THE NETWORK SCHEME 2010 IS OPEN TO NEXT GENERATION OF TELEVISION TALENT

FREE industry led scheme helps young people kick start their TV careers
Applications sought via www.mgeitf.co.uk/thenetwork

Are you interested in getting support to secure your first job in TV? Do you fancy working alongside production, marketing and creative teams from Sky News, MTV, EastEnders and Endemol? Then apply for the Edinburgh TV Festival’s highly acclaimed scheme The Network and you could be part of the next generation of TV talent.

The Network, has opened applications for its FREE event in Edinburgh in August 2010. Over four days, successful delegates will have the opportunity to meet the best professionals from behind and in front of the camera, listen to talks from senior industry people, get advice from experts, make and produce television. Attendees will come away with new skills, contacts and advice. No previous experience is needed, just a keen interest in wanting to work in television.

The Network, part of the Edinburgh International TV Festival, has helped launch hundreds of TV careers. Past delegates include Newsround presenter Ore Oduba, Dominic Bird, Executive Producer, Dragons Den, Danny Fenton, Managing Director of Zig Zag Productions, the Director, Blue Peter and broadcaster Danny Wallace.

Comedian Russell Howard opened last years’ event, with other highlights including masterclasses with the writer and stars of the Inbetweeners, Simon Bird and James Buckley; Charlie Brooker introducing what it’s like to work in television, there were workshops from EastEnders, Emmerdale and MTV News; and TV forecasts from BBC One Controller Jay Hunt and Channel Four head Julian Bellamy.

Previous speaker Sharon Osbourne says of the scheme: `I think The Network is really important so young people can see how there are ways to get into the TV industry, because so many young people want to be in TV but don’t quite know how to get a break or what area they really want to work in. Whether it’s presenting or producing or editing, The Network will give them a better idea of where they want to go in this industry.’

Chair of the Edinburgh TV Festival Executive Committee and Chief Executive of Endemol, sponsors of the Network’s Outreach programme, Tim Hincks said today: “The Network is an essential scheme because by learning from actual practitioners and professionals delegates are then catapulted into the world of television. As a scheme that’s all about ensuring a diverse range of talent entering the industry, The Network has real impact on the array of creative voices working in television today.’

Past speakers at The Network have ranged from celebrities such as Vernon Kay, Sharon Osbourne, Graham Norton, Simon Amstell, Andy Hamilton and Sir Trevor McDonald as well as leading industry figures including Sky Controller Stuart Murphy, Dr Who writer Russell T Davies and BBC Three Executive Karl Warner.

Applicants should apply online for this FREE event, which this year takes place between 26 and 29 August. No previous experience is necessary, applications are welcome from anyone who has good ideas and an interest in working in television. To find out more about the scheme log on to www.mgeitf.co.uk/thenetwork. Applications close on 16 April 2010.

Delegates who have attended The Network are also given the opportunity to apply for a six month paid work placement at some of the leading TV companies in the UK through The Network at Work programme including Nickelodeon, Shine, TwoFour Production, Silver River, Endemol and BBC Children’s.