RTS Runner to Superstar Event

24th February 2015
From Runner to Superstar

The Panel

David Clews - Creative Director, TwoFour

Claire Zolkwer - Commissioning Editor, Comedy Entertainment, ITV
Torie Chilcot - Co-Founder & CEO, Rockabox Studios

Jon Mountague - Commissioning Editor, Comedy, Sky

Sabina Smitham - Creative Producer, ChannelFlip

Chair, Stephen D Wright.

For a brief overview of the event see here: http://www.rts.org.uk/event-report-runner-superstar

For a more in-depth report, see below.
Please tweet me @KatMace11 and let me know what you think of the advice!

Question 1: Do you think that class has something to do with working in Television?

Short Answer: No, it's about talent and luck.

David Clews pretty much summed it up for me in that he confessed as 'a working class boy from Redditch'. 

Claire Zolkwer chipped in with her story, of selling her car and moving down to London from Glasgow and because of her accent, she was, in essence, classless. People could not place where she was from and so she had no class. Although she did share, that in her first role on a current affairs show, she walked into a team where only 3 people weren't from Ox-bridge. She explained that the industry has come a long way since then, and today it's much more about knowing who you are and being confident in that.

Torie maintained a similar viewpoint in that if you demonstrate that you are interested in the genre, and interested in the people you are working with, you can go far. Torie expressed that if you come in and you demonstrate great knowledge of the working environment you're a part of, despite your rank, and you offer and opinion, it can end with some bloody great ideas and that's more important than class in today's industry.

Jon admitted, that 'you have to have a lot of money for Sky, and I work for Sky by the way', but because you have to pay for sky, the audience need to see themselves reflected in the programming. So the access is open to diverse talent that represents the people who essentially pay to watch Sky and it's about getting the old posh, upper class people out and the balance back in. Our staff and programming needs to reflect the population, by necessity.

Our host Stephen was perhaps the most frank, he shared that the industry he went into was full of public school boys, 'all the nice boys from Ox-bridge', and 'I was a fat c***'. But sure enough, the team soon came to terms with the fact that Stephen proved quite quickly that he knew more about TV than any of his colleagues - because he watched it. Which is another piece of advice championed by our panel)

Sabina then put forward, that luck is perhaps the least important attribute, after working hard and making opportunities for ourselves. Although Claire was quick to point out that you do need luck on your side too. Well, I guess that's my career over then.

Question 2: Do you have to be in London?

Short Answer: Yes (unless you can find a job at media city, Salford)

Claire jumped in pretty much straight away to answer this one. She told how she sold her car and moved down to London in 1991 (the year before I was born), earned £91 a week, £50 went on rent and the rest, went on making ends meet. Although, times have moved on from Claire's day and the possibilities of someone moving to London and finding even a £91 a week job quickly, is quite ridiculous. She stressed you have to be in London.

Jon disagreed. 'Salford exists for that reason', to make it more accessible and break down the huge divide between London and the north. It was an attempt to address that issue and provide opportunities there

Question 3: Does knowing specifically which area you'd like to work in, help you climb the ladder?

Short Answer: Yes, but spend the time dabbling to make sure that you are certain.

David Clews told us that when looking through CVs, they get so many, that 'we're brutal'. Unless you have some kind of experience in that area of programming (say live cooking show), it will go, because the volume of applicants means that someone in the pile, will have that exact experience. So that sucks for us I suppose, but at least he's honest. He did say however, that you need to have confidence and get in touch. He encouraged us to ask for help, ask for a mentor, but instead of asking the MD of a company, talk to someone more on your level. You'll be amazed at what your peers will help you find. 

He did say that we need to dabble and try a few things, like he did at the start. He worked in Children's TV and then moved across to factual. So he did encourage us to find a range of experience but not to spread ourselves too thin, as that would affect our applications when applying for specific roles.

Jon pushed the fact that you have to know where you want to work, whereas Claire stepped in again to say that when she began her career,  it was more about 'earning a crust' than getting the 'right' experience, which she felt related to those sitting in the audience. 

Sabina motivated us all again by jumping in and advising that to get by, don't be afraid of taking a step down. She said that there is almost an obsession to climb up higher and higher when the roles aren't always there. You might learn something if take a step down, or sideways. It's not always about promotion, but experience. It's about networking with your peers, because you'll grow through the industry together.David returned here to encourage us too. He said you can be a really great researcher. We like those who are happy and diligent in their roles rather than turning up, being a researcher for 2 weeks and then say that they want to an AP. That's not how it works. You have to be confident and talk to senior people. You have to know who in the company to speak to about certain ideas and you can't be afraid of saying hello to the Creative director in the kitchen. Talk to people, work hard, that's how you get noticed. Not by pushing for a promotion every ten minutes.

