The challenge of a day's worth of TV newscasting is something we're no strangers to....but LIVE news, updated EVERY hour ON the hour is something entirely new! With the generous participation of experienced anchor Zoe Iqbal, the day was both challenging AND extremely rewarding for all participants; developing the news agenda as it unfolded and emerged proved extremely exciting. As is so often the case, the pressure of the task in hand resulted in lots of new lessons which had to be learnt - and learnt quickly - in order to be applied.

In this industry, there's simply no substitute for work experience; the good thing about having past graduates from our course out working in industry is that when work-experience opportunities occur, they can be snapped up by our current undergraduates.

Carly's meteoric progress to her present position as Assistant Producer with CentreScreen means that we are the first port-of-call when runners are required for their ongoing corporate projects.

Gina spent a long day on the shoot alongside the CentreScreen crew; she writes: "...What a brilliant day it was! I took part in corporate shoot for a 'diversity and awareness' training film for Greater Manchester Fire Service. The rest of the crew made me feel really welcome and it was good to see the way they use their lights and the style of camera shots they use. I was kept very busy most of the time and felt glad that I have been doing such a 'hands-on' course because I had to help rig and de-rig the red-heads! Truly a brilliant day - tiring, but brilliant! ....and so good to work alongside Carly in her professional capacity - she's very organised and helpful!"

Five perormances of this year's sell-out pantomime - webcast LIVE to the world from the Peter Barkworth Theatre in Stockport and watched (to our knowledge) in Canada, Spain and Poland. The opportunity was seized by our new recruits to provide a live multi-camera mix of the live shows along with pre-made interval features and live interviews for the web audience. Gina - who directed three of the live webcasts - writes:

"...I was slightly dubious at first and didn't think I'd really enjoy it or do that good a job of it. But I have to say at times, as stressed as I have been, I've really enjoyed it and would definitly like to do something like it again.

I also enjoyed the whole communication side of things and liked the fact that a few people on our course were able to build relationships with some of the Perfoming Arts students. I have already spoken to four students about the chance of us possibly involving them in future projects. It's good that we can collaborate with them."

The WATER SHED was the umbrella title for a series of EIGHT diverse 'lifestyle' shows.

The subjects covered ranged from state of the INDIE music Market to life in a village populated by scarecrows to the future of Fashion to a gameshow based on 'word association' to a peek inside Stockport County F.C. to a revival of JUKE BOX JURY to what makes an ASBO and even an examination of why Christmas starts so early - so a wide-ranging list of subjects!

The series was produced by the second year HND (moving image) students utilising a strict rotational system ensuring that each of the EIGHT WATER SHED shows experienced a unique production crewing pattern. This system provided the leading roles of Producer: Director/vision mixer: P.A.: Sound Supervisor:Floor Manager: Autocue Operator: Aston Operator.

The first Year HND (moving image) provided a full Studio technical Crew comprising Camera Operators; Floor Sound: Lighting (Carl was Lighting Dircetor for all 8 Shows) & Runners.

This WATERSHED series also provided a cross-college collaboration with the BA (Hons) Design & Visual Arts Multimedia Pathway (Animated Graphics) students who, individually, produced a bespoke (and magnificient) package of graphics for each show.

The students were treated to a visit from industry heavyweight PAUL WALKER on November 21st 2006.

Paul is a distinguished and respected veteran VISION MIXER, who has worked with some of the finest director in British television; on the staff of the BBC between 1971 and 1993, and freelance thereafter. He was kind enough to give us a detailed seminar on the mysteries lurking within our beloved GRASS VALLEY 200 Vision Mixing device. He also allowed us to film his seminar so that students in the future will be able to benefit from this most valuable information.

Paul's visit comes at a time when our second year students are about to embark on eight half-hour "lifestyle" programmes under the umbrella title of "THE WATER SHED". Thanks to Paul Walker, we can look forward to some inspired vision mixing in this series...

Jaimie and Mike worked as runners on this annual RTS event. Mike writes:

"It was a great event to be a part of! I gained valuable experience working at a big media event on the north west calendar! I had to do various tasks throughout the long day to ensure that the event was a rousing sucess. I was also privileged to work with Helen Bullough and Victoria Roye from the BBC who were generous in their thanks.

As for the awards ceremony itself, it was attended by various local programme-makers and celebrities. The night was hosted by ex-Coronation Street star Sally Lindsey and Phoenix Nights and Bullseye host, Dave Spikey. The winners included North West tonight host, Gordon Burns for best regional news host, and the Granada News team for best news show. But it was comedian Johnny Vegas who stole the show for his surreal speech that lasted for at least 10 minutes!!! It was a very enjoyable day which I was exausted at the end of but extremely happy as I enjoyed the experience of a major event!"

