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"Hello everyone! If you are looking to work in TV then go to Stockport College and do the Foundation Degree in Television Production! Since I finished this course (June 2011) I have been working on "Britain's Got Talent", "X-Factor", "Got To Dance" and still have other jobs coming up! When I started the course I had no confidence and I had no idea how television worked. The Foundation Degree in Television Production has taught me a lot and gave me great work experience so that when I got out into the industry I was ready for work. All of the assignments that I was given have helped me in different ways and gave me a lot of knowledge. Signing up for the Television Production course was best decision I have made in my life. I love working in Television and I am now the happiest person in the world. I have made so many new friends and contacts it is just unbelievable. If I hadn't got onto the Television Production course, I wouldn't have met them and enjoyed the job that I do. Working in television has been fantastic for me because I always have new things do every day and I never get bored of of this fantastical world. Television Production has given me new skills and a lot of confidence in myself. I'm the Happiest person in the world!" Eva Khuroshvili, Television Freelancer
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"I feel the Foundation Degree in TV Production at Stockport College is a great course for anyone who is looking at getting into the television industry. You gain great experience using the facilities on the course which is really useful once you get out into the real industry. Through being on the course I have been able to gain industry experience on such programmes as "Jeremy Kyle", "Coach Trip" and "X-Factor" to name a few - as well as a productive spell in Programme Development at Granada. The Industrial Assignment module helped me hugely in dealing with people from the industry and built up my confidence in what I had learned in class. Being a mature student I've always been confident but I have seen the younger students come out of their shells and grow in confidence over the two years. I feel coming on this course was one of the best decisions in my life and having been on real sets since I have finished the course I see the value of having the TV Studio and equipment we have and got to use. I would recommend this course as a great platform and very realistic to anyone who wants be a part of the television industry. The best thing I feel about the course is the fact that you get to try all the different jobs in being a part of a crew to see which best suits you and which you enjoy. I have always wanted to be a director but after being on the course I will pursue being a producer because that's the module I enjoyed the most. The confidence and the knowledge I have gained on this course will give me a good chance to get a job in the television industry and for that I am very thankful to my tutors and everyone involved on the course." Tim Guner, Television Freelancer Update October 2011: Just finished "Go to Dance" in London; about to start work on a new gameshow at Granada that I worked on the pilot for recently - watch this space....
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"Whilst studying on the course I already took the first fantastic stepping stone of making a name for myself in the TV industry (which I believe is almost as difficult to get into as it is for an aspiring singer or actress!). I started with work experience for a cbeebies production during my first year on the course, from there I worked on numerous projects including a Turkish Airlines Commercial with the Manchester United Squad. This was one of the best experiences I have had to date. As I write this in September 2011, I have recently finished logging a whole tour (90 x 120 min shows!) for a celebrated high-profile comedian across a period of six weeks, for Lion Eyes TV. I have also been doing days shadowing for 3sixtymedia at Granada Studios to hopefully go on their books on a casual basis as a facilities runner and audience host. The shadowing day gave me the chance to see some of the "Corrie" set and the mass of professional galleries and studio equipment that is housed there whilst countdown is being recorded. Going on the TV Production course was the best decision I could have made. The course offers priceless experience of using all the equipment involved in a modern day operating broadcast gallery. Even though over the two years you get to know your other classmates, you still have to learn about the importance of communication and professionalism you need in order to be successful. The course set me up perfectly to go out and shine. It is such a difficult industry but its one I love and will never give up on. Since leaving, I have learnt that making contacts and getting to know people is so important, along with being willing to give up free time and learning new things. I hope to now pursue a career in post production mixed with live production."
