Celeb Masterclasses & Industry Visits: 12 Weeks with the Multi-Media Genius Trainees

(From top to bottom: group photo with poet, rapper and academic Akala; all smiles on a visit to one of Media Trust’s corporate partners, Discovery Channel UK)

Halfway through my 6 month traineeship at London360, 30 fresh new people, who were passionate about working in media, entered the Media Trust office. They had enrolled onto Multi-Media Genius Training, a 12 week fast-track course covering TV, print and online journalism, which would involve masterclasses from industry experts and special guests, visits to Media Trust’s corporate partners and one-to-one mentoring to guide them towards their dream jobs. The fantastic thing about this scheme is that it gives people aged 18-25, who are not in employment, education or training, the chance to get their teeth into the industry, with the perks of meeting inspirational people and paying visits to some of the most renowned media companies. What’s even better is that no experience was necessary to qualify – only a proven interest in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to become all-round media jedis!

The first thing I noticed when I entered the boardroom for the first time with my fellow reporters during their first week here was the sheer diversity of people. It may sound a bit cliche, but everyone was so different it terms of their background, personality, interests and ages. While some people in the group had only just left college, others had previously worked full-time or already had children. Some were outwardly confident and keen to ask lots of questions in the first hour, while others were perhaps more reserved and contemplative (this is starting to sound like an analysis of human behaviour). Nonetheless, they seemed to gel really well as a group right from the get-go.

At first, I wasn’t sure how much I would be interacting with the “NEETS” (Not in Employment, Education or Training – it’s probably easier to say this for now rather than referring to them as “the 30 young people”). Working full-time, we have a lot to be getting on with, from researching new ideas for future London360 shows to shooting and editing our latest TV packages. Fortunately, on Fridays, we were invited to attend the corporate visits with them. These included trips to Google/YouTube (see my previous blog about the visit to Google’s London Headquarters), Discovery Channel, The Royal Albert Hall and Hearst Magazines, which owns publications such as ELLE UK and Cosmopolitan. At the end of each action-packed week, it was nice to have some down-time on these outings with one of the most fun-loving group of people I’ve ever met.

In addition to this, I also worked alongside some members of the group when I went on shoots which included an arms fair protest against the world’s largest weapons exhibition, a visit round award-winning houses for Open House London and a bike project for refugees. It was fantastic to have some extra support with filming and to work alongside people that I can now call friends. Most of the NEETS already had extensive filming experience, whether it was through managing their own YouTube channels or producing their own short films, but some of them had never touched a professional camera before. Regardless of their experience, all of them were keen to collaborate and to pitch in with ideas, a quality that will ensure they go far in life, whether they aspire to be an Oscar-winning director, an on-screen presenter, a multi-media jack of all trades…or decide they no longer want to work in media. Even for those who perhaps realised that this wasn’t the industry for them, it was no doubt a highly useful introduction to pitching stand-out ideas, vlogging, blogging and editing videos among other skills.

We also had the privilege of meeting some of the industry’s biggest stars: BAFTA winning actor and filmmaker Noel Clarke, singer/presenter extraordinaire Alesha Dixon, multi-talented rapper, poet, journalist AND academic Akala and hip-hop sensation Tinchy Stryder. But rather than just posing for photos with them (which we unashamedly did at the end!) we also had the chance to pose questions to each of them on a range of topics, from the biggest challenges and opportunities so far in their careers, to their thoughts on the most topical issues in the news, including the European refugee crisis and whether attitudes towards body image are changing in the worlds of fashion and music.

As their 6 weeks of intensive training at London360 came to a close, there was only one way to celebrate their time here and the new friendships it had generated:- a big night out! (When I say “big” night out I mean a sit-down meal at a local restaurant rather than hitting the clubs but in my “old” age nothing beats a chilled out evening). For the next 6 weeks they will be receiving one-on-one mentoring and CV guidance once a week, and already the office feels a lot emptier without them. I’m not too worried about it though. Reunions will undoubtedly be planned and I’m sure we will see many of their names on the credits for some of the nation’s most-loved TV programmes and films. Watch out!

