I feel it is my ‘Line of Duty’ to attend

Hi Mediadreamzers

I hope that if you are in the UK you have been making the most of the sunshine and hot weather; we’re actually getting a Summer. I certainly felt the Summer sun yesterday when I was heading to another Royal Television Society event, on as the title of my latest post was about the BBC Drama ‘Line of Duty’. Despite the trains being delayed, I made it to Millbank Tower out in Pimlico in plenty of time. Before heading the the venue I saw that MI6 was across the the water. Well, you can’t walk past MI6 and not take a picture; though I wonder if they got a picture of me over the bridge taking a photo, who knows.

 

           

 

 

Once inside Millbank Tower got chatting to a few people before the event started and the it was a very popular event, and luckily the air conditioning was on. The guests on the panel were the Creator, writer, director, Executive Producer Jed, the Executive Producer Simon, Script Executive Priscilla and one of the lead actors Adrian Dunbar. The cherry on the sundae was that the discussion was chaired by, wait for it, Anne Robinson. Yes THAT Anne Robinson; Watchdog and Weakest Link presenter, and I admit when I saw Anne I was very surprised. The event was a mixture of questions directed to each of the guests and in between this there were a series of clips played in between, chosen by each person who said that certain clips were their favourite scenes and shots and why that was the case. There were discussions on the next series and it hopefully being set for 3 more series.

        

 

 

For me it was interesting to hear that the series is filmed in Birmingham and not London; when you watch programs like this, it is a cliche that they are filmed in the capital, so it made a nice change. It was also interesting to hear about the time it takes to film so many minutes of scene and the process/ approach the actors use to their characters and that the rehearse of scenes and episodes would consist of anywhere to 8-12 hours that is some dedication. I confess I have yet to watch a whole series but I will eventually get there, looking forward to the story lines and issues explored.

After the sessions was opened up to the audience to ask questions it was time for everyone to head to the bar, as with all events like this they always end at the bar or a bar. Just as I wondered to one part of the room I ran into Anne Robinson and I thought you can’t end the day without a photo and I was glad that Anne was o.k with this. I apologise on the way I look in this photo; I look awful in photos, and this is why I very rarely posted pictures of me on my blog, saving everyone from the nightmares.

 I guess in this photo I’m the weakest link.

On my train journey home I thought was gonna have a boring journey back but it was a fun trip out of London as their was an enthusiastic train conductor named Marc getting the whole train to sing Happy Birthday to a passenger, whose Birthday was gonna be the next day, so today (Wednesday).

I have seen a few more upcoming events that I am hoping to go to provided I am not working so hopefully more to share in the next few weeks. Still keeping my skills and work as a Production Assistant sharp and up to date.

Nunquam Deditioneum

BAFTA EVENT- Is this thing on?

Hey Mediadreamzers

The good news things will be back on track with Media posts and work, now that my move will be completed in the last week of the month. Stressful trying to remember everything but soon it will all be done and dusted soon.
For now I will share a BAFTA event held in Birmingham, god I love these events. Last BAFTA event I went to in Birmingham was January 2015 meeting Haris Zambarloukos, nice to experience de ja vu.

Stepping off the train back into the city where Birmingham is London’s version of the big industries. And the bonus was that it was a very short walk to the event venue, so short that the tortoise and hare would be moonwalking it- The Mailbox. The question your asking is who was the guest Media speaker; Answer Andy Kennedy which I’m guessing the next question is who is Andy Kennedy. The answer to that one is Andy is a Sound Designer who has worked on a wide variety of collective films. Do the titles ‘The Imitation Game’, ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Kick ass’ to name a few well known films. The majority of the BAFTA event was a session where Andy was interviewed with a series of questions that were insightful answers that focused on how he Andy got into the industry, what inspired him to pursue this career path and the moments from working on his first production to the advice to give young people starting out.

Before the event ended it was a Q&A from the audience, surprisingly there was roughly 30 of use, but still a great turn-out. Everything from today blow my mind. These events are great for not to listening to the tales of Andy’s experience and memories from working in both TV and sound.

My next opportunity will be in Oct- events and media jobs to apply for and work, I’m looking forward to the future the filming and walk to do. Travelling back to the Midlands I was reflecting on everything that was said and achieved.

 

Nuquam Deditioneum

New Year Begins-BAFTA Birmingham

Hi fellow Mediadreamzers

Forgive the lack of posts for the first month of the year; not much happens in January with pre-production. Which could be interpreted as a good thing as individuals can plan to go on holiday and/ find out what is coming up. I do have productions lined up for the upcoming months to keep me busy, one of which was a meeting in Birmingham Drama Village I met last year. Some of the production team I saw mentioned upcoming opportunities which I am hoping and looking forward to getting involved in, in addition to upcoming features.

