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I would love to be a executive producer of Eastenders


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Old 07-11-2015, 21:37
Mormon Girl
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I would love to be a executive producer of Eastenders one year how can I go about it? I have autism and I only have 1 GCSE in Art in which I go an E in I only did one exam because there was a agreement I didn’t have to do all my GCSE exams apart from Art. I am a very good writer and I have so many ideas for the show.
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Old 07-11-2015, 21:42
Brad_Adamson
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Go to university and study the media or become a runner for the BBC and work your way up
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Old 07-11-2015, 21:47
Mormon Girl
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If I ever become EP. I want some of you as my writers and 1 person as the producer to help me and 1 person as the story producer and 1 person as Associate producer, 1 person as the Line producer and a few people as the Junior storyliners and a few Directors and a Script producer.
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Old 07-11-2015, 21:50
KornerKabin
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Great Mormon Girl!

There are lots and lots of opportunities to start writing. Don't worry too much about qualifications for the time being. They help but they aren't the be all and end all.

Try googling theatre companies or screenwriting groups in your local area. I'm sure you'll find something, especially if you're based around London? I'm based up in Leeds and there is lots going on for budding writers, whatever their experience and background.

Good luck!
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Old 07-11-2015, 21:54
Mormon Girl
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Go to university and study the media or become a runner for the BBC and work your way up
I don't want to go to University or any classes because I think I would stress out over things. Why does there have to be qualifications for things. Im going to start my own blog about Eastenders and my own storylines and episodes and show the BBC it somehow.
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Old 07-11-2015, 21:55
Mormon Girl
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Great Mormon Girl!

There are lots and lots of opportunities to start writing. Don't worry too much about qualifications for the time being. They help but they aren't the be all and end all.

Try googling theatre companies or screenwriting groups in your local area. I'm sure you'll find something, especially if you're based around London? I'm based up in Leeds and there is lots going on for budding writers, whatever their experience and background.

Good luck!
Im not based in London.
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Old 07-11-2015, 22:29
J-B
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So you want to be the executive producer of a flagship BBC show... yet aren't willing to get any of the qualifications or work that would even start you on a path towards that?

Okay then
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Old 07-11-2015, 22:32
soap-lea
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Great Mormon Girl!

There are lots and lots of opportunities to start writing. Don't worry too much about qualifications for the time being. They help but they aren't the be all and end all.

Try googling theatre companies or screenwriting groups in your local area. I'm sure you'll find something, especially if you're based around London? I'm based up in Leeds and there is lots going on for budding writers, whatever their experience and background.

Good luck!
I don't think MG wants to be a writer she wants to produce. good idea tho, hope others on the forum use your advice as there are lots of budding writers

I don't want to go to University or any classes because I think I would stress out over things. Why does there have to be qualifications for things. Im going to start my own blog about Eastenders and my own storylines and episodes and show the BBC it somehow.
sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if you can't take stress then being an EP and in charge of hundreds of people wouldnt work as its a highly pressurised and stressful job.

Not to burst your ballon further but unless you have pots of money to start your own production company to gain experience then without qualifications you are unlikely to get a job as a runner never mind EP.

qualifications, working hard getting experience on the bottom rungs and working your way up is how you get these jobs, just wanting to do it is not enough
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Old 08-11-2015, 01:13
Pink_Smurf
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If you want a job as an EP for something like one of the BBC's most important shows then you should start by getting some more GCSEs especially English and English Lit. If you can work through these then A Levels would be a good idea and yes I think you would need to go to University as you are going to be competing with lots and lots of people for the job if you get an interview. Then you would have to be familiar with the jobs done by the people working for the EP which means working your way up which could take years and the sooner you start the better. As has been said the job of an EP is highly stressful and I'm certain the hours will be long and tiring. If you can't take stress and don't want to put in the work studying and working your way up then it's not for you.
The job is very involved and it's not just about writing stories, you have to oversee all sorts of things including the people doing many different jobs.
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Old 08-11-2015, 01:16
Kirk Angel
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Nope.
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Old 08-11-2015, 12:38
Nefersitra
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I don't want to go to University or any classes because I think I would stress out over things. Why does there have to be qualifications for things. Im going to start my own blog about Eastenders and my own storylines and episodes and show the BBC it somehow.
BIB - Qualifications give employers an idea of your knowledge/training/ability without them having to resort to extensive, and expensive, testing. The level your qualification is at - GCSE/A-Level/Degree etc - also give an idea about life/work skills you possess. I helped HR sort applications once and we had 3 piles - rejected outright (usually for not following the fill in in black ink only instruction), "has degree" and "doesn't have degree" - this was for a basic office job and the "has degree" pile were considered first because the amount of work needed to get a degree proved these people knew how to work hard and communicate well both in writing and conversation. You also have to learn to manage your time and deal with a certain amount of stress to get a degree - again this is recognised by employers.

