RTS Futures

RTS Futures Careers Fair delivers advice on how to make it in the TV industry

RTS Futures Careers Fair 2018 (Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)
The students and young TV hopefuls were able to absorb advice from some of television’s biggest names, as well as its rising talent at the event, which was held in Islington, London. The all-day fair offered five sessions on getting started in telly, while in the exhibition hall some 40 broadcasters, independent producers and industry bodies were on hand to pass on their telly knowledge.
 

RTS Futures Careers Fair 2018: Meet the exhibitors

The RTS Futures Careers Fair is back with all the advice, help and information to kick start your career in television. 

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity on Tuesday 6th February to take part in interview masterclasses, have your CV improved by professional employers and talk to the most influential creatives in the industry to help you get your first foot in the door in TV.

300 people attend RTS Futures NI careers day

The day featured a series of workshops and masterclasses run by industry professionals, and was attended by 300 people. 

David Monaghan and the BBC Make It team offered a “social media surgery”, while Games NI Chair Kitty Crawford ran a gaming workshop.

BBC NI talent manager Helen Thompson and Nicola McConville organised a “creative clinic”, which focused on how to stand out in CVs and interviews. The clinic was followed by a speed-dating event, with telly execs dispensing quick-fire advice.  

Top scriptwriters offer advice on writing for TV drama

The panel (l-r) Sophie Petzal, Rachel Flowerday, John Jackson, Daisy Goodwin, David Hancock and Rachelle Constant (Credit: RTS/Paul Hampartsoumian)

“It’s important for me to have something to say. We’ve all written stuff that’s competent and empty,” said Sophie Petzal, whose television breakthrough came on CBBC dramas such as Wolfblood and Dangermouse. More recently she has written episodes for Sky Atlantic’s Riviera and BBC Two’s The Last Kingdom, and has original scripts in development with Company Pictures.

Event report: Breaking into Broadcasting

Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian

At the late-September session, acquisitions, commissioning, marketing, media law and scheduling – rather than running and researching or presenting and producing – were the subjects for discussion.

Jay Davidson described her route into commissioning as “convoluted”. The BBC Two and BBC Four assistant commissioner moved from record labels to Radio 1Xtra to BBC television via a series of marketing roles.

“My expertise is understanding audiences, really knowing what makes them tick,” explained Davidson. “I’ve used my marketing expertise in a commissioning situation.”