'Assumption'... friend or foe?

Before I worked in television I made a lot of assumptions about those who did - I won't be honest about them all, you will probably all stop reading here and now. I will be honest though and say I made them. Which is quite rare for me - as I generally try and live my life making assumptions as little as possible.

Now don't get me wrong - I do not mean that I avoid obvious assumptions... 

Walking home at night if I have have two paths to take - one dark, intimidating and unknown, and the other better lit, with other folk in sight and safer 'looking' - I will assume my safety is more likely on the latter route...

If my other half pours a large drink at home before a night out, I generally assume he is on a session for the duration...

If my debit card gets declined in the shops, I will assume I have run out of money. This does happen to me sometimes (Must. Stop. Overspending)

I don't however assume things are a given just because they are on offer in the here and now, and I don't assume someone will be a certain way/shape/size simply based upon - well, assumption.

I have found myself the victim of assumption in my 'television life' a few times of late - and it made me realise that there are some key things we all must remember - and also heightened my awareness that we do, in TV (as I am sure in all areas of life/work), assume often.

1. Just because you are successful, excellent at your job and held in high regard, do not assume you will always be in work and will never have to face the 'fear' you often see others going through. 

I was really fortunate this year in that I have not had any gaps in employment - however it has been hairy at times. I realised that I just assumed that there would always be a work offer because there always had been - and actually as a result I have not had the sense to save for that inevitable rainy day. I am not impressed with myself. Please don't think I am arrogant nor that I assumed I would always be offered a job - just that I assumed something would always turn up and therefore never realistically considered how I would manage financially in life had it not. I am always very keen to give advice - and now I am giving some to myself (that I share with you) - no matter how fortunate you have been to date, do not assume that will always be the case (hope however it will be). Put a little away. I intend to, starting.... next month (I just blew a fair few pennies on a new dress so have to wait til the next pay day).

Seriously though - after a recent incident involving a broken leg and 2 weeks of unexpected unpaid leave, I realised the stupidity of having never 'put away'.

I met someone recently who told me he would never not work - 'they love me. I can literally sit on my arse and do fu*k all and get paid. I tell you, they love me' [the companies who hire him]. One day I will run one of those companies and all arrogant moos can assume they will be out the back door! Dick.

2. Never make an assumption about the personal values of another in the industry - especially if you have yet to be given the opportunity to get to know them. It is very easy to feel like you know someone simply because you have formed a relationship with them in a basic Twitter (or a.n.other social site) chat, or because you share an office space. I credit myself for not making this mistake very often - and 'assumed' most were the same - yet twice this week I have been insulted by flippant comments thrown at me by others who have simply made them on nothing but assumption. One about my personal nature and another about my methods of work practice. Both were wrong.

If you do not know someone incredibly well, either take the time to get to know the facts or reality, or say nothing. We might make television, create artistic masterpieces and claim top notch rating figures just 'like that'... we do not however have the power of knowing others as we do ourselves. By all means, observe, form opinion on actuality - but never assume.

3. DO assume that you should always be treated with respect in the workplace. I was saddened to meet a young man recently who - upon my asking why he allowed his colleagues to openly mock almost everything about him - told me that he had 'always assumed they would... I mean look at me'. I was outraged. When you take on a post in a company - whether you are in the highest or lowest role there appears to be, you should take it on with pride and safe in the knowledge that you were given it because you are capable and deserving. Even if you have your own confidence battles - you must assume that you will be given respect by your peers. If you are not - then don' assume - as my young man then told me - that, that is just as it is in TV... as far as I am concerned, I do not think it matters what the industry is, no member of staff deserves to be ridiculed and made to feel like hats just how it is.

4. Avoid assuming that change is bad. Working in Production it is my job to adapt to the practices of a new show, company or Line Manager. Sometimes however it is my job to show one of the above that perhaps their practices are the thing that need adapting. We have a preference for doing things in life - in both business and pleasure. We generally - even if not consciously aware of it - assume that the way we do something is the best way/ the most efficient way/ the only way... in work, ensure you listen to why someone else is doing something before you assume it isn't the way they should. Yes - it may turn out that your initial assumption was correct - but every once in a while you might just learn something. In assuming you give nothing else a chance - and without a chance, we do not learn.

Anyhow - that is basically all I wanted to say about that. BTW on the thread of assumption...

1. I do not have short hair. It is tied up in my picture.

2. I am not orange - I had a spray tan for a night out. I do not go to work like this. 

3. Apparently there is no such thing as a baby pigeon... assumed by lack of sighting. There is - I had three dumped on my balcony at uni. Do not assume things aren't true just because you cannot immediately see them.

4. I - like all of you I am sure - am not invincible. Be kind to each other.

It's interesting because people assume that because I'm famous, I know all famous people [Daniel Radcliffe]

Ho ho ho... did you hear about what happened at the Christmas Party?!

This one is for you all – tis the season to be jolly. With your friends. With your family. With your colleagues – to a lesser extent.

The Christmas Party can be a cracking day/night out – but don’t enjoy it so much that the joke afterwards, is on you!

Equally – do go and enjoy it!

The crimbo do is supposed to be the ‘highlight of the year’, ‘a way of saying thanks to the staff’, an opportunity to ‘get to know your colleagues in a more informal environment’... according to the top dogs (no top dog in particular). I think it is a great opportunity to show you are human by having a few free drinks, a boogy with the boss and leave with your dignity still intact!

There are so many horror stories about how so-and-so did such-and-such last year and got sacked/never came back/etc that for those of you new to a company or indeed the industry may even question if you should risk going to the party. You must. Equally, there will be some who do not like their colleagues as anything other than that – a colleague, and prefer not to mix business with pleasure. You must go too. Even if just for a fleeting visit. A no show at all will always be noticed no matter how new/shy/old/young/boring you (think you) are.

Why is it so important you ask? Managers are always looking for team players – and the Christmas party is a great way to get your face known around the company (make sure it is just your face though...) and besides when else can you talk freely with the Head of HR/MD/post boy... by its very nature the Christmas Party (at the early stages) is a melting pot where all barriers come down and you get to relax. This really is to your advantage (well, at the very least not detrimental to you) as long as you observe some simple boundaries...

The Do’s!

• Go! Have fun. Talk to people, smile and laugh. It IS the season to be merry!
• Listen to people when they talk to you – don’t do that awful media fake ‘mmm that sounds great’ [so awkward when someone just told you they are going through a divorce/their dog just died]
• Make thoughtful introductions – they will go a long way to some. Do not use this as an opportunity to dump the office dud but actually consider who so and so may like to meet/hasn’t met yet
• Make a positive impact – make people smile and laugh. You want to leave this party having made a positive impact – you can absolutely be the one who suggests a great ice breaker or the first round of tequilas; do not be the booze hound in the gutter waving your empty shot glass at the MD in his/her departing car
• Talk about things which are upbeat and interesting as opposed to the usual work dry chat or moans about the crap quality of the stationary (etc)
• Dance/sing karaoke/join in on the action – to show willing. Don’t hog the mic all night... especially if you sound like dog sh*t!

The Don’ts (in my opinion)

• Talk incessantly about work – this is a social occasion and nobody wants to hear your strategy ideas over wine!
• Boast about your new promotion/salary increase
• Ask for a promotion/salary increase – just because the boss has had a few sherries...
• Take a souvenir from the venue ( or if you must, do not get caught)
• At no time is it ever cool to show off your exotic/erotic dance moves... keep them in the bedroom (if at all!)
• Reciprocate advances from married colleagues. It will end badly. Cheating is not cool and i think both parties are very naughty
• Forget to check that your dress/skirt/whatever is where it should be – I went to a party once where a poor girl spent half an hour wandering around with her spanx on display to the whole office (it was not me...)*
• Snog anyone you may not ‘like’ in the morning. Or give BJs on the back of the coach home. Everyone will talk about it afterwards!!!

The Don’ts (as kindly donated by some of my gorgeous followers on Twitter – thanks all!)

