Ian Ramsdale is a broadcast journalist, radio presenter and short-filmmaker, working on BBC London's 2012 Lives Project. He produces sports programmes, performs commentaries and has also worked as a news editor and freelance journalist. Thinking of applying for our BBC London brief? Ian gave IdeasMag his top tips on breaking into the industry and making the most of the Olympics…
What advice would you give a young person looking to break into broadcast journalism?
Someone once told me that doing well in broadcast journalism was all about being in the right place at the right time.
It was probably the most unhelpful bit of advice I have ever been given. But they were right. What they failed to do was tell me how to best use that to my advantage. You don't know when the right place or the right time will be, but you can put yourself in the right places – so you're there when the right time comes along.
Do work experience, offer to help people out, talk to organisations about going in to see what they do, volunteer at community stations or hospital radio. Initially, the more you do off your own back, the better it looks. And if you have practical experience of producing your own work too, even better.
And in these times – in what seems like a technological revolution – be multi-skilled and always keen to learn more. Learn how to operate a recording device, a video camera, mixing desk, sound desk. The more jobs you can do, the more employable you are. I'm always trying to expand my knowledge and experience.
What advice would you offer to people who are interested in making short films about the Olympics?
Your story needs to be new – something that hasn't been seen or heard before. What is going to grab the attention of the viewer? Think action – films need to be visually attractive. What is going to happen in your film that people will want to watch? If there's nothing to watch, people won't just listen. With that in mind, how else – visually – will you tell the story? What pictures do you need? And although the pictures need to be of good quality, clarity of sound is more important. Without good sound you have nothing.
What do you consider your big break?
I don't think I've really had a big break but I have had lots of mini-breaks.
Like most competitive job markets, success in broadcasting is all about hard work, dedication and perseverance. I've always said when someone gives me the opportunity to do a job, if I do it to the standard I know I'm capable of then they'll hopefully want me to do it for them again.
You always have to strive to be the best at what you do. Don't settle for anything less. I wouldn't proclaim to be the best short film producer in the universe, but that's what I strive to be and that's what means I open more doors and increase my future prospects and opportunities.
How can young journalists make the most of opportunities being thrown up by the Olympics?
It’s a once in a lifetime event. It's a superb subject for stories, films and news items and will roll on for many years afterwards too. The key is to see an opportunity – something you're interested in – and run with it. In the 2012 Lives project which I run for BBC London, I'm looking at how certain people's lives are being affected by the games. It's something I'm genuinely interested in. It's something I'm excited about seeing.
Apply for the BBC London – TV News Story 2012 Brief for the chance to make a short feature about the Olympics for potential broadcast on BBC 1.