Seven students undertook work experience with Madeleine Knight

Two students working at a computer together

Over recent months, students from across Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology have had the opportunity to work alongside Freelance Executive Producer, Madeleine Knight gaining valuable experience about pre-production processes within broadcast media.

Seven students undertook work experience with Madeleine in the summer helping to research stories, identify potential programme contributors and supporting on pitching documents. The students worked remotely and had regular check ins to help guide their development and understanding. Work experience in this way helped the students to build their contacts and experience working with industry which will be valuable when they graduate.

In October, Madeleine also offered a series of one-to-one sessions for students on a wide variety of programmes including BATAR, Film, Post Production & Editing, Media Production and MA Wildlife Photography. These sessions allowed students to lead the conversation, ask burning questions and get career guidance as well as ask for tips on their current creative work they have made at University.

Madeleine Knight is a Freelance Executive Producer, specialising in developing ideas for all broadcasters including Channel 4, ITV, BBC, Netflix & Discovery. Madeleine has previously worked at Channel 4 as a commissioning editor and at ITV as Director of Development. Madeleine recently worked as Executive Producer for Green Space Dark Skies, working on the BBC One Countryfile broadcast. 

  • Madeleine, Freelance Executive Producer, said:

"Work experience demystifies the sometimes, complex world of broadcasting and offers students essential ‘air miles’ in the industry and is the essential first step on the ladder. There are so many roles in television, the best way to find out what you want to do in the industry is to try it. Students supported by researching the foundations for new ideas across factual and entertainment genres, coming up with ideas, casting stories and producing treatments. The best work experience placements play to an individuals' strengths and students had regular feedback to keep students on track with their ideas and teaches them to tailor ideas to a particular broadcaster, adding elements that make it fresh and new."

  • Jade Harniess, Placements & Employability Assistant, said:

“The work experience and 1:1 sessions that Madeleine Knight has offered students across the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology has enabled them to develop their employability skills and gain insight into the TV Production industry.

As an Executive TV Producer who has worked with Channel 4, ITV, BBC, Netflix, and Discovery, Madeleine has a vast amount of experience in the industry. Being able to work with and learn from such an expert in the field, has been a fantastic way for students to build an industry connection as well as gain a deeper understanding of how to break it into the industry, what is takes to succeed and what type of roles are available.

We will continue to work with Madeleine to help support the next generation of TV producers!"