Directing fast track: Fast rise to the directing seat with Sarah McLaughlin

McLaughlin directing at the PSA Qatar Classic 2020

By Sarah McLaughlin, freelance director   

What draws me to a career in live sport? I would be lying if I didn’t say adrenaline. I remember the first time I sat in the seat at the Squash Tournament of Champions in Grand Central Station and it was like a wash of calm came over me, so different to the replay role; I knew this was where I wanted to be.

Two jobs so far in my career that stand out to me are Wimbledon and my first Football Focus episode. Wimbledon is just incredible and, as a tennis lover, it was surreal. It was amazing to work with so many female directors also, and 50/50 crews! An amazing experience. Football Focus was a huge one, a legacy show on BBC One and wee old Sarah from rural Donegal is directing it? Mind blowing for me!

I come from rural Ireland and was lucky to get into university through the Access DCU Entry Route (ADER) which is aimed at students who, due to their socio-economic background and low family income, face additional barriers to gaining entry to or taking up their place in Dublin City University.

I remember walking through the ‘hub’ (student centre) on a tour and seeing a radio studio and being very confused and asking someone, “wait, you can work in radio?”. Then I saw the TV studio, and it was like my world opened up.

I did my undergrad in Communications, which is a broad course with practical and theory modules, but what really began my career was being part of the Media Production Society. I started by going to different classes they ran, such as how to edit on Premiere Pro, how to shoot a piece, and then the 24-hour broadcast for charity. This was the big event of the year; 24 hours of live broadcasting – the run up to it was pitching ideas, shooting, editing and then getting to do every role in the gallery from camera op to director – I just loved every second of it.

Being me, I became chair of the society in my final year and had a recordbreaking broadcast that went viral, raised loads for charity and got us on national TV.

Technical background

During this year, I spoke with a past student who had done a Masters in Broadcast Production in the film school of Ireland, IADT. I interviewed for IADT and got in; it was a small class with various ages and industry experience.

I don’t think you need to go to uni to work in TV at all, but where I was from in Ireland it was the only way to do it, especially with no contacts.

I knew I wanted to direct but didn’t feel I would be taken seriously if I didn’t have a technical background, and this course provided that: 95% practical, working in a 3 million euro gallery, directing and producing your own magazine show and documentaries.

“I remember walking through the ‘hub’ (student centre) on a tour and seeing a radio studio and being very confused and asking someone, ‘wait, you can work in radio?’”

But it was tough; five days a week in class 9am to 5pm, then working in a production company at the weekend.

My time at Dublin City University, where I did my BA, was amazing but there didn’t feel like there was a place or opportunities for women in sport, as it was very male dominated and focused on Gaelic and rugby, plus at this time there was no Women’s Super League, no W Series, nothing that I saw the uni covering or the media that was a space for women’s sports.

It was only during this time at IADT where I did my MA that I began to feel there was a space for me in sports broadcasting as I found crossfit (I know, *CUE EYE ROLL*) but in starting to lift weights and be part of this community I saw a niche in sport I could be part of; smaller sports that made a difference to people.

Squashing in experience

My first job after my MA was in squash. I saw an advert online and applied, got an interview, flew to Leeds, and ultimately got the job, which involved live OB’s around the world. I went in rather boldly saying I wanted to direct the tour, but that was my goal and I never stopped pushing for it – even with many obstacles.

I began as a broadcast assistant even though I was over-qualified, and after a few months became a replay operator (3play/Simplylive) on the broadcast. So we would arrive on site, rig the flyaway kit (three different kits, SDI, traditional and a Simplylive one) operate, derig and move onto the next event.

After a while I was allowed to direct early rounds, so rig, direct, operate when the other director came in, then derig move on. But over that 2.5 years and 25-plus events, and being the only female on the internal and external team, was difficult in many ways.

I found solace in being part of the Rise Women in Broadcast Programme which SVG Europe sponsored me to be on. I knew no one in the industry as squash was small and used the same freelancers, but I was lucky to be mentored by Champions League director Gemma Knight; this changed my career path.

With her guidance and the support I felt from the other girls on Rise I decided I needed to leave the squash tour and go freelance.

My first freelance job was the US Open Tennis and from there I kept working and pushing. I got employed by Sky Sports Racing as a director, then the Women’s Tennis association brought me in to direct. From there BBC Sport gave me the opportunity to direct at Queens, Commonwealth Games, Football Focus and more upcoming.

I think being in the right place at the right time has a lot to answer for in my career but people taking a chance on a young director was the key for me. Getting the opportunity, making the most of it and proving myself was my part.

Time for progression

Being a women – and a young women – has definitely been a challenge in the industry. I continue to be confused for an AP or the production co-ord or any other traditionally female role.

I find talking over email – not providing my age or a picture – tends to progress me more as I am based on my CV and not how young I look. It tends to shock people when I walk in so I try to dress older, wear my glasses, anything that can make people have faith in me. But when it comes down to it, I prove myself in the gallery and that tends to do the job.

As to what advice I would give to other women looking to move into a role in sports broadcasting like my own, oof, I don’t know if I have the answers… but applying for Rise and becoming part of SVG Europe Women honestly was a gamechanger; I didn’t feel so alone in the industry anymore and my experiences were validated. It gave me the strength to believe in myself again. So, to others I’d also say, be conscious; social awareness is such a huge thing in TV. Being able to read the room and know when best to speak is weirdly a big one.

I have only been freelance for 18 months so the growth to others seems fast, but for me I left squash match directing and started back at the bottom doing AP work and pushing my abilities, until various places saw I was capable.