News

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Toral Dixit!

My career began as a photographer – after a degree in Photography at Arts School. My ambitions were to travel the world, capturing life in the furthest corners of earth. Rather than travelling the world, I found doing boring of corporate PR photography - which gave me the drive to look for a way out - a diploma in Journalism at City Uni. From there it was a small step into becoming a Researcher, via experience in print journalism & photography. I spent 2 years taking unpaid work, now rightly illegal.

The first was with the BBC Community Program Unit. Following this I worked on projects as a Researcher.

Being Asian, the challenge was to gain work & experience without being typecast. At the time it was difficult for BAME to get work that wasn’t on an ‘Ethnic’ show. My first paid job was as Researcher on a C4 show about Black and Asian Arts and I eventually progressed my career to Producer Director.

I worked with a few great cameramen – but also a number who were less than kind to a rookie (female) Director. Frustration drove me to learn how to shoot.

At this time, self-shooters were rare – women even more so, and those using large shoulder mounted cameras almost unheard of. I was lucky – I was one of those. Female shooting Directors were in demand to ‘balance’ the team – and often work on female skewed topics, e.g. childbirth.

I have worked on documentaries that have taken me to remote corners of the world, living with indigenous communities and in very challenging circumstances. I also work on Docs that require sensitivity - addiction, poverty, racism.

I self-shoot, Direct crew, and take shows through edit. My last Doc, for Al Jazeera, won the Gold Award (Documentary – Current Affairs) at the New York Film & TV Festival. I also teach part time BA Film, Westminster Uni.

My advice to those in the early stages` is don’t give up… it might be difficult but if you push hard enough, you will get through that door! ...

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Tamara Lois Ansah

I’m a writer and factual producer with a deep curiosity about characters at the centre of cultural collisions. I entered the industry six years ago after landing a place on the Channel 4 Production Scheme and spent a brilliant placement year with The Garden Productions. Since then, I’ve produced projects including the BAFTA-winning “Three Mothers, Two Babies & a Scandal” (Prime Video) and more recently, “Cursed Gold: A Shipwreck Scandal” (Disney+). Both projects are among my favourites: “Three Mothers” for the experience of working with an incredibly trusting and intuitive director, and “Cursed Gold” for its wilder-than-fiction style story.

I’m also one of twelve writers on the esteemed Philip Shelley 4Screenwriting Course, and incredibly proud to have submitted a pilot episode and series outline. As a writer, I’m particularly interested in using elements of the fantastic to interpret stories grounded in reality, with strong social and existential narratives. At the moment, I work as a development AP at KEO Films and continue to write in my spare time.

I have two pieces of advice. The first is to nurture your connections. Whether it’s with companies, talent managers, producers, or directors you’ve met, keep those relationships active. Meet for coffee with people you admire and ask thoughtful, practical questions. Networking remains crucial in this industry, and staying informed is valuable.

My most personal piece of advice is to make the thing you’re dying to make. This might not apply to everyone, but if you’re anything like me, there’s a short film or small project you’re itching to create—just start. Begin small, accept that you might fumble, and build from there. Find resources and support in communities and focus on creating that (small) thing. The bigger projects will follow. ...

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re giving a huge Hungry Jay shout-out to Lubna Bhatti

After studying in Birmingham, I stayed on for a couple of years & eventually got my first break in TV there. It wasn`t easy, and I used every weekend & holiday to try and get a job.

After some runner jobs, I got my first break as a researcher on a Children`s Show - an amazing experience but a total baptism of fire.

Since then, I’ve worked on BAFTA award-winning shows across genres such as Music, Docs, Obs Doc, and more, both on location abroad and in studio. I`ve also successfully developed a number of formats for TV.

Currently I’m working as a Producer/Director for C4’s ‘Love It Or List It’ – a successful property show with estate agents Phil Spencer & Kirstie Alsop.

There are 2 shows that I’m most proud of. The first is ‘Bop Box Boogie,’ I was Series Director on this studio interactive kids’ dance series for ‘Milkshake!’ C5. The other show is a series for Sky Arts – ‘Landmark,’ Primal TV following 16 artists across the UK as they competed to win a national sculpture competition.

The landscape of TV is changing – with streaming dominating the market there are fewer opportunities, so equip yourself with other skills to fall back on. While it’s not ideal and you can feel a little stretched, get as much experience as you can & use every opportunity that presents itself to expand your knowledge & make yourself invaluable

Don’t be too quick to move up the TV ladder - know your craft & role well before stepping up. With senior roles come a lot of responsibility, including managing people. Before you decide you’d make an awesome PD, there’s a lot more to it than just shooting or producing a story – it’s a fine balancing act which can include managing ‘challenging personalities and situations.’ Most of my most valuable learnings have been on the job with other PDs and DOPs picking up technical skills, watching how they work and handle situations & people – you can learn a lot from observing too. ...

