Learning The Ropes
2024
2024's iteration of the programme has been co-designed by Dermot O’ Leary’s Tuskar Trust, Fremantle UK, the British Production arm of global entertainment group Fremantle, alongside Meet a Mentor.
This programme matches 26 mentors with 26 mentees and young creatives currently underrepresented in the industry to break into the TV and digital storytelling sector. This is a six-month long programme which carefully pairs mentees with industry mentors, forges relationships through opportunities to network, offers TV and film set shadowing plus guarantees first running creds. The six-month programme includes a 3 day intensive TV bootcamp which gives a 360 overview of all things production from commissioning, development & script-writing workshops, to art & lighting direction, documentary making, a tour of a post to post-production facility & includes a technical camera and lighting skills workshop. The scheme also supports with job applications and cv support amd provides opportunities to go behind the scenes of some of Britain's best loved TV shows. The monthly evening sessions hosted at Fremantle UK headquarters hosted by Dermot, include candid Dermot 'in conversation' style interviews with industry figures such as Broadcasters Andi and Miquita Oliver, Director Hector Dockrill offering advice and talking about their jobs & their journeys to get there, warts and all.
About
Mentees
Mentors
"With only 7% percent of people currently employed in the arts coming from a working class background, it’s never been more important to help those from a non typical socio economic tv background get a foot on the ladder in our industry.
Fran and Dermot have set up a scheme that does just that, so If you get the chance to become a mentor do it. I could say it’s rewarding ( which it is) and a great chance to have a gossip with senior people in the industry ( which it is ) but it’s not about us, it’s about doing the right thing and opening doors for bright young people who deserve a place at the table"
Susan Maxwell
Mentor | Executive Producer
"Just want to say a massive thank you for Learning the Ropes. So grateful to be part of such a welcoming scheme. I’ve never felt ‘less than’ for my lack of experience - only supported and encouraged and that’s all down to the programme. Meeting mentors and mentees and having the opportunity to have exposure to so much about the industry is something I’ll never forget. You’ve shown me (and so many of the mentees) that it isn’t silly to chase your dream!”
Erin Duxbury
Mentee
"Thank you so much for the opportunity of being part of LTR’s. It opened my eyes to the world of TV, expanded may horizons and provided me the foundation to confidently make the transition into the industry. It quite literally has been a life changing journey. Grateful to you!"
Derrick Otchere
Mentee
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In Partnership With
How it Works
This programme matches 25 mentors with 25 mentees and young creatives currently underrepresented in the industry to break into the TV and digital storytelling sector. This is a six-month long programme which carefully pairs mentees with industry mentors, forges relationships through opportunities to network, offers TV and film set shadowing plus guarantees first running creds.
The six-month programme includes a 3 day intensive TV bootcamp which gives a 360 overview of all things production from commissioning, development & script-writing workshops, to art & lighting direction, documentary making, a tour of a post to post-production facility & includes a technical camera and lighting skills workshop.
The scheme also supports with job applications and cv support amd provides opportunities to go behind the scenes of some of Britain's best loved TV shows. The monthly evening sessions hosted at Fremantle UK headquarters hosted by Dermot, include candid Dermot 'in conversation' style interviews with industry figures such as Broadcasters Andi and Miquita Oliver and Director Hector Dockrill.
"Fran and Dermot’s passion for mentoring is infectious and is a lesson to anyone about the positive power of mentoring - which very much works both ways."
- Phil Harris
"It's a privilege to mentor anyone, be it on an official programme like this one or in a non official capacity. I feel it's imperative that we give back as much as we are able to in terms of steering the next generation.
And when it's such an impressive, thoughtful, caring and multi-layered programme like the one Learning The Ropes puts together every year, it's simply a joy to do (and to learn from myself!).")
- Suzi Aplin
"The TV industry needs new voices and faces more than ever, and Fran and the team are doing such amazing work bringing through the next generation of storytellers. It’s a genuine pleasure to be a small part of the mentor scheme and see young creatives, producers and production team fall in love with the industry that has given us mentors so much over so many years."
- Rob Davies
"This program has given me access to industry knowledge, helped me expand my network, and boosted my confidence as a creative professional - not only through insights and talks but also through hands-on experience, like running and shadowing... it was an entertaining and dynamic six months filled with laughter, new challenges, and growth."
- Bil Marhamah-Rahman
"Being part of the Learning the Ropes Mentoring Programme 2024 has 100% been the highlight of the year for me."
- Hope Agugua
"I came into the programme feeling uncertain of myself and chasing avenues that didn't truly suit me... I felt lost [and] overwhelmed by the opportunities around me. But the programme went far beyond just helping me with the tools to find a job - Now I am so much more confident, and sure of my direction than I was at the start. What a wonderful experience."
- Chloe Wheatcroft