Media Futures: Developing Factual TV and & How to Get a Job in Televison
- Date: Tuesday 10 October 2023, 16:00 – 17:00
- Location: Chemistry West Block LT F (G.74)
- Cost: Free
Hear from True North Productions about the TV commissioning process, different production roles and how to get your first job in TV.
True North is the largest unscripted independent production company outside London, making 100s of hours of TV every year for broadcasters including BBC, Channel 4, Five, Sky, MTV and Discovery.
Recent programmes include: Top Guns: Inside the RAF, Forensics – Catching the Killer, A New Life in the Sun, Help We Bought A Village, Evicted, Teen Mom UK and Yorkshire by the Sea.
Director of Development, Kieran McCarthy will talk about how shows get commissioned and the process of turning ideas into green-lit shows. Sallie Leak, Talent Executive, will discuss the different roles in production and how to get your first job in TV.
There will be an opportunity to meet Sallie and Kieran after their talk for an informal networking opportunity from 5-6pm, where you can ask their advice individually.
About the speakers
Kieran McCarthy is True North’s Director of Development – creating new shows and devising new formats across a wide range of genres. Immediately prior to joining True North, he worked at Flying Saucer TV where he was behind Channel 4’s Lose Weight Like Me. Before that, Kieran spent two years at Manchester-based Gobstopper, rising to become Director of Development with responsibility for shows including Channel 5’s Filthy House SOS, MTV’s Just Tattoo Of Us and BBC3’s Plastic Surgery Undressed.
Sallie Leak is True North’s Talent Executive. She is responsible for off-screen talent. Her background is in production, working as a Series Producer for over a decade on a wide range of shows for Channel 4, BBC, Discovery and ITV.