Four Media Production students were given a incredible opportunity to gain invaluable work experience by helping with a live broadcast of Channel 4 News from De Montfort University in Leicester.
Media Production students with Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan at DMU
The students - Natasha Macmanard, Paul Blackmore, Mohammed Seedat and Lucy Pinker– formed part of a team setting up for the Channel 4 News live “EU Referendum Special – Remain or Leave” debate - an event watched on Tuesday night by millions of viewers nationwide.
Using knowledge gained from their degree, the group worked with the Channel 4 News team to assist in wiring, helping with camera equipment and using the experience to expand their knowledge on a real-life live TV production.
Second year student Natasha Macmanard is currently the editor supervisor for Demon TV – DMU’s student television channel – and says this opportunity was ‘ideal’ for gaining hands-on production experience.
Natasha said: “The fact that Channel 4 News offered work experience to students at DMU to help them with such a huge, nationwide event is brilliant, and a really great thing to put on the CV –it’s very exciting to have been involved.
“We have been moving equipment, helping the team set-up within the gallery and shadowing other team members. The TV module we do on the course is really helping us here; knowing about what’s necessary for the live stream, autocue and vision mixer is vital, and links very closely to our degree.”
The day was topped off with an invitation to the group to watch the live show from the gallery as it aired to millions.
Second year student Lucy Pinker said that the day was “the perfect chance to get some experience” in her chosen career field, adding: “There has been so much going on throughout the day, but the team made sure to take the time to tell us exactly what they were doing, all the while answering any questions we had.
“It’s a brilliant learning curve, and something that will definitely come in handy for my future career.”
Paul and Mohammed took their final exam before they started their day’s work with Channel 4 and are looking forward to graduating in the summer.
Mohammed said: “It has been an amazing day. The work has all been hands on and we have just got stuck in - an absolutely brilliant experience.”
Paul added: “The people at Channel 4 News have been incredible - so helpful and welcoming. And I got a few business cards from the people working behind the scenes. Just being able to walk into a major broadcast like Channel 4 News and get stuck in has been amazing.”
Martin Collett, Programme Director for Channel 4 News, added: “As we are a news programme, we never have a huge crew with us - having some of DMU’s Media Production students to help us means we’re able to rig quicker, rehearse for longer and hopefully put out a better programme.”
The event - which was chaired by Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy - took place in the Queen’s Building, which belongs to the Faculty of Technology and houses the multi-million pound Creative Technology Studios. It is also the central hub for Media Production students.
The Media Production BSc (Hons) degree at DMU focuses on a technical approach to media production, ensuring students not only know what tools are used for productions, but exactly how they to technically set up those facilities and use all of the equipment correctly - making these students ideal candidates to be runners for the event.
Simon Walsh, Media Production BSc programme leader, said: “It's a fabulous opportunity for DMU's Media Production students - this is real, live TV production experience, with massive potential viewership.”
Channel 4 recently teamed up with DMU’s Leicester Media School to launch a new Investigative Journalism MA, which will equip graduates with the technical skills, resourcefulness and newsgathering techniques needed to produce quality, hard-hitting television investigations.
Simon added: “Leicester Media School launches its own Masters programme in Investigative Journalism, working hand-in-glove with Channel 4, from next academic session, so DMU is a great choice for students to launch their media career.
“We're extremely solid here at DMU in building our industry links, and the combination of real-world production experience coupled with the ever-vital contact-building processes are core to how we transfer knowledge to our students.”
Posted on Wednesday 18 May 2016