In our most ambitious Careers Fair yet, this four day event from Monday 12 October to Thursday 15 October will bring together people from across the world of TV for SIX hours of live-streamed sessions, masterclasses and workshops each day.

Alongside Q&A panel sessions with the people who work on the biggest shows and brands, there will be some incredible practical workshops and masterclasses including help with your CV, an animation workshop, sessions on digital effects, working on location, podcasting, TV News and post production.

People confirmed to do sessions include: Jed Mercurio, writer, producer, director and novelist, Barbara Slater, OBE, Director BBC Sport; Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC Three; Isa Guha (BBC cricket presenter and commentator); Chris Stark (The Peter Crouch Podcast); Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani (Brown Girls Do It Too podcast); Jacqui Oatley (sports broadcaster/journalist/presenter); Mark Cole, MD, Whisper TV;  Martin Dougan (Newsround) and Louis Cryer (Comedy Central).  

In a first, we will also visit the set of BBC One’s award-winning Doctors in Birmingham to see how and where they film this brilliant drama. We’ll find out who does what, how they do it and more and do a Q&A with cast and crew live from the drama village.

This event is unmissable if you have ever thought about working in TV. 

About the sponsor

First established in 1971 and due to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) has evolved to become a leading global institution, developing some of Britain and the world’s top creative talent.

Session programme:

Monday 12th October

10:00-10:45              Get Ready for your first job in TV with Jude Winstanley – BOOK NOW

Managing Director of theunitlist.com and TV Line Producer, Jude Winstanley, guides you through the essential tools to equip you for a job behind the camera, including the realities of working in TV, writing a CV and job hunting

11:15 – 12:00           Thinking about the future of the entertainment business in a converging world: consumer price, choice, regulation, and discoverability – BOOK NOW

When we talk about the future of entertainment we usually think about ‘the products and content we like’. But the last few months have thrown our usual consumer choice behaviour up in the air. What might the future look like? What might be the outcome be in the battle between subscription, ad supported, and transactional models? And why should we care? Chris Auty, Head of the Creative Business for Entrepreneurs and Executives and Producing courses at the NFTS, explores.

12:30 – 1:15              How to kick off a career in sports broadcasting – BOOK NOW

If your goal is making a maximum break into sports broadcasting this is the RTS cup final for you. Former England cricketer turned broadcaster Isa Guha umpires a premier league panel of top broadcasters including  BBC sport supremo Barbara Slater, commentator/presenter Jacqui Oatley, former Wolves keeper turned pundit Matt Murray and top indy head honcho Mark Cole (he’s promised not to whisper) as they field a few googlies on mixing sport with broadcasting. So no need to dive for cover – sign up now for a lunch session that’s easily digested.

1.45-2.30                  Is TV somewhere you can work if you have a disability? – BOOK NOW

Is TV somewhere you can work if you have a disability? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes! In this revealing discussion, five talented individuals from in front and behind the camera talk about the challenges they have faced and their journeys to success. From the commissioning editor who oversees popular series such as Escape to the Country and the Great British Menu to the man who deployed a Natural History Unit wheelchair user on a foreign shoot for the first time, this Q&A is all about saying ‘yes you can!’ Hosted by Newsround presenter Martin Dougan this Q&A features Julie Shaw, BBC Daytime Commissioning Editor, Jay Francis, Freelance Online Editor, Corie Brown, Channel 4 Continuity Announcer and Doug Mackay-Hope , NHU Executive Producer.

3.00-4.00                  ScreenSkills CV Masterclass – BOOK NOW

Does your CV entice employers to find out more about you? Make contact to (V) meet with you? Learn how to write a good CV for the screen industries, understand what will help you land an interview for a job, work experience or work shadowing.

This session outlines the basics of a strong screen CV with helpful tips and hints from our ScreenSkills team to help you land your CV on the top of the pile 

 

Tuesday 13th October

10:00-10:45             How to make a brilliant podcast– BOOK NOW

This awe inspiring panel make two of the biggest podcasts on the planet! Join Nikki Tapper as she talks to Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani from Brown Girls Do It Too and Chris Stark and George Cottam (Series Producer) from The Peter Crouch Podcast.