• Shout random words every ten minutes and think it is really funny. You will just be ‘that dick who kept shouting dog’...
• Give the crappy gift you got in last year’s office Secret Santa to someone in your office. Awkward...
• Get really drunk and tell people how you really feel about them!
• Photocopy your arse
• Cop off with your boss
• Take someone home... can be mega awkward...

Remember that successful networking is based upon what people say about you when you are not there. What do you want your co-workers to be saying about you after the party?!?

• On that vein... I did once (pre TV, a long time ago) wear chicken fillets in my bra to a Christmas Party (for a very posh law firm) and then proceed to crazy dance with my boss – during which one fillet worked its way out of my strapless bra and dress and flew across the dance-floor. I kid you not.

Christmas is coming... and work is drying up

HO HO HO... tis the season of joy, goodwill and a distinct lack of TV jobs. Apparently.

I have to say there is a slight misconception for entrants to the sector that needs clearing up: runner 'x' said to me the other day, 'apparently there is no work at Christmas but all the other runners I know are working'.

There is lots of work at Christmas - what there is a lack of are new openings. Those working throughout December/January tend to fall into one of two camps (TEND!) - they are either 'staffers' and thus have the guarantee of work all year long (or, until they wander to pastures new/get caught stealing tea bags) or, they are working on a production which runs over the winter/festive period. With regard to the latter, I hear queries of 'how can they be? I heard there was no work at Christmas?' - there is, as I said. It just generally gets recruited to earlier in the year.

Television production does not cease for the winter months - sadly - how fabulous would it be to have three months of 'chill time' (paid, naturally) a year?!? What does slow down though is the start up of new productions and recommissions, thus the reduction in advertised posts.

If you know that you will be available in December, do not wait until December to send out your CV and then cry with dismay 'there is no work!', get proactive and start letting people know your availability from about 6 weeks in advance.

I promise you - if you head to any TV company you will not find desolate corridors and offices with a sense of eeriness. You may however find a lot of TV types abusing the 'festive season' and indulging in wine and mince pies of an evening!

The workflow is steady and productions occur - but there will be lesser 'new roles' on the market. The best way to ensure you are hot to trot for employment over Christmas if you are out of work for a wee while, is to (IMO only!) do the following:

1. Utilise your new found free time to do a CV overhaul and cover letter update
2. Do not wait until you start to see adverts in the New year for roles before you re-establish contacts at firms you have previously worked - I spoke with a Head of Talent for a leading TV company just this week about this and she advised that they would rather know you are available about 4 - 6 weeks in advance and be able to avoid going through an active hunt for crew. Recruitment is time consuming and expensive - so do let people know when you are free to work (although - not to work for free!)
3. Rather than leave blanks on your CV for a significant period, see what other things you can do with your time - for example courses, attending networking events, getting involved with (legal) voluntary media events,  and writing for media publications
4. Keep yourself busy - you will not be at your best for New Year/spring interviews if you have spent 8 weeks dwelling about your lack of work or letting 'the fear' take over. Keep positive - stay busy - and be happy. You will shine and feel much more confident when the roles do start to come back up.

And remember.... in the words of Miss Carey, all I want for Christmas is youuuuuuuuuu. Well, not literally me, but someone will want you - there is still some work there - just be wise about subscribing to it in plenty of time.

#TVMINGLING ROUND 2!

So my lovelies... what I am wondering next is what you would like from the next edition of #TVMINGLING

I can confirm that our rescheduled summer (yup - I thought we might actually have one!) event will be launched soon and will be happening in late September. We will also have a Northern leg - in Manchester city centre.

The last event was a resounding success for all - well, all but me... I definitely had too many tequilas to calm my nerves and left the evening a little more tipsy than planned!!!

What I want to ensure that the next event is just as positively received - and what better way to ensure that than to a. take on board the feedback to date and b. open the floor to you all for suggestions

#TVMINGLING will remain a free event - with a focus on informal 'mingling' and networking. An opportunity for people across all levels of television to interact and have a fun yet informative evening.

We intend to keep the expert panel Q&A session - however this time, the ticket registering system will enable you to post your question as you sign up to the event - so that you don't have to send a separate email.

There will be a broader range of experts 'mingling' - to help people across all levels, genres and roles in TV. I intend to initiate a badge system which makes peoples area of expertise more evident - so that you can, if you so wish, target who you network with.

There is going to be a new fun element to the evening - as the ice breaker - which is more interactive, and will hopefully enable more of you to have the opportunity to talk to more people across the evening.

There will be - of course - the popular happy hour drinks prices, and nibbles too - to soak up all the booze!

So - please take this opportunity to a. start getting excited again - you have to love a bit of #tvmingling and b. to use the comments box below to make suggestions as to who you might like to meet, what we might do to encourage you to come back and where the focus of discussions might go to enable new paths of discussion from the panel.

Don't forget - #tvmingling is open to all. It is a free event designed to enable those of us slogging away in the industry - or to get into it - the opportunity to put face to name, to have a glass of vino and learn from each other. After all - caring is sharing

Location shoot etiquette!

You find yourself on a location shoot... long days... a long time away from home... lots of temptations in the form of never visited local bars/clubs/hotel mini bar/a member of the team... a sense of freedom you don't always have when in the office or on the 'regular job'. Boundaries between roles get blurred - the runners to the execs mingle freely. The 4 walls of your hotel room are claustrophobic and you want to escape. What can you and should you do? What are the 'do's' and 'don't s' of a location shoot?!

There are no fixed rules really. I feel that common sense should simply prevail. I have however been asked for some tips on a. what one should do as part of their role on location and b. how to deal with social and awkward situations when on location (although, one imagines they could crop up anywhere really) so - here goes...

JUNIOR STAFF V SENIOR STAFF: Knowing your role

It is easy to assume, on the road, that everyone knows what they are doing and what their purpose for being there is. Usually it is explicit - you are the locations manager or the cameraman 'on tour' or the team runner. You have a JD (job description - not Jack Daniels - that would not be appropriate during the working day...) and largely are simply expected to deliver it.

It is not however always that simple. A member of the team can often get taken along seemingly 'for the ride'. There doesn't appear to be a particular job for them - and they can end up feeling lost. If you find yourself in this position - thrown into the chaos of a locations shoot but without a role on the call sheet other than your job title - ask, and get proactive.

An example of someone who didn't - the 'researcher' who was taken on location and had never been so before. Nobody advised him what was required of him and he had no idea what he was expected to do. There was little 'research' work required (other than the post wrap coordinates for the closest pub). He spent his days 'hanging about' and occasionally made the odd cup of tea and booked some local cabs (having called back to the office to ask them to find numbers...). He had a nice time. He didn't upset anyone and he came back several days later having enjoyed some tasty evening meals and having gained the experience of watching a shoot take place.

WHAT A WASTE. He could have gained so much more. The more senior crew deemed him disinterested and the production office assumed him lazy when releases etc were not properly filled in.

What could he have done? This: 1. asked. Made it known to his Line Manger that he had never been away on a shoot before and therefore was uncertain what his role was and what was expected of him. 2. Been proactive - provided the services of a runner, helped with set up and de-rig of kit, taken over management of releases and offered to support with  directing.

You only take away from an experience what you aim to - and if you are too embarrassed to ask for help or direction, then you are in the wrong industry. Equally, if you are too lazy to create a useful role for yourself, you probably won't get asked along next time.

'So what' said the researcher - for he had been on location and seen what happens. Why did he need to go again? Did you know that it is a key skill of a good AP (the role post researching) to be able to self shoot? All those hours the researcher 'hung about' on location, he could have taken full advantage of familiarising himself with the camera, taken the responsibility for logging the tapes and asked to be shown how to data wrangle or even set up the camera itself etc. No. He just hung about. Useful that...


Senior staff - keep an eye out for your junior staff members - don't assume they are confident in their purpose. Equally just try and enable those that do show the will to learn to be able to do so. On a recent locations tour, I ensured each runner and Prod Sec/ Junior Researcher had the opportunity to go in and watch what was happening at each stage of the process we were touring with. They left with a full understanding of what happens on location - and an inspiration to continue working hard towards their goals. I left with no skin off my nose. It wasn't difficult to arrange - and I was happy to because they were genuinely interested.

