Television Production BA Hons

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Course title:	BA (Hons) Television Production
Apply:	via UCAS
Code:	W610
Start (ft):	September
Mode:	full-time
Duration:	3 years full-time
Location:	Luton campus, Park Square
Faculty:	Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science
Department:	Bedfordshire Institute of Media and the Creative & Performing Arts: Division of Media Arts & Production

See our successful students, facilities and students at work in the TV Production photo galleries

MAY 2010 UPDATE:
The University of Bedfordshire’s state-of the-art media suite in Luton was the backdrop for the BBC’s Politics Show East at the weekend when it hosted a special Question Time event.
A specially-invited audience of local voters took part in the election debate on Sunday, 2 May which was broadcast from the University’s own TV studio.
They watched presenter Etholle George chair a panel of local candidates which comprised Gavin Shuker (Labour), Nigel Huddleston (Conservative), Qurban Hussain (Lib Dem) and Esther Rantzen (Independent).
As well as questions on the green belt and childcare, the programme featured a film about local voters and a film made by some of the University’s media students about job prospects.
The Politics Show East Director Julie Hay, said: “The University had a fantastic team of people on hand. Nothing was too much trouble. Working here was a good as working in any TV studio. Everyone really knew their stuff.”
University Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE, added: “We were delighted to welcome the BBC and show off our fantastic facilities again.
"Last autumn Radio 4 came to our Bedford campus on its first autumn tour. Now Luton has had its turn to show off its great facilities.”
The full programme can be seen at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/regions/east/default.stm

FEBRUARY 2010 UPDATE:
Katie Walker ('08 graduate) has just finished as Production Runner on 'Come Dine with Me', 'Marco's Kitchen Burnout' and 'Britain's Best Dish' all ITV Productions.
Sophie Cartmell and Claire Stubbs ('09 graduates) are employed on Endemol's 'Big Brother' from Jan 10 - September 10 as production runners. (Sophie had to turn down 'Armstrong & Miller' and 'The Peep Show' as she was too booked up).
Gina Randle ('08 graduate) has just worked on ITV's 'Dancing on Ice', 'Britain's Got Talent' and is about to work on 'The Brits'.
Ben Blakey ('09 graduate) is still at IMG, and has recently worked on 'Snooker Masters at Wembley' and 'Football League' show.
Colin Finnerty ('09 graduate) is currently working at IMG, and freelances at Fountain Studios on 'X Factor' and 'The Cube'. He has been asked to work at Outline Productions as junior researcher.
Henrietta Bediako ('09 graduate) is still Assistant Producer at Ideal World Shopping Direct.

PREVIOUSLY ....
Summer 09 TV Production graduates have already made great strides in the TV industry: Sophie Cartmell is production runner at Objective Productions, working on 'Peep Show', 'Derren Brown', 'The Real Hustle'; Claire Stubbs was office runner at Objective Productions working on 'Derren Brown' and 'The Greatest Ever 3D Moments' and from January 2010 will be a Runner on Big Brother; Colin Finnerty has worked as office runner/production runner for Outline Productions, IMG and Fountain Studios on 'Supernanny', 'Economy Gastronomy' and 'Britain's Biggest Brain'. Other graduate successes from summer 09 TV Production include Susan Hau and Henrietta Bediako who are both at Ideal World Shopping Channel working as Assistant Producers, Ben Blakey who has a ten-month contract at IMG working on live sports programmes, and Jason Dixon who is employed by the University of Bedfordshire as one of our technical support team.

Last year three TV Production students worked on ITV's huge live show 'Dancing on Ice', based at Elstree Films and TV Studios. Katie South (07 graduate) was Holly Willoughby's runner, Gina Randle (08 graduate) was a full-time production runner, and Ben Blakey (09 graduate) was an audience runner.

Allar Kaasik (08 graduate) is in his first year at the NFTS studying for an MA in Digital Post Production, and Mario Louis (07 graduate) is working for Comic Relief as Assistant Producer.

Previous students and graduates have gained jobs, placements and work experience on C4's 'Big Brother's Big Mouth' (Runner), BBC World Service (Studio Manager), 'The Paul O'Grady Show' (Researcher), SKY's Psychic TV (Assistant Producer), BBC's 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show' (Celebrity Booker), BBC Three Counties Radio (Broadcast Assistant), local-news.tv (Shooting Producer), Nuts TV (Shooting Researcher), ITV's 'Trisha' (Audience Researcher), C4's 'Big Brother' (Runner), BBC's 'Blast Lab' (Runner), Princess Productions' 'The Fashion Show' (Runner), GMTV (Library Assistant), Objective Productions, tourismtv, New Delhi TV, Media Trust Productions, BBC's 'Blue Peter', SKY's Black Entertainment TV, Teachers' TV (10 students were runners), local-news.tv (Producer/Director/Editor), SKY Sports News, SKY News

Summary

This course enables you to study TV Production with practitioners from the industry in a modern, high-tech environment, where you can learn key production skills to turn your ideas into actual projects.

