Nottingham University

Nottingham University offers a delightful campus setting, located ten minutes from the city centre. There are lots of facilities for its students, such as a large library with social and private study areas, a café, food shops, a theatre and a gym. The on campus accommodation for first year students also comes with social areas in both the catered and non-catered halls. The campus itself has lots of open space around the lake, which can be used by all students and is the hosting space for some of the universities diverse social clubs. There are also Football, netball, basketball and hockey pitches.

 

Both the Film and Media Studies courses at Nottingham University have an industry focus and a wide variety of theory and contemporary units; however, this university does not offer a practical aspect to the courses.

 http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cfm/index.aspx

International Media and Communication:

This offers a global insight into Media and Industry. The multicultural student body at the university aids discussion as it brings a wide variety of media experiences to the course.

Units on the course include:

FIRST YEAR

-Media and society

-Communication and Culture (the role of popular culture in creating identity and reinforcing beliefs)

-Cultures of Everyday Life (every day rituals of our life’s, what are the significance and impact of these?)

-Communication and Technology

SECONND YEAR

-Political Communications

-Propaganda

-Global Media

-Translating Cultures

-Cultural Politics

THIRD YEAR

-Contesting Culture

-Media and Conflict

-Public Sphere

-Comics and Visual Narrative

-Self, Sign and Society

-Sensory Cultures

-Writing for the Media

 

The final Dissertation is ten thousand words with a dedicated tutor.

 

As well as these units Students also take a language unit. This is compulsory on the course but lessons start at a beginners level so no prior experience is required. However, if the student already has experience they can elect to start the language units at a higher level.

The course allows for lots of independent research, key texts are set however; suggestions of supplementary texts are suggested. Students also create their own titles for some of the essay assessments. The course consists of a lecture and seminar per week for each unit being studied.

 

There is also the opportunity to study abroad as the university has campuses in Malaysia and China where equivalent courses can be studied.

 

Outside of the course there are opportunities for students to get involved in the Radio Station and Newspaper and also help to promote and organise media related events.

Career Profile - Sound Recordist

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Sound Recordist - TV
As original sound is vital to the creative media industries, Sound Recordists (also called Production Mixers) play an important role within the production process by ensuring that high quality sound is captured at all times.

Jobs in sound generally fall into two areas: production sound and post-production sound. Sound Recordists/Production Mixers work in production sound. Most Sound Recordists/Production Mixers are freelance, and although some may register with agents and diary services, most work is gained on the basis of their reputation. They are often expected to work long and irregular hours, sometimes on location, which may involve extended periods away from home.

What is the job?

Sound Recordists/Production Mixers record sound on location or in a studio, usually in synchronisation with the camera, to enable the highest quality 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming/recording. They monitor the quality of the sound recording through headphones, and work closely with the Director, Boom Operator and sometimes the Sound Editor, often using multiple microphones.

They are also responsible for setting up talkback communication between production staff, presenters and artistes and other communication systems such as 'live' links by land line, microwave link or satellite. They also record sound effects and atmosphere tracks.

Recordists/Production Mixers may work on a wide range of single or multi-camera shoots, and their duties can vary considerably. Depending on the scale of the production they may work closely with the Director and Producer at the planning stage to identify their creative role, and to clarify technical requirements and budgets.

As Sound Recordists are responsible for producing the final sound mix, they directly supervise the Sound Assistants and Boom Operators, and may also manage the rest of the sound crew. They may also occasionally operate the Boom themselves. They are often required to supervise frontline maintenance in order to keep the production on track.

Typical career routes

The most important starting point for a career in Sound is to develop and demonstrate an interest in sound by exploring, experimenting and learning about audio technology and its capabilities, perhaps using the increasingly sophisticated equipment which is available at accessible prices on the high street.

Sound personnel usually start in a trainee role and work their way upwards. On-the-job training or shadowing of more experienced personnel is the best way to learn. Experience of working in theatre or the music industry, hospital or community radio provides a useful background for this role. Working with equipment manufacturers or hire companies can also provide valuable experience and training, and is a good way of learning about sound equipment, making industry contacts, and getting a foot in the door.

Essential knowledge and skills

A major part of the job of a Sound Recordist/Production Mixer is the ability to work as part of a team. Many of the skills needed for this role involve enabling the team to work as efficiently and effectively as possible, and must include the willingness and ability to compromise. Despite the need to record high quality sound in often difficult circumstances, the Sound Recordist/Production Mixer must understand that perfection is not always possible, and that the needs of the team come first.

As much of the job involves solving problems created by particular locations or situations, the ability to think creatively is vital. As microphones pick up every sound, the ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail is crucial.

Key skills include:

•good knowledge of audio equipment and sound technology;
•knowledge of the television production process, including camera and lighting techniques;
•knowledge of management and licensing of radio transmission systems;
•excellent hearing, concentration and attention to detail;
•excellent balance, agility and good sense of timing;
•good communication, interpersonal and team skills;
•patience, self-discipline and reliability;
•diplomacy and sensitivity when working with artistes and crew members;
•knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health & Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications

Although there are no formal entry requirements for TV Boom Operators, a demonstrable interest in sound and an understanding of its physical properties is essential. Courses are available throughout the UK, from HND to degree level in Sound Technology, Audio Engineering, Acoustics and Music Recording.

Short courses at various training providers are also available, including those run by the National Film & Television School (NFTS), National Short Course Training Programme.

Industry led new entrant training schemes, such as those run by Cyfle(Wales) and Scottish Screen provide a mixture of attachments and formal training, but competition for places is fierce. Broadcasters also run occasional trainee schemes, and Skillset's regional training partners offer a range of new entrant, freelance and attachment training programmes.

