Roles at ITV Studios.

ScreenSkills

ScreenSkills offers comprehensive information on careers in TV. Scroll through its job profiles to find the role for you and how to get in.

Meet Rachel - Music Researcher

How did you get into TV?

I did Media Production for A-level, decided I was interested in TV and went on to study Communication and Media Studies at university. My degree was a sandwich course, meaning I was able to get about a year’s worth of work experience too. I hounded lots of production companies and got work at various TV & Film companies, including Maveric  Television, MTV, Revolution Films and Fiesta Productions. I also took on Runner jobs on a live Dispatches programme for Channel 4, a Disney show and a couple of UK films.

In my 2nd year I got a weekend job at 4Music/The Box Plus Network, as a Quality Control Operator, which involved checking charts and features for 7 music channels before they aired, giving me insight into broadcast/transmission. By the time I had left university I already had quite a bit of experience under my belt which helped me to get a temp role at NBC, which I worked in for about 8 months alongside my 4music role (I was working 6 days a week!). I also did some work on a new comedy pilot.

How did you get your role of Researcher at ITV?

About a year after I left uni a friend of mine mentioned ‘Creative Access’ to me, which was a new organisation providing internship and job opportunities in the creative industries for young people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. I got a job at Big Talk Productions as a Development Assistant in 2012 from an opportunity they posted up, and so became a part of Creative Access alumni.

After working at Channel 5 for a couple of years as PA to their Commissioners, I decided to move into Production/Editorial in 2017, as I wanted to work in roles that allowed me to be a part of the creative process. I got a role on Britain’s Got Talent and signed up to the Creative Access Mentoring Scheme, which had just launched for alumni. Through this I was paired with Cheryl Woodcock (Talent Executive at ITV Entertainment), who gave me lots of advice and guidance on applying for jobs and working towards my career goals. I got regular updates about new jobs from the ITV Talent Team and applied for a VT Researcher role for The Voice. I have since worked as an Edit Researcher and Casting Researcher on the show too.

Your insight into a typical day...

I am currently the Music Researcher on The Voice and a typical day can vary depending on where we are in the process of making the show. Some of the things I am involved in include being a part of the pre-show audition process, brainstorming song ideas for performances  suggesting ideas for song arrangement, clearing music (checking songs can be used under ITV’s blanket licensing agreement), liaising with acts, our Music Director and Vocal Coaches, attending band rehearsals, creating edit lyrics, supporting contestants and general admin.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

One of the key skills needed for my role is being organised as I am managing various documents, files, conversations and often liaising with production re filming days. Another is creativity, researching ideas and working with the team to come up with the best music ideas for the show. It’s also important that you are a confident communicator on the phone and in person, as building rapport with the acts and making them feel comfortable is key. You need to be able to clearly communicate the process to them and just be an all-round friendly person! You are often working with other teams across the show too so need to be good at building work relationships and adapting in various situations.

What do you most like about your job?

The Voice is a show I’ve always wanted to work on, as it marries together my love for music and TV. My team are amazing and it’s great to work with people who are so supportive!

What I love the most about my job is being given the opportunity to contribute my ideas and be creative. As a songwriter and singer myself, I also enjoy supporting the acts through the process and encouraging them in their performances.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Network loads and meet people who are doing what you want to do - ask loads of questions! It really is a "who you know" industry and you can often be recommended for jobs by building genuine relationships with the right people. Try and get some experience - you can do this by researching shows you like to find out the production companies that made them and get in contact. Day Runner jobs are good as they often give you insight into various roles across filming days. Typically you would start as a Runner and work your way up to being a Researcher.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

The next step for me is to move into an Assistant Producer role, which I would like to do very soon. I like being challenged and my aim is to take on more studio roles and eventually move into some edit producing roles.

Meet Modupe - Post Production Manager

How did you get into TV and your role of Post Production Manager at Potato?

I was working part-time as a Broadcast Assistant at a local BBC radio station and applied for an internal post as a Broadcast Assistant in London. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the role but I asked the interviewer if there was any opportunity to shadow someone in the department and they agreed for me to shadow the Office Runner for a month. Fortunately, the runner was moving onto to another role so when I finished my work experience they offered me the Office Runner role.

From there, I worked my way up as a Runner to then being a Production Secretary on various shows in the Children’s department such as Blue Peter, Zingzillas, Something Special & Fee Fi Fo Yum. I then moved to ITV where I have worked on a variety of shows like Britain’s Best Dish, Fool Britannia, Come Dine with Me, The Chase, Winning Combination & Ninja Warrior UK.

Your insight into a typical day...

On a typical day, I organise the media coming from the studio or location to be sent to the edit. Making sure the drives arrive at the Post house and are ingested onto the system ASAP. I will then allocate the projects/ shows that need to be edited to the editors. I also distribute the finished TX Episode to the various departments that require them. I create/ update the Edit & TX schedules. I deliver the eps to the channel and I send out clips to the Promo team. I also deal with any problems that might arise like a media being corrupt, a show that needs to be pulled due to an editorial or Compliance change, changes to the TX schedule & tight turnaround of delivery etc.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

The key skills that are needed in my role are

• Organisation
• Adapting to changes
• Being pro-active
• Discipline
• Willing to learn new skills
• Knowing how to manage lots of Spreadsheets, documents, excels
• Looking after the budget

What do you most like about your job?

I love the fact that you are able to create amazing content with the help of incredible and talented people. From just raw material to a finished product and then delivering the TX files to the various departments that require it. It gives me pleasure that we have worked together to make the process run smoothly while checking and sticking to the budget. I also enjoy the people I work with.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Perseverance. It might be hard to get into the industry at first but be innovative. In my day we didn’t have social media/ Linkedin to express and show our skills. You need to make sure you stand out from the crowd. Your story is what makes you different so share your strengths, your goals and the willingness to achieve. Once you are in the industry, connecting with different people, learning new skills along the way, educating and teaching people the skills you have. And always be willing to listen to other people’s thoughts, opinions no matter their roles as you can learn something new from a junior colleague.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

My future ambitions are to work on more shows within Post. I would love to work on an archive heavy show to learn about the different media and formats required to create the finished content. My role would typically lead to working within a Post House or in Production as a Senior Post Production Manager working on various shows to make sure these shows are delivered to the highest standards and within the budget given.