Question 4: Can you start your career in your bedroom?

Short Answer: Yes, use it for learning, for experimenting and as something to show alongside industry experience.

Sabina sat right up at this question, by telling us that we can. She advised that we should use it to learn our own skill and that it isn't just about turning the camera on and talking to it, it's about learning a real skill. Like improving your camera skills, showing your scripting ability.... She advised strongly that we should use platforms like youtube as a learning space, not to gain thousands of views, or to become as big as danisnotonfire.

Jon agreed and furthered that, 'if it's good, the audience will come to it' and we know that now with online series and with platforms like youtube. For a long time commissioners have put on what they THOUGHT the people will want to watch, and now, there is a huge amount of choice for the audience. TV will follow an audience, so online platforms are great for getting ideas and concepts noticed.

David chipped in and said that it's increasingly common for employers to assume that people are able to pick up a camera and if you can do that, yo have advantage over those who can't. You should use platforms like that to learn new skills, can you edit, can you shoot, can you create a basic graphics package. Find out what you're good and tell us on your application, or on your CV.

It was also apparent that learning photoshop could get us ahead, as most of the oldies don't know the software! 

Claire dived in to tell us that there is much more information on what people think now, and content-makers can see that. Back in my day we'd have to write letters to swap shop but now all you have to do is type in a hashtag on twitter and you can see what hundreds of people want.

Torie told us that there are two age groups, 22 and under and, 22 and over and for 22 and unders, there is a wealth of opportunity for content makers. Furthering what Sabina said, she said you want to demonstrate the skills you are good at and that are transferable to the industry environment. If you are a content-maker then you're already a director, already a producer and employers can see that.. It's all about becoming visible, start now, and learn a new skill.

Question 5: How Did you Get in, what's your advice?

Short Answer: Be interesting and interested

Torie took us through an interesting response to this question. She applied for a job as a researcher on a show focussed on gaming. She applied and got asked to an interview before realising that she knew absolutely nothing about gaming and probably didn't care. Rather than throw in the towel, she spent the whole weekend playing Mortal Kombat and wen into the interview and told them that. She may not have known everything they would have liked, but she demonstrated a determination to learn and an enthusiasm for the role that they couldn't have turned down. Torie comically states, 'I still don't give a shit about games'. 

It was more about being interesting, having a story to tell, having a personality and showing dedication. That will stand us in as much stead as anything. 

Question 6: I'm a production assistant, would you ever employ me over someone with 3 researcher credits?

Short Answer: Some yes, some no. Depends on size of production company and element of risk.

David Clew admitted it was unlikely that he would, as there will someone else in the pile that has the correct credentials. However, the panel agreed on the fact that in a larger research team, particularly on shows like 'This Morning', you may be given a chance. Claire maintained that they are 'horrible shows to work on' but you really learn your bread and butter and it's like 'doing your time'. Everyone will want to employ you after that.
Stephen gave out an unprecedented 'of course I would', 'I'd never hold that against anybody' - but unfortunately we all know he doesn't speak for the majority. 

Question 7: There are a lot of jobs now that ask for 'an interest in food' or an 'interest in nature programmes'. Would you advise us, to lie?

Short Answer: Yes, but demonstrating an interest in really wanting to the job is just as important.

Torie again brought us back to her example of Mortal Kombat. She'd effectively applied for a job advertised to gamers and game-lovers. She may not have lied, but she made the effort to get clued up before the interview.

The panel agreed on the fact that as long as you do your research before you get there, and you don't turn up clueless, then there's nothing wrong with lying on the application to get ahead. If you apply to a cooking show role, then between then and beginning the role you should work your way through watching all of the cooking shows ever to have existed.

Claire mentioned once again, that it was important to have an opinion on it. Torie maintained that to get clued up, know your stuff and suggest ideas that will make your superiors go, oh yeh, that's a good idea, is a good way to go.

So it all starts here for us folks. Here's the knowledge from the pros, very poorly written up by a kid working full-time. The panel didn't tell us it was easy, but they certainly told us ways to make it kinder. Be confident, be dedicated, be interested and be interesting. You heard it here first!

Here's the event highlights video from RTS Futures: 

RTS Futures: From Runner to Superstar from Royal Television Society on Vimeo.

If I were RTS, I might offer runners at the event a role in helping make these videos - AND USE A MICROPHONE!

Please share and let me know @KatMace11 what you think of the advice!!!