Looking for a head start?

We are often asked about the best ways into the industry, and the honest answer is that there are any number of routes you might take, depending on the areas you’re interested in and how much you want to focus on a particular skill or idea.  We’ve put together some suggestions below of places to start – these are sites which may be useful for work experience, graduate training schemes, entry level jobs and apprenticeships, along with a short list of professional associations (many free to access) and colleges offering postgrad and short courses in TV, Film and Journalism.  This list is by no means exhaustive so do use it as a starting point for your own research.   We’ve also included some ideas from the Novel team on how to think about your own profile and engagement.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• BBC
• Channel 4
• Sky Academy
• BBC Radio Regional

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINEESHIPS and APPRENTICESHIPS

• BBC Academy – a guide to career opportunities
• BBC Trainee Schemes and Apprenticeships
• BBC Training
• ITV Apprenticeships
• Channel 4 - ‘4 Talent’ Scheme
• Channel 4 Apprenticeships
• Sky TV Careers
• Sky TV Graduate Opportunities
• Openings for Graduates in Radio
• Classic FM Careers
• Netflix UK
• Viacom – Channel 5, MTV, Nickelodeon

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND JOB SEEKING WEBSITES

 

• The Production Guild

• ScreenSkills Creative Futures Conference

• ScreenSkills – Young Creative Talent Scheme – Apprenticeships

• Edinburgh International Television Festival – The Network!

• TV Water Cooler

• The Talent Manager/TV Jobs

• Advertising Producers Association

 

SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES and GRADUATE SCHEMES

 

• BAFTA Scholarship Programme
• British Film Institute Film Academy Scheme
• Royal Television Society Bursary Scheme

 

MEDIA COURSES

• Goldsmith’s College (Postgrad)
• National Film and Television School (Postgrad)
• London Film School (Postgrad)
• Central St Martins (Postgrad)
• London School of Journalism
• Cardiff School of Journalism

 

 

Here are a few more ideas.

 

• Keep an eye out for local activity, for example here in Oxford groups such as Film Oxford and ScreenTalk run regular talks and networking events, often for free

• Try contacting your local production companies to ask if you can pop in for a chat, even if they don’t run work experience/internships or currently have employment opportunities (make sure you watch and appreciate the shows they make first!)

• Create and actively maintain your LinkedIn page; connect with people you know (include a friendly message when you do so) and follow those you don’t know (but would like to).

• Across social media, keep your profile clean and focussed; follow key thinkers and active writers, producers and publishers. Comment, write and engage with others as much as you possibly can, on the areas which genuinely interest and excite you.

• If you are making films, get them out there; festivals, grants, YouTube and open posting sites.  Audiences (especially appreciative ones) can come from anywhere.

• Explore opportunities to use your skills with voluntary organisations who may be able to offer the chance to learn new skills; charities, local networking groups, writing groups and so on.

This is a collaborative process, so if you have any suggestions for sites you think we’ve missed, feedback on what we’ve suggested or top tips that you’ve found work well, then do get in touch -  you can email us at info@novelentertainment.co.uk.

Good luck from everyone here at Novel Entertainment!

 

                                              

 

 

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