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Watch again: Production Q&As

From dramas to documentaries, each talk focus on different genres and content, giving exclusive behind the scenes insights into how productions work. This includes the variety of roles and how ideas are pitched and commissioned, and what it's like working on a live set.

Behind the scenes of Sunderland 'Til I Die

University of Sunderland, 14 November 2025

Made by production company Fulwell 73, who have an office at the University of Sunderland, the three-part documentary series chronicles Sunderland AFC’s journey back to the Championship through their League One play-off final win against Wycombe Wanderers. Director, Ben Riad and Â鶹Éç Journalist and Sunderland Commentator, Nick Barnes, talk about storytelling, connecting with audiences and the importance of trust when filming a documentary. 

Panellists

• Ben Riad, Director
• Nick Barnes, Â鶹Éç Journalist and Sunderland Commentator, 

Hosted by 

• Emma Millen, Presenter of Â鶹Éç Upload across the North East, Podcaster and Content Creator

Production Masterclass with Optomen and Tommy *The Good*The Bad*The Fury

University of Lancashire, 3 December 2025

Tommy *The Good*The Bad*The Fury is a Â鶹Éç Three documentary that follows Tommy Fury's comeback year, made by production company Optomen, who are renowned for their hit reality and talent-led shows featuring stars like Tyson Fury and Molly-Mae Hague.

CEO Nick Hornby and Tommy’s manager, Jake Lee from Alpha Talent Group, discuss the process of documentary making, and share the highs and lows of filming.

Panellists

• Nick Hornby – CEO, Optomen
• Jake Lee – Manager, Tommy Fury

Hosted by

• Molly Brewer, Journalist and Presenter, Â鶹Éç North West Tonight

Behind the scenes of Heartstopper *coming soon*

Swansea University, 23 January 2026

Panellists

• Euros Lyn - Executive Producer & Director: Heartstopper
• Hannah Williams - Business Advisor, Â鶹Éç Scripted Drama

Hosted by

• Luke Davies, Presenter

This exclusive masterclass offers a unique glimpse into the creative world of the TV show Heartstopper, that’s based on the young adult fiction novels written by Alice Oseman.

Directed by Euros Lyn (Welsh Film and TV Director), Euros talks about bringing this amazing story to life. From the all-important casting and the collaborative process amongst the cast and crew that helped to bring this authentic teen experiences to the screen.

Also on the panel is Hannah Williams, Business Advisor, Â鶹Éç Scripted Drama who talks about drama production and the importance of regional production and jobs.

Cloaks, Daggers, and Dressmaking with the NFTS *coming soon*

University of Strathclyde, 25 February 2026

A storytelling masterclass around the Â鶹Éç's The Traitors and The Great British Sewing Bee. Hear about the role of the story producer and the producer, and how these shows keep us on the edge of our seats and why they're so popular

Panellists

• Cheryl Richardson - Story Producer: The Great British Sewing Bee

• Rebecca Morris (Studio Lambert) - Producer: The Traitors

Hosted by

Sarah McMullan, Senior Reporter, Â鶹Éç Reporting Scotland

TV formats: Shortform and Social Content with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK *coming soon*

University of Nottingham, 25 March 2026

Step into the world of television formats with this insightful masterclass focusing on Â鶹Éç hit RuPaul’s Drag Race UK from the perspective of Shortform and Social Content. Hear from the Â鶹Éç Three team who make attention grabbing shortform content for Drag Race UK audiences, on screens large and small. Plus special guest, Queen Zahirah Zapanta from series six of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and the third series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. The World.

Panellists

• Jaden Glendon, Editor TV Social – Edit Hub, Â鶹Éç Three

• Oliver Clark, Â鶹Éç Producer TV Social – Edit Hub, Â鶹Éç Three

• Zahirah Zapanta, RuPaul's Drag Race UK

Hosted by

Harry Stevens, Journalist, broadcaster and podcast host

Watch again: Media Careers Panels

Each career talk has a different panel of media industry professionals sharing their career journey, what their role is and practical tips to help you kick-start your own path in the media.

University of Sunderland, 14 November 2025

Panellists

• Thomas Copeland - Journalist, Â鶹Éç Verify
• Callum Rowe - Freelance Journalist and Radio Producer
• Harry Roy - Sports Radio Journalist, Â鶹Éç
• Grace Stewart-Piercy - Broadcast Journalist and Head of Speech, Spark Radio
• Gayle Woodruffe - Operations Director, North East Screen

Host by

Emma Millen, Presenter of Â鶹Éç Upload across the North East, Podcaster and Content Creator

University of Lancashire University, 3 December 2025

Panellists

• Holly Bacon - Freelance Sports Journalist
• Jess Martin -Development Trainee Apprentice, Â鶹Éç Studios Kids & Family
• Aidan McNamee - Data Journalist, Â鶹Éç Verify
• Ben Rooth – Sport Content Producer, Â鶹Éç Radio Sheffield
• Holly White - Digital Content Officer, Wigan Athletic Community Trust

Hosted by

Molly Brewer, Journalist and Presenter, Â鶹Éç North West Tonight

Swansea University, 23 January 2026 *coming soon*

Panellists

• Beth Alaw Williams - Â鶹Éç Wales News Journalist and former Â鶹Éç Journalism apprentice and Swansea University alumni
• Jenny Taylor - Â鶹Éç Public Engagement Apprentice
• Lucy Gilder - Â鶹Éç Verify Journalist
• Sian Collyer - Production Executive, Growing Potential, Â鶹Éç
• Sophie Davis - Deputy Head of Media, Swansea City Football Club and Swansea University alumni
• Terel Edmunds - Â鶹Éç News Apprentice

Host by

Luke Davies, Presenter

University of Strathclyde, 25 February 2026 *coming soon*

Panellists

• Alison Goring – Head of NFTS Scotland

• Declan McConville - Digital Journalist, Glasgow World

• Rebecca Garvey - Marketing & Communications, Kings Theatre Glasgow

• Daniella Theis - DC Thomson Features Journalist

• Jennifer Wilson - Apprentice, Â鶹Éç News & Current Affairs Scotland

Host by

Sarah McMullan, Senior Reporter, Â鶹Éç Reporting Scotland

University of Nottingham, 25 March 2026 *coming soon*

Panellists

• Aiden McNamee – Data Journalist, Â鶹Éç Verify

• Allison Hinds – Outreach Schemes Specialist, Early Careers Team, Â鶹Éç Academy

• Shannon Sumecki – Â鶹Éç Journalist and University of Nottingham Alumni

• Summaya Mughal – Â鶹Éç Radio Nottingham Breakfast Presenter

Host by

Harry Stevens, Journalist, broadcaster and podcast host

Highlights from past events

University of Sunderland | November 2025

Sheffield Hallam University | June 2025