Here are some answers to some questions which I regularly get asked. Hope it helps!
How did you become a presenter at History Hit TV?
I have always been really involved in history, and been very proactive in historical projects - setting up award winning history magazines, putting on history shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, entering competitions, writing articles etc. After studying History at uni, I began a job at History Hit, where I had a go at everything - running social media accounts, editing podcasts and documentaries, writing scripts, producing and presenting.
What’s your biggest piece of career advice?
Be proactive. If you want something to happen, find the email or phone number for the relevant person and get in touch. Every stage in my career - getting an agent, getting a book deal, working at History Hit - has come from sending an email out of the blue. Don’t wait for the opportunity to appear, as often this will happen at the wrong time and you’ll be competing with many other candidates. If you’re interested in country houses, turn up to the National Trust AGM and meet the people who run it. If your dream is to be a history writer or presenter, volunteer at festivals like Chalke Vallery or Gloucester History Festival and get some contacts. If you want to make the next Gladiator film, get yourself up there to the Edinburgh Film and TV festival and get a feel for how it works, and find out who might be able to help.
I’m a history student - how can I make a career from working in history?
Most importantly - you can. The challenge is working out which area to go into. Think about what you’d actually like to do day to day. Working in an archive is very different from working on location at a TV shoot or running a museum. Do you like the academic side of things or do you want to work as a creative - perhaps bringing history to the theatre, to podcasts, to schools? Do you want to conserve, curate, teach, perform, manage, pitch, produce, edit, script or present? Which would you prefer to be - a producer on the BBC series Ghosts, part of the marketing team at Cardiff Castle, a tour guide at Ardoch Roman fort or the author of the next Edexcel History textbook? Do you want to work alone or with people? Do you want to work or live in a historic location, or not? It’s good to think about these things as it will point you in the right direction. Any clarification on this will come from getting some work experience. Even just a couple of days will help clarify things, and sometimes a small company is much better as they give you bigger opportunities and you can actually get a good feel for how the whole operation works.
Any advice for working in TV?
I don’t have much insight into working in big production companies or organisations, but I have heard work experience is always really helpful to get your foot in the door. From my experience, the best thing you can do is start making content. Make a few 3 minute films using your phone. If you do this ten times you’ll have had a go at the basics, and you’ll notice a vast improvement. It will also tell you which aspect of the process you enjoy the most, and give you something to show for at job interviews.
But most importantly…
GO FOR IT!