One World Media Week - New Talent Day
On Wednesday 11th May 2011, One World Media ran its second annual New Talent Day in London. Held at the University of Westminster, the day covered everything from pitching ideas and commissioning to debates on editorial values and what happens in the newsroom.
The day was well attended throughout, with around 140 students and emerging professionals taking part. Students from at least twelve universities were there, with the longest journey going to someone studying at Edinburgh Napier - thanks to everyone for coming!
What did it feature?
The day featured a series of sessions designed for students, recent graduates and anyone seeking to get into the field. The sessions took a comprehensive look at how to produce outstanding media coverage of the developing world.
Speakers included:
- Siobhan Sinnerton, Commissioning Editor, News and Current Affairs, Channel 4 Television
- Jill McGivering, South Asia Editor, BBC World Service
- Andrew Preston, Reportage Editor, Live magazine, Mail on Sunday
- Dominique Young, Producer 'Witness', Al Jazeera English
- Julie Noon, Documentary Filmmaker
After an opening panel discussion on what editors and commissioners are looking for, attendees were split up according to their interest - journalism or documentary - to take part in specific sessions designed for them.
These included a Virtual Newsroom for the journalists, which invited participants to prioritise news stories and suggest feature ideas; and an Ideas Brainstorm for the documentary filmmakers, for creating and developing documentary ideas for a specific audience.
To round off the day, documentary filmmaker Julie Noon gave a masterclass on her work - which ranges from films on Channel 4's Unreported World to the BBC Three series 'Stacey Dooley Investigates'.
Part of the One World Student Media Programme - funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development
Comments from the day
"It was such an amazing and unique opportunity; to have professional guidance and advice with practical workshops and panel discussions, all with speakers and presenters of such high calibre, and all of it geared specifically towards people who want to make socially responsible films about matters which matter."
"One World Media's New Talent Day was as inspiring as it was useful, with hands-on exercises and practical advice from experienced journalists and editors that made every minute count."
"One World Media New Talent Day could not have been more insightful, fun and interesting, and there's nothing better than learning from such experienced and talented professionals."
"An intensive day with experienced professionals outlining the variety of ways you can cover the developing world in UK media and media broadcast in the UK, with practical exercises to help focus and lots of helpful advice - even if you have been to events covering similar areas in the past."
"I really enjoyed Wednesday as I thought the expert advice was incredibly practical and useful as opposed to other events I have been to which were far more generic. Networking with other participants was also a huge plus - I found many other people filled with passion and common interests and who seemed to be around for all the right reasons."