RTS Futures

Entertainment television is a tough game to get into. So how do you succeed in a genre where big ideas and big personalities dominate?

Ross McCarthy is the former Head of Unscripted at Buccaneer Media and previously Executive Producer and head of Development at Outline Productions. He is behind some of entertainment's most high-profile brands, from Health Freaks and Million Dollar Intern to Britain's Big Wildlife Revival and Desi Rascals. In this video he shares some tips on how to succeed in entertainment development.

You've thought of a programme idea, you're about to write a winning pitch but first you need to think of your audience. Tailoring content to specific demographics is highly important in television. Clare Laycock explains how to do it.

Clare is Head of Channel TLC at Discovery Networks UK & Ireland. Previously Clare headed up Really, Home and Good Food at UKTV so she knows a thing or two about making great TV for specific audiences.

Colm McCarthy has multiple famous titles to his directing credits. From Endeavour and Spooks to Doctor Who, Sherlock and most recently the entire second season of Peaky Blinders, McCarthy has a wealth of experience. In this video he gives his best advice on how to get into directing.

Any journalist will tell you that to do their job you need hustle. But how do you hustle your way to become the face of a news organisation and, once there, ensure you do a great job? CNN's Nina dos Santos gives her best advice in just 60 seconds.

Getting that first job in TV is tough. So when you've finally got it, how do you make sure you not only keep it, but progress to the next level? Jessica Wilson is a talent executive at Potato, part of ITV studios. Following a degree she worked her way up from researcher to series producer at the BBC and has a brilliant view on the industry. Here she shares her top tips on impressing in an entry level position.

In television, ideas are like currency. So when you have a great idea, how do you make sure it gets noticed by the right people? And how do you make sure you end up getting the credit for it?

Carrie Britton has over twelve years experience as an Executive and Series producer in Factual and Documentaries. Having previously worked as a talent manager for the BBC and managing director of Indie Training Fund, she now freelances for independents and has cast and produced many expert presenters. Here she shares her tips on how to pitch and protect an idea.

Jasmine Dotiwala is the executive news editor of the youth London 360 News TV Magazine Show at the Media Trust. She has experienced first hand how to work your way up the ladder and now has a wealth of experience in the entertainment journalism industry. Starting out as a runner on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast, Jasmine went on to present The Word before moving to MTV where she spent the following 13 years, ultimately heading up MTV BASE production. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in showbiz, from Mary J. Blige and Destiny's Child to Eminem and Jay Z.

There are so many different TV genres out there, yet it's easy to get pigeonholed into one specialism. So what should you do if you decide you want to try a new genre or pursue your dream of working in drama when you've worked mostly in factual? Emily Gale, Head of Talent at FremantleMedia UK, offers quick-fire advice on how to successfully move between genres.

As one of the most recognised TV brands in the world, jobs in the BBC are some of the most coveted in the TV industry. Thousands apply for its production entry schemes each year, which have limited places available. Understandably therefore, the application process is tough so allow Don Kong, the BBC's Production Talent Pool manager, explain how to shine on paper.

In the first of our series of 'Tips in 60 seconds', Rebecca Stewart gives the lowdown on being a runner. 

Rebecca is a graduate of Television Current Affairs Journalism MA at City University London, an RTS Futures member and currently working as the RTS Digital Multimedia Producer.