>
CAREER STORIES
Katie Geoghegan
Production ManagerI think ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is a very fitting mantra to live by in the world of TV..
What’s your role at MultiStory? Production Manager What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I studied Sociology, Culture and Media at University and we went on trips to various television studios as part of the course and it looked like a fun and rewarding industry to be a part of so once I graduated, TV was where I wanted to be! I managed to get a couple of day running jobs with Talkback Thames and lucky for me I had a wonderful family friend who worked at ITV and had got me running jobs on The Chase and a few one off music specials. Off the back of those jobs I interviewed for the entertainment runner role at ITV, got the job and the rest is history! What has been the highlight of your career so far? There’s been a number of highlights in my career so far but special mention needs to go to the wonderful Come Dine With Me! I’ve worked on this legendary show A LOT during my time at ITV and for good reason. It’s such a wonderful show to make, with amazing teams and it still has such a huge following even after nearly 2 decades since it first began. I’ve worked every production role possible on this show, worked on all the various formats and have just shy of 800 episodes under my belt! What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? I think my biggest pinch me moment was working on The Royal Variety - 100 Years. It took place at The Royal Albert Hall, which is such a beautiful venue to be working in and having lunch at the top of the auditorium listening to the orchestra rehearse on the stage below was incredibly special. Queen Elizabeth II attended this Royal Variety and I somehow managed to knock into her majesty as she was making her way onto stage to greet the show's performers. Flustered and embarrassed at being so clumsy and it being the Queen(!) I immediately apologised and to my utter surprise she said sorry back! How very British of us! Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? I think ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ is a very fitting mantra to live by in the world of TV. Our world can be crazy and unpredictable at times and so a calm head and the ability to be flexible when last minute changes occur is key. Disasters happen, but somehow you always manage to divert and plough on through. Nine times out of ten you always look back on a chaotic production with rose tinted glasses and wonder what all the stress was about. The wonders of being in the thick of it compared to signing off on delivery haha! What are your favourite TV shows? My favourite go to shows are mostly comedy’s: Gavin & Stacey, The Inbetweeners and Motherland are the ones repeated the most. I absolutely loved the recent Netflix adaptation of David Nicholl’s ‘One Day’. Loved the book and thought the series did a beautiful job of bringing the story to the small screen. Trigger Point and Blue Lights are also recent faves. And obviously goes without saying that Come Dine With Me will always be a firm favourite! READ MOREFabian Bohan-Taghian
Series Producer & Development ExecutiveMy biggest learning curve has been to fully embrace who I am as people see right through you if you’re putting on a front..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m based in MultiStory’s Manchester office and work in both Development and Production. I’ve been a Series Producer on programmes like Dubai Hustle and Christmas Carols On ITV while I also lead the Development team here in Manchester focusing on reality and talent led ideas. I’ve been able to work with and learn from some real MultiStory LEGENDS like Ceri, Helen, Ana, Matt, Tim, Simone, Zinia, Jo, Kate, Viki, Candice, Holly and a plethora of others which has been absolutely sensational!!! What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? When MediaCityUK opened, the BBC were offering unpaid work experience placements to Northerners to get them into Telly. I did 4 weeks at Blue Peter (I did get a Blue Peter badge although I’ve since lost it) and fell in love with making TV. About a year after my work experience placement ended, CBBC offered me a full time job as a Runner on Marrying Mum & Dad; a show where kids planned their parents' weddings. Over the course of a series, we filmed a Strictly themed wedding, a Caribbean Carnival themed wedding and threw two gay Dads out of a plane for their Secret Agent themed wedding - FABULOUS!!! The rest as they say is history… What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? Being based in the North. While the TV industry in the North has grown in the past 10 years, the industry here is still much smaller than in London so there’s less opportunity and less face time with key decision makers. Working in Development at MultiStory has been invaluable for my personal career growth as the teams in London and Manchester work so closely together, so it’s allowed me to build relationships and sit at tables with people I would never have met if I was working elsewhere. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Being selected by Edinburgh Festival as one of 30 ‘Ones To Watch’ in 2020. I was the only person from that year’s cohort that was based in Manchester, so I felt l’d won the X-Factor in the immediate aftermath of the announcement as so many people in the City were congratulating me. It also led me to MultiStory as I chose our esteemed Creative Director of MultiStory Media North, Ceri Aston, as my senior industry mentor for 12 months. It turns out that my CV had already landed on Ceri’s Desk for the Story Producer role on Dubai Hustle Series 1, so after a lengthy interview process I got a job and a mentor! What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? Dubai really is the new land of opportunity, so living and working there while filming Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Dubai Hustle has been pretty special. I’ve spent over a year of my life there now, so it’s like a second home and I’ve made amazing friends who still live out there that I couldn’t imagine living without. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? Have you got a spare 10 years for this answer?!!! My biggest learning curve has been to fully embrace who I am as people see right through you if you’re putting on a front. For the avoidance of doubt - I’m a gobby Manc with a quiff and a penchant for fake tan! Also…I once thought Daniella Westbrook was going to make a complaint to the press about a show I was working on, so proceeded to tell the Exec that we should prepare for an expose in The Sun. It turns out I’d got the wrong end of the stick, nobody was making a complaint and the person I’d spoken to wasn’t actually Daniella Westbrook (she did sound like her though). Love you Daniella <3 What are your favourite TV shows? Coronation Street, X-Factor, Big Brother, Real Housewives Of…, Love and Hip Hop…, Strictly, Newsnight, Question Time and Vanderpump Rules (I’m totally lying about Newsnight and Question Time btw) READ MOREAneekha Mahal
Production CoordinatorI have had so many “pinch me” moments whilst working in TV. Filming with David Beckham in a Pie and Mash restaurant and getting a photo with Anthony Joshua have to be on the list! ..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m a Production Coordinator. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I have always been a fan of TV since I was young, so I have always wanted to work in the industry. I took Media Studies at school and then studied Media and Communications at University. I was lucky to get onto a work experience scheme with ITV and learnt about all the different departments in Television. I carried on applying for placements at places such as Sky News and local production companies throughout school and university. Creative Access is an amazing organisation that always advertises opportunities in creative industries, it was through themselves that got me my first TV Credit as a Production Secretary on ‘Peston’ with MultiStory. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think getting my first opportunity in TV was the first big hurdle I’ve had to overcome. I learnt from the beginning that it was very important to try to gain as much experience in the industry as possible. I know this can be very hard, especially when you don’t know anyone in the industry but I kept a lookout for any opportunities and sent hundreds of applications. I’ve also learnt people love talking about what they do and it never hurts to contact people who are in roles that you’re interested in for advice. What has been the highlight of your career so far? There have been so many highlights of my career so far that it’s hard to choose one! Last year working on the ‘Pride of Britain Awards’ was definitely high up on my list. To work on a show that celebrates the achievements of remarkable people was an amazing experience to be a part of. Also, dancing in the background on Live TV with the crew to Big Zuu rapping in the kitchen on ‘The Big Breakfast’ is something I won’t forget. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? I have had so many “pinch me” moments whilst working in TV. Filming with David Beckham in a Pie and Mash restaurant and getting a photo with Anthony Joshua have to be on the list! Also getting my first ever TV credit was a huge “pinch me” moment because I have always wanted to work in TV/Film and would read the credits at the end to see all the different roles. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? I’ve learnt it’s very important to stay calm and flexible in all situations, even though it sometimes can be difficult to! TV is unpredictable and you have to be ready for anything that could be thrown at you. There have been moments where you think the worst thing that could ever happen, happens but then a day later you're laughing at the situation. What are your favourite TV shows? I’m a TV addict so this is a hard question for me to answer! Succession, The Last of Us and Euphoria have definitely been some of my favourites in the last few years but I always go back to ‘feel goods’ like Gilmore Girls and Friends. Also of course, Come Dine With Me and Peston! READ MOREClare Miller
Series EditorSeeing The Martin Lewis Money Show thrive and become part of the modern narrative...
