RTS Southern

Students from across the Southern region had the chance to network with a range of media professionals to discuss current industry trends and opportunities for career development. Steph Farmer, executive producer of RedBalloon Productions and a member of the RTS Southern Committee, said: “We try and run this event annually and, as usual, it saw a fantastic turnout, with students from Bournemouth, Solent and Winchester attending.”

The Freelancers Fair was attended by producers from throughout the region, such as ITV, the BBC, local companies Topical Television and Woodcut Media, talent placement agency Gritty Talent and content supplier Southpoint Films.

Attending were a mixture of seasoned programme-makers and newcomers looking for their first jobs. CVs, LinkedIn and Talent Manager profiles were shared, offering a great opportunity to celebrate the local talent in the region.

“I’d never work again. It’s three different people – they’re all in the business and they’re all very powerful, so I’m never going to say – but I love them all dearly.”

Parish and her husband and fellow actor, James Murray, were discussing their careers with ITV News Meridian presenter Sangeeta Bhabra at an RTS Southern event in March. 

Ricochet’s director of programmes Rob Butterfield and executive producer Heather Lamb discussed their hit BBC One show The Repair Shop.

Butterfield felt the show tapped into the nation’s emotional mood during the coronavirus lockdown: “The importance of family during lockdown and not being able to see our loved ones really seems to have resonated with the themes of the show.”

Hosted at Bournemouth University and chaired by RTS Southern’s Gordon Cooper, the event boasted a panel of 15 professionals, ranging from those at the start of their careers to senior television executives. 

“Meet the professionals” heard from one recent graduate who is now a location camera operator for Sky News and another who is forging a career as a production co-ordinator on large-scale dramas, including Sanditon and The Good Karma Hospital. 

Chris Packham brought his passion and knowledge to two RTS Southern events at Bournemouth University in early March, highlighting the need for greater environmental sustainability in programme production.

In the afternoon, the TV presenter and naturalist spoke to media students about sustainable TV production. In the evening, he talked candidly about his life and TV career – and how he copes with the effects of Asperger syndrome.

Now in its 10th year, this annual event has become a Southern Centre institution.

Some 200 production-based students from regional universities met around 15 media professionals to discuss TV production, opportunities in the industry and career development.

One of the professionals offering advice at the event was Dean Massey, who in 2014 was part of the first batch of students to receive an RTS bursary. Massey, a graduate of Southampton Solent University’s Television and Video Production course, currently works for Sky News as a camera operator/editor.