To anyone starting out at MYP, you should definitely show enthusiasm and motivation because being there is a great opportunity to develop a great skill set."
"Before my intense, stressful and fun journey with the MAMA Youth Project, I was at university studying a subject I never fully enjoyed. Let's just say I lacked the passion and effort towards the degree I chose. I always had an interest in doing a creative job that involved filming, editing or writing, so I went to speak to my tutors about changing my course to Film and TV. I spoke to peers doing creative courses at the time and I spoke to some family members for advice on what my next step would be if I dropped out. I also did a lot of my own research about the TV and Film Industry and how I could break into this creative world. From my research, I discovered that going to university wasn’t essential and experience was more important to employers.
I heard about the MAMA Youth training through my adviser at the Peckham Job Centre Plus, I applied and was accepted as a Trainee Researcher. The experience was a constant roller coaster ride with mixed emotions - I learnt how to write up idea treatments, risk assessments and call sheets for production shoots. One challenge I had to overcome was securing a contributor for one item I was working on within a day, otherwise the idea would have been dropped by the producers of the show. I had to cold call contributors, email talent agencies and look at social media sites such as Twitter for relevant contributors for the item I was working on: ‘Rise of e-Sports’. Fortunately, and through persistence, I was successful in finding a contributor. This lead to a production shoot which featured on Sky 1’s What’s Up TV, magazine show.
MAMA Youth Project has helped me in many ways. One example was when they hosted a master class by industry professionals on interview techniques and how to succeed in an interview. The training programme also gave me the opportunity to learn how to self-shoot with broadcast quality cameras at a BBC Academy training session, as well as having ingrained in me networking skills and getting into the habit of doing it wherever I go.
After leaving MYP, I went on to work with the likes of the BBC, ITV, and Endemol Shine Group and now I’m currently working at a company, with a one year contract, called Run VT as a Post Production Runner.
To anyone starting out at MYP, you should definitely show enthusiasm and motivation because being there is a great opportunity to develop a great skill set. You will face rejection with your item briefs and from contributors but my advice to you is to never give up and show persistence with everything you do. To make it in this industry you need to be persistent with applications and emails to employers, network with industry people at events whenever the opportunity arises and also be able to make a good cup of tea!"