What’s your role at MultiStory? My main role is looking after The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, which, when we are on air, is out-puting the weekly live programme, helping Martin devise the programme content and overseeing the studio and outside broadcast elements. I am also part of the Multistory Senior Leadership Team. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I always wanted to go into Television. I could probably credit the terrible school plays that I took part in but it was the process of building a 'production' from scratch that I was always enthusiastic about. I was lucky to get a chance to do work experience at Thames Television at Teddington Studios, running on This is Your Life, Men Behaving Badly, Chef, CNBC News & FTTV. They asked me back every holiday and from there I went out on all the news shoots with the reporters, helped edit the reports plus booked the guest financial analysts. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think that overcoming my naturally shy personality in an industry where extroverts shine. I am still learning to make my voice heard so that's a work in progress. This is something I try to instil within my teams. In terms of making a programme, throwing together The Martin Lewis Money Show in 4 days at the start of the pandemic, only knowing 3 people on the team, which included both presenters, and then working out a plan to rig Martin’s house without breaking ‘the rules’. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Seeing The Martin Lewis Money Show thrive and become part of the modern narrative. Being part of it and knowing that the programme can and has made a difference to people isn’t something I take for granted. The partnership that Martin and I have is something I am very proud of and greatly value. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? There are so many but here are a few that spring to mind; Going to 10 Downing Street in the snow, which felt like a scene from Love Actually. Working as an Intern at MTV in the early noughties and seeing Justin Timberlake, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears appear on TRL. Getting to sit in Michael Schumacher’s F1 Ferrari, whilst they were in testing sessions at the Maranello track and getting an access all areas tour to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium. Smuggling Elton John’s dogs into Television Centre on the Paul O'Grady Show, to be honest there were so many moments on that show that were all pinch me moments. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? Getting thrown in the deep end feels like the worst way to learn but in fact for me it is the best. I lived in Spain for a year and worked for a financial rolling news channel and was asked to simultaneously translate the Queen Mother’s funeral and George Bush’s post 9/11 State of The Union Address. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of that translation…The channel no longer exists but I have very many happy memories of kicking off the breakfast news with a cheery yet terrified “Comencemos con los titulos”. Being the location researcher on Coach Trip was a huge learning curve! Sending the coach through the back streets of Seville where it got stuck springs to mind. In my defence it was the days before Sat Navs. The spa day turned into a walking tour through the cobbled streets! Another one was the satellite getting knocked out by a storm over Germany during the Martin Lewis Money Show Covid Series which connected Martin’s house to the studio. The last 10 minutes of the programme came via the mobile unit furiously inserting numerous sim cards. Not something I’d like to relive anytime soon. The moral of those tales is always have a back up!!! What are your favourite TV shows? West Wing, Sporting Documentaries such The Last Dance about Micheal Jordan’s career, At Home with the Fury’s, Supervet, The Traitors. Oh and obviously…The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, ITV Tuesdays at 8pm! READ MOREJoanna Lewis
Production ManagerIf I’m going to be honest, I think that the hurdles I faced early on in my career mirrored those that I’d subconsciously been dealing with my whole life..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m a Production Manager, based in Manchester. Having begun my career at ITV over fourteen years ago, I’m proud to say I’ve worked on some amazing shows, most of them here at MultiStory; such as Tonight, Leader’s Debates, Peston, Project Icon and the groundbreaking 7 Up Series. For the past four years I’ve also been volunteering as a co-chair for the ITV Pride Network (my gay job as I call it!) and work really closely with ITV’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I remember visiting the Granada Studios Tour and telling myself that one day I wanted to work there. I’ve got a photo of myself on the cobbles aged 9, outside the Rovers! From then on, I grew up with a passion to work in the creative industries and achieved a BA Hons in Design For Film and Television. My degree helped me gain my first TV role in 2009 (and my first step into the Granada Studios offices!); working as a prop assistant on 60 Minute Makeover for Shiver (who are now, us - MultiStory Media). I then spent a couple of years running, and realised that my skills and interests fitted very nicely into Production Management. In 2011 I stepped up into my first Production Secretary role and I’ve never left ITV since! What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? If I’m going to be honest, I think that the hurdles I faced early on in my career mirrored those that I’d subconsciously been dealing with my whole life - a lack of self understanding. And with this came a lack of confidence. After going on quite a powerful, personal journey, coming out as LGBTQ+, I had the realisation that actually confidence came from being proud to be you. And a large part of feeling proud came from being able to feel visible, represented and supported. Whilst moving through my career, I started taking more and more of an interest in the work that was being done around inclusion and creating safe spaces. I had a realisation that my longing to help tell diverse stories was why I wanted to work in the industry all along, and that I also wanted to help play a part in creating an inclusive working environment. It is, in part, why I started volunteering for ITV Pride - I wanted to be visible to help others be confident and proud to be themselves. But it’s also why I love my role at MultiStory - I’m very proud to work for a department that takes inclusion as seriously as it does. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Working across two series of the original 7 Up films, and two series of the 7 Up Millennium Generation series, has been an absolute career highlight for me. Not only are the films a highlight in themselves, I was given the opportunity to travel and interview the cast in some incredible places, such as Bulgaria, France and New York (and on a side note - filming with the legendary Michael Apted at midnight on Time Square was an experience that will stay with me forever!) As a fan of the films before I started working on them, I will forever be grateful that I’ve been able to work with and learn from such an inspirational and experienced group of filmmakers. It really is true that once you’ve joined the Ups family, you’re with them for life! What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? I was lucky enough to be on the Production Management team for Project Icon and I remember there being a moment whilst watching Jason Derulo and Becky Hill (two of the judges) recording a link. As Becky Hill recorded her jingle, it hit me. Was I really stood watching Becky Hill singing in such an intimate environment to Jason Derulo? The whole experience of working on the series was so surreal. I was lucky enough to interview the winner of the series (Dylan and the Moon) on our ITV Pridecast and I was so full of pride that I worked for a department who was responsible for finding and giving amazing opportunities to such raw, diverse talent. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? As a Production Manager the most important thing you learn is the importance of being flexible and empathetic. You find that you are constantly foreseeing potential curveballs, problem solving, fire fighting, learning and implementing new ways of working. And I love it all! Working across the 7 Up series over the decades is one of the most unique examples of this. It's incredible to see how much can change as time moves on and how adaptable you have to be.‘28 Up: Millennium Generation’, for example, was filmed in the heart of lockdown and was definitely an experience I don’t think any of the team will forget. I look back now and laugh at those bizarre moments where we were travelling up and down the country, adapting our shoots to match the ever changing lockdown rules in each city, as we went along. What are your favourite TV shows? My taste in TV shows is very varied. Dramas with gritty or unique storylines; such as Fool Me Once, Bodies, Black Mirror, Alice in Borderland and Squid Games. That being said, I do love a reality show. I’m hooked on Traitors at the moment - no spoilers though please, as I’m behind on all the drama! Overall, I love any show which celebrates as much diverse representation as possible, and keeps me hooked with surprise twists or cliffhangers. READ MOREJordan Thomas
Fresh Cuts PDMy film is called For Crown & Country....