I guess that the story here is to:
a. DO ensure you are clear on what your role is and then deliver not only to it but above it where possible
b. DO become invaluable and help out wherever possible - do not become defined by your job title
c. if you have expert knowledge and a bit of free time, and you notice a junior member of staff hanging about, DO offer them the opportunity to shadow/watch/help
d. DON'T sit back and watch and never muck in or offer to help
e. DON'T be confined by your own interpretation of your job title
f. DON'T be lazy - i.e. if you need a number look on your call sheet or google it

ALL STAFF: Social behaviour on location

I am more frequently asked about what is and isn't appropriate socially on location - and how to manage a situation if it feels uncomfortable...

Common sense must not go out of the window - it is vital that you remember that whilst you might be away, and everyone relaxes in the evenings, that you are still at work - and as such, must retain some degree of appropriate behaviour.

There are no hard fast rules of what is and isn't 'OK' socially (in the working environment). Generally speaking the following apply:

• DON'T sleep with contributors, cast or crew
• If you do sleep with one of the above - DON'T discuss it the next day 
• DO NOT get drunk and then come to location the next day late/with a hangover/unable to deliver on your duties/smelling of alcohol
• DO NOT get drunk and forget good manners (it isn't wise to tell the exec his shirt does not match his trousers...)
• DO NOT join in with drinks and not pay your contribution of the bill
• DON'T fell compelled to drink alcohol at all - some of us don't get out as much as we'd like to and definitely take advantage of the hotel bar on location - this isn't because this is the 'done' thing in TV, it's cos we (and by that I mean I) are getting older and still want to have as much fun as physically possible on those rare nights we are away and thus don't have to do everyday stuff such as to finish paperwork/do the housework/go to the gym/etc. It doesn't make you fit in. Only drink if you want to and enjoy to.
• DON'T get caught up in gossip and back stabbing
• DON'T exclude people from your peer group in a bid to impress your seniors
• DON'T take stock/notes/releases/etc out on the town - always keep data safely stored in a confidential, lockable space
• If someone has to stay in on 'data duty' or to look after kit, etc - DO offer to get them some food or a drink. It's just polite.
• DO give people space - it is really easy to get excited about the opportunity to spend social time with someone you have been trying to impress (in a bid to get a foot up that ladder) but remember, they have had a long, hard day too - and if they appear to be having a in depth conversation with a glass of red and a peer at the bar, DO NOT go over and interrupt or hang about on the edge of their conversation
• DO remember when you return from location that whilst you all spent a lot of time together in the evenings whilst away and probably had hoots of fun, it was mainly because you had no other option (unless you are a fan of room service and TV for one). That isn't to say the good times weren't real - but remember when back on home turf, that people have partners, non work friends and families - and it isn't the done thing to suggest team drinks Every. Single. Day.

The 'awkward' scenario on location -  tale of two sides...

Recently I spoke to an old Exec who I got on famously with - he was so much fun and very inspirational in his work -  I was lucky that he quite liked me too! The wine was flowing and we were having a good old natter about our time away on location for a show we had both formerly been away on location for. He asked me how I 'tolerated' all the runners inviting themselves along to drinks in the evenings. He said it drove him insane. I remembered feeling really awkward on that job - because I like to be inclusive and welcome all, however I appreciate after a long day, staff often just want a quiet drink with close peers. At first I assumed that he was saying the runners joining us drove him insane because of a hierarchy thing - you know, he was very senior, they were very junior... but actually it tuned out that it had nothing to do with that at all (and I was a fool to even think it - he was after all a bloody legend); it was actually that their motivation to talk to him was the kind that was really keen to impress him and network, and to hopefully secure a future role on his shows, rather than for general chat and banter. Fine - I do get this craving from a junior point of view - but as he very rightly pointed out, this was his 'free time' and he did not want to network. Understandably. It made it really awkward to the extent that a staff group meal on the final night of our time on location ended up being cancelled due to 'team exhaustion' but actually, in reality as I subsequently found out, it was because the whole thing had snowballed and all the crew involved ended up wanting to come - and the exec could think of nothing worse than having to make small talk about a career in TV to a group of junior staff desperate to secure their next position. He just wanted to get shit faced and have a giggle (as did most of us).

The 'awkward' situation we were discussing is what is one to do in that scenario? He pointed out that he felt awful about it all and at no point wanted to generalise the group and say 'no runners allowed' on socials; but equally, it was only the runners that were approaching him about his career and work after shoot hours (the rest of us I am sure were interested but too busy propping up the bar - we were after all, secure - at that point - in our jobs!).

I think he makes a really valid point when he said to me, quite simply, 'I love my job and I love those with a passion to learn - but I love my down time on location and enjoy nothing better than a good old show biz gossip, or a politics debate with a large glass of red. If anyone hassles me with work questions I just want to tell them to bugger off'. 

I don't think anyone should have to feel awkward in a social situation when 'stuck' away on location with colleagues. I would recommend this:

• If you are a more junior member of staff invited along - or just in the same bar/restaurant - to an evening with the rest of the crew, do not talk shop. Smile, be friendly and be remembered for knowing how to switch off. Yes, by all means, join in with tales of funny things that occurred throughout the day - but do not try and pass your CV across the dinner table or follow a shot of tequila with the dreaded words 'have you got any jobs?'
• If you are someone with experience who has had a long day and post wrap just wants to sink a cold beer or a large glass of red, then upon arriving in the bar where all crew are hanging out, make it clear at the first mention of future work that for tonight you are simply here 'to relax'. A quick, firm indicator that you are not open to talking careers should nip any such conversation in the bud.

This of course works on all fronts, as in the junior staff being made to feel 'awkward' by the senior too - I recently heard about a poor young lady who was on location in the ass end of nowhere, with some more senior members of the crew. There was literally nowhere to go but this one pub they found themselves in about twenty mins away from their dwellings. Keen to make a good impression the next day on the shoot this wise owl kept off the booze. The same could not be said of the more senior staff, who guzzled down the beers like a pair of schoolboys on their first trip to Kavos. The conversation she found herself in quickly turned to 'memorable shags' and 'fittest bird you've f***ed'. Not being hugely comfortable with joining in on this banter, she sat and patiently sipped her juice. She felt she couldn't leave as she didn't want to be impolite - plus it was a tenner in a cab back to their hotel, and on a runners wage, that was too much. She nodded and smiled and giggled along (nervously), and secretly wished the ground would swallow her up. She asked me retrospectively what she should have done in that scenario. I have two hats: Lou - just me and Lou the giver of (personal but professional) advice. My answer was this...

• Lou the giver of (personal but professional) advice would have made a firm but polite comment along the lines of 'right gents, I am off to the loo, when I get back I hope we can talk about something a little more inclusive?'. If they didn't take the hint and continued to be crude I would have said goodnight, taken a taxi and claimed it from petty cash the next day. You would be absolutely entitled to given the circumstances. I would not for second worried about seeming rude - as I said above, at night time people just want to chill and wind down (and sometimes tell dirty tales), nobody will be offended if you choose not to join in
• Lou - just me would have said something much stronger along the lines of 'listen you pair of dirt bags - you are both on the wrong side of 40, overweight and drunk. You are clearly reminiscing about former best shags cos you don't get much now. Put the beer down, do some sit ups and wash your filthy mouths out. Then maybe the talk of memorable (i.e. yonks ago) sexual activity will have a chance of ever becoming current activity.' PLEASE NOTE - I do not recommend this line of chat - I just thought I would let you all know what I would have secretly been thinking...

So anyway... there you have it... common sense prevails and all that.

