28th August 2024

The Career Story of…Simone Haywood

What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m the Creative Director in London and I oversee multiple productions at any one time whilst also helping to devise and develop and pitch new IP along with Ana and the development team. I am also the unofficial head of the ‘Mumsnet’ table in London where anyone is welcome to come and moan about sleepless nights, anti-aging must-haves and the virtues of Vinted What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?   I’d like to say it was my starring role in Timmy Mallett’s Wacaday where, as a 7 year old, I got repeatedly hit over the head with a giant rubber mallet (for those under 40 - google it). But in truth - I was fortunate enough to come of age at a really exciting time in TV and I always knew that’s what I wanted to be a part of. I had no connections in TV and at that time it was definitely who you knew. However, I applied for a runner’s position at a Post Production company which was advertised in the Evening Standard (for those under 40 - this was how recruitment happened pre internet) and got the job. One of my first runs was to get breast feeding paraphernalia for the MD and to feed the reception area fish with stinky frozen fish food cubes. But from there I got to know some of the Producers who regularly used the edit facility and soon enough, I’d bagged myself an internship at MTV   What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are?  I think self doubt has probably been one of my biggest personal hurdles earlier on in my career. There have been two or three watershed moments  where I have been metaphorically pushed, shunted and shoved  by some amazingly supportive female leaders, to go for a promotion or take a job that I didn’t feel I was 110% qualified for. I also think it’s not easy climbing the career ladder and balancing being a mum too. I remember being about to burst at 7 months pregnant with twins and still commuting in and doing the hours that everyone else was doing - which, in retrospect, was bonkers. But things have definitely changed in the last 10 years and we are very lucky to work at Multistory which has been the most family-friendly company I’ve been at so far. What has been the highlight of your career so far?  I’ve had such a long and varied journey so far so there have been many. But a personal highlight was devising and developing (multi BAFTA award winning) Operation Ouch for CBBC. It was such a fun show to create and make - but it also felt like it was nourishing young minds (as opposed to rotting them!). And it’s still going strong over a decade later so we must have done something right. It was also a privilege to get to be a Commissioner at Channel 4 and see how things work at a Broadcaster. Plus bring to life some iconic shows of the time including Celebs Go Dating and Tattoo Fixers   What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?  Getting to watch rehearsals of some of the most amazing performers up close at the BRITs - just me, the crew Prince, Amy Winehouse, The Streets and an empty auditorium. Amazing. Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back on and laugh about now?  The entire BBC3 studio got washed away one year at Glastonbury. That was a fun one - but we pivoted and still made it to air by 7pm. Finally - on a live Saturday morning show in the noughties, my SP volunteered me for an item where every single member of McFly had to lick chocolate off my face. I think this footage still exists on youtube - do not google it. What are your favourite TV shows?   I love a bit of escapism when I turn on the telly and definitely don’t want to feel stressed. So sunny reality like Selling Sunset/OC are my go-tos. Motherland is my life so that’s one of my all time favourites. And then to balance it all out, I love a good suspense drama. I recently binged all of the Slow Horses series on Apple and can’t wait for the new series to drop in September.

17th July 2024

The Career Story of… Nikki Ryan

What’s your role at MultiStory?    I am a Talent Executive based in London but I work across our Manchester office too. My role is varied but in essence I find freelancers to make all of our shows; from Runners all the way up to our Executive Producers. An important part of my job is looking after freelancers when they work for us and doing all we can to make MultiStory a creative, fun and fair place to work. We’ve had some lovely successes in the Best Places to Work in TV awards (particularly coming runner up).   What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?    I always loved trying to work out how TV shows were made so once I graduated I decided to see if I could get in. My first running role was on What Not to Wear with Trinny and Susannah for BBC One. I felt like I’d won the lottery getting that job because I adored watching the show and knew it inside out. It taught me my first lesson in getting a job in tele - know the show you are interviewing for. Being passionate goes a long way; they gave me the job when I had zero experience. Over the following decade I became a researcher, AP and then Producer / Director at BBC Children’s and Entertainment and continued freelancing as a PD and Edit producer until I joined MultiStory as a Talent Manager in 2019.   What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are?    Probably the biggest hurdle was getting into TV right at the beginning of my career. I didn’t know anyone in the industry and I had a Business degree so it all seemed so out of reach. This is something I hear now from so many people trying to break in. But there’s no right or wrong way to get into tele, it’s a confidence game. You have to be prepared to give it your all and keep hustling!   What has been the highlight of your career so far?    There have been lots of highlights and really fun moments but on a day to day level, not having the Sunday night blues and genuinely enjoying my job has kept me in tele for 20 years. Working with so many different creative, interesting, clever people is so unique to TV.   What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?   I filmed at Ozzie and Sharon Osbourne’s house in LA. It’s in an area called Hidden Hills which is a high end housing estate for celebrities surrounded of course by tons of security. Pulling up to their house with neighbours like J Lo and the Kardashians was heaven. I am terrified of dogs, and at one point I ended up bear hugging Ozzie from behind using him as a human shield from their dogs. He found it funny and thanked me for the hug.   Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back on and laugh about now?   Plenty of disasters and I still have PTSD from them all.   What are your favourite TV shows?   I love a bit of everything from reality to docs with some granny TV thrown in…..Love is Blind, The Kardashians, Selling Sunset, Antiques Roadshow, Alan and Amanda’s Tuscan adventures was a big hit with my 5 and 7 year olds, any and all true crime docs. The White Lotus and Succession are my absolute favourite drama’s of the last few years and One Day was so heartbreaking.