Please tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a producer and director from Bradford. Father of two. Separate to creating unscripted, I enjoy creating short form scripted content and directing actors. Did you always want to work in TV? How did you land your first role? I always wanted to work in the creative industry, but I wasn’t sure where. I love developing ideas and seeing them come to life. After I graduated from university I heard about a Marvel film shooting in Manchester and they were looking for runners. So I applied and got the job. I spent a month standing in the rain stopping people from walking on to the set, but I loved it. And I made lots of friends who added me to crewing facebook groups and helped me get further jobs. What is your film about? My film is about the unknown contribution to the British Armed Forces from black servicemen and women. What it means to serve this country and celebrate everyone who contributed. What has been your biggest challenge during the filming making process? My biggest challenge was probably trying to get the images I want from the spaces I had access to. Lots of issues with lighting and sound that were out of my control that I had to adapt to in the moment. What was your favourite part about making it? I loved each stage but I really enjoyed reviewing and crafting in the edit. What would your advice be for someone stepping up into a PD role? You can never have enough driving shots, establishers and cutaways. Don’t feel pressured to fill silences, let the contributors do that. And lastly, what are your favourite TV shows of all time and what are you watching at the moment? My favourite TV shows are Twin Peaks, The Wire, & Extras. At the moment I'm watching a lot of Anime. I've recently watched Hell’s Paradise and Jujustsu Kaisen, and I’m 400+ eps into One Piece. READ MORESalomé-Dior Williams
Fresh Cuts PDMy film is called Black in Fashion....
Please tell us a little bit about yourself? I am a shooting PD and Development producer, that primary works in factual long form & short form and fact ent. I also moonlight in branded content. Did you always want to work in TV? How did you land your first role? I actually wanted to work in broadcast journalism or PR. I got my first job after a lot of work experience placements. Finally, one company asked me to stay and the rest was history. What is your film about? My film is about the black British contribution to fashion. The story is told through a series of Master interviews with some of the biggest designers, tailors and tastemakers of our time and a contemporary story of 2 young entrepreneurs that put on a fashion gala that rivals the likes of Vogue world and the Met Gala. What has been your biggest challenge during the filming making process? Time has been the biggest challenge. We had quite a few technical issues and hiccups that caused delays across the film and the edit process. Most of which we overcame, but the most challenging aspect was the final part of the film. The whole of part 4 was shot on what was originally set to be the last day of my online. I had to turn around the whole part, plus notes in a matter of days. It was stressful, but we made it work. What was your favourite part about making it? Working with such an amazing team. The other directors are phenomenal, the production and editorial the team made my experience, and really helped me through the challenges. I am so happy to have been able to collaborate with them all. What would your advice be for someone stepping up into a PD role? Be confident in your choices stylistically and speak up if you’re unsure or second guess anything. And lastly, what are your favourite TV shows of all time and what are you watching at the moment? My favourite TV show of all time is probably Gilmore Girls. I am currently watching Sex Education and Muscles & Mayhem documentary series. READ MOREJessicah North
Fresh Cuts PDMy film is called Black Boys Can Cry....
Please tell us a little bit about yourself? I am a self-shooting Producer/Director, Development producer and Edit producer who is also a Ones to Watch delegate 2021. Across my career I have worked on shows such as “The Doctor who gave up Drugs”, “The Real Eastenders” and recently “Project Icon”. I also had a role in the early stages of Rap Game UK’s conception and went on to work on the first 2 seasons of the show. I’m from humble beginnings and graduated from Bournemouth University completing the well-known Television Production Course. I am passionate about telling human stories and giving an insight to different worlds and communities. I founded a group called WWETHNICS, whose aim is to educate on unconscious bias and diversity on and off screen, as well as being a platform for People Of Colour in the industry to be able to network and find support. Through WWETHNICS, I have organised events to introduce companies to a diverse talent pool. I am proudly Neurodivergent and a huge mental health advocate. I work with the charity RETHINK as a media volunteer, and use my personal experience to share how mental health and Neurodivergence plays out in real life. This is something that also helps me editorially being able to interact, and relate to contributors for a wide variety of backgrounds. As well as encourage trust and positive vulnerability. I believe that good television has the power to educate, create connections and bridge gaps of understanding in the modern world. I hope to continue to make films that not only entertain but also challenges our perceptions and biases Did you always want to work in TV? How did you land your first role? My first role in TV was as an office runner at Raw TV. Despite studying at Bournemouth, I had no connections to the industry and was in fear of my CV getting lost amongst a sea of other graduates desperate to start a career in Television. I was determined to stand out of the crowd. I brainstormed a multitude of ways to make that happen, until landing on one - baked goods! I ordered 10 empty cookie boxes online, spent 12 hours baking and packaging until I was ready to make my mark. I created a list of production companies that had made my favourite documentaries and the next day I walked from production company to production company delivering cookies with my CV and cover letter attached to the top. The hard work paid off as quickly landed a job at the prestigious Raw TV. What is your film about? My documentary delves into the exploration of a startling statistic: in the UK Black men are the most likely to experience serious mental health issues but the least likely to receive support. Presenter Alex Beresford, who tragically lost a close friend to suicide, embarks on a quest to understand the reasons behind this disparity and why his friend felt compelled to suffer in silence. Joining him on this journey of discovery is Shocka, a musician and mental health advocate who has faced his own battles, having been sectioned four times. As Shocka pursues a potential record deal, he seeks to unravel why his mental health as a black man has been so vulnerable to deterioration. Along the way, Alex will meet with experts, community leaders, and notable individuals, aiming to comprehend the dangerous challenges that black, male, British individuals face and explore potential measures to mitigate this alarming issue. By shedding light on the magnitude of this problem within British society, Alex hopes to initiate an essential conversation about men's mental health. What has been your biggest challenge during the filming making process? Something like men’s mental health is such a vast subject that has so many points you could delve into and explore. To fit it all in 46 minutes was a challenge What was your favourite part about making it? Mental health is a subject extremely close to my heart. And it was a privilege to be able to shine a light on a topic that is so important but also that I have lived. What would your advice be for someone stepping up into a PD role? No 2 PD’s are the same so be yourself and don’t try to be anyone else. Also remember that in this industry, editorial topics are often subjective and can be influenced by lived experiences, industry experience & education. So trust your instinct, but also listen and be open to advice. And lastly, what are your favourite TV shows of all time and what are you watching at the moment? My Favourite of all time is difficult, I have an eclectic taste. Some of my favourite shows include, QI, anything Attenborough or Louis theroux, Subnormal: A British Scandal as well as having a soft spot for Made in Chelsea, Come dine with me, Bake off and Celebrity, Master Chef. Recently I have watched the kidnap of Angel Lynn, I escaped my killer and TOWIE READ MOREArchie Onobu
Fresh Cuts PDMy film is called Our NHS with Dr. Zoe Williams....