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re giving a huge Hungry Jay shout-out to Neila Butt

I’m Neila Butt and I`m Channel 4’s Creative Diversity Lead for the Nations and Regions. I have been working in TV and Audio for over 20 years, with a background in news. My expertise in DEI challenges covers finding and working with both on and off-screen talent, unpicking complex editorial, as well as running various interventions to improve representation and portrayal.

My advice to those getting started in the industry is to be patient, resilient and prepared for any outcome, a bit like real life. This industry is rewarding and fulfilling in so many ways, especially if you can make a difference to people’s lives. Remember to not restrict yourself. Try new things, transferable skills are at the heart of your growth and ultimately progression. And of course, try and enjoy as much as you can, live in, and for, the moments, they may not always come around again. ...

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re giving a huge Hungry Jay shout-out to Osman Ahmed

I started my freelance career whilst studying my bachelors degree, writing campus magazine articles & assisting on filming shoots for a video production company. Upon graduation I acquired an internship at my university’s Erasmus department (I did a 7000 word research project about them). I applied rigorously for broadcasting jobs, dreading the possibility of unemployment. I spent my annual leave on work experience placements at a few indies including Blast! Films, and with a stroke of networking luck & months waiting, secured 1-week placement at CNN in London right after my internship ended

I met Christiane Amanpour on day 1! shadowed her team on location during the March 2017 Westminster Attacks. I remember walking into the newsroom seeing 30+ journalists standing, 20+ TV screens sprawled across the wall instantly switch to live videos & reports at the scene, then a colleague walking by goes: “Chosen the best time to do work experience Osman let me tell you, this is the real deal” That moment solidified my passion.

During my second week of work experience I received an email from Anoushka Dossa, former Head of Recruitment at Creative Access, with an internship offer for Peston On Sunday starting ASAP! A total surprise as the job advert stated a May start. On my first day a snap general election was announced which was why I started a month earlier, & my contract extended a month later. Major win!

I encourage young people to network & ask for shadowing. Closed mouths don’t get fed! Also reapply for the same company, don’t accept the first no! The year before I got offered my Creative Access internship, Anoushka rejected me for that same ITV role. I reapplied 8 months later when the vacancy appeared & through my placements being at the right place & right time, I got the job. I’m now at BBC Panorama & aspire to be an edit producer/writer & director. ...

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re giving a huge Hungry Jay shout-out to Riaz Noorgat.

My name is Riaz and I am a Casting Assistant Producer. I`ve been lucky enough to have cast on some of the biggest shows on TV, including, The Cube, Ant & Dec`s Limitless Win, The Chase, The Rap Game UK and Celebs Go Dating. I started out in TV as a runner on The Jonathan Ross Show and I had the pleasure of meeting inspirational people such as Sir Paul McCartney, Oprah, Eminem and my personal favourite, Cristiano Ronaldo!

My role in name is Casting Assistant Producer but I like to think of myself as a dream maker, my proudest achievement is casting and going through the entire process with the first million pound winners on Ant & Dec`s Limitless Win.

The best piece of advice I would give to anyone starting out in the industry is to try your hand at everything, try working on different genres and roles. Also don`t be afraid to talk to people, it can be intimidating to start with but everyone has been in the same position and knows how it feels starting out. No one persons rise to where they are is the same. ...

It’s time for the next in our series of TV Trailblazers, in which we showcase and celebrate people from under-represented backgrounds who are smashing it in our industry. This week, we’re sharing our platform with Harpreet Scott:

I’m Harpreet (aka HP!) and I’m currently working on a new series as a Forward Planning & Talent Producer. My passion has always been in Unscripted TV- from SAS: Who Dares Wins, to Made in Chelsea to Love Island- my career has been a creative rollercoaster!

As an intern, I had wide-eyed dreams of being on set & helping make telly history. From making cups of tea & sourcing props to now being flown abroad & setting up international shoots in 24 hours- it’s all in a day’s work!

My love for Casting & storytelling is one that drives me forward. I’m passionate about supporting upcoming talent & continuing to challenge myself with the projects that I choose to take on.

My advice to the next TV gen is to always remember the reasons you do what you do. This career can be deemed as superficial & glamorous but underneath that facade is something greater. It’s the sum of a tremendous amount of hard work, setbacks, early starts, late finishes & everything in between. It’s the process of making TV that is our great privilege. It’s working with people both on & off screen from different walks of life. It’s overcoming creative obstacles & challenging industry boundaries.

As freelancers we face many challenges & often have little feedback- but ask questions, ask advice & always remember your worth (& your rate!) & what you can offer to a team. Be as tenacious as you can whilst understanding that setbacks are part & parcel of this telly world.

I’m a firm believer that you can be driven & determined & still be a cheerleader & advocate for your peers. There is space for us all.

Remember that none of us are perfect & no matter our positions, we can always learn something new- so don’t let your ego run wild! Network, build connections, always try to be a “good egg”- you never know when you might need to pull in last minute favours!

And finally, ALWAYS read your call sheet! ...