RUTH ATKINSON - Script Supervisor
Credits include: "Dalziel & Pascoe X", "A Very Social Secretary" and "55 Degrees North"
Ruth completed FT2 in 2002.
"Since completing FT2 training," she explains, "I have been working as a Script Supervisor mainly on TV drama but on a couple of films too. I've been very lucky in that I've been continuously working, I have FT2 to thank for that as most of my contacts are people I met whilst training. FT2 training was absolutely invaluable to me and I cannot recommend it enough".
"Before applying to FT2," Ruth explains, "I was working as a freelance production runner on TV dramas such as 'Fish' and 'The Sins' for BBC and a series called 'Tough Love' for Granada. The year I spent as a runner helped me to gain a real insight into the world of TV and work out which direction I wanted my career to go in. I chose Script Supervision and once I heard that FT2 had a place for someone wishing to train in this grade - I was going to try my hardest to get on the course! I couldn't think of a better way of training - FT2 was the best and only option for me."
She advises people considering applying:
"FT2 provides the best training a person could ask for but you have to work hard! Be prepared for long unsociable hours and even longer ones once you graduate and obtain your first 'proper job'! Accept that you will have to make the tea but make sure you are still learning, ask lots of questions and make the most of the general placements. They may not be your chosen area but it is so useful to understand the other departments and how to work together. Most of all though, if you are privileged enough to gain a place on FT2 use it to your advantage and enjoy it! "
