The West of England centre teamed up with BBC Academy to deliver a session during the latter’s Production Unlocked series in Bristol in mid-January, aimed at an RTS Futures audience and looking at career strategy, tactics and career routes into television.
In an informative and lively discussion, Keo Films creative director Matt Cole quizzed a panel working across production management, editorial and post-production about their experiences.
Aishah Masood, a researcher at Offspring Films and fine art graduate, was worried that her lack of a science degree would hold her back in her quest to work in natural history.
Brendan Coles, a junior online editor at post-production company Gorilla, said: “Most people are willing to teach you – sit with them and learn; be open to changing how you do things.” He said he was determined to move from the technical side of post-production to the creative, suggesting: “You can sometimes be pigeonholed.”
Ben Cheetham, a producer at Five Mile Films, currently directing a First Cut (Channel 4’s first-time directors strand), found rejection difficult but added: “People in the industry understand how hard it is.” He first got a job in casting for Channel 4’s The Dog House at Five Mile Films and, though he knew he wanted to direct, “made sure I got a lot out of each job”.
Monique Tedeschi, now a production co-ordinator at Wildstar Films, started her career in sport, working on outside broadcasts and in studios, but knew she loved natural history. The move meant the role “was a lot more unpredictable, needing a fast reaction to changing situations”, but she said all her skills were transferable.