Multi-Media Genius Training in pictures:

The group with music superstar Alesha Dixon

Posing with the boys on a recent visit to ELLE UK at Hearst UK’s headquarters

On a shoot for The Bike Project which helps refugees with Michael, Sarah and Susheel

Filming voxpops outside Open House London with Ranel

The “NEETS” giving excellent feedback on the London360 reporter team’s largest ever Monday morning pitch meeting!

Lights Camera Action! Selfie with the team that assisted me at a busy protest: Michael, Savan and Jodie

Having a tour of another of Media Trust’s corporate partners, The Royal Albert Hall

London360 sure know how to pose with rapper Tinchy Stryder

Some of the London360 reporter team, who shared their experiences of being on the 6-month traineeship, with actor/director Noel Clarke

Work hard play hard! Celebrating the last full day of the Multi-Media Genius Training course. Good luck everyone!

How To Become A YouTube Success Story

You may be surprised to hear that 6 of the top 10 most influential digital people in the USA are YouTubers. Established in 2005, YouTube is now the world’s largest video-sharing website, with 1 billion unique users and 6 billion hours of content watched every month.

But how does an aspiring YouTuber go from zero to viral? The ultimate path to success can appear to be unclear. By applying a combination of these 10 key fundamentals in the videos you create, you are much more likely to build a channel that continues to grow. You could even become the next household name!

1. Shareability

If a video isn’t shareable, how will anyone find it? Rhett and Link, a famous YouTube duo that combines comedy with music, believe that if you can’t describe your video concept to a friend in 10 words, it probably isn’t worth pursuing. Why create something if you can’t think, or adequately describe, why it is a) relatable b) topical or c) valuable to an audience?

2. Conversational

If you can make it seem like you, the vlogger, are talking to the audience directly through the camera lense, it will give viewers a much more personable experience. Getting the audience to feel that they are your friend, or at the very least know who you are even if they’ve never met you, is a skill in itself.

3. Interactivity 

The trick with YouTube is not only to get people to share your content, but also to keep coming back for more. One way of making the viewer experience more interactive is to invite your audience to engage with you, for example by leaving comments, questions or suggestions in the box below your videos to spark discussion and debate.

4.  Consistency

Although YouTube is different to TV, having a regular uploading schedule is paramount for building and maintaining audiences. YouTube as a business relies on regular content uploads in order to maximise advertising revenues and to pay its active content producers. One example is Cooperative Photography (or COOPH) which has amassed over 300,000 subscribers due to its regular tips and how-to videos. If you can be consistent in your scheduling habits, on screen personality and format (the way you frame your shots, edit and brand your videos – The Fine Bros “Kids React” series is a good example) then you are on the right track.

5. Audience Awareness

Is there a clearly defined audience for your brand? Who is it that you want to reach out to in particular? It can be good to have videos with a wide appeal, but if thousands of others are creating similar content, it can be difficult to appear near the top of search boxes. Sometimes, having a niche but loyal following, that grows gradually over time, can be the recipe for success in the competitive and increasingly saturated world of YouTube. One good example is, Virat, a channel dedicated to exploring the science of music.

6. Sustainability

Starting a YouTube account is simple, but keeping it going in the long-term is not so easy. Comedy sketches for example, while entertaining and shareable, can take a lot of time and effort to produce and edit. They often involve sacrificing countless weekends alongside studying, working or whatever else life throws at us. Setting realistic goals and being patient are paramount to ensure you don’t burn yourself out. Most YouTube stars did not become over-night successes. They had to work hard to grow their fan base over a number of years. You should always try to produce things for the love of making them, not just in the hope that they go viral and you have your moment of fame. After all, who wants to be a one hit wonder if you can earn a reputation for consistently delivering high quality content?

