Creative and Media Careers
Are you considering a career in the creative and media industries but don't know where to start? We ran our annual week of events from the 27-31 January with lots of opportunites for students to hear from industry experts and explore their options!
We ran the following online sessions which you can watch back in the Webinars to Watch section below:
- Freelancing in the Creative Industries
- Job Guide: Documentary, Factual and Reality TV
- Not Performing but still working in the Arts: Panel event
Other on-campus events that took place were:
- Sports Media Panel
- Introduction to Working in Film and TV
- Million Pound Ideas: Making Money in TV
- Creative Industries Takeover Day
- Getting Work as an Actor
Useful resources
In addition to our online and in-person events, there are lots of other ways that you can find out more about careers in the Creatives Industries. Here are just a few of them:
- Thinking about working in film/TV/screen industries but not sure what role might suit you? Here’s a fabulous e-learning course brought to you by Screenskills that will help you get started – well worth an hour of your time! Getting into the screen industries - ScreenSkills
- Interested in learning more about the Games industry? Did you know that Guildford/Surrey is home to many of the UK’s biggest and most important games companies and the Guildford Games Festival will be attended by many of them and takes place in February each year.
- Free journalism workshops - register online now! News Associates are running a series of great online workshops that will give you a glimpse of life as a news or sports journalist. Some workshops are online, others are in person, but hurry and register for your place quickly as these will be REALLY popular and REALLY useful!
- Read this blog from recent graduate Leo Wynne who is a Video Editor at the nDreams Academy!
There are also lots of resources on Moodle, including:
Media & Creative Industries
Working with Words
Read our resource guides:
Film, TV and Media Careers Resources
Music and Sound Careers Resources
Read this alumni blog:
The Realities of Life as a Freelance Writer
Webinars to Watch
Are you ready to take your first steps into finding out more about the world of freelancing?
Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring industry professionals who have turned their passion for creativity into thriving freelance careers.
- Get honest advice on the challenges and rewards of freelancing.
- Ask your burning questions during our live Q&A session
Recorded January 2025
Watch the webinar
Love documentary? Addicted to reality TV? Fascinated by factual content?
If you want to find out how to get your first job in factual content creation in film and TV, join Media Arts' award-winning producers Helen Littleboy and Rebecca Hayman, Development Executive, Senior Producer & Teaching Fellow in Film and TV Producing to find out more.
Recorded January 2025
Watch the webinar
Think a career in the arts is only for performers? Think again! Join our online panel to explore the diverse and exciting opportunities that exist behind the scenes in the creative industries.
What You'll Discover:
- Insights into careers in production, directing, arts management, and more.
- Advice from industry professionals who have built successful non-performing careers in the arts.
- Tips on how to leverage your skills and passion for the arts in roles off the stage.
- A chance to ask questions and gain practical advice during the Q&A session.
Whether you’re exploring alternative paths in the arts or want to understand the range of roles that make the industry thrive, this session is for you!
Panel:
- Wendy Haines - Project Manager and Freelance Writer / Producer (alumni) at Create Arts
- Sophia Chimonas - Education and Community Coordinator at The Old Vic
- Hannah Harding - Creative Development & Communications Manager, Good Chance Theatre
Recorded January 2025
Watch the webinar
Watch this webinar to find out about all things books and publishing!
Are you thinking about a future career in book publishing? Would you like to know more about what it entails and the skills publishers are looking for?
This event was hosted by Suzanne Collier, the founder of bookcareers.com, the independent careers service for book publishing. Suzanne has been described as THE person to speak to if you want to get ahead in book publishing.
Recorded January 2024
Watch the webinar
Join Olivia, Editor-In-Chief of The Orbital Magazine, along with Deputy Editor Beth for a conversation with Bridget O'Sullivan, a Royal Holloway graduate who now works for GB News.
Bridget talks about her time at university and what her working life is like. She discusses the challenges of her role, career highlights and more! She will also offer advice for those of you looking to pursue a pursue a career in journalism.