Meet Verina - Deputy Head of News Features

How did you get into TV and your role of Deputy Head of News Features at GMB?

After graduating from university I was working as a youth worker and one day a fax came through about a new work placement scheme at LWT, I applied and got one of the four positions which meant I worked across various departments including Entertainment, Arts & Features and Viewer Services - that was 21 years ago. I gained a lot of experience in the three months and secured a job as a Production Secretary by the end of my placement in the Arts and Features department.

After four years working on South Bank Shows on R.E.M, Craig David, Diana Ross and Coronation Street (to name a few), I made the move to 'Tonight With Trevor McDonald' as an Editorial Research Assistant. This was a gear change as it was a news based programme and nothing I had ever done before, but I was optimistic about the challenge and looked forward to the experience. I worked on programmes on the Iraq war, online preditors and the infamous Martin Bashir interview with Michael Jackson.

My role at 'This Morning' started a year later, and this is where my career in Daytime began. I got to work with the lead presenters and various well known daytime faces on projects in war zones, Australia and many, many locations around the world. After I left TM, I worked on BBC's 'Blue Peter' which for me was a dream come true, but when they moved to Salford I returned to ITV Daytime working on 'Loose Women', 'Lorraine' and finally settling at 'Good Morning Britain' as a Senior Producer. That was nearly five years ago and during my time at GMB I have worked on lots of high profile projects and interviews on the show and now I am the Deputy Head of the News Features department.

Your insight into a typical day...

Working on Good Morning Britain there are no typical days. as a news based programme there is no way to predict what we will be doing and that is one of the things I love the most about my job. Normally, I would start the day by going through the papers, social media platforms and if I have time a podcast or two and watch the show. Then I have a daily team meeting where we talk about ideas for the next day's show, some days I attend an editorial meeting and then I will get on with the rest of the day. That can be various meeting, campaign planning or sometimes filming content for the show.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Communication, great organisation, being able to think on your feet and time management are the key skills to be able to do my job successfully.

What do you most like about your job?

The thing I like most about my job is the variety - there are no two days the same. One day I could be working on a heated debate, the next on location filming or Producing a big outside broadcast and then back in the office brainstorming ideas for the future.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

My top tip for anyone wishing to get into the industry is to get some hands on experience. I know it may seem hard to get the first foot in the door as its so competitive, but maybe try to get a shadow shift and then impress them, work on your own stuff and use that as an example and communicate with everyone and anyone. You never know who you might be speaking to.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

My future ambition is to continue making TV that people want to watch, to ensure that it is diverse and appeals to a variety of audiences and be happy in my job.

Meet Tom - Deputy Editor - Loose Women

How did you get into TV and your role of Deputy Editor?

Ever since I was a young I had a passion for TV and media. Whether this was watching the soaps with my nan or writing my own weekly newspaper for my family! This led on to studying a vocational media course at sixth form and then an undergraduate degree in Media and Video Production. Whilst studying, I was fortunate enough to secure some work experience at This Morning, which turned out to be a week that changed my life. After making some contacts on the team,  I was offered my first full-time TV job in the phone-in room (alongside the late, great Denise Robertson). From there I hit the jackpot - working with Phillip and Fern and becoming the This Morning Studio Runner (still my favourite EVER job in my career). This then paved the way for me to join the editorial team as a Researcher and from there, I went into the world of freelance; enjoying stints at the BBC, Sky and various production companies across the industry. I then returned to This Morning - now hosted by Phil and Holly - this time as an Assistant Producer, before moving onto ITV Breakfast as an Output producer. This was followed by 4 fantastic years as a Senior Producer with Lorraine Kelly on her Lorraine show, before moving over to my current home in Daytime as the Deputy Editor of Loose Women. 

Your insight into a typical day...

My journey to work starts at 6:30am. This is where I utilise my time and absorb as much media as physically possible to help come up with the most fun and exciting topics for the women to discuss on the show. When I arrive, our top team or producers and researchers have been working since the crack of dawn to put a fantastic show together. This is when I sit down with them and our editor, Sally, to iron out any potential talking points before our ladies join us. Our morning meeting with the Loose ladies is probably the most fun anyone could ever have in telly! We’re so lucky to have such an eclectic mix of women who are so giving, compelling, and most of all - hilarious! I then work with the producer on the scripting and production of our final running order, and before you know it, it’s 12.30 and we’re live on air! My afternoons are taken up with the planning of future shows and liaising with the women on anything from potential topic ideas to dealing with Coleen’s travel nightmares (this happens quite often!). A Deputy Editor’s job is never done. 

What are the key skills needed for your role?

The question should be - what skills AREN’T needed? Attention to detail, patience, and immense organisational skills. Not only that, you need a passion for news, media, television, showbiz, and most importantly… the show. If you’re not a fan of Loose Women then you won’t last very long around here… whatever role you have on this show, it soon becomes your life. 

What do you most like about your job?

I love the fact that no two days are the same. You wake up every morning not quite knowing what the new day will bring. I also get to work with absolute TV legends like Gloria and Janet (don’t tell her I said that!) as well as our other fabulous ladies. Over the years I’ve got to meet people that I never thought I’d cross paths with in my wildest dreams… never did this Essex boy think he’d get to meet Hollywood stars and Madge from Neighbours (particular life highlight). It also never ceases to amaze me that an idea can just pop into my head on a Monday night and on Tuesday morning it’s going out live on national television. Who else gets to say that? 

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

I know it sounds like a cliche but hard work, passion and dedication really are key.  I got lucky to gain work experience at This Morning all those years ago, but it means nothing if you don’t make the most of your opportunity. Speak up, make contacts and show the raw potential you have as a future employee. Also, never give up! We all have knock-backs but it’s important to pick yourself up and get back on the horse straight away. Also, it always helps to be a ‘yes’ person. I’ve (hopefully) been seen as someone who is very helpful and willing to ‘go beyond’, which has opened up so many other doors and opportunities for me. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. I’ve honestly learnt something new every single day of my career. 

