Tells us about your career route to your current role
After coming on board the Pact Indie Diversity Scheme in 2019, I found myself working in a wonderful indie that gave me lots of experience and responsibility in a supportive environment. After the initial contract I was kept on at Caledonia TV making historical and travel docs. I then drew on my background as a medical Doctor to find roles with health and science themes, landing a series researcher role on the historical health hybrid Extra Life in the midst of the pandemic.
I was then fortunate enough to be handpicked for the BBC Studios Assistant Producer Accelerator Programme which provided another structured step forward. Since then, I’ve been working as an Assistant Producer (AP) within two main areas - documentary and specialist factual. Along the way I’ve consolidated the slate of skills required at the AP level whilst clarifying my own particular strengths and interests. I’ve discovered just how important it is to me to be at the sharp end of access and story shaping. Currently, I'm working at RAW TV where I am being encouraged to look for roles at the story producer level. Things feel exciting and I still have that drive to one day bring my own ideas to an audience.
What key things did the Pact Indie Diversity Training Scheme give you?
A structured and supportive step into the industry including bespoke training and a role in an indie who actively encouraged my development.
Ongoing support around career decisions, connecting with other people in the industry and a sense that I’m part of something.
What was your most memorable or favourite part of the training programme?
Being handed a camera in the first week of my first researcher role and told that I’d be going out with the director to the Scottish coast. If you don’t ask then people don’t know you’re up for it!
What would you say to people who are considering joining the scheme?
Be patient as well as proactive. Come with an open mind as to how those initial steps and first years might look whilst keeping the fire alive for your own ideas and ambitions.
What do you love best about your job in TV?
Constantly learning about new things and meeting new people.
What is your big ambition?
To develop and direct my own documentaries on stories that are personally important. To become a specialist in British documentary-making with Middle Eastern threads.
Please note: this profile is a snapshot of where Haider was in his career in 2023, when we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Pact Indie Scheme.