session producer pool
Apply to be a Session Producer:
All our sessions are produced by volunteers from across the industry, ensuring we remain by the industry, for the industry. It’s an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the conversation in the industry at the highest level, as well as building your profile and network. In return for their hard work, producers receive a free Festival pass.
Some sessions will be produced by the people who originally pitched the idea, while others will need to have a producer assigned to flesh it all out.
We are looking to select up to 30 people with a range of different specialisms and areas of interest to be part of this year’s producer pool. If you are selected to be in the producer pool, you may be assigned a session to produce at any point between April and June. Being in the producer pool doesn’t guarantee you will be assigned a session, but even if you aren’t you will still receive a discount on the price of a Festival pass.
Please read the FAQs and follow the link at the bottom of the page to apply.
If you would like to submit a specific idea for a session, please find the guidelines here.
FAQS
Why produce a session at Edinburgh?
It’s an opportunity to attend the Festival for free. Shape the conversation in the industry. Network and build relationships. Gain experience. Have fun!
This application process is for producers who will be assigned a session (this could be an idea that is already fully formed that just needs delivering, or a topic that will need to be properly researched and fleshed out). If you have a specific idea that you want to put forward (and produce yourself), please fill in the separate session submission form.
What does producing a session involve?
Producers are responsible for booking and briefing speakers; securing and briefing a moderator; defining the editorial shape of the session and key areas of discussion; sourcing clips or VTs; collating speaker bios, headshots and release forms; briefing the production team on technical requirements; liaising with the Festival team on travel and accommodation arrangements for your speakers. During the Festival you’ll be responsible for meeting your speakers, getting them to the green room and live producing the session itself (if required). Some sessions will allow for a lot of creative license!
What’s the difference between submitting a session idea and applying to be in the producer pool?
Many of the session ideas that come through the submission portal will, if selected, be produced by the person who submitted them. However, many other ideas – including those generated by the Advisory Chair and Festival team – will need to have a producer (or two!) assigned in order to bring them to life. This is where the producer pool comes in. You are welcome to submit ideas and apply to be in the producer pool.
What do you get in return?
If you are assigned to producer a session you will get a full free pass to the Festival. If you’re accepted to the producer pool but don’t end up producing a session, you will still be offered a 40% discount on a full-price pass.
What are we looking for?
People with a wide range of backgrounds and interests, from scripted, factual, entertainment, news and current affairs. Reliable, organised, creative problem solvers – all those qualities that make you a great telly person!
How does it work?
Complete the short application form via the link below. We will shortlist candidates for an interview in March. We will be recruiting approximately 30 people to be part of this year’s producer pool. If you are selected to be in the producer pool, you may be assigned a session to produce at any point between March and June. We will also recruit a couple of floating producers to attend the Festival to help out on the ground, where needed. If you are assigned a session, or asked to be a floating producer on the ground, you will receive a full Festival pass for free. Being in the producer pool doesn’t guarantee that you will be assigned a session, but even if you aren’t, you will still receive a 40% discount on a full-price Festival pass.
Timeline:
Applications close 14th March
Interviews will take place w/c 24th March