Until these begin, it is networking events. My first one started off with a BAFTA Masterclass with a well renowned Cinematographer- Haris Zambarloukos. From my research, the man has worked on a great number of films, the latest being ‘Cinderella’. I admit within the research I was not sure what Cinematography was all about, and now I understand the time consuming and enormous task on such individual must do.

It was a good thing we had a huge lecture theatre as so many people attend the lecture. It of course involved questions from a BAFTA speaker, with a series of case clips from films Haris had worked on; ‘Enduring Love’, ‘Thor’ and ‘Locke’ all great films. Soon the session ended and it was everyone networking and I was glad to meet Haris after the session and seeing some people I have worked with on productions from last year, so it was good to catch up.

I know we are well into the New Year, but I have made about 4 resolutions one of which is to get experience as an assistant director and researcher which I am determined to achieve. I maybe heading to another event about Script Supervising, will know more next week, until I have plans in motion and people to contact.

Until then….
Nunquam Deditioneum

Near the end, ready for the next chapters

Hi Mediadreamerz

It has been a little quiet regarding media work with the fast approach to Christmas, I do have one more media job next week which I am looking forward to and then its a case of waiting for 2015 and starting planned projects, and see what the future holds too.

Although I had fun on Wednesday travelling in the rain for a chat with members of the BBC Drama Village production team and finding out what is happening in the realm of production next year. As soon as I walked through the door to the building to the reception area the security team saw me and I was greeted with ‘Hello Stranger, longtime no see’. Something I never bargained for, nor expected as the last time I saw them was in January/ February, it was nice that they remembered me.

Once in they asked me what I had been up to and I started talking about productions and how I’d applied for a role on one the the BBC Birmingham productions and how I was unsuccessful, and then I got a bit of a surprise; at that exact moment a member of the drama production team walked by heard what I’d said and asked what area of work I am in, with production and after I told him he said he would get my details from the production team ready for next year. Big surprise there and as they say its all word of mouth and not what you know, but who.

I then met Steve and his colleague Kate and after finding a free office chatted about productions, opportunities, current experiences and recent projects I have worked on, where I see myself in the near distant future, why media/ drama and what the status of production is currently at. Steve and Kate explained a bit about their backgrounds and how they/ BBC Birmingham functions with regard to crew and other projects individuals move to work on so they get additional experiences and progress forward. Although production has ended this year, production resumes second week on January and then they will be scouting crew for new productions and will be selecting people to help out, hopefully I will be one of those individuals.

Until then it is one more media job to complete and then final preparations for Christmas (strange I started in October, but at least I only have a few things left to sort then its all done).

So next week busy but exhausting,

Nunquam Deditioneum

Buzzing from Birmingham BBC

Hi Mediadreamzers

I have just got back having had to put up with a 45mins delay on getting back, despite that the amount of travel I do these days I should invest in a Bradshaw book going on the trains back and forth. My latest venture was to Birmingham, to the Mailbox for a course titled ‘Get Your Next Job in TV Drama’, I must say thank you to my friend William Gallagher for passing on the course details and letting me know about it. Once inside the Mailbox I was greeted by a large number in the entrance, some I struck up a conversation with before heading into the delegated area for the course introduction and the numerous courses.

Once at the venue, tea and coffee was on tap and individuals began talking to people, I got chatting to had recently come back from Milan, was a producer of daytime TV, mainly cooking programmes and was looking to get into Drama. Everyone took seats and were greeted by a panel of well distinguished individuals who have worked in the industry for many years. The host of the panel was Marvarine Cole who is now a presenter on QVC but was previously a presenter on BBC, ITV and SKY NEWS, who operated a Q&A to the individuals who either work for independent companies and BBC, and mentioning how Drama is really making its presence known in Birmingham. When the hour’s panel had finished we all separated to attend our chosen workshops, for me the first was ‘Moving on from a Runner’, this was delivered by a guy called Andy, who now works as a 1st AD, previously a 2nd, 3rd and runner. The beginning of the session was Andy presenting his background in media and why he chose to go down the route of media, and all of us saying what career we are working towards. Andy even shared stories of individuals making mistakes and that ending their media careers, something that many of us made notes on the dangers and factors to be aware of.

