Harpal Khambay

My Graduate Story

So, I'm a TV Freelancer, meaning that I don't have a regular contract that continues, I jump around a bit more! I have done long stints on two BBC continuing dramas, working as the Production and Script Secretary. These roles have included a multitude of administrative and editorial tasks, including collating crew lists, proofing and issuing scripts and acting as a point of call for production. Production offices can be very busy, ever-changing environments, which is something that I really enjoy! I find TV really exciting! I worked as the Script Supervisor on a series of BBC short films that were shot in schools in the West Midlands. I mentored students in this role as well, which felt like a real full circle moment! The Script Supervisor is the person who watches written and verbal continuity. Outside of scripted television, I worked on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as a runner and logger, at BBC News during their pre-production of the 2024 US Election and on a comedy panel quiz show about black history. I also have my own weekly community radio show and maintain an online culture blog, which I have had for the past six years. Every day is different!

My Journey

I actually settled on taking a year out, staying in Birmingham with friends to reclaim some of the time that COVID took from my degree. I freelanced with an online newspaper in the summer of 2019, who offered me a permanent role that I turned down. It did not feel right at the time! I also worked on my online blog, and developed myself. I did apply for things, but it is hard to break in. I got my first job as a day runner in Feb 2022 through Facebook, and also that month I applied for a role on 'Doctors,' which I was massively under-qualified for! However, I made it to interview, speaking about my retail experience and passion for TV. I did not get that role, but was approached for and and offered the role of Production Secretary instead! I was honestly preparing to move back to London, but then I ended up staying in Birmingham for another two years on the show! During that time I also squeezed in a few days on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and popped up as an extra on 'Doctors' a couple of times.

My Birmingham Experience

I think an English Literature and History degree really encourages analytical skills, critical thinking and independent working. I mean, doing two degree subjects at the same time encourages a lot of flexibility and multitasking in itself! Not many degrees will give you a text that is hundreds of years old and ask you to dissect it and put a new spin on it! So much of the work that we do, and I did, is original and comes from a unique perspective. This should be celebrated! The constant creative collaboration the course encourages is really important as well. In media, people skills are so important, as is communication. Redbrick also helped me develop my writing style, and provided me with a varied portfolio. I have also held on to the analytical and written skills that I developed during this time, and use them to write my online blog, which keeps my creative juices flowing and the skills that I learnt at Birmingham alive! I did my entire third year in COVID, so I did miss out on some opportunities - while you are at Uni, grab them all with both hands! There are so many good media societies.

Advice for Students

Put yourself out there! The industry that I am in is all about networking, and pushing yourself to the forefront. Don't just wait for an opportunity to pop up, create your own! There are so many things I would not have done if I had not reached out and asked. Working at BBC News during the US Election, attending press nights for theatre shows, going to the British Soap Awards in 2022! TV is an unstable industry, I think you always have to be active, and squeeze everything you can out of every opportunity. I often say that I have several plates spinning! The more skills and knowledge you have, the more employable you will be! Any opportunity you get, ask questions, take the opportunity to shadow other people in your team. I never like to feel that I am plateauing.

Best things about studying English Literature & History

What drew me to it originally was the diverse nature of the content, in both subjects. Out of all the Uni's I looked at it the course felt the most varied and different. For example, the year long Gothic Literature model really stood out, and some of the History ones about Colonial India. I knew pretty early on I did not want to study Norse poetry, which one of my other options offered. The course seemed more reflective of the world we live in, and reflected the diverse nature of Birmingham itself! It also encouraged real creative collaboration, and had some lovely Shakespeare links to Stratford.

My Biggest Achievements

I honestly think getting my 2.1 and graduating was massive, after spending nearly half of my degree in lockdown. I often joke that after that I am sure I can do anything! Outside of Uni, getting my first TV credit was big, watching it run up the screen with my mum and sister was quite special.