Ain’t No Party Like An RTS Futures Party

Combine people with a love of watching and making TV, with the prime location of the Design Museum right by the River Thames, and you have the makings of a fantastic event – The RTS Summer Party run by RTS Futures (the “younger” branch of the Royal Television Society) and the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival Talent Schemes (The Network, for new entrants, and Ones To Watch, for emerging talent).

Over 100 people attended the party at the Design Museum, from industry professionals to TV enthusiasts

The evening kicked off with a panel discussion, hosted by TV, radio presenter and occasional stand-up comic Kirsten O’Brien, arguably most known for fronting SMart (one of the most successful children’s shows if I do say so myself)

The topic centred around one great question: “is TV out of touch”? With such a diverse range of people in attendance, from the TV insiders on the panel to media fanatics, critics and “newbies” in the audience, it was clear that no definitive conclusion was going to be reached that night! Nonetheless, the panel gave their best responses.

The panel discuss the current state and future of TV (L-R: Kirsten O’Brien, Faraz Osman, Camilla Lewis, Dom Bird and Damian Kavanagh)

Damian Kavanagh, controller of BBC Three, clarified the BBC’s position, following the highly publicised backlash against the proposed removal of the channel’s TV platform in 2016. He explained that, while channels are expensive to run and maintain, BBC Three content would not simply disappear. Rather it would be re-distributed to BBC One and Two in order to save money and to maximise viewing figures.

However Faraz Osman, Managing Director of production indie Lemonade Money, stated that £20 million less is being spent on commissioning programmes for young people. It troubled him that the largest media corporations were beginning to move young people online, at the risk of alienating young users.

Camilla Lewis, CEO of her own production company Curve Media and Chair of RTS Futures, begged to differ. “The stories aren’t dead” she insisted, arguing that there is no reason to panic over the future of TV, as the young generation are increasingly becoming multi-screen, tech-savvy users who can adapt to these changes.

Following questions from the audience, talk turned to the extent to which TV is successfully representing our nation, in terms of both programming and recruitment. Dom Bird, Channel 4’s Head of Formats, argued that targeting different age groups is vital to the corporation’s success, citing E4 as a channel that has specifically reached out to the 18-34s.

Much like his fellow panellists, Dom agreed that more needs to be done in TV to better reflect the population, particularly when it comes to finding and recruiting people behind the scenes. This, he argued, could lead to a greater diversity of on-screen talent. While not a final solution to the diversity question, shows such as The Last Leg and The Undateables are steps in the right direction, as they seek to reduce the stigma surrounding disability in broadcasting.

As the question and answer session reached its close, Faraz rounded it off with a saying that stuck in my mind. He said that, whatever you end up doing in TV, “don’t make money your motivator, make fun!” On that note, it seemed appropriate to make the most of the opportunity to mingle with other guests, from the TV talent schemes and beyond.

Networking…with The Network talent “schemers” of 2015

The thing that stood out to me the most was the welcoming atmosphere. It didn’t matter if you rocked up alone or with an army of friends, by the end you were guaranteed to have made a few new friends, contacts…or even just learned something new about someone you had never met before. One thing is for sure:- TV people definitely know how to throw a party. Here’s hoping for more events like this in the near (RTS) future.

For more information, including the full event report, interviews and photos visit RTS Futures

Follow @RTS_Futures on Twitter for upcoming TV-related events and information

7 Reasons You Should Apply to The Network (GIFs included!)

It can be daunting to go through online applications. Have you covered everything you want to say? Have you said enough? Have you said too much? It can be easy to keep putting off the process until the last minute, even if it’s something you really want to do. It helps to put aside the application for a moment and to really think about why it is you want to apply. I find it helps to write out a list, as I did for The Network:

1. Gaining PRACTICAL TV making skills. This was perhaps my top reason for applying to The Network. It’s good to talk about things theoretically but I think there is nothing better than going out there and getting stuck in and learning through doing. Some of the best lessons I learnt in filming came from being involved in Guild TV, my university’s TV station. Things like ensuring the sound recorded properly onto the zoom and getting to grips with white balance in tricky lighting conditions. If yo’d like to try multi-camera directing, The Network offers the chance to have a go at this, as well as researching, scriptwriting, producing and vision mixing to name a few.

2. It’s FREE! This is a bonus as many introductory filming courses cost upwards of £100. You only have to pay to get to Edinburgh as the accommodation, travel and food are all paid for. But train tickets aren’t always cheap so it’s worth investing in a Railcard (16-25s usually get 1/3 off travel. They’re also available for people who are disabled, elderly, have children…and there’s even a discount card for couples travelling together! See Railcard‘s website for more details).

3. Coached by leading programme makers. Learning about a range of topics through interactive talks and workshops. This includes icebreaker games, for instance, which help you to learn more about the business of TV and how shows are commissioned. Last year’s schedule also included CV clinics and masterclasses from directors, talent managers, production co-ordinators etc. What could be better?

4. Meeting like-minded people. It’s a great networking opportunity, not only to meet people who have already made it in TV but also to team up with talented people who aspire to work in the same industry as you. There are social events in the evenings too.

5. A great CV booster. Not only will you develop key skills and build your contacts, but you will also be able to talk about your experiences in future job applications and interviews. With such a wide range of industry sponsors, this experience could really make you stand out.

6. It’s open to everyone over 18. As long as you’ve had less than 3 months paid TV experience (anything over and you’re probably doing quite well for yourself already!) and in your final year if you’re a student, you are eligible. It doesn’t matter about your background or where you’re from.

7. It’s in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital and the host city of the The Guardian Edinburgh International TV Festival, a charity which has been running this prestigious media event, by and for the TV industry, every year since 1976. The Network runs from 25-28th August which coincides with the TV Festival as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. After The Network finishes, why not go and check out some of the fantastic shows and events on offer?

These are my reasons for applying to The Network’s scheme for those starting out in TV. But why not see for yourself? Take a look at the promotional video for it below and check out the website for more information or follow them on Twitter: @TheNetwork_TV. Subscribe to the Edinburgh International Television Festival‘s YouTube channel to see what successful The Network alumni got up to during their 4 days in Edinburgh.

Good luck everyone and make sure to finish your application by Mon 4th April 2015!