Paul led a crew to the vast expanses of Blackpool Opera House on BBC "Children in Need" night 2006 to shoot a live gig hosted by Liberty X; acts included Chico, former Big Brother contestant Michelle Bass, Billiam, Chris Hind, Devon, "Mrs Robinson", Lee Otaway (Hollyoaks), Big Brovaz, The Fat Cowboy, Jamie Shaw (One True Voice), Phil (X Factor) & Kute.

Rachel Ashdown found time in her heavy schedule to break her journey between London and Manchester by stopping off at Stockport College to meet and talk to both the first and second year students on the HND Media (Broadcasting) course. Rachel had met the outgoing graduates at our annual MEET THE EMPLOYABLES evening and insisted that the tutors found a mutually agreeable date so that she could meet the 'new' students.

Rachel treated us all to some fascinating anecdotes about her experiences of working for many Independent TV Companies both here in the UK and in America.

Pulling no punches, Rachel told it 'as it is' and gave ALL the students a valuable insight into how to succeed in the Television Industry once they leave Stockport College in 2006/7.

Visits from our friends from across the pond in L.A. have now become an annual event, and this year proved even more ambitious than ever: three casts - all reheasring in isolation - then mixed up on the day of performance itself to generate a truly international mix of USA and UK - all three versions webcast "live" to the world and with a de-brief programme at the end hosted by Larry Heimgartner (USA) and Gavin McDougall (UK) to unpick some of the issues of the drama and - perhaps predictably - the challenge of the day's activities for actors of all nationalities. We look forward to another visit from our US frieds before too long.

A first series of major challenges for our new recruits: twelve live programmes plus one day of "rolling news" (every hour - on the hour); a fabulously intensive introduction to the magical world of live television and the flexibility of approach that working "live" inevitably entails - especially when the unforseen happens!

This year's graduation ceremony was held in the Ballroom at Stockport Town Hall in October 2006. The guest of honour was Helen Bullough (Managing Editor of BBC Entertainment in Manchester and Executive Producer for the celebrated TV series "Dragon's Den") who visited our TV Studio before the event, and later had the pleasure of awarding Carly, Jo, Jason and James with their well-deserved HND qualification.

the latest crop of new recruits for eskayproductions were given their first opportunity to light and vision mix live content

Sarah writes: "I was absolutely petrified - it all seemed a bit overwhelming but it proved most enjoyable. We made short programmes based around local stories; looking back with the benefits of hindsight, the skills were built very slowly, but it all seemed so concentrated at the time! It certainly got us into the right frame of mind about timings and teamwork - and was was the best way to get to know each other!"

After a lot of sweat and tears, fiulming has finally concluded on our ambitious period drama "High Window"; set in and around the building of the Stockport Workhouse, the drama will now enter a prolonged period of post-production with an anticipated premiere date of late-January 2007 - watch out for details!

Our annual event to alert the world of media production within the North-West of England proved even more successful than ever: representatives from ITV Granada and many of thr regional independents joined an packed audience of parents and friends (and even some ex-students!) to celebrate the work of our graduations students and - crucially - their employability.

The guest of honour this year was Richard Greenwood - originally a native of Stockport himself, but thesedays more usually to be found in the dizzier heights of large scale US/UK collaborative media productions, Richard proved the ideal example of how anything can be possible if you dare to dream - and work phenomenally hard to achieve it!

Richard's company: Original Productions UK was set up by Stewart Morris, Richard himself and Peter Eyre, the award winning team behind Sky TV's Brainiac: Science Abuse. Specialising mainly in factual entertainment shows and formats, their first commission, Test Tube Baby, a live Brainiac spin-off was one of the best performing programmes in Sky One's 8 o'clock Thursday slot last year. A further 26 episodes of TTB have already been green-lit for 2007. The company is an affiliate of Thom Beers' Original Productions of Burbank, California, producers of Deadliest Catch, Monster Garage, The Messengers and BIG.

The event was crewed by students completing their first year with us......next time around....it will be them proving their employability...!

Location Filming has begun on an ambitious period drama - "HIGH WINDOW". Set largely in the 1840s, HIGH WINDOW tells the story surrounding the design and build of the Stockport Workhouse and illustrates daily life for its inmates. Logistically, this challenging production draws in many period locations and skills from a wide variety of sources across the North West. Illustrated here we see the first two days of shooting at Bramall Hall and Quarry Bank Mill, Styal.

