We posted an ad for local TV job in Norfolk because obviously, if they live local, you pay less in travel. Also, they’re starting their day with 30 mins travel time instead of three hours which means they’ll have more energy for filming. I, on the other hand will have got up at 5am to leave home for the train at 6am, be there at 9am. That means that by 3pm I will be falling asleep. Most importantly, they’ll have local knowledge, so if a bit of kit breaks, they’ll know where we can get a replacement. And when it comes to lunch, they’re know the best local cafes. And when we’re heading home in rush hour, a sneaky route to avoid traffic.

Why you should be local to apply for a Local TV Job

One of the applicants for this local TV job sent us this as their introduction:

Multi skilled camera operator – that’s me!

Wow, I’ve had a look at the ad going on Production Base and came across this, it suites me down to a tee! My greatest passion in the world is working with moving pictures being a visual story teller. I love working in a team dealing with a lot of different interviewees and cases. Being able to do it in a vibrant and exciting place like ITN, is a dream for me. I’ve heard only positive things about ITN from freelancers who are working with you

Local TV jobAnd so it went on, over 500 words of cut’n’paste drivel. And at the end? An address in Chiswick. Which isn’t even in East London, let alone East Anglia. At least other applicants explained they were either living in Norfolk/Suffolk, or had places they could stay there.

Clearly, this applicant has just seen an ad for a camera person, and hit send. They hadn’t read or responded at all to the ad itself. What does this say to me? The camera person is so desperate for work they’ll reply to anything in the hope of getting work. This kind of scatter gun approach to applying for everything is really annoying as an employer.

Clearly Creative Tip

Target your applications, target your copy. Make your covering letter directly relevant and engaged with the vacancy, or it will turn your potential employer off even if your skills are perfect.

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Gavin Ricketts is a Producer/Director with over twenty year's experience. His courses on finding work in the creative industries has helped hundreds of Film and TV Crew win more work.