If you’re leaving education or training and looking for a career in the creative industries, Lucy Ferguson, CEO at London-based Mediorite, has some top tips for you…
1. Get something for nothing
Use the time at home to search online for free training and video tutorials for budding producers and videographers. The free courses section on the Screen Skills website is a great place to start, but other companies offer free month-long trials… just be sure to set a reminder in your phone to cancel in time to keep it free!
2. LinkedIn is your friend
Improve your LinkedIn profile – expand your network and then don’t be frightened to ask for advice. Some really experienced freelancers may have more time at the moment, due to the Covid-19 emergency, and they’ll remember what it’s like starting out. So be bold – you might get more replies than you think! For more information visit the LinkedIn website.
3. Hit the festivals – virtually
Apply for places at creative festivals and networking events. There are free places at some events every year and although some face to face ones will be postponed, you should find some are still happening remotely. Some may have bursaries or free places too so be sure to note them down for the future if you can’t apply now.
4. Create your own work
Use your time wisely, collate your work to date into a show reel, capture a video CV or collect and edit user generated content in to short films. The Covid-19 outbreak has seen a huge expansion of people of all ages with the time and newly-acquired skills to contribute online and there’s certainly a story to tell.
5. Get with the programme
Apprenticeships and paid internships in the TV industry can be found on the BBC website, ITV website and Channel 4 website and they will most likely go ahead in the Covid-19 context so use your time wisely and get ahead of the game. Check out the The British Film Institute website as they run a scheme for under 19s who want to get into film and their website has a lot of information for anyone just starting out.
More generally, The Prince’s Trust website has lots of useful resources and advice for young people to upskill and gain employment while managing your wellbeing.
Stay positive, keep networking and build your skills through practice… that way it will soon be a wrap!
