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PERSON FOCUS: IAN TOOTLE
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Ian Tootle is Line Producer/Unit Manager for Restoration Village at Endemol Scotland and outgoing Chairman of the Production Managers' Association.
What was your first broadcast/film industry related job?
Trainee Studio/OB Camera Operator at Tyne Tees TV in Newcastle (1973) but that didn't last long. Then, after a break of five years or so doing professional theatre, I returned as an Assistant Stage Manager for Thames TV at Teddington (1979).
What made you take that particular job?
Schoolboy ambition, after the BBC did an OB from the local Methodist Church where we lived in Leicester in 1971, and a nice senior cameraman let me play around with his camera during rehearsal breaks... I was hooked!
What career-defining positions have you held since?
BBC Drama AFM in 1981, Central TV Floor Manager in 1985, Freelance Location Manager in 1991, Freelance Production Manager and Line Producer since 1995.
What has been your proudest moment to date?
Professionally, a close run thing between persuading the authorities to close four of the River Tyne bridges in Newcastle for 20 minutes on a Sunday evening, in order to film an explosion for 'Spender', and persuading the Church of England and the Dean to allow me to 'run' Gloucester Cathedral for several weeks during the filming of The Choir for the BBC.
And, of course, being offered Restoration Village by Endemol, my current job and employer!
What is the most important lesson you've learned in your working life?
Assumption is the 'mother of all foul-ups' (or words to that effect)!
What would you most like to achieve in your career?
A reasonable retirement pension!
In your line of work, what is the most important personality trait to have, and how do you go about getting it?
Infinite patience and a robust sense of humour - often featured as a module of many reputable media courses but, as a traditionalist, I favour the 'born with it' approach!
Where will you have your lunch today?
Probably at my desk, dreaming of oysters and chablis in Rogano, Glasgow.
How do you occupy your time when you're not working?
During the summer months, watching county and test cricket, and in the winter, wishing I was somewhere warm, watching cricket.
Who do you consider to be the most inspirational figure in your life?
Apart from my late father, who was a well-respected 'people manager', the late theatre and radio director, Anthony Cornish, who helped nurture my early career and, in response to a question from someone asking him if he knew me, was reputed to have replied: Know him?! I invented him!!
Complete this sentence: "The best things in life are ..."
Free! Well, what else would you expect from a Production Manager?!
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