 

During the lunch break I and those who attend were networking as much as we all could before the next selection of workshops started. I came prepared with a so many business cards that I was handing them out like sweets, and many remarked on the design I ‘d gone for- Paul Smith stripes. Soon it was time to attend the next selection of workshops and I opted for Script Supervisor, where a lady called Lisa who shared her experiences and how she got her break in TV, and how from there on she has worked on a multitude of productions ranging from ‘Death in Paradise’, ‘Midsomer Murders’ (a programme I love watching on repeat), ‘Hustle’ to ‘Minder’ ‘Father Brown’ and many more. We were shown a series of examples and templates of the documents a Script Supervisor uses when preparing for a TV series, and I must say it is A LOT of paperwork. One topic that Lisa made us all aware of was continuity where the script matches what is on presented on the screen from start to finish. To emphasis this we were all shown a series of clips from films where there mistakes; I have never stared at a TV screen so hard in my life in order to see and discover flaws, something I will be doing in the future. Soon that session ended and it was time for another break and more chatting before going onto the third and final class- Networking face to face and online and addressing the fears and myths; one exercise involved the room being split into two and one side saying why networking is bad and why is is good and answering simple questions, studying pictures and just giving our overall opinions on networking as a whole. From the set up of the room this was a masterclass that practically everyone wanted to attend and get as much insight into the best methods, approaches and results gained at the end.

 

The final part of the day was a closing Q&A session titled ‘Making great Drama in the Midlands’, delivered by Jamie Glazebrook who is the Executive Producer on the second series of ‘Peaky Blinders’. The questions were asked by the Marvarine who opened the event it felt appropriate that she should close it, with a combination of clips from the series and a preview of the next episode. It was then time for us to let our hair down and have drinks and continue to network, something I did for a short time as I had to dash to catch my train. I came away with a lot of useful advice, tips and information which I will be acting in the next couple of days. I was glad to have had a chance to speak to the guest panel of media representatives all except Will who had to leave during the lunch break because of a media meeting.

 

My next event all being well will be the 5th November and I am looking forward to the fact I will be catching up with a media friend/ contact I have known for 4 years. That combined with media activities in between.

 

Nunquam Deditioneum

What a Gem Stone

Well, mediadreamz readers

It is a week where I am not standing still, despite the weather being that of winter did not stop me from heading to my interview destination with GemsTV. In all honesty I had forgotten about the job vacancy I had applied for as it has been a lifetime ago that I applied for the role of junior producer. I made it to the studio well before my interview time and met my interviewer, Ben. After being given a tour of the studio and seeing the various studios broadcasting live, as well as the being show a very fine collection of gemstones and rocks that would the studios version of a museum one stone was so big and striking it was over 900 carats (try putting that on a ring). After the tour, the interview began and from what I remember it was four questions and it lasted, well it felt like it lasted 15mins one thing I noted was I asked more questions than I have ever asked in any interview, which is a first for me.

Now all I need do now is wait to see if I hear anything. Until then I am busy with other media work and I am still enjoying it and I am hoping to be taking a trip in October to the lovely place in Iver Heath (I won’t say anymore, not till nearer the time when things are in motion).

So I will sign off this post with the usual last line, Nunquam Deditioneum Never Surrender, Never Retreat

Trains, Strangers and a whole lotta networking

Hi fellow mediadreamz readers and those who follow me (to the many that do, thank you, it means a lot).

I have a great day heading to Birmingham for an event at the Library of Birmingham. As the event started at 11am I caught an early train, as I had no idea where I was going, funny thing me doing that as I ended up running into a customer I serve at Tesco and we had a good old catch-up as well as meeting a friend and colleague of his named Chrissy. Before going to find the venue I did my good deed for the day; took a lady to the Mailbox as she didn’t know where it was so I had a lot of time to spare. I then helped a guy find Queensway in Birmingham (if all fails in the TV/ Film industry, I can be a tour guide).

Got the the library in plenty of time and saw a lot of familiar faces and people which I had a great catch-up with. Spent the first hour meeting people and handing out loads of business cards before going to an induction session opened by a guy by the name of James and after being introduced to the guest speakers for the days events. Before everything started it was lunch and networking, though that was a let down of the day, a few trays of finger food and hardly anyone got anything to try. During the lunch break I got to talk to the guests who were attending, and it was during this time that I got a marriage proposal. How and why you may ask, explanation; two guys were looking for where the food was, only thing available was spicy asian cheese tarts, I noticed a tray of satay chicken and mentioned this. I was praised for my observation skills and one of the guys said ‘will you marry me, I won’t take no for an answer’. (Though I later learned both of these guys were both guest speakers and are writers in drama and comedy, guess which genre my proposal came from). It remained our private joke throughout the day.

First session I went to dealt ‘Skills for Success-Keeping your edge in a competitive changing environment’ with Creative Skills set talking about traineeships, opportunities and funding available for training up and down the UK. Second session ‘Film Finance Workshop’ was a Creative England talk where we were informed of film funding and grands to finance productions in and outside of Birmingham. The Third and final session ‘Getting and sustaining a career in the media’. It was here that I received a big shock seeing the two guys who had spoken to me who I later learned were William Gallagher who is famous for radio Doctor Who, ITV’s ‘Crossroads’ and a wide range of other drama programmes. The other guy was Keith R Lindsay, the man who proposed, who is known for working on ‘Birds of a feather’, ‘The green green grass’ which was co-written with John O’Sullivan a legend in himself. Another writer on the panel was Claire Bennett, a drama writer who has worked on ‘Doctors’ and ‘Holby City’. Out of all of these sessions this was my favourite, as it was relaxed and free flowing whereas the other two were regimental. Plus we could speak freely in the session and it was more humorous talking from all panel speakers.

