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Cambridge Careers Talk Friday Feb 1st

1/28/2013

TV & the Creative Industries Careers Talk

Getting In and Getting On!
Friday February 1st 3pm
Mill Lane Lecture Room 7, Cambridge

A talk by Julian Dismore
TV and Web Video Producer
Author of ‘TV: An Insider’s Guide’

Julian is an award winning TV director and web video producer. He’s travelled the world, making TV shows and web videos for BBC 1, ITV, Channel 4, Five, Animal Planet, Sky, Nat Geographic and Discovery.

He’s directed a wide variety of programmes, including ‘Skin Deep’ for Discovery, ‘O’Shea’s Dangerous Reptiles’ for Channel 4, ‘Jimmy’s’ for ITV, ‘Britain’s Psychic Challenge’ for Five, ‘Holidays from Hell’ for ITV, ‘Medics’ for National Geographic and ‘Mr Right’ for ITV.

Julian’s series produced prime time ITV series ‘Crash Scene Investigators’, ‘Missing Mums: Lorraine Kelly Investigates’ for Sky, The Sheriffs Are Coming’ for BBC1 and he was post production producer on ‘Animal ER’ for Discovery, ‘Cowboy Trap’ for BBC1 and ‘Big Body Squad’ for Five.

Julian will reveal some amazing death defying stories from his TV career. He will divulge showbiz gossip about some of the stars he’s directed. And he will give you insider’s secrets about how to get into TV and the creative industries.

His talk includes ‘must know’ tips and essential advice to avoid you wasting years writing doomed applications and attending unsuccessful interviews.

And it will show you how to excel in creative industries once you have your foot in the door…

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Grad Link Article

11/23/2010

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I've just written a piece for Grad Link (below) Interested to hear your thoughts on it...

Grad Link Article: Getting Into TV

1) What experience you need

It always helps to have relevant experience. Remember, a TV production company isn’t a teaching establishment. Schedules are short and budgets are tight, so your CV and introductory e mail needs to convince them you’re going to be productive from day one. Previous work experience is invaluable (it shows someone else has already had faith in you!) and your CV must show you have a genuine interest in TV and have already acquired some skills. Do University TV, radio and / or journalism. Perhaps even film, edit and upload videos to your own YouTube Channel. It shows you’re resourceful and motivated!

2) How to get experience

Send an introductory e mail and CV to as many TV production companies as you can. Don’t be choosey – blitz it! The more seeds you sow the more chance you have of success. E mail addresses for production companies can be found from their websites. Production company names come up at the end of the programme credits. You may even try to guess the e mail addresses of producers and production managers (they’re on the credits too) and get in touch with them. You should also join my facebook group ‘tv:insidersguide’ to find out about work ex openings.

3) How to approach producers

See above. Your introductory e mail needs to be succinct. Remember they’re very busy people and do not want to read your theories discussing the role of television in modern day society. Just write what you want (work experience or a runner job probably) and why they should give it to you (outline your skills and relevant background) Make sure your CV is TV oriented. Your GCSE in Needlework / Captaincy of the Rugby Team / Grade 8 in Piano and other non-relevant achievements should be deleted!

4) How to decide what area you want to work in

Personally I prefer factual programmes because you get to meet fascinating people, go to amazing places and hear (and film) remarkable stories. You get fantastic life experiences and you’re never short of an anecdote to tell your mates! For other people, drama is more their thing. But whatever your ambition, don’t be too choosey to begin with. Just get your foot in the door, work hard and create a good impression. Start to work your way up and then look to direct your career towards your preferred area.

5) Whether a media specific degree is necessary

Many people in TV do not have media specific degrees so it clearly isn’t necessary. Some media courses are useful if they are practical based and help you make contacts in the industry, but they certainly aren’t a guaranteed passage into TV. You need to do everything you can whilst at University or College to boost your skill set and CV. It’s very hard to get into TV because it’s the best job in the world, so your CV has to be extremely impressive to get your first chance and then you need to excel from day one. Good luck!

If you have any direct questions for me, feel free to e mail me at directtvtraining@yahoo.co.uk

Julian

Julian Dismore
TV Series Producer
Author:’ TV: An Insider’s Guide’
www.tvtheinsidersguide.com

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Julian Dismore is an award winning TV series director and web video producer. He’s also an international TV format consultant and experienced media skills trainer.

Julian has produced top rating programmes for ITV, Channel 4, Five, Sky, Discovery, National Geographic and Animal Planet. He’s been Series Producer and Director on dozens of highly regarded programmes.

Cambridge Careers Talk Friday Feb 1st

Grad Link Article

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