Adam has always been one for eccentric ideas with regard to all-action sequences and superhero productions, but even he managed to raise a few eyebrows when he first mooted ideas for a Batman sequence to round off his showreel for "MEET THE EMPLOYABLES 2006"; in the event, we needn't have worried; as ever, Adam carried it off with his customary aplomb - and provided us all with a hilarious day in studio....

Working on Channel 4's popular archaeological programme - TIME TEAM - Tom has been experiencing what real-world deadline-driven production can be like; especially the bits the views don't usually see like long hours, high-energy production skills, and absoulte tiredness! Possibly the best kind of experience anyone can get if they want to work within the phrenetic world of TV production.

A location recce for an upcoming outside broadcast of our own also provided an opportunity to visit Lew and the guys from 021 who were setting up to televise tonight's football match at the City of Manchester Stadium for Sky Sports. Mike, Rick, Jason, James, Jo, Andrew and Roy were welcomed warmly by our new friends from 021 OB. We look forward to seeing you again soon, guys!

Romero and Zoe managed to bag an interview with Andrew Stunnell M.P. for their news packages currently in production

Students worked alongside Crew from Multimedia Arts to provide the sound and video engineering to support this important conference about the future of television broadcasting in the UK outside London.

Two students on the "Erasmus" programme from Poland spent the autumn term working alongside us on Basic News Programming and two large-scale OBs.

We wish them well on their return to Poland. We'll miss their energy and committment.

After a regional tour, Holly and Phil chose to bring their tour to a climax at the Peter Barkworth Theatre in Stockport. For the occasion they were joined by The Fosbrook Folk Education Trust and a number of local performers from Stockport to raise funds for Tsunami relief. Jason & James were on hand to oversee the OB.

The Pantomime season is upon us again - this year bigger and better and boating the longest rolling credits in our history!

DESIGN YOUR FUTURES - November 2005

GMEX Exhibition Centre - a chance to live chromakey broadcast right from the heart of the UCAS recruitment convention - this year with lighting and GOBO support for the projection of logos.

As part of her ongoing work for her directorial debut on a TV commercial, Carly managed to persuade a steadicam operator and fuuiull rig to take part in her shoot. Anthony and Jason operated whilst she directed events

Eight solid hours of LIVE TV webcast throughout the world via the internet as a Charity Telethon to raise awareness of issues connected with Mental Health and in celebration of World Mental Heath Day

Gemma contributed a song she'd written herself to the festivities for World Mental Health Day: we shot the piece late one evening in the studio as a pre-recorded VT

After the success of "Bringing back the smiles", Holly and Phil gave an intimate and relaxed performance of three of their songs as a contribution to the upcoming World Mental Health Day telethon. James and Jason were on hand to film the performances.

The second annual visitation from our friends at Harbour College, Los Angeles, USA brought with it a three-hander play which was performed "live" in front of an audience of students in our Television Studio and webcast live internationally. James was on hand to direct.

We hope that future exchanges with our American friends will be as challenging and as fulfilling

Two years of hard work and our group of programme-makers is about to hit the wide world outside - but not before a bit of pomp and ceremony to celebrate the occasion!

Eminent Regional Television Braodcaster Eamonn O'Neal hosted the occasion, and Jim proposed the vote of thanks at the end.

Gul spent two weeks workshadowing and newsgathering with the correspondents in studio and on locations with the likes of Dave Guest, Colin Jackson. Stuart Flinders, Diane Oxberry and - of course - Gordon Burns

Mano is pictured here with Paul Harrison, Senior Sound Designer at 4:2:2

LIVE STUDIO OPERATIONS - September 2005

First time in-studio for our new recruits

Royston was involved in the design and delivery of the Cobravision Film School, which meant that some of our guys got involved too!

Adam, Jason, Richard and James wewre successful finalists; the prizes were awarded by Jimmi Harkishin (Dev in Coronation Street), and included the winning entries being used as "bumpers" between screenings of films on ITV2 and ITV3

An intensive two-day shoot in Disley for Mike, Adam, Rick, Scott, Carly, Joanne, James, Jason and Bib to help discover the identity of Disley Idol 2005.

A re-working (by the cast) of Ben Elton's novel "Popcorn" turned into our most challenging live series of webcasts to date! Supplying multiple steams of video to remote screens on-stage and mixing live with Studio A, the entire event was webcast internationally. Without question the most technically complex live broadcast we have ever attempted, our Grass Valley mixer was pushed right to its technological limit by the complexity of the event.

A festival of unsigned bands from the north of England - performing LIVE at the Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport. Jim directed the occasion for DVD and Bib, Ashman, Gul and Andrew went down to rig and mix as a live multicam.

