Sixty delegates and guest speakers gathered at the West Midlands Safari Park, Worcestershire in early July to discuss diversity, digital skills and production opportunities in the Midlands region.
At the RTS Midlands Centre conference, the Director of the BBC Academy and BBC Birmingham, Joe Godwin, discussed training and apprenticeship schemes as well as the success of BBC Drama in the region.
Diversity was the theme of the workshop chaired by former BBC community affairs correspondent Barnie Choudhury, which featured actor and broadcaster Phina Oruche, BBC head of business development Tommy Nagra and Godwin.
At the workshop, Choudhury asked: “Has diversity been highjacked by those who want to stop creativity?” prompting a passionate debate.
Ian MacKenzie, Channel 4 Nations & Regions manager, encouraged producers to contact him so he could make introductions and increase production across the region.
Colette Foster, the founder of Birmingham-based factual entertainment indie Full Fat TV, was enthusiastic about the future of TV production in the Midlands.
The former joint Managing Director of Remarkable TV has been responsible for some of the most successful popular factual programmes on television, including Channel 4’s Supersize vs Superskinny.
Des Tong, a producer and presenter from Walsall-based local television channel Big Centre TV, outlined the development of the region’s newest broadcaster.
Naz Mantoo, audience development manager at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, discussed the schemes for young people and those new to the industry at the festival.
BBC trainer Marc Settle offered tips, and showcased apps and gadgets for journalists and producers wanting to get the most out of their smart phones.