Panel: Poppy Jay, Presenter, Brown Girls Do It Too, Rubina Pabani, Brown Girls Do It Too, Chris Stark, Presenter, The Peter Crouch Podcast, George Cottam, Series, Editor, The Peter Crouch Podcast, Host: Nikki Tapper

11:15 - 12:00            Filming with a smart phone - BOOK NOW

Learn how to create news reports on a smartphone or tablet and how to get good quality sound and shooting in the correct dimensions. BBC Young Reporter works with schools, colleges and youth groups to connect with 11-18 year olds.  We aim to provide them with the skills they need to understand the media, find out more about the range of careers and pathways into the creative industry, and encourage them to report on the stories that matter to them. To find out more visit our website here

12:30 – 1:15             Working in the Locations Department with Film Birmingham - BOOK NOW

Film Birmingham’s Working in the Locations Department (WILD) session is ideal for the next generation of aspiring film and TV Location Managers. Find out from how the locations department plays an important part of making film & TV. Hear from experienced Location Managers about their work and why they chose to work in the department.

1:20- 2:10                 Freelancing: Ask your questions on how to operate as a freelancer - BOOK NOW

Fancy a break from big Zooms and panel sessions? Book your 20-minute slot to ask your questions in a small group and get practical tips about how to operate as a freelancer in the media industry. ScreenSkills are joined by Alison Grade, author of The Freelance Bible who is based in Birmingham and Alison Surtees, an experienced trainer from Manchester answer your questions about being a freelancer. Who is this session for? What is the format? This session is for people who would like specific answers about what tools you’ll need to operate in the freelance market. We’ll be holding small group sessions where you will have the opportunity to ask your questions to our experienced advisors. Therefore, you’ll need a stable internet connection and we’d encourage you to have your cameras on for the session and be prepared to unmute yourselves in order to fully participate in the group

1.45-2.30                  Top tips for a career in Digital Effects– BOOK NOW

Would you like to work in the creative industries as a VFX artist? John Rowe, Head of Digital FX at the NFTS shares some top tips to give you the best possible opportunity of success in your career.

3:00- 4:00                Ask us Anything - with experts from across the industry BOOK NOW

This ‘Ask me anything’ Session will give attendees access to 7 professionals from across the industry, we have talent managers, casting producers, video editors and content producers.  The purpose of this session is to allow attendees to put their questions to our panel of industry experts in the hope of getting some useful advice, tips and hints on how to progress in the television industry. The Panel; Tracy Walker, Talent Executive at ITV Studios North, Isobel Percy, Talent & Resourcing Coordinator (Continuing Drama and ProVision), Mel Adams, Talent Manager, BBC Sport, David Toms, Video Editor, BBC Three, Niall Bradnick, Content Producer, BBC Three and Lina Hashweh, Casting Producer, BBC Three

 

Wednesday 14th October

10:00 – 10:45          Ask Us Anything – Entertainment & Comdey - BOOK NOW

Louis Cryer, Series Producer, Comedy Central; Shehla Daar, Casting and Celeb Producer; Ollie Knowles, Producer, Don’t Rock the Boat; and Naz Mantoo, Researcher; are the awesome line up who will tell you all about working in worlds of entertainment and comedy. Hosted by Trish Adudu.

11:15- 12:00              The Doctors will see you now…live from the home of BBC One soap Doctors - BOOK NOW

In this super-exciting session we go to the actual set of Doctors in Birmingham to see how and where they film this brilliant drama. We’ll find out who does what, how they do it and hopefully get some behind the scenes gossip! Live Q&A with onscreen talent.