Continual professional development is important for anyone working in TV Sound, in order to keep their skills up-to-date in an industry where technology is continually changing.

Where to go for more information

Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the creative media industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is the UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.

– The Broadcasting and Entertainment Trade Union BECTU, offers advice about employment terms and rights and useful information on health and safety.

– The Institute of Broadcast Sound - A forum for broadcast audio professionals and an invaluable resource for interchange of ideas.

– The Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS) - a membership organisation for UK sound personnel.

– The Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS) (APRS) is the trade association for all aspects of the sound industry; including events, training, health and safety advice, and a helpline.

– BKSTS: The Moving Image Society - a membership organisation which runs events and training courses, and publishes Image Technology.

– The Audio Engineering Society - an US-based professional society devoted to audio technology which has a thriving UK section.


Source: http://www.skillset.org/tv/jobs/sound/article_2794_1.asp

Careers Profile - Television/Film Camera Operator

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Visit Careersbox TV

The Work
As a camera operator, it would be your job to record moving images for film, television, commercials, music videos or corporate productions. You would operate film, videotape or digital video cameras, usually under instructions from the Director or Director of Photography.

Your work could involve:

setting up and positioning camera equipment
planning and rehearsing shots
following a camera script and taking cues from the director or floor manager (in TV studio recording)
choosing the most suitable lenses and camera angles
solving practical or technical problems such as lighting
working closely with other technical departments such as lighting and sound.
You may be the only camera operator and use a portable single camera, or you could be part of a TV studio camera team. On feature films and TV drama productions you may be part of a large crew with a specific role, such as:

second assistant camera (clapper loader) – loading and unloading film, counting the takes and helping the camera crew
first assistant camera (focus puller) – judging and adjusting the focus on each shot
grip – building and operating any cranes and pulleys needed to move a camera during shooting.
You would usually specialise in either film or television work, as the equipment and techniques can differ, however with the advent of digital cameras and HD technology, camera professionals are finding it easier to work across all sectors ensuring more stable employment.

Hours
Your hours could often be long and irregular, and may include shift work and nights depending on the production. You may also need to be flexible and work at short notice, particularly for news programmes.

You could work anywhere from studios to outside locations in all weather conditions. You may have to work at heights on cranes or scaffolding.

Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas. News camera jobs may involve working under difficult or dangerous conditions such as riots or war zones.

Income
Freelance camera operators are usually paid a fee for each contract.

Rates can vary widely. You could negotiate fees based on the type of production and your own track record. Contact BECTU for current pay guidelines.

Entry Requirements
Employers will be more interested in your technical skills and practical experience than your formal qualifications. In practice, many camera operators take a college or university course to develop the necessary skills before looking for work. Relevant courses include:

City & Guilds Diploma (7501) in Media Techniques (Level 1, 2 and 3 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Media Techniques (7601) from September 2010)
BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Media Production
BTEC HNC/HND in Media (Moving Image)
degrees in media production, media technology or photography
trainee courses run by the GBCT (camera guild).
The most useful courses offer practical experience and may include work placements. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

As well as gaining technical skills, you should also build practical experience and make contacts in the industry. Courses can help you with this, but you can also get useful experience from:

getting involved in community film projects
working for a camera equipment hire company
finding work experience as a runner or camera assistant with a production company.
You may also find it useful to have skills in stills photography and basic electronics.

You should also make a 'showreel' DVD of productions that you have worked on, to demonstrate your skills to employers when you are looking for work.

Training and Development
You will usually start as a camera trainee or assistant and learn on the job from experienced camera operators.

At the start of your career you may be able to get some training as part of an apprenticeship-style new entrant scheme, such as programmes occasionally run by broadcasters, regional screen agencies and media training organisations. Contact the Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy for information on publicly funded schemes.

As a grip or crane technician, you could take one of the following work-based qualifications:

NVQ Level 2 Crane Technician for Film and Television
NVQ levels 2 and 3 Grip for the Audiovisual Industries.
See Skillset’s website for details.

You should keep up to date with new equipment and technology throughout your career. Employers may organise some training, but as a freelance worker you are usually responsible for your own development. Visit Skillset's website to search for relevant industry approved courses, and for advice about how to fund your training as a freelance.

The Guild of British Camera Technicians and BKSTS – The Moving Image Society both offer a range of short courses and seminars to their members. See websites for details.

Skills and Knowledge


good practical skills and knowledge of camera equipment
an interest in photography, film and video
good communication and 'people skills'
the ability to carry out instructions accurately and with attention to detail
good colour vision
calmness under pressure
the ability to work as part of a team
patience and concentration
good levels of stamina, for holding and moving camera equipment and working long hours.
Opportunities
You would usually work on freelance contracts, although larger TV broadcasters employ some permanent staff.

About two thirds of UK film and TV production is based in London and the south of England. You will increase your chances of a successful career if you are prepared to go anywhere in the UK or overseas to work.

Some jobs are advertised in the national press, trade press and industry websites. However, it is more common to get work by networking, contacting companies yourself, and using a crew directory or diary service to market yourself. Competition for work is strong.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and contacts (links open in new window):

Mandy.com
Broadcast Freelancer
BBC Recruitment
ITV Jobs
Grapevine Jobs
Production and Casting Report
The Knowledge (contacts directory)
Kays Production Guide (contacts directory)

In film, you could progress from camera assistant to clapper loader, then focus puller and camera operator (and eventually director of photography, with extensive experience). In TV, you could progress from camera assistant to camera operator and camera supervisor.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

More Information

Skillset
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.skillset.org


Skillset Careers
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.skillset.org/careers


Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy
Easling, Hammersmith and West London College
The Green
Ealing
London
W5 5EW

info@craftandtech.org
http://www.craftandtech.org/


Guild of Television Cameramen
www.gtc.org.uk


Guild of British Camera Technicians
c/o Panavision UK
Metropolitan Centre
Bristol Road
Greenford
Middlesex
UB6 8GD
Tel: 020 8813 1999
www.gbct.org


BKSTS - The Moving Image Society
http://www.imagetechnology.info
www.bksts.com


Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU)
373-377 Clapham Road
London
SW9 9BT
Tel: 0845 850 2502
www.bectu.org.uk

(Source: https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/PlanningYourCareer/JobProfiles/JobProfile0519/Pages/default.aspx)

Career Profile - Web Entrepeneur

James Proud – Teenpreneur
Founder James started programming in HTML when he was 9 years old – by age 12 he was working commercially with C++. After finishing his A levels (one in Computer Science) he has set up his own website company, which is gaining huge commercial interest and growing traffic figures by the week.