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

Typically, this role hopefully leads on to (one day) becoming Editor of the show, but we have a fantastic leader at the moment, so I’m hoping that she’s not leaving us anytime soon. I’m just enjoying developing in my current role and making Loose Women the best it can be. Also, I won’t rest until we win a much deserved National Television Award! 

Meet Erron Gordon - GMB Series Director

How did you get into TV and your role of Director?

I started in television at the age of 16 working on 5 News at ITN, I had completed a work placement programme and just asked the Editor if he had any jobs, luckily they needed a weekend runner so I did that every Saturday and Sunday. After completing my A-Levels they offered a full-time role as a Floor Manager before moving to Sky News as a vision mixer. I joined GMTV in 2002 as a vision mixer and worked there for three years before moving back to Sky News where I became a director. In 2008 I moved back to GMTV as a staff director. At the end of 2013 I was asked to join the launch team for a new breakfast programme which turned out to be Good Morning Britain where I am now Series Director.

Your insight into a typical day...

A typical day for me starts at 2am when my alarm goes off, I travel to work and aim to arrive between 3-3:30am, I will log into iNews and 'mark up' the three hour Good Morning Britain running order. The first part of the day is working closely with the Senior Producer and the overnight graphic design team on making sure all the planned items are structured correctly. I will write in my camera shots and notes for the vision mixer, sound and lighting teams and prepare the running order for my morning crew meeting at 5am. I used to conduct this meeting in the gallery with the entire team together but since Covid came along I now do it over talkback. After the crew meeting I join the Assistant Editor for the presenter meeting with Piers and Susanna. We'll talk through the programme together and it's a really good opportunity to find out what the presenters are 'getting excited about' the big stories they are interested in and what their agenda will be on air, this helps me better prepare myself for what is thrown at me live on air. Although GMB has a running order we rarely stick to it and essentially follow the flow of the presenters so it's important to be alert and 'in the zone' with them.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

I think the key skills are to be creative, have a real passion for tv production and a great eye for detail. It's the most fun job in the world but that really is driven a lot by 'how into it' one is.

What do you most like about your job?

The chaos and spontaneity. Good Morning Britain is the best live programme in the UK, nowhere else do you not follow a running order, be directing a huge breaking news event and in the same programme direct a music performance. Working with our A-list presenters really drives me to be the best I can be; whether that is working on location for the American Election with Piers and Susanna, directing Ben and Kate covering a royal wedding or with Charlotte or Ranvir on big breaking stories. The part of the show I love and find most challenging is essentially the most unscripted, unpredictable and in many respects just a conversation among the on screen family and our viewers where literally anything can (and will) happen or be said; it's my job to follow that succinctly and also to help visualise both with pictures and audio and it is very much appointment to view television.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

I think to consider working in tv or as a director you need to truly love the medium. Television plays a crucial role (especially these days) in people's lives, our viewers see our shows and our talent as their friends; this must always be at the forefront of your mind when working in TV as that's why we do it.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

I'm in the most senior position for a director on Good Morning Britain and it never stops being fun, each year throws new challenges but I've always wanted to direct a late night U.S. style talk show with a house band; something like 'The Late Show' or 'The Tonight Show'. I want to get Good Morning Britain to number one in the ratings at breakfast before even thinking about what is next, I see it as unfinished business until we are.

Meet Philippa - VT Editor

How did you get into TV and your role of Editor at ITV Daytime?

I started my career in Dublin, Ireland, working as a runner for the evening news.

When there was downtime, I would hang around the editors and watch what they were doing. I hung around long enough that they started giving me some small bits of work. From there I began to freelance edit on the evening news and then I got a fulltime job as an editor on the station's Weekend Breakfast Show where I worked for 2 years.

I then applied for my current role at ITV Daytime on a whim. I didn't think I would even get an interview.

3 years later, here I am! I am a part of an incredible team who work around the clock editing everything from breaking news to fashion and features for Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women.

Your insight into a typical day

As an editor there really is no such thing as a typical day. Every day brings something new and a different challenge. Most days, I work with a producer from one of the daytime shows to edit the piece they are working on. This is different every day, which is something I love about my job.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

For me, communication skills are the most important part of my job. Editing skills are essential but being able to understand what a producer wants, and the vision they have is vital in getting the best results.

What do you most like about your job?

I love the creativity and freedom I have to create something new every day. I'm continually learning new things. I also love that my role allows me to work with so many different people. I have made some great friends across all the different teams at ITV.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Always ask.

People in the TV industry are some of the best people I've come across and are always happy to help. It's not an easy industry to get into. Most of us have experienced that and are more than happy to give advice and help out when we can.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

Thankfully being part of the Daytime Edit Team means I've had some great opportunities to work across amazing projects. Last year I was involved with the production of Piers Morgan's interview with President Trump. There are always exciting projects coming along that my team can get involved with.

Meet Stefan - Runner

How did you get into TV?

In my final year of university, I spent a lot of time applying for different schemes and placements within the industry for when I graduated. Despite not studying television production, I knew that a career within the industry would be my dream career, but previously never knew how I could get involved. I was lucky enough to achieve a place on the ITV Insight Scheme and gain access into the work experience talent pool, which led to my two weeks placement on Love Island Aftersun. This was my first experience in the world of professional television production and I knew that the environment was the one for me.

How did you get your role of Runner at ITV?

As soon as I completed my work experience placement, I did some work as a Day Runner on In For A Penny. This was my first experience working on location within television and I absolutely loved it! Soon after this, I joined the team full time for the remainder of the series and, as the series came to a close, joined the team on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway. For me, it all happened so quickly, but I wouldn't change a thing about it!

Your insight into a typical day?

