What are you up to now? Angela Shayer

Meet Angela, the Media Production grad who turned a final-year work placement into a high-flying career as a Head of Production in Canada. From meeting her husband Vince on their first day in halls to raising two bilingual "Star Wars" fans and a pug named Indiana Bones, Angela’s life today is a world away from what her 21-year-old self imagined. 

Now settled in Quebec, she balances a busy career in TV with a love for weekend family time and the great outdoors. Read on for her memories of sunny days on the campus grass, her "lucky" move across the Atlantic, and why she wishes she’d paid more attention in French class! 

What do you miss most about being a student?  

Student life was very much centred around the friendships built during my time in Carlisle, pub visits, watching movies, sitting on the grass in halls and enjoying an easy, fun life. 

What was your favourite place on campus?  

I loved sitting outside on the grass in the halls of residence, it was a hub of activity with everyone coming and going. 

How does your life now compare to what your 21 year-old self imagined?  

21-year-old me would not believe that she would ever live in a French speaking province in Canada. Always terrible with language, yet here I am with bilingual kids, and I don’t do half bad myself. Except in those moments where I still pull out the English card and pretend I’m a tourist 😬. 

What’s the most useful thing you learnt at uni you still use today?  

The greatest life lesson learned was to be kind, always be kind because you never know what someone is going through. I had encountered a terrible interview at a different university, came to interview at the institute and the course leader at the time was so kind, and empathetic and I knew instantly that Cumbria Institute of Art & Design was where I was meant to be. 

Briefly explain what you do in your job...  

As Head of Production for our English unscripted content, I oversee all of our projects in development and production - I essentially take the creative teams dreams and turn them into reality. I oversee all budgeting, scheduling, key hires, cost reporting to networks, legal liaison and risk management. 

What does a typical day look like?  

My typical day includes team mentorship, forward planning, navigating network needs and deliverables - basically meetings, meetings and more meetings! 

How did you get from graduation to where you are today?  

During work experience in the final degree year, I secured my first job in TV in Manchester in 2001 as a production co-ordinator, where I stayed for 10 years hopping between ITV, the BBC and lots of independent production companies. From there, we moved in 2011 to Toronto, Canada for what was supposed to be a temporary move… found my first Canadian TV job, again as a production coordinator at a company called Cineflix, which had a big British invasion of top level executives at the time. Became a production manager and decided after five years (and our first baby!) to move to Montreal. Secured a production manager role at one of the only English language companies in Quebec, and have been there now coming up to 10 years! Advanced over my time from production manager, to line producer, (had a second baby!) production executive and now head of production. Feel very lucky every day that my pack of cards played out this way! 

What are you currently reading, watching, or obsessed with?  

Currently reading The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins - always looking to grow myself to better mentor my teams :-). 

Give us your Cumbria top tips, fave eatery, fave shop, or fave walk...  

Always loved to have the Lake District on my doorstep, very similar to Ontario and Quebec now I think about it - lakes galore, rolling countryside, fresh air. Good for the soul. 

What's your idea of a great weekend?  

My idea of a great weekend will always involve my kids - we go to watch Cooper play his basketball or baseball (depending on the season), and Ava in her dance classes, followed by some delicious brunch, grocery shopping, playing in the park or the pool. I love the routine of the weekend after my busy week of work! 

What are you most proud of?  

I’m most proud of our kids, and that they’re good, kind, funny tiny humans. Also pretty proud of my husband and I having the guts to move to a whole different continent and build an amazing life together - I thank my lucky stars every day. 

What words of wisdom would you give your student self?  

It’s okay to mess up, it’s okay to drop some balls - don’t be too hard on yourself, as long as you learn. And take those French classes when you’re younger because you never know when you might need it (hihi!) 

Share your 'What are you up to now' HERE.