Kara Tointon of Eastenders fame gives an insight into her own dyslexia

You may have missed the recent documentary by Kara Tointon called ‘ Don’t call me stupid’.  If you did and you would like an insight into her experience of dyslexia and how she manages it click here.

February 2011 is UCL Diversity Month

There’s a full programme of free events to celebrate diversity and examine the challenges some groups face in education, work and society more generally. The theme of the programme this year is Making connections, challenging assumptions. Examples of events include: Film screenings every Wednesday 18:30 in the AV Hill LT. Films to include: You live and burn (69′), (Finland – Iiris Härmä, Finland 2007); The Last Summer of La Boyita (93′) (El ultimo verano de La Boyita: Julia Solomonoff, Argentina 2009); Diary of a Times Square Thief (60′) (USA (New York), The Netherlands (Amsterdam) – Klaas Bense, The Netherlands 2008);To the Marriage of True Minds (12′), (Andrew Steggall UK 2009); Eddie and Thea (61′) (Gréta Olafsdóttir and Susan Muska 2009) (Documentary). On 1 February: 13:00-14:00: ‘Pinkstinks: the end of childhood. Why the obsession with femininity is bad for little girls’ by Abi Moore of Pinkstinks, which is a campaign and social enterprise that challenges the culture of pink which invades every aspect of girls’ lives. This talk will look at the boundaries taught to young girls and will discuss the damaging messages about what it is to be a girl. 2 February 18:00-19:30 “White Lies: racism, class and educational inequality”, Professor Gillborn, Institute of Education. The lecture will review how an image of white people as the new race victims has been created and look beneath this facade to explore the continuing significance of racism as a daily reality in education, from primary schools to universities. It will be followed by a panel discussion including Hugh Muir (Guardian Journalist) and Gloria Hyatt MBE (pioneer of the country’s first school independent school for black and minority ethnic students.)  10 February 18:00-19:00 Queer in the time of terro, by Dr. Rahul Rao, School of Oriental and African Studies. This talk will look at recent Western activist initiatives responding to the apparent persecution of homosexuals in Iran. Dr. Rao will look at some of the ways in which LGBT rights activism has become entangled in the security preoccupations and panics of the ongoing ‘war on terror’ and will consider some of the dilemmas of LGBT activists in the Middle East, as well as LGBT activists of colour in the West, in responding to these entanglements. 22 February 18:00-19:30 Leading the way and opening doors Members of Age Concern’s Opening Doors Central London Project will be speaking about their experiences of being gay or lesbian in far less liberal times – examining how society has changed over the decades as a direct result of tireless campaigning for LGBT equality. Full programme and to register here.

Caroline Thomson, chief operating officer at the BBC, on diversity

A short video where the Chief Operating Officer at the BBC talks about diversity.  The BBC’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies include details of workforce schemes (disability, gender and race) and equality targets.

Breaking into the publishing world

Pearson Diversity Summer Internship: Open Evening on 8th February 2011 offers you a chance to find out more about this programme and see if it’s for you.  The scheme has been running for several years now and you can get further information and feedback from previous interns by visiting the website http://summerinternships.pearson.com

Opportunities for ethnic minorities at the BBC

The BBC participates in the Cultural Diversity Network (CDN) which seeks to change broadcasting by more accurately reflecting our multicultural society. In line with this initiative Audio & Music are offering Work Experience in different departments. BBC actively encourages people from an ethnic minority background to apply as they are currently under-represented within these areas. Examples of current work placement include:

• A&M Production

• Radio 3

• BBC Concert Orchestra

• BBC Proms

• BBC Singers
  

For further help on locating or applying to work experience opportunities, please visit your university’s careers service.

Diversity in the Media

The media industry has been notorious in the past for their inability to reflect the nations make-up, both on screen and within their work force.  And in today’s climate, with the frequency of unpaid work experience and internships, are they any closer to addressing this issue?
The Guardian, in association with the BBC, Chanel 4, Sky and ITV has an established website (Diversity in Media ) exploring topical issues of diversity within the media.  It covers most areas of diversity and is a really good resource for anyone interested in perusing a career within the media.   The articles are frequently updated and changed and there is a chance to voice your own opinions within the feedback sections.
The old adage of  ‘it’s who you know, not what you know’ still does apply within this industry so get out there, attend events, enter competitions, look at the work schemes and put yourself in the spotlight.  Starting by understanding what is current within an industry is the best way to begin this process.

Training for female film-makers

In association with Skillset, Birds Eye View are offering a range of training for female film-makers at reduced prices. These would be excellent networking and learning opportunities.

• LFA presents: Post-production reinvented
• NFTS presents: Marketing in the Digital World
• BAFTA presents: How Shooting on HD is changing Hair & Make Up
• Ravensbourne presents: RED Camera work flows
• VET presents: Digital Cinematography – the implications for women in the camera department
• Escape Studios presents: 3D Graphics and Visual Effects
• Training / Doc: Shooting Women + Director Q&A
• Pitch & Connect and Meet the Producers with NPA
• Open Screen
• Meet the Filmmakers: in partnership with Shooting People
• Shooting People Presents: Let’s Get Digital

The organisation, Birds Eye View, looks like one to keep an eye on, as it is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the work of women in film-making. Why?

Did you know that only 6% of film directors and 12% of screenwriters are women?

Exactly. So take a look at their site, the blog has some great interviews. Or you can find them on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

Media Makes Good

The media sector is perhaps held with some suspician by many in the UK as being the preserve of the white middle classes and mostly male to boot. However Skillset and others in the industry are making huge efforts to change this. There is lots of information on the Skillset website but a few of the key iniatives across the media sector include:

The George Viner Memorial Fund – funding and mentoring for those from a BME background wanting to following a career in journalism.

Dipnet – Diversity in Publishing Network - a new website supporting the increase of diversity in publishing.

Audio Visual Entrepreneurship Development Partnership - supported over 700 people from diverse backgrounds over the last 2 years to get into the film and tv sector and a video by the participants provides great inspiration for those wanting to join this sector.

Overall the main message seems to be one of positive encouragement and you can find out the latest by going to http://www.skillset.org/skillset/diversity