No day is ever the same! Whilst working within the office, I work closely with the rest of the production team and assist them with whatever tasks they need an extra hand with, whilst also working with the editorial team in helping them in anything they may need an extra pair of eyes on. Ultimately, as a Production Runner, you're shared amongst all aspects of the team in the lead up to the show, including working on VTs and preparation for studio. Whilst on location or in the studio, a typical day will normally start very early and end very late, but the end result is second to none! I do lots of running around, I make a lot of tea and coffee, and constantly deliver messages between different members of the team, but every single second is so rewarding.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

It's always vital to think outside of the box when being a runner in the television industry. You never know what errand you're going to be asked to run, what prop you're going to be asked to source or what kind of person you're going to be asked to find - it's really important to be brave and confident and trust your instincts! It's also really important to be happy speaking to people you've never met, whether this be meeting other individuals within the industry or a stranger on the street asking where the nearest hardware store is!

What do you most like about your job?

I love that every single day is completely different. You get to meet a whole new circle of people and ultimately you're working in an industry that everyone knows a bit about. Working on programmes that I've watched growing up is such an amazing experience, and being able to watch back your hard work is a feeling that you don't get in any other industry! I also love working in a creative environment, knowing that the end result is something that so many people will take joy from.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

It's really important to stay determined and not be disheartened by initial setbacks when starting out in the industry. I'd say a great knowledge of TV itself will always be beneficial, so it's really important to love not only the type of television you want to make, but be aware of other genres that you haven't necessarily looked into before. It's also great to research the industry and look at which production companies make what programmes, as you'll definitely be amazed at the amount of television that's made by different companies. Always remember that you're bound to make mistakes in the early days embarking on a career like this, and the entire process of being a runner is about learning!

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

The TV industry has so many different pathways and sectors within it, and right now starting out in the industry I'm still exploring all the different opportunities available. I'd love to get involved in some casting and games development experience in the near future, but right now I'm just enjoying gaining as much experience as possible amongst a variety of different television genres!

Meet Charlotte - Researcher

How did you get into TV?

I began my TV career doing work experience for ITV on shows such as Saturday Night Takeaway, Love Island, and Loose Women. The experience I gained working on such well- known shows with extremely talented teams proved invaluable when applying for jobs on other TV shows.

How did you get your role of Researcher at ITV?

My time as work experience at ITV really kickstarted my career in TV. I was able to meet a variety of different people across the editorial and production teams who would put me forward for other TV work, where I would then meet more people, which would lead onto another TV job and so forth.

Thanks to my time as work experience on Love Island, I was asked to return to the team as their casting runner. I was lucky enough to be asked back the following series as a casting researcher for the show and have been a researcher ever since.

Your insight into a typical day...

No day is the same in TV! As a researcher I have been fortunate enough to have worked across casting, edit, studio, locations, and gallery. Exploring all of the different roles at this level is such a great way to find out what you enjoy the most, and what you think you would like to focus on further down the line in your career. Some days I might be running around like a headless chicken on location looking for some last-minute props for a scene, other days I am chatting to new people morning till night to try and cast them for a particular show. It really does differ depending on what your researcher role is, and what show you are working on.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Being able to work well as part of a team is super important in the world of telly, as is having good communication skills. You are constantly meeting new people and being able to work well with them is one of the keys to making a successful show.

Because TV is such a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, being able to work under pressure and having good problem-solving skills is essential. You have to be able to think on your feet and use your initiative as much as possible.

What do you most like about your job?

Working in TV isn’t a 9-5 desk job. It is full of surprises and you never know what it will bring. I have never ever said ‘I’m bored’ at work before. It is fun and exciting; and the sense of camaraderie within your team is second to none. You really do become like a family!

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

I am a huge advocate for work experience, I wouldn’t be where I am in TV without it. The best thing you can do is be yourself, be personable, and be willing! People take note when you think outside of the box and go the extra mile for the tasks you are given, no matter how menial they may seem.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

Working in editorial as a researcher, the natural path of progression for me would be to move up to assistant producer, and then to producer, series producer, and then executive producer. The beauty of TV is that there are so many different paths you can take. If you don’t particularly enjoy working within one realm of TV, there is a plethora of other opportunities to explore that will most likely be right up your street.

Working in TV isn’t a 9-5 desk job. It is full of surprises and you never know what it will bring. I have never ever said ‘I’m bored’ at work before. It is fun and exciting; and the sense of camaraderie within your team is second to none. You really do become like a family!

Meet James - Script Editor

How did you get into TV and your role?

I worked in Finance in Canary Wharf and then became a runner on Big Brother and worked my way up on various shows. I then got a role as an archivist which enabled me to get into the Soaps. 

Your insight into a typical day?

My role is to assist the Producers and Senior Script Editors. A typical day involves catching up on reading and answering queries from Script Supervisors, Archive and Story teams. We also check if anything has been missed in the storyline. For example, if someone has a new job, have we been consistent throughout. 

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Communication. Being a team player is important, not just with your own team, but with Production, the story team and the research team. You must be versatile. You also need a keen eye for detail and have a good understanding of the stories. You can’t force a storytelling ability, storytelling comes from having lots of varied experiences and a varied background. I’ve lived on a farm growing up, worked as a banker, fired people etc. These experiences help.

What do you most like about your job?

The versatility of the role. Also, it’s about telling those stories and finding the heart in those stories. 

Life experience enables you to find common ground with someone and you can then draw from your own experiences and implement them into scripts. 

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

You’ve got to love Soaps! Soaps are different from other dramas as they’re on 6 times a week so you have to be able to rotate those stories. You have to love telling stories and understand why it's important to tell stories. Having a passion for stories and soaps is important and you should look at the characters and their individuality. 

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

I currently do a mixture of both Assistant Script Editing and Script Editing. I’d like to become a Script Editor. People tend to go down either the storylining or the writing route. I want to become a writer one  day and eventually have my own production company.

Meet Marco - Storyliner

How did you get into TV and your role?

First got into TV by applying for a work placement with BBC and did a 2-week work placement on Watchdog. From there started jumping from show to show and genre to genre, gaining a range of experience. I eventually got into continuing drama by working on Hollyoaks and familiarised myself with genre there. This experience then enabled me to work at Emmerdale. Found the job on itv website so applied. There was an assessment day and I was a bit apprehensive about it as I know they can be challenging. I was a bit nervous but you just have to be confident and be yourself. It took me three times to get there. 

Your insight into a typical day?

