Jessica Dove

1. What made you decide to apply for your trainee position on the Northern Routes Training Scheme?
I have tried for a long time to find a way in to the locations department and never seen or heard of any opportunity like this before. It seemed too good to miss!

2. Please give a brief outline of your previous experience, related to this training position.
Initially at university after making my own films I got a taste of locations when scouting for possible places to film and the logistics of moving and managing a crew. I have also completed some work experience but this is my first proper break.

3. There were nearly 500 applications for 22 places across the North of England, how did it feel to be chosen?
I couldn't believe I was chosen over so many. I did a victory lap in the office I was temping in, much to the amusement of the girls in the office.

4. What have you been up to so far on your placement?
Where shall I start! First off I went round all the locations with the location manger meeting all the owners getting an idea of how it would work logistically. Letter dropping and meeting the public informing them of the filming. Finding unit bases with the unit manager, then signing the route for the crew along with maps for movement orders.
Completing location agreements and moving lots of rubbish.

5. What's been the best bit(s)?
The best bit has been the wonderful people I have been working with, who have helped me understand and learn how the location department works. Also being somewhere different every day in the fresh air.

6. What are your long term career aims and how do you feel this scheme will help you achieve them?
I now know locations is still my ideal department to work in. Hopefully getting work after this as a location assistant, then moving on in the end to be a location manager. This scheme also allocates you a mentor who can help you get a game plan together to help you stay in work and help with CV writing. Northern Routes organised a networking
event for us trainees as well, which has helped me get in touch with all the right people who could help shape my career.