Giglocator


James explains, “Giglocator enables like-minded lovers of live music to find and keep up-to-date with the gigs they want to hear about. Our intelligent system is able to match you to the gigs that'll interest you. The more gigs you attend, the better the results GigLocator is able to offer to you. You can also find people who live near you who also like the same music as you, so you'll never go to a gig alone again. Your friends can track what each of you is planning to attend, view photos, videos of events and even more.
Without quality gigs it'd be nothing, right? Our system crawls all over the web looking for the latest gigs for our members and our members can submit straight to our database.”

www.giglocator.com

Career Profile - Social Network Entrepeneur

Chris Muktar – Entrepreneur
Following a degree in Physics from Manchester University, Chris studied for a Masters in Technology before joining the BBC. He now runs his own hugely successful website, helping graduates on the milk round. The site gains 150,000+ hits a week and is launching in the US this year.

Wikijob


WikiJob is the UK’s largest graduate jobs website. Started by two friends in 2007, it now delivers nearly 2 million pages a month, and regularly appears on BBC News and in the press. Founders Ed Mellett and Chris Muktar went to university together, and after having experienced graduate jobs that weren’t for them, decided to help educate fellow graduates about the world of work when they leave university.

www.wikijob.co.uk

Career Profile - Innovations Director, Digital Marketing

Perry Price – Innovations Director
Dare Digital’s innovations director earned his degree in Economics at York University in England and spent several years in vetting for the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO. This was all before he decided to dive boldly into new media, schooling himself in Flash, and then setting up a software company and a small print media shop with a group of friends. The websites his company created soon drew attention from agents and eventually, from the UK-based Dare, who three years ago signed him as a software developer.

Dare


Dare is an interactive marketing agency which was founded on the core belief that strong ideas lead to better business results. Something they call “ideas that work”. They differ from traditional advertising ideas in that they are participative, or interactive, in essence. This is what defines them as digital - although often they will have the potential to live beyond digital channels.

So their specialism is in “marketing for the digital world”. By this they mean not only reaching consumers in relevant and engaging ways within their preferred digital channels, but also appealing to their digital mindset - one which demands transparency, generosity and responsiveness from all brands. They have considerable expertise, ranging from web development to eCRM to social media marketing - an area in which their Dare XL joint venture brings the market-leading specialism into the heart of their strategic thinking.

www.daredigital.com

Career Profile - Lighting Director

Talli Peled – Digital Lighting Director
Following a BA in Communication Design, Talli took an MA in Digital Effects. She is one of the few female animators on the phenomenally successful Framestore team, with credits like the Golden Compass to their name. Talli worked as a technical lighting animator on the Hollywood film, Prince of Persia.

Framestore


Framestore remains the largest visual effects and computer animation studio in Europe, with more than 20 years' experience in digital film and video technology. With three buildings in London’s Soho district, and offices in New York and Iceland, Framestore is a leading operator and innovator in visual effects, animated features, commercials, design and new digital media and film production.

They have excelled in every area to which they have turned their talents, winning dozens of international accolades over the years. 2008 was a stand-out year for Framestore, with the company winning both the BAFTA and the Academy Award for Visual Effects, in recognition of their creation of the polar bears and their environments in The Golden Compass. In 2009 they were nominated again for The Dark Knight, which included everything from vehicles and digital doubles to crowds and the development of the year’s best bad guy: Harvey Two-Face.

www.Framestore.com

What is it like to be a Videogames Developer

Job Description
Games developers are involved in the creation and production of games that range from computer, handheld, console and arcade games to games on the internet and, increasingly, mobile phone and other wireless game applications. Their work involves either design (including art and animation) or programming.

Games development is a fast-moving multi-billion pound industry and the making of a game from concept to finished product can take up to three years and involve teams of up to 200 professionals. There are many stages, including creating and designing a game’s look and how it plays, animating characters and objects, creating audio, programming, localisation, testing and producing.

The games developer job title covers a broad area of work and there are many specialisms within the industry. These include quality assurance tester, programmer (with various specialisms such as network, engine, toolchain and artificial intelligence), audio engineer, artist (including concept artist, animator and 3D modeller), producer, editor, designer and special effects technician.

Typical work activities

Tasks vary depending on your specialist area but may include:

• developing designs and/or initial concept designs for games including game play;
• generating game scripts and storyboards;
• creating the visual aspects of the game at the concept stage;
• using 2D or 3D modelling and animation software, such as Maya, at the production stage;
• producing the audio features of the game, such as the character voices, music and sound effects;
• programming the game using programming languages such as C++;
• quality testing games in a systematic and thorough way to find problems or bugs and recording precisely where the problem was discovered;
• solving complex technical problems that occur within the game production; disseminating knowledge to colleagues, clients, publishers and gamers;
• understanding complex written information, ideas and instructions;
• working closely with team members to meet the needs of a project;
• planning resources and managing both the team and the process;
• performing effectively under pressure and meeting deadlines to ensure the game is completed on time

Entry Requirements:

Although this role is open to graduates in all subject areas, a relevant degree, HND or foundation degree in one of the following subjects may increase your chances:

• computer games development;
• computer games design;
• multimedia design;
• interactive media;
• software engineering;
• mathematics;
• physics;
• animation;
• graphic design;
• computer science.