Every day is completely different. Once we’ve had our short term conference, the team takes a storyline each and write up a story. We then outline it, scene-by-scene, episode-by-episode. Our typical day involves writing these storylines and beats to compose a storyline document. This will be sent to the Script Writers with a month-worth of episodes to give them a good idea of what stories will be told. I speak to the story team, researchers, archivists and producers on a regular basis.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Creativity as it’s a very creative role. You have to be able to come up with ideas and pitch those ideas. You will also need confidence as you will have to pitch those ideas to a writing team and producers. So being able to confidently pitch your ideas is important. With that, comes a lot of debate and people disagreeing with each other so you’ve got to be able to debate. You will also need a sound knowledge of the genre- so know what soaps and continuing dramas are like. You’ll also need a good knowledge of Emmerdale itself. You must have a strong understanding of character, story and structure and strong writing skills with the ability to adapt to house-styles.

What do you most like about your job?

Ability to use my creativity and get the creative juices flowing. I’ve not been here long enough yet, but pitching and writing an idea and seeing  it in the different stages will be great. Then seeing it on screen for millions of people to watch is one of the most rewarding things. Also, I love the collaborative story-telling dynamic as it’s a team effort- it’s nice to hear those different voices. 

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Get as much experience as you can, no matter what show or genre. I started on factual and moved to News, then BBC sport. I got most of my experience through entertainment and reality. I’ve always wanted to go into Continuing drama, but even working in Entertainment I was able to develop my skill set to help me move to Emmerdale. Also, contact people and link up with people. It’s great to keep contact with people you’ve met in jobs and build as many contacts as possible. 

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

Most people go on to be writers or producers like a series or story producer. Personally I would like to be a writer, although that could change. Hopefully this role will finesse my skills. Equally, I would be happy to go down the producer road too.

Meet Kayleigh, 3rd Assistant Director

How did you get into TV and your role?

I went a different route into TV. I always knew that I wanted to work in TV but no-one's really aware of the roles when you’re growing up. I always knew that I wanted to work in drama but I wasn't quite sure what part. I loved drama so I went to all drama clubs. I went to uni and did  Performance and Professional Practice and then I decided that I’d be a drama teacher at a secondary school but I hated it. I knew I wanted to do something with drama. It was always TV I wanted to do but I got a job in radio doing promotions which was the closest thing I could do to TV.  I loved it but still knew I wanted a job in TV. I then went and did a degree in broadcast journalism and from there I just saw an advert on someone's Facebook page; a runner had dropped out of a Volkswagen Commercial. I messaged the person and took a holiday from radio and worked really hard. I got a contact at BBC and started to work my way up. I was at the BBC for 4 years and started off as a runner. I knew I wanted to go down the AD route and worked really hard to get a 3rd AD role. I went onto different productions and worked my way up. Started on Doctors and then went on to period drama Father Brown and then Shakespeare and Hathaway. I did some films in between and adverts.

Your insight into a typical day?

A typical day in the life of a 3rd AD is you get to studio or location just before first call, which is 7am at Emmerdale. You help the 1st and 2nd AD and make sure you know what's going on throughout the day. You’ll mark up the call sheet and make sure that everyone is where they’re meant to be. You’re overseeing everything. Once everyone is called onto set, you can be travelling artists to set, doing queues, making sure the cast and crew are happy and know what they’re doing. You’re ultimately there to do everything you can to help the 1st and 2nd ADs. It gets really busy and hectic, but it’s so good. Every day is so, so different. It’s really hard to sum up your day. There isn’t a day-to-day structure of the day. Every department is like a cog and you’re making sure all those cogs turn together. You have to be liaising and communicating with every department.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

You definitely have to be organised because you need to know what's happening and when. You’ve got to be committed- it’s really long, hard days and you have to be really focused. You have to be able to think ahead. Sometimes you have to think 10 steps ahead. You have to be adaptable as things can change at the flick of a switch. You need to be approachable and friendly as you have to speak to so many people and liaise with all the different departments. They need to be able to talk to you and come to you if there’s an issue. Keeping a cool head is important- you have to hold it together. Be a great communicator,  you need to be able to get your point across and be diplomatic. You’re trying to make all departments work together and sometimes they don’t agree so you become the voice of reason. You need thick skin as it's a tough industry- you work long, hard days.

What do you most like about your job?

I love it so much. It’s challenging and every single day is so, so different. You never get two days the same. Emmerdale, every day is different, but also every job is so different. You get faced with different challenges every day. Some days are more fun than others. You don’t know what your day is going to be like. You build relationships with people and become a family. You are a real family on set and it’s lovely to have them.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

It's really hard. It can be quite disheartening. When you come out of Uni and you have to start at entry level and you feel like you’re just making cups of teaUse those jobs as opportunities to network. Make those cups of tea the best cups of tea you’ve ever made. Directors remember the cup of tea. Never feel disheartened. You just have to work hard and work your way up. That is part of the industry. Be a sponge and soak up what everyone is doing around you. What do you learn from the 1st and 2nd and 3rd. Learn from so many different people. Take the best of people. You’re only as good as your last job. Keep smiling as much as you can. Even if you feel disheartened, work as hard as you can and never feel deflated or disheartened.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

I want to be a 1st AD and that’s my aim. The AD route is 3rd, 2nd and 1st. I want to be a 1st AD. You become an AD and you get to see all the different departments. It opens your eyes. It also depends on job opportunities.

Meet Kylee - Gallery PA

How did you get into TV and your role of Head of PA and Autocue?

I saw an advert in the local newspaper for a Production Assistant to work at Meridian on local news. I was temping at the time and happened to be working with a relation to one of the Directors at Meridian so it was pure luck that I already had a good reference! From ITV Meridian I then moved to Sky to work on Channel 5 news for a couple of years where I made some strong working relationships. Through the contacts I had made at Channel 5, I was then made aware of a position on the Lorraine show at ITV so I applied and was successful. I have been working at ITV for 10 years this year with experience of working on all the daytime shows. I applied for Head of PA's and Autocue a couple of years ago as I wanted to take on more responsibility and gain experience in the managerial world.  

Your insight into a typical day...