Eventually the day came to an end and after hearing a summary of the day and about coming to future summit events. Then it was time to leave before heading home, and once on the train i met to people who started talking to me (I wonder if I have a face that invites people to talk to me, is there anyone else who had a face like that?) When we started talking one of the ladies told me her son works as a Art Director, and I immediately handed her my business card and it was my last one, which made to journey home even more sweeter.

So a productive day and I have projects in the pipeline and more to come soon, very soon

Keep reading

Runner Run, Run, Run

I am glad I have a moment to take a pew to write my latest media activity. I have spent the last two and half days in Birmingham working with a brilliant production team, on a well-known daytime drama. I cannot give too much away as that would be spoiling, but I can tell you what my experience was like. I was at the office for 7.30am to be on set for 8.30am and I admit working a 12hr shift really does take it out of you. Everyone was really welcoming to me during my first day work shadowing on a drama, and as many people have said drama is totally different to any other type of programme/ genre out there, and boy they were not wrong there. Everyone asked me the usual questions; where had I come from, was I at uni, what were my career ambitions, what other projects had I worked on etc.

The first day was over quick than you could say thats a wrap, and once I got back to my hotel room all I did was watch TV and eat cereal (I know its not the best gourmet meal, but I did not have the energy to eat something hot).

My second day was being out and about with the crew on four locations and it was cold. I felt sorry for the crew and actors out there, so I gave them some spare hand warmers to help ward off the coldness they all felt. I got talking to some of the extras and other members of the crew, who were praising me for my tea/ coffee/ snack providing skills, and just like yesterday it ended so fast. Once back at base, and packed away everyone thanked me for helping out; I got a hug from the director and 1st AD both wanted me to stay longer on the filming. The director and 1st AD both suggested to me that I find out if I could come back in the foreseeable future, to help out again, or on another production in Birmingham, in order to get more experience. So I did just that and now I await to see what happens. One thing I will remember from the final day was when I  was saying good-bye to the director, he wished me luck in my ventures and said that everything I was doing was right, and to keep going no matter what, so I won’t surrender and will persevere on.

My next opportunity is helping out on a music video for two days, I’ve never helped out on anything like that so lets see how that goes.

As a final note I want to say that the team I worked with were totally awesome and made me feel really welcome and it will be an experience I definitely won’t forget too quickly, you guys were the best.

Come rain or shine (or even snow)

Well this was certainly the case for me and an enormous amount of the population in the UK. Although everyone was advised to stay in-doors, I braved the ice climate of the beast of the east (thank you Russia) to get my destination; Birmingham. Normally, I venture into this region for my placement at Creative England, this time it was to head to BBC Drama Village. Although my first train was a little late, I got to Birmingham with time to spare to catch my next train out to Selly Oak. Once there I ventured out in the ankle high soon to BBC Drama, for my chat/ interview. I met another guy who was there for the same reasons I was and we shared our stories of the snow and how we nearly never made it in time. Although the team interviewing me were running a little late, I didn’t mind, as it gave me a chance to not only prepare but also saw some of the cast for ‘Doctors’, which was pretty cool, and soon it was my turn.

My chat lasted for 20mins, and it was mainly about my experiences, scenarios and programmes I like, what I know about BBC Birmingham Drama. Hopefully, this moves in a good direction in that I am invited back to work shadow or just be there to see what is going on, or in the pipeline for the future. When it came to walking back to the train station I had this worry I was gonna miss my train for getting home, but thankful for some mercies. The train back in to Birmingham was late by two minutes, and luckily made it back to the East Midlands before the major delays and cancellation of trains started.

 

More to come in the next few days/ weeks so provided the weather clears up then I can fulfil this promise.

New Year, many things to come

Hi guys

I see we all survived the end of the world (though I wondered if the world was going to end surely everything would be free, you wouldn’t have to pay for anything). Hope everyone has enjoyed their Christmas, and New Year. I have a few things planned for this month which I looking forward to. Have resumed my placement with Creative England, have another networking event to go to at the end of the month and helping out as a runner/ steward for a daytime TV programme in my hometown. Those are just a few things, as well as resuming my short film projects; radio volunteering and one about a friend of mine who did a trek round Nepal for 11 days who I will be interviewing about his expereince (plus for a personal record for himself and possibly MacMillan cancer research).

Hopefully, more opportunities will arise for me to apply for and when they do I will share with you all, and will hopefully get me closer to climbing the greasy poll of the working work of media.

Stay tuned