RTS Futures Northern Ireland, in partnership with Queens University Belfast, ran another highly successful Careers Fair in early November – including a session with leading TV writer Jed Mercurio.
More than 350 people attended a series of workshops, masterclasses and panel events run by industry professionals from across the creative sector.
BBC Studios talent manager Julie Forbes and BBC NI senior resourcing advisor Nicola McConville ran a CV masterclass. The duo offered advice on how to break into the competitive TV and film industries, and gave one-to-one “creative clinics” to hone interview skills and CVs. Their tips included: “Never send the same CV twice – get to know the companies around you.”
The second event featured a panel discussion hosted by RTS Futures NI’s Alex McQuitty, who chaired a discussion on radio and broadcasting. The panel featured Q Radio breakfast hosts Jordan Humphries and Ryan Annett, Bauer Academy’s David Corscadden and Cool FM’s Rebecca McKinney. “Know your station, deliver and sell content well – and be relatable to your listener,” said Annett.
Director Shelly Love offered an insight into movie making, following the international success of her debut feature, the Derry-set comedy A Bump Along the Way. She was joined on stage by the film’s script supervisor Orla Finucane.
The final event of the day was held in Queens University Belfast’s Great Hall, and saw BBC Northern Ireland arts broadcaster Marie-Louise Muir interview Jed Mercurio, the writer and creator of hit thrillers Bodyguard and Line of Duty.
Mercurio discussed his career, highlighting the fantastic experience of working in Northern Ireland. Line of Duty is shot in and around Belfast.
The RTS Futures NI Careers Fair was part of BBC Digital Cities Belfast, which put on a series of training events and workshops from the BBC Academy and other organisations from 3 to 8 November.
