4Talent heads to York

Channel 4’s acclaimed new talent scheme 4Talent will hold a 4Talent Day in York next month as the initiative, focussing on youth continues its journey across the UK.

York St John University and York Museums Trust have partnered with Channel 4 to host the 4Talent Day which takes place on Thursday 21 February 2013 (from 8.45am) at the Yorkshire Museum.

Working closely with the local creative industry, the day will offer 16 to 25 year olds keen to learn about working in the media, the opportunity to network with professionals, take part in hands-on workshops and gain an insight into the routes through to work experience placements. 

Guest industry speaker Paul Robertson, owner of North East based Robertson Media, will present on the day.

Produced for Channel 4 by Carol Alevroyianni Associates, the day in York will include four master class sessions. In The Art of Documentary Film Making Director Rad Miller will explore the techniques behind factual film making and create a short form documentary script/film within the workshop. Presenter and comic Reuben Christian comes straight from the MOBO awards red carpet interviews to show delegates how to kick start their TV career online, just as he did. His The session,Presenting the Story will work on presentation techniques and producing film in the absence of the latest high spec equipment. Award-winning BBC News journalist Jules McCarthy will lead a practical news-writing and presenting session including hands on tasks designed to illustrate how news really works across print and online whilst building confidence in telling stories, meeting deadlines and finding a voice. And finally Andrew Davis, social media trainer and consultant to companies including MTV, Paramount Pictures, Saatchi & Saatchi and BlackBerry, will share with delegates how to build their online personal brand presence through the medium of social media.

Channel 4 employees Alexandra Gwilliam, Sales Assistant and Brandon O’Keeffe, Traffic Assistant in Agency Sales, will deliver the ‘My Job, My Journey’ talk and share their employment journey which began in their home town of York.

Attending one of the 4Talent days automatically qualifies young people to apply for the Channel 4 Work Experience scheme, of which 42% of participants find further experience or employment in the industry as a result.

4Talent’s approach to 2013 reflects Channel 4’s mission to break down barriers and engage with and develop the widest range of talent. By demystifying the media sector, 4Talent aims to help young people from all backgrounds navigate their way into a hugely competitive industry.

Diane Herbert, Channel 4’s Director of Human Resources said: “At Channel 4 we know that good ideas can come from anywhere. The creative industries have huge potential to provide growth and employment, and we want to make sure that nobody is excluded from that and this is why we are taking our 4Talent Days to more unexpected places around the UK. This year we are looking for new talent with fresh perspectives in places such as York, Sunderland, Aberdeen, Falmouth and more.”