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"In my time at Stockport College, I gained a vast amount of valuble knowledge and experience in the media industry. Since finishing the course in May 2010 I have worked as runner on many high profile shows such as "X Factor", "Wayne Rooney Street Striker" and BBC3's "Working Girls". Since then I have moved higher up the ladder and become a fully fledged editor and camera operator. At the time of writing (August 2011) I am working in London as a freelance editor for CNBC Europe, a business news channel, part of the huge NBC network. I am the sole editor on the early morning show creating news packages and interviews to go out live.This is a hugely exciting position to be in as I am working with well established presenters, producers and writers. I am very aware of the competative nature of the industry and the lack of permanent jobs. The industry works very much on a contract basis - with this in mind I have had to concentrate on picking up work as a freelancer. The benefit of this has been hat I've been able to pick up lots of experience in different areas. I've been able to work in a team writing scripts and producing news packages and also worked as a lone camera operator. One such job was filming around London for an Olympics documentary. Being freelance is a tough option however it suits me perfectly. It gives me the freedom to work on various projects including some of my own. Stockport College, more specifically the 3 tutors gave me the springboard I needed to get into the industry as well as the confidence to succeed in it. This is the toughest industry in the world to get into and stay in but I have the knowledge, experience and creativity now to go very far." Jonny Henson, Editor at CNBC and Television Freelancer
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"I never imagined the FD TV course at Stockport College to be as valuable as it is. I left initially after my ND to do the ‘University thing’, after a year I realised I had made the wrong decision. The course is brilliant and I’m always annoyed because it doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. I have my ‘foot in the door’ thanks to it - you can too" Mark Tomlinson, BBC Vision, Religion & Ethics Television
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"One of the best things I was taught on the TV Production Course at Stockport College was how to analyse and decrypt information hidden in a job vacancy advert, I got work as a runner by following advice I was given to simply call people up and make a nuisance of myself until someone employs you - or files a restraining order! If it hadn't been for the constant re-enforcement that I had to keep on and persevere I doubt I'd have gotten anything in my starting months of a freelance career - let alone something at the BBC... It's been great working at the BBC, terrifying at first, constantly expecting someone to say 'you're a fraud! go home!' but then I remembered everything I learned at college and it all fell into place. I've been working on a daytime TV show: 'Rip off Britain' - at first I was contracted to do just 4 weeks, then they gave me another 7 then extended me a week more, then a week more, etc, so its turned into genuine gainful employment, and I’ve also had a lot of opportunities to network and get to know how the company in Manchester is made up: in short, I’ve had a great time and its largely thanks to Roy, Andrew and Brian that I got to do this. " Andrew O'Donnell
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"After doing my ND at Stockport College, I looked at many different universities but in the end I decided to stay on at Stockport because of the success rate they have of getting people into the industry and the fact that you get to make programs, rather than only doing a couple a year you're constantly getting hands-on experience. And it turned out to be the correct choice as after a couple of months of sending out my C.V., I got a job as a editor cutting corporate programs for companies such as Vodafone, Blackberry and Microsoft." Richard Mellor, Video Editor and Motion Graphics Specialist, ID2 Media Ltd.