I had a look at the BBC job site and they're looking for a Script Researcher for Holby City (http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/...lby-City/14216) and they stress in the "Competencies" for the Job :
The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.
Creativity & Imagination -Contributes and conveys to others creative ideas on treatments/scripts and how to bring a script to the screen, visualising and interpreting ideas in order to assess their viability.
Communication – ability to listen to others and get ones message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
Influencing and persuading - able to present sound and well reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.
Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in ones own organisation or job requirements..
Decision Making – is ready and able to take initiative, originate action and be responsible for the consequence of decisions. Demonstrates the ability to judge when reference to a more senior level is required.
Planning and organising - able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.
If you think studying will stress you out too much, TV is probably not the job for you.
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Old 08-11-2015, 12:57
soap-lea
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BIB - Qualifications give employers an idea of your knowledge/training/ability without them having to resort to extensive, and expensive, testing. The level your qualification is at - GCSE/A-Level/Degree etc - also give an idea about life/work skills you possess. I helped HR sort applications once and we had 3 piles - rejected outright (usually for not following the fill in in black ink only instruction), "has degree" and "doesn't have degree" - this was for a basic office job and the "has degree" pile were considered first because the amount of work needed to get a degree proved these people knew how to work hard and communicate well both in writing and conversation. You also have to learn to manage your time and deal with a certain amount of stress to get a degree - again this is recognised by employers.

I had a look at the BBC job site and they're looking for a Script Researcher for Holby City (http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/...lby-City/14216) and they stress in the "Competencies" for the Job :


If you think studying will stress you out too much, TV is probably not the job for you.
bit sketchy onthe creative (esp when compared to this forum) but the rest sounds right up my alley

MG to give you an idea look at this assistant producers job and the job role bit
http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/...-Affairs/13538

do you think you could do what the assistant producer role entails without any further education or having any work experience?

but you could apply to do work experience? you don't get paid for it and if there is a location close to home you could try and apply http://careerssearch.bbc.co.uk/jobs/...levision/13341

or look at apprenticeships and trainee schemes think these are for 18-24yr olds now they have an age limit you might be too old but if you are serious then you can look into it http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/trainee...pprenticeships

MG if you really want something you have to really go for it, take risks and work hard, don't let your autism stop you
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Old 08-11-2015, 17:23
Pink_Smurf
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There is some good advice from other posters on here Mormon Girl. If you want it badly enough and if you're willing to work hard then you can achieve your goals. Maybe try a local drama college for experience in acting too. The EP will be a better boss with such experience. Plus drama is fun and helps with confidence and assertiveness.
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Old 08-11-2015, 19:17
Danny_Francis
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In the meantime also, sometimes shows like Neighbours and Hollyoaks have advertised openings for young writers if you're into that kind of thing. If your writing is creative and well-written enough you may have a chance... As others have mentioned though you would need the background for it.
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Old 08-11-2015, 20:58
theiceman2014
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If I ever become EP. I want some of you as my writers and 1 person as the producer to help me and 1 person as the story producer and 1 person as Associate producer, 1 person as the Line producer and a few people as the Junior storyliners and a few Directors and a Script producer.
"If I ever become EP"

A massive If


"I want some of you as my writers and 1 person as the producer to help me and 1 person as the story producer and 1 person as Associate producer, 1 person as the Line producer and a few people as the Junior storyliners and a few Directors and a Script producer."