A typical day will consist of working on one of the four daytime shows, working in the gallery on timings and playing out graphics live on-air. I would also complete some post show paperwork logging music and footage used within the shows. As I manage a team I can also be answering various questions and queries from my colleagues, organising rotas and planning ahead for any big shows coming up in the future.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

You have to be able to work under extreme pressure in a calm and professional manner, often problem solving with little time to spare. Communication and working in a team are key attributes needed as well as being extremely organised and having the ability to multitask. I think you also have to be prepared to travel and relocate to wherever the work is.

What do you most like about your job?

I love working on the live shows in a gallery environment. It's good fun and keeps you on your toes. The variety of working on all four daytime shows is a real luxury as they all present a slightly different way of working.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

I think the best advice to give somebody would be to gain as much experience as you can whether that's watching live shows go out or volunteering in some capacity.  Being in the TV environment would give somebody a real insight into the job roles available. Working in local news is a great way to learn how TV works and would give you the opportunity to build your confidence in the industry.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise

I feel that once you are working in the TV industry, opportunities are endless. You can shadow other roles and gain knowledge and experience in all specialities of the live shows including the production process behind the scenes.

For myself I still enjoy learning the role of managing a team alongside my passion for working on the live shows but who knows what's round the corner, and what other opportunities may arise in the future.

Meet Darrell - Production Secretary

How did you get into TV and your role?

I am a Production Secretary at Emmerdale. I was meant to start in March, but I started in May 2020.  I did a BA in Film Production at  the University of the Creatives Arts and it gave me a basic understanding of the roles in a production team. During my final year on the course I specialised in cinematography and upon graduating in 2013 I worked as a camera assistant/runner on a few productions. 

Once I got into the industry, I didn’t have the same passion for cinematography. In 2014 I got the opportunity to be a Film and TV assistant at secondary school, teaching students and staff about using cameras and editing. Whilst there I was in charge coordinating a student run news channel. This gave me a glimpse into what working in Production Management could be like.

I decided to apply for a Masters but specialised in Production at the Screen Academy Scotland in Edinburgh. Throughout the whole year, I produced 6 short films, during that time I learnt how to operate budgets, create call sheets and manage a production schedule. 

After graduating I got my first TV production role at Icon Films working as Production Department Assistant. Working as a PDA taught me how to manage diaries, and coordinating between different department great organisations and management skills. A Junior Production Coordinator position came up in a Natural Geographic series. That was my first experience as a production coordinator. I then worked in a smaller production company, where there was only 6 in the office, and I was given much more responsibility. Eventually, I wanted a change and I was sent the Emmerdale role by a friend. I then applied through the ITV careers site and was successful. 

Your insight into a typical day?

Since Covid-19, I have been catching up on all the new practices. I’m currently working from home and I’ve been coordinating cast travel, organising their travel from locations and communicating their where-abouts with the ADs. I have also used this time to get trained on ITV’s systems and practices. I am currently being trained on how to put together call sheets. Another part of my duties is ensuring that teams have enough hand sanitiser and hand wipes so I have been managing the stock and distributing them. On a typical day, you will need to respond to different ad hoc requests from cast and crew too. 

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Attention to detail is important as you have to get content out to 300 people under time pressure. There are always changes or mistakes so you have to keep up. Days can be challenging so you have to be resilient. You also have to ask for help when you need it and communicate well with other team members. Adaptability and flexibility is important as sometimes you have to change what you’re doing depending on what is top priority. You must remain calm under pressure and keep a level head so you can process information properly. If you are struggling, always mention it to someone. Also, always try to be polite as you never know what other people are going through. 

What do you most like about your job?

How welcoming and friendly everyone is! I started my role at a difficult time, but everyone was really accommodating and understanding. There’s a lot of variation in the role and you have to rise to the challenge. I love to try different things and there’s always a different challenge every day. I feel like I'm a vital member of the team already and I like the level of responsibility I get given. 

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Always try and network and get as much work experience as you can. You never know who you will meet and what opportunities will come from it. Get as much experience as you can, whether its in films, commercials, TV.  It’s also important to have work experience outside of the TV industry- I worked in a bar and hospitality and it gave me such great, transferable skills. Try to get some technical skills too, like working with excel and word. Learning formulas for budgets is useful for this role. Research the role and learn what experience and skills you need. Try and organise as many things as you can as this job is all about organising. Even if you’re on a sports team, try and get in an organisational position as it will put you in good stead. 

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

I’d like to be head of production or senior production manager one day. When I did my MA I wanted to be a PA and move into a junior production role and work my way up the ladder. The next step for me would be production coordinator. I think the best way is to work your way up in a linear manner. But it completely depends on your personal ambitions as I know people in production who go on to work as directors.

Meet Tayler, Production Co-ordinator

How did you get into TV and your role of production coordinator?

I joined ITV as an ITV apprentice in 2015 within the Procurement department. I completed my apprenticeship alongside day running on weekends at ITV, as well as weekend work at Global Radio for Heart and Capital FM. Working in a department spanning all areas of the business, and production, gave me a real insight and understanding of the company, the way we operate and what would suit me. I worked with the Events team as part of my apprenticeship with Procurement, after 10 months in my apprenticeship I moved onto a role as a Project Administrator in ITV Events, which I worked in for a year.

Having kept good contacts within ITV Daytime during my time as an apprentice, the transition from Events to Production was pretty seamless when a role as a Production Secretary came up at This Morning, the two areas within the ITV run very similarly and the skills needed were easily transferable.

Your insight into a typical day...

As always, it varies on each show I do, as everyone operates differently. Generally speaking I produce call sheets and risk assessments for upcoming shoots, manage runner/logger workloads and tasks, arrange and hire kit from our suppliers, liaise with external suppliers for shoots, and work with the edit team to make sure they have the rushes in the edit ready to cut. I work very closely with my Production Manager to make sure our expenditure is in line with our expectations, and foresee any possible issues, making savings where possible.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Goes without saying, but being organised is one of the most important skills! Being able to prioritise tasks, manage time effectively and manage expectations goes a long way in such a fast paced environment. For me, being able to work with different personalities well is vital. 