Check out Richard's showreels Update 2011: Now fully freelance - and in great demand for motion graphics work! |
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"I was lucky enough to get invovled with a shoot for Dura Coffee Machines with T:media & McCANN ERICKSON yesterday in London with Roger Federer. We shot in an exclusive suite in the Berkeley Hotel, then went on to do a quick shoot at Harrods! Was just doing basic running duties/lighting etc. Also got to Mic up Roger and chat with him about his pal Thierry Henry, and all the drama surrounding the handball. Was dying to ring and tell you - it was a tiring but very enjoyable day - I just want to thank you all as without your tutorage, expertise advice, tales of the industry, and more importantly your patience towards me - I may not have ever got the opportunity, so Thank You all!" Edy Ager, media freelancer
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"I was unsure at first about studying at Stockport College, as some of the bigger universities had more widespread reputation for specialising in media. However, I was amazed at the facilities and opportunities on offer on the Foundation Degree at Stockport. The TV Studio and Gallery set up was fantastic, and worked just like real TV studio's that I have visited. Jack Carter
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"I first walked into Stockport College three years ago, just give a past student a lift home! While I was waiting around for her to finish editing her showreel and other things, I started to get interested in what she was doing, and to a certain extent got involved. I began to consider a life in Media but really just as a passing interest, until Andrew suggested I gave it a serious thought. So I did and the journey began... There were a few problems along the way - first was finance - quick word to Student Services, all sorted. Then there was work: I was full-time for an internet bank, but didn't want to leave really - just wanted to reduce my hours. Fate dealt me a nice hand and enabled me to reduce my hours within two weeks. After serendipity had worked in my favour and in record time I had finance, a college course and a part time job. Then started two hectic but very rewarding years. I now had 16 in-depth, contrasting and sizeable briefs to complete - not as easy as it sounds - trust me! Addmittedly I struggled in keeping down 21 hours at the bank, 3 days a week in college and endless study time at home. If there's one thing that you'll learn quickly it's time management which I thought I had. My college experience ranged from scraped deadlines to successes in client work such as the opening of Stockport Story Museum with guest Jon Snow. Definitely highs and lows. I finally hit the end of two years - the sigh of relief doesn't last long though, when you realise you've got to make the transition the the real industry! It might sound strange but after I'd finished the course, I asked myself, what have I actually learnt? It's a bit like your driving test though: they say that you don't really learn how to drive until you drive on your own. That's definately what I found when I worked my first professional job with production company Channel K, working on a Comedy Lab production for Channel 4. I started to realise that the things I learnt at college had sunk in and now I could apply it to the real world. So with my freelance training from college in finance with tax, etc I'm ready to for it. Work is never easy to find but I've been lucky so far. Now I just have to make the final plunge and lose the final safety rope, my part time job with the bank. Scary times but it's happening soon. Bring it on!!" Carl Wright, media freelancer
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"Getting a chance to work, even as a runner, on a Bollywood film was the first aim in my mind when I left Stockport College in June last year. And within a year the drearm came true, or I should say more than true because initially I joined the film's UK unit as runner and purely for work experience, but so impressed the Line Producer with my CV (and spent a couple of days arranging things for the arrival of the film's Indian crew) that he offered me the position of 2nd Assisstant Director! I didn't really know what a 2nd A.D.'s job was in film to start with, but I took it up and learnt all about it within a day or so. The Line Producer guided me about my job duties, etc. After the Indian crew arrived and filming began, the Director of the film felt that he needed someone to assist him who was trained according to British standards and can handle an English-speaking crew and cast, as the 1st Asisstant Director and the Director himself wasn't very good at English. Well, they asked me to do the job on the very second day of filming and thus I became the 1st Assistant Director in my first venture into Bollywood! It was a great experience, I loved every moment of it and everyone seemed to be very happy with my work. The proof of that is that I have got two more offers to work on bollywood films starting at the end of this month. Let me take the opportunity to thank Andrew and Roy for educating me - I owe every success in my profession till it ends to you - and I believe I couldn't have had better teachers." Turaab Naqvi, 1st A.D. UPDATE: August 2009: now working as Gallery Director for live daily output on Ahlebait TV UPDATE: September 2010: now working as an Assistant Producer for Press TV