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your vision is extremely far fetched and you are climbing the ladder to a realm of heartbreak, disappointment and failure in its separate extremities.

Lots of people with the right qualifications have failed to achieve your goals. So what makes you think that you could be the E.P of EastEnders without any experience and qualifications?

Your choice of team members are also horrendous, not to mention unrealistic. Some of the forum members have interesting ideas but the majority are studying the encephalon of several insomniacs with the goal of creating a cure for the disease.

I am not mentioning any names but one example of such a story was about two salon owners going to war, commingled with a chain of juvenile antics such as one owner dragging costumers to the salon or both owners launching into a word salad of bitchiness like two silly schoolgirls over the local stud.

Those sort of storylines are beyond garbage and that is the kind of travesty that feeds the dreadful stereotype of EastEnders (amongst the other soaps) appealing to the demographic of old aged pensioners.

You might think that I am being rude but I am not and we do not live in a world of fairies and unicorns. The waters are often, swimming with sharks.
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Old 08-11-2015, 21:33
Jessica_Bobbing
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"If I ever become EP"

A massive If


"I want some of you as my writers and 1 person as the producer to help me and 1 person as the story producer and 1 person as Associate producer, 1 person as the Line producer and a few people as the Junior storyliners and a few Directors and a Script producer."

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your vision is extremely far fetched and you are climbing the ladder to a realm of heartbreak, disappointment and failure in its separate extremities.

Lots of people with the right qualifications have failed to achieve your goals. So what makes you think that you could be the E.P of EastEnders without any experience and qualifications?

Your choice of team members are also horrendous, not to mention unrealistic. Some of the forum members have interesting ideas but the majority are studying the encephalon of several insomniacs with the goal of creating a cure for the disease.

I am not mentioning any names but one example of such a story was about two salon owners going to war, commingled with a chain of juvenile antics such as one owner dragging costumers to the salon or both owners launching into a word salad of bitchiness like two silly schoolgirls over the local stud.

Those sort of storylines are beyond garbage and that is the kind of travesty that feeds the dreadful stereotype of EastEnders (amongst the other soaps) appealing to the demographic of old aged pensioners.

You might think that I am being rude but I am not and we do not live in a world of fairies and unicorns. The waters are often, swimming with sharks.
Spot on. You read my mind.
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Old 08-11-2015, 22:44
gemgem1987
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MG, you seem quite focused on wanting the children on EE to take a more predominant role, as you've suggested in some other threads. Perhaps EE, which is adult orientated, might not be the right place for you, but maybe dramas based on lives of teenagers, aimed at younger audiences?
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Old 08-11-2015, 22:53
QueenAmy
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Good god I'm sorry but stay away from being EP of EastEnders if you're going to hire people left right and centre (especially on forums)
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Old 08-11-2015, 23:09
piggypug
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I can imagine it already... https://youtu.be/WV_u4UspGsg?t=2m25s
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Old 08-11-2015, 23:17
Keibro
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Dominic Treadwell Collins storylined at Family Affairs for a number of years, before moving onto be a story writer for EastEnders. He was pivotal in the big stories during the Diederick Santer years but always says he cut his teeth at Family Affairs. So to be an Executive Producer, it is probably quitie beneficial to learn how to write, construct and pace a story, how to create characters, the different beats that make a story.

Aside from that, you would have the day to day of overseeing the episodes, signing off on scripts, managing budgets, negotiating contracts with actors, managing any number of crisis from a cast scandal, resulting in a big rewrite of a storyline or calling cast members in to film new scenes for an altered episode.

It is a huge job, which although very rewarding will involve a lot of hardwork, pressure and actually giving up your life to ensure the show keeps running. This is why so many Producers and Executive Producers only stay for two to three years, before moving on.
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Old 08-11-2015, 23:44
kitkat1971
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There are ways other than apprenticeship through the BBC.

I know a few professional tv writers (who have worked on Soaps), and a couple of Producers (that haven't) and none of them went through the writers Worskshop. They nearly all started out sending adhoc scripts in, writing in other areas (magazines, books) and worked their way up that way.

