on Leicester Square’s IMAX screen with over 700 people in attendance. A VIP red carpet event sponsored by pladis Global  and hosted by Cineworld was a spectacle that the factual documentary genre rarely enjoys. If September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, what more awareness could you want with Nile Rodgers, Sophie Capewell, Ashley Cain, Tracey Ann Oberman and Brentford manager Thomas Frank all making an appearance.

Jodie Chillery's profile: Jodie Chillery Senior Producer (also available now for job opportunities!) Jodie has had work through Media Parents and now wants more! To contact Jodie log in to Media Parents and click here: https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4945/jodie-chillery

This glitzy affair must surely be a career highlight worthy of that kind of juvenile excitement first felt back on Watchdog. Yet, amongst the glitz and glam of the evening, something way more significant occurred, perhaps the real career highlight and most definitely the reason you should tune in.

One of our contributors hugged me and whispered “Thank you, you’ll never know how grateful we are for giving us a voice, filming with you has been life changing for all of us.” I don’t recall a contributor saying anything quite like that to me before, not with so much emotion for sure. For me it cements the importance of documentary programming and if we were able to give these kids a voice, they now need to be listened to, it’s the least they deserve. Available now Kids Like Us on SKY/NOW TV.

Jodie Chillery Senior Producer (also available now for job opportunities!) Jodie has had work through Media Parents and now wants more! To contact Jodie log in to Media Parents and click here: https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4945/jodie-chillery

How have you been filling your time when not working? Asks Media Parents Director Amy Walker. (Media Parents is running a series of free courses for freelancers so job applications hit the spot and it’s been great to meet so many talented freelancers through those. Make sure you catch the networking workshop before Media Parents Autumn Drinks!)  I love wild swimming and as well as all the sh*t in TV, I am infuriated by what’s happening in our waterways, so I’ve signed up to Surfers Against Sewage A Dip a Day in October largely to raise awareness of how often we cannot swim in the water these days due to dumping. I’ve enlisted champion wild swimmer Doon Mackichan (Toast / Two Doors Down / Smack the Pony) to help me face the brown water problem.

Actress Doon Mackichan will be cold water swimming with media parents Amy Walker in September

This weekend Doon is running her annual wild swimming and writing retreat in Scotland. I’m heading there to try to get my creative back after this soul-destroying period in TV, and partly as a way to limber up for October’s Dip A Day. Scotland, in my experience, is always a season ahead of England, so I figured if I can swim in a loch in “skins” in September, the English Channel in October is going to feel practically Mediterranean.

If you know me you know I don’t do things by halves, but actor and stand up Doon Mackichan is way beyond me in those stakes. Her book My Lady Parts details her dynamic progression from cold water to cross channel swimmer; motherhood successfully raising a child through leukaemia; and countless freelance career battles that anyone in TV can relate to and be inspired by. All this with a sense of humour and a strongly feminist punch.

Amy Walker, Media Parents Director looking warm and dry. Brace yourself for October's Dip a Day (photo: Robert Ludovic)

The TV situation, the sewage situation – both cr*p. No real solutions in sight yet. So let’s face it, if this slightly risky experiment to boost creativity and immunity doesn’t work, at least with Doon I will hopefully die laughing.

To sponsor Amy’s Dip a Day go here. Actually we have raised more than the target already so if you would like to join me in supporting a charity that gives families Christmas Dinner and Christmas gifts who would not otherwise receive them then please go here: https://survivingchristmas.co.uk/ I’ll swim for that!

www.mediaparents.co.uk - the jobs and social networking site for short term, part time, job share and regular hours jobs in media. For free events for subscribers go here: https://blog.mediaparents.co.uk/2024/08/event/

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

Join Media Parents for jobs, masterclasses and networking

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

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

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

Friday Oct 11th Event

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Media Parents Autumn Drinks in London Tuesday October 15th

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

I started editing TV back in the late 90s, writes Director Anthony Willis. I always intended to become a director at some stage, but that took rather a long time to become my main work. I edited films for dozens of genres including live multi camera music shows, obs docs and TV commercials. I had (and hopefully still have) a great reputation as an editor.

