Getting into HETV: Karlvyn Dove

There was a time when Karlvyn Dove thought his dream of working in high-end TV (HETV) might not materialise. A combination of life’s bigger issues and the industry’s seemingly London-centric nature threatened to get in his way. “I stopped chasing being on a drama, I had a family and wanted to work closer to home in the Midlands.”

The Birmingham producer had already worked in other screen sectors and enjoyed the work but the pull towards HETV had remained strong. “I always had a passion for high-end television and the creativity of the storytelling.”

His career in TV had started quickly via the help of a family connection. “I was a full-time chef and used to watch television shows and contact the people on the credits,” he said. “Then my cousin called me and said he had a job on a show for me, and I had to travel to London the next day. This was for Easter Egg Live; I was driving all over the country for the production. But it was humbling, I was an arrogant graduate and needed to learn from the beginning.”

This beginning soon offered Karlvyn a chance to observe what was needed to progress in the industry, spotting what skills are used and realising the ones he already owned that could help his career journey. He later took a role on the midlands based drama, By Any Means, a further eye-opener into the techniques that get shows made.

“I had a lot of leadership skills for television. There were new rules I needed to agree to. You can get into high-end more if you watch and learn. I watched these producers, they were efficient, but I wanted to do it my own way. People in this industry take it very seriously, but I wanted to be as honest and nice as I could.”

It was through ScreenSkills’ Make a Move programme that a step into HETV became possible. The initiative encourages on-the-job training to those identified by colleagues as ready to make the next step in their careers. The opportunity to become part of the programme seemed to Karlvyn like one he had to take, offering the chance to work exciting new BBC show.

“I heard about Grime Kids, oh my, a production about the music I grew up on! I put my CV in the mix and then got a call to say I could co-produce. It was in London, but I didn’t mind at all. It was with the HETV Skills Fund being on the programme Make a Move, and I said yes, absolutely.”

Karlvyn’s journey from unscripted TV into HETV is exactly what ScreenSkills’ HETV Building Your Career Portfolio is all about. The newly launched programme trains mid-level freelancers with experience working in the screen industry to further their knowledge and support their career development and ease the transition into HETV. The initiative included workshops, coaching opportunities and live events and operated on a part-time schedule designed to suit the working lives of freelancers.

For professionals like Karlvyn, who has since become a producer on Grime Kids, the initiative provides the connections and tailored training that help fill any knowledge gaps to ensure they are set-ready to make the move into HETV.

Any advice he’d pass on to others thinking of making the move? “Learn the art of patience. You must be patient and proactive. If you push people I will remember you. Stay where you can learn in television and use your skills.”