Joanne the Coach

Television Opportunities for Youngsters & Writers

So if the previous post hasn't put you off shimmying up the greasy pole of television, here are a couple of TV industry opportunities currently up for grabs:

• Applications are now open to join The Network (formerly TVYP) at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival.  Open to anyone aged 18+, it promises an orgy of masterclasses, career advice and the chance to work with some of the biggest names in TV.  No real orgies though (unless you get lucky). Closing date:  21st May.  Full details here

• The BBC is looking for a new bunch of writers for its Drama Writers Academy.  Application details here, closes 12th May.  They train you up for months, then you get to write dialogue consisting of "Rickaaaaaay" for EastEnders.

So You Want To Be On A TV Show?

One of the most popular sections in my media marketing newsletter is when we list the TV stations' appeals for programme participants. 

So for anyone who's not a newsletter subscriber (and why ever not?  it's good y'know) here they are collected together:

• For opportunities to be in a BBC Show click here (My current favourite is the appeal for people who hate the Welsh countryside.  What a hoot.  Sounds almost as good as Fart Camp).
• BBC audience tickets are available here if you want to just watch and learn
• Appeals for ITV shows are listed here Booze and babies feature heavily.  Don't all rush at once.
• For Channel Four shows click here Some of them even require you to keep your clothes on.
• Shows on Five are listed here but it doesn't look as if this list is updated too often
• And for miscellaneous appeals from a range of channels click here

If you know of any more TV show listings, feel free to add them in a comment.  I know there are some appeals from US programmes here, but it would be useful to know of any others, for the benefit of worldwide readers.  Think of it as your good deed for today.

Remind Me Again, Just What Is News These Days?

Thanks to Jeremy Paxman for this hilarious Behind the Scenes at Newsnight film which confirms, as I had long suspected, that "News is what makes you go 'Oooh' ".

Free Training Courtesy of the BBC

So rarely do you get owt for nowt these days that I was surprised to find this page offering free BBC New Media & Broadcast Online Courses.  That's right, for free, as in Sausage, Not A. Anyone can download the modules and guides and get learning straight away.  Sounds like a useful thing to do in those quiet moments when you're waiting to hear back about pitches.

The courses are mostly focused on brushing up your technical skills, but there are a few that will appeal to all freelance journalists.  The BBC News Styleguide is worth a gander if you are new (and maybe not so new) to news writing.  And the Interviewing for Radio modules look like they'd be useful to any journalist, broadcaster or not.

Leaving the BBC: A Guide For Beginners

Over the last few years, I've had an increasing amount of enquiries about career coaching from BBC staff who are either planning to leave or are worried about being made redundant.  And they're right to worry - look at this latest management wheeze - the NUJ is claiming that everyone in BBC News will have to explain in 200 words or less why they should keep their jobs.

So my advice for you if you are currently working at the BBC but have spotted the sword of Damocles swaying above Broadcasting House:

• Get yerself a CV together.  If you work at the BBC, it's easy to go years without compiling a CV as you progress through a combination of application forms and personal recommendation. This post will help you get started.
• Don't be scared of the independent sector.  It's OK, there are some good people out there.  There's a lot to be said for freelancing.  I know your staff job feels nice and secure and ideally you'd like another one, just as cosy but with less stress and more money.  And who knows, maybe that's what will happen.  But maybe you will have to fly freelance for a while, so look on it as a new challenge and opportunity
• Activate your network - Start making yourself known to people who might be able to point you in the direction of your next job (basically sucking up to people but with way more charm and elegance than the phrase implies).  Most people leave this until they are desperate for their next job, but the smart way is to keep in touch regularly with your contacts in the industry.  There is no getting away from the fact that media jobs are largely dished out as a result of personal connections, so keep your connections current and think about how you can help others, not just how they can help you.  It's karma, y'know.  What goes around comes around 'n all that.
• You can always register with The Production Base , Broadcast Freelancer and Media Guardian Jobs, but don't expect a website to do all the work for you.
• Talk to a career coach or mentor.  The BBC does provide career coaching for some grades of staff, so ask whether you are eligible for this.  However, some staff prefer to go to a coach who is completely independent, in order to take a totally objective look at what they might do next.  This is where I come in, with specialist media career coaching.
• Consider a complete change.  Sometimes redundancy can be the greatest opportunity as it gives you the excuse to become the great garden designer/writer/yoga teacher/lawyer/entrepreneur/sheep poo paper maker that deep down you always knew you could be.