Category Archives: RTS Futures
RTS Futures: Zai Bennett event
Here’s another worthwhile event to go to if you’re an aspiring telly bod or if you want to hear from one of the movers and shakers in the UK media. Check out what RTS Futures says about The Only Way Is… Zai:
Zai Bennett, one of the youngest ever Controllers in the UK television industry, now sits at the helm of BBC Three. Before that, he ran the portfolio of digital channels at ITV and is famed for bringing Katie Price and Peter Andre to our screens, as well as Celebrity Juice, original drama Secret Diary of a Call Girl and real-life soap The Only Way Is Essex. In less than a year at BBC Three, his impact has been felt with brave new commissions – and de-commissions – as he makes his mark on the brand.
Radio 1′s Greg James talks to Zai about his ideas on television, his vision for BBC Three and how he made his way from the post room at Carlton Television to Controller at one of the most formidable broadcasters in the world.
If you submit a pitch in advance of the session, you may be chosen to pitch your idea to Zai in a one minute elevator pitch on the night. It’s a rare chance to sell your own idea direct to the Controller.
Brief for your pitch: your idea must be for one of the following two slots:
a) non-narrative comedy (eg panel/ game/ hidden camera/ clips show) for the 10.30pm slot
b) factual entertainment (formats/ series/ one-offs) for 9pm slotMonday 20 February 2012
6.45pm for a 7.00pm start
Hallam Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6JJHow to Book
This event is open to all RTS Futures members but is designed for those with no more than two years’ television experience. The cost is £10.00. To book a place you (and any guest/s you book a place for) MUST be a member of RTS Futures. If you are an existing member please ring the RTS Events Department on 020 7822 2820 with your Credit/Debit Card ready or email events@rts.org.uk providing your name, postal address, email address and phone number (we will then contact you to request credit card details), otherwise please register as a member at www.rtsfutures.org.uk before attempting to book.
RTS Futures’ The Only Way Is… Structured Reality
This week was RTS Futures‘ much-awaited The Only Way Is… Structured Reality held at the Hallam Conference Centre.
Discussing the concept of ‘structured reality’, the evening featured the major players of this genre: Sarah Dillistone (Executive Producer, Made In Chelsea), Claire Faragher (Executive Producer, TOWIE, series 2), Daran Little (award-winning television writer now Story Supervisor, MIC). And of course the evening was completed by reality TV stars Amy Childs (TOWIE) and Ollie Locke (MIC).
Certainly with shows like TOWIE and MIC, constructed reality shows are here to stay. The panel talked through the evolution of both of these key shows, from initial idea to production process, revealed a few trade secrets, fascinating tips and exclusive insider information along the way. One thing that became apparent is that there is an enormous amount of duty of care to the contributors from the production side of things and the latest technological advances are also shaping the way and speed in which these shows are being made.
Some interesting read about constructed reality:
- Mail Online: From The Only Way is Essex…to The Sloaney Way is Chelsea: After the success of the reality TV show, an upmarket version
- Mail Online: The Only Way Is Essex: How I created TV’s most reviled show – and won a Bafta
- The Guardian: A different kind of reality TV
The Million Pound Pitch
This event is all about how to create the perfect gameshow.
RTS Futures says:
Bursting with ideas for TV gameshows? Want to learn how to create a hit? Want to hear from and pitch to the experts? Find out everything there is to know about how gameshows are created and what leads to success or failure, before having the opportunity to work up and pitch ideas to the biggest names in the business.
Controller of BBC Daytime, Liam Keelan will be joined by David Flynn, Managing Director of Remarkable Television and creator of Channel 4’s Million Pound Drop and BBC Two’s Pointless, to give an exclusive insight into the key lessons of gameshow development.
Then show off your own creative talent, working in a team with a highly experienced development guru to devise a gameshow concept pitch to the experts at the end of the session.