I wonder why anyone finds themselves in a situation where: they don't know what do, come across as off the mark, feel out of their depth, behave inappropriately, annoy others or just make people feel uncomfortable. If you find yourself in one of the above situations - which hopefully you won't as they are rare, speak up. Ask. Say no. Say yes. Watch. Listen. Learn. Drink. Don't drink. Be inclusive. Smile - when all else fails a smile goes a long way!

I wonder where I will be (in TV) in 5 years time?

At some point on your journey through life you are bound to have been asked that age old question 'Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?' or 'imagine what you will be doing in 5 years time'... I don't think in TV you have to know the answer. Yes, a path you desire to follow is critical - but to know absolutely hand on heart that your job title will be 'xxx' - no, I don't think you do need to know that.

I remember being at secondary school - in my first year - and showing absolute disdain towards the fact we had to learn French. It was mandatory. Now don't get me wrong - I love the French language - but I had already spent 5 years at primary school learning the basics. I was outraged that I had to sit in a beginners class. My teacher said to me 'imagine, if we said to you, OK Louise, come back in 5 years and join the class - you would not remember a word'; I was too busy thinking 'in 5 years time I will be 16 and cool - I won't care'.

Fast forward 5 years to my 16th birthday party - at that stage of my life I was so used to people (generally of the older, boring variety) reminding me how useful something might be in 5 years time, or asking me where I wanted to be in 5 years time, that I would often consider it myself - and the thought of 5 years time ahead seemed terrifying. Five years from then felt like a really, really long time away - I mean, come on, 21 was so ancient, right?

I wish I could be 21 again. I would soooo make some different choices. I don't have regrets - I am one of the champions of the school of 'you only live once' - but, if I had my time again, I would definitely live a little more. At that grand age of 21 there are three things I wish I had done more of:

1. Appreciating my body. I was hot. Sorry - may sound a little arrogant - but looking back I was so hot and I so didn't see it!!! I actually thought I had a crap figure. I found a photo the other day of me and my GBF (gay best friend) at a uni night, and he had pulled my skirt up. My bum looked amazeballs. I so should have got it out more!

2. Keeping in touch. I went off to uni and partied hard. I didn't keep regular contact with some amazing friends from school - and now I don't have relationships with them as we drifted apart. I miss them, so I wish I had.

3. Not worried so much about following a fixed career I thought I was suppose to have - and pleasing everyone but myself. I genuinely thought I had to pursue a fixed job title - and that to be successful, I had to attain that title. it was almost as if I thought you could only ever do one thing. Oh ta-da here I am a 'xxx' - that's it, career goal reached, stop trying.

I wonder, had I actually left university and pursued a career in television in my early 20s, where I would be now. Part of me genuinely thinks possibly in exactly the same place I am! At that age and experience level, I would have had to have started as a runner and worked my way up. So actually, you see, there is no point in regrets - the outcome generally works out the way it is supposed to. Here I am now, in a job I love (regardless of how I got here), and apart from wishing my bum still looked that good, I have no regrets! I still got here...

That brings me - finally - to today, and the point of this rambling: I wonder where I will be (in TV) in 5 years time. Five years ago I could have told you with certainty that I knew I would be doing an important job, I just had no idea in which sector it would be. Today I could tell you with certainty that I know I will be working in TV in 5 years time - I just have no idea in which role!

One of the things that I love about the television sector is that although you do need to have a focus (i.e. when starting out, know if you are following a creative, editorial, technological or production path) - you can go on a real journey in television, and the range of options open to you are immense.

I know a lady - a very successful lady - who currently heads up talent at one of the largest broadcasters in the UK. I imagined she must have got there through a HR/develoment path. Nope, not at all. She was formerly a TV producer.


I know a chap (I know, I know a lot of people who make fab examples...) who is a Production Manager with several top indies - earning big bucks he is - and yet he never worked on a production in his life. Joined as a PM after a career as an in-house production accountant.


My friend the SP, used to be a dedicated Production Coordinator... who loved the creative element of Line Producing, when she got an opportunity to excel rapidly, and now SPs too.


The fact is, it all counts - and it can lead you up a variety of potentially wonderful paths.


I know where I would like to be in 5 years time - I am not telling you, I don't want to jinx it - but the reality is, my journey in television could take me anywhere. I would also - as a sideline to the TV dream - like to write a book and own a bar in Ibiza. Not sure what the book will be about yet - but I can guarantee the bar will play amazing chill out tunes, have an awesome sunset view and not charge 5000E a drink!


I thrive on the unknown to an extent - and I find it exciting that I could be doing something really amazing. I love this industry so much that I am confident whether I end up remaining purely in production, or elsewhere, that I will go to work each day (well, most days!!) with a smile on my face.


All around me I see determined people - dedicated to building a reputation as (i.e.) a news reporter, an editor, a cameraman, a producer, etc - and I hope they get there. I wonder though, if in 5 years time, the path will have been as clear as they imagine it will be cut?


We are privileged in this sector to have so many opportunities. When one door closes, another often opens. Grab them and make sure every experience counts. As I always say - aim for the stars (or the edit suite/location/job title) and if you land on a cloud and that's pretty nifty too, enjoy it!

Oh dear Lord, I have started a blog...

I posted a tweet today that said I was going to write an article about how people working for free in television makes me irate... then I realised that for it to be classed an 'article' it would actually need to be a written piece... I then realised that if I didn't publish it in some form, it would simply serve as my 'venting' and not actually spark discussion - which I am interested for it to do.

That therefore leads me to the creation of this blog.

I stress here and now that I am not a writer, nor do I wish to be. I do however have lots of thoughts and opinions and here, is where I intend (best intentions) to share them! I apologise for my shocking inevitable grammatical mistakes - I did go to a good school but somehow failed to find learning (at that stage in my life) too interesting *whistles*...

I intend to to share my thoughts (and the thoughts of those I speak with) on issues that I care enough about to crave more than 140 characters on, here.

I do not intend to 'steal' anyone else's thoughts or ideas, and this blog is merely that - a blog. I may comment on areas that are similar to posts on other sites, and I may reference jobs in the public domain; however - I do so purely as part of my thought process, and not to emulate the work of others.

Lastly - the legal bit - EVERYTHING expressed on here is my own personal thought and opinion. The blog posts in no way, shape or form represent the beliefs/values/practices/ideas of my current - or any historical or future - employer. It's all about me - simples!

 ©June 2012 – Lou Gallagher

Stepping Up in TV

I am often asked 'how do I step up'? Ultimately - you are in control of that. In delivering and exceeding expectation (but doing so without fuss), you are sure to be noticed and given an opportunity in your chosen path.

It isn't always that simple though - and sometimes there just isn't a vacancy for that elusive next credit in the team you are working within/ have done previously.

Firstly – before you decide to look elsewhere for opportunity – ask yourself this (and answer with absolutely honesty): am I looking to step up because a. I think I deserve to and am capable of doing so, b. because I have been here much longer than other people who are now more senior than me or c. because my manager/senior/someone with appropriate position has advised that I am?

Largely – not always (you may not have a great bond with your manager, etc – or you might not have had the opportunity to prove yourself in a particular role) – but largely, you should only be considering ‘the next step’ if the answer is C.

If, C has occurred then you may find yourself in one of two scenarios: that person/company have a role at the next level for you and voila, you are an XXX; or, that person/company does not have such an opportunity due to lack of current need/production/etc – however, they are prepared to recommend you to their peers OR provide a reference supporting your belief that you can deliver somewhere new.

Now, if you find yourself in situation A or B then my personal advice, as your first step, would be to find out the answer to C!

Why does this matter? It matters, as unless you are a jammy dodger who is going to be offered a role through an amazing contact/old firm/member of family/etc etc, then you are only going to get said role if your previous employer provides a reference. If that new post you have applied for is at a more senior level to your last credit, not only does that person in scenario C have to provide a reference of your ability in said former role, but also of capability match in potential new role.

Simple, right?!

So, if the answer to C is ‘yes’ – then off you go, get applying for the next role! My personal recommendation would be to kick start your cover letter with a brief synopsis (post the intro as to which role you are applying for etc) as to why you are applying – even though you are yet to work at that credit level. Keep it clear and simple – and focus on the feedback you have received. ‘I think I’m ready’ ‘I know I am better than other XXXs I have met’ probably won’t cut it.