28th May 2024

The Career Story of… Aneeka Mahal

What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m a Production Coordinator.   What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?   I have always been a fan of TV since I was young, so I have always wanted to work in the industry. I took Media Studies at school and then studied Media and Communications at University. I was lucky to get onto a work experience scheme with ITV and learnt about all the different departments in Television. I carried on applying for placements at places such as Sky News and local production companies throughout school and university. Creative Access is an amazing organisation that always advertises opportunities in creative industries, it was through themselves that got me my first TV Credit as a Production Secretary on ‘Peston’ with MultiStory.    What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are?   I think getting my first opportunity in TV was the first big hurdle I’ve had to overcome. I learnt from the beginning that it was very important to try to gain as much experience in the industry as possible. I know this can be very hard, especially when you don’t know anyone in the industry but I kept a lookout for any opportunities and sent hundreds of applications. I’ve also learnt people love talking about what they do and it never hurts to contact people who are in roles that you’re interested in for advice.    What has been the highlight of your career so far?   There have been so many highlights of my career so far that it’s hard to choose one! Last year working on the ‘Pride of Britain Awards’ was definitely high up on my list. To work on a show that celebrates the achievements of remarkable people was an amazing experience to be a part of. Also, dancing in the background on Live TV with the crew to Big Zuu rapping in the kitchen on ‘The Big Breakfast’ is something I won’t forget.    What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?  I have had so many “pinch me” moments whilst working in TV. Filming with David Beckham in a Pie and Mash restaurant and getting a photo with Anthony Joshua have to be on the list! Also getting my first ever TV credit was a huge “pinch me” moment because I have always wanted to work in TV/Film and would read the credits at the end to see all the different roles.    Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now?  I’ve learnt it’s very important to stay calm and flexible in all situations, even though it sometimes can be difficult to! TV is unpredictable and you have to be ready for anything that could be thrown at you. There have been moments where you think the worst thing that could ever happen, happens but then a day later you're laughing at the situation.    What are your favourite TV shows? I’m a TV addict so this is a hard question for me to answer! Succession, The Last of Us and Euphoria have definitely been some of my favourites in the last few years but I always go back to ‘feel goods’ like Gilmore Girls and Friends. Also of course, Come Dine With Me and Peston!

