directing

David Jackson on why he owes everything to TV drama

Winterlong (Credit: Nox Films)

This was just one of the questions put to director David Jackson by RTS East’s Fiona Ryder, following a screening of his impressive debut feature, Winterlong, at the Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge, in late April.

Jackson, who received his first big break from Nicola Shindler at the Red Production Company directing the RTS award-winning series Clocking Off, said he owed everything to TV drama.

Adrian Lester on how to switch between acting and directing

Adrian Lester with Julia Stiles on the set of Riviera (Credit: Sky)

I’ve always loved acting, I just caught the bug.

It’s become an old saying now, but if you can make a living doing what you love, then you’ll never have to work a day in your life. That has certainly been what it’s felt like for me. The hardest thing to deal with is what happens when you're not able to work, and you either have to take another job or just be frustrated and wait. There’s all sorts of disappointments waiting for you, and I think the measure of professionalism in our career is how you handle disappointments, not how you handle success.

Tips in 60 seconds... How to become a drama director

Drama directing is an immensely fun job but also highly competitive. You need determination and imagination to succeed according to Christiana Ebohon. 

Christiana has over fifteen years in the industry. She has been behind some of the most recognisable series, directing Doctors, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. As well as drama series, she has made a number of award-winning short films and is now trying her hand at high end drama and features. Here she offers her best advice on becoming a drama director.