Jazmyn Barlow on the children's TV DreamBIG! programme

Dream Big! is a new entrant programme developed by the Children's TV Skills Fund and run by training provider thinkBIGGER. It provides new entrants with their first job in children’s TV and animation through paid placements at a range of leading production companies.

As part of the programme, Jazmyn received a placement as production coordinator at production company Terrific Television.

How did you hear about DreamBig!?

I heard of DreamBig! through the Screenskills email bulletins. I had signed up to receive the newsletters and I was on the look out for opportunities to break into the industry.

What were you doing before joining the DreamBig! programme?

I was an Interactor/private tour guide at Harry Potter Studios. I guess I have always followed a path of film and television in the jobs I have chosen.

Have you always wanted to work in children’s TV?

I knew I always wanted to work in television and my other qualifications and work experience just so happened to be centred around children, eventually I thought why not put the two together? And from there I had a new exciting path to lead.

What was the experience of working a production like?

In a word, surreal. It was amazing to me how months of long meticulous planning and preparation seemed to go so quickly as soon as the cameras were switched on. It was both thrilling and tough but being able to solve problems on the go was my favourite aspect of production.

Had you worked on any productions previously?

Besides a couple of day runner voluntary positions and self-funded or student productions, no. This was my first professional role in production.

What was your placement role?

I was credited as junior production coordinator.

What did you find most interesting or eye-opening about working in children’s TV Production?

 The most interesting part was watching the communication across the departments. It was essential that all of the departments spoke to each other about any issues they were facing or good things like when something was achieved really well. Being on the long chain of communication for a production felt like I was appreciated and important in the running of the whole show, even if I was just a trainee. An eye-opening element was seeing how some departments can be greatly under appreciated. I went out of my way to talk to lighting, set design and sound who are essential to the process yet it’s not often people at home think about how important these roles are.

Were there any challenges you came across, how were they resolved?

There were many challenges with my role as co-ordinator and I had a fantastic support with my production manager when there were issues. For example, it was my responsibility to book catering and make sure the crew on location were happy with the lunches being delivered and I was the main communicator between the crew and the catering company. It was difficult to keep relaying messages and make sure everyone’s dietary requirements were met but it was important to me all of our crew were fed and happy. When I learnt the crew’s routine it was easier to predict and communicate this to the catering company but I couldn’t have done without the support of my Head of Production who has plenty of years’ experience on location and studio productions.

What other aspects of the DreamBig! programme did you find helpful?

Having essential training on safeguarding and protection of children on set were the most useful and beneficial courses that definitely helped in my day-to-day role on production. Understanding the role of chaperones and being given this training in advance and having access to courses such as the NSPCC Protecting Children in the Entertainment industry for free was extremely helpful.

What were your highlights from taking part in DreamBig!?

The introductory training certainly stands out in my mind as a highlight as it better prepared me for my role as junior co-ordinator. Being able to practice interviews, have industry guests that could tell us their real stories on how they started and where they are now has been an incredible opportunity I know I am lucky to receive.

How do you think programmes like DreamBig! help the industry? And why do you think they’re important for those starting their careers?

Without this programme I would never have received my first professional credit in television. Now more than ever programmes like this are some people’s only opportunity without knowing someone on the inside to follow their dreams and start a career in the creative industries. Programmes like this I think should be available across every sector of television to give those underrepresented in the industry a chance to make a step in the right direction. Under the current climate the creative arts are not being encouraged as much as they used to but they should and programmes like DreamBig! are essential to the industry sustaining a future.

What’s next? Will you aim to continue to develop a career in children’s TV?

I would love to continue my career in children’s television and equally I would embrace other genres such as drama or animation. I think staying positive and determined will be my way forward to find my next step in television production.