Getting into TV from a branded content background?

Touché . Not easy . Keep banging I guess

Hi Katie,

I'm the same postition as you, I've been trying for over a year now with no luck!

I asked this question at a documnetary masterclass at BAFTA the other week.

'How does one make the transition from video to TV without TV credits? Its a abit of a catch 22, you can't get work without the credits and you can't get credits without the work?'

'Personally I feel the industry should focus a little less on 'Broadcast credits' and more on the portfolio of its candidates. For example, I've made 3 self initiated documentaries which shows I can shoot, edit, balance pacing and tone and know how to tell a story shouldn't that count? Self initiated documentarys show a candidate is passionate because they have dedicated their own time into making a film without having any financial support or gain'

The response I got from the BAFTA winning documentarians was 'Keep at it, Network, Go to sheffield doc fest, buy tickets to individual films, talk to people, get yourself out there'

I also plucked up the courage to talk to them at the bar later on, and they just hammered home how fucking hard it is, how you won't make money for a VERY long time, how long they'd been doing it before they found 'Success' (10, 15, 20 years).

Not encouring I know, but if you want it you just have to keep trying till somone gives you a chance, which is what I'm doing. I'm making docs in my spare time and then entering them into film festivals and seeing happens.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Bernard

Same here

What you’ll also see is a common theme emerging ... lots of people in the same boat. Network with em ! Request accepted Joe ?

How do you make the move the other way? I’d love to leave tv and make branded content / commercials - seems all the same problems exist when trying to jump from ship to ship

Thanks all for your answers - *keeps sending those e-mails and e-mails*

Jim Hedger - I've been told a good 'in' into directing commercials is by doing a course at BECKINSFIELD called NFTS - commercial directing course.

https://nfts.co.uk/directing-commercials

Only catch is thats its super expensive, costs 10K for 1 year. However you do leave the course with three commercials so you'll be able to get work if they are good!

Hope that helps!

My 2pc worth would be to ask whether or not this is a worthwhile venture at all. I work in telly and I do love it, but it does feel a bit like the walls are closing in and that the time for long form broadcast docs is coming to an end. Might your experience in short form commercials be better exploited in the world of short form online documentary content? The number of eyeballs looking at telly is falling fast, those eyeballs are all looking online at shorter content.

Just saying etc.

That’s a good and fair shout Chris .

I agree and disagree with Chris. The way we consume televsion has changed, moving from testrail broadcast channels to streaming services. Take BBC 3 they chose to put their content on iPlayer instead of TV and its worked. The thirst for long form documentaries has never been higher if you look at the content Netflix, Amazon, HBO and Hulu is purchasing. Its all about the content not, not the platform.

I was in a very similar position to you. I had been a PM at a commercial film agency for 2 years (and project manager in standard advertising agency for many more). After many many applications and emails and sending my CV out to recommended contacts, I finally got my first contract in TV as a PC. It's a bit of a step down in role, but I was prepared to do that to get my foot in the door. Just keep persevering with the applications, you have all the right skills you just need to someone to recognize it!

Cheers guys, and thanks Bernard and Jane - really good and encouraging comments.