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"What a night to remember, filming Simple Minds at the MEN Arena. Only called up looking for work on the off chance and got the opportunity to assist in filming the legends that are Simple Minds in front of a sell-out crowd. Filming for the live feeds straight to the big screens it gave me a real buzz taking direction from a director again and really got the blood pumping... It's amazing how doors open when you least expect it, my career's taken a slightly different slant over the last few months as I've started producing video inventories for estate agents that get sent out to all their prospective clients which means lots of people get to see my work and I've also started more work in web design and live streaming so I can stream videos live over the net. It pays to have fingers in many pies..." Joseph Saunders, media freelancer
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"Greetings from BBC Manchester! I've spent the past month working there and it's great! I'm editing a TV programme and a radio programme at the moment. I have had to do a lot of paperwork but it's fun and I get a buzz from taking a camera out and filming. My camera skills have also greatly improved thanks to an intense BBC Z1 camera training course. I was lucky enough to get on a BBC training scheme which sets me apart from the rest of the crowd. I am now BBC trained and have amassed two years of work experience from college which has improved my chances of getting a job greatly! What I learnt most from college is the attitude I now adopt: don't expect things to be given to you on a plate and expect to enter the industry as a runner not a producer. Also work hard and be persistant and try and grab every oppurtunity for work experience or training. I've learnt that the successful people in the industry are the ones who communicate well so learn to listen and express your ideas clearly. Working in a team and taking the intiative are essential - I've seen people crash and burn because they're not team players. But don't be afraid to be yourself." Sam Roden, BBC Manchester |
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"When I went to Stockport College looking for a course to take up I was looking at electronics. So flicking through the brochure I came across the image of what looked like a TV station. I have never looked back since. I finally found a vocation that was suited to my creative outlets - it gave me the intellectual tools to work in the media industry. Without the understanding and appreciation of paperwork and a grip on how job roles work and interconnect I would have struggled to advance my career in the media. This coupled with brilliant support from experienced industry professionals like Andrew and Roy meant I was the most prepared I could be on leaving the course. The rest was up to me.Since then I have worked on a variety of productions as a freelance sound recordist and engineer. I enjoy being a freelancer because it presents something different every time whether it is the location, people or the nature of the work. Every company has its own way of working and constraints. Being able to learn and grow from the variety is something that I think will keep me a happy freelancer for many more years to come." Jason Powell, BBMedia (Freelance Sound). |
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"I'd always been interested in sound mixing, but my association with the college began years back on the ND course in Greek Street and progressed by way of lots of Live TV (and the sound mix on a crazily ambitious feature film!) to technician work and thence - via LIPA - into employment with VME (a sound rigging company) and freelance sound and theatre work. It's difficult to estimate just how much I've learned along the way, but it developed a real appreciation of the complexity of jobs which a technician has to face on a day-to-day basis. The advent of the HND brought me back - both as a student (got to get my bit o'paper!) and as TV Studio Co-ordinator & Broadcast Engineer to fundamentally redesign and reinstall the gallery and all the feeds and links which are now at your disposal! Diversifying again with Verge Media after graduating, I further developed my digital skills on a couple of crazily complex commercial DVDs and other filming and web work, alongside a growing amount of freelance work in both sound and pro-video situations. Returning to the Eskayproductions operation for a brief spell recently, I found that things were still just as crazy as before: the usual diet of live studio-based TV, multi-camera outside-broadcast location work and all the associated tasks it spawns: DVD authoring, sound mixing, postproduction effects, webstreaming - as well as the day-to-day operation of a complex studio facility - make me confident that the plans I laid for the operation years back were good ones - factors recognised by the BBC at my recent interview. Well....after going away and coming back a number of times......I'm finally off to BBC Engineering in Manchester from September '07! It's been fun: but my lasting testimony is the studio itself: look after it well." Bib of the Beeb, confirmed vidiot!
