Job title: Production buyer Art Department
Industries: Children’s TV
A place on the ScreenSkills Trainee Finder scheme gave Vicki Mohan a taster of what working in the art department of a TV production is like and has enabled her to be employed continuously in the industry ever since.
With a background in theatre, a move into the TV industry felt like a natural step. Whilst completing a degree in drama, and later a Masters of Art in management, Vicki took on various paid and unpaid theatre jobs. As a stage manager she was recommended by her production manager to a production buyer who was looking for an assistant. It was in this role that she first entered the TV industry and became aware of the support ScreenSkills offers new entrants.
Her first placement through Trainee Finder was on Millie Inbetween. “I was a trainee petty cash buyer, but I was allowed to help dress sets and spend time on set to gain additional experience, whenever I wasn’t busy,” Vicki says. She found that people in her team were very generous with passing on advice and tips, making her job more enjoyable.
Without ScreenSkills I don’t believe I would have had the consistent work experiences I have had. It’s been through meeting people on placements that I’ve received other jobs.
Production designer on Millie Inbetween, Gary Brown, felt that Vicki fitted straight into his team. Happy with her work, he has hired her for another children's TV project, Secret Life of Boys. Line producer Bruce Abrahams would not hesitate to ask her back for any future productions and believes that “Trainee Finder is a great resource for finding new talent for our series”.