From Edgbaston to Inverness – working on set at ‘The Traitors’ castle
Elizabeth McGlynn graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2023. Since then she's been working in television – including BBC One's The Traitors
In 2023 I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a master’s in Film and Television: Research and Production, following my BA in English and Film. Since then, I have been freelancing as a Runner, Set PA and Junior Researcher in Film and TV, working on shows such as The Masked Singer, Squid Game: The Challenge, League of their Own, Celebrity Ex on the Beach, Junior Bake Off and the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series.
In April, I had the incredible privilege of working for three months in Inverness on The Traitors, including BBC The Celebrity Traitors, BBC The Traitors, and NBC The Traitors. It was surreal to work on a show I had loved as a viewer, and even more rewarding to be part of the team bringing it to life behind the scenes.
As a runner for the executive producers, I gained invaluable insight into senior editorial decision-making and the processes behind producing a large-scale, highly successful reality television series. Working alongside such a talented and dedicated crew was both highly educational and rewarding, as well as a lot of fun and, not least, a pretty cool office!
The film and TV industry is unique in how it functions, and getting your first job can often be difficult, with several students leaving their universities with all the skills but no direction or contacts for getting that first role.
The Film and Television MA at Birmingham is progressive in its approach and opportunities it offers to students, as it is largely industry-focused and catered towards helping students get a career in the industry once they finish on the course.
My placement supervisor Jemma helped me acquire a placement at North One through the university connections. It was here that I did my placement as a runner on The Gadget Show, where I was able to gain on set experience, a credit on my CV and most importantly contacts that led me to getting roles as soon as my master’s was over.
The MA programme also enabled me to develop both practical skills and a strong theoretical understanding of the screen industries, which have further supported my growth and progression by equipping me with the knowledge, experience, and confidence required to navigate the industry.
I will always be grateful to my teachers and supervisors, and for my time at Birmingham, which gave me the platform to kickstart my career and was instrumental in securing opportunities like The Traitors. I would highly recommend the programme to anyone looking to take their first step into the industry, and I would not be where I am today without it.
My placement supervisor Jemma helped me acquire a placement at North One through the university connections. It was here that I did my placement as a runner on The Gadget Show, where I was able to gain on set experience, a credit on my CV and most importantly contacts that led me to getting roles as soon as my master’s was over.