For Mark Espley, the arrival of a new unscripted TV edit training course turned out to be just the thing he was looking for. “The training came at just the right time. I was craving a change and to broaden my skillset within production but was facing barriers in making that happen.”
Developed by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund – and now open to applications for its second iteration - the edit producing skills for future series producers programme offered Mark an opportunity to make that first step toward change.
He said: “The title of the course jumped out and appealed to me instantly. The edit was somewhere I had always wanted to be in TV, but up against the competition of people with years and years of edit experience - and particularly in this current industry climate - it had begun to feel more and more unreachable. The course, and the invaluable placement experience that came with it, was the catalyst for the new career challenge I was seeking.”
Despite working as a producer for a number of years and having recently become a development executive, Mark had started to feel pigeon-holed in terms of future opportunities. “I felt I was getting more senior within development and was therefore somewhat narrowing my field of opportunity, at a time where I still had that hunger to be a part of making the shows and not solely developing them. I knew that understanding what it took to craft a show in the edit would be beneficial overall for my TV career and thankfully for me this course offered exactly that opportunity.”
The programme was designed to give candidates an awareness of the principles of the edit, such that they can seek further opportunities in edit producing roles as a means of building the skillset to become a series producer. It pairs tailored training with a four-week job shadowing placement to allow participants to gain valuable experience of an edit and develop their skills and confidence in a real, working environment.
The balance of theory and practice proved to be vital for Mark. “The training was genuinely superb, and varied too. There were lectures, masterclasses, practical assignments and group discussions, with incredible access to inspiring programme makers who are out there making the shows we all love. In three months of training I learned what could have taken me three years to learn independently.”
The training gives theory and editorial judgment, technical training (within avid), and a realistic view of the industry. “The masterclasses provided amazing insight into the making of different types of unscripted shows through the lens of experienced edit producers and execs. Then the placement literally put me in the room with people who I could showcase my enthusiasm for the edit to, and my willingness to learn.”
Taking part in the programme proved to be a turning point for Mark, instantly paying off in terms of career development. “The training has literally got me my first edit producer (EP) job.” He will be working in the edit on the second series of The Fortune Hotel for Tuesday’s Child, and this is as a direct result of doing his work-shadowing placement in the edit for series 1 of The Fortune Hotel.
“Before the course I’d say I was still a long way off securing an EP job. Many talented producers out there are looking for that one opportunity to get into the edit and broaden their skillset - with more to offer than the role that is most prominent on their CV - but I know firsthand that’s way easier said than done. This course is the real deal. I just really hope that other production companies will be as supportive to others as Tuesday’s Child have been to me, and are able to give opportunities to those who have proven their desire to put passion into practice.”
The programme returns for a second term with applications now live. Find out more and details on how to apply.
Take part in the programme
Find out more about the edit producing course