ITV is a melting pot of the best people in the business, from our editorial, tech and production teams, being able to get along with everyone makes working on sometimes challenging shoots seamless and all the more worthwhile.

What do you most like about your job?

I love the variety of working across such a broad range of shows from large entertainment shows such as Love Island, I’m a Celeb & Dancing on Ice, to factual documentaries about News or Consumer Affairs. No two shows are the same, and no two series of any show are the same. You work with different teams each time, getting to work alongside so many different people is very refreshing. The buzz of seeing a show I’ve worked on go out on air never goes away!

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Having a great attitude is vital - you can be taught pretty much anything, but you can’t be taught a personality! Being able to work well within a team, being approachable and proactive for me is more important than experience. Being adaptable, open to learning and doing things you wouldn’t necessarily have considered before, or working in a new way, will equip you going forward and you’ll be grateful for the challenge!

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

Within Production, the general progression is Secretary - Coordinator - Junior Production Manager - Production Manager - Line Producer - & so on. I always try and get as much variety as I can with the shows I go onto, a mix of doing shows I absolutely adore, to shows that I wouldn’t have considered before that might teach me new ways of working and new skills going forward. Only by gaining experience do I have a clearer understanding of the genres and types of shows that best suit me and what I enjoy working on the most, and whilst I remain as Production Coordinator I want to continue this and steer towards areas within ITV I feel I work best, before stepping up.

Meet Diya, Production Accountant

How did you get into TV and your role of Production Accountant? 

After university I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to go into, so decided to take a gap year and work abroad where my first job was as an accounts assistant for Channel 7. Since then I've worked in both Management Accounts and Production Accounting for media companies but soon realised I enjoyed working in Production Finance more.

Your insight into a typical day...

Working closely with the finance and production teams to ensure we are keeping in line with the production budget, accuracy of cost reports and financial planning to determine whether there are any over/under spends.

What are the key skills needed for your role? 

Being able to communicate financial information to non- finance staff and good attention to detail, especially when reconciling costbooks.

What do you most like about your job?

Being able to combine my numerical background with my love for TV and having the opportunity to work with both finance and production teams.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role? 

Understanding the sections that make up a programme budget will be a great advantage to anyone coming into this role. Being familiar with the vocabulary used in the industry will also be an added bonus.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise. 

An experience of Production Accounting can lead to various opportunities if you wish to broaden your horizons. It is common for Qualified Production Accountants within ITV to move into Financial Analyst or Head of Finance roles. This is because they have a solid understanding of both production and the finance systems. For me, I would be keen to progress into a business partnering/manager role.

Meet George & Ethan - Electricians

How did you get into TV and your roles?

George - I got into ITV through signing up to a training provider JTL, which specialises in electrical business. I saw the Job advertised through JTL and applied through ITV site. I got an interview for the apprenticeship and ultimately got the role. I was meant to finish the apprenticeship in September but due to CoronaVirus I haven’t finished yet. 

Ethan - I got into ITV the exact same way, by applying to the apprenticeship. 

Your insight into a typical day?

George - There’s a lot of maintenance involved in the role. During filming days you start at 8am and work out what scenes you have and check if the Lighting Director wants anything changing or any lights adding. As the lighting Director sits in the gallery he will radio over if he needs anything changing or moving. Day-to-day the job is very varied and you will talk to a variety of different departments. We talk to the props department if they need lights moving or if we need props moving. We also talk to the camera department in case lighting or lighting equipment needs moving for a camera. 

Ethan - My duties vary every day. This morning I was setting up and rigging a court room. Typically you do your studio checks- check if we have enough gels, tapes etc. and make sure all departments know where everything is. Every day is different, it ranges from PAT testing to fixing lights and cables. 

What are the key skills needed for your role?

George - You need to be willing to learn. You always need to be enthusiastic and willing to learn new things from lots of different people.

Ethan - You need to be sociable as it’s a job where you talk to lots of different departments. You also need to be good with your hands and at fixing things like plug or lights. 

What do you most like about your job?

George - I like that I will be getting a qualification at the end of my contract. It’s great to be earning money and a qualification at the same time. I also love the variety of the role- one day you’ll be in studio, the next you’ll be on Location somewhere in Manchester.  

Ethan - I love interacting with different people every day. The role varies so much and you will often be doing different jobs every day so you’re always kept on your toes.  

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

George - I’d advise always keeping an eye on the careers website and looking at new jobs or opportunities that come up. Think about the job you want to apply for and what skills are needed and prepare for your interview with that in mind. It’s always important to know your industry so research how the role works. 

Ethan - Make sure you watch Corrie! 

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

George - I’d like to become a gaffer or eventually a Lighting Director too. I do a bit of console operating and know the basics and am quite interested in that. A couple of the electricians in the past have gone into the camera department. On our first week in the apprenticeship we got to visit all the different departments which was really interesting. I’d definitely like to earn my apprenticeship qualification first and learn my trade first.

Ethan - I want to finish my apprenticeship and get fully qualified. I’d like to work my way to become a gaffer or eventually a Lighting Director. Lighting Director is the top of the lighting career-route. 

Meet Munira - Graphic Designer

How did you get into TV and your role of Graphic Designer?

I went to university to study Graphic design, from there I went on to work in design studios but after a while felt I needed to broaden my skills and have some animation skills added to my portfolio so went to National film and television school to study in depth animation and title sequence design for film and TV. And from there I got the specific skills and knowledge that enabled me to work in ITV.

Your insight into a typical day...

It's different every week, depending on what shift I'm on I could be doing design work for busy fast paced news output which require me to do infographics based graphics, media walls, maps, news stories stat reveals or I could be on projects working on a strand for a new trendy upcoming fashion show which consists of designing a sting, wipe and all the assets needed for it. The usual process within every shift is to get the brief from producers via email, discuss with the lead designer for that day and design it using After Effects and the rest of the Adobe suite. Once that's done it is sent for approval to the producer and then sent to the correct output either live or edit.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

Key skills in a fast paced live TV environment it's to be organised and have time management skills, as well as the essential technical skills of knowing how to use the design softwares especially After Effects as we use it everyday to create our animations. You also need to be creative with a strong eye for design and know how to be creative while respecting brand identity and look. In addition to being passionate, patient and calm as it's fast paced with tight deadlines when on live broadcast and most of the times you need to design on the fly or make some last minute close to transmission time changes. So you also need to be a great communicator as you're always actively communicating with live operators, producers, directors, reporters, library etc.