Even if your immediate team/department doesn’t have a more senior vacancy, ask further around the company. Have you got a talent manager/Head of Production/etc who is across all shows? Drop them a line – cc’ing your manager – and explaining that you are nearing the end of your current role, and with your manager’s support, would like to put yourself forward for any possible career development opportunities.

If you find yourself in situation C and the answer is ‘no’, then proceed with caution. As I said, largely, your seniors will be in a strong position to advise – and ultimately it will be their feedback that helps (or otherwise) you land that next goal.

If you have answered ‘yes’ to A or B and no to ‘C’ then why should you proceed with caution? Generally, as the answer to your application will often be a ‘no’.

A chap I know once asked me why that should be off-putting – I told him this: I knew a great AP who worked really hard, and often did a fab job. She had some areas of weakness – but overall delivered. Two of her peers were promoted at the end of a series – and she was invited back at AP level. She took this a little personally and was really hurt (if truth be told she was also a bit embarrassed as she had been there a few months longer than her peers). Instead of asking for advice on how she could ensure she was promoted at the next opportunity, she declined the AP role and set off to find a ‘better’ Producer job elsewhere. She didn’t worry about her references for a second – after all, she had been invited back. She managed – through utilisation of contacts and a few minor fibs - to secure some interviews for Producer roles elsewhere. One of the interviews went well – and they offered her the job, subject to her former employer feedback. Essentially it became apparent to the new potential that she was a good AP – not a great one but a good one, who with a full run doing another series as an AP would have made it to Producer level. She wasn’t however ready yet. Her offer was retracted due to her non suitability to that post. Incidentally they had an AP vacancy too – however they decided not to offer her it as an alternative, as she had made it clear she no longer thought of herself as an AP – and thus, would probably not be too committed to the role.

The trouble is - if you apply to too many roles outside of your reach - your CV won't be considered, and if you manage to blag it and you are considered, and then your reputation/feedback doesn't match the level you have sold yourself at, you will find yourself getting a reputation for being a 'nuisance'. What do I mean by this? Well, the constant stream of 'Director's' and 'Producer's' (self titled) I get applying for entry roles frustrates me - those people are just not being realistic about what they are. Equally, the 'Runner' or 'Prod Sec' applying to be a Junior PM is again, not realistic.

At various events, meets, etc I often hear people saying ‘but I am far too qualified to be doing XXX’ [A]; the reality is, more often than not, if you are doing it, it is because that is the level the industry has deemed you to be at. The most common complaint that I hear of personally is the plight of the graduate not wishing to be a runner – because they ‘Directed’ (for example) their own production as part of their degree. I went to law school – I won the Post Grad mooting competition with the highest score of the decade – I didn’t expect to instantly become a Barrister in the High Courts! The reality is that whatever the industry, you have to put in your slog from grass roots and learn the trade. Building apprentices can spend months learning how to make the perfect consistency of cement (get this wrong and the quality of your tiling/bricklaying/etc will be impacted); artists spend years perfecting stroke technique; and administrators have to know the latest IT bumph inside out. You have to put in the time to reap the rewards. It really is that simple. That isn’t to say there won't be exceptions – but that is for another post...

Lastly, if you find yourself driven to step up largely by situation ‘B’ then focus on this: if your peers are getting promoted (whether it be internally or elsewhere) than you should never allow yourself to believe that the opportunity isn’t there. If around you others are flourishing and you are still trying to a. get that first foot in the door or b. take the next step, then there is a strong chance that the reason you are not is due to one of two things: firstly, you may not be promoting yourself to the best of your abilities. Do you do your job, get what’s asked of you ticked off the list and then surf the net? STEP IT UP!!! Those that thrive utilise every minute of their working time to evidence that they are capable. Never assume that what you are being asked is all that could be done. Now don’t go getting carried away – note role boundaries, etc – but do think creatively. Your (for example) PM asks you the Prod. Sec. to chase some missing invoices. You can choose to put in the calls and then get back to Facebook or, you can put in the calls, action the feedback (i.e. ‘we sent this to your finance team last week’ = ring finance and ask if they have received it, then if they have, go and get it!) and update your PM in writing. Ask if he/she would like you to do anything else to help – i.e. raise a PO, get it signed off by PE, etc. Essentially, take action. Don’t just do the minimum. Are you an AP making multiple contacts to contribs and recording it all in your head? What use is that to your Producer or SP? Make a log – fill it in – and circle it to the team, cc’ing the senior, suggesting it might be a useful central document for all staff to refer to.

Secondly, if you feel that you are in situation ‘B’, you are trying your bloody hardest and still you are a. not getting any jobs or b. never being offered the opportunity to step up, it may (and I know I am going to potentially cause upset here) but it may well be that you are not actually the right person for that job.

I always advise people to persevere, aim for the stars and never give up. Realistically however, the (for example) Coordinator who has been doing so for ten years, has tried applying for PM roles but always gets passed by, and is invited back to PC but never to PM, may – just may – not be cut out to be a PM. This applies across all roles. I know this gent – his CV is phenomenal. He has travelled the world directing some top class television formats. He is out of this world talented ‘on the floor’ and a disaster in the office. He tried his hand at PD’ing for a long time – with the expectation that he would finally get the next step (in his mind at that time) the Series Producer job. Producing however was not his forte – and due to his exceptional Directing abilities he kept getting offered PD roles (with a jolly good AP to help in the office!), but that was as far as it went. Sometimes we just aren’t suited to something – and you must be willing to explore this avenue.

I genuinely feel with all my heart for entry (and in fact any) level staff desperately willing to land their ‘dream TV job’. I will always encourage and provide support where I can, and try my hardest to enable people an opportunity to prove themselves. Sometimes though you have to be cruel to be kind – and if someone has had a lot of those ‘chances’ and has never been invited back, there is usually a reason. Ask for feedback – and if you didn’t deliver and know you did all you could to do so, see where else your talents lie.

 ©July 2012 – Lou Gallagher

Making the grade (A* innit)

In my experience - YES, PERSONAL EXPERIENCE - I find that when a member of staff is required (at any level),the conversation tends to go like this...

A. PE/SP/PD/PM/PC etc: 'Anyone know a really good xxx available soon?' or 'What was the name of that xxx we used at xxx - he/she was great'. Answer - yes = job filled.

B. Answer no = ask immediate circle (cue Facebook/Twitter/email/network posts). Often = job filled.

C. Nobody is available that is a. already known or b. recommended = advertise

So - generally - the roles you may be seeking are filled before you even get to hear of them. How can you throw yourself into that pool of initial names and be considered? Firstly, network (see previous post) - make people aware that you are looking for work. Often, your name may be passed by as people will assume you are busy. Secondly, become invaluable/liked/preferred/respected or however you would like to think of it.

Not many people will admit it but staff will often recruit from their pool of preferred freelancers/employees. I hold my hands up - I often book or recommend staff that are part of what I cheekily refer to as my 'A-Team'. Now, don't get me wrong - I balance this with always providing opportunity to those who have impressed elsewhere (i.e. through networking, social media, word of mouth, great CV, etc); but sometimes you just need to know that the mark will be hit. Here, a reliable contact will usually deliver.

