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CLS Connections - Guests: Screen Industries

Wed 11 March
14:30-16:00
Michael Sadler LG10
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photo of Lisa HoldsworthChair: Lisa Holdsworth, She/Her      

BA Film & Theatre Studies, University of North London (now London Metropolitan)

Job Title: Self Employed, Screenwriter and Producer

Job description: I am a script writer for television, film and theatre. I write and produce on existing TV shows and have developed and produced my own shows. I also write and produce theatre.

My top tip: "Shy bairns get nowt" or don't be so afraid of rejection that you never put yourself out there.

Three things to ask me:
1. Careers in TV Writing/Production
2. The Writer's Guild of Great Britain
3. Writing in general.

Social media:
@lisaholdsworth.bsky.social

Eli Rainsberry at a laptop with a screen behind themEli Rainsberry, They/Them

BMus Music (University of Surrey, 2015), MMus Sonic Arts (Goldsmiths, 2017)

Job title: Self-employed composer and sound designer for games

Job description: I compose music and design sounds for visual media, mainly independent video games, working as an audio lead on most of my games. This involves shaping the direction of the game musically and sonically, as well as collaborating closely with the developers I'm working with.

My top tip: Make the most of the resources you have and the spaces you're in, and the surrounding area of where you're studying! There may be events that align with your interests and values, and having the chance to meet and make friends with folks looking for similar things can go a long way with developing connections that resonate most with you.

Three things to ask me:
1. Music composition, music production and sound design
2. Freelance life from an autistic/ADHD perspective
3. Meeting and collaborating with folks working in different creative spaces

Social media:
https://elirainsberry.bandcamp.com, @elirainsberry on all socials

Shola Adesina sitting at a table at a CLS event 2025Shola Adesina,  She/Her             

BA Journalism (Industrial), University of Leeds ( 2024)

Job Title: Social Video Producer, Leeds+/Social+

Job Description: I started my career working in Factual TV, before and during my time studying Journalism at UoL - now I produce social media content daily at Leeds’s social media news brand with 400,000 followers across platforms!

I work our editorial coverage and advertorial work. This time last year I’d just finished a 6 month traineeship with Channel 4, with 2 months training and 4 months on placement, I focused on content creation and social media.

My top tip: Collaborate, and connect! Reach out and make relationships with your community, be that academically or otherwise. You never know when a friend might be able to help you out of a pickle.

Ask me about:

1. Documentary/factual production (TV, radio, digital)
2. Networking
3. Formal vs informal training (production skills)

Contact Me:
@sholagram - https://oshoadesina8.wixsite.com/sholaadesina

Maddy Birks standing in front of the Great Hall in her graduation robeMadeleine Birks, She/Her        

BA Cultural and Media Studies (Industrial), University of Leeds (2024)

Job Title: Junior Producer, Limehouse Films

Job description: As a Junior Producer, I see projects from start to completion, delivering high quality film and animation outputs to clients. My job involves a lot of team work, organisation and creative problem solving to make films happen!

My top tip: Don't underestimate the power of a (polite) cheeky ask! The worst they can say is no!

Three things to ask me:
1. What skills do you need for a career in production
2. How to stand out on a film shoot
3. How to carve out opportunities for yourself

Social media:
My LinkedIn is www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-birks-284263198

 

Profile photo of Ben TagoeBen Tagoe, He/Him

BA Creative Writing, University of Leeds, 2005

Job Title: Self-employed screenwriter and playwright

Job description: I write scripts for TV and theatre. I also direct theatre.

My top tip: Don't try and second guess things too much, the world needs authenticity and passion.

Three things to ask me:
1. Writing for TV
2. Writing for theatre
3. Surviving as a freelancer

Social media:
btagoe17 on Twitter and Instagram

Riana Duce photoRiana Duce, She/Her

BA Writing, Directing and Performance, University of York

Job Title: Self-employed actor

My top tip: Cultivate a life you enjoy outside of your career. Make spending time with loved ones a priority, find another creative outlet, book the holiday. Prioritise joy. You can't put your life on pause “just in case” something comes up - jobs WILL work out around your life, it shouldn’t be the other way around. Your self-worth shouldn’t depend on work, and the easiest way to make that happen is to enjoy life elsewhere.

Three things to ask me:
1. The day to day of being an actor and/or a self-employed person.
2. Specific jobs, favourite jobs, how different people work/how the role of being an actor differs from job to job.
3. Being from a working class background and an actor of colour in the industry.

Social media:
Instagram: @rianaduce