The University now has four different multi-camera television studios:

1. TV Studio including four High Definition JVC GY-HD251 cameras with full studio kit, 3 pedestals, one camcrane jib arm, rolling spider, 2 Autoscript hoods, professional studio floor, lighting rig for 90 lamps, wireless talkback, in-ear presenter talkback, 65 inch multi-view plasma display, Panasonic multi-format high definition live switcher AV HS400A with 8 sources including links between studio, self-op studio and flame memory; engineering switcher with waveform/vector scope monitor, professional Soundcraft desk, professional Strand lighting desk, audience seating, full black cyc, full white cyc, chromakey blue cyc; props store, set store, costume store, male and female dressing rooms with toilets and showers also linked to TV Theatre.

2. TV Theatre including four standard definition cameras (one remote pan and tilt camera), vision-mixer, wired communications, professional lighting rig, stage area, audience seating, full black cyc, four PA speakers.

3. Self-op studio including two cameras, 2 Autoscript hoods, optional chromakey green curtain. Suitable for TV Production, Media Performance, Journalism, interviews, pieces to camera and live links to main TV Studio.

4. White room rehearsal space including 2 cameras, vision-mixer, black curtains, lighting rig.

In addition: ten digital editing suites, newsroom facilities and the radio station, Radio Lab.

You will develop the ability to work in groups and on your own, and explore a wide range of interconnected disciplines including cinematography, audio and visual effects, editing, sound design, lighting, scriptwriting, directing, producing, music videos, live news, live magazine programmes, television drama and radio. You will study units in understanding television and other media, and key themes and issues in television. Your final year includes a major piece of independent work. The course suits people who want to work 'behind the camera' and who enjoy being part of a team.

Collaborations with Media Performance, Journalism and Music Technology students are built in to the course work and assignments, enabling you to work with inter-connected disciplines in a realistic professional environment. Formal and informal opportunities exist for work placements and work experience, and we will encourage you to graduate with a degree, a showreel, a CV that includes work experience. During the course there will be visits from high profile industry speakers, and opportunities to start your own industry contacts book!

With more than 500 UK satellite television channels and 1,000 independent production companies, plus the mainstream broadcasters and the growing number of internet channels, TV is a fast-expanding area. This practical and vocational course will help you prepare to enter this exciting industry, and join the many highly successful University of Bedfordshire graduates currently working on well-known television programmes.

Areas of study include:

- Multi-camera television
- Cinematography, Sound Design and Editing effects
- Location video production
- Independent special project
- Radio
- Key themes and issues in television

Why choose this course?

Highly experienced staff, working within the television and media industry
Good links within the industry for gaining all-important work experience
Access to a multi-million pound Media Arts Centre with 4 different TV studios
Collaboration with students from Media Performance, Music Technology and Journalism
Student success in the television industry
10 editing suites with latest version of Final Cut Studio, High Definition Editing Suite
Radio studio, FM radio station
Opportunities to develop a substantial portfolio
Develop your craft in a realistic production environment

Student Comments

"Whoever though of having an exam where the whole class works together is a genius. It allows us to interact with each other and also gets us a hands on experience for what the industry is actually like."
Sadie Jones, TV Production level 1 student, 09/10, Director Live Interview Assignment

"The whole class working together like a real life crew on an aired live show! I had great fun as exams go, I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for the next one so I can try even harder."
Katie Shore, TV Production level 1 student, 09/10, Director Live Interview Assignment

"It was amazing to see how much work needs to be put in behind the camera, and has shown me how important the technical side is, to television and the media industry."
Zoe Mcneil-Duncan, TV Production level 1 student, 09/10, Asst. Floor Manager, Live Interview Assignment

"Despite the nerves I found the day went pretty well. Having a famous radio DJ was good and gave the day a really professional feel, especially asking for someone to get him some water and a tissue. When we began filming I was worried that because we were doing the real thing if I went wrong then it really mattered but as the interview went on I began to relax and i stared to really enjoy it and I now have a real passion for directing."
Danny Baker, TV Production level 1 student, 09/10, Director Live Interview Assignment

“The show (The Art Room) was a complete success and I am happy with every VT and the format of the show. The studio segments look professional – this is down to the director and the set designer. Overall I am very pleased with what we have done.”
Ben Blakey, TV Production level 3 student, 08/09

"Once The Art Room went live we had a brilliant run, everything went smoothly and no-one made any mistakes, and the communication between the gallery and the studio floor was totally perfect. Altogether it was a brilliant show to take part in.”
Jason Dixon, TV Production level 3 student, 08/09

“I think each and every person in the class put in 100% towards this production and the result we achieved was very impressive.”
Sumedh Balan, TV Production level 3 student, 08/09

“I feel the class really came together to create a really enjoyable solid piece of work that I am personally very proud of.”
Colin Finnerty, TV Production level 3 student, 08/09

