Programme aims

To raise awareness:

• that before setting out to change careers, clear goals need to be set
• that taking one opportunity often leads to an even better one
• that being persistent and hard-working will ultimately pay off
• that to gain experience in a chosen field, you must take chances

Curriculum Relevance

This programme can be used and discussed in conjunction with courses in media studies, performing arts, sociology, psychology, education and health and safety issues.

Programme outline

The film follows Ava's life from being repeatedly expelled from boarding schools to teenage pregnancy. Raising two children alone and often jobless, Ava struggles to make ends meet. She follows her mother into the prison service and serves as a guard for four years before becoming so ill with stress that she quits. After being told by a friend of an upcoming talent competition sponsored by the BBC, Ava enters as a stand-up comedian and makes it to the finals. With persistence and absolute conviction in her abilities Ava improves her comedic talents, drawing on her colorful past and is now a rising star in the world of stand-up comedians.

Credits

Produced by Juniper Communications for Channel 4

Researcher/Camera Dishad Husain
Editor Cathy Houlihan
Executive Producer Samir Shah
Producer/Director Sameena Akbar