1st April 2024

The Career Story of…Fabian Bohan-Taghian

What’s your role at MultiStory?   I’m based in MultiStory’s Manchester office and work in both Development and Production. I’ve been a Series Producer on programmes like Dubai Hustle and Christmas Carols On ITV while I also lead the Development team here in Manchester focusing on reality and talent led ideas. I’ve been able to work with and learn from some real MultiStory LEGENDS like Ceri, Helen, Ana, Matt, Tim, Simone, Zinia, Jo, Kate, Viki, Candice, Holly and a plethora of others which has been absolutely sensational!!! \   What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?     When MediaCityUK opened, the BBC were offering unpaid work experience placements to Northerners to get them into Telly. I did 4 weeks at Blue Peter (I did get a Blue Peter badge although I’ve since lost it) and fell in love with making TV. About a year after my work experience placement ended, CBBC offered me a full time job as a Runner on Marrying Mum & Dad; a show where kids planned their parents' weddings. Over the course of a series, we filmed a Strictly themed wedding, a Caribbean Carnival themed wedding and threw two gay Dads out of a plane for their Secret Agent themed wedding - FABULOUS!!! The rest as they say is history…   What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are?  Being based in the North. While the TV industry in the North has grown in the past 10 years, the industry here is still much smaller than in London so there’s less opportunity and less face time with key decision makers. Working in Development at MultiStory has been invaluable for my personal career growth as the teams in London and Manchester work so closely together, so it’s allowed me to build relationships and sit at tables with people I would never have met if I was working elsewhere.   What has been the highlight of your career so far?     Being selected by Edinburgh Festival as one of 30 ‘Ones To Watch’ in 2020. I was the only person from that year’s cohort that was based in Manchester, so I felt l’d won the X-Factor in the immediate aftermath of the announcement as so many people in the City were congratulating me. It also led me to MultiStory as I chose our esteemed Creative Director of MultiStory Media North, Ceri Aston, as my senior industry mentor for 12 months. It turns out that my CV had already landed on Ceri’s Desk for the Story Producer role on Dubai Hustle Series 1, so after a lengthy interview process I got a job and a mentor!   What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?  Dubai really is the new land of opportunity, so living and working there while filming Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Dubai Hustle has been pretty special. I’ve spent over a year of my life there now, so it’s like a second home and I’ve made amazing friends who still live out there that I couldn’t imagine living without.   Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now? Have you got a spare 10 years for this answer?!!! My biggest learning curve has been to fully embrace who I am as people see right through you if you’re putting on a front. For the avoidance of doubt - I’m a gobby Manc with a quiff and a penchant for fake tan! Also…I once thought Daniella Westbrook was going to make a complaint to the press about a show I was working on, so proceeded to tell the Exec that we should prepare for an expose in The Sun. It turns out I’d got the wrong end of the stick, nobody was making a complaint and the person I’d spoken to wasn’t actually Daniella Westbrook (she did sound like her though). Love you Daniella <3   What are your favourite TV shows?  Coronation Street, X-Factor, Big Brother, Real Housewives Of…, Love and Hip Hop…, Strictly, Newsnight, Question Time and Vanderpump Rules (I’m totally lying about Newsnight and Question Time btw)

1st April 2024

The Career Story of…Clare Miller

What’s your role at MultiStory? My main role is looking after The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, which, when we are on air, is out-puting the weekly live programme, helping Martin devise the programme content and overseeing the studio and outside broadcast elements. I am also part of the Multistory Senior Leadership Team.  What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?   I always wanted to go into Television. I could probably credit the terrible school plays that I took part in but it was the process of building a 'production' from scratch that I was always enthusiastic about. I was lucky to get a chance to do work experience at Thames Television at Teddington Studios, running on This is Your Life, Men Behaving Badly, Chef, CNBC News & FTTV. They asked me back every holiday and from there I went out on all the news shoots with the reporters, helped edit the reports plus booked the guest financial analysts.  What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are?  I think that overcoming my naturally shy personality in an industry where extroverts shine. I am still learning to make my voice heard so that's a work in progress. This is something I try to instil within my teams. In terms of making a programme, throwing together The Martin Lewis Money Show in 4 days at the start of the pandemic, only knowing 3 people on the team, which included both presenters, and then working out a plan to rig Martin’s house without breaking ‘the rules’.  What has been the highlight of your career so far?   Seeing The Martin Lewis Money Show thrive and become part of the modern narrative. Being part of it and knowing that the programme can and has made a difference to people isn’t something I take for granted. The partnership that Martin and I have is something I am very proud of and greatly value.  What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?   There are so many but here are a few that spring to mind; Going to 10 Downing Street in the snow, which felt like a scene from Love Actually. Working as an Intern at MTV in the early noughties and seeing Justin Timberlake, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears appear on TRL. Getting to sit in Michael Schumacher’s F1 Ferrari, whilst they were in testing sessions at the Maranello track and getting an access all areas tour to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium. Smuggling Elton John’s dogs into Television Centre on the Paul O'Grady Show, to be honest there were so many moments on that show that were all pinch me moments.  Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now?  Getting thrown in the deep end feels like the worst way to learn but in fact for me it is the best. I lived in Spain for a year and worked for a financial rolling news channel and was asked to simultaneously translate the Queen Mother’s funeral and George Bush’s post 9/11 State of The Union Address. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of that translation…The channel no longer exists but I have very many happy memories of kicking off the breakfast news with a cheery yet terrified “Comencemos con los titulos”. Being the location researcher on Coach Trip was a huge learning curve! Sending the coach through the back streets of Seville where it got stuck springs to mind. In my defence it was the days before Sat Navs. The spa day turned into a walking tour through the cobbled streets! Another one was the satellite getting knocked out by a storm over Germany during the Martin Lewis Money Show Covid Series which connected Martin’s house to the studio. The last 10 minutes of the programme came via the mobile unit furiously inserting numerous sim cards. Not something I’d like to relive anytime soon. The moral of those tales is always have a back up!!!  What are your favourite TV shows?  West Wing, Sporting Documentaries such The Last Dance about Micheal Jordan’s career, At Home with the Fury’s, Supervet, The Traitors. Oh and obviously…The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, ITV Tuesdays at 8pm!

