The BAFTA-winners inspiring MA Television’s screen scene

London College of Communication (LCC) covers a range of subjects at our Screen School – and MA Television offers postgraduates the chance to study one of the most dramatically changing industries in media today.

To stay on top of the constant developments, leading television producers, directors and creative leaders spend time talking to LCC students as part of the MA's Visiting Practitioners series.

One regular guest speaker was Leo Burley, who has been delivering masterclasses at regular intervals at LCC for the last 3 years. Burley this year won the BAFTA for Single Documentary, for his 2022 BBC film, The Real Mo Farah.

Burley’s work looked at the life of the Team GB Olympic running legend and broke the story of how he was illegally trafficked into the UK as a child.

Another BAFTA-winning Visiting Practitioner is TV and film producer Rosie Alison. Alison’s recent work has included a documentary looking at the life of poet TS Eliot, Into 'The Waste Land' – but she is perhaps best known for producing the Paddington films.

The talks illustrate key aspects of the MA, which covers areas including format, narrative, scripting, treatments, proposals, proofs of concept and pitches together with techniques across camera, sound and editing.

In a world where streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and TikTok sit alongside traditional broadcasters like the BBC and established pay networks like Sky and HBO, MA Television also explores the digital revolution’s transformative impact on television production, distribution and consumption, and analyse how TV intersects with social media.

We spoke to MA Television student Monica Dhaka to discuss what she took away from the masterclasses, capturing feelings and experiences, and the importance of trusting your gut.

Tell us about your creative practice.

I'm a producer, director and passionate storyteller.

One thing I love about being a creative is that it allows me to collaborate with unique and diverse creative minds, and to bring their stories to life. I'm drawn to challenging narratives about people and their experiences, aiming to evoke genuine emotions.

This passion led me to choose the London fetish community as the subject of my Major Project documentary film - despite its extreme challenges - it’s a unique and compelling topic.

Why did you decide to study an MA in Television at LCC? 

Being part of this industry in India – with brands like Viacom and Disney – I have worked on many aspects of content creation: reading scripts, approving promos, suggesting network cuts and approving content.

But I realised that my creative authority on content was restricted. I could only approve content, not create it.

I wanted to learn how to understand the vision of a story and turn ideas into action.

I chose LCC because it's among the top institutions in the UK and offers a wide range of important technical skills that I wanted to learn. Hearing my Course Leader, Susan Shaw, talk about the program on an Open Day made me sure of my choice.

Who have you encountered as part of the Visiting Practitioners series?

Meeting Leo Burley (who made The Real Mo Farah) was a true privilege. Hearing him talk and learning his approach to film-making was so helpful.

I learned that a documentary is not just about getting the authentic story out, but also being a silent ghostwriter in the background.

Meanwhile meeting Rosie Alison, the producer of my favourite Paddington movies, was like a dream come true. She talked about Into 'The Waste Land' and taught me how to bring literary works to life on screen. Rosie's way of turning complex ideas into visual art really stuck with me.

While working on my Major Project film, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Jonathan Levi, a successful TV producer and BAFTA-nominated documentary filmmaker. He helped and guided me in bringing my vision for my film to the screen.

Tal Amiran, a documentary filmmaker and an Associate Lecturer at UAL, really influenced my time as a student. His films, especially Dafa Metti, have shown me how powerful storytelling can be.

The way he captures feelings and experiences in his films has changed how I think about making movies.

How have the visiting practitioners given you their industry insights?

In our weekly masterclasses, we watch their work to understand their storytelling methods and discuss their experiences of creating it.

They’ve also shared valuable tips with all of us to help us enhance our storytelling skills, like grasping the core of our narratives and forming emotional connections with our audiences.

Getting to personally know many of these professionals has been amazing - seeing their work and learning practical insights about the industry has been really useful.

I’ve been taught to make creative choices, think in new ways and trust my gut instincts in filmmaking.

What have you most enjoyed about your experience as an LCC student so far?

LCC will always hold a very special place in my heart.

I have not only gained knowledge from so many incredible people I have met, but also learned a lot about myself.

Overcoming my fear of public speaking was a personal triumph. When I joined LCC, I made a promise to work on my fear of public speaking. I took a leap by becoming the MA Television Class Representative to ensure my peers have a great student experience.

I took another big step and decided to become an LCC Student Ambassador. I met lots of different people, made so many new friends - and at the same time, learned from others. It was really fulfilling to help other students and be part of the LCC community in this meaningful way.

I genuinely believe that a good university has the power to transform you and bring out your best, and that is precisely what LCC and UAL have done for me.

However, I cannot stress enough the vital role my teachers also played in making my student experience so wonderful.

What tips would you give to prospective students who are interested in exploring the world of television?

Be curious, ask a lot of questions, follow your gut - and, most importantly, find a mentor who can guide and support you.

The rest, I promise, will fall into place.

The creative world is so big, and if you're passionate about your work, you'll eventually figure out where you belong.

Related links:

• Learn more about Monica from her profile on The Production Base.
• Learn more about studying MA Television at LCC.
• Find out more about our Screen School.