Amber Genn, Class of 1990 (1983 joiner) and mum of current Year 11 student Delilah, visited Latymer on Wednesday 29th January, to give a talk about working in the media to Year 10-13 students. 

Throughout her time at Latymer, Amber was actively involved in the Arts, singing in Chamber Choir, being directed by Mr Vause in school production such as Abigail in The Crucible and Fraulein Kost in Cabaret and as a Latymer House Officer directing house drama productions and Choral Verse entries.

When asked which Latymer teacher inspired her, Amber commented "Mr Vause took bold choices with his school productions – The Crucible in the round, a no-holds-barred Cabaret, apron-staged Romeo and Juliet – which were inspiring. Mr Elliot, Head of Music, gave me a love of choral singing, especially the rousing versions of Barnum songs! Miss Croydon, who taught Art and History of Art, had faith in me when the going got tough."

Productions in which Amber took part whilst at Latymer

Amber achieved excellent grades and could have applied to study universities like Oxford, but decided to take a different path by studying English at the University of Reading, as she wanted a more modern and creative course. 

Whilst at university, Amber ran the Drama Society and wrote articles for the university paper. Unbeknownst to her this would change her life. She hatched an opportunistic plan to meet heart-throb Robbie Williams and Take That whilst they were presenting The Big Breakfast in 1993. This led to a knee-trembling interview on set with the band and a later return to interview Chris Evans and Paula Yates. She secured a double-page spread for the resulting article in the university newspaper. Watching the excitement of Channel Four's ground-breaking programme was exhilarating and ultimately sparked her passion for live television. 

After graduating from university, Amber, her brother (who studied media) and a university friend created and presented a teen TV show, called Pandemonium and delivered the pink ribbon wrapped tapes by hand to 40 TV commissioners and producers. One production company – comedy specialists Channel X, run by Jonathan Ross, embraced their endless enthusiasm and gave them a chance. They employed Amber to develop youth programmes for a year. It was an extraordinary experience for a new graduate allowing her access to the biggest comedians, TV and pop stars of the 90s, freedom to develop innovative programmes, pitch to commissioning editors across major networks and a chance to shadow established producers. 

Amber embraced the ups and downs of 90s youth TV, moving from runner and researcher on Channel 4s controversial Girlie Show – booking models, writing scripts, sourcing costumes, looking after Spice Girls - to the more mainstream atmosphere of ITVs This Morning where she started as researcher, filming with the Bee Gees in Monte Carlo and working her way up to become their youngest day producer. There she met her husband – a researcher and would-be director at the time. She described it as one of her favourite productions, as she had the privilege of filling two hours of live TV every week with a huge amount of creative freedom. Amber continued to work as a freelance producer and rose up to series editor for programmes on ITV, Channel 5 and digital channels and also developed programmes for Sky One. 

Talking to our students, Amber also emphasised the tough moments and realities over working in the media. The majority of people in the industry work as freelancers, without job stability and spending their lives not knowing when their next gig will be. A very small percentage of people actually succeed, with it taking more than just talent and luck. She also highlighted that you often do as you're told even if it doesn't always align with your vision, as there are "thousands of people who want your job". 

She also talked about mental health, and why it is imperative to have a backup plan as so many people leave the creative industries for more stable jobs. For example, her husband retrained to become a lawyer and wouldn't propose to her till he secured a training contract to ensure stability for their future family. Despite all these moments, Amber commented that she "couldn't have imagined herself doing anything else," and this was the "wonderful curse of creativity." 

Amber concluded with some wise words: "Just because you like cake doesn't mean you should bake it" and encouraging students to be self-critical and going over the issues that may arise due to AI. 

She also promoted helping in school and music productions and media projects and that Latymer is one of the best schools because the House system promotes independence and leadership, plus so many resources are open to students. Pupils should also create their own content as "there has never been a time where you have so much access to media and ability to create". 

Amber's talk demonstrated that Latymer continues to be a place that nurtures creativity and encourages students to take a leap of faith into a field that may not always pay as much as medicine or finance but will provide an enriching life. 

If someone had told Amber all those years ago, when she was directed in productions by Drama teacher Mr Vause, that she would have produced prime time shows on TV for millions of viewers and come back to Latymer to inspire current students to do the same, she wouldn't have believed you! 

Amber and her daughter Delilah on the day of her 11+ test

More from Amber on her experience at Latymer: 

Some more fond memories: Spoken Verse competitions, making a pre-Raphaelite Ophelia in cake for the house cake competition, looking up at the Sixth Form boys in daily assemblies, Music Tour to Baden-Baden and Paris and singing in Chartres Cathedral with Chamber Choir. The History of Art trip to Venice inspired a life-long love of the city. Oh, and Mr Mizon constantly saying to me, "Stop, Amber…Go." 

Her favourite production: The Crucible, Temptation Sordid and Virtue Rewarded (a spoof Victorian melodrama for House Drama in which I starred with Tim Muffet, who was in my class - my first date! We co-directed House Drama in Sixth Form and Tim went on to be a successful reporter for BBC1.) 

And finally, about now being parent of a Latymerian: It's remarkable that Delilah is here. I took her to see the junior production of Billy Elliot at the school in 2019 to show her the school and she fell in love! I knew that she would thrive with the music and drama that Latymer excels at, and she is so passionate about. She was utterly determined to get in and I was exceptionally proud on her first day. My aunt, Yvette Genn (barrister and judge) was here in the 1970s and it was quite emotional when we first came together to watch Delilah as Mrs Wormwood in Matilda. Three generations of Latymer girls under the same roof!