1st March 2024

The Career Story of…Joanna Lewis

JOANNA LEWIS Production Manager   What’s your role at MultiStory? I’m a Production Manager, based in Manchester. Having begun my career at ITV over fourteen years ago, I’m proud to say I’ve worked on some amazing shows, most of them here at MultiStory; such as Tonight, Leader’s Debates, Peston, Project Icon and the ground-breaking 7 Up Series. For the past four years I’ve also been volunteering as a co-chair for the ITV Pride Network (my gay job as I call it!) and work really closely with ITV’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team.   What made you want to get into TV and how did you make that a reality?     I remember visiting the Granada Studios Tour and telling myself that one day I wanted to work there. I’ve got a photo of myself on the cobbles aged 9, outside the Rovers! From then on, I grew up with a passion to work in the creative industries and achieved a BA Hons in Design For Film and Television. My degree helped me gain my first TV role in 2009 (and my first step into the Granada Studios offices!); working as a prop assistant on 60 Minute Makeover for Shiver (who are now, us - MultiStory Media).   I then spent a couple of years running, and realised that my skills and interests fitted very nicely into Production Management. In 2011 I stepped up into my first Production Secretary role and I’ve never left ITV since!   What's the biggest hurdle you've had to overcome to get to where you are?     If I’m going to be honest, I think that the hurdles I faced early on in my career mirrored those that I’d subconsciously been dealing with my whole life - a lack of self understanding. And with this came a lack of confidence. After going on quite a powerful, personal journey, coming out as LGBTQ+, I had the realisation that actually confidence came from being proud to be you. And a large part of feeling proud came from being able to feel visible, represented and supported.   Whilst moving through my career, I started taking more and more of an interest in the work that was being done around inclusion and creating safe spaces. I had a realisation that my longing to help tell diverse stories was why I wanted to work in the industry all along, and that I also wanted to help play a part in creating an inclusive working environment. It is, in part, why I started volunteering for ITV Pride - I wanted to be visible to help others be confident and proud to be themselves. But it’s also why I love my role at MultiStory - I’m very proud to work for a department that takes inclusion as seriously as it does.   What has been the highlight of your career so far?    Working across two series of the original 7 Up films, and two series of the 7 Up Millennium Generation series, has been an absolute career highlight for me. Not only are the films a highlight in themselves, I was given the opportunity to travel and interview the cast in some incredible places, such as Bulgaria, France and New York (and on a side note - filming with the legendary Michael Apted at midnight on Time Square was an experience that will stay with me forever!) As a fan of the films before I started working on them, I will forever be grateful that I’ve been able to work with and learn from such an inspirational and experienced group of filmmakers. It really is true that once you’ve joined the Ups family, you’re with them for life!   What was your biggest “pinch me’ moment?     I was lucky enough to be on the Production Management team for Project Icon and I remember there being a moment whilst watching Jason Derulo and Becky Hill (two of the judges) recording a link. As Becky Hill recorded her jingle, it hit me. Was I really stood watching Becky Hill singing in such an intimate environment to Jason Derulo? The whole experience of working on the series was so surreal.   I was lucky enough to interview the winner of the series (Dylan and the Moon) on our ITV Pridecast and I was so full of pride that I worked for a department who was responsible for finding and giving amazing opportunities to such raw, diverse talent.   Are there any big learning curves or disaster moments you can look back and laugh about now?    As a Production Manager the most important thing you learn is the importance of being flexible and empathetic. You find that you are constantly foreseeing potential curveballs, problem solving, fire fighting, learning and implementing new ways of working. And I love it all! Working across the 7 Up series over the decades is one of the most unique examples of this. It's incredible to see how much can change as time moves on and how adaptable you have to be.‘28 Up: Millennium Generation’, for example, was filmed in the heart of lockdown and was definitely an experience I don’t think any of the team will forget. I look back now and laugh at those bizarre moments where we were travelling up and down the country, adapting our shoots to match the ever-changing lockdown rules in each city, as we went along.   What are your favourite TV shows?     My taste in TV shows is very varied. Dramas with gritty or unique storylines; such as Fool Me Once, Bodies, Black Mirror, Alice in Borderland and Squid Games. That being said, I do love a reality show. I’m hooked on Traitors at the moment - no spoilers though please, as I’m behind on all the drama! Overall, I love any show which celebrates as much diverse representation as possible, and keeps me hooked with surprise twists or cliffhangers.