Holly: Casting Producer, TV

During my Media Production Degree, I applied for work experience at a Birmingham based Production Company, Maverick Television. When I got the placement, I was extremely grateful for the opportunity, one that I believe I may not have had without the encouragement and support from my lecturers at the University of Lincoln School of Film & Media. It was a great few weeks, and I worked hard, making sure I networked with who ever I possibly could. It was exciting; I was working on the hit Channel 4 Series, ‘10 Years Younger.’  This is where I got to see how a Production worked. My role involved various admin duties in the office, helping with shoot prep (prop buying etc.) and also being able to go out on the shoot and see first hand how it all worked!

Following the work placement, I went back to University to finish my degree, graduating in 2007 with a 2.1. I then moved to Manchester where I knew there were plenty of TV opportunities, and also because, well, I wasn’t quite ready for the big smoke that is London! It was hard to begin with, I sent many, many, emails and letters, applying for Runner work. It was hard, there was a lot of competition, I had no employment history in the industry, only my work experience and my degree. Whilst I was looking, I signed up to a Recruitment agency, I didn’t really want to do anything other than TV work, but I had my rent to pay and I was no longer living on student loans!

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