New 2009 Advisory Chair
Elaine Bedell, Director of ITV Entertainment and Comedy, has been appointed Advisory Chair of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival Advisory Committee, taking over from 2008’s Chair Andrew Mackenzie.
As Chair, Bedell will be responsible for the editorial direction of the Festival’s programme – from commissioning session ideas to overseeing final production. Working closely with the Festival Office, the Advisory Chair brings together a committee from across the entire industry to advise and produce festival sessions.
At the BBC Bedell lead the group that commissioned Entertainment and Factual Entertainment across all BBC channels and multiplatform. She commissioned and managed the BBC’s successful and varied Entertainment slate, which includes Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear, I'd Do Anything, Last Choir Standing, The Apprentice, Dragons' Den, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mary Queen Of Shops and Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. Previously, she was the BBC's Commissioning Editor for Features and Factual Entertainment. She joined ITV in January 2009 as Director of Entertainment and Comedy.
Bedell started her career at the BBC as a trainee and produced programmes for BBC Radio 4 – including Start The Week, Midweek and You And Yours. Elaine left the BBC to become Head of Factual Entertainment at Tiger Aspect where she produced It's Just A Ride with Bill Hicks (Channel 4) and Paul Merton's Life Of Comedy (BBC). She went on to become Managing Director of Watchmaker, the independent production company she set up she with Clive James and Richard Drewett.
When Watchmaker was bought by the Chrysalis Group, Elaine became MD of Chrysalis Entertainment and oversaw its comedy and sitcom output (Sam's Game and Black Books). She went on to set up the commercial arm of the Royal Shakespeare Company before returning to the BBC. She has won a BAFTA and a British Comedy Award.
Tim Hincks, Executive Committee Chair 2008 and Chief Executive, Endemol UK, said: “The television festival is the premier multimedia event of the year which provokes, stimulates and entertains in equal measure. Elaine will make an exceptional advisory chair.”
Bedell, added: “I am very pleased to have been invited to chair next year’s Festival. Andrew Mackenzie produced a great, feel-good Festival this year, and I am looking forward to working with the committee to create some equally compelling and entertaining sessions next year.”
Previous advisory chairs have included Andrew Mackenzie, C4 Head of Factual Entertainment; Alison Sharman, ITV's Director of Factual and Daytime. Tim Hincks, Chief Executive of Endemol UK, Celador's Head of Factual Entertainment Murray Boland, Tiger Aspect's Charles Brand, Cheetah Television's Creative Director Sara Ramsden, ITV's Director of Global Content Dawn Airey, BBC Director General Mark Thompson and Discovery USA's Jane Root.
This year’s MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Festival attracted a record number of delegates not only from the UK but across the globe from South Africa to Finland, the USA and Australia. The Festival is a charitable organisation which also runs two free talent schemes -- The Network and Fast Track -- helping young people from a diverse range of backgrounds to get in and get on in the industry. This year there were 42 Fast Track and 150 The Network delegates. Hip Hop artist Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D stunned the Network delegates making a surprise appearance at the MTV Masterclass and Sharon Osbourne delivered a compelling speech at a Special Masterclass.
Jonathan Hall from Tiger Aspect was the lucky Fast Track winner of the 'Life's a Pitch' session and walked away with a £12,000 commission for a 3 x 3' programme due to air in a 6.25pm slot on Five. The Network and Fast Track are funded through the MGEITF, with approximately one-third of delegate fees going towards these schemes.
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Note to Editors:
About MGEITF
A unique opportunity for individuals from across the media to share ideas, make new contacts and reconnect with friends and colleagues, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival offers delegates a varied programme of topical debates, masterclasses, keynote lectures and networking opportunities from leading UK and international media figures. The Festival programme is developed by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from across the industry.
The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is a delegate entry event which annually attracts over 2000 delegates from all sectors and levels of the industry including a range of terrestrial broadcasters, cable, satellite and digital companies and independent producers.
About Fast Track and The Network
The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival (MGEITF) is a charitable organisation which is governed by industry professionals, for the benefit of the television industry. A key part of its charitable remit is encouraging and developing new talent from a diverse range of backgrounds, and it delivers on this aim through its two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track. These schemes help over 200 young people each year to get in and get on in the television industry. The Network and Fast Track are funded through the Edinburgh International Television Festival, with approximately one-third of delegate fees going towards these schemes.
• The Network gives 150 young people each year access to 5 days of free workshops and masterclasses in Edinburgh
• Fast Track gives 40 rising TV talents with 2 – 4 years experience access to MGEITF and 2 days of special masterclasses, and this is also completely free
• Both schemes aim to develop and support a diverse television industry, with 16% of Network delegates and 19% of Fast Track delegates from a non-white background in 2008
• Network delegates are also able to apply for a 6 month paid work placement with companies like Endemol, Shine, Tiger Aspect, RDF, Nickelodeon and North One
• Fast Track Delegates are also given access to training opportunities in editing, directing, pitching and career management
• www.mgeitf.co.uk makes access to the Festival available to all, through the use of online video and audio, full sessions and highlights are available
Launched in 1990, The Network (formerly TVYP, Television and Young People) is a free industry led scheme designed to help young people from all backgrounds kick start their career in television. Those interested need no experience to apply, just a desire to learn about a career in television. Many young people aspire to work in the industry, but research conducted by MGEITF in 2006 showed that new entrants face fierce competition, low pay and ad-hoc training – all discouraging factors for many talented individuals from under represented backgrounds. The Network aims to address this through five days of workshops, career surgeries, masterclasses, and hands on training covering all aspects of the industry. The delegates gain a practical introduction to key broadcasting skills, including research, news journalism, technical skills, producing and directing. The free residential course for 150 young people aged 18+ takes place in August, alongside the Edinburgh International Television Festival. Delegates who have attended The Network are also given the opportunity to apply for a six month paid work placement through The Network at Work programme.
MGEITF Press Information:
Debra Johnson or Mary Jones, Taylor Herring PR. Tel: 0208 206 5151 Email:debra.johnson@taylorherring.com or mary.jones@taylorherring.com