When I saw the placement at a TV production company advertised through the OOC DTP, I applied with a CV and covering letter, and was invited to an in-person interview at the company's London offices. I didn't fully appreciate at the time how well it would end up complementing my doctoral research.
The Work
I was based with a production team working on a historical docu-drama for a major US TV network. My main task was producing three visual reference guides to support the show's production, drawing on both digital and physical archives to source and contextualise historical imagery. Alongside this, I wrote research notes to support the scriptwriting process. During the placement, I led update meetings to present work in progress to the wider team, and I regularly attended team and company meetings where broader project and company developments were discussed. This gave me a much fuller picture of how a production actually comes together, from research through to screen.
Meeting My Training Needs
I had a lack of prior experience working with visual sources, but this turned out to be one of the most valuable parts of the placement: it pushed me to think creatively about how to translate the analytical and archival skills I'd already developed through my PhD into a new kind of task. I came away having genuinely enjoyed working with visual material. I was also fortunate that the historical period and geography of the project aligned closely with my thesis, which meant I could bring real subject-matter expertise to the table from day one.
Highlights and Achievements
The team itself was small, welcoming, and helpful, and I was given exactly the right balance of autonomy and guidance, enough independence to take ownership of my work, with support close at hand when I needed it. A particular highlight was the structured programme of meetings with the recruitment team and producers, including a one-to-one mentoring session, which gave me genuine insight into how the film and television industry operates. The whole experience was also a valuable change of pace from academic research, giving me a taste of working within a corporate and creative environment, with high standards of professionalism throughout.
Advice for Future Placement Students
If you're considering a placement, don't let a perceived skills gap put you off applying. Skills developed during a PhD are more transferable than they might first appear. I'd also encourage you to seek out opportunities, where possible, to have a foot in meetings beyond your immediate task, this is where you'll pick up the most valuable insight into how an industry and organisation actually works.