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"The course at Stockport has certainly put me in good stead to pursue my preferred career path. Since successfully completing the course here I have moved on to gain valuable experience as a Researcher on a show which will be broadcast on terrestrial television with an independent company called Bakermedia (I got the job as a direct result of the annual MEET THE EMPLOYABLES event!). Although Bakermedia is a small company the experience I have gained here has allowed me to progress to work on the upcoming new programme "Panic Room" at BBC Manchester. If I had one message to pass on to current students on the course - as a professional looking back on the experience - it would be to familiarise yourselves with the paperwork that is needed for a production - getting used to writing Call Sheets, scheduling and planning will put you in an excellent position when you get a job - its always a good habit to get into! I miss Stockport College and life in the TV studio and out on location with the crew and hope to pop in whenever I'm passing - but I've not had much time for that so far due to pressures of REAL work (!)" Carly Brooks, Bakermedia & BBC Manchester; and, more recently Assistant Producer at Centrescreen Productions and subsequently at BBC Manchester working on "Street Doctors". UPDATE: JUNE 2007: More recently, Carly has relocated "north of the border" on contract with CBBC in Glasgow - check out "Hedz" T/X on BBC2 - starting Saturday 8th September 2007 UPDATE: November 2007: now working in programme development at Channel K in Manchester UPDATE: June 2008: Back working on "Stakeout" with CBBC in Glasgow UPDATE August 2008: WATCH ME SHOWS!!! Slaterwood - Part of Channel 4's Comedy Lab season - Saturday 23rd August 2008 @ 11pm; Stakeout - Every Friday @ 5:15pm on the CBBC Channel - coming soon to BBC 1. Back to Manchester as of Tuesday 25th to work on "Housing Squad" for Raw TV (a london based company...makers of some really good doco and fact ent stuff like "Banged up Abroad")
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"I've been working for Jeremy Rodway at Mange2Media for over a year and a half now. My main job at first was to log and digitise all of their footage (because of experience at college I could easily handle their AVID!). As time's gone on I have widened my role, I've done lots of filming for the "Grub's Up" series which is starting on the 21st June 2007 at 7.30pm ITV (shameless plug!). I have been praised for my 'general shots' of areas, etc. I've also helped out with scripts, done risk assessments and call sheets here, I wouldn't have known where to start if we hadn't done them at college!! I also directed and shot my own item - a VT about a popular chef going over to San Sebastien, Spain and meeting up with a 3 Michelin starred chef (got to taste the food as well and 'cos Im a vegan they made me my own special dishes!) Since January 2007 I have been a shooting for a documentary called 'Baby Hospital', first episode airing on the 17th July 2007 (another shameless plug!). What an experience working with new born babies! I've had a great time. I have followed character's stories and filmed many shots of the hospital. And I am pleased to say my credit has gone from Researcher to DV Camera Operator! They've got a new AvidXpress machine at work, and a while ago I was editing for the Producer! I was thinking it's thanks to Andrew for making me get on with that half an hour docu that I've got the skills.....!!" Liz Poole, Mange2Media UPDATE: July 2007: "...I can't believe it; after my recent director credit on networked itv, I have succeeded in securing a position as Producer/Director at ID2 Media Ltd, one of the major corporate producers in the north of England! Time to look back on Roy's notes for the Producer and Director units.....!" Liz Poole, Producer/Director, ID2 Media Ltd.
UPDATE April 2008: Working as Production Assistant for Onward Film Company in Manchester UPDATE: December 2008: "Now working at one the the most important independent companies in the north-west! At Onward, it was mainly commercials which was really interesting to work on as they were like "mini film sets", but my goal is to work in documentaries and at my new company (no names mentioned - don't want to make you all jealous!) I have to research which is good - I'm also on my highest wage ever in a media job!" |
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Chris began his career at itv as a Production Assistant working at CITV; progressing to running jobs on "Soapstar Superstar" and "Soapstar Superchef"; after a spell working as a Researcher on "You've Been Framed", Chris is now heading into the murky territory of programme development. Chris Shaw, ITV Granada
UPDATE: December 2008: "…from Andrew Percival to Gary Barlow I owe Andrew and Roy a huge debt (and probably some outstanding work!). The Stockport College experience is unique; it provides a level of industry realism that you can only get…in the industry! With REAL studios, REAL kit, REAL professionals and UNREAL ambitions they embark upon a level of programming that normally costs millions of pounds to produce; yet the experience for all involved is priceless. It’s High Definition education." |
