Learning The Ropes
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.
