2024 Workshop Reviews
Dr David Barker and Charlotte Marcus provided students with a comprehensive overview of the publishing industry and an in-depth look at the editorial sector.
Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for MA Publishing at the University of Derby, Dr Barker shared his extensive knowledge of the publishing industry, drawing from over 20 years of experience in both London and New York. His talk provided a broad perspective on the publishing industry, offering valuable insights into its evolution, challenges, and future directions.
Following this, Keele alumna and freelance editor and proofreader Charlotte Marcus provided a closer look at the editorial process. With expertise in commissioning, copywriting, editing, marketing, and publishing, Charlotte highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary communication, particularly in the medical and scientific fields.
Freelance photographer and Keele alumnus Thom Bartley shared invaluable insights from his professional journey, focusing particularly on aspects of freelancing that are often overlooked, such as financial management and navigating the complexities of self-employed life.
During his presentation, Thom encouraged open dialogue about the realities of working in the dynamic world of freelancing, and his informal and relatable style resonated well with students.
After graduating with a Law degree from Keele in 2008, Thom worked with prominent, well-known organisations such as Google and TEDx Brum before pursuing his career as a freelance photographer.
Kids Planning and Programming Assistant at Paramount Nusrat Shaikh shared tips and advice about what it takes to get a programme onto screens, from pitching an idea and the production process to it appearing on television.
Nusrat emphasised the importance of understanding your target audience when developing content for particular channels and highlighted how age-appropriate themes and relatable characters are crucial for engagement. She also outlined the pitching process, explaining that a strong idea must be clearly articulated in a pitch document or presentation, and advised aspiring creators to focus on originality while also considering existing programming to ensure that their ideas stand out.
Nusrat’s insights were particularly useful for students interested in pursuing careers in television production, particularly children’s programming.
Senior Lecturer in Law and Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at the Open University Dr Kara Johnson shared her extensive expertise and knowledge of law, particularly focusing on law in film and media.
During the interactive session, students delved into essential legal principles that shape the creative industries. Through real-world examples, such as the Aldi and Marks and Spencer’s legal challenge around the Colin and Cuthbert caterpillar cakes, students explored critical aspects of media law, intellectual property rights, and defamation issues that significantly impact filmmakers and media professionals.
The workshop helped to equip aspiring directors, producers and content creators with tools to navigate the often-complex legal landscape of their chosen industry. By fostering an understanding of these legal frameworks, Kara empowered students to be able to protect their creative works, while also effectively managing potential legal challenges.