A series of live broadcasts with a distinctly regional feel to them were centred around pre-made news packages but provoked much lively in-studio debate between our invited studio guests.

Jim, Mano & Bib were on hand to record the details of a conference for the Surestart govenment initiative. The result was a handsome DVD of the event.

Students used the opportunity to "pitch" ideas for their own final Broadcast Documentary projects to a real-world TV producer/director.

A veteran of more than 200 transmitted programmes on ITV; Jeremy's latest programme - a documentary on Salford artist Harold Riley - airs on ITV in early March 2005

Jason and James were on hand to record the visit of the clebrated Russian a-capella folk/classical group; including such highlights as "Some Enchanted Evening" sung in Russian(!)

Panto Season in Stockport! This year's offering - Aladdin - was given six performances and each one was webcast live as a multi-camera outside broadcast to viewers throughout the world on the internet. We received feedback from viewers as far afield as Dubai and Australia - as well as within the UK.

James directed three fixed angles and a roving crew as well as a live interview feature with members of production crew during the interval. Sound was mixed separately for live audience and for web feed.

A live outside broadcast from a professional theatre as we tele-recorded the end-of-tour operformance of "Mangragora" on behalf of Tara Arts touring theatre company. James Directed, with help from Carly. Alex, Jo and Rick operated cameras

DESIGN YOUR FUTURES - November 2004

GMEX Exhibition Centre - a chance to live chromakey broadcast right from the heart of the UCAS recruitment convention. Liz and Mike are pictured coping with the challenge of being away from studio.

Bigger and better than last year, and boasting sponsorship from Warburtons, this year's Book Awards was covered by a substantial crew from EsKayProductions - utilising the skills of two Steadicam Operators and with Kim at the helm of the Vision Mixer, the event proved a hit with young and old alike. Some of the crew took the opportunity of being photographed with the host: celebrated basketball player John Amaechi.

The first visitation (to Stockport - at least) of our American amigos from Harbour College, Los Angfeles, USA. Thius time, they were touring a one-handed play re-creating with astonishing accuracy the life of Martin Luther King. We took the opportunity to try out our newly-installed RF network linkage to the theatre, and webcast the multi-camera output to a worldwide audience. Yet amidst all of this wondrous theatricality, perhaps the most enduring image was the post-performance interaction between the English and the Americans, proving (if proof were needed) the strength and value of cross-cultural exchanges.

To celebrate the World Mental Health Day Fountion event worldwide, Media Students joined forces with Art Students to mount a multi-camera live event staged from numerous locations around the hub of our studio to produce a non-stop webcast from noon on Saturday October 9th all though the night to noon on Sunday October 10th.

Badly Drawn Boy, the Rt Honourable Sir Gerald Kaufman MP, Professor John Copeland (Chair of the WMF), Ann Coffey MP and a whole host of others were welcomed and interviewed by guest TV presenter (and prospective parliamentary candidate) Debi Jones and Brendan Coogan, Karen West and others.

The Purple Gang, Granby Row, Badly Drawn Roy, were amongst the musicians who played live for the occasion

Badly Drawn Boy (aka Damon Gough) contribuuted three songs and an interview as part of the pre-production for the Noon2Noon Charity Telethon. We rigged and recorded in the Nelson Tavern in Stockport and the end result was aired as part of the webstream and watched across the globe. Jim Directed the event and Graham produced.

Kurt, Gulderen, Liz and Mano worked with Antix Productions whilst Royston Mayoh produced a series of programmes in the popular MOST HAUNTED LIVE! format. Jim, Andrew, Bib and Sarah went down to scrutinise a large-scale OB at close quarters and drool over the kit in the CTV van!

A live Outside Broadcast in Stoke-on-Trent - a wonderful last-minute decision to load two cars to the ceiling and hit the road with a crew and some kit and do the gig. A charity fashion show and a glass raised to Andrew's brthday on the stoke of midnight. Gemma, Liz, Lisa, Jim, Bib and Mrs Bib and Andrew crept home in the wee small hours....

A substantial reworking of Arthur Miller's celebrated masterpiece "The Crucible" transformed the action of the play to the Big Brother house in the present day and enabled live link-ups with the TV studio and interaction with cast on the stage via a closed-circuit television link. The whole theatrical event was webcast - live - to a worldwide audience.

RED RIDING HOOD - December 2003

Live multi-camera mix from the Peter Barkworth Theatre webcast live to the world!

Assisting crew from Verge Media, we were involved in the creation of an elaborate Corporate Video Production for Star Trac Fitness Systems USA