Getting a job in TV isn’t easy at anytime but with the big changes going on in Broadcasting coupled with the flaky economy - it’s going to get a lot harder.
Cue a timely book by Elsa Sharp “How to get a job in Television” due for release in the Spring. (Published by A & C Black in conjunction with the Guardian).
Elsa has an impressive CV having worked as a Series Editor, Development Executive, Head of Talent and more recently as a freelance Talent headhunter with clients including Impossible Pictures, Objective Productions, BBC Northern Ireland and North One.
Jules.tv wanted to find out more about the TV book of the year (I’m not working right now!) and hired Elsa for a Q. and A.
JTV: Why did you decide to write the book?
Elsa: I was inspired to write the book when I was head of talent at Zig Zag Production. The main part of my role was to recruit people to the company - crew up productions and find key senior creative talent like series producers, producer/directors and executive producers. Though a lot of my job involved nurturing, helping and advising new entrants trainees, runners, researchers. Towards my end of my stint there I was constantly being approached for advice, help and guidance on CV writing, how to write a covering letter, who to write to and how so and thought there was a need for a book. I wanted to share the experience I had learned the hard way!
I went on maternity leave and as I had some time before the birth I wrote a proposal document for the book and sent it to A& C Black who were interested enough to publish it!
JTV: What are the main topics you cover ?
The book is primarily aimed at new entrants – graduates, undergraduates, runners and researchers. It gives practical advice and tips as well as including profiles of leading industry figures on how they started – from presenter/producer Anna Richardson to Tim Hincks, the chairman of Endemol.
Based on interviews with successful people working in the industry it covers topics such as how to get a foothold in the TV industry and progress – from writing covering letters and targeting companies. Getting Started – Work experience, the seven stages of a CV, the golden rules of interviews including the Do’s and Don’ts, it explains what skills are required to be a runner and researcher and advice on career progression discussing the different roles and what you do as an assistant producer, producer, producer/director and series producer.
JTV: What’s the biggest mistake people make when approaching companies?
Elsa: Not accurately targeting the company or knowing who you are writing to. There’s no point in sending a general email that is the same for everyone. If you want to work in a certain field you should target the companies you want to work in. You should know what the programmes are, who’s making them and why you want to work in that area. When you write an email you should make sure you address it to the right person without being too familiar and know their work, needs and explain why you are the right candidate. And make sure there are no spelling mistakes or your letter could end up straight in the bin!
JTV: What does it take to start a career in TV and stay in the profession?
Elsa: An absolute love and passion for TV, guts, charm, resilience, tenacity, determination and a healthy dose of luck!
JTV: I am sure some Jules.tv readers can’t wait for the book to hit the shelves so can you give us a quick tip now how to get a job in TV?
Never take no for an answer, be prepared to work hard and have a thick skin!
UPDATE: THE BOOK IS NOW PUBLISHED YOU CAN BUY IT BELOW