12:30-1:15                 In conversation with Fiona Campbell - BOOK NOW

Talking to Radio 2’s Richie Anderson BBC Three boss Fiona Campbell will reveal all about running the most exciting, creative and critically-acclaimed TV channel in the UK, sharing how she started out in the industry, what it takes to make it, how the media is changing, and what the future might hold for those starting out now. Sponsored by University of Worcester School of Arts

1:20- 2:10                 Freelancing: Ask your questions on how to operate as a freelancer - BOOK NOW

Fancy a break from big Zooms and panel sessions? Book your 20-minute slot to ask your questions in a small group and get practical tips about how to operate as a freelancer in the media industry. ScreenSkills are joined by Alison Grade, author of The Freelance Bible who is based in Birmingham and Alison Surtees, an experienced trainer from Manchester answer your questions about being a freelancer. Who is this session for? What is the format? This session is for people who would like specific answers about what tools you’ll need to operate in the freelance market. We’ll be holding small group sessions where you will have the opportunity to ask your questions to our experienced advisors. Therefore, you’ll need a stable internet connection and we’d encourage you to have your cameras on for the session and be prepared to unmute yourselves in order to fully participate in the group

3:00 - 4:00               CV Masterclass with BBC Experts BOOK NOW

The BBC session will be led by Resourcing Specialist – Mark Smith who heads up the BBC Schemes Team. With responsibility for the application and selection process stages for some of the BBC’s most popular entry level routes, the team have pulled together their top application tips and CV skills into a session which should support applications across the media industry. This session will look at building a solid CV structure but also the importance of preparing for application forms, which are very common in entry level recruitment processes often replacing CV’s in some processes. So take a peek behind the recruitment curtains and find out how you can best prepare to take on your next opportunity

Thursday 15th October

10:00-10:45              Post production - is this where the magic of TV really happens...find out from our super panel of experts - BOOK NOW

Want to know more about post production? Hosted by ITV Central’s Sonia Matharu with Ashley Allen from BBC Three,  Max Goldini from The Farm Group and Steve Killick from BBC Doctors.

11:15-12:00               Working in News- is it the toughest gig in TV? - BOOK NOW

Find out all about life in the exciting world of television news. Trustworthy and accurate news bulletins are now more important than ever before. How do news teams react to breaking news? How have they coped during the Covid-19 pandemic? Our super talented panel of editorial and technical experts from the BBC and ITV will tell their stories. They’ll also offer advice on how best to get your foot in the newsroom door. Hosted by Nesta McGregor, BBC Senior Sports Journalist. Panelists:  ITV News Central On-Screen Journalist Rajiv Popat, BBC Political Reporter Kathryn Stanczyszyn, ITV News Central Content Editor Lucy Kapasi, BBC Technical Operator Sam Hughes.

12:30 - 1:15               In conversation with Jed Mercurio - BOOK NOW

Jed Mercurio is the acclaimed writer who now also produces and directs. From this wide perspective, he's able to tell us how writing really works in television today, and how writers can best enter the industry. Plus insights into how you can write compelling drama that keeps audiences wanting more. Jed’s writing credits include Line of Duty, The Bodyguard, Bodies, Cardiac Arrest and The Grimleys. Hosted by William Gallagher in conjunction with the Writers' Guild.

1:45 - 2:30                Animation Workshop – the world of animation is brought to life by our experts - BOOK NOW

The fascinating world of animation is brought to life by our award-winning experts Drew Roper, Yamination Studios; Jo Dunlop – Production Manager and Rachael Redfern, The Character Shop; and freelance animator Fraser Ntukula. The Midlands is home to a thriving animation industry and this session will give you access all areas to this highly creative and specialised sector.  Hosted by BBC Three’s Ava Patel.

 

3:00-4:00                  Innovation Showcase - BOOK NOW

Careers in tech with the BBC Innovation Showcase - Join the BBC Innovation Showcase for a sneak peek of some of the latest tech that's impacting on how we see and interact with the world around us. The team will show exciting live demos centred around voice assistants and augmented reality, followed by a special Q&A to discuss what types of jobs and careers these technologies could be generating.

 

For more info and to see our regular updates, please visit the RTS Midlands Careers Fair page and follow #RTSCareersFair and updates on @rts_mids on Twitter and @RTSMidsCentre on Facebook