Please tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a PD working primarily in the Factual genre and have worked across shows ranging from sports observational docs, historical and arts series to mental health specials Did you always want to work in TV? How did you land your first role? A lot of knocking on doors till I landed my first TV gig!!! What is your film about? Dr. Zoe Willams explores the legacy of the NHS while meeting a new generation of exceptional doctors who are using their platforms to bring awareness to important issues affecting the black community. What has been your biggest challenge during the filming making process? Always feeling like there’s never enough time! What was your favourite part about making it? Getting to explore a really challenging and relevant subject while meeting some incredibly exceptional people. What would your advice be for someone stepping into their first PD role? Be ready to learn but trust your instincts; you’ve got the role for a reason. What are your favourite TV shows? There’s too just many shows now to mention! READ MOREHelen Houston
Deputy Head of ProductionAn important part of my job is making sure that MSM is a happy, fun and safe place for our teams to work..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m Deputy Head of Production based in Manchester. I help oversee all of the unscripted output from Manchester and Cardiff (and sometimes London). In my role I work hand in hand with my editorial colleagues to ensure we deliver the very best productions which are underpinned by robust procedures and processes. I schedule, budget and negotiate the tariffs with the broadcasters. Aside from the operational side of things, I manage a team of brilliant Production Managers, Co-ordinators and Secretaries. An important part of my job is making sure that MSM is a happy, fun and safe place for our teams to work. A lot of my work revolves around people and communication. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? After a family day out to Granada Studios Tour back in the late 80’s I knew I wanted to work in television. I’ve always enjoyed the sense of being a part of a team and I think you really feel that in TV - for me it’s creative and it’s fun. I completed a Media & Cultural Studies degree at Manchester University and then stayed on for an additional year to complete a Masters Degree, primarily because 3 months of that placement was spent at either BBC or ITV (or channel 3 as my parents called it at the time!). I landed in the Factual Department at Granada TV working on a whole slate of documentaries for UK and US broadcasters. I worked my arse off, embraced opportunities and was offered a 3 month contract as a Production Secretary (Thanks Tracy Walker!). What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think when I joined the industry it made me question what I had to offer. I was working with so many talented, creative, extraordinary people it made me feel a little unsettled. However, I’ve since found confidence in simply being myself and through that, have tried to offer ideas or thoughts from my own perspective. I now take confidence from knowing what my job looks like inside out. Having been a production coordinator and a production manager I understand the pressures on the ground, what curveballs can land and how to deal with constant change. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Next year will be my 21st year at ITV (half of my life!) So you can imagine there have been so many incredible highlights - I’ve traveled around the world with celebrities, had a private tour of Elvis’ penthouse in Vegas and have worked on three series of the famous ‘7 Up’. Some people may wonder how I could have stayed at the same company for so long but the departments I have worked in have taken on so many rebrands and transformations, it does feel like I've worked for different indies under the umbrella of ITV. Even though I’m very much on the production management side of things, developing programme ideas and spotting access opportunities has always been a passion of mine. I’ve had a few series commissioned on ITV which I’m hugely proud of. I love that I can dip in and out of development and that I’m taken seriously in that way - I’ve found a way not to be boxed in by my job title. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? I think the seven way live Leaders Debates was probably the most surreal experience of my life. We had David Cameron who was Prime Minister at the time and all the party leaders all in one corridor together. I had been liaising with GMP for weeks about the security of the event and to finally see it all come together was another level. There was a two minute advert break mid show for anyone who needed to pee. I remember Cameron, Milliband and Clegg all running towards me to get to the toilet in time. Milliband waited outside but because time was ticking he ended up going in too. The thought of the three of them in the toilet together has often made me smile. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? I could relay many many stories about teams losing tapes, deleting rushes and forgetting to press record with a certain Mr Elton John. Firefighting and problem solving is a really big part of the job and I try to do that with empathy. I did find juggling family life simultaneously with work really tricky during covid. My husband was a key worker so I had my two sons (2 & 8) at home with me most days. Mid-board meeting one Monday, the police knocked on the door because my youngest had called them whilst playing with the landline. I got a bit of a telling off for leaving them downstairs whilst I was trying to do calls. I think I can just about laugh at this 3 years on. What are your favourite TV shows? It’s probably no surprise that I’ve been enjoying SJP being back on screen in And Just Like That (the pigeon handbag was a particular highlight!) but possibly more unexpected is that I love the series Gone Fishing. I think the charm of the series lies in the heartwarming friendship between it’s hosts Whitehouse & Mortimer with their witty exchanges and humorous anecdotes. READ MORELaura Caveney-Morgan
Executive EditorAs an industry we need to work harder to encourage people from a wide variety of backgrounds to come and work with us ..
