Sharay Raymond-Henry
Sharay left LSC in 2018 after completing a A Levels in Media Studies, Art & Design and Sociology. Since then she has contributed to the creation of number of well known TV shows, including The Traitors, The Circle US and Love Island Aftersun. We asked Sharay to tell us about her Life after Leyton so far…
Can you tell me about your time at LSC?
During my time at LSC, I found myself at a crossroads regarding my future. I was completing A Levels and participating in extracurricular activities that didn’t necessarily align, just subjects I enjoyed following my GCSEs. However, in my final year, I received tremendous support from my media studies teacher, who took the time to help me explore my options. With their guidance, I gained a clearer vision of what I wanted to pursue.
What happened after you completed your studies?
After completing my studies at LSC, I enrolled at the University of Hertfordshire, where I pursued a degree in Film and Television Production. Finding the right university was challenging; I knew what I wanted to do, but many of the institutions I was interested in didn’t offer courses that met my specific needs. Fortunately, the University of Hertfordshire provided exactly what I was looking for. After graduating, I took on daily runner shifts in the TV and film industry, alongside administrative roles that allowed me to network with industry professionals and executive producers. Their advice and support helped me gain valuable experience and secure opportunities on other productions.
What do you do with your time now?
Last year, I completed a development traineeship at Studio Lambert and later took on a role as a development researcher, contributing to the creation of shows such as The Traitors, Race Across the World, The Reward, The Circle US, and The Grand Tour. I also had various stints on unscripted programs, including Love Island Aftersun and ITV’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash. This year, I kicked things off by working with World of Wonder Productions as a story runner on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World. This experience has allowed me to expand my network, build my CV with new credits, and gain insight into a variety of roles within the industry.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge has been the recent state of the TV industry. It’s not the most stable of jobs, and as a freelancer, work can be few and far between. I also wasn’t properly taught about freelancing in the TV and film industry, which made it even harder to navigate at first. However, I’ve overcome that by networking like crazy with people in the industry, stepping out of my comfort zone, writing emails to production companies I want to work for, and reaching out to heads of departments on LinkedIn, Talent Manager and joining TV groups on Facebook like People in TV: Runners/Jobs. This industry is all about who you know because most jobs aren’t advertised, so building those connections has been key to securing work.
What has been the most rewarding experience?
One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had is being contacted by production companies and talent managers I’d spoken to in the past, reaching out to me again. Many of these opportunities came from people who had interviewed me but ultimately rejected me for a role. It still feels surreal receiving those emails, especially for positions I did not even realise I was qualified for. It’s a reminder that I often underestimate the impression I leave on others.
Do you have any advice/guidance for current students?
My advice for current students is to definitely take the time to weigh your options. Leyton is a great place to explore what you enjoy studying and discover more about yourself. Once you leave, you’ll need to choose a path, but don’t let external pressures dictate your decision, you might end up regretting it but in the long run it will be a learning opportunity. I always recommend looking into traineeships and apprenticeships in the industries and roles you’re passionate about. There are so many but they are not always advertised so emailing talent managers and heads of departments is a good tool as well as Facebook career groups ie; People in TV: Runners. Personally, I felt I learned far more through hands-on experience in my traineeship than I did during my three years at university.