Anthony Willis directing on the Connections set

My first proper regular directing job was in 2010. I worked for a year as a PD for a music TV prod co. Perhaps unwisely, I went back to editing in 2011, as I got offered the editing role on a feature film.

I wrote and directed my own short film, a sci-Fi drama called Escapement, in 2013 – 2014. I paid for the production myself, but it would not have been possible without an incredible amount of favours from tons of my friends and colleagues. Their generosity really gave me a boost, as after this the directing work became more regular.

Editor turned Director Anthony Willis

In 2018 I started working as a director with my chums at Bigger Bang. Over the last six years we’ve made tons of amazing films about science and history, which are huge interests of mine. I’m incredibly proud of the films we’ve made, like Emmy-nominated Secrets of the Solar System and Connections with James Burke.

I love making Science & History films and I hope to make many more. However, many production companies that make these kinds of films have really struggled over the last couple of years and are now chasing commissions in other genres, as there seems to be an unwillingness to commission Science & History right now.

As a consequence, I would like to be able to get jobs in other areas of TV…

I’ve had a lot of experience of changing disciplines and it makes me wince when I read job descriptions that are overly focussed on finding people who have already worked on similar films.

“Must have medical obs-doc experience…”

“True Crime experience essential…”

I would like to encourage those posting a new job to avoid insisting that the candidate must have already done the same thing. Should we carry on like this, our industry will become balkanised – with everyone trapped in their own genre silo!

Anthony Willis encourages TV hirers to be more bold with their choices

A good filmmaker can easily jump to a different genre and do a great job. After all, the processes really are pretty universal across all of TV production.

This last six months without much TV work has also made me think more clearly about what I want out of my career. I would like to find a more happy work / life balance from now on.  Maybe a bit more diversity of the kind of work I take.

As a result of all of this, I have started teaching for editing and animation for Soho Editors Training. I’m going to get involved in academia a bit as well – I’m due to teach two filmmaking classes for the university of Hertfordshire from January.

I think this diversification is a good thing and I’m really excited about the future, but I still want exciting new opportunities to make films, no matter what the genre!

To book Director Anthony Willis click here.

ScreenSkills is running a course for freelancers who want to diversify to keep their careers going: https://www.screenskills.com/bookings/embracing-industry-change-diversifying-to-future-proof-your-freelance-career/48eaa175-35c4-4144-a2df-b8f0c3d54e5d/

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

A Storyteller’s Journey Through Uncharted Waters

Before the industry’s recent turbulence, I was no stranger to navigating uncertain waters, writes Producer Donna Harry. With a passion for adventure, I often found solace in travelling to exotic locales during short bouts of downtime. These experiences not only broadened my horizons but also instilled in me a resilience that proved invaluable during times of professional uncertainty. However, as the industry landscape shifted and I faced the reality of unemployment, I found myself grappling with basic needs rather than the pursuit of adventure. Without a partner or parents there is no safety net and it’s scary to think  my career could be over before I’ve really achieved my ambitions.

Donna Harry, 4th from left on ScreenSkills' Edit Producer for Future SPs Scheme

When the tides turned and industry prospects dimmed, I doubled down on my craft. Through ScreenSkills’ Edit Producer for Future SPs scheme led by Jo Woolf, I’ve secured a work shadowing placement on The Apprentice. Lecturing at the National Film and Television School fueled my passion for nurturing the next generation. These endeavours kept me positive and focused on the long game – because even in the darkest moments, I trust brighter days are ahead.

But let’s be real – even in the darkest moments, hope can feel like a distant beacon. So, I embraced a Plan B – a 3-month marketing bootcamp to potentially pivot if the landscape remains uncertain. After all, versatility is key, and these new skills will only add another string to my bow.  However, pursuing this pivot comes at an emotional cost – potentially sidelining a hard-fought career I’ve poured my soul into.