What’s your role at MultiStory? Executive Editor. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I spent my childhood acting, with Oldham Theatre Workshop. By my teenage years - after missing out to Anna Friel for a role on Brookside - I realised that my future lay behind the camera. During University, I spent my placement year working in a press office; reacting to big news events and spending time with TV crews, opening up a whole new world…It seemed like fun, and I wanted to join in. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? Like most of us in telly, I started as a runner. I was given a 3 day contract working in the entertainment team at Granada TV in Manchester. It was September 1999, and I didn't realise how rare my background was (working class girl, from a comprehensive school in Rochdale). It’s as true today as it was then, 24 years ago. As an industry we need to work harder to encourage people from a wide variety of backgrounds to come and work with us. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Being promoted to Executive Editor on Tonight. Growing up, I remember avidly watching TV credits wondering what all the jobs were and hoping that one day I would have my name at the end of a programme. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? From starting out as a runner on shiny floor entertainment shows to jumping ship making documentaries and current affairs, I’ve had so many pinch me moments… But one that stands out, was when I spent the summer of 2005 in LA and Santa Barbara making a documentary on the Michael Jackson trial. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? There are plenty of disasters; like when I made a series about horror holidays and was chased around Turkey by the mafia. Or, when casting for children with behaviour issues, one family welcomed me into their home while they openly dealt heroin. And never to be forgotten, when I was making a film about the hunt for a serial killer, the world’s media descended on a small town and I was booked into a temporary hotel. It transpired that it was next door to where he lived… In TV there is always so much to learn and amazing people to learn from. What are your favourite TV shows? I love watching TV dramas. Without fangirling too hard, most of my favourite shows were made by Nicola Shindler during her time at the helm of Red Productions from ‘Queer As Folk’ to ‘Happy Valley’ and ‘It’s A Sin’… From the US, I fell hard for ‘Succession’ and love ‘Dopesick’ and ‘The Bear’ on Disney Plus. READ MOREZinia Scroggs
Series Editorfor me it’s been a juggle at times to manage home life with work life. I’m now a mum of two, so I’ve sometimes had to turn down certain roles because I can’t be away from home and on location for long periods of time...
What’s your role at MultiStory? Series Editor. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? My Grandad was a television producer in Arts and Education programming. Some of my earliest memories are me and my sister using the back of old scripts to draw on, then when I was older I would love to read them. I actually started out working in advertising and I spotted an advert in Heat magazine for the first Channel 4 Researcher trainee scheme, where you got a year's paid placement at a TV production company. I applied and made it to the final round of interviews, but I just missed out. A month later I was contacted by Channel 4 Commissioning who were approaching ten candidates who had impressed on the interview day, as they had 5 runner contracts at C4 and I became the drama and docs commissioning team's runner, I then went on to become an assistant in More 4. I stayed at the Channel for 2 years and left to join the Channel 4 Researcher trainee scheme… The rest as they say is history! What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think for me it’s been a juggle at times to manage home life with work life. I’m now a mum of two, so I’ve sometimes had to turn down certain roles because I can’t be away from home and on location for long periods of time. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Joining Multistory’s Entertainment team as a Series Editor. Then if I look back on some of the productions I’ve worked across highlights include; putting on a live Gig with Jason Derulo for Project Icon, SPing Glow Up and filming the series during the second lockdown and somehow avoiding a Covid outbreak on the team?! Re-creating a 1940’s Spy training school, devising the Child Genius Competition, and leading an Apprentice Advertising task which filmed simultaneously between London and New York and finally, sitting in the edit, cutting the first series of Race Across the World and knowing this was television gold (it later won a BAFTA). What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? I recently got to interview Annie Lennox for Ruby Wax’s Life Stories. She was absolutely lovely! My mum is also a massive fan so I called her ahead of the interview, and we had a little scream together. I of course remained totally professional throughout my chat with Annie! Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? Oh god… probably moments like forgetting to press record when I started an interview and having to pretend I had sound issues and having to start again. Setting up a Glow Up Professional Assignment in two days after another company pulled out, having technical issues with a Live Feed for a virtual panel (I still can’t talk about this!). What are your favourite TV shows? I love reality and competition shows - I binge watch them Selling Sunset, MAFS, Love is Blind, Lizzo’s Big Gurl’s, The Rap Game , Bake Off and Glow Up. American Drama series like White Lotus and Succession, I also like authored / celebrity fronted documentaries! READ MORESeyi Adu
Assistant Casting Producer/ PDHaving zero experience in the industry or any formal training meant I had to work fast and learn as much as I could on the job to bring myself up to speed..
What’s your role at MultiStory? Casting Assistant Producer and recent PD on Come Dine With Me. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I’ve always had an interest in TV since I was younger. I used to watch Home Improvement religiously and wrote myself into the show. I really loved comedies when I was younger and watched shows like Bottom, The Young Ones, League of Gentlemen and Smack the Pony, and I think this really sparked my interest in funny TV segments and funny characters. However I ended up doing a degree in Animal Science at Reading University because I THOUGHT I wanted to be a vet, however at UNI I was mainly in the drama society and wrote a couple of sketches with my housemate (who is actually successful writer now) at the time for the Reading University Original Plays. After University, I did a couple of stints as a MUA, decided to work at Edinburgh Fringe and during this period applied for MaMa Youth Programme and it went from there! What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think the biggest challenge was during my earlier years. Having zero experience in the industry or any formal training meant I had to work fast and learn as much as I could on the job to bring myself up to speed. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Going to the RTS, Come Dine With Me Pros was nominated. It was great to see the show my researcher and I cast get some laughs at the event. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? Probably meeting Danny John-Jules, who played Cat on Red Dwarf. I used to watch it with my Mum when I was little so it was pretty crazy meeting him in real life. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? After completing the MaMa Youth Programme, I got a researcher internship at Shine TV on Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street Crew. I was super excited and one of my first tasks was outreach, so emailing as many organisations as possible. I wrote up the email and started sending them out, I must have sent 100s of emails! I decided to check the email AFTER they had been sent and realised the subject of the email sent “Ashley Banjo’s Secret Street SCREW is casting again”. I literally ran outside, tears in my eyes and called my mentor who couldn’t stop laughing. Always check things before you send them! What are your favourite TV shows? You, American Horror Story, People Just Do Nothing and anything True Crime READ MOREJason Osborne