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"...its been a year now since I completed the HND in Media Broadcasting at Stockport and its only now looking back that I realise the extent of the skills I picked up on the course. It's not about picking up a camera and filming your mates doing funny things - the course has a very serious approach to creating fantastic and complex productions you would never have thought you could be a part of. The course has been very cleverly structured and well thought through by the tutors to help you gain skills in all aspects of media production. It went by in a flash and motivated me into a career I had never previously considered. I have been working at a production company in Manchester for the past 12 months doing the work I love, and thanks to skills I gained from the HND Media Broadcast course, I'll be working in the industry for a lot longer...." James Bristow, Centrescreen Productions UPDATE 2007: "...I was due for a change and a better job came up with better pay! So I handed my notice in last week and I start next Monday. Its in 'Live TV' too doing News and a Music Show at Channel M! Weird shift though - its from 1.30pm till 10pm. So goodbye corporate video, hello LIVE TV! (couldn't have done it without the special Eskay training tho!)." More recently, Jim has been featured directing the live news output on Channel M as part of BBC's News at Ten coverage of "Digital Britain"
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"...What can I say?! While I'm sat here writing up the reasons why the HND at Stockport College is the best grounding in media you'll ever get, I've got a an edit of a broadcast TV show rendering - an edit I did using the skills I picked up at Stockport. The course gave me a solid base of skills in all areas of broadcasting, the only problem you'll have when you leave is deciding what part of the industry you want to go into...!" James Ashton, Bakermedia; and freelance editor for Channel M; more recently to be found in the cut-and-thrust of the gallery directing Channel M's live daily Breakfast Show
UPDATE July 2008: now directing live output for the Jewellery Channel Update 2010: Technical Director at Current TV
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"...It's a genuine insight into the world of media broadcasting - one of the few media courses designed to nurture & develop talent; my fondest memories of it are of real people, real deadlines and real experience.....a production company in disguise!" Anthony Beswick, Centini Productions
UPDATE: 2007 - now working at Granada as an Assistant Producer on Sports programming UPDATE 2009 - now working at Fruit TV |
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From day one on the course I was thrown into the deep end and I haven't looked back since. This course has only strengthened my passion for the Industry, giving me the knowledge, skills and confidence I required to get my first job in the big bad world of TV - and who knew it would be within only a few days of leaving the HND??!! The tutors at Stockport College's HND Media Broadcasting not only gave us the relevant experience we needed to succeed but also provided us with many links into the Industry, one way being MEET THE EMPLOYABLES - an event which helped me get noticed and employed as a Researcher for an ITV regional programme. I feel that this course has given me an advantage over many others in search of breaking into the Industry. Not only did I gain relevant skills but I also made a lot of lifelong friends and had a fun and amazing ride along the way!!" Joanne Allen, Bakermedia; and most recently, Researcher with Manchester's own TV channel: Channel M developing local feature content.
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Cameras, sound kits, lighting techniques, editing-suites, a gallery, great support from the teaching in our studio base, out on location or webcast shoots. You name it. They have it!! After two years at Stockport College I found out that I gained more skill that I ever realised. Not only that, the people that I have met on the course made it easy and a real laugh to work with. I now work as a Technical Operator for a TV channel and it often sends me back to the old college days... My advice to you all: learn your stuff, it won't stop you from being a genius!!" [Technical Operator, Yes661] UPDATE 2007: Hola!....again! Well, after all this year's training and working in the uk, its time for me to say good bye. I'm off to work at Doble Diez Canarias Productions in Gran Canaria producing material for Television Canaria. I have the opportunity to work as Avid Editor for different light-entertaiment shows......as always under Live Broadcasting conditions! So sadly for you guys its "adios" from me and "hola" to a new chapter... Mano
UPDATE: April 2008: Still working in programme production in the Canaries: "...It's all good in the Canarys, working as a cameraman in 3 shows live. Can't complain. I was an editor for a month, but its far too hot to be in a cave working all day! Then a VTR OP. But got tired of that too. And now I have been working as a cam op for about a month!" |
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