Nothing has come easy on my journey. As a woman of colour from working-class roots, the odds felt perpetually stacked. Yet I’ve consistently risen above setbacks through sheer grit and an unwavering vision, carving out a space to work on programmes I’m truly proud of. Walking away from that hard-won path to start anew is a daunting prospect. But I’ve never shied away from a challenge.

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4855/donna-harry

Amidst chaos, my passion for authentic storytelling remained constant. Grounded in 15+ years uplifting diverse narratives, I’ve embraced multifaceted roles – producer, casting producer, welfare producer, editor producer – whatever the project required to bring incredible human experiences to the forefront. Whether unearthing extraordinary tales for the BAFTA-winning McCullin, discovering imaginative artists on The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge, giving a voice to disparate realities on Rich House Poor House, or forward planning on brand new build format Stacey Solomon’s Renovation Rescue,  my mission has been uncovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.

As a welfare producer, creating an ethical space where people feel safe and empowered to share their truths is paramount. On the casting side, I have a knack for identifying singular talent and pitching them in a way that lets their authenticity shine through nuanced protocols and evocative tapes. Securing institutional access is also key.

As a producer my versatility spans a range of genres – from the high-wire logistics of Stacey’s renovation series to uplifting character-driven narratives like The Farmers’ Country Showdown through edit producing.

I’m ready to chart a course through these turbulent waters. Brighter days may be on the horizon, but until then, I’ll navigate with resilience and creativity, determined to leave my mark as an enduring storyteller.

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4855/donna-harry

In an ideal world my dream scenario is for my TV career to keep evolving. Over the next few years, I’d love to really hone my storytelling skills by spending some dedicated time Edit producing. Bringing  character-driven narratives to life – that’s the kind of work that truly fulfils me. And  if I can avoid getting pigeonholed along the way, even better! Branching out into fresh formats like renovation shows, food programs, maybe even dipping into true crime…that freelancer versatility would be amazing for satisfying all my creative cravings.

But at the end of the day, what really drives me is that bigger picture goal of eventually levelling up to Series producing, nurturing the next generation of diverse filmmaking voices. Guiding them to craft their authentic perspectives and visions…that’s the dream.

Donna Harry is currently in work through Media Parents! Woohoo!

https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/4855/donna-harry

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

One of my earliest forays into television was working on ‘Ladette to Lady’, writes Edit Producer Bohdan Kolesnik. But maybe not as you know it.

This show remains one of the most interesting reality shows I’ve ever worked on in the Ukraine. One of the characters had bipolar disorder, which manifested in two distinct behavioural models. On one hand, she was a typical teenager who had suffered from a lack of maternal love and attention during her childhood. On the other, she had delusions of being the prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre, imagining her father as a policeman and a deputy of the Duma. She possessed a remarkable ability to humour and entertain those around her. There was an occasion when she refused to go on set and began to pack her suitcases, claiming she was heading off to Monaco. I have a fondness for comedy reality shows; they’re my favourite genre.

I worked on the Russian adaptation of the British TV show ‘Ladette to Lady’, known as Tomboys. Comedy reality shows are my favourite genre. Editing the show’s humorous content was a significant challenge – creating a compelling 9-minute scene from 10 hours of footage featuring 12 characters and interspersing 12 interviews — but one I accomplished with relish.

Bohdan Kolesnik Edit Producer https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18080/bohdan-kolesnik

My name is Bohdan, and I hail from Kyiv, I made the move to London in 2022. I made the strategic move to London, taking advantage of my student status which, at the time, allowed me to cross the border without being conscripted into the army.

Since 2018, I have been working as an Edit Producer for British formats on Ukrainian television and Russian reality TV shows, produced in Kyiv by local production companies. Currently, I am seeking opportunities in UK reality TV shows — a genre beloved by the Ukrainian audience, particularly for its UK formats.

