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Jamie: Twenty-Something in TV

Info from those in the know

Did you always want to work in TV?

University isn't essential for working in television, whereas getting experience on your CV is.
Jamie

I remember when I was around 10 watching Children's BBC's Live and Kicking on Saturday mornings and thinking that would be cool to be able to work on that. I wanted to be one of the studio cameramen - it looked like a lot of fun.

What did you enjoy most when you were at school?

At school I really enjoyed art and geography. I hated the sciences. I also liked drama, not so much the performing side but I loved the production design and direction elements - it didn't feel like school work.

Did you go to Uni?

I did Broadcasting Studies at Uni which was a 'hands on' TV training course compared to other media degrees. It was a good introduction to practical television production as it covered areas like news reporting, live studio, editing, directing as well as the history of television.

What was your first job in your career and how did you get it?

My first TV job was working as a runner in the Children's Education department at the BBC. I worked on a programme all about the different weather seasons and it introduced me to self-shooting and working in a team. The course I did at university had a work attachment scheme at the end of it so I was lucky to be placed straight into a TV job.

If you could give any advice to yourself when you were a teenager what would you say?

My advice to myself would be to get as much TV work experience as possible when starting out straight after school. University is a great experience but not essential for working in television, whereas getting experience on your CV is.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt during your career so far?

It's a hugely competitive industry so focus on the area of TV that you are interested in and stick at it. Write down all the contacts you make along the way in a book, keep them up to date with your availability and send them your CV. When you are starting out, make friends with production managers, who are most likely be the person who gets you your first job.

What are the three qualities someone who wants to work in the TV industry should have?

Patience - getting a job in TV can be hard and it can take time to get to where you want to be. Be prepared to do the jobs you don't like as much so that eventually you get to where you want to be.

Creativity - TV is all about creative people. If you have a flair for original and exciting ideas you will be snapped up in no time.

A sense of humour - People choose to work in TV because they are passionate about it. You've got to have fun in your job and be able to enjoy it to counterbalance the long working hours and sometimes low pay, particularly when starting out.

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