Producer/DirectorReceiving a BAFTA Craft Emerging Talent nomination in March for Our Jubilee was amazing..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I had the pleasure of being a PD at MultiStory for Our Jubilee, which was part of the Fresh Cuts strand in its inaugural year. Trailblazing for all the new PD’s in 2023! What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? My career started in music as a producer before I transitioned to a completely different career in the corporate world. After too many years of denying to myself that I’m a creative, I started making plans to somehow return back “home”. Deciding that music was a young person’s game, my plan was to marry my years of working for strategic consultancies with my aptitude for creativity and storytelling. So I thought I’d become a Creative Strategist (see what I did there? I know….genius, right!) for a creative or communications agency. After realising that no one was going to just give me a job, I decided to bet on myself and concepted a project to demonstrate my thinking and approach. So I self-funded a music video which had a narrative of physical disability and intimacy, something I had never seen before. Not knowing any directors, I figured I’d direct it myself. The plan was never to become a director but as soon as we wrapped, I realised that this was what I had been searching for. To work collaboratively in bringing a vision to life. I knew I had to do this again, mostly because I needed a chance to correct everything I did wrong the first time! I think it’s safe to say that the desire to constantly do better clearly has me in a chokehold as I keep coming back to it! What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? Not knowing anyone in the industry and coming to it from a less than traditional route, which is why opportunities like Fresh Cuts are so very important. I essentially had to start a new career from the beginning which included running on sets which can be quite humbling, but also energising. My decision to switch careers came just before the pandemic, not something I’d recommend! I do think you need to be quite bold and reach out to as many people as you can. I literally cold emailed hundreds of people. You will get many no’s but it only takes one yes to change your trajectory. But ultimately, when you get that opportunity, it’s all about the work. You can have the best strategy in the world, but the only strategy should be to do great work. What has been the highlight of your career so far? I thought my year had peaked early in January when I was fortunate enough to have a short film I directed BAFTA longlisted for British Short Film in January. However receiving a BAFTA Craft Emerging Talent nomination in March for Our Jubilee was amazing. I’m now preparing myself for a very fallow few years but the first quarter of 2023 I’m sure will remain a very special time. But equally, highlights for me is about the impact the work has. Whether that’s making someone laugh or cry, challenging their own viewpoints or making them challenge themselves. For example, I had cast a young woman with a prosthetic leg in the music video I’ve mentioned. After we wrapped, she had revealed to me that since her amputation she had been very shy about having anyone see her without her prosthetic so therefore hadn’t swam which was something she loved doing. But she expressed that the shoot gave her back the confidence that she had lost. A week later, I received an emotional call from her to say she had just come back from the pool. For me, that will always remain a highlight. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? Well….there was that time I was hanging out with David Beckham in a Jacuzzi but I’m guessing you’re asking about a career moment! I think it was when I watched my first documentary alone in a cinema. I was testing the DCP before a screening later that week and it was surreal to watch something I had concepted and directed in a 300 seater cinema, all alone. Granted, it wasn’t a Marvel movie but I had never thought I’d ever watch something I’d directed on a cinema screen. I’ve since had the opportunity to watch my films in a cinema at screenings and at festivals on a few occasions but it’s a feeling that never gets old. The Beckham story I’ll save for another time! Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? There hasn’t been one big disaster as yet. But I’m sure now that you’ve asked, it’s coming real soon! But every day I’m learning something new. I went from not knowing anything at all to still not knowing much but working with amazing people and not being afraid to ask questions. There is something to be said about ignorance. It means you’re not governed by convention which can be quite liberating. For example, in preparation for my first shoot, I had emailed hundreds of directors asking them if I could shadow them and a great many got back to me. At the time, they were just a name I found online, but I now look back at that list and get quite embarrassed by my boldness. Ironically, some of them have become good friends and continue to offer words of advice. But I never would have done that if I wasn’t so naïve. What are your favourite TV shows? Too many! I love a well constructed documentary series like The Last Dance or The Defiant Ones. I love documentaries that have great access and pull back the curtain on stories and people we think we all know, so those two remain high on the list for me. For scripted it’s got to be Succession and This Is Us. The writing on Succession has to be best we’ve ever seen and the performances are fantastic. Telly at its best. And This Is Us is again so well crafted with exceptional writing. But I’m also known to watch Emily in Paris and Selling Sunset in a single sitting. I see you judging me! You don’t know me! READ MORELewis Hare
Head of ArchiveI didn’t get that job, but they did offer me something working in their library helping to sell the archive..
What’s your role at MultiStory? As Head of Archive I am responsible for sourcing and clearing both ITV and third-party owned footage and stills required for our productions. Depending on the size of the show or how many productions we have running at one time, I’ll have a team of people to manage the archive as I can’t do it all. As well as exploiting archives, I also feed into how we manage and archive our own production material after a closedown. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? Growing up, like most of us, I loved film and TV. After my degree I enrolled in a part-time MA in Documentary Research. It wasn’t much of a genre in the 90s but I was inspired by classic sports docs like When We Were Kings and set out to make sport my field. After that I got an interview at TWI (now IMG) for one of their sports magazine shows, Futbol Mundial, which was the dream. I didn’t get that job, but they did offer me something working in their library helping to sell the archive. And the rest is history! It’s been screeners and masters and licensing agreements ever since, as a seller and now buyer. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? There are honestly not that many hurdles to a career in archive other than curiosity, relatively good organisation, aptitude for technology and formats, buckets of patience, and good people to learn from. Aspiring Archive Researchers and Producers please come and talk to me, there won’t be a stampede. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Working on the production that exposed Jimmy Savile is definitely the highlight in terms of impact. My children’s enjoyment of Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera has been satisfying more recently. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? I don’t think you can publish the Colonel Gadaffi incident (it wasn’t me). What are your favourite TV shows? Too many! So the all-time-greats, Match of the Day and The Sopranos. READ MOREViki Townend
Production ManagerI was sat in the voiceover studio having a cup of tea and biscuits, talking about Christmas shopping with Helena Bonham-Carter like we were two old friends having a catch up..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I am a Production Manager currently working in the documentary department. I’ve been at ITV for 9 years and love being part of the team. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I’ve always had an interest in the arts from attending performing arts school since the age of 3 years old. At school I got the opportunity to pick Media Studies as a class and instantly loved it. I would of course plan and star in our projects making use of my stage school experience. Following this I took Media and Performance at Salford Uni and soon realised I much preferred being behind the scenes instead of in front of the camera. After Uni I went and worked in camera hire and managed to learn a bit about kit - yep I never knew a camera could have different lenses until I was 22 years old…mind blown! So filled some gaps in my knowledge and met some great contacts who helped get me where I am today. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think for me it was figuring out where I fit in making TV. I’d tried being in front of the camera and certain roles behind the scenes just didn’t seem to quite suit. When I was at University people didn’t talk much about the Production Management team so when I started running I got to understand this whole department I hadn’t known much about. After trying 3 weeks as a researcher and then shadowing a Production Coordinator I knew instantly that this was the job for me. I loved working with the team to pull everything together and make it happen! People used to ask ‘what do you actually do?’ and my favourite reply I heard someone say was ‘If we didn’t show up you would soon find out!’ What has been the highlight of your career so far? In 2019, just pre pandemic I had the opportunity to go to India for 3 weeks to film Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai with the Thomas Brothers and their Dad. It was by no means easy but we got to experience so many amazing things whilst filming around India including getting covered in turmeric at the Golden festival, listening to Dougie James sing his favourite song ‘Stand by Me’ with his sons and even managed to take the time after a long shoot day to have a Kingfisher beer, with our feet dipped in the ocean in Goa which was a particular highlight! What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment I definitely felt like someone needed to pinch me when I was sat in the voiceover studio having a cup of tea and biscuits, talking about Christmas shopping with Helena Bonham-Carter like we were two old friends having a catch up. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? I think one of the most important things I have learnt about working in TV is to be flexible and fluid. Things change and we adapt and move to accommodate. Once you learn this and accept it, everything becomes easier to tackle and fix. Working on the obituary programmes for the Queen gave me a great understanding of this. We had worked and planned for the event for years but still nothing could quite prepare us for how it would all unravel when it came around. I’m really proud of all the work we did to prepare with numerous teams at ITV and the quick turnaround show we made covering the days after her death (which we weren’t expecting but the whole team pulled together spectacularly) - it really felt like we were making something that will forever be a part of history. What are your favourite TV shows? I’m a sucker for a good comedy to help me unwind and switch off after work. My recent favourites are Brassic, Schitt’s Creek and Always Sunny in Philadelphia. READ MOREKishan Koria
EditorIn the first week of my time on Peston on Sunday I was asked to stand in and pretend to be the then Chancellor, George Osborne..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I am the Editor of the PESTON programme which goes out on Wednesday after the News at Ten on ITV and have been at Multistory since it launched as as Sunday show in 2016. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? Coverage of politics on TV has been something of an obsession for me for years! Even at school I’d regularly tune in to programmes like ‘This Week’ and ‘Question Time’ when I should probably have been out doing something much more conventionally exciting! I spent a bit of time teaching Economics after University and then decided to take the plunge, train to be a journalist and hopefully one day bag a job making entertaining and informative programmes that ask key questions of the people who decide how the country is run. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? They always say getting the first job is the hardest when it comes to the media and I definitely found that to be the case. Even though I’d had some experience in local journalism and at Sky News I had absolutely no idea how I’d get my first proper job in the industry. Thankfully the brilliant organisation Creative Access popped up with an internship position that looked like my dream job - to help launch Peston on Sunday in the run up to the EU Referendum. What more could a young politics nerd want?! I was lucky enough to get that first job and I’ve been here working my way up for nearly 7 years since so it was definitely the right one! What has been the highlight of your career so far? Every time we do a big interview on a big important story it feels like a real privilege to do what we do. But to pick one moment, I helped produce the 2019 General Election Debates and counting down to the start of Johnson vs Corbyn (which would help almost 7 million viewers decide how to vote) felt pretty unreal. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment In the first week of my time on Peston on Sunday I was asked to stand in and pretend to be then Chancellor George Osborne so Peston could practice interviewing someone on the set of his brand new programme. I did it in character and he grilled me on the economic policy of the day. I’d been teaching students economics using clips from him on the news a year earlier and frankly couldn’t quite believe where I was or what I was doing! Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? It’s probably best I don’t mention some of the (very few) more insane moments working with frontline politicians! However I had a lengthy stint working with the brilliant Anushka Asthana on ‘Screeny’ - our show’s brilliant if somewhat temperamental touchscreen. The tech disasters were numerous and hilarious for everyone not involved I’m sure! What are your favourite TV shows? Now that I do politics every day I’m watching plenty of less serious stuff in my spare time. Ted Lasso on Apple TV is my favourite as a wholesome and hilarious escape from the news! READ MORELauren Wearmouth-Curtis
Production CoordinatorI was doing night shifts and a PM offered me a runner role on my first ever studio show..
What’s your role at MultiStory? Production Coordinator What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? I went to university in Leeds and studied Journalism and Broadcast TV production. I did my work experience at ITV News Calendar which is the local news for Yorkshire this led me to learn more about the TV side of things. From there I loved the idea of live news and live TV in general because of the buzz and the rush. I moved to London and started my TV journey in Post Production which led me to make contacts with the production teams working on the various shows that were in the edit. I was doing night shifts and a PM offered me a runner role on my first ever studio show so I jumped at the chance. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I was always set on the Editorial path ever since starting in TV but found myself doing Production roles during Covid and from then I realised I was more suited to Production roles. There were so many times when people asked me why I didn’t want to be in Production because they could see something in me that I couldn’t. It is hard when you first start out deciding which area you enjoy more and which route you want to go down, especially as everyone always says you have to pick one. I am so lucky that everyone at MultiStory and ITV were so supportive and allowed me to have a go at both before settling on one. After Covid I went back to Editorial to try it once more and shortly realised it just wasn’t for me. I am now fully focused on my Production career and happy with where it's taking me. Equally I am glad I still tried out editorial as I owed it to myself to at least give it a go and see if it was what I really wanted. What has been the highlight of your career so far? As cheesy as it sounds I always told myself that I would make it to ITV and that's where I wanted to be and the fact that it's happened and I now work for a label within ITV is a really proud moment for me. Multistory is like a family and I am proud to be part of that family. What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment? There have been a few over the years. When I was a runner for Emma on The Voice I was eating my lunch in the dressing room corridor and Sir Tom Jones sang as he walked past to go to his dressing room. It was incredibly surreal and I was the only one sitting there to witness it! Getting your first on screen credit is always a big one because you finally have your name at the end of a show. It's almost like a badge of honour and it never really goes away. Each time you get a TV credit for a new role there is always a sense of pride. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? There have been many moments over the years but my biggest learning curve is to always stay calm. There will always be times where in the moment something can feel like a disaster but then you realise you’ll look back on it and possibly won’t even remember it and if you do it will be completely insignificant. Making TV is teamwork and I have realised that. What are your favourite TV shows? Everyone always laughs at me because I watch Come Dine with me everyday. After working on 9 series it has a special place in my heart and is like my comfort show. Greys Anatomy is my go to, and once I finish all the series (currently 19) I go right back to the beginning and start it again. I also do that with Scandal, I highly recommend looking into Shonda Rhimes TV shows. She's an incredible creator. . READ MOREYasmina McNabb