What do you most like about your job?

I like the creativity side of it as when on projects shift you have the freedom to research, and come up with cool ideas so it's not really just daily broadcast work but also makes me feel like back when I used to do design work with more flexible deadlines. I also like the fact that every week I'm doing something different and on a different shift. So if I'm working on Good Morning Britain for one week, the following week I'd be on something else like doing a cookery strand and so on.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Equip yourself with the necessary skills, make sure you're passionate about it. And get into a Broadcast related course or animation, make sure you understand how it works because it's different from for example print design which was mainly my area before getting into TV.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

My future ambitions is to develop with the department, since I've joined I moved up from Junior designer to Middleweight designer thanks to my supportive managers and team who are always helpful through talking performance 1-to-1 meetings which help you see your strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Meet Poppy - Make-up Artist

How did you get into TV and your role?

I moved to Manchester for Uni to study Fashion Media Makeup Artistry and then I got a job in MAC at Selfridges.  One of my modules required me to find work experience.  I did 2 days work experience at ITV shadowing the makeup department.  Whilst doing work experience, I heard there was a freelance makeup runner opportunity coming up on a new ITV show that required you to take contributors from Makeup to Studio.  I sent over my CV and was successful for the role.

Whilst working as a freelance makeup runner I got my hairdressing qualification.  I then secured 2 weeks of work experience on a big Corrie storyline that included doing the makeup for a burns victim.  A trainee job then came up on the ITV careers site - I applied and was successful.  There was a trainee job advertised the previous year so I had been preparing my skills and experience and waiting for another opportunity to come up.

Your insight into a typical day?

My average day starts at 7am where you set up your makeup place for whoever you have in the chair. We have all our continuity on an ipad and you need to make sure you know what the artists are doing eg, going to work/going to The Rovers and do their makeup in correlation to this. You then go into the studio or on the street with the artist if you don’t have anyone else’s makeup to do. You must be on top of their hair and makeup continuity throughout and you might have to watch multiple people in one day. 

Our typical day has changed after the effects of Covid- we now leave a makeup bag for them to do their own makeup and hair. When looking for continuity issues, we must then describe to the artist which makeup/hair needs moving or changing.

What are the key skills needed for your role?

You need good people skills. At Corrie, it’s different from normal drama settings as there’s 6 Makeup Supervisors and all supervisors like you to do different things, so you need to be able to adapt well to who you are working with as this changes daily. You need to be ambitious as things don’t get handed to you. You are always learning and can always learn from someone else. You should also be proactive and look to help out wherever you can.

What do you most like about your job?

I love that every day is different. At Corrie, there are so many storylines and there’s always something new to learn. You can’t learn everything at uni/college - some things you have to learn on the job. I worked on David Platt and Anna’s storyline when Anna’s legs were burnt so I had to learn how to do burns. I also got to learn how to do gunshot wounds with the Pat Phelan storylines. There’s always something new to learn.

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

I would recommend getting as much work experience as possible. You never know who you’ll meet. Email the designers of programmes that you enjoy and say the specific things that you loved about the makeup and hair. Use LinkedIn- it’s a great way to find people and jobs in the industry and always stay professional when you’re reaching out.

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

I started as a trainee and have now progressed to become a makeup assistant. The next step is senior assistant and then Supervisor. Another ambition would be to get more drama experience or film experience, but I can’t see myself leaving Corrie! Corrie has been great and let me go on sabbaticals- last year I worked on BBC’s Years and Years and the year before spent three weeks on Phantom Thread with Daniel Day Lewis. It’s great because I can bring new skills I’ve learned back to Corrie.

Meet Neave - Engineer

How did you get into TV and your role?

I went to the Uni of York to study Film and TV Production but had no prior knowledge of TV. I fell in love with TV after our first practical. I joined the student radio station and became the assistant chief engineer in my first term of University and then was promoted to Chief Engineer by the end of the first year. Working on the student radio station gave me an interest in broadcast technology. Once I got the role as Chief Engineer at my uni radio station, I then knew I wanted to go into the engineering side of TV so I got as much experience as I could. I spent the summer working for CTV on the cricket as a runner and worked in other jobs as much as I could. I graduated and got some freelance work for Global radio and ITN. I then applied for the support engineer position at Coronation street and was successful. 

Your insight into a typical day...

There are a few strands to what we do in the engineering department and a typical day depends on what the production is doing each day. You might be working as a Vision Engineer- checking everything is exposed correctly and the colour is correct. Or you might be on location rigging equipment and making sure anything that's broken gets fixed quickly. You might also be responsible for supporting the site and working to fix and problems or planning large upgrades. There is also the option to undertake small scale projects and come up with solutions to fix recurring problems. 

What are the key skills needed for your role?

The main part of being an engineer is being able to think creatively to solve problems. You also need to be able to work well in a team as you work with other engineers and shooting crew on a daily basis. You must be able to work well under pressure as sometimes a whole crew is waiting for you to fix a problem before they can start shooting. 

What do you most like about your job?

I like the challenges. At Corrie, you look after a large range of technology, not just cameras and sound. You look after vision systems and you need to know your way around other technologies. I’m always thinking about how to improve things and I love coming up with solutions when something goes wrong! 

Can you give some tips for anyone wishing to get into the industry and to do your role?

Get as much experience as possible. There’s lots of transferable skills/knowledge you can gain from working in theatres and volunteering at school or university. The opportunities give you experience fixing things and solving problems. There are lots of facebook groups that give great advice to entry level people and post job opportunities so I’d recommend joining those groups. Apply for as much as you can and if there’s a student TV or radio station join it. 

What are your future ambitions/where does this role typically lead career-wise?

You can either go into vision engineering and work for outside broadcasters and do sports. Or you can develop into a senior engineer or a technical manager and eventually head up as Head of Technology. I’d like to work towards the technical manager route as I love solving bigger logistical problems.