7. Discoverability

Many aspiring YouTubers will ask themselves – how can my videos get found? The truth is that 40% of all video views come from searches. One way of getting your videos noticed is to publicise them on different social media platforms, particularly Twitter, when a story is current and “trending”. Creating content when something is newsworthy ensures your content is fresh and relevant to audiences. If they like what they see, they are likely to come back to see what else you’ve been up to. Then again, the weirder the story the better. Some videos, such as the “how to tie a tie” instructional video, are timeless and will do well no matter what the time of year!

8. Accessibility

Another issue to consider is whether every video can be appreciated by a brand new viewer. One way of eliminating this problem is to set a context for every new upload, for instance introducing yourself at the start of each video so that new users get a chance to understand your channel and its identity. Another good way of making your channel navigable is to give your channel website a good spruce. Upload a recent headshot and banner as well as links to your other social media pages/website so that people can follow your content on different platforms. Categorising videos into playlists (such as advice videos, diary entries and how-to tutorials) and using clear thumbnails to show what your content is about visually, help people to find the content that they want faster. You can also update your “about me” section and upload quick descriptions for each video, loaded with key words, for extra clarification. The easier you make the experience of searching through your content, the better the outcome will be for return visitors.

9. Collaboration

One of the best ways of ensuring your content reaches a wider audience is to work with other people. That way you can share audiences, and the interaction between YouTubers on camera often makes the video feel more sociable. Reach out to someone who has a similar number of subscribers to you. You may have some fantastic ideas for a beauty advice vlog, but it is unlikely that Zoella, who has over 7 million subscribers, is going to collaborate with you anytime soon unless you are best mates with her in the real world! Start small and aim big. Try and attend networking sessions or join a Facebook group for YouTube collaborations in your area. Although it is possible to collaborate with YouTubers overseas, it requires a great deal more of your time in order to co-ordinate Skype calls and arrange edits so finding someone who lives locally can be much more handy. Join together, and who knows you might make new friends you never would’ve had before!

10. Inspiration

When the going gets tough, always ask yourself the important question: “do I have a genuine passion for this?” If the answer is no and you’re just going through the motions of getting content out as quickly as you can without investing the time and effort needed to make good quality content that people want to re-watch and share, is it worth it to continue in the long-run? Probably not. Do you have the desire to inspire, educate and entertain people? You don’t have to be doing all 3 at once, but if you have a purpose for making content that you believe in, it will really help. Ultimately, there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to getting hits on YouTube, but the more research you do and the more time you invest in brainstorming and preparing ideas, the better your chances of success.

You may think that every video idea has been done before. While the site is inundated with new content every second, the good news is that YouTube is continuing to grow, particularly in the areas of gaming and music. With more and more brands getting involved with YouTubers to promote their products and services, there has never been a better time to monetise your ideas and talents.

So what are you waiting for? If you don’t give it a go you will never know what could come of it. Just pick up a camera, even if it’s just on a phone, and start practising and you can start working your way up to a Canon 600D (or other high quality DSLR camera of your choice).

Google Getaway: A Visit to the London HQ

Visiting the Google offices in London had been on my bucket list for a long time. So when I entered the building where their London headquarters are based, I turned from a smartly dressed young professional into an excited schoolgirl for whom Christmas had come early.

As me and 30 others from London 360, including in-house reporters and those taking part in the Multi-Media Genius training initiative run by the Mayor’s Fund, arrived at the 9th floor, the shameless photo-taking with the Google entrance sign began. This was to continue throughout the visit, as people attempted to vlog and live tweet about their experiences from the get go.

I would describe the situation as a stampede of highly enthusiastic and happy wilder beast descending on the Australian outback. This is no ordinary office environment, as we discovered when given a walking tour by members of Google London’s staff. My preconceptions of Google before I came was that it would have quirky working spaces, complete with an indoor slide, and that the employees would be laidback, dressed in smart-casual clothing, potentially wearing trendy thick rimmed glasses and be sipping on a chai lattee while browsing the internet on their Apple Mac. On the whole, I wasn’t far off!

