TV Makers

In this episode of TV Makers, Ashley Golder speaks to Mirusha Jegatheeswaran, an ITV Support Engineer working across high-output television at ITV Studios.Mirusha’s role sits at the heart of broadcast production – keeping studios, systems and post-production running smoothly so shows stay on air. But her route into television wasn’t a traditional one. She entered the industry with zero broadcast experience, stepped into one of the most male-dominated technical roles in TV, and built her career by learning on the job while refusing to let gatekeeping slow her down.Since recording this episode, Mirusha has won a Rise Award 2025 in the Influencer category, recognising her commitment to sharing knowledge, supporting others, and helping open up access to technical roles in the industry. She has also been nominated for further industry awards to be announced later this year! Go Mirusha! In this conversation, Mirusha breaks down what a support engineer actually does day to day, the realities of being responsible for keeping high-output shows on air, and why knowledge-sharing matters more than ever in television.In this episode, we cover:What a Support Engineer really does in TVKeeping high-output shows broadcasting behind the scenesThe pressure of live and near-live technical environmentsEntering television with no broadcast experienceGatekeeping, confidence, and knowledge sharingWorking in a male-dominated technical roleWhy collaboration matters behind the scenesWe couldn’t fit everything into our recording time but Mirusha would also like to add: “Being part of the Rise Women in Broadcast Mentoring Programme in 2021 has been especially valuable as someone new to the TV and media industry with no prior experience. It has given me structured guidance, confidence, and insight into industry practices, while also helping me build a supportive network of women who work in the sector. This safe circle has made me feel welcomed and wanted, while providing role models and connections that encourage my growth and help me establish a strong foundation for my career in broadcasting. The programme has also helped me attend industry events till this day, meet new people, and continue to build my LinkedIn profile, strengthening my visibility and opportunities within the industry."Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoying the series? Don't underestimate the power of the share, rate, and subscribe bit! It really helps! Whether you’re watching on YouTube or listening on your favourite podcast app, drop us a comment, or connect with us on Instagram at @tvmakerspodGot a question or guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected] you to our Sponsors:RIMMS- https://www.rimms.tv The Kit House - https://www.kithouserental.co.ukDirected By Good - https://www.directedbygood.comEdited By Ben SealRecorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: [email protected] by Benjamin Leon - Instagram: @benleondrawsWebsite: www.benleondraws.com

Ollie Waton, sound supervisor and audio specialist, pulls back the curtain on the invisible decisions that keep live television on air - and why the best sound work is often the work nobody notices.From arena-sized music performances and live Premier League matches, to high-pressure comedy specials and long-running observational documentaries, Ollie explains what really happens when things don’t go to plan, how senior crew make judgement calls in seconds, and why preparation matters far more than perfection.We talk about professional “cheating” like click tracks that nobody knows about, the difference between technical skill and creative judgement, why future recruits are missing a crucial part of the job, and the uncomfortable truth about when sound issues are - occasionally - caused by the camera department?Enjoying the series?Please share, rate, and subscribe. Whether you’re watching on YouTube or listening on your favourite podcast app, drop us a comment or connect with us on Instagram at @tvmakerspod.Got a question or guest suggestion? Email [email protected] you to our Sponsors: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv The Kit House - https://www.kithouserental.co.uk Directed By Good - https://www.directedbygood.comRecorded and Edited by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/ Instagram: @tvmakerspod Email: [email protected] by Benjamin LeonInstagram: @benleondrawsWebsite: www.benleondraws.comRecorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: [email protected] by Benjamin Leon - Instagram: @benleondrawsWebsite: www.benleondraws.com

Andy Mundy-Castle -  Founder of Doc Hearts, and director of BAFTA-winning White Nanny, Black Child,  joins TV Makers to unpack the real craft of documentary storytelling and what it genuinely takes to run a purpose-led indie in one of the toughest TV markets we've ever seen.Andy shares how his background and lived experience shaped his filmmaking: stories rooted in truth, crafted with cinematic ambition, and always led by empathy over exploitation. We break down his creative “toolkit” and how he uses structure, emotional pacing, and careful contributor relationships to protect authenticity without losing audience engagement.Andy also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship in TV: early-business near-bankruptcies, delayed commissions, surviving the festival circuit, navigating distribution, building culture inside a small team, and why networking is still key. Plus his unfiltered take on the industry’s existential moment -  fewer, bigger, better; digital disruption; burnout; and why now is the time for creatives to diversify, industrialise their skills and rediscover the value of good storytelling.If you’re directing, developing your own docs, juggling career crossroads or considering starting a production company, this episode is packed with lived experience, practical frameworks and the kind of honesty rarely said out loud in TV.Enjoying the new series?Please share, rate and subscribe. Whether you're watching on YouTube or listening on your favourite podcast app, drop us a comment or connect with us on Instagram at @tvmakerspod.Thank you to our Sponsors:RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tvThe Kit House - https://www.kithouserental.co.ukDirected By Good - https://www.directedbygood.comEdited By Ben SealRecorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: [email protected] by Benjamin Leon - Instagram: @benleondrawsWebsite: www.benleondraws.com

John Comerford, Head of Naked West, lifts the lid on how iconic legacy shows like Grand Designs, Escape to the Country and Great British Railway Journeys stay relevant after decades on air - and what it really takes to future-proof long-running television in a digital-first world.From leadership lessons learned across an impressive career, to keeping Kevin McCloud, Michael Portillo and the team behind the cameras creatively energised, John explains how teams protect the core of a heritage brand while still needing to evolve it for new audiences.We dive into why legacy shows don’t die because digital grows, the real reasons some formats fade away, how social and spin-offs like Grand Designs Deconstructed are assisting the TV landscape, and the one warning every producer should take seriously: don’t enter “the dying rooms” by failing to innovate.If you’re making long-running series, pitching new IP, or trying to understand how broadcast and digital work together now, this episode is essential listening.Enjoying the new series?Please share, rate, and subscribe. Whether you’re watching on YouTube or listening on your favourite podcast app, drop us a comment or connect with us on Instagram at @tvmakerspod.Got a question or guest suggestion?Email [email protected] you to our Sponsors:RIMMS- https://www.rimms.tv The Kit House - https://www.kithouserental.co.ukDirected By Good - https://www.directedbygood.comRecorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: [email protected] by Benjamin Leon - Instagram: @benleondrawsWebsite: www.benleondraws.com

Channel 4’s Senior Commissioning Editor and Business Operations Lead for Digital, Laura Marks, reveals the insider rules behind digital commissioning, what most producers get wrong, what Channel 4 really looks for and how to create digital gold in a post-linear world.From understanding the “minus 10 seconds” rule for thumbnails to balancing data with gut instinct, Laura breaks down how her team commissions content for YouTube and social platforms, why not everyone can do it, and why risk, access, and creativity still matter more than algorithms.If you’ve ever wondered how to pitch to Channel 4 Digital, what defines a true “YouTube-first” idea, or how traditional TV teams can adapt to the changing landscape, this episode is essential listening!Enjoying the new series? Don't underestimate the power of the share, rate, and subscribe bit! It really helps! Whether you’re watching on YouTube or listening on your favourite podcast app, drop us a comment, or connect with us on Instagram at @tvmakerspodGot a question or guest suggestion? Email us at [email protected] you to our Sponsors:RIMMS- https://www.rimms.tv The Kit House - https://www.kithouserental.co.ukDirected By Good - https://www.directedbygood.comEdited By Ben SealRecorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/Instagram @tvmakerspod Email: [email protected] by Benjamin Leon - Instagram: @benleondrawsWebsite: www.benleondraws.com