People sometimes ask me 'how do I make the A-Team'? i.e. get hired again. Everyone/every company/etc will have their own criteria - here are a few tips of mine to ensure I (remember this is a personal blog) hire you again:

• Deliver - do what you said you could. Never lie. It can be tempting to 'over hype' yourself either on your CV or in person but there is a fine line with being dishonest. I know an excellent Prod. Sec - she is fab - very capable of stepping up. She has never however undertaken any form of PAC workload whatsoever, and this has often prevented her from meeting PC role requirements. I advised that she apply specifically for a short term post PS role to get the basic knack - and then it should be plain sailing to PC heaven; she decided to lie. She was taken on and did really well as a PC throughout shoots. It got to TX time and deliverables were due - she had not a clue. The PM was off sick and she was expected to complete the paperwork. It ended with her in tears in the toilet, a confession to the fib and a justified telling off from the LP (who had to go through the processes with her, despite her own very heavy schedule).
• On that vein, I once met a guy who told me he had done 'tons' of work on a well known show. My other half works on said show. Never heard of the chap in question - turns out he had done 1 day a very long time ago... awkward.
• Be personable - by that I mean smile, be polite and be someone that another member of staff is happy to approach. I get a strange sense of pleasure from learning and when I sense that someone else does, I will create opportunities for them as much as I can. As a result they get to experience things outside of their role (in a beneficial way). Equally, if someone is tasked with a rather mundane workload, but does it with a smile and a sense of pride, I will find more interesting/challenging activities for them where I can. The member of staff who moans, is sullen, looks annoyed about what they are doing and is generally demonstrating no desire to succeed or no interest in the task in hand, rarely gets an invite to do more.
• Don't be too personable i.e. grin like a Cheshire cat or be over-familiar too quickly - I know you should never judge a book by its cover, but it happens ok? There is a young lady who works in the industry - I don't know who she is or what she does, other than that she is trying to climb the ladder and is keen to make an impression. I see her a lot at events, and whenever I do she grins inanely at me. She never says a word. Just grins. I am going to put it out there - with risk of criticism - she scares me. Had she said hello or responded to my initial waves (I don't wave anymore - she scares me remember), then the grinning wouldn't be so unacceptable. As it stands, she grins in my direction until I turn away (and even when I take a peek back she is still grinning...). If she turned up for an interview, I would probably have already judged and made a decision before she had even spoke.
• Over familiarity is a tough one. We work in an industry where we are thrown into very tight relationships with people - often spending up to 15 hours a day with them. it is very easy to form close bonds with your peers. There are only three things relevant to my story today (joining the A Team - or its equivalent elsewhere): 1. If those bonds are justified (i.e. you are together non stop, long hours, etc) then restrict them to work. Give each other space away from work. It isn't appropriate at the end of a long day to invite yourself to a more senior persons social activity. if you are invited, by all means go along. Don't invite yourself though - it can be really uncomfortable. Be known as a great, hard and fun worker - not a social invader. 2. If those bonds aren't justified - i.e. its the end of your first day/you haven't yet started/you are awaiting response to an application, do not act as though there is a bond. it isn't appropriate to try and add someone who had just interviewed you as a friend on Facebook, or to turn up at an event you have heard they will be at on your own, with the sole intention of remaining at their side. 3. Don't have sex with the talent/crew/runners/etc. Post wrap - do as you will (I still wouldn't). Whilst on my watch, the team member who makes it uncomfortable for everyone else, doesn't come back.
• Be ambitious - people who have a career plan and are determined impress me. Arrogance and an overly high sense of self importance do not. We all have to go through a period when we are doing things which a. may not challenge us and b. we are confident we are overly qualified to be doing. Those who get on with it and then use their excess time to be proactive and do more, tend to go far. Those who grumble or talk loudly about their degree in xxx do not (tend to). I say this with personal experience - both in that I have to often do things I know I can do with my eyes shut, and I often have to delegate junior work activities to people I know are capable of assisting with much more.
• Ambition must not be blurred with snobbery. I remember my first job in TV - I started as a Coordinator. I had done my research and had set in my mind what my role was likely to entail. I also had visions of what the Secretary and Runner's role might entail. The show I worked on had no budget and thus there was just little old me. 12 weeks previously (pre career change) I had my own office, a team of PAs and admin staff and a fairly important job title - which meant that I rarely had to lift a finger (fab for a lazy bones like me). Now, here I was, surrounded by paperwork which needed scanning in. What did I do? I kept my mouth shut and I scanned. The snob in my head was daring me to make a dickish comment - but the brains overruled, and I realised it had to be done. So I did it. I quickly realised that I could demonstrate my ambition whilst doing the 'dirty work' too. Whilst waiting for 100s of pages to scan I would sink my head in figures etc and come up with innovative ways to save (remember, we had no budget). fast forward three weeks and the savings totalled a shiny new Production Secretary at my side - and an elevated position for me. the Prod Sec was amazing BTW... I felt bad giving her the 'dull' stuff and ended up doing it all myself anyway!
• If you are capable it will be noticed no matter what. Two guys really stand out in my mind. I won't name them here - it wouldn't be fair. Let's refer to them as 'Married with a Kid' and 'Nando's' (I am hoping they will recognise themselves...). 'Married with a kid' was working as a runner on a show I used to work on. I didn't know anything about him - nor did I get opportunity to see if he made the grade. He was already contracted when I started. It quickly became apparent he was older than your average runner; however I did not know how that had come to be. He was an absolute pleasure to work with (all of the points above and below) - and as such, he started to stand out. I quickly realised he was entirely wasted in his role as a location runner - and could give the production so much more than we were able to offer him. I didn't notice this because he strayed from the boundaries of his job - he was there, without fail, making the tea/coffee, printing and bundling docs, setting up rig, packing down rig - but because he did everything with such a sense of pride and a real humbleness that I made it my busy to spend my free time during the day with him - and from there discussions re. why he was running, what he hoped to do next, etc stemmed; thus it became apparent he was ready to do more. I wasn't the only one who noticed and almost immediately after contract end he was snapped up as a researcher on a great prime time show. I will always work with him whenever there is opportunity.
• Nando's is definitely in the A Team. He was also working in a junior role on a show when I started (logging). Now here the situation was a little different - he didn't just log. By virtue of being a technological whizz kid and having great organisation, he was able to fly through his logging and do bits outside of the realm of his role. Due to being largely confined to the logging room or edit areas, these 'things' tended to be of an editorially helpful way. Either way - he got noticed for being extremely useful - and stood out for being capable of more. I liked him (he drank shots with  me and danced like a fool on a rare night out of a locations tour and we bonded). It intrigued me that whenever people praised him and pimped him out for the 'next step' (researcher) he didn't bite their hands off. Turns out he was deeply committed to going down the Production Route (nobody had ever asked him) - but worried about being unemployed so went along with the logging life! I planted some seeds, made it known to those in the know of his aims and generally ensured I shared as many tips with him as I could. He is now a Production Secretary on an awesome show - and doing swimmingly by all accounts.
• Ambition you see is essential - 'Married with kids' was determined to re-carve a career in TV and did what it took to make it happen. 'Nando's' took a role he didn't necessarily see as the path for him - but still delivered with pride and went outside the box. Neither ever complained - and both remain in my A List forever my virtue of their exceedingly good manners, commitment to doing the best job possible (no matter how small the job) and happiness to muck in. Even though they were able to deliver so much more.
• Keep busy and be proactive - just because you aren't drowning in work, doesn't mean others aren't. When you find yourself in a quiet time, look outside the window of your immediate tasks and see what else you can do to assist. Be wary not to hassle people though - and remember the golden rule for making it into the A Team (!) - don't just offer help to those you deem important (and therefore likely to help you in the future), help your peers too. I know a young chap who was very speedy (yet efficient) and would often finish his workload before his peers. He didn't run straight to the top shouting 'look at me - I am great', he quietly offered his support to his peers and helped them get the job done. I noticed him (I observe - a lot), and I will always welcome him to the team whenever there is opportunity.
• Have good manners - be polite. Nobody likes ill mannered people. That is all.
• Don't be lazy - sometimes, there are things in our job we don't want to do out of sheer laziness - and passing the buck is a great way of escaping them. A completely mythical example - the researcher who hands a PM their receipts after a shoot. No reconciliation, no idea if the right amount of change is there, no desire to find out. Do they hand it and say 'Oh I just can't be arsed!' (generally - mythically of course) not. They hand it in and run away, and when asked 'do you not intend on typing up your float?' the response is often 'Oh, sorry. I assumed that was a production job'. Mythically, this works both ways of course (cue the story about the Production Secretary who although had nothing to do one day, didn't transcribe an IV that urgently needed doing - cos it's an editorial job, right?!). The situation is irrelevant - if you can do something, you have the time and you can see eveyone else is busy, do it! I know it is petty but the staff that throw receipts and pennies at me get an invisible black cross.
• Have respect - both for others and for yourself. Those who deliver with pride (as above) demonstrate respect for the job (and thus the employer) but also for themselves, as they are committed to doing a good job, which generally means they take pride in their work (meaning they have respect for themselves). People who respect themselves and others come across well -and will be welcome back.
• Respect is not about obeying orders from power hungry folk. I worked with a Coord once - I was a Coord too - and she had no respect for anyone. She came across as being respectful of the Execs etc (brown nosing I like to call it) but actually was just plain rude to everyone else, and essentially believed in the old fashioned ugh of  'do it my way and when I say'. If you were equal or beneath her and she needed something done/didn't agree with the way you were doing it/ was simply in a bad mood, you knew about it. She made sure the more junior staff knew that 'they had to respect her - she had earned it' yet actually, in being so bloody rude, demanding and generally glory hunting, she actually herself respected nobody else. Did she think she was respecting the PM/Execs who had hired the junior staff by being nasty to them? She lost my respect very quickly. I think that by being so rude all the time she probably didn't think much of herself either (lack of self respect) - why else would you be so miserable? Disrespect and undermining others doesn't stand you in good stead. Nope - your invite to the A Team hasn't gone AWOL in the post. You never got one.
• Neither did the poor runner who thought he had to jump through every hoop she held out - including the hoop of 'be rude to my peer - I have been here longer than her'. Sometimes it is obvious that someone is encouraging you to do something inappropriate - don't do it. You are not a sheep. He lacked self-respect. Not an A Team member.
• Don't ask questions your call sheet can answer. Someone - usually with great research for content, and pride - has compiled a call sheet. Any shoot worth its salt has a call sheet. It is the job of everyone involved to read it. If (and only if) after reading it you cannot find your answer - or occasionally, if it is an emergency and the call sheet is dinosaur sized and a mess (not done by me...) - then absolutely ask away. I guess this links back to laziness. Example: two members of crew of equal grade received a call sheet. One replied later in the day, said thanks, and did what was required. One replied immediately saying thanks (no way it had even been opened in the speed of response) and then turned up at the wrong location. That person had assumed a shoot would occur in 'the usual place' and didn't even look at their call sheet. That failed shoot cost a fortune. 'Didn't read the call sheet and messed up' didn't make the grade.
• Stop. I am talking to myself here. I could go on and on and on... about this one. This was supposed to be useful - not send you to sleep! I will therefore summarise and nutshell highlight how you make a good impression - and thus, create the opportunity to be asked back:

