Elsa's one to one coaching was excellent and invaluable.  She has a wealth of insider knowledge about the industry and she provided an informed and inspiring assessment about how best to further my career.  She also has a great range of contacts and provides helpful guidance about which ones are the best to approach.  I also had no idea how badly i was marketing myself until Elsa went through my CV and helped me to revise it! She is easy to approach and an expert in an industry where objective feedback is very rare.

Krisztina Katona, Series Producer

 

My one hour consultation with Elsa was extremely insightful and answered all the questions I have ever had about the best way to get into TV. Elsa offered extremely sound advice and tips on how to stand out from the crowd. She also picked up on skills that I hadn't even thought about highlighting to employers. We worked through my CV and how best to approach the production companies, including constructing my cover letters and targeting the right people. The follow up service as well was excellent. After my consultation Elsa kept in touch and tipped me off about big productions and gave me some fantastic insider contacts in the industry. Within a few days of sending out my re-worked CV I started to get calls from production Execs. Just two weeks on from our meeting, I have started a placement at a major production company in London working on a Channel 4 documentary through a contact Elsa gave me. I would highly recommend Elsa to anyone trying to crack the industry.

Gemma Hagen, graduate, September 09

Elsa has been a fabulous resource, a mine of information and a constant support machine to me in my ambition to work in TV. She has provided me with help on reworking my CV and cover letter, a great contact at Green Inc., and interview advice for a BBC job. Advice which was invaluable! With words of encouragement and inspiration, Elsa has got me back on the horse when I most needed it. With great contacts and words of motivation, Coach Sharp is the ultimate person that will make you a winner in this competitive industry!

Heather Brown, journalist, October 09

I just wanted to say thanks for everything we went through in our meeting, it was really helpful and got me focussed on things brilliantly. I've included as much of what you said as possible. The new CV looks good, I much prefer the layout and it definitely looks far more professional.

Richard Brandom, graduate, face to face session, September 09

 I found my session with Elsa incredibly useful. Her coaching is reassuringly informal yet professional and I immediately felt as ease in the environment she provided. During my time with her I learnt that I was not ‘selling’ myself to potential employers to the best of my abilities, Elsa gave me practical advice on how to rectify this including updating my CV. As I felt that one of my main barriers to entry in TV was a lack of contacts, Elsa showed me exactly which production companies I should be targeting and the most effective ways to do this. She put me in touch with two production companies who were looking for development researchers. Just two days after meeting Elsa I had a meeting with the head of development at an established production company, which I regard as the best possible testament to her proficiency as a coach.”

Amy Preston, Development Producer, One to One Coaching Session, Sept 09

Many things you taught us in your class inspired me a lot. Therefore we were able to come up with an idea for a reality show and got  the first place in the final presentation. I really like your teaching style and appreciate your wide range of knowledge in this field, so I want to keep in contact with you after this visit. There is an old saying in China that "One-day-teacher is a forever-teacher" with my learning going further, there might be many questions, both about study and life, puzzling me. Thus, can you do me a favour to be my forever teacher? I promise I can be a good student deserving your attention. Thank you again for your kindness and help. 

Zhu Tong, undergraduate Chinese student from the University of Beijing, I taught at the University of Westminster, September 09

After sending out numerous speculative CVs and cover letters with little response, I contacted Elsa for a face-to-face coaching session. The session was extremely helpful.

I have already received responses from sending out my new revamped CV and cover letters, and have been given a new confidence and hope for my job search. Thank you so much for all your help!

Charlotte Emmerson, face to face coaching, October 09

Elsa has been an immense help both with her extensive knowledge of the broadcast industry and in helping me to focus my CV and approach to employers. In an industry that often lacks professional guidance and support I would recommend her to anyone who feels they need extra direction and aid in developing their career.

Jack Walton, DV and Location Director, October 09

I found Elsa’s wealth of knowledge and advice invaluable.  Before I our session, I felt a bit unsure about the best way to break into the industry. After talking to Elsa, I now have a better understanding of what areas of TV I want to go, and what I need to do to get there.

Throughout the session Elsa was extremely knowledgeable. She was also able to answer all my queries and uncertainties. We also discussed the best way to approach companies and she gave me some invaluable advice and some insider tips. It was an excellent service and helped me to feel more certain and more focussed.

Kate Bullivant, new graduate, November 09

After a scheduled session with Elsa I immediately sent out my revised CV and cover letter. The response was incredible. From the same companies I had only recently contacted with no reply, I was now receiving meeting opportunities and work placements saying: "you definitely have the kind of qualifications we would be looking for"

My qualifications and experience hadn't changed, but people where now taking notice of me. Elsa gave me a new confidence, I am now well on the way to fulfilling my dream.

Alex Hookway, edit assistant, coaching session, December 2009

It's a great service - to have personal feedback and constructive advice in an industry of many variables gives you a sense of direction!

Samala Wagstaff, Producer/Director, January 2010

 You were really clear and gave me some great tips as to how to highlight skills I took for granted but which could be in high demand.
I also appreciated your first hand experience of what you would bother to look at and what you would skip over and how much to cut out, however hard it may seem.
I liked your honesty in terms of advising me on taking a DV course to refresh my skills and encouraging me to be more tenacious when contacting people. Having been part of the BBC internal world for so long it was great to have that perspective of the indie world, how best to approach people and how often. Plus the contacts that you have provided are invaluable.
You were very approachable, patient, straight-talking but warm and it was a pleasure talking to you.

Rocio Cano, Producer Director, December 2009