September 2018

Perhaps you have unfinished business with your ex. Maybe you want to speak your mind to your former partner. Or, just maybe, you want to get back together with them. If this sounds like you: producers of a BBC show want to hear from you. Bafta-nominated series Eating with my Ex reunites former couples to sit down and have one last dinner with each other, and to discuss their relationship in an honest and open conversation. This is the perfect opportunity to reunite with a former flame and ask all the awkward questions

The series (10 episodes) has been commissioned after its short-form version went viral and racked up nearly 20 million views. BBC Three controller Damian Kavanagh said: “I’m delighted with the transformation of Eating with My Exinto a long-form commission and the incredible journey it has taken speaks to the flexibility of form that BBC Three affords. “We’re really excited it has been developed into a 10-part series which I’m sure audiences will love.” A spokesperson for Eating with my Ex said: “The experience isn’t as scary as it sounds and in fact the couples who do take part walk away with closure, answers to their questions and in some cases.. a rekindled romance! This is a genuinely heart warming and lovely format and we’re excited to give readers the opportunity to apply for it.”

Those interested in applying for the show do not need to contact their ex – in the first instance applicants will have a research chat with the casting team and following that, the casting team will then approach the ex on behalf of the applicant. If you want to have it out with your former love, you can apply by emailing casting@shotglassmedia.co.uk

Source: BirminghamLive.co.uk 

BBC One and Two are looking for city dwellers who are tired of the hectic city life, and long for the tranquillity of the countryside for the popular programme Escape to the Country. Alistair Appleton, Jules Hudson, Nicki Chapman, Jonnie Irwin, Sonali Shah, Ginny Buckley and Margherita Taylor help house buyers who want to swap city living for a home in the country.

Each programme explores why they want to move, what they’re looking for and which part of Britain they’ve set their heart on. In their chosen area, they are three idyllic country properties that match their search criteria and their budget. The last option is the ‘mystery’ house, a property that challenges our buyers’ perceptions about what they really want.

During their journey, buyers also have the chance to enjoy country life. They might visit beautiful local towns, tour iconic British homes and monuments or gain hands-on experience of traditional rural crafts and pursuits. At the end of the programme, our house hunters discuss all the properties they’ve seen and decide which one is the best option for them.

If you are seriously thinking of moving, apply now via the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/takepart/escape

The BBC is launching a new rival to Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off and it wants West Midlands bakers to apply to be contestants. The new show, called “Celebration” will begin later this year and it is now casting for people to screen test in a bid to become the nation’s next big baker.

The start date for Celebration has not been released but it has been confirmed that the show will air on BBC2. Hungry Gap Productions who will produce the show is now recruiting amateur cooks to apply for the new programme. The casting call said: “We would love to hear from amateur cooks and bakers who would like to be part of an exciting prime-time food programme all about celebration food.”

The closing date for applications is Friday September 28.

Click here to find out more about how to apply.

Source: coventrytelegraph.net

September 24th will be an important day for many thinking about a career in TV or the media! Creative Skillset will be hosting Open Doors Careers, aiming to connect talented people with local opportunities in Birmingham.

A series of events will be kicking off at 6pm in The Bond, Fazeley Street, Birmingham during BBC Digital Cities 2018.These two-hour events are a great opportunity for individuals interested in a career in film, TV and media to find out more about the industry. You will be able to meet professionals, network, get career advice and enjoy pizza in a friendly and welcoming environment. There will also be information on their Trainee Finder Programme so that you have an in-depth understanding of this unique industry-recognised scheme before applications open in November.

This year, come along and meet industry experts who really know what it is like to work in non-scripted TV and media production. We have so far confirmed attendees from Full Fat TV, Vermillion Films, Crew Birmingham, On the Tools, Producers Forum, BBC Academy, Flix Facilities, BBC Studios and North One.

Tickets are now available for £5 on a first-come-first-served basis. Look for the opportunities near you listed below, secure a place and we look forward to meeting you there!

Click here to book a place

Want to know more about blogging or podcasting? Fancy writing comedy for Facebook? Want to make the most out of your mobile films? This day of FREE training from the BBC Academy on September 24 at the Bond Company, Fazeley Street is for both experienced professionals wanting to brush up on their digital skills and new entrants to digital production.

Get involved with the exciting range of free talks, workshops and creative sessions, each exploring the latest in digital content and how to tell fantastic multi-platform stories. The workshops are suitable for both experienced professionals wanting to brush-up on their digital skills and new entrants to the business.