Another project close to my heart was the Russian adaptation of ‘That’ll Teach ‘Em’ (Channel 4) . We placed ten troubled teenagers in a Soviet-style school where they spent ten weeks working to improve their behaviour and relationships with their parents. It was rewarding to work on a show that tackled socially critical issues and explored the parent-child dynamic. The stringent deadlines were the toughest aspect, requiring us to edit extensive material within tight time frames. Over the course of 14 weeks of cutting, we had to condense vast amounts of footage into a coherent timeline within very tight schedules, ultimately crafting episodes that were 1 hour and 10 minutes in length.

I am also continuing to work remotely on a Ukrainian reality show, an adaptation of the US reality show ‘Mum of the Week,’ which continues to enjoy high ratings in Ukraine.

I’ve edit produced smaller realities like ‘Goddess of Shopping’ and ‘Dating No Filter’ (an adaptation of the American reality ‘Dating #NoFilter’). I was also called on to assist a Polish production whose edit producer had fallen ill. Despite not speaking Polish, I took on the challenge. The task of editing in a language similar to Ukrainian, yet distinct, honed my skills in storytelling across linguistic boundaries.

Since the war began and I relocated to London, I’ve been sending my CV to various production companies, eager for an opportunity to work on UK TV. I’ve had no responses yet, but I’ve been improving my language skills and working in Liberty Shop (at Regent street) to stay afloat.

I’m determined not to give up. Through Media Parents and Facebook groups I am hopeful to be welcomed into a production team. I am open to any opportunity in post-production and am prepared to start in an entry-level position to gain experience.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/18080/bohdan-kolesnik

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

Entries for Grierson British Documentary Awards 2024 are now open! With 15 categories to enter, the Grierson Awards (brought to you by The Grierson Trust in association with All3Media) celebrate excellence across all documentary genres.

Documentaries and factual programmes that have been available to a UK audience with the first screening between 1 June 2023 – 31 May 2024 are eligible.

Enter by 31 May 2024: https://bit.ly/3v8TlMy

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

I’m a Creative Producer Director, writes Dave Baker, with 14 years’ experience in factual,  (The One Show, A Place in the Sun, Watchdog). I’ve worked in factual entertainment (Strictly, Come Dine with Me, Cash in the Attic), sport (MOTD, the Paralympics – I came into TV via BBC Sport), children’s, cookery (I had a previous career as a chef), corporate and online promotional films. I’ve diversified to get work!

Dave Baker is available now https://www.mediaparents.co.uk/freelancers/12141/dave-baker

At the moment, like most of the freelance TV workforce, I’ve kind of had it with television. Whilst I don’t want to give the impression I’m hard work, or hard to work with, I feel let down by the broadcasters’ approach to this go-slow, it’s apparent that they haven’t supported the freelancers they usually can’t survive without. Where’s the reassurance? The outreach? The suggestion of any kind of plan? Is it any wonder that TV Mindset is overflowing with freelancers at this stage of the game, to the point that they are broadcasting video messages from beleaguered freelancers? (I mean something stronger than beleaguered).

I’m currently looking for work in TV or out of TV, because whilst I’m experienced, my family can’t survive on nothing. I’m a confident and effective self-shooter on FS6, and I direct crew and talent.  I live outside the M25. I have substantial edit time (Watchdog, The One Show) and the ability to write tight and engaging scripts. (See?)

Dave Baker shoots, directs, edit produces and much more

I’ve updated my CV with invaluable advice from Media Parents Director Amy Walker but despite that it’s not yet secured me work. In addition to self-shooting, directing and edit producing, I’m also an effective contributor finder and casting producer. And I have fast turn-around edit and international shoot experience. What’s a freelancer got to do to get a gig these days?

To contact Dave Baker, log into Media Parents and click here. Dave is available now.

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