THIS time last year, when Jessica Houghton, 17, was trying to decide between college or looking for a job, she had no idea how the future would turn out. At school her specialist subject had always been media. But she had no idea that interest would eventually lead her to a stint in TV’s famous black chair. “I’ve been working on Mastermind!” confides Jess, who is one of only 20 media apprentices, chosen to take part in the UK’s firstever Advanced Apprenticeships in Media Production. Designed specifically for people who wouldn’t usually get the chance to work in TV, some of the biggest names in TV, including the BBC, ITV Granada, Lime Pictures and the Red Production Company, joined forces to offer 16-22-year-olds the chance to take part in this first-ever media apprenticeship scheme. Devised by Northwest Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the TV, film and digital content industries, together with Skillset, BECTU and the Learning and Skills Council, nearly 300 Northwest young people originally applied for the apprenticeship scheme. Starting in September 2007, Jess and her fellow trainees spent the first three months of their apprenticeships at college, studying for an Industry Induction Certificate. During her time at college, Jess was put in touch with an industry mentor, Christine Kenrick, a BBC Entertainment Talent Manager. They met every two weeks to talk about Jess’ progress, and it was Christine who helped Jess secure her first placement at the BBC. “I couldn’t believe it when I was asked to work on Mastermind,” confides Jess. “I’d watched the programme before, but suddenly I was actually working within the Entertainment Department that produces it. “I’ve done so much in the time I’ve been here,” she says. “To start with I sat in on the contestant auditions and took notes, then I did general admin tasks, putting contestant packs together, and now I’m currently helping to find new audiences for the programmes they’re recording in March.
“I’ve even done some research and writing the questions for the Mastermind online quiz. And I’ve watched every single episode recorded, so I know all the answers to all the questions – I’ll be able to show off when it’s eventually broadcast!” And it’s not just Mastermind that Jess is now an expert on. “I got to work on Crimewatch for a day,” she explains. “I had to meet and greet the actors who were taking part in the reconstructions, help them fill in forms and take their photograph, then I watched the auditions and even helped the director choose which actors to use.” The Mastermind placement has certainly broadened Jess’ awareness of the industry, showing her just how many opportunities there are. At school she’d done a BTEC first diploma in media, which included some editing/post-production, and which she’d really enjoyed. And at college, when the apprentices were asked to make a short film, she opted to edit it, rather than getting involved in pre-production. “But since I’ve come here and done Mastermind, I’m becoming really interested in pre-production. It’s really opened my eyes to all the other possibilities out there,” she confides. After another stint in college, then a two-week break, Jess will start her second placement after Easter at Sumners in Whitworth Street, Manchester, where she’ll be able to further explore her interest in editing. In all, she’ll complete five placements during the 18-month apprenticeship.