Assistant ProducerBeing a working mother in television is definitely not easy..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I’ve spent most of my time at MultiStory working in development; pitching ideas, negotiating access and brainstorming big, bold formats. As someone who loves both development and production, I was fortunate enough to move onto a project that we got commissioned and I’m currently working on a premium documentary for ITVX. What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? To be honest, TV was never a career I considered. When I left University, I had my heart set on becoming a journalist and did a bit of unpaid and freelance work for a short time. Then someone mentioned that they thought I could do well working in television and I was so intrigued. I came across The Pact Indie Diversity Scheme, which is aimed specifically at entry-level diverse talent within TV and Film. I applied and successfully won a six month placement as a runner with Endemol Shine (now Banijay). During my six-month period I was able to work on shows such as The Island, Bodyshockers, and Big Brother and whilst working on Big Brother I truly learnt the power of networking and charmed my way to my next job. I met my next boss Camilla Lewis when she, along with other TV execs and creatives, were invited to spend a night in the Big Brother house. I was responsible for meeting and greeting them, taking them to where they needed to go and then saying goodbye to them the next day. After chatting with Camilla she offered me a job after my placement ended. The downside was I had to apply for another scheme, this time with Creative Access as the role was a Trainee development researcher. Spoiler alert...I applied and got the job and was with the company for two years. I learnt how to shoot and my love affair with development and production truly began. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? Being a working mother in television is definitely not easy. Getting the balance right between being a present parent and pushing for the roles you really want and not the roles people think you should do, is a constant battle. On top of that, good old fashioned imposter syndrome will pop up now and then just to keep me on my toes! Like most of us in this industry, I can’t quite believe that we get paid to make television programmes and there is that slight fear that one day someone will realise that I have no clue what I’m doing. But that’s the beauty of television, the more you work and the more confident you become in your skill, the more you’re able to use the imposter syndrome as motivation - something I’m still working on. What has been the highlight of your career so far? Being named as one of this years ‘Ones To Watch’ at the Edinburgh TV Festival is definitely one of my proudest moments. There were so many reasons that nearly stopped me from applying and knowing the year I’ve had and not really believing I would get chosen, meant that when it was announced I was one of the 30 delegates, this achievement meant so much more. Like in any job, it is really affirming to get validation that your hard work is being noticed and you are worthy. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? It’s funny because looking back at some “disaster moments” they aren’t ever as bad as you thought they were. I think we have to remember that this is just TV and there is always a solution, no matter how bad things may seem at the time. Sometimes when things aren’t going to plan, the best thing to do is to take a step back and reassess. Then you will be able to make better choices and not react out of pure emotion. What I did learn from some of these moments, and thankfully there haven’t been many, is that what you do after a mistake happens can have bigger consequences than the mistake itself. We’re only human and mistakes will happen, but the choices you make post a disaster can either make things better or worse, so don’t panic and think quickly on your feet and people will take note on how you cope in a crisis situation. What are your favourite TV shows? I am obsessed with documentaries and my faves past and present include 9/11: The Falling Man, The Last Dance, Life and Death Row, Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer, Making A Murderer and The Keepers (what can I say, your girl loves a murder). But I am also a sucker for premium reality shows like Love Is Blind or Selling Sunsets - anything that lets me live out my rich housewife fantasy or my romcom dating dreams count me in! . READ MOREMike Blair
Head of Documentaries & Current AffairsTV is a privilege. It allows you into places and other people’s lives in a way no other job can or does..
What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m really lucky that my role gives me a very wide brief. Documentaries and current affairs cover just about everything on telly, though I’ve still not cracked turning our crime docs into musicals - yet! We’ve relaunched and invested more money in our documentary unit to capitalise on current successes and to focus on more premium films and series. It means we’ll be working with an increasing number of brilliant filmmakers alongside a very strong in-house team. Exciting times! What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality? At the very beginning I needed to earn a few quid to continue my travels after leaving school - and accidentally got a job as a trainee journalist. Seriously! I basically made the tea and was sometimes allowed to write about sheep-dog trials and fell running (It was in the Lake District)! I found I loved it. I moved to a very large freelance agency mainly covering courts, then into radio - and then my big break into Regional TV News. Back in the day it was a brilliant training ground (it probably still is) because you had to do everything. I even presented programmes. Rumours I was taken off air because of a viewer's petition are somewhat exaggerated. But I did want to tell longer form stories, to explore more detail, get under the skin of things - and make a ‘difference’. That meant a move into factual programmes and documentaries where my journalism skills (nosiness and an irritating persistence) really helped. As did a willingness to work very hard over many hours - and still love it whatever the task - investigations, war zones, wildlife films, art programmers - and even the odd car show. What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are? I think it’s the same hurdle many people have - impostor syndrome. Do I really deserve this ‘success’? When will they finally rumble me?! When I was a kid, career advice at the comprehensive I went to was either join the army, if you wanted to get away; or a factory apprenticeship if you were staying put. A job in TV was in another galaxy. It’s a syndrome you need to make work for you, to help push you to achieve the very best in yourself and in others! What has been the highlight of your career so far? Cliche warning! Highlights - The people I work with and the people I’ve met doing the best job on the planet. TV is a privilege. It allows you into places and other people’s lives in a way no other job can or does. I’ve met Prime Ministers, Presidents, ‘ordinary people’ and Princes. I’ve been involved in filming on almost every continent on earth; seen the very best of humanity and the very worst. I’ve been part of programmes that have held the powerful to account, given a voice to those who didn’t think they’d ever be listened to, and ones that have ‘changed things’. I’ve also been part of films that have simply been about beautiful stories, with lovely humans in beautiful places. I admit I do go on a bit … but you get the drift! And there have been so many ‘pinch me’ moments when I’ve been ‘working’. Here’s just a few. From the sublime … riding a Harley through the Rockies and sharing a beer with David ‘Del Boy’ Jason in San Francisco; To the surreal … getting changed out of my cycling kit in a Buckingham Palace toilet and sharing jokes in the Middle East with a camera Op as missiles streaked overhead; to the seriously humbling… meeting the wonderful women of the Aberfan Wives Club to spending time with a holocaust survivor in Belsen. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? I’ve made loads of mistakes, including a film once described by an exec in a viewing as the worst 30 minutes of his life (it got a bit better). But I'm not going to list them because I can't remember which ones I owned up to - and which ones I made right before anyone found out! Truth is, as long as no-one is maimed and you’re not fired, mistakes can be a good thing. They force us to learn, to review and reevaluate what we did and how we can do it much better next time. Importantly, they can and should also make us more understanding and compassionate when others do the same thing! What are your favourite TV shows? No surprises I’m a fan of news programmes - I still get a slight twinge of envy when a journo is covering a huge national or international story. I think the past few years have been the most extraordinary of many lifetimes and I feel my teams and I have collectively been across most of the biggest ones. Probably also no surprise, I’m an avid watcher of documentaries. Netflix has done some amazing true crime series. Some I get by word of mouth, others because I love the title (Worst Roommate Ever). When I’m not watching crime docs - I’m still in love with Scandi-Noir dramas! Light relief comes in the shape currently of Stanley Tucci Searching for Italy on the BBC. It’s so simple and beautiful - he’s a gem of a presenter. And a big shoutout to Simon Reeves South America also. For complete escapism - The Mandalorian (It’s really a western set in space) Stranger Things (brilliant soundtrack) And I’m currently going through the entire Marvel catalogue with my daughter (great comedy). . READ MOREPhotos by Lucy Elliston www.lucyelliston.com