It wasn’t long before we found out the first perk of working at Google – UNLIMITED FREE FOOD! We needed little encouragement when offered the chance to “help ourselves” to whatever food and drink we fancied. Like kids in a candy shop, we tucked in to a range of food, from sushi to Google-branded cupcakes.

As if free food wasn’t tempting enough, there is an outdoor terrace and gym which both offer stunning panoramic views of the whole city. They have cosy chairs in all of their work spaces, and even a bed for Google creatives and techies to catch up on their much needed beauty sleep. But one of the things that really excited me was the massage room, where (you guessed it) employees are treated to free treatments whenever they wish. Where do I sign up?

We were then taken around the YouTube Creator studios by Luisa. This is where YouTubers who have amassed more than 5,000 subscribers are invited to use YouTube’s in-house studio equipment and editing software for free, taking their passion for filming from the bedroom to the big screen. In the office boardroom, we were treated to a presentation by Phil Jones, the Global Agency Business Leader, who talked about the company ethos and working culture at Google. First and foremost, innovation can come from anywhere, and Google actively embrace this. For instance, the idea for OK Google (the voice-enabled search service) came from an engineer working at the firm. As long as you have the creative, analytical, teamwork and leadership skills, Google welcomes people from all backgrounds and academic disciplines.In the Q&A session that followed, a question was asked about privacy surrounding content sharing and whether this created issues for Google. Phil said that Google was different from other organisations because you own your own data and therefore can opt to have it removed from search results if you want to. This was followed by a chat with Nicole, an intern from Arizona, who has had a chance to work with some of the biggest ad campaigns in the world. It’s visible, from her energy and infectious personality, that she loves her job. Not only does she work in a comfortable open-plan space with an array of services that any working professional would die for, she works alongside people who share the same passion for innovation and working with people.

Freebies aside (we also got a free Google mug on our way out), the most important message I took from the visit was that it’s ok to fail in life, as long as you fail quick and learn from it! Take risks and it can pay off in a big way, and it’s arguably the main reason for Google’s global success story. Thanks to the Mayor’s Fund, Media Trust and of course to the Google staff for making this visit happen.

“SilliBrand” – A Rant About Russell

I have a bone to pick with Russell Brand, as I’m sure many of his supporters do. In his upcoming film ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’, Brand believes all the political parties are powerless in tackling the larger economic problems we face. And just 3 weeks ago, he was urging us all NOT to vote AT ALL. He was calling for a “revolution”:

So what does he do 3 weeks later and with just days to go before polling day? Do a COMPLETE U-TURN and decide “oh actually, I change my mind people. Vote Labour, just because” (not his actual words but words to that effect). He seemed to really warm to the Green Party’s policies in conversations on his YouTube channel with Caroline Lucas and Natalie Bennett. But for some strange reason he decided to actively endorse Labour. Who knows if he had made some financial deal with Miliband at the last minute. Whatever the reason, with such a quick and unexpected change in his message to his viewers, what was anyone supposed to think of him?

It doesn’t seem like he thought through his actions properly. Luckily Brand’s preaching isn’t (and never was) going to make me come to a decision over who to vote for. For a start, he’s not the most reliable source of information, as he keeps banging on about the same issues, particularly banker bonuses (valid point but what about every other political issue?!)

All in all, I’ve decided I still like Russell Brand. He makes discussions on politics, which can be extremely dry sometimes, engaging. But what I have also realised is that perhaps he is better off being a comedian/political commentator than a serious political activist! Forget Milibrand, I think this new political power couple should be called “Sillibrand”.

What did other people think about Mr.Brand? I was curious to know. To my surprise a lot of people couldn’t care less…

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!