Ruth P.
About me
| Ruth P. | |
| English and Related Literature | |
| English | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Wentworth | |
| 1980 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Freelance executive producer and mentor | |
| United Kingdom |
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A day in the life of a Freelance executive producer and mentor in the United Kingdom
An experienced television executive specialising in factual programmes.
My career goals when I graduated
I trained as a print journalist at IPC Magazines straight after A levels so I didn't go to York University until I was 25 and married with a three year old child. It was tough writing essays and bringing up a child at the same time but I knew it would hold me back if I didn't get a degree - and fortunately York thought I was worth the risk.
My career history
Print journalism, freelance magazine writer, radio reporter and producer, television reporter, documentary producer and director, executive producer, television executive and head of department several times. Now I am a freelance exec producer and mentor.
What has helped my career to progress
Hard graft and determination and also a bit of flair. You have to find a way to ensure people remember you.
Courses taken since graduation
Senior leadership training (I wish I could say grade 8 piano or something but sadly not)
How my studies have helped my career
My English degree gave me confidence, knowledge, discipline and an important addition to my CV. I am eternally grateful for it because it changed my life.
What surprised me about my career so far
The fact that it's still going strong!
Where I hope to be in 5 years
Sitting occasionally in the sun by the sea with a glass of wine in one hand and a pen in the other - I am determined to write a novel one day.
My advice to students considering work
You're not gaining knowledge for someone else's benefit; it's all for you. Consume everything people tell you, listen more than you talk, don't be a pushover but do try to make people laugh now and then - humour goes a long way.
My advice about working in my industry
Don't work for nothing if you can avoid it. Our industry is becoming disproportionately dominated by people who can afford to keep themselves while they gain experience - and we need more of a balanced workforce so we can reflect the country and its concerns better than we do at the moment. Diversity is really important and so is social mobility.
Other advice
Try not to take anything personally. People are at their most aggressive when they're insecure. So try and see both sides (I've spent all my life striving to do this and am only just getting the hang of it!).
Contacting me
I'm keen to mentor students who are good writers and want to tell great stories. I like working with people who could use a break, who are curious and who are fast learners. I'll answer any questions about factual television in the UK and do my best to answer any other media-based questions you may have.
What I do
I have run documentary and factual departments at Granada Television, the BBC and Tiger Aspect Productions. I am a former news reporter and presenter at Yorkshire Television and also a former regular guest presenter of BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour. My journalistic background is in radio and women's magazines and I currently run mentoring projects for Channel 4 through my company Under The Moon. I regularly chair events and festivals and interview well-known figures from all walks of life.
Skills I use and how I developed them
I am a trained journalist and writer and my main skills lie in strong storytelling, understanding narrative, writing good scripts, gaining access to difficult subjects and ensuring my programmes comply with the law. I am an experienced mentor for the TV industry and I've also gained leadership skills both through running my own company and managing sizeable departments within ITV and the BBC.
What I like most
I love giving ordinary people a platform to tell their stories and I never cease to be excited about seeing a documentary come together in the cutting room.
What I like least
The thing that's most challenging about the television industry is also the thing that makes it so great - the massive amount of work you have to put in to get things right. Sometimes people throw more heat than light on a topic and there are some big egos in the business, but it's certainly never boring.
What surprised me most
Being offered the post of Head of Documentaries at Granada Television when I was busily running my own production company. I nearly dropped the phone, it was such an exciting job.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Ruth’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Ruth a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Ruth to be your mentor.