RTS award for budding Blackpool TV producer

Maddi Scharmann, is one of just 30 undergraduates nationwide who will receive a TV Production and Journalism bursary from the Royal Television Society.

The 19-year-old is currently studying film and television production at Edge Hill University and besides a cash bursary, she is hoping to receive mentoring from industry professionals.

Maddi said: "This year has been hard and when I received the phone call to say that I’d been successful I thought finally, something positive has happened.

"It’s really exciting for me because this is across the whole of the country, so to be one of 30 people chosen is amazing. "

The idea behind the RTS scheme is to help talented students from lower income backgrounds who are working towards careers in television.

Maddi added: " I had heard about the bursary before and at the end of my first year at university, one of my teachers sent out an email to the year group saying how it was an excellent opportunity for someone.

"I thought I would give it a go and completed the application, but it was such a surprise to hear that I’d been chosen."

She is currently in her second year and said: "Especially in the current climate, it’s really hard to secure a work placement in television.

" Opportunities to gain experience are in such high demand and I hope that having a mentor figure, someone who has worked in the industry and has connections, can help me to secure a placement. I’m hoping to gain as much experience as I can to help me get that first step into the industry."