Creative Futures, in conversation with STV Studios

In October 2024, Creative Futures and the scca.partnerships project hosted Gail Bon and Jodie Leith, representatives from STV Studios and both UofG alumni. They generously shared their insider insights and top tips on getting in and getting on in the TV industry. The conversation, facilitated by Dr Lisa Kelly and Dr Abi Jenkins from UofG Film & TV Studies, covered how they got started in the industry, how to find out about today’s new entrant opportunities, the challenges currently facing the TV sector, and invaluable insider insights from the perspective of those whose actual job is spotting, developing and nurturing up-and-coming talent. 

Gail’s and Jodie’s Top Tips 

  • Use your time at UofG to get involved in organising events, writing for newsletters, and/or engaging with the wide range of UofG clubs and societies, including Filmmaking Society, Glasgow Guardian, GUST, STAG and more... 
  • Working a part-time job? These help you learn and develop a range of ‘transferable skills’ (eg, in hospitality, where working with the general public in often high-pressure environments and fire-fighting unforeseen challenges is all in a day’s work – skills that are easily transferred to TV production) 
  • Having a passion and genuine interest in TV really helps. So, watch more telly! Watch a rich variety of shows. Watch Scottish productions if you want to stay in Scotland! Look at the credits, find out who is making what... 
  • Do your research – if staying in Glasgow is important to you, find out which shows are developed and produced in the city’s well-developed TV production sector (the same applies for other cities you are interested in moving to) 
  • And there are plenty of online resources available as well. Use them. These include Facebook groups for TV freelancers, Actors, and so on 
  • Help out on short films where you can (whether independently, through a student society or in class) – you can learn a lot in this environment, especially through taking on roles outside of directing 
  • With that said, want (ultimately) to direct? Pick up a camera, whenever you can, and practise! 
  • (Remember, you won’t step out of Uni and immediately land a Director role – manage this reality) 
  • And don’t underestimate the value and importance of entry level roles – your degree will allow you to bring something different to those roles and can help you ‘move through the ranks’ more swiftly 
  • Attending, volunteering and working at Festivals and Events are also good grounding for developing transferable experience 
  • Research, research, research the talent development programmes from eg, PACT, C4, BBC, Sky, ITV, Amazon, Netflix, ThinkBIGGER! – the RTS website is a useful resource  (NB student and recent graduate membership of RTS is free!) 
  • Freelance working is a reality – learn how to budget and manage your finances early (look out for UofG Student Enterprise initiatives on working freelance)  
  • Larger independent production companies (eg, Firecrest Films, Hello Halo, IWC, Lion TV, Raise The Roof Productions, Two Rivers Media) can offer longer term freelance runner roles 
  • STV Studios offer CV workshops to help shape your CV to meet the requirements of the TV industry – look out for these opportunities being promoted on their website or through UofG FTV Studies department 
  • Networking is important; no-one likes it, but building a network of contacts and relationships in the industry is a surefire way to find out which jobs are coming up (look out for UofG Careers, Employability & Opportunity offering advice and guidance sessions on how to network too) 
  • Mentors – finding people you connect with, can talk to and get advice from will really help 

Gail Bon

After graduating with a Joint Honours in Film and Television Studies and Politics from University of Glasgow, Gail got an early break into television joining Sports broadcaster Setanta Sports as a Junior Assistant Producer. After nearly two years she left to pursue her passion of working in entertainment television, bagging a Researcher role on a Children’s game show. She continued to work across editorial and then latterly production roles in a variety of genres from Quiz Shows to Lifestyle to Comedy. In the middle of it all, Gail dabbled in corporate fundraising in the arts sector too.  Gail joined STV Studios as Talent Manager in early 2023 and she's passionate about nurturing new talent, creating a diverse freelance workforce, and developing and retaining the brilliant talent that exists within the freelance TV community.

Jodie Leith

Jodie Leith graduated with a Joint Honours in Film & Television Studies and English Literature at the University of Glasgow in 2022. Her career in the television industry began on a PACT production trainee scheme. Since then, Jodie has worked on a variety of both factual and drama productions at STV Studios, including prison drama, Screw (Channel 4), legal reality boxset, The Firm (BBC Scotland), and hit antiques format, The Yorkshire Auction House (Discovery+ / Really). Now working freelance as a Researcher in Factual Development at STV Studios, Jodie researches and develops concepts for potential new television series for streamers and broadcasters like Netflix, Disney+, BBC, Channel 4, and more.

Outwith television, Jodie maintains a passion for writing. During her time at university, Jodie was Culture Editor for The Glasgow Guardian, and was selected to receive the prestigious Jessica Yorke Scholarship. Her writing has been featured in The Skinny and From Glasgow to Mars.