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Cambridge Careers Talk Friday Feb 1st

1/28/2013

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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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Q and A about TV

3/18/2011

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1)

a) What was your first job in television? A researcher in the science department at YTV in Leeds.

b) How did you get the job? I was very lucky, happening to wander into the University Careers Office minutes after YTV called asking for applicants. I applied for the job, got an interview, wrote down the wrong address so I was late, as a result I thought I’d blown it and was very relaxed, and this is probably what got me the job (I guess everyone else was too tense!)

c) When was it? 1988

d) How long was it for? 15 years.

2)

a) What career moves did you make after this? I was lucky enough to go up the ranks at YTV, researcher, associate producer, producer / director, series producer. I was also lucky enough to move into the most interesting and exciting departments, documentaries and international factual.

b) What is the best method of making an upwards move? Work hard and be lucky.

c) Who are the best people to make contacts with in order to move up the career ladder? Make contacts with everyone. And I mean everyone.

3)

a) What is the best job role you've been in? Researcher is good because you get to go to all the exciting places, meet the fascinating people and hear their captivating stories without the mindblowing pressure of actually having to deliver a top quality programme on time and on budget (that’s down to the producers) Being a series producer is good when you help people progress, and creating your own programme is always satisfying – but it can be quite stressful!

b) Is there a job you've done that you regret? I try to get something out of everything I do – in terms of learning new skills, different ways of filming, fresh editing techniques, new contacts and most importantly new friends. I have made mistakes – and when a programme goes out there are always things you’d like to change, but that’s life I guess.

4)

a) How long, after entering the industry, did it take you to get your ideal job? It depends what you mean by ideal job. My most enjoyable job has been filming DVDs and web videos for IPL teams. Cricket, money, India, partying… it doesn’t get much better than that. Except when terrorists try to blow you up like they did in Mumbai when I went out to film the Champions League…

b) Do you think it's important to have a lot of experience in the industry before you get a high up position? I think it is a good idea. It means you understand the trials and tribulations of programme making when you are viewing shows and feeding back comments.

5)

a) As a producer what are you actually in charge of? It varies depending on the production and the way the company organises it. As series producer you are usually in charge of (or responsible for) picking a top team, recruiting them, delivering the programme on budget, delivering on schedule, delivering a programme the execs are so happy with they will recommission, delivering a programme that gets good viewing figures and good reviews, doing a good speech at the end of series party and throughout the production maintaining morale amongst the troops. Those things can be mutually exclusive – which makes it a stressful role!

b) What is the best part? Helping people progress and learn more skills, making new friends, delivering a good programme.

c) What is the worst part? The fact achieving the whole list above can be unattainable, especially the morale part on a long tough shoot.

6) What qualities should a person have to be a producer? The ability to deliver the above list – so being a miracle worker helps!

7) If you could go back to the start of your career what piece of advice would you give yourself and thus others entering the industry? Don’t be overambitious and in a rush. Acquire the skills to be good at each stage – then look to move up. Be nice to everyone. And remember it’s only telly – not life and death. Unless your programme is about euthanasia.

8)

a) How has the industry changed over time? When I was in Mumbai under hotel arrest because of the terrorists I filmed interviews in my room with cricketers, I edited them on my laptop and I uploaded them to YouTube that night. When I first started at YTV in 1988 it would have taken a whole building to film, edit and broadcast a programme (and a government license, there were only four channels) Plus you weren’t allowed to be that multiskilled. People had clearly defined roles and stuck to them. Plus there was only one computer in the office, no mobile phones, no sat navs, no e mails… how on earth we made programmes I’ll never know!

b) Do you think it's now easier or more difficult to get to your position than it has been in the past?

Both. There are more channels and more opportunities. But there are also more people wanting to get in thanks to all the media courses and the fact it is such a great job. If you try hard enough for long enough and you have the right attitude and skills you should still make it though. The key is not giving up – and making your own luck.

9) Is being multi-skilled important in getting your first job and if so why? No. But it is now.

10)

a) What would be your dream programme to make? Please include budget, schedule, locations and what production roles would be on your team. I’ve already done it – in terms of pure enjoyment the cricket filming was the tops, in terms of achieving something worthwhile the undercover investigation into sex tourism in the far east which helped get the law changed, and in terms of proving something to myself delivering 26 half hours of TV in a year in my first series producer role was rewarding. Looking forward every producer would like a massive budget, a long schedule, glamorous foreign locations and to be in charge – so you can mould the programme the way you want to make it without too much interference. But that aint gonna happen these days!

b) How is this different from the reality? Very different. With programmes that are high stakes (and programmes that aren’t) there is scrutiny and intervention at every stage. Execs are also under a lot of pressure – and the customer is always right!

11) In recent years budgets and schedules have been cut. How has this affected making television?

It can be frustrating when your mum says “why isn’t your programme as good as Life on Earth!” People don’t really understand that if you have less money and less time it is hard to make it as impressive as a multimillion dollar project. You can still innovate and make it as good as it can possibly be though, and that can be rewarding. Sometimes you can have the most fun making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!
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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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    Author

    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. 

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