"I feel the experience of the TV Production module more than any other has given me a REAL idea of what the TV industry is really like. We were given guidance by professionals and I am now confident that I can work in a studio situation. It has been amazing and I have learned more than I could have possibly imagined."
Haley McPherson, Level 3 TV Production student 07/08

"I think this course was somehow like work experience for us – the knowledge and skills that we gained are invaluable."
Edgars Ziverts, Level 3 TV Production student 07/08

"I’m amazed at how much I have learned."
Georgina Mainoo, Level 3 TV Production student 07/08

"Due to Kathryn working in the industry she understands how essential work experience is and what the benefits are to students wanting to work in TV. Kathryn offered me work experience working on Teachers TV for Brook Lapping Productions. The production was over two days filming six shows in London, my role was as a Runner and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and benefited hugely."
Katie Walker, Level 3 TV Production student 07/08

"I feel Kathryn has given me a head start by getting me some work experience and she inspired me to continue pushing and sending my CV out as much as possible."
Gina Randle, Level 3 TV Production student 07/08

"I found the TV Production module a steep but enjoyable learning curve, and a real eye opener."
Shandulani Mathumo, Level 3 TV Production student 07/08

Career Opportunities

A steady stream of our students enter the TV industry, gaining jobs in a wide variety of television production roles. See Updates section for some of our recent success stories.
Other career opportunities include radio, film production, commercials production, advertising, public relations, marketing and teaching.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

Practical workshops, seminars, lectures, tutorials.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of practical assignments, written essays, portfolios and production paperwork and computer based assessment.

Dissertation/project and research

In year 3 you will have the opportunity of working on a Special Project - this is a substantial piece of practical or written work of your own creation.

Further details about the course

TV Production BA (Hons) - Course Contents & FAQs

What does the course cover in the first year?
In level 1 you will study four Core Units:
TV Content and Creation includes an overview of UK TV industry today, how to research and write programme material, professional production paperwork, and the creation of programme content. Assessments are a mix of written work and a Dragon’s Den pitch of your programme ideas.

TV Skillsbase teaches the technical side of TV including multi camera studio recording, single camera location work, camera, sound, editing, vision-mixing and lighting, using Autoscript, and the roles of Production Assistant, VT recordist, Set Designer, Floor Manager and Assistant Floor Manager. Assessments are a mix of practical work and computer assessment.
You will work on 'as live' TV programmes with Media Performance students in a realistic professional environment.

Audio and Visual FX - teaches the analysis of sound and video in narrative storytelling.

Understanding TV and Other Media teaches the essential theory and analysis of TV programmes and media.

Level 2: You will make a music video and direct actors in dramas. There are options in a wide range of subjects including cinematography, editing, multimedia, radio, working in the media and photography.

Level 3: A more advanced version of the previous years, with realistic deadlines of making live on-air programmes. Again, there is a wide range of interesting options including experimental film and video, uses of film theory, creative writing, radio and advanced production skills (Cinematography, Sound and Image, Sound design and digital FX, photography). All students create a Special Project in level 3, which is a major piece of independent work.

Course Units are subject to change as we revise and update the course contents.

What kind of applicant will it suit?
No prerequisites – but good communication skills in English are required. The TV industry is largely freelance, or short contract, so TV Production suits people who are very motivated. TV Production is for people who want to work 'behind the camera'.

What kind of things might the applicant be doing before they come to University?
Work experience in the TV industry, hospital radio, local newspapers, TV courses at college, practice shooting video, experiment with editing software, go to the cinema, watch TV!!

What do graduates end up doing?
Working for major broadcasters eg. BBC, ITV, C4, SKY and smaller independent production companies, in a range of job descriptions. See this website for more examples.

What makes this course the best in the country for this subject area?
The lecturers have very strong industry experience, professional contacts and links, and some still work in the TV industry. The facilities of multi camera TV studio, self-op studio, theatre and rehearsal rooms. Regular TV Newsday's in collaboration with Journalism students working against the clock to create programmes in a day.

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirements apply for this course.

For further information ring our admissions office on 01582 489286.

Or you can go to the Ask Beds icon on the website and ask through there and admission staff will answer any other questions you may have.

Go to UCAS tariff table for information on the number of points of different qualifications.
www.ucas.ac.uk/students

Fees, Bursaries, Scholarships, Costs

See website for details

Find out more

Please contact Kathryn Wolfe, Course Leader TV Production BA (Hons).

E: kathryn.wolfe@beds.ac.uk

Related courses

TV Production students work very closely with Media Performance and Journalism students, so have a look at these related courses.

General Enquiries

www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply for information about standard entry requirements, application routes, open days, fees and funding.
T: +44 (0)1582 489286 UK/EU Admissions
T: +44 (0)1582 489326 International Admissions
Order a prospectus form. Enquire about courses and order a printed undergraduate or postgraduate prospectus.
T: +44 (0)1234 400 400 University switchboard

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