Development gurus now confirmed:
Gail Harman – Head of Entertainment Development, talkbackTHAMES
Joe Mace – Head of Entertainment Development, ITV Studios
Mike Benson – Development Executive, Shine
Amanda Wilson – MD, Sharp Jack Media
Matt Pritchard – Head of Development, TwofourWhat makes the perfect gameshow? How do they get on TV in the first place? Do gameshow developers live the life of riley in rooms filled with toys and puzzles, or is on-screen success the result of years of toil, fruitless pitches and rejection?
To find out, don’t miss this exciting and exclusive RTS Futures event.
Monday 4 July 2011
6.30pm for a 6.45pm start
Hallam Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6JJHow to Book
This event is open to all RTS Futures members but is designed for those with no more than two years’ television experience. The cost is £10.00. To book a place you (and any guest/s you book a place for) MUST be a member of RTS Futures. If you are an existing member please ring Callum Stott on 020 7822 2822 with your Credit/Debit Card ready or email cstott@rts.org.uk providing your name, postal address, email address and phone number (we will then contact you to request credit card details), otherwise please register as a member at www.rtsfutures.org.uk before attempting to book.
The Million Pound Pitch
This July, RTS Futures is all about creating the perfect gameshow. So, if you’ve got tons of TV gameshow ideas or want to learn how to create a hit or simply want to hear from and pitch to the experts, The Million Pound Pitch is your chance:
Find out everything there is to know about how gameshows are created and what leads to success or failure, before having the opportunity to work up and pitch ideas to the biggest names in the business.
Controller of BBC Daytime, Liam Keelan will be joined by David Flynn, Managing Director of Remarkable Television and creator of Channel 4’s Million Pound Drop and BBC Two’s Pointless, to give an exclusive insight into the key lessons of gameshow development.
Then show off your own creative talent, working in a team with a highly experienced development guru to devise a gameshow concept pitch to the experts at the end of the session.
What makes the perfect gameshow? How do they get on TV in the first place? Do gameshow developers live the life of riley in rooms filled with toys and puzzles, or is on-screen success the result of years of toil, fruitless pitches and rejection?
Here are the details:
Monday 4 July 2011
6.30pm for a 6.45pm start
Hallam Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6JJ
How to Book:
This event is open to all RTS Futures members but is designed for those with no more than two years’ television experience. The cost is £10.00. To book a place you (and any guest/s you book a place for) MUST be a member of RTS Futures. If you are an existing member please ring Callum Stott on 020 7822 2822 with your Credit/Debit Card ready or email cstott@rts.org.uk providing your name, postal address, email address and phone number (RTS will then contact you to request credit card details), otherwise please register as a member at www.rtsfutures.org.uk before attempting to book.
How to Get a Quick Hit
It would be very interesting to hear what the future of content production is going to be coming from an array of excellent speakers from various disciplines and backgrounds.
RTS Futures says:
Join our expert panel as we explore the evolving digital landscape and the new opportunities it has created for content producers. Find out how David Mitchell and Richard Hammond launched their digital careers, learn about YouTube’s latest content plans, and get top tips from the likes of Hat Trick and the BBC.
Heat’s TV Editor, Boyd Hilton, will be quizzing key industry experts including: Jon Davenport, (Head of Digital, Hat Trick Productions) Wil Harris (Managing Director, ChannelFlip), Ben McOwen Wilson (Content Partnerships Director, YouTube) and Martin Trickey (Head of Cross-Platform Production, BBC) to sound out their views, advice and insight on the future of content production. They’ll also be sharing some of their latest and most successful content and answering your questions.
Do the best ideas start online or spin off from TV? Which genres and formats are proving most successful cross-platform? What new funding and distribution opportunities have emerged? Are brand partnerships the future?
