Former factual TV producer Catherine Peters turned to the short courses run by the ScreenSkills’ Unscripted TV Skills Fund when she wanted to reconnect with television after 14 years working outside broadcasting.
Catherine completed a range of the short courses in a bid to reconnect with the TV production community again and to refamiliarise herself with this sector of the screen industry. The courses she participated in included building and communicating your brand with confidence, networking skills for freelancers and setting up as a sole trader.
Catherine explained: “The courses were all interconnected for me. The first 10 years of my screen industry career were spent mainly in factual TV programming. I rose from script supervision and production coordinating to producing and directing, and then to series producing and exec producing. Then, 14 years ago, I found a film unit within an agency that specialised in learning and I brought a huge range of video content into the mix for them. A few months ago, I began to crave more creative challenges and opportunities to develop longer format work. I’d watched TV outputs evolve in exciting ways in recent years, and a lot of the ideas I wanted to take forward felt that they were a better fit in that context. So, I decided I wanted to re-enter that part of the screen industry and work once more as a producer in unscripted TV, a role that allows me to take ideas right through from brainstorms to broadcast.”
Catherine continued: “The ScreenSkills unscripted TV short courses for me were really about reframing and reinvention – I had a lot of experience and a vision for what I wanted to do but needed help to articulate that within a different landscape. In practical terms when you’re busy working, these online courses are manageable and accessible. When I made my decision to refocus and redirect my career at this stage, I was amazed by the range of courses on offer by ScreenSkills. I had initially been slightly apprehensive to apply, wondering whether the courses would be targeted mainly to those who were newer to the screen industry. In fact, there were at all sorts of career, all looking to gain skills, insights, knowledge and advice in different areas. The courses were well pitched and extremely relevant to all of us. The camaraderie which developed among participants on the more interactive courses was wonderful too.”
On which courses Catherine enjoyed the most, she said: “I enjoyed and benefited from all the courses differently. There was so much encouragement from the trainers who took each and every freelancer’s unique ‘brand’, career and ambitions seriously. Trainer, David Thomas’ courses introduced those new to sole trading to many useful finance and self-management tools, templates and tips; he provided access to some fantastically practical resources for any new freelancer. David’s discussion of the features of a healthy and successful freelance mindset also included some valuable advice.”
Catherine was keen to point out how important it is that ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund is providing this kind of continual professional development: “We are a creative and ever-evolving industry, and we should be refreshing our skills and capabilities at appropriate points in our careers. That is often easier said than done! For me, the courses have been an invaluable way to kickstart conversations and to move forward in new areas, especially in these days of Covid restrictions when it is less easy to network face to face. The industry is thriving, and it needs to continue to develop its workforce to meet demand and ambition. ScreenSkills and its partners are helping make that allowing that to happen. Dedicated, skilled and talented people are the lifeblood of the industry and it’s really encouraging to see that this investment in the continuing professional development of freelancers. The courses have been an entirely positive and supportive experience for me, and I’d recommend them to anyone looking to make changes or step up in the industry.”