Sessions on the day explore:

• BBC Writers Room: Short-Form Storytelling – Invaluable tips on short form storytelling and writing compelling short drama or comedy for social media
• BBC Academy: APPSolutely Amazing Content – Get hands-on with the latest apps that can enhance your content with animated text and graphics for a professional finish
• Google Garage: Build a Digital Marketing Plan – Learn how to create a bespoke digital marketing plan for your business
• BBC Academy: Filming and Editing on your phone – Learn basic principles of how to use your smartphone to create broadcast quality sound and video
• Google Garage: Intro to Digital Advertising – This session is designed to help small business owners or aspiring digital marketers understand how to use Search, Social and Display advertising using a simple, straightforward approach
• Amrit Singh: How to build a Brand using Social Media – Join Livestreaming influencer and artist Amrit Singh, as he gives you the inside story about building a brand using Twitter, Livestreaming, Facebook and Instagram
• Mark Steadman: Murder in Podcastville – Join Podcaster Mark Steadman founder of Birmingham Podcasting Festival on this journey and find how to create your own podcast
• Ting @ The Ting Thing: Blogging Workshop – Join beauty, fashion and lifestyle blogger Ting from the TingThing and start your blogging journey
• Google Garage: Writing for Social Media – In this session you’ll learn how to create content with confidence, across key social platforms while learning how to define your brand and tone of voice

A ticket gives you access to the day. You are asked to choose your sessions in the morning and afternoon via the order form when you book (sessions that are struck out are fully booked). To book your Digital Skills Day on Monday 24 September, click here.

The leading digital channel BBC Three is bringing its online expertise to Birmingham on September 27th at the Bond Company on Fazeley Street for a full day of special masterclasses and interactive Q&A sessions. Those interesting in finding out more about the BBC’s leading digital channel and discover what it takes to produce award-winning content for it.

You can register at any time until 5pm on Monday 17 September. For information on booking, visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/en/events/evt20180801114229602

Are you a Midlands creative interested in children’s television?  Perhaps you’re curious to learn more about a genre you don’t currently work in?  Or you want the opportunity to connect with like-minded women in the industry?  Then this is the event for you!

Come along to meet the people behind the BAFTA award-winning children’s television series I Made This to discover more about making content for children’s TV. You’ll even get the opportunity to meet the fantastic BAFTA award-winning presenter Maddie Moate. This event is produced in partnership with RTS Midlands and is hosted by BBC Birmingham.

Speakers

Sarah Trigg is the executive producer who heads up 7Wonder’s offices in Birmingham, running a development slate and output that includes BBC2 series Back to the Land with Kate Humble, the BAFTA award-winning CBeebies factual brand Do You Know?, Make My Body Better with Davina McCall and C4’s My Kitchen Rules. Before joining 7Wonder, Sarah worked as a PD in the US and at some major London indies: RDF, Lion Television and Love Productions making a variety of programmes for C4, C5, ITV and BBC. At Maverick Television she directed, series-produced and exec produced on C4 big brands 10 Years Younger, BAFTA award-winning Embarrassing Bodies, acclaimed spin-off films about being transgender, mental health issues, obesity and C4’s Stand Up to Cancer season; How to Look Good Naked and lifestyle formats for TLC, undertaking format consultancy in Moscow, US and the Netherlands.

Maddie Moate is a YouTube filmmaker and BAFTA award-winning presenter, passionate about curiosity. She has been presenting popular science and tech content online for the past 6 years and has amassed over 18 million views on her YouTube films across multiple channels. One of the only female “Edu-tubers” in the UK, Maddie also has her own successful YouTube channel. Here she makes films which combines the traditional YouTube style with educational content. Her videos aim to inspire a new audience to stay curious, adventurous and encourage science engagement.

Maddie started her career in technology presenting LadyGeek TV, a comedy web series for women about apps and online security. From here she was approached by O2 to host O2 Guru TV and went on to create the online content for Channel 4’s Home of the Future. Since 2016, Maddie has hosted the hit Cbeebies series Do You Know?, which sees her explore the workings of everyday objects by asking how they are made or work, all made possible with special cameras and animations. In 2017, Maddie triumphed in the presenter category at the BAFTA Children’s Awards. She has also presented Springwatch Wild Academy (BBC), Cloud Challenge (CNBC) and items for This Morning (ITV). Maddie is a patron of the Youth STEM Awards (YSA) scheme and an ambassador for Eureka: The National Children’s Museum.

This event is for women in the film and television industry only, it is open to both members and non-members of WFTV.  If you are not already a member and would like to join, please click here. If you have any issues, please email admin@wftv.org.uk