Interested? Don’t miss it:
Wednesday 1 June 2011
7.00pm for a 7.15pm start
Hallam Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6JJ
This event is open to all RTS Futures members but is designed for those with no more than two years’ television experience. The cost is £10.00. To book a place you (and any guest/s you book a place for) MUST be a member of RTS Futures. If you are an existing member please ring Callum Stott on 020 7822 2822 with your Credit/Debit Card ready or email cstott@rts.org.uk providing your name, postal address, email address and phone number (we will then contact you to request credit card details), otherwise please register as a member at www.rtsfutures.org.uk before attempting to book.
Creating Spooks Workshop
Here’s a message from my colleagues at RTS Futures:
Are you a budding script editor or writer? Have you ever wondered how the scripting process works on one of the leading dramas in British television?
If so, come and join us for an evening of script based fun and meet the fantastic and hugely talented team behind the RTS and BAFTA winning Spooks, now filming its 10th series for BBC One.
This unique RTS Futures event will give you an insight into how the creative team develop storylines for a successful drama series like Spooks, and give you the opportunity to create your very own exciting, end of series hook and pitch it to the key people behind the show.
Speakers:
Simon Crawford Collins, Executive Producer (Spooks, Hustle, Outcasts, Ashes to Ashes)
Chris Fry, Producer (Spooks)
Rebecca Ferguson, Script Editor (Spooks, MI High, Holby Blue)
Jonathan Brackley, Writer (Spooks)
Sam Vincent, Writer (Spooks)1. Simon Crawford Collins and the team will give an introduction to the world of story lining and script development and talk about the skills needed to be a script editor.
2. The Spooks creative team will then lead a workshop based on the finale of the last season. You’ll be given creative licence to come up with your very own alternative ending for the series. Bring in a new villain, kill off a character you don’t like, or throw in another unexpected twist – it’s all up to you!
3. Pitch your group’s idea to the Spooks team and get feedback and advice – and there will be a special prize for the winning team!
*In order to get the most out of the workshop we will email you the script for Spooks series 9, episode 8 once you’ve booked, and you should ensure you’ve read this prior to the event*
Don’t miss this specially extended and hugely exciting RTS Futures event. To get the evening going there will also be a Spooks quiz so make sure you brush up on your knowledge!
Wednesday 4 May 2011
6.45pm to 9.00pm
Hallam Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London, W1W 6JJHow to Book
This event is open to all RTS Futures members but is designed for those with no more than two years’ television drama experience. The cost is £10.00. To book a place you (and any guest/s you book a place for) MUST be a member of RTS Futures. If you are an existing member please ring Callum Stott on 020 7822 2822 with your Credit/Debit Card ready or email cstott@rts.org.uk providing your name, postal address, email address and phone number (we will then contact you to request credit card details), otherwise please register as a member at www.rtsfutures.org.uk before attempting to book.
I’m going to be there to observe, so see you there! To get you going, here’s a trailer for Series 9:
How to be a Presenter
I produced the second Royal Television Society Futures Midlands event of the year. How to be a Presenter is something that I am hoping would help wannabe presenters find out the basic ins and outs of the industry in order to get them on to the right path. Just basing it on my experience as a production manager, a lot of the applicants I’ve encountered didn’t really want to be a researcher or a runner, but they want to be a presenter. The only thing is that they think that the normal route is to do production work, but in my opinion this really isn’t the best avenue to take.
So, I got in touch with a range of presenters, an agent and a producer to get a wide range of insiders’ tips on the subject.
Speakers on the night were:
- Ed James – Heart FM Breakfast Presenter – Chair
- Marverine Cole – Sky News Presenter
- Kester Demmar – BBC East Midlands Assistant Editor
- Alison Hammond – GMTV Roving Reporter
- Kate Lawler – Kerrang Radio DJ
- Kate Moon – Kate Moon Management Agent
Some of the winners of The Next Big Presenter competition were there too. Their prize was a presenting opportunity at the 2009 RTS Mids Centre Awards.
The event was held at BBC, The Mailbox. Many thanks to all those who came.
