If you love television and you’re passionate about making it your career, there isn’t a greater opportunity in the industry than The Network. I’m not just saying that – I did it in 2008 and I’m sure every former delegate (from Dragons’ Den executive producer Dominic Bird, to Danny Wallace, to current Newsround and Sportsround presenter Ore Oduba) would absolutely agree with me.

TV’s most prestigious talent scheme, which is celebrating its 20th birthday, is a free event held annually in Scotland’s beautiful capital city over the August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival. Successful applicants enjoy four days of fantastic masterclasses and workshops, which they experience alongside young people who share their enthusiasm and ambitions.

Ben gets involved in Al Murray's crisp-eating contest

This year’s opening night was An Evening with The Pub Landlord – an entertaining TV quiz hosted by Al Murray. As delegates bonded over beverages and debated their answers to five fun questions on the glittering career of Shane Richie, Murray picked yours truly from the audience to get up and be a contestant on-stage in his Crisp Countdown challenge (pictured above). I had 30 seconds to munch down as many salt and vinegar potato crisps as physically possible, but my Kiwi opponent was (controversially) declared the champ! Murray made the room inside the EICC feel like everyone’s local and by closing time, delegates were leaving with a barrel-load of new mates.

Friday is masterclass day, with fascinating lectures from some of the most important individuals in the industry. Speakers at The Network 2010 included Jay Hunt (Controller of BBC One), Stuart Murphy (Sky1’s Director of Programmes), Chris Shaw (Senior Programme Controller for Five) and Elaine Bedell (ITV’s Director of Entertainment and Comedy). There was also a special masterclass with critically acclaimed screenwriter and Shameless creator Paul Abbott, who talked frankly about his life and career before passing on his best advice to the television scriptwriters of tomorrow.

After a couple of hours of introduction to their weekend workshops, delegates were whisked off to McEwan Hall to watch BBC Director-General Mark Thompson deliver his eagerly-anticipated MacTaggart lecture. It was Thompson’s perfect platform to respond publicly to James Murdoch’s fierce criticism of the BBC (“unaccountable”, “dominant” and “chilling” were some of the sharp words Rupert’s son used) exactly one year after his agenda-setting MacTaggart. Although the Beeb’s big boss wasn’t as explosive as his News Corp counterpart, just being there was a phenomenal privilege appreciated by the young people at The Network.

Delegates put together a news report at the Sky News Workshop

On Saturday, delegates spent the morning and afternoon in their workshops beavering away towards Sunday’s live performance. This year’s workshops were Creative Skills: What’s the Big Idea? (developing and pitching the next hit TV show), Research Skills: Panel Beating (preparing and scripting a special Network edition of the comedy show Would I Lie to You? to be hosted by Charlie Brooker), Scriptwriting and Directing (write and direct scenes for Hollyoaks starring three of the soap’s characters), TV News Journalism: Making the News (shoot and edit reports for Network News to be presented by Sky News’ Martin Stanford) and Behind the Scenes (learn the technical skills needed to produce a television programme and use them to deliver The Network’s live show).

It was a busy day for delegates and also a busy evening with them attending a special EastEnders at 25 masterclass, followed by the swanky Channel of the Year Awards and finally the traditional Saturday Night Party held at MGEITF’s social hub The George Hotel – which is always an amazing opportunity for Networkers to network, but also to drink and dance into the wee hours!

The Network climaxes on Sunday morning with the live performance, which is a chance for delegates to shine and see what their friends in different workshops have achieved in less than 48 hours. It’s hugely impressive and the best way to wrap up television’s best talent scheme. Delegates then depart with more skills, experience, contacts and passion for the industry. Many will go on to enjoy brilliant careers in TV and some might even be back in 20 years’ time to inspire the next generation.

Images courtesy of Eddie Gallacher.