Lucy Watson, camera assistant trainee, dock10, tells TVBEurope about landing her “dream job” straight out of university, and why working on set helps her to learn more than in a classroom.
Talk us through an average day in your role.
I’m six months into an 18-month-long camera assistant traineeship at dock10, and every day is hugely varied. When I first started here, we had a lot of training. Now it’s all about putting that training into practice and learning from others during shows. Recently, I worked on The 1% Club and Children In Need, supporting the camera assistant and camera operator. I’ll help to rig the cameras, help during the show and de-rig when filming has finished. It’s a great way to learn – you pick up so much more on set than you do in a classroom.
How did you get started in the media industry?
This is my very first job. I went straight from school to Bournemouth University where I studied television production. I graduated in June. I handed in my final project on a Thursday and started this job the following Monday, moving to Manchester. It all happened so fast. I saw the dock10 ad and thought ‘This is my dream job’. So, I applied, never thinking I would get it. Then I was invited for interview. I think my passion for TV came across in the interview. I remember talking a lot about sitcoms, which I love, and my boss really likes too – so I was lucky in that sense. Then I got the job! it still shocks me to this day. In 2022, I was watching Children in Need as research for one of my university projects – 12 months later, I was working on it.
What training did you have before entering the industry?
As part of my university course, I mainly focused on studio and camera work, which I was really interested in. I also got some work experience as a researcher at a production company in London. The work experience was really useful, mainly because it taught me that this was an area of TV that I didn’t want to work in! I met some great people but realised that sitting down all day in a small office isn’t something for me.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
I was really into photography at school. I was also really interested in what went on behind the scenes in films and TV shows. When I was thinking about university, I initially thought about photography. As I was researching photography courses, I came across television production. The more I researched television production, the more interested I became in studying it. I’m so glad I did – it’s 100 per cent what I want to be doing.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours?
I’d say apply to as many jobs or trainee positions as you can. The more applications you put in the better. From most, you won’t hear anything back, but you will from one. That is what happened to me. Just take a chance, even if you don’t think you are going to get the job. Look at me – I came straight from university without any experience. I never thought I’d get this job. But people like to take chances on you. And people in this industry are so nice; they really want to help because they were in your position once. It’s really important to put yourself out there. I know that not everybody feels comfortable with doing that. I struggled with it a lot myself. But it’s something that you just have to do.