However, without wishing to be killjoy, they do all have degrees, mostly in English and slogged away for years and years before getting anywhere. And they were starting out 20 years ago when it was a lot less regimented. You really are very unlikely to get anywhere without that basic level of education and 'proof' of talent and dedication.

To be honest, I'm not sure you'd really want to be an EP Mormon Girl - i certainly wouldn't. It would be constant pressure (much worse than University) with long hours, constant questions, meetings about cast (and with cast including telling them they Are no longer needed so sacking them)), budgets, press and bosses becauwe they they still have them. Then, there are the fans. Forums like this with constant criticism - even when going well some will have a go, it would be unbearable when decisions go wrong like the baby swap.

It's like football fans saying "ig I were manager, it'd be a different story". It is a fantasy where you could go in, run the stpries you want, hire the writers you want, give the actors you likeloads of money to stay but the reality would be very different.
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Old 09-11-2015, 00:12
kitkat1971
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I don't want to go to University or any classes because I think I would stress out over things. Why does there have to be qualifications for things. Im going to start my own blog about Eastenders and my own storylines and episodes and show the BBC it somehow.
Hadn't seen this before but as i said in my last post, the stress and pressure of producing a show like EE would be 1000 times more than attending University so whilst I don't want to restrict you (Autism should not restrict you from having and achieving goals) I do think it wouldn't be the best career for you, for your own sake.

That is the second point, it is a career, not a chance to live out a hobby for a while. Millions of pounds of taxpayers money are invested in EE each year, a couple of hundred's people's jobs (and fiture careers) so they (they being people higher up at the BBC) will look very carefully at who they choose to 'steer that ship'.

Why should qualifications matter? They are not always a definitive measure of intelligence, talent or enthusiasm but they do give an indication. There is a certain amount of dedication and hard work involved in getting a degree, at least a good degree in a hard subject. That qualification) and generally anything lower than an Upper Second is deemed inadequate for many jobs) shows a level of commitment to study, an ability to focus your mind over a prolonged period to achieve a result. That is something employers need to know.
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Old 09-11-2015, 00:17
kitkat1971
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Dominic Treadwell Collins storylined at Family Affairs for a number of years, before moving onto be a story writer for EastEnders. He was pivotal in the big stories during the Diederick Santer years but always says he cut his teeth at Family Affairs. So to be an Executive Producer, it is probably quitie beneficial to learn how to write, construct and pace a story, how to create characters, the different beats that make a story.

Aside from that, you would have the day to day of overseeing the episodes, signing off on scripts, managing budgets, negotiating contracts with actors, managing any number of crisis from a cast scandal, resulting in a big rewrite of a storyline or calling cast members in to film new scenes for an altered episode.

It is a huge job, which although very rewarding will involve a lot of hardwork, pressure and actually giving up your life to ensure the show keeps running. This is why so many Producers and Executive Producers only stay for two to three years, before moving on.
Plus, pressure from people higher up about ratings, either because it is damaging the advertising revenue (ITV etc) or from the Board or Government (BBC). And last but not least, the fans.

My couple of my friends that work in TV actually tend to switch their social media off when big things are happening that they've written/produced (logging off Facebook, Twitter etc) as they can't face the possible backlash. They will deal with it the next day (they have to, it's their job) but can't deal with immediate backlash. And these are big, strong, resilient, middle aged men (and one woman).

It is a dog eat dog world which I certainly wouldn't cope with, and I've worked with a lot of sharks over 20 years in the Media.
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Old 09-11-2015, 00:20
Harlowe
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It's a nice dream to have MG, some sound advice but I think many are right a lot have background in media type roles and qualifications in that and experience.
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Old 09-11-2015, 00:49
kitkat1971
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MG

I think your idea for a blog is good. It will give you an outlet for your ideas and could build up a following. Some of my my friends first writing was critiques of Doctor Who and they became professional. Even if that doesn"'t happen, you'll enjoy doing it, and many will enjoy reading it.

Also, use your Art skills. Draw more and maybe look at getting involved with Amateur Dramatics where you could maybe help with set design, building and script writing and storylining, all of which would be enjoyable and look good on a cv if you are really serious about trying to get a job in TV.
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