Webinar available soon
Hear from alumni working as freelancers in the creative industries, discover the pros and cons, and how to make a success of it:
- Callum McCartney - Freelance Producer/Facilitator for theatre performance/community projects and live events (BA Theatre)
- Natasha O'Neill - Freelancer / Lead Creative Producer and Co-Founder, EDNAEDNA (BA Drama, Theatre & Stagecraft)
- Liam Fleming - Freelance Actor (BA Theatre and Creative Writing)
- Ashleigh Wilmot - Freelance Producer / Reporter (BA English and Drama)
- Nabs Aziz - Director at Cilantro / Actor (BSc Economics, Politics & International Relations)
- Sam T - Freelance comedy writer / voice actor (BA Media Arts)
Recorded January 2023
Watch the recording here
Many of you tell us that you love writing and would love to make a career out of it.
In this session we heard from alumni who are doing just that. Discover how they got started, what their jobs entail and what advice they have for those of you wanting to do something similar:
Kyle Hoekstra - Writer / Product Executive at History Hit
Ellie Ajao - Freelance Author and presenter
Ffion Enlli - Freelance Writer and Editor
Alice Barnes - Brown - Freelancer / Currently Acting Senior Features Editor, loveEXPLORING
Recorded January 2022
Watch the recording here
Hear from alumni panellists:
- Rhiannon Simmonds - Assistant Producer, Supermassive Games Ltd
- Ben Howard - Senior Vice President, CBSi Games at CBS Interactive
- Alexander Horowitz - Game Developer, Audio Specialist, Composer
- Crystal 'Vinny' Lai - Events and Community Executive, One, Esports
- Jason Tzaidas - Senior Gameplay Programmer , Splash Damage
Recorded February 2022
Watch the recording here
Guided practical session led by Careers Consultant Jo Edmondson, with freelancers from the film and television industry. Speakers:
- Adam Barber - Production Manager, Air TV
- Faiza Hosenie - Freelance Line Producer
Recorded February 2021
Watch the recording here
This session provides top tips and advice on how best to get into the entertainment TV industry (behind the scenes). Presenters:
- Lauren Evans, Talent Manager for ITV Entertainment
- Sacha Wells, Talent Coordinator for ITV Entertainment
Recorded February 2021
Watch the recording here
A great session for anyone interested in working in the TV, Film and broadcast industries. Panellists:
- Rhaya Barton - Broadcast Journalist, BBC Breakfast
- Keith Wallace - Senior Producer, BBC
- Mia Harvey – Aspiring Documentary Maker – training at NFTS (formerly Researcher)
- David Mackie - Director of Photography
- Freya Dane - Freelance Production Secretary / Junior Researcher
Recorded February 2021
Watch the recording here
If you’re looking at getting into writing, then this is the session for you! Panellists:
- Julia Armfield - Fiction Author
- Kat Harty - Copywriter
- Tanyel Mustafa - Freelance Lifestyle Journalist
- Ben Golding - Creative Lead at Fox & Hare
Recorded March 2021
Watch the recording here
An overview of the immersive sector and introduction to StoryFutures. Panellists:
- Will Saunders, CCO, StoryFutures
- Olivia Hinkin, Network and Outreach Officer, StoryFutures
- Kim-Leigh Pontin, Creative Director, Nexus
- Dr Ivan Isakov, CTO, Valkyrie Industries
- Frances Dennis, Client Development Director, Brandwidth
- Tupac Martir, Creative Director and Founder, Satore Studio
Watch the recording here
Listen to Rhaya Barton - Broadcast Journalist, BBC Breakfast in this podcast, as she talks about her career journey from Royal Holloway to BBC Breakfast.
Discover your Prospects
Prospects is a useful website where you can explore the different roles in a sector. From Broadcast journalist to Video Editor and Radio Producer check out the many roles they have listed.
Another useful resource is the ScreenSkills website, which has some excellent short courses and also lists vacancies.