Stepping Stones: Staying dynamic with Premier League Productions’ assistant producer Eleanor Bishop

Working at the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, Eleanor Bishop, an assistant producer at Premier League Productions

Eleanor Bishop is an assistant producer at Premier League Productions, where she is enjoying the dynamic nature of her daily work, as well as looking ahead to the future, with a goal of becoming a gallery director one day. Stepping Stones articles are here to showcase young talent in sports broadcasting. Read on for more!

What is your job role today and what do you love about it?

I am an assistant producer for Premier League Productions at IMG, specialising in the live football department. We distribute all 380 matches of a Premier League season to our international broadcasters. I work on the majority of these throughout the season.

What I enjoy the most about my role is its dynamic nature. My responsibilities range from operating in a live gallery at the weekend to engaging in creative tasks, such as editing bespoke style openers and promos for enhanced matches ahead of each match round.

What does your current job entail on a day to day basis?

During the week, I focus on developing creative concepts for the key fixture of the upcoming weekend. This involves research, seeking inspiration and creating mood boards, which could include exploring our Premier League archive for dynamic graphic pieces or planning and directing shoots related to the fixture. The creative freedom I have is exceptional, and I greatly appreciate the support I receive from both my team and other members of Premier League Productions in bringing my ideas to life.

As the weekend approaches, my responsibilities shift significantly. On match days, I oversee the production of a MUX (Multiplex) feed, which delivers three separate feeds to our broadcasters for the weekend’s most high profile games. I manage one of these feeds, curating the visual content for pre-match, fan reactions, goals, red cards, and any key moments of the game. This content is then fed to our international broadcasters to use across their own platforms.

A crucial part of my role also involves turning around all post-match interviews with players and managers. The energy and adrenaline involved in working on live games in the gallery is unparalleled.

Eleanor Bishop from Premier League Productions interviewing Hector Bellerin on an Arsenal media access day

Can you talk us through your relevant education that helped you break into the sports broadcasting industry?

I studied Film and TV Production at university, driven by a deep passion and fascination for the process behind the creation of films and television entertainment. The skills and knowledge I gained during my studies significantly contributed to my development and understanding of the industry.

However, I would emphasise that perseverance, coupled with a strong work ethic, were ultimately pivotal in securing my role within the sports broadcasting industry. I adopted a proactive approach, always seizing opportunities as they arose and fully embracing each one. Building a strong network and leaving a lasting impression has proven to be essential to my success.

How did you get your first job in sports broadcasting, what was the role, and when?

My first official role in sports broadcasting was as a media coordinator for Premier League Productions in 2016. In this position, I was responsible for overseeing the ingestion and management of all media entering and leaving the facility, including matches, shoots, interviews, press conferences, and training footage. Additionally, I assisted producers in sourcing the most compelling shots or archival material to enhance specific stories, features, or montages.

Before I applied for the role, I was invited to an open day at Premier League Productions, where I had the opportunity to meet my former manager, William Leonard. He informed me about upcoming job opportunities and I stayed in touch, reaching out once a week until the media coordinator position was officially posted and I applied. The rest, as they say, is history.

What happened next to get you where you are today?

Within a year, I had advanced to senior media coordinator, before becoming one of the youngest managers in Premier League Productions at the age of 24. I led the department for three seasons, overseeing a team of up to 14 staff members, one of my most significant achievements to date.

While managing media operations, I maintained a strong passion for production, particularly producing and directing. I consistently dedicated extra hours, supporting various departments with shoots and editing opportunities to broaden my experience. Whether that be as a second camera operator or making the tea.

IMG and Premier League Productions have given me incredible opportunities during my career to work in other productions and numerous live outside broadcasts. This has included major events like the World Championship Snooker, UK Championship Snooker, Masters Snooker, Welsh Open, Champions League of Darts, BDO Lakeside World Darts Championship, Asian Games, Indian Wells Tennis, Miami Open, Queen’s Tennis, FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euros.

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup I was based in Qatar and my crew followed the Croatian team on their journey through the tournament. We had incredible access to shoot behind the scenes footage of them in camp, interviews, press conferences and fun quizzes for our digital team. I built good relationships with the players and staff members, the legend Luka Modric even signed a Croatian shirt for me. Similarly, I was based in Rome for seven weeks during the 2020 UEFA Euros, but there were a few more restrictions due to the covid protocols. Here we interviewed players and filmed training sessions of teams that flew into Rome.

Beyond live broadcasting, I have produced and directed documentary-style magazine shows for PL Stories which is broadcasted internationally and domestically on Sky, TNT/Discovery and Amazon Prime. This role allowed me to travel to Iceland to cover a story about the small town of Akranes, a population of approximately 8,000. They defied the odds for years, consistently nurturing and developing generations of footballing talent who have competed on the global stage. Many have reached international level and starred in the Premier League, including Burnley’s Joey Guðjónsson and Bolton’s Arnar Gunnlaugsson.

I was courageous enough to pitch this idea to my producers and worked closely with the director of photography; it was only a two-person crew. I served as a second camera operator, provided creative direction, structured scripts, and interviewed many contributors from the town to help bring the story to life.

Each of these experiences has shaped my career and brought me to where I am today.

Eleanor Bishop from Premier League Productions at the World Cup 2022

What job would you like to be in in five or 10 years time? What are your career goals?

In the next five to 10 years, I aspire to become a well-established gallery director within the live football department or studio programming. I am committed to continuous learning and developing my skills to achieve this goal.

Can you give us some top tips that really helped you get where you are today? 

I cannot emphasise this enough: building a strong network and stepping out of your comfort zone are essential for growth. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; they are invaluable learning opportunities. Be authentic and let your personality shine; confidence not only enhances your own presence but also influences those around you.
Supporting and guiding those around you fosters strong professional relationships too. Seek inspiration by watching films, television shows, and reading articles to generate fresh ideas for promos, features, or stories. Enthusiasm, passion, and originality will set you apart; ask yourself, what unique value can you bring to the industry?
Proactively reach out to industry professionals, ask insightful questions about their roles, and explore opportunities for hands-on experience or placements. Initiative and curiosity are key to establishing a successful career.

Can you give us some tips on things not to do or to avoid when trying to get a role you really want?

Ensure you are well-prepared before reaching out to someone about a role. It’s completely acceptable to express interest but always approach conversations professionally and respectfully; avoid being overly persistent, as it may be off-putting.
What would you say are the barriers to getting a job in the broadcast industry?

One of the key challenges is lacking the right connections to gain initial access to the industry or a particular workplace.

Competition is another significant factor, as this is a highly competitive field. Differentiating yourself and showcasing unique strengths is essential to stand out.

Additionally, the availability of roles can be unpredictable. Staying informed by signing up for job alerts and regularly monitoring industry openings can help you stay ahead of opportunities.

What would you recommend to other people thinking of working in the broadcast industry?

Foster a positive and supportive attitude, contribute ideas, and embrace creativity. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; they are essential for growth. Continuously challenge yourself, seek constructive feedback, and engage in self-evaluation to refine your skills and improve professionally.