1. Smile. Be friendly. Have good manners. Show respect.

2. Always be punctual. Time equals money. Money equals a budget. A good budget delivery aids a recommission or future opportunity with the broadcaster.

3. Be confident and come across as capable. Do not fib about abilities.

4. Be prepared - have a contingency if your plan/method to do what is being asked fails. Don't walk away or give up at the first hurdle.

5. Be ambitious and have a career plan - but do not be afraid/consider yourself too important to muck in.

6. Be financially savvy - creativity balanced with budget = please come back soon.

7. Retain confidentiality - don't post pictures of your shoot on Twitter!

8. Be proactive - but respect role boundaries.

9. Be useful - become known as the person to turn to when things need fixing/go wrong/need an extra pair of hands. You will therefore become invaluable.

10. Balance social desire with social etiquette. Go to events when invited, toast the teams success, make the Exec laugh. Don't get pissed/be the last to leave/tweet drunken obscenities to the PM/shag the talent/compete with your peers for talk time/hassle people in their time off for advice or future opportunities.

So - there it is. Basically, do your job and do it well. Be fun to have around without becoming a space (personal) invader. Evidence that you are useful. You will suddenly find yourself in today's blogs opening scenarios of A. B. C. (obvs the A team is where it is at...).

ps As a wee side note - if you want to get onto someone's radar (and thus become someone they may think of/consider in scenario B) - everyone will have a different preferred method, can I share some advice on how not to do it?

DON'T STALK PEOPLE!!! 

DON'T BE ABUSIVE

Sometimes those in TV who hire are really busy - and cannot always immediately respond to you. I had an experience where I was totally swamped - literally working 18 hour days - and as such, I did not have time to deal with anything non critical. Someone who had tried to make my acquaintance sent me a bit of a rude and flippant message about my apparent decision to ignore them. Anyone who knows me knows that I try my very hardest to reply to all contacts - but yes, I can be slow. That person is now not someone I will consider again in a hurry due to the ill mannered nature of their contact to tell me how rude I had apparently been. FYI - I am talking I had not replied after 4 days to an email to my non work account - not that I had ignored them for months.

On the stalking vein - yes, social media is a dangerous tool,and if you (and by that I mean I) post something publicly people will comment. Why the hell not. If however someone is clearly having a personal conversation from a personal twitter account with a personal friend , about a personal activity, and you have made it known you work in the same industry and may be keen to work with that person (me) in the future, please don't join in. It's really awkward - and to the person (my friend) that person (me) is talking to, you are a total stranger - and it comes across as a little odd. You may ask why its on an open forum in that case - well sometimes, it is just easier!

Example (mythical of course...):

A - 'Yo B, what's occurring? Fancy going for a beer tonight?'

B - 'Hey A - all over it. Fancy trying that new cocktail bar though?'

A - 'Yup - looks yum. Miss your face - see you soon.'

C (a stranger) - 'Wow A and B that bar looks so nice, you guys always go to cool place'.

Weird, non?

 ©July 2012 – Lou Gallagher

Networking - the boundaries

Networking in any industry is key. In television it is essential.

The world of TV is like one big extended family - everyone is connected in some way, and that is often due to excellent networking.

Almost every job you take, someone will know someone else you know or have worked with before. Try it out - look around you now and do some sneaky googling. You will be amazed how many friends in common you have on Facebook with the rest of the office!

Now - I am not saying that knowing someone is how to get a job (although it can help) but having mutual connections can help bond you with people offering jobs.

I am not going to tell you how to network - I am not an expert (although I do have a lot of excellent contacts so must be doing something right!)... what I will discuss today rather are the boundaries around behaviour via email and at a networking event. Having sent and received a lot of emails re. networking, and attended lots/hosted my own events, I feel this is an area I can safely comment on! Cheers to the fabulous trafficlighttv.com for the suggestion of topic!

So - with networking at an event, we have two main scenarios: you are either at a network specific event in which networking is actively encouraged, or you are at a non networking event full to the brim with the type of people you long to network with. How do you behave?

SCENARIO 1 - THE NETWORKING EVENT
Clue's in the title... get networking! These events are held for a purpose - and that purpose is to enable you to meet relevant people in the industry. My tips for networking at a designated event are as follows:

1. Approach people with a smile and confidence - nobody remembers a wall flower. Be energetic, outgoing and positive. Make someone want to connect with you again.

2. Listen with focus - if you do introduce yourself to someone, really listen to what they are saying. There is nothing more insulting than someone staring blankly, whilst waiting to sing their own praises and thrust their CV at you.

3. Listen some more. When networking it is imperative to hear what the other party is looking for. What are their needs? Find which ones you have and are wishing to pursue, and match yourself to those needs. By networking, you are trying to develop a relationship. A relationship has two parties in it - and thus along with selling your own requirements, you must take on board those of others.

4. Give - do not just take. Use a networking event as an opportunity to introduce people you already know to someone they don't. Be seen as a 'connector' - people will migrate to you and your social capital will snowball. Plus, it is good manners. It can be very overwhelming for someone who knows not a soul at a networking event - help a peer out. Equally - it can be daunting if you are the person people want to meet, and time consuming; meaning that you don't actually get to meet anyone yourself that you may have desired to. If you see a 'key person' at a networking event drowning in networkees, offer to take them over to meet someone you think they might find useful to meet.

5. Network wisely - go for quality not quantity. It is the wise networker who leaves an event with 5 solid contacts who are happy to help/be helped, over 500 names and numbers at random. I say this with experience - when I am thrusted business cards with no proper introduction or conversation, I generally dispose of those cards as I struggle to recall what relationship I would have with that person. So the key here is to build an efficient network - not a massive one.

6. On that vein, it is important to focus on finding the right people for you at a networking event. Do you want to work in editing? Focus on edit contacts - both at senior and junior level. The casting researcher is probably lovely - but not hugely relevant to your career path at entry level. Equally, whilst you will want to network with contacts who could prove useful in the future - a more senior person in your field, a supplier or a potential new recruit, do not forget the power of networking with your peers. Since my last #tvmingling event, I have been delighted to see how many of the runners have kept in touch and are helping each other to find work.

7. Time - do not abuse it. if someone gives you their time at an event you should firstly, ensure you have planned ahead and know how you are going to use it (wisely). It is also polite to thank them at the end of the conversation - and if you want to impress, ensure you end it. It will be noticed if you are considerate of others and say something along the lines of 'I would love to stay and talk - however I can see there are lots of people here wishing to talk with you. I very much hope we get to speak again in the future. Thank you'. This is really important - you can leave someone feeling very uncomfortable if you overstay your welcome.

8. Whilst you should exude confidence - do not blur the lines of the relationship and act with over-familiarity. I speak only for myself here - I often offer a polite hug or a kiss on the cheek to someone I have communicated with previously, but do not wish to be otherwise touched by a stranger. Equally, following someone into the toilet to continue a conversation is not the done thing at a professional event. On a Friday night on the razz with friends this is fine however...

9. Be prepared. OK, so you know general rules... you are ready to network. Do so with a plan in mind, a wallet full of business cards and a clear marketing message. In networking you are marketing a product - you (or your supply/company). Be clear about why you are a useful person to know.

10. Don't flirt. Ever. It is weird and uncomfortable.

SCENARIO 2 - THE NON NETWORKING EVENT
OK - lets create a potential scenario: the wrap party. An occasion like this can be one at which you may, for the first time on a job, meet some of the staff face to face for the first time. You want to make an impression - to be remembered and hopefully invited back. Equally, there may be someone there moving onto a great new project you are dying to get involved with - what do you do?

1.Remember that the primary purpose of this event is not networking. People may be there purely to celebrate, booze, chat about non work things, etc. It isn't the right time to try and do all of the above - however you should still take heed of the tips.

2. Be remembered - for the right reasons. Want to impress and remain in the important folks minds? Be funny. Be sociable.Talk to everyone without coming across as desperate for a new job. Be polite and have good manners. Don't be remembered for being the girl/boy who brought their CV to the wrap party... or got shit-faced and fell down the stairs... or slept with the IT guy/gal (or any guy gal for that matter... be discreet!).

3. Have fun - and at the end of the night, when you are leaving, casually hand your card to those you want to keep in touch with and say 'it was great working with you - do think of me if anything else comes up'.

4. Follow up the non networking 'do' with a polite email - keep it light-hearted and say that you would love to have an informal chat about potential future work etc - and that you didn't think it was the right time at the party but do want to follow up.

So... they are just the thoughts of little old me. What is the Weazel now wondering? I am wondering what you think? Please do share any advice on the comments page!Equally, do you have a funny tale of a blunder or awkward experience at a networking/other event - share it here and others can learn!

 ©July 2012 – Lou Gallagher

Social media when working in TV – friend or foe?

I love Twitter… and Facebook… so much so that I have short cuts to the desktop of my ‘smartphone’, and wiggle with excitement when I have a spare 15 minutes in the day to have a good old nose [saddo].

I have a rule – Twitter is for all and Facebook is for my ‘friends’ only. If I have accepted you as a ‘Facebook friend’ then it means I trust you enough to let you look through all my photos (predominantly drunken antics), not feel uncomfortable if you ‘poke me’ and am happy to swear/share sad times/share naughty moments/share drunken cringe statements etc with you.

If I live by this rule, am I therefore saying that I don’t do these things on Twitter? Well, not entirely. I do however use Twitter as a tool – a tool to find staff, to find peers, to find suppliers. I also use it as a tool to promote my events, my job vacancies and my friends’ projects. I occasionally tweet something of a social nature – i.e. a thought, a funny photo or an exasperated comment. Occasionally. I RT useful things – jobs, tips and links.

I used to use Twitter much more freely. Now, not as freely as I use Facebook – after all, my Tweeps aren’t ‘friends’ – but I had an assumption that I could use it quite freely nevertheless.

Don’t misinterpret what I am saying – I didn’t post photos of myself with my skirt hitched around my bum cheeks on drunken nights out (largely as I don’t own any of those types of photos…), nor write abusive messages to people I think are absolute fools (I won’t name names but as an example (and naming a name) Joey Barton); but, I did speak more fluidly in terms of the language I used and I RT’d things that made me giggle.

I didn’t stop for one second to consider that the things that made me giggle, or the language I didn’t find offensive, would upset/distress/annoy/or provoke strong reaction in anyone else. Who would/should it? After all, this was MY personal twitter account – if someone didn’t like it they could simply block me, right?

I was working, at the time, on what some might consider the ‘dream job’. You know, the elusive job that every new/junior entrant craves and every senior person seems to have worked on? It was going well – I had a good rep, was respected, commended for my personable nature and more importantly was turned to when people were in need of help or advice – so well in fact that many of the people I met whilst working on it tried to add me as a ‘friend’ on Facebook. Well, ‘obvs’ I wasn’t accepting them all – FB after all was where I was ‘naughty’. I didn’t object for a second though when they followed me on Twitter!

One day I said a naughty word: a word that I thought was funny and not particularly offensive to describe a type of person. It didn’t spark anything untoward; it was after all a mere word.. Some time afterwards a very well known Twitter account that I follow (in the sector) made reference to the statement I had made with the ‘naughty word’ and I giggled… and RTd it.

Nothing too dangerous here right? WRONG!

Somebody took offence. That somebody had worked on the same show I was on and therefore knew where I worked. That somebody knew all the key people in the company… and complained to them. About me. About my offensive and company representative tweet.

Now – I won’t go into the details too much here – they are not relevant. What I will say is that when my time on that job ended, I wasn’t invited to stay on. The good, the hours, the support, the praise… it meant very little. I had enabled someone to make a complaint and that killed that.

I reacted badly – I deleted my Twitter account. I resented having ever supported anyone I had worked with, resented having given up my free time to help others. I was very cross. Then hurt. Then amused.

A long time has passed since this occurred (and a lot happened thereafter) – and I am now able to view the incident with much more balance than I did at the time. I certainly did not need to put myself through quite as much torture as I did. I did need to learn though.

So – what did I need to realise and what can I hopefully share with you that will prevent the dangers of social networking (in relation to your career) causing you to shed a tear? This:

• Do not have a social networking site account without including the simple statement that ‘THIS IS A PERSONAL ACCOUNT. My views do not represent those of my employer or anyone else’.

• Don’t blur the use of your social network site – is it for fun? Fine – don’t approach employers on it. Is it for networking? Great – network away, don’t hassle people (there is a fine line between making efforts and stalking). Is it for professional purposes? DO NOT therefore RT non professional items, tweet when pi**ed or comment on controversial matters – unless clearly stressing once again that THESE ARE YOUR PERSONAL THOUGHTS.

• Be very cautious about the language you use on a public account – regardless of the nature. Far too often people appear in my timeline writing inappropriate things – I have followed them because they want to be a ‘TV contact’ – I unfollow them and generally ignore them.

• Do not abuse contacts – don’t assume that someone is ‘ignoring you’ and then hassle them – they may well be busy and by the time they get around to reading your tweets about how you are ignoring them, instead of a reply, you get a block!

• Don’t say a bad word that rhymes with rat – some people don’t like it!!!

 ©June 2012 – Lou Gallagher