News

WFTV New Mentoring Scheme for Northern Ireland

27th November 2019
Applications Open for WFTV Mentoring Scheme in Northern Ireland

Women in Film and TV (WFTV UK) have launched a new mentoring scheme in Northern Ireland and applications are currently open. The innovative new programme is designed to help women in Northern Ireland who have more than five years’ experience working in TV production, to take the next step in their career.

For the last decade, WFTV has run an industry leading scheme in London which has set new standards due to its uniquely effective approach to training. This has attracted top industry players such as Jay Hunt, Creative Director, Europe, Worldwide Video, Apple; Peter Fincham, Co-CEO, Expectation Entertainment; Sarah Gavron, director and Danny Cohen, President, Access Entertainment to become mentors.

Now WFTV wants to offer women in Northern Ireland those same opportunities.

In the first year, the Northern Ireland mentoring scheme will be run for six women and the aim – is subject to sponsorship funding – for this number to grow every year. Each of the chosen mentees will receive six hours of mentoring over six months with an experienced industry insider and would also receive telephone and email support. In addition, they will also be able to Skype and network into additional training sessions in the London mentoring scheme.

If you are a self-motivated film or television professional, live and/or work in Northern Ireland, and have a demonstrable track record and specific goals we can match you with an experienced industry figure who will act as your mentor for six months.

WFTV is committed to equal opportunities and promoting and developing diversity and inclusivity across the industry, so it puts key targets in place for this mentoring scheme to ensure the scheme is both diverse and inclusive.

WFTV would love to hear from you if you are:
A woman currently working in a production or business role within linear or multiplatform film, television or content creation. For example: producer, director, camera operator, agent, sound recordist, editor, scriptwriter, VFX, development, casting, set design, production manager or co-ordinator, distribution executive.
Have more than five years’ experience in the industry
Have at least five onscreen credits (or other suitable proof of achievement, where otherwise appropriate)
Able to attend a selection interview (expected to be scheduled in January 2020) if shortlisted.
Can commit to receiving six hours of mentoring in Northern Ireland between March 2020 – September 2020 via face-to-face meetings, email, telephone or Skype conversations as agreed with your mentor
The closing date for applications is 14:00 on Monday 16th December 2019.

If you are interested in applying please click here or visit www.wftv.org.uk for more information.

 

ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY NI AWARDS

8th November 2019
The Waddell Media team attended last night's RTS NI Awards in The MAC, Belfast.  This was the 5th year of the RTS NI Programme Awards and two of our amazing shows, The Chronicles of Mourne (BBC NI & BBC 2) and Turas Bóthair (TG4), were shortlisted in the Features/Factual Entertainment category. Unfortunately it wasn't our night to win but a fabulous night was had!

Work on the Wild Side Filming for C4

18th October 2019
Latest image from the Waddell Media crew in South Africa, filming with amazing people who dedicate their lives to working with these beautiful animals.

Family Footsteps Series 2 BBC One NI

18th October 2019
NEWS RELEASE


FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE AS NEW SERIES OF FAMILY FOOTSTEPS STARTS ON BBC ONE NI


A new series of Family Footsteps, produced by Waddell Media starts on BBC One Northern Ireland this Monday night (21 October) at 7.30pm.

Gavin Andrews takes the Smyth family from Bangor, Co Down on a genealogical detective trail as they piece together their family tree and discover fascinating insights into the lives of their family members in the 18th and 19th centuries.  It’s an adventure packed three-part 30 minutes series with lots of surprises for the Smyths that ultimately leads to a connection with a notorious historical figure.

The series starts with a boat trip for the Smyth family, who sail from Bangor across Belfast Lough to Carrickfergus, where Peter’s family lived for generations. Their first big discovery is that their former family home is now a tanning parlour! The trail leads them to Belfast’s linen industry where they discover some relatives became big shots in a very big business - linen. Going further back, they find out that business interests took this adventurous family overseas. Their next family footstep takes them all the way to the majestic St Petersburg in Russia, where it’s revealed one of their ancestors, Robert, ran a prestigious bookshop. Amongst his customers were Russia’s literary elite, including author Vladimir Nabokov. This leads to revelations of royal connections for the Smyth family – Robert’s sister, Lizzie, followed him out to Russia where she was hired as a governess for Navokov’s aunt, a famous Princess The Smyths feel it's all a long way from Bangor!

The second programme which will be shown on Monday 28th October at 7.30pm continues the Russian connection. Still in St Petersburg it transpires that another family member was operating in St Petersburg at the start of the 20th century. Ralph, brother of Robert and Lizzie, was ostensibly a businessman but evidence points to him actually being a British spy! The Russian Revolution was to have devastating consequences for this branch of the family and sent them fleeing for their lives.

Back home, Emily and Ruby take etiquette lessons to discover what life may have been like for a governess. A family Will reveals a prized possession, a harmonium, and the family enjoy a Victorian-style sing-song. And it transpires there’s another adventurer in the family, this time a sea captain who sailed around the world, surviving a shipwreck in the process. The Smyth family story is never dull!

In the final episode, its back to 1711 and a family link to a witch, as the Smyths can be traced back to a woman who was accused in the Islandmagee Witch Trials. Found guilty of witchcraft, the family discover her fate. In a family tree full of foreign adventure and travel, the real danger to the family was found much closer to home.

Family Footsteps is produced by Waddell Media for BBC Northern Ireland with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.

 
Family Footsteps starts this Monday night (21 October) at 7.30pm on BBC One Northern Ireland.


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For further information contact Orla mcKibbin on 07879 666427 or email [email protected]

Francis Brennan All Hands On Deck - Brand New Series - Starting Sunday 20th October on RTE One 9.30pm

18th October 2019
NEWS RELEASE


FRANCIS BRENNAN - ALL HANDS ON DECK STARTS SUNDAY ON RTÉ ONE

 
Ireland's favourite hotelier Francis Brennan, hits the high seas in a new three part series as he puts his hotel experience to the test and he steps into senior roles on a Baltic Cruise.

The series which is made for RTÉ by Waddell Media will follow Francis as he sails into the Baltic capitals on-board Regal Princess, a Princess Cruises ship. During each hour-long episode he will gain an insight into what life is like for the ship’s 1,400 crew members by stepping into the shoes of three of the most senior onboard roles: Maitre ‘D, Entertainment Director and Hotel General Manager.

Under the watchful eye of each crew member, Francis will see if he has what it takes to give the ship’s guests the holiday of a lifetime. Francis will try and meet a wide range of challenges, from learning first-hand what it takes to be Maitre’ D and ensuring a smooth service in the ship’s seven restaurants and numerous eateries; to arranging on-board activities for guests with the Entertainment Director; to overseeing the entire ship with its 5,000 guests and crew alongside the Hotel General Manager. 

Francis Brennan said: “I really enjoyed making this series.  I was very nervous but I just got stuck in. My approach was that I was simply working on a floating hotel so I did it all - room service, made attempts at cooking pizza and I started off by bringing passengers on an orientation tour.  There’s just so much going on all the time, from early morning to late night entertainment. Of course I had a few obstacles to overcome and at one point, for the first time in my life, I was actually speechless.”

In keeping with Francis Brennan's Grand Tour, this new series will see Francis host a number of guided shore excursions, exploring all that the Baltics have to offer. The ship will sail from Copenhagen as guests explore Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Berlin and Oslo.

Francis Brennan - All Hands On Deck begins on Sunday 20th October, at 9.30 PM on RTÉ One.

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