Entry without a degree, HND or foundation degree is sometimes possible with relevant experience, although most people who work in games are graduates.

An alternative entry route into games development is as a quality assurance technician or tester. Although you do not need to have an HND or degree to enter at this level, some programming experience is desirable, as well as extensive experience of game playing, an understanding of different styles and platforms and database skills.

A relevant postgraduate qualification, while not essential, may be useful, especially if your first degree or HND does not involve a games specialism element. Several universities offer Masters degrees in games-related specialisms.

With the increasing popularity of games and advances in technology, the industry offers a wide range of opportunities but competition is intense at all levels and games developers need to demonstrate a high level of commitment and achievement. It is essential that you create a portfolio (for artistic roles) or working demo (for programming roles) with examples of work you have created. This gives employers a good idea of your talent and creativity. The ability to code in C++, scripting experience and knowledge of specific software tools are also useful skills.

Relevant work experience gained, for example, through an industrial placement during your degree, is also important.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• technical ability, in particular familiarisation with a range of software packages and/or programming languages;
• teamworking skills;
• the ability to work independently;
• creativity; communication skills;
• problem-solving ability;
• flexibility; self-motivation;
• initiative;
• enthusiasm;
• the ability to meet deadlines and client requirements.

A strong interest in games and knowledge of the industry is also vital. Get involved in online forums to increase your knowledge of current industry hot topics and read relevant games development magazines, such as Game Developer or 3D World.

Entry-level jobs are rarely advertised so it is important to build up contacts in the industry. Approach companies speculatively, making sure you do your research first. Any recruitment tends to be via company websites, through specialist recruitment agencies or advertised in specialist games publications. Research thoroughly companies you are interested in, targeting your application accordingly.

It is widely predicted within the industry that games will become even closer to film in terms of technological advances. Because of this, skills in cinematography or story writing are likely to be welcomed within the games development role. As games are sold internationally, developers also need to have a good level of cultural awareness so that games are appropriate to their markets.

Training

Games developers often begin at a junior level and are managed by a more experienced lead developer, who will give training on the job. The games development industry is fast moving, with changing technology, software packages and working methods, so an ability to manage your own learning and keep up to date with technological developments is essential.

Quality assurance testers within games development can take an Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB) Foundation, Intermediate or Practitioner Certificate in Software Testing to increase their knowledge and employability. The BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) also provides a range of accredited courses for IT professionals.

e-skills UK - The Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology promotes ongoing professional development in the sector and supports the professional development of graduate IT professionals during the early years of their career.

Skillset: The Sector Skills Council for Creative Media advertises a range of relevant courses on their website, for example in 3D modelling and animation, for those entering the design side of games development. These courses range from short training courses to Masters degrees.

Games developers are expected to acquire confidence in new technical skills as part of their job and some companies develop their own software, specific to their own needs. Much of the training is done in house and on the job.

Employers & Vacancy Sources

In 2009, there were about 155 games development companies in the UK, employing over 5,500 people (Skillset Employment Census , 2009). The industry is strong in Europe and the UK is the fourth largest games producing country in the world after the USA, Japan and Canada.

Employers are largely games developers or games publishers. Development studios may be owned by a publisher or may be independent and they may do business internationally, nationally or regionally. Games production companies and studios vary in size from small companies employing fewer than five people to multinational studios employing hundreds.

As well as games for PC, console or hand-held gaming devices, games are created in a variety of different forms and can be commissioned by such diverse clients as educational institutions, broadcasters, DVD and CD-ROM authoring companies, information providers such as local and national government, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), marketing and advertising agencies, mobile phone companies and design companies.

Project work accounts for a considerable proportion of employment in this field. For many games projects, developers work in teams. For example, it may take a team of up to 200 people to design a prestigious game. Developers may work on a project for a long period of time as games can take up to three years to complete.

Sources of vacancies

Search graduate jobs on this site.

• Develop
• Edge
• Games Recruit
• GamesIndustry.biz
• Gamasutra
• Games Tester
• Work in Games - jobs aimed at those new to the industry
• Computer Weekly
• TargetJobs IT magazine
• careers service vacancy lists
• local and national press

Specialist recruitment agencies, including Aardvark Swift , Amiqus and Datascope , regularly handle vacancies for games development. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is the professional body for recruitment agencies.

Visit their website for a list of relevant member agencies. Entry-level jobs are rarely advertised so speculative applications to companies you are interested in can be useful. The Datascope and Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) websites have lists of UK games developer/video games companies and publishers.

Salary

Range of typical starting salaries: £12,000 to £25,000. The lower salary level relates to entry-level roles, such as quality assurance tester; the mid-salary level relates to artists/animators and designers; and the higher salary level relates to programmers (salary data collected Jan 10).

SOURCE: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/games_developer_salary.htm

Advice on Personal Statements from Bournemouth University Staff

This is a video from the talk given by staff from the University of Bournemouth, it includes some excellent advice on what to include in a personal statement.

University of Westminster Student goes to radical lengths to cut his student debt

A Media Studies student at the University of Westminster went to extreme lengths in an attempt to cut his student debt.

Read the full article here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1351755/Cutting-university-costs-I-lived-tin-shack-curb-student-debt.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

University Campus Suffolk

'University Campus Suffolk is among one of the newest higher education institutions in the UK. UCS is a modern approach to higher education, with centres in Bury St Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Otley complementing the campus development in Ipswich. This model of a cutting-edge campus and network of learning centres focuses on accessibility, community, enterprise, and innovation. It also provides a number of innovative local learning centres across Suffolk called Learning and Enterprise Access Points (LEAP). All UCS degrees are jointly validated by the Universities of East Anglia and Essex."

http://www.ucs.ac.uk/home.aspx

This University has a number of very interesting courses that students from Media, Film and CRAM would potentially be interested in. Such as:

BA (Hons) Computer Games Design

BA (Hons) Film

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

In light of the intended rise in tuition fees as University that is closer to home could be a consideration for more and more students. Therefore, this is a university worth looking into.

Bournemouth University Overview

Bournemouth University is an excellent place for Media Studies students to continue their education. The Media School has a number of varied and interesting media related courses including:

BA (Hons) Communication and Media
BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism
BA (Hons) Computer Animation Arts
BSc (Hons) Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects
BA (Hons) Computer Visualisation and Animation
BA (Hons) Politics and Media
BA (Hons) Interactive Media Production
BA (Hons) Radio
BA (Hons) Scriptwriting for Film and Television
BA (Hons) Television Production
BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography

Here are some words from their website which gives you an idea of just how good this place is:

"Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in the Media School has been assessed as 'excellent' by the Quality Assurance Agency and its research in the area of computer animations has been rated 5 in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. Currently the school has around 1,850 undergraduate and 250 postgraduate students.

The Media School is the UK's only Centre for Excellence in Media Practice (as designated by Higher Education Funding Council for England) and is also an accredited Skillset Media Academy. These endorsements firmly establish the School as a major education centre for the media industries."

Another thing that makes the Media School so good is that many of the people you would be taught by are industry professionals, many of whom are still actively working in the media industry. This is a real bonus for students as it can open up opportunities for work.

The work that students produce is varied and of a high standard. Check out their student showcase website to get a taste of the kind of work you could produce.
Here is an example from a student studying Television Production.

Reaching Albion from Jon scorer on Vimeo.

Careers Week

As part of careers week we are keen to give you all information on possible careers that you could go into as a result of studying Media, Film or the Creative and Media Diploma.

www.careersbox.co.uk has a number of films featuring people who are successful in a variety of different careers including Journalism, being a camera operator, a location sound recordist, a make-up artist, an actor or a motion picture camera operator.

Here are a couple of the best films.

Visit Careersbox TV

Visit Careersbox TV

There is also a really useful film on the Guardian careers site about how the media is changing and what new careers are emerging in the media.
In addition there is lots of useful information on careers in the media
http://careers.guardian.co.uk/media-jobs

Plus there is the skillset website which also has some excellent information with regards to careers in the media
http://www.skillset.org/skillset/role/article_2643_1.asp

University display outside G22!

If you are interested in taking a Media related course at University then take a look at the display of courses outside G22.

The universities displayed are some of the best in the country and have a wide range of courses available. If you are interested in practical or theoretical media courses, or a bit of both, then all of your needs are catered for.

Come and take a look!

Interview with ex-Long Road Student, Rebecca Sharon

Whilst visiting Lincoln I caught up with ex-Long Road student, Rebecca Sharon to find out her initial impressions of the University of Lincoln.




1) What are you studying here and what year are you in?
I am doing BA (Hons) Media Production and am in my first year.

2) What did you study at Long Road and what results did you get?
I got an A in Media Studies, a B in Film Studies and a B in Photography.

3) Did you start uni straight away?
Yes, I worked in the summer and then came straight here. Actually that is one piece of advice I would give people, work out what you think you will need and then triple it. I would be so broke right now if I hadn’t worked in the summer.

4) How would you describe your experiences so far?
It’s a lot better than I thought it would be. I’ve just finished a soundscape for radio and the best ones get played at Siren FM, the community radio station. Everything we do is a lot of fun.

5) What do you like most about the course?
Definitely the practical side, they show you how everything works and you get an idea of how stressful working in the media can be. They talk you through all of the different roles in a production. It is a lot of fun.

6) How similar is the course to the media course at Long Road?
There isn’t as much focus on the theory, which is what I really enjoyed at Long Road. There is a lot more practical work than we did at Long Road.

7) How well did media at Long Road prepare you for media at University?
The experience I had of editing and also of Photoshop have been really useful. You don’t get as much help unless you ask for it but when you do ask for help it is always there. I think I would have felt quite lost if I hadn’t done media before.

8) What opportunities have you had to make industry links?
I’m not sure. Everyone is always talking about there being lots of opportunities. I know that someone got some work from an industry person who came in as a guest editor and really liked there work so offered them a job. I think that kind of thing happens a lot.

9) What do you think of the quality of teaching and the facilities here, rate them out of 10.
8-9. Everyone is very helpful. Sometimes it can be hard to get hold of people but when you are in touch they are very helpful. The facilities are great, I love the little TV studio we get to work in and I can’t wait to get into the big studio.

10) How many hours a week do you spend in lessons?
I have three 2 hour workshops a week, four 1 hour lectures and two 1 hour seminars, so that is about 12 hours contact time. But there is an expectation here to do a lot of independent study. When we were doing our soundscape we were in the radio edit suite everyday from 5-8 or 9pm, sometimes later if we booked the last slot of the day in the edit suite.

11) On a scale of 1-5 how enjoyable is University?
5, it’s great. There is good night life here and the course is brilliant.

12) On a scale of 1-5 how hard is University?
3 to 4, it is difficult. I think it does depend on how much knowledge you have when you get here. Some things are really easy to pick up but other things are really difficult. I found Photoshop tough to get the hang of. The reading they set can be difficult too, 60 pages on representation in soap opera, that wasn’t easy. All the books you need are in the library though so you don’t have to spend loads of money on buying them all.

13) Would you recommend this course to other Long Road students?
I would definitely recommend the course.

14) What do you enjoy most about studying media at Lincoln?
The practical work is good, and lots of fun. There are loads of places to socialise between lectures and I really enjoy the group work. Our whole class, 15 of us, made a comedy drama, it was great. We had behind-the-scenes people, camera and technical people and then the actors. It was great.

15) What is the next step for you?
You can pretty much go anywhere from Lincoln. I’d really like to get into editing or behind the scenes on a TV show, maybe a floor manager. I’d also love to go on the American exchange next year so I need to make sure I get good grades this year. I’m really enjoying myself here in Lincoln, it’s a great place.

Visit Report from University of Lincoln

This week I visited the University of Lincoln's Media School. The department staff were still buzzing from their recent victory at the Royal Television Society awards ceremony, where students won three awards in the categories of Best Entertainment, Best Animation and Best Factual programme. I was given a very warm welcome when I met Mike Mason of the University of Lincoln’s Media School. Established around 1996 Media has a relatively long history at Lincoln. The Media department is housed in the Faculty of Media, Humanities & Technology and offers a number of general and very specific media related courses, these include:

BA(Hons) Media Production
BA (Hons) Film & Television
BA (Hons) Audio Production
BA (Hons) Documentary Production

The BA Film & Television can be combined with English, History, Drama or Journalism. Lincoln has an extremely highly regarded Journalism school and the Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design also offers BA(Hons) Animation.
How you get in…
The Media school doesn’t interview prospective students as the UCAS points they require are fairly high. Put it this way, it’s harder to get on the Media Production course here than it is to get onto Forensic Science! However, if a student doesn’t quite make the 300 points required then the content of the personal statement does become even more important. This is the time when media-related work experience etc could make the difference between getting in or missing out, this is something to think about if you are aspiring to go to Lincoln.
What they have to offer…
There are around 180-200 first year Media Production students so the cohort is really quite large, however the facilities are vast and all housed in the extremely modern faculty building. Edit suites for video using iMovie, Final Cut and Avid, audio recording and edit suites, design and photography studios are all in abundance, as is extremely helpful and experienced technical support. Two TV studios with gallery and green rooms facilities, a fully functioning theatre; the LPAC and auditorium at the East Midlands Media Technology Enterprise Centre just next door, fabulous library and social facilities make Lincoln extremely well equipped.

Industry links…
There is a community radio station based in the building that students can get involved in and numerous opportunities to make links with the industry. The 33 strong staff is comprised of academics and practitioners, from ex-BBC personnel to experimental film makers to working photographers. Industry guest speakers are the norm at Lincoln, a recent guest was the Deputy Director General of the BBC who commanded quite a crowd. And on the day of my visit a highly experienced actor was coming in to discuss his experiences of working in front of the camera in both TV and film. There is also a unit in the third year which requires students to conduct research into media orientated organisations, this has in the past led to students being offered work within those companies. All of this industry exposure pays dividends for the students who work hard and get themselves noticed.
What happens when you get there…
Most of the production work conducted is done in groups with a certain amount of paperwork attached; other forms of assessment include critical evaluations, log books, reports and essays. There are no exams in the Media Production course.
Typically in a semester students would have two practical projects to work on, from different disciplines i.e. Radio & Sound and Design & Visual Communication; these would have paperwork attached. They would also be required to produce two critical essays, one from a core module and another from an optional module.
Extras…
In the second year Media students can also apply to spend their first semester at the University of Minnesota in Moorhead, USA. The School of Communications and Journalism has been a part of an exchange programme with Lincoln since 2001.
Success rates…
77% of graduates from the Media Production course get either a First or a 2:1. Those are very impressive results. Graduates from Lincoln go on to have prosperous careers in organisations such as the BBC, ITV, Sky, Nintendo and even Mi6. They become runners, work in TV studios in either corporate or camerawork, work in public relations and even teaching. One thing seems very evident to me and that is that if you are interested in extending your media skills and equipping yourself with the necessary tools to make it in the industry then Lincoln should be a strong contender for your UCAS application.

Top three reasons to pick Lincoln:
* A strong emphasis on practical work with excellent facilities
* Regular industry guest speakers
* No exams

Visit Report from Anglia Ruskin University

I recently went to visit Anglia Ruskin University, which is my old stomping ground, to see what’s changed since I graduated from there several years ago.

I met with Dr. Sarah Barrow, Head of Department who talked to me about the exciting developments at the Cambridge Campus that will benefit prospective film and media students.
Anglia has numerous campus’ and centres in the Anglia region, the media courses are taught at the Cambridge campus which is currently undergoing a refurbishment programme to incorporate state-of-the-art facilities, this should be complete for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The new facilities will include a digital performance lab that media students will have access to.
Existing facilities available to the media students are as follows:
* Excellent access to camera and editing equipment.
* Around 50 edit suites with Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro
* Two dedicated digital ICT suites with access to Quark Express, InDesign, Flash etc and dedicated technical support
* On-line booking for production equipment and edit suites
* Instant access to expert technical advice
* An impressive selection of cameras including HD Panasonic 41 cameras, JVC Pro HD camera and a range of additional equipment including 6 portable lighting rigs, a range of dolly’s and tripods.
* A dedicated screening room with DVD, video and 16mm projection facilities
* Dedicated radio suite
* TV studio
* Dedicated screening facilities in the library
* Full range of DVDs, videos and media and film books

The choice of courses at Anglia include BA(Hons) Media Studies, BA (Hons) Film Studies and BA (Hons) Communication Studies. The key difference between media and communication studies is that media studies is focussed on the media and using the media whereas communication studies is about all communicative practices, it doesn’t have to apply to media but to everyday practices.

All of these courses work on a modular system and each module carries a certain amount of credits. You need to build up 60 credits per semester to total 120 credits per year. Every year there is at lease one compulsory module and then you can choose the rest from a selection, this is a great system which gives you the freedom to specialise in either theory or practice.

Anglia don’t usually require you to go for an interview so you don’t need to worry about preparing a portfolio in advance but they do think portfolios are important, so much so that there is time set aside for every student to begin to build up a portfolio of their work which showcases their skills. These portfolios are very useful interview tools for the graduates of Anglia Ruskin.

The department also has a module called ‘Working in Communication’, which gives students the opportunity to find work experience in the industry and make good industry links. Anglia students regularly work with organisations such as the BBC, the Fitzwilliam Museum and have helped to organise events such as the Cambridge Film Festival and the Strawberry Fair Film Festival.

Every Anglia Ruskin Student has a personal tutor and access to the full range of support available to them within the university, this includes: careers advice, finance support and advice, counselling, help with accommodation, access to a student adviser, help with essays etc.
There is an amazing choice of modules across the three years from ‘Media and Society’ in year one to ‘Technoculture’ in year three. A 15 credit module will usually add up to 2 hours contact time and a 30 credit module has 3 hours contact time. Modules usually consist of a lecture followed by a smaller seminar resulting in a range of activities to complete; these can include essays, reports, portfolios, presentations and major projects.

This department is staffed with very experienced lecturers who are experts in their field and fully qualified technical people who are also on hand to help. It is an extremely supportive and creative environment.

Follow this link to find out more information about the courses on offer and upcoming Open Days.
http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/prospectus/ugft/p300.html

Interview with ex-Long Road student Matt Waters

Whilst visiting Anglia Ruskin University I caught up with ex-Long Road student, Matt Waters to find out his views on studying Film and Media at Anglia Ruskin University.




1) What are you studying here and what year are you in?
I am in my third year of a BA Film and Media Studies degree course

2) What did you study at Long Road and what results did you get?
I got a B in Media Studies, a B in English Language and a B in History. And I got a C in General Studies

3) Did you start uni straight away?
Yes, I knew what I wanted to do so I didn’t want to waste any time, I just wanted to get on with it.

4) How would you describe your experiences so far?
Up and down I would say. Uni is a sheltered environment in which to grow up, the Student Loan gives you financial stability for a time and so it is like you’ve got training wheels on for a while until you know how to cope with it all. The staff are all really helpful and the people I’ve met are amazing.

5) What do you like most about the course?
The opportunity to study film and see films I would never have seen otherwise. I didn’t take film at Long Road so I enjoy that aspect of my course. Media Studies focuses on engaging with the world around you, for example looking at advertising and public perception. One of my favourite modules so far has been music, media and culture; we study old rockers which is great! The teacher clearly really cares about the subject so it makes me care. It is much easier to learn if you are interested in the subject.

6) How similar is the course to the media course at Long Road?
I think it is very different to Long Road, there is a lot less practical work here and the content is different. But I would definitely say that Long Road gave me a good grounding because we looked at lots of different aspects of the media and we learnt a lot of cinematic terms which helped me when I first got here.

7) How well did your time at Long Road prepare you for University life?
I don’t think every Long Road student would be ready for it. There is a lot of extra work, if you want to go to uni you have to be aware of the fact you need to put the work in. You have about 12-14 hours a week of lectures and obviously you need to put in the same amount of time outside of lessons.


8) What opportunities have you had to make industry links?
The department regularly get sent e-mails from various different organisations that are offering opportunities to get involved in things, for example in my first year I wrote reviews for the Cambridge Film Festival Daily. Then this year I got an internship at the Film Festival which was a fantastic opportunity. I was the Online Intern so I was in charge of uploading and updating the content on the web, I also wrote for the brochure and was in charge of the festival’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. I also managed some Diploma students from LongRoad who came in to do some work for us. It was a great experience.

9) What do you think of the quality of teaching and the facilities here, rate them out of 10.
I would probably give the facilities a 7 as I think they need more equipment but this is being addressed right now so it will improve. I would give the teaching an 8 to 9, the staff are really knowledgeable. I think Anglia is better than it’s ranking position, you will be pleasantly surprised by it if you just go on the rankings. You can get a good degree here if you apply yourself.

10) How many assignments do you have to do in a semester?
It is about one or two pieces of work per module.

11) On a scale of 1-5 how enjoyable is Uni?
I'd give it a 4, Uni is brilliant

12) On a scale of 1-5 how hard is uni
Probably a 3, it’s as tough as you make it, you get back what you put in. The final year is tough though, especially with the dissertation. But because it is based on continuous assessment you always have an idea of what you’re aiming for. I know that unless I mess up I am on target for a First.

13) Would you recommend this course to other Long Road students?
It depends on what you want to do but I would recommend it. The range of skills you learn here make you very employable because it is such a multi-faceted course, one minute you are studying Freud and the next you’re discussing the Dark Knight.

14) What is the next step for you after Anglia and are you getting support through this process?
I’ve been informally offered paid work at the next Film Festival and I am interested in taking a course in Journalistic writing. But I also really enjoy writing comedy; anything to do with writing is my ultimate aim. There is support here; there is a huge careers department that will help you with your CV and interview preparation etc.

University of Hertfordshire

"The Film & TV staff here at UH are very pleased to be associated with one of the leading Media Sixth Form Colleges in the country, with such an impressive track record for innovation and commitment."

-Alan Horrox, University of Hertfordshire

A fantastic range of courses housed in a purpose-built environment. The Film and TV course was set up last year and four of the first thirty students are from Long Road! Facilities are excellent and the staff very friendly, knowledgeable and very pleased to be associated with Long Road!

See the range of courses here.

There are courses in everything from special effects to TV documentary at the University, which is less than an hour away on the train or by road, at Hatfield.

Pete and Nick visited the University in February 2008 and met Professor Alan Horrox (himself a recent visitor to Long Road) and Dr.G. D. Jayalakshmi and were given a tour of the facilities. Long Road and Herts Uni will be working together informally on projects related to the new Creative and Media diploma.

Media Courses

There are over 2000 media courses available at various Universities across the UK and each of them will be slightly different. It can be extremely hard to choose which one would suit you or to work out what some of the course titles mean. In the past media students from Long Road have tended to apply for Media Production courses; these are courses which will tend to feature more practical work rather than media theory and are similar to the work you may have already done.

Other students have chosen more specialised degrees that focus on animation, journalism or media technologies. It is also possible to take a joint or combined degree which is where you can study more than one subject; not every university will offer joint honours. You may also find courses that offer a 'Sandwich' year, which means that as part of your course you will need to complete a year at work; often this can lead to making important contacts in media industries.

Below are some starting points and links to places ex-students have gone to; not every course will be ideal for you and some courses demand both high grades and some previous work experience. If you like the look of a course, e-mail the admissions tutor to get some more information and perhaps arrange a visit.

Links

Bournemouth University - an increasingly popular university with a good reputation for media courses.
Bournemouth University's Media Homepage - check out the courses on offer and have a look to see what students work is like
Bournemouth University's Interactive Media Production Blog - the blog site for the Interactive Media Production course

Lincoln University - the most popular destination for Long Road Media Studies students, with around 20 going for this course very year
Lincoln University's Media Production Course - this page explains what is involved in the Media Production course
Lincoln University's Media Technology Course - an alternative to the Media Production course
Lincoln University's Media, Culture and Communications course - a more theory based course with a practical element, it can also be taken as a joint honours degree; check out the link for the available combinations



Westminster University - another ex Long Road Media student favourite. It is based in Harrow and not Westminster. They offer a wide range of media based courses and have good links to the industry.
Wesminster University's Contemporary Media Practice course - a long established course that combines film, video, photography, digital media and theoretical debates
Wesminster University's Film and Television Production course - this is a popular course that has some well known ex students; it is composed of film making, television drama and documentary, screenwriting, film theory and criticism
Wesminster University's Media Studies course - by choosing this course you can follow four different pathways, this on is for Journalism, this one is for Radio. The other options are
Television Production and the final one is in Public Relations.

The University for the Creative Arts - spread over four campuses with the Film Production option based in Farnham, Surrey it offers a slightly more creative approach to Film production; also a bit like Marmite, you will either love it or hate it.
The University for the Creative Arts Film Production course - this long-established course in film-making will equip you with skills in 16mm and digital video production. You will learn about the materiality and craft of film-making, as well as the creation of meaning.
The University for the Creative Arts Video and Photography joint honours course - this course allows you to study a combination of units from the Video Media Arts and the Photography & Media Arts degree courses at Maidstone, and to explore the dialogue that is increasingly emerging between the two disciplines. video and photography. This course is based in Maidstone
The University for the Creative Arts Media Arts course - this time-based media course includes video, installation,16mm film, digital editing, sound and animation. You will utilise these media in order to explore the composition of sound and image through time and space.

Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication - offer Foundation Degrees; these are two year courses that sometimes offer a gateway to three year courses, they may not require the same grade profiles as three year courses.
Ravensbourne's Broadcast Technology course - this course has been devised in response to the broadcasting industry’s need for people with the necessary combination of skills to enter the sophisticated world of broadcast technology, with its blend of computer systems and dedicated broadcast hardware. It is primarily a technical course
Ravensbourne's Broadcast Operations and Production course - another foundation degree offering a sound technical grounding as well as work experience; it may not sound glamourous but it may lead to employment!
Ravensbourne's Broadcast Post Production course - another specialist course offering the opportunity to focus on editing and post production skills.


Anglia Ruskin's home page - it may not seem as glamourous as some other places but it offers a range of film and media courses, it may also mean you can stay at home and put off doing your own cooking/cleaning/washing for a while!
Anglia Ruskins' Communication, Film and Media courses - this is the gateway page to the courses that may be of interest to you.

The University of the West of England at Bristol - a well established University that offers a range of media courses including a very good animation course.
UWE's Animation course - this programme is a creative animation course offering a broad range of skills designed to enable you to operate independently within the commercial environment after graduation. You will need to have a showreel of work that includes more than just college projects.
UWE's Media and Cultural Studies and English course - an example of a joint honours degree that mixes both practical and theory work
UWE's Media Practice with Animation course - this is a creative media production course that combines video, sound and multimedia.

Canterbury Christ Church University's homepage - another newer University that offers a range of media courses and has a number of joint honours.
Canterbury Christ Church University's Digital Media with Web or Video - this is an interdisciplinary programme that aims to provide students with the conceptual and practical skills required to create cutting-edge digital new media.
Canterbury Christ Church University's Film, Radio and Television studies course - a well established course that a specialist media studies programme that aims to enable students to understand and appreciate the media as means of communication and creative expression. It allows students to pick a prefered pathway to specialise in.
Canterbury Christ Church University's Media homepage - the central hub of the media courses at Canterbury Christ Church University

Leeds University's media courses - the broadcasting options are well established an involve alot of practical work. Leeds University also have their own student TV station and offer work expereince as part of the Broadcasting courses.

An excellent option is Lampeter in Wales, which has very good industry employment links, a beautiful rural setting and outstanding facilities. It is also a good progression from our courses as it is Mac based and adopts a similar approach to long road to project work.

This is not an exhaustive or